In the shift to sustainable power, electric vehicles and solar energy are the main focus. But there's another player gaining ground: biofuels.
According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, fuels from organic material could be key in cleaner energy adoption, where batteries are not practical yet.
Unlike batteries that need new infrastructure, they run on today’s transport setups, which helps in aviation, freight, and maritime transport.
Popular forms are ethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is made by fermenting sugars from corn or sugarcane. It is produced from oils like soybean or rapeseed. Engines can use them without much modification.
Other options are biogas or aviation biofuel, created from food waste, sewage, and organic material. They are potential solutions for heavy industry.
But there are challenges. Biofuels are costly to produce. Cheaper processes and more feedstock are required. We must avoid competing with food crops.
Despite these problems, they are still valuable. They don’t need a full system replacement. They also help recycle what would be trash.
Biofuels are often called a short-term solution. But they may be a long-term tool in some sectors. They are effective immediately while waiting for full electrification.
With global decarbonization on the agenda, the value of biofuels increases. They are not meant to compete with EVs or renewables, website they complement the clean energy mix. If we fund them and improve regulation, biofuels could help transform transport worldwide