WHERE, WHEN, & WHY?
The use of biofuels arose with the rapid growth of the automotive industry. During the 1900s, many inventors were experimenting the efficiency of different kinds of fuels.
The earliest and most significant use of ethanol as a source of fuel occurred in 1826, when Nicolaus August Otto, a German inventor used ethanol to power an early engine. Since then, biofuels have been a commonly used energy source. [5]
MAJOR CHALLENGES
The biofuel industry has been growing steadily but slowly. The industry faces various challenges such as lack of government and public support. [1]
The government and the public lack the incentive to invest in biofuels.
THE SOLUTION
However, this can change. The biggest steps the biofuel industry needs to take is to raise public awareness for the use and benefits of biodiesel and promote policies that will endorse the industry. [9]
ECONOMIC CONCERNS
Another major challenge the industry faces is the economic concern. Producing biofuels requires very expensive machinery. In the coming years, scientists hope to create a cheaper and more efficient way to produce biofuels [1]
TYPES OF BIOFUEL
Originally, biofuels were a main source of energy since it was more cheap and convenient for big industries during the rise of the industrial age. Humans have been switching between fossil fuels and biofuels since the 1800s. [10]
Today, modern environmental concerns and new policies have are reverting the attention back to biofuels
Considering the world's demand for energy, the lack of energy in third world countries, and the type of technological advances we are making, the world needs biofuel.
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BACKGROUND
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Instead of using fossil fuels, biofuel is produced using biomass such as plants, wood, seaweed, and even ethanol.
One way biofuels are produced is through anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which microorganisms break down or ferment organic matter in the absence of oxygen [3]