Biofuels can help reduce the world dependence on traditional gasoline, coal, oil and other non-renewable sources of energy. Explore this article to know the benefits/ advantages of biofuel in detail.

Benefits Of Biofuels

Biofuel is any solid, liquid or gaseous fuel that is derived from biomass. It is produced from any carbon source that is easy to replenish, such as plants. The two main biofuels are biodiesel and bioethanol. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil and rapeseed oil or converted from the used cooking oil and tallow (animal fat). Bioethanol is produced from carbohydrate crops such as maize, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes and a variety of other starch and sugar crops. Biofuels are becoming the most preferred alternate fuels across the world today. More and more vehicle drivers are turning to them, as environmental consciousness is increasing. The reason behind is that they have a lot of benefits to their credit. Read on further to explore the benefits of biofuels in detail.
 
Advantages Of Biofuel
 
  • Biofuels produce fewer harmful carbon emissions, as compared to fossil fuels, when burnt. Hence, biofuels reduce air pollution, greenhouse gases and toxins.
  • Biofuels are a renewable and sustainable alternative, since fossil fuels are diminishing at a fast rate today. To produce these fuels, crops can be grown continuously and their production can even be expanded to accommodate growing demand for fuel.
  • Most of the ingredients that go into the production of biofuels are waste products, such as corn stalks and other byproducts of agricultural farming. These products are turned into an energy source and help to deal with the problem of overall waste storage as well.
  • Biofuels are less toxic than fossil fuels, since they are made with biodegradable matter. In case of accidents that result in spilling or leaking of fuel, biofuels cause less health and environmental hazard, since they can be easily and quickly cleaned up. 
  • Digging for oil and coal, which is found buried deep in the earth’s crust, causes a strain on earth itself. Searching for fossil fuels by digging coalmines involve various risks, including oil spills and occurrence of earthquakes. Biofuels diminish these risks completely.
  • Manufacturing and delivering any product requires employees and biofuel is no exception. Developing biofuels creates various jobs, ranging from farming to production to transportation.
  • Biofuels reduce the dependence of countries over other countries for fuels, since each is capable of producing biofuels. Fuel independence, thus, increases domestic security and self-dependence.
  • Although the initial cost of integrating biofuels into everyday life seems enormous, their use would be much less expensive than traditional fuel, once the expenses are addressed in the right way.
  • Since biofuels are made from crops, farmers across the world would benefit as the prices of their crops would increase to keep up with demand. Farmers who have been struggling to earn a fair wage for their work would be highly benefited.
  • Biofuels play a significant role in climate change policies and thus, open up opportunities for fuel development in developing countries, including Africa.

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