As energy consumption shifts from fossil fuels, the use of biofuels is making an increased contribution to energy production. The
EU has targeted the use of 10% biofuels in the transportation sector
by 2020,
1
while US production of biodiesel is expected to exceed 6.4
million tonnes in 2016. Biodiesel is a fuel consisting of long chain
monoalkyl esters derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is an attractive replacement for petroleum based diesel, as
the two fuels can be blended in any proportion and biodiesel can be
used in existing diesel engines without modification. The use of
biodiesel reduces emissions of particulate matter,
2
carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by a significant amount (45e70%), although NOxemissions are introduced slightly.
3,4
The lifecycle CO2
emissions of biodiesel are dependent on the feedstock material and
land usage.
5,6
However, the use of third generation feedstock oils
derived from algae have shown a 68% reduction in CO2emissions
compared to traditional diesel fuel