‘First generation’ biofuels can offer some CO2 benefits and can
help to improve domestic energy security. But concerns exist about
the sourcing of feedstocks, including the impact it may have on
biodiversity and land use and competition with food crops. A ‘first
generation’ biofuel (i.e. biodiesel (bio-esters), bio-ethanol, and
biogas) is characterized either by its ability to be blended with
petroleum-based fuels, combusted in existing internal combustion
engines, and distributed through existing infrastructure, or by the
use in existing alternative vehicle technology like FFVs (‘‘Flexible
Fuel Vehicle’’) or natural gas vehicles. The production of 1st
generation biofuels is commercial today, with almost 50 billion
liters produced annually. There are also other niche biofuels, such
as biogas which have been derived by anaerobic treatment of
manure and other biomass materials. However, the volumes of
biogas used for transportation are relatively small today [4].
However, the first generation biofuels seems to create some
skepticism to scientists. There are concerns about environmental
impacts and carbon balances, which sets limits in the increasing
production of biofuels of first generation. Themain disadvantage of
first generation biofuels is the food-versus-fuel debate, one of the
reasons for rising food prices is due to the increase in the
production of these fuels [8]. Additionally it is claimed that
biodiesel is not a cost efficient emission abatement technology.