Biofuels for energy independence : A universal concept for the production of biofuels on a mass scale?

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 367 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1471-0846
• DOI: 10.1016/s1471-0846(03)80031-8

✦ Synopsis

Only a few very well known countries currently enjoy energy independence. Every singJe country throughout the worJd, however, has the inherent ability to achieve complete and ~asting energy independence on a renewabJe and therefore sustainable basis° This may be accomplished by adopting the simple agricultural approach of growing vegetable oiM crops for the purpose of refining biodiesel fuels° WaterSrnart Environmenta|, USA outlines a concept that could lead to production of b[ofueis on a mass scale in many regions of the worJd.

The climate, size, and geographic location of a country are nonfactors if vegetable oil farming occurs within multistory greenhouses that utilize artificial lighting. Biodiesel fuels may be refined to produce heating oil, jet fuel, and vehicle transportation fuels as well as lubricating oils and greases (see www.biodiesel.org). Traditional fossil fuels may well become obsolete when greenhouse farming coupled with biodiesel refining produce biofuels at a lesser marketplace price than petroleum distillates.