Biofuel Technologies

Traditionally, the transportation sector has been almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels (oil). As transportation is a major contributor to energy consumption and CO2 emissions , it is important to develop alternative, renewable fuel sources. Biofuels, such as bioethanol, may replace a significant part of the oil-based fuels.

Biofuel technology can be divided into several categories. Most notably:

First generation biofuels
Biofuels made from suger, starch, vegetable oil or animal fat; raw materials that could instead be used for food for animals or humans. The technology for producing first generation biofuels is already well developed.

Second generation biofuels
Biofuels produced from non-food raw materials, for example by producing ethanol from the cellulose content of wheat stalks, wood or other inedible waste products. This does not remove food from the animal or human food-chain. However, there are some technical challenges involved - such as developing processes for breaking down cellulose into sugar. Several Danish demonstration projects are working on solving these challenges.

Third generation biofuels
Also called Algae Fuel; third generation biofuels are produced from algae. This technology is still in the experimental stage; with several projects working to determine the feasibility of exploiting the potential of marine biomass as an alternative fuel source.

Bioethanol in Denmark
Denmark has a leading position in the development of second generation (cellulosic) bioethanol, with companies, universities and public authorities working together to develop this technology. The cellulosic ethanol may be produced using straw, wood or agricultural waste; raw materials which, in Denmark, are readily available as waste products. Furthermore, the production of second generation bioethanol may result in valuable byproducts that can be used for example for animal feed and solid fuels .