Biofuel Alternative Assignment

Wenwu Kasselie - AP Environmental Science

1. Renewable or Non-Renewable

• Biofuel is a renewable energy source.
  • Derived from biomass like plants or animal waste.
  • Can be replaced almost as quickly as it is consumed.

2. Description of Biofuel

• Produced from organic materials.
• Commonly used for:
  • Transportation fuels
  • Heating/electricity generation

3. Production of Biofuel

• Utilizes:
  • Oxidation in the absence of air.
  • Fermentation of crops high in sugar or fats.
• Results in the production of ethanol, a common biofuel.

4. Advantages/Benefits of Biofuel

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate global warming.
• Provides a consistent energy solution:
  • Unlike solar and wind energy, it is not dependent on weather conditions.

5. Disadvantages/Consequences of Biofuel

• Resource Intensive:
  • Requires significant land and water resources.
  • Potential to cause groundwater pollution.
• Possible negative environmental impact:
  • Depending on the production process, it could emit more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.