Reducing dependency on fossil fuels, securing energy needs and mitigating climate change all contribute to an increasing demand for alternative energy sources, like biofuels. Derived from biomass resources, biofuels production can provide a sustainable energy source for (rural) people and enterprises in developing countries and an opportunity for mainly rural economic development.
What are biofuels?
In addition to biogas, a gaseous form of biofuels, SNV is working with local counterparts on liquid biofuels. Liquid biofuels are usually divided into ethanol, an additive or substitute for gasoline, and vegetable oils for the production of biodiesel, as substitute for diesel. For now, ethanol is mainly produced by fermenting and distilling biomass that contain high amounts of sugar, such as Sugar cane and coffee pulp. Ethanol is mainly used in gasoline blending for the transport sector.
The second main type of liquid biofuel is biodiesel. Biodiesel is mainly produced from plant seed oils and applied in diesel engines, pure or blended with regular diesel. Also known as Pure Plant Oil (a biofuel itself, that can be applied as cooking energy, but also in converted diesel engines), vegetable oils can be extracted by pressing and filtering the vegetable seeds. Important oil producing crops are Oil palm, Rapeseed and Jatropha, a plant growing on marginal lands with relatively modest water requirements. SNV is focusing on small-scale producers of energy crops, articulating them to biofuels value chains in Inclusive Business initiatives, for increased production, income and employment opportunities.
In recent years, discussions on biofuels production hampering food security and damaging environments are prevailing. SNV emphasises on sustainable production of biofuels in less developed countries in relation to poverty reduction, while contributing to inclusive policy development. Furthermore, through our initiatives with the private sector, we promote and work on sustainability and address social, economic as well as environmental consciousness.
Learn more about SNV’s approach
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