You Biofuels they are considered alternative energy sources, as they are renewable and present low levels of emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. In general, these energy sources are usually produced from agricultural or vegetable products, such as sugar cane, corn, castor beans, among other raw materials.
The main types of biofuels currently used are ethanol and biodiesel. They are usually used both for transporting vehicles and for generating energy (through generators, for example).
Ethanol
Research related to the use of alcohol (ethanol) has been taking place since the mid-twentieth century, however its production began decisively in the 1970s, with the so-called Oil Crisis. With this, the world started to look for other energy sources that could make an alternative to the extreme dependence on fossil fuels.
In Brazil, during this period, the National Alcohol Program (Proálcool) was created to reduce the economic losses caused by the high price of a barrel of oil in the international market. Despite its relative success, the new fuel was criticized for its low efficiency, especially of automobiles, in the use of the products. Furthermore, the automotive technology existing at the time was not capable of dealing with ethanol without causing corrosive damage to the engines, carburetors and other parts of the vehicles that used it.
From the beginning of the 2000s, research projects on ethanol production were intensified again. The technological advances that allowed the creation of engines flex, that accepted both alcohol and gasoline, contributed to the consolidation of alcohol production in the country. Thus, the consumption of ethanol, for the first time, surpassed that of oil and made Brazil one of the world leaders in the production and export of the product.
The manufacture of this fuel takes place mainly from sugarcane. This choice is mainly due to the feasibility of its planting, in addition to meeting the economic interests of large national producers. Despite this, Brazil is also one of the leaders in researching alternative sources for the production of alcohol as a form of fuel.
Biodiesel
While ethanol is used for vehicles and light engine equipment, Biodiesel is a biofuel used for trucks and buses. Its production and consumption in Brazil advanced with the creation of the National Plan for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), in 2004. In addition to Brazil, other world powers in the production of this energy source are: Germany and the United States, followed by Argentina, France, Japan and some other countries.
Its manufacture takes place from the transformation of vegetable oils and fats, thus being considered a renewable energy source with low levels of pollution.
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Just as ethanol is intended to replace gasoline, biodiesel is used to replace common diesel that is produced from petroleum. As a result, biodiesel was incorporated into diesel as of 2004, until, in 2008, its inclusion in diesel in the proportion of 2% became mandatory, which changed to 5% as of 2010.
Critics of biofuels
Despite being adopted mainly to solve economic issues, biofuels are also considered important ecological alternatives to combat the emission of gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, mainly the CO2. In the case of ethanol, for example, estimates show that all the carbon dioxide produced in its burning is absorbed during the production of its raw materials, which would contribute to reducing the negative effects of this substance on atmosphere.
However, there are those who advocate the idea that biofuels are not as clean an energy source as many imagine.
First, scientists point out that despite containing CO2 emissions2 in the atmosphere, biofuels would be related to the emission of other types of polluting gases, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen (N2), Phosphorus (P4), between others. The consequence would be the occurrence of some environmental damage, especially the increase in acid rain.
Another criticism commonly directed at biofuels refers to the production of their raw materials. As is the case in Brazil, large areas of cultivation are destined for the production of sugarcane, which can cause environmental and economic damage. With regard to environmental problems, there is the deforestation of large forest areas for the agriculture of this raw material. On the economic front, many producers direct their cultivation to meet ethanol production and stop cultivating other products, making them more expensive.
In addition, critics claim that sugarcane production in the country is generally carried out by large landowners, which contributes to the increase in the land concentration process.
Large estate for the production of sugarcane
With this, we can observe that there are pros and cons regarding the use of biofuels both in Brazil and in the world. However, there seems to be a consensus between
the parties that it is necessary to reduce dependence on oil production at the international level, both by economic and ecological criteria.
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
