Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
Martin Mittelbach
University of Graz, Austria
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl
Biofuels are fuels produced from any kind of biomass source, which could be the whole biomass like plants or wood, fermented biomass for biogas and biomethane or extracted products like fats and oils. There is a big variety of different fuels existing; however, the most developed fuels are bioethanol and biodiesel, which have been commercialized worldwide since over 20 years. There are many national and global mandates and incentives existing in order to promote biofuels; the main goal of these actions is the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Advanced biofuels are fuels which lead to a significant reduction of greenhouse gases, e.g., fuels from waste and non-food feed-stocks or are so-called drop in-fuels which could be used in higher blends in special applications like aviation fuels. This study gives an overview on the latest developments of technology and utilization of advanced biofuels and also describes the future perspectives of biofuels. Especially the different legislations, e.g., the latest development of the European Directive of Renewable Energy are highlighted. As environmental issues like sustainability and life cycle assessment (LCA) have been discussed quite controversially, especially the food vs. fuel discussion, direct and indirect land use change, this presentation tries to evaluate the pros and cons to give a proper basis to evaluate the future potential of biofuels.
Martin Mittelbach is a leading Scientist in the Field of Biodiesel since 30 years. Since 1993, he is the Head of the working group: chemistry and technology of renewable resources at the University of Graz, Austria. He is the author of over 110 scientific publications in reviewed journals, editor and author of several books on biodiesel and he is the inventor of several patents on biodiesel production technologies. He has had cooperation and projects on biodiesel with numerous national and international research organizations. In 2015, he received the European Lipid Technology Award from the European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids.