Biofuels are a problem rather than a solution

13 March 2007

The Netherlands are behind as far as production and use of bio-ethanol and other bio-fuels are concerned. Amongst the possible applications of genetically modified crops a number is aiming at turning plants into more efficient suppliers of renewable resources and CO₂-neutral fuels.

The Dutch bi-weekly Bionieuws published an interview with Prim Bindraban, team leader Natural Resources at Plant Research International in Wageningen. The interview resulted from a letter to the editor of the Dutch daily Volkskrant and sheds a different light on biofuels. The efficiency of plants turning sunlight into chemical energy typically amounts no more than 0.5 to 1.5 percent. Solar cells are 15 to 20 times as efficient solar energy converters.

In order to prevent sacrificing nature, the thoughts dwell on producing biofuels on sun-rich marginal soils, like deserts. Suppose all synthetic fertilizer could be put to producing biofuels. It has been calculated that even then no more than 10 to 16% of worldwide energy consumption can be met. The amount of phosphate, an ingredient of fertilizer, will only last another 100-150 years.

Availability and transport of sufficient amounts of water poses yet more restrictions. Besides ecological problems there are also socio-economic threats involved: what will happen with food prices elsewhere in the world when the demand in the western world for biofuels increases rapidly?

Dr. Bindraban is investigating how the shift is soybean culture (The US are increasingly producing corn for biofuels, leaving it to Brazil to grow ever more soybeans for the US and Chinese markets) has its effects on the Brazilian rainforrest. According to the investigator it is advisable to focus on improving solar cells and further develop tidal energy instead of biofuels.

source: Dutch biweekly Bionieuws 10 March 2007, interview by Arno van ´t Hoog with dr. Prem Bindraban