TABLE OF CONTENTS Biomass currently supplies 14 percent of the world s energy needs, but has the theoretical potential to supply 100 percent. Most present day production and use of biomass for energy is carried out in a very unsustainable manner with a great many negative environment consequences. If biomass is to supply a greater proportion of the world s energy needs in the future, the challenge will be to produce biomass and to convert and use it without harming the natural environment. Technologies and processes exist today which, if used properly, make biomass-based fuels less harmful to the environment than fossil fuels. Applying these technologies and processes on a site specific basis in order to minimize negative environment impacts is a prerequisite for sustainable use of biomass energy in the future.
Biodiesel and bioethanol are widely used in automobiles and freight vehicles. For example, in Germany most diesel fuel on sale at gas stations contains a few percent biodiesel, and many gas stations also sell 100 percent biodiesel. Some supermarket chains in the United Kingdom have switched to running their freight fleets on 50 percent biodiesel, and often include biofuels in the vehicle fuels they sell to consumers, and an increasing number of service stations are selling biodiesel blends (typically with 5 percent biodiesel).
In Europe, research is being undertaken into the use of biodiesel as domestic heating oil. A blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent kerosene (B20) has been tested successfully to power modern high-efficiency condensing oil boilers. Boilers...
