| Biofuel fails EU sustainability test |
The growing row over biofuels is ready to
flare up again with German researchers claiming to have found evidence that
European–produced biodiesel does not meet the sustainability targets claimed by
Brussels. Two experts at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena say eight out of their
10 tests on locally produced rapeseed biodiesel failed to show the 35%
greenhouse gas savings promised. In most cases it was under 30%. The use of
biofuels would be further undermined when the EU emissions target increases, as
planned, to 50% in five years’ time. Gernot Pehnelt and Christoph Vietze also claim their
work has been undermined by a lack of co–operation from the European Union which they believe
is on the defensive over championing local energy crops. // Read More // |  |
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| Posted By Peter on 19/08/2012 ( Reads : 244 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Turning the tap on biofuels |
THE Irish biofuels industry died on Jan 1, 2011 when a government tax relief scheme designed to foster the sector was replaced with one which has completely failed to do so. As a result, almost all of the country’s bioethanol, biodiesel, and oil–crushing plants were switched off.
Tom Bruton, president of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) says in all, eight facilities built between 2005 and 2008 — often with grant aid — were shut down just over 16 months ago.
“There were people employed by these companies that had to be let go,” he says.
“There were people manning the production systems and people delivering the fuel that aren’t working any more.” // Read More // | |
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| Posted By tony on 14/05/2012 ( Reads : 622 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| MEPs consider tractors powered by hydrogen at eco–farming showcase |
Tractors powered by hydrogen extracted from water are being considered by MEPs in Brussels.
Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness was among the panel of EU delegates given an in–depth look at the new NH2 tractor from New Holland Agriculture.
The viewing was part of an eco–farming event at the European Parliament, entitled “Innovation and Technologies for a Sustainable Agriculture,” aimed at developing an energy–independent farm. // Read More // |  |
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| Posted By tony on 15/04/2012 ( Reads : 421 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| EU tariffs on cheap US biofuel welcomed |
IRELAND'S FOREMOST expert in energy crops, Barry Caslin, has welcomed the decision of the EU to increase tariffs on the import of cheap subsidised biofuel from the US which has been causing havoc to the development of the sector in Europe. He said the imposition of import and anti-dumping duties on biodiesel from the US would help stimulate interest in growing fuel crops. "But we are not at the stage where it is possible to grow fuel crops profitably. We had to import rapeseed from abroad in 2008 because of the bad weather which meant we could only get 2,000 hectares of it grown when we needed 6,000 hectares of it to meet our requirements," said Mr Caslin, who is the top expert in the area in Teagasc. // Read More // |  |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 08/03/2009 ( Reads : 1647 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Credit crunch drives Danish biogas into "hibernation" |
The global economic crisis has brought Denmark's ambitious plans for the use of biogas to a grinding halt, Politiken newspaper reports. Of 15 projects currently in the planning stage, most "have now gone into hibernation because of problems raising capital", according to the newspaper. Government plans to build 50 big biogas plants in the next few years "might as well be scrapped", said Aksel Buchholt of the Danish Biogas Plant Association. // Read More // |  |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 08/03/2009 ( Reads : 1420 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| The push for biofuels adds to CO2 release |
| THE PUSH towards biofuels is accelerating carbon dioxide release, not reducing it. Pursuit of this technology was creating a huge “carbon debt” that would take centuries to clear. Biofuels such as ethanol derived from corn or sugarcane and biodiesel from oil palm were harming the situation because of changing agricultural practices, she said. This was particularly true for the tropics where rainforest was being cleared and burned to make way for agriculture. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 17/02/2009 ( Reads : 1455 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Another inconvenient truth |
At last, many of the world's political leaders have begun to realize that diverting land and food crops to produce biofuels leads to higher food prices. But an equally important consequence of this policy folly is being largely ignored in the public and political debate: Producing biofuels will further deplete the world's already overtaxed water supply. This is emblematic of a larger and increasingly dangerous disregard for the world's most valuable, irreplaceable and finite natural resource: fresh water. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Peter McCloskey on 13/10/2008 ( Reads : 1485 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Minister announces lower biofuel target |
The Government today announced a lower target for biofuel use that it says reflects concerns about the environmental impact of growing crops for fuel. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan this morning outlined a revised target of 3 per cent of transport fuel by 2010. A target of 5.75 per cent was set last year by the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey. Although it has reduced its target, Minister Ryan said this morning that the Government remained committed to achieving the EU goal of 10 per cent of transport fuel from biofuels by 2020. // Read More // |  |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 30/09/2008 ( Reads : 1665 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| UN forecasts boom in 'green jobs' |
The UN says millions of new jobs will be created worldwide over the next few decades by the development of alternative energy technologies. More than a million people already work in biofuels, but a UN report says that could rise by 12 million by 2030. It says "green jobs" depend on a shift of subsidies from oil and natural gas to wind, solar, and geothermal power. New jobs could also include the expansion of recycling and making environmentally friendly vehicles. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Peter McCloskey on 25/09/2008 ( Reads : 1481 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| EU in crop biofuel goal rethink |
European Union lawmakers have voted to set a limit on targets to increase the use of road transport biofuels. Campaigners say that biofuels from grains and food crops contribute to food price inflation. The original EU target that 10% of all road transport fuel should come from renewable sources by 2020 did not set limits for crop biofuels. A committee of the European Parliament has now voted to limit such fuels to 6% of the 10% target. At least 4% of the total will have to be achieved using electricity or hydrogen from renewable sources, or from second-generation biofuels from waste or non-food crops. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Peter McCloskey on 15/09/2008 ( Reads : 1547 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Green fuel for the airline industry |
IF YOU have become addicted to the fly-cheap philosophy espoused by budget airlines over the last decade, it could be time to rethink your travel plans. Airlines now find themselves facing a crude oil price that has doubled to more than $140 a barrel in just 12 months, pushing fuel costs to record levels. Around 10 small carriers have already gone under, and the industry as a whole is expected to lose $40 billion this year. Airlines are being forced to slash capacity and merge, and the knock-on effects for passengers are obvious: "Our customers must ultimately compensate us for the costs we incur flying them around," warned Gerard Arpey, chairman of American Airlines, at an airline industry conference in June. With analysts predicting a further leap to $200 a barrel by 2010, there is no relief in sight.
Yet as bad as things look, the soaring cost of oil is not the biggest problem the industry and its passengers face. More fundamental is the need to replace kerosene with another source of energy altogether, for two pressing reasons.// Read More // | |
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| Posted By Caroline Lewis on 15/08/2008 ( Reads : 1568 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| OECD: Biofuels Ineffective at Curbing Global Warming |
Government financial support of biofuel production in the world's wealthiest countries is costly, has a limited impact on reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy security, and raises world crop prices, finds a new study of policies to promote greater production and use of biofuels in OECD countries.
The OECD is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development based in Paris, which defines itself as "a unique forum where the governments of 30 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalization." // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 1527 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Forests to fall for food and fuel |
| Demand for land to grow food, fuel crops and wood is set to outstrip supply, leading to the probable destruction of forests, a report warns. The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) says only half of the extra land needed by 2030 is available without eating into tropical forested areas. A companion report documents poor progress in reforming land ownership and governance in developing countries. Both reports were launched on Monday in UK government offices in London. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Peter McCloskey on 16/07/2008 ( Reads : 1569 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| UK to slow expansion of biofuels |
| The UK is to slow its adoption of biofuels amid fears they raise food prices and harm the environment, the transport secretary has said. Ruth Kelly said biofuels had potential to cut carbon emissions but there were "increasing questions" about them. "Uncontrolled" growing of fuel crops could destroy rainforest, she told MPs. A government-commissioned report recommends ministers "amend not abandon" biofuel policies. The Tories said policy had to change "right now". // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Peter McCloskey on 07/07/2008 ( Reads : 1598 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Ryan delays biofuels policy over higher food costs |
THE DEPARTMENT of Energy has delayed publication of one of its key policy outlines on renewable energy until the autumn because of growing concerns about the impact of biofuels on world food prices. Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan was due to publish details of the Government's biofuels obligation for 2009 later this month. His spokeswoman said yesterday it will not be published until September or October. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 05/07/2008 ( Reads : 1594 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Store bans drivers buying vegetable oil in bulk |
A LEADING supermarket and petrol supplier is extending its policy of banning bulk-buying of vegetable oil. Tesco, which introduced the ban across Ireland a year ago, is extending its ban to two small towns in Waterford which, it claims, should not be exempt. The move comes as increasing numbers of consumers are bulk-buying the vegetable oil to top up their car tanks as the price of petrol soars. Residents of Lisduggan and Ardkeen will now be limited to buying nine litres of vegetable oil at a time. One litre of vegetable oil in Tesco will set them back around €1, compared with €1.30 for a litre of petrol at the pumps outside. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 05/07/2008 ( Reads : 1921 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Debate on Ireland's biofuel scheme hots up |
WITH US BIOFUEL subsidies threatening to spark a trade war between the EU and the US, questions have emerged over Ireland's current biofuels policy. Under the current excise relief scheme for "green" fuel, 16 companies including well-known firms such as Irish Food Processors, One51, Topaz Energy, Maxol and Cooley Clearpower are eligible for excise relief - effectively subsidies - totaling EUR213 million between 2006 and 2010. Although Maxol produce the majority of bioethanol - made from milk whey - for the Irish market in 2007, a spokeswoman for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) confirmed that other firms are importing bioethanol. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 10/06/2008 ( Reads : 1710 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Don't let invasive biofuel crops attack your country |
New Trend in Biofuels Has New Risks In the past year, as the diversion of food crops like corn and palm to make biofuels has helped to drive up food prices, investors and politicians have begun promoting newer, so-called second-generation biofuels as the next wave of green energy. These, made from non-food crops like reeds and wild grasses, would offer fuel without the risk of taking food off the table, they said. But now, biologists and botanists are warning that they, too, may bring serious unintended consequences. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 21/05/2008 ( Reads : 1642 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Government still committed to targets for biofuel |
THE GOVERNMENT remains committed to achieving ambitious short-terms targets for including biofuel in all petrol and diesel, despite not being in a position to guarantee that the fuels it imports are not harmful to the environment and are not driving up world food prices. The Department of Energy this week confirmed that it was still on track to reach its desired quotas for biofuels comprising 2 per cent of all transport fuels by the end of this year, and 5.75 per cent by the end of 2010. New details of the Government's Biofuels Obligations (compulsory targets) will be published shortly. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 05/05/2008 ( Reads : 1560 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| UN urges biofuel investment halt |
The UN's new top adviser on food has urged a freeze on biofuel investment, saying the blind pursuit of the policy is "irresponsible". Olivier de Schutter also wants curbs on investors whose speculation is, he says, driving food prices higher. UN officials liken the rise in food prices to a silent tsunami, threatening 100 million of the world's poorest. // Read More // | |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 05/05/2008 ( Reads : 1757 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
