subject: Aarkstore Enterprise -next Generation Biofuels: Market Drivers, Growth Opportunities And Regulatory [print this page] Next Generation Biofuels: Market drivers, growth opportunities and regulatory change
Over 80% of the worlds primary energy supply is currently derived from coal, gas and oil (collectively known as fossil fuels), which are used to generate electricity, power, energy and heat for industrial, commercial, domestic and transportation purposes. The worlds dependence on crude oil for transportation is particularly marked, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimating that fuels from crude oil currently supply about 96% of the worldwide energy demand for transport purposes.
As the worlds population grows and developing countries look to expand their economies, this insatiable demand for fossil fuels is unlikely to show any sign of easing, with oil and gas accounting for 60% of the worlds increasing energy demand between now and 2030. Furthermore, with most significant reserves of fossil fuels unevenly distributed throughout the world, energy security is set to become an increasingly critical economic and political issue over the coming decades. Real or perceived disruptions to the global supply of fossil fuels notably crude oil are likely to grow in frequency and cause wild fluctuations in the price of energy, as they have done so in the past.
However, one of the most pressing reasons for seeking alternative sources of energy and fuel lies in the form of climate change. The combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), which are considered to be responsible for global warming. According to the IEA, if no changes are made to the worlds existing energy economy, related emissions of CO2 will grow marginally faster than energy use, meaning that by 2030 global CO2 emissions will be more than 50% higher than today. Over two-thirds of that projected increase in emissions is expected to come from emerging economies, such as India, China both of which are set to rely heavily on coal-based power stations to drive their rapidly developing economies.
Key features of this report
Analysis of biofuels by type, resources available, production volumes, production technology capacity installed.
Market projections to 2020, including an evaluation of energy type and national and international growth potential.
Overview of trends impacting on and shaping innovation in the energy market.
New renewable energy technology analysis including innovation, capacity and biofuels investment.
Scope of this report
Achieve a quick and comprehensive understanding of how global market trends and legislation are influencing the development of the biofuels industry.
Realize up to date competitive intelligence through a comprehensive review of global markets in the biofuels energy industry between 1990 and 2008.
Assess the emerging trends in the biofuels industry Biomethanol, Hydro Thermal Upgrading (HTU) diesel, Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel, Lignocellulosic ethanol, Algae fuel, Photo-bioreactors carbon emission absorption.
Key Market Issues
Environmental regulations: Environmental targets set to control Carbon dioxide emissions globally are creating a path for lower carbon emission fuel technologies.
Energy security:- Oil pricing structures are volatile and uncontrollable, due to the majority imported from non-domestic countries. This volatility is likely to increase as reserves of the natural resources decline.
Resource allocation: Some of the currently available biofuels have a number of disadvantages that are related to their feedstock. The current costs of rapeseed biodiesel and ethanol from cereals or beets are much higher than the costs of petrol or diesel, with substantial subsidies required to make them competitive. Second generation biofuels have been developed due to limitations of first generation biofuels, primarily that the resources used threatens food supplies.
Key findings from this report
Worldwide production of biodiesel reached 11,016m liters per annum, with the EU representing 72% of that global biodiesel production and consumption.
Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Austria were the largest biofuels consumers in the EU in 2008. The USDA forecasts that biofuels consumption in the EU will continue to grow throughout 2009, despite the economic downturn. The increase is a result of mandates and tax incentives.
There are currently 192 bioethanol production plants in the US, which together have a production capacity of 36,300m liters per year.
The US accounted for 24% of the global biodiesel market in 2008 accounting for 2,650m liters per annum.
It is also notable that Brazil is by far the worlds largest exporter of ethanol at 3.5bn liters (from production of 19bn liters). Production is estimated by the IEA to increase to over 4bn liters in 2009. Most exports go to the US, Europe, Korea and Japan.
Key questions answered
What are the drivers shaping and influencing development in the biofuel industry?
How will biofuels production share perform to 2020? What are the opportunities?
What are the forecast market growth rates 2008-2030? Which markets will see the highest value growth and which the highest volume growth?
Which regions and countries offer the greatest opportunity for growth?
