1. DR. BR AMBEDKAR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
GROUP MEMBERS:
Rajveer singh (66)
Rimi (67)
Ritik (68)
Sachin(69)
Sahil (70)
Sahil Thapliyal (71)
Satyam(72)
Shivank(73)
Submitted to :
DR. Phibe Khalkho
2.
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
• 1.Introduction to Global Warming: Causes and effects
• 2.Greenhouse Gases: Sources and Impact on Climate
• 3.The Role of Human Activities in Climate Change
• 4.Impacts of Global Warming On Ecosystems and Biodiversity
• 5.Rising Sea Levels: Consequences and Adaptation Strategies
• 6.Global Warming and Public Health: Risks and Challenges
• 7.International Efforts to Combat climate Change: Treaties and
Aggrement
• 8.Renewable Energy Solutions: Mitigating Global Warming
• 9.Conclusion
4.
5.
6. z
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The Greenhouse effect is a
natural process that warms the
earth’s surface. When the sun’s
energy reaches the Earth’s
atmosphere, some of it is
reflected back to the space and
some is absorbed and re-
radiated by greenhouse gases.
The absorbed energy warms the
atmosphere and the surface of
the earth.
7. z CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
MAN-MADE CAUSES
Deforestation
Use of vehicles
Chlorofluorocarbon
Industrial Development
Agriculture
Overpopulation
NATURAL CAUSES
Volcanoes
Melting Permafrost
Forest Blazes
Water Vapour
8.
9.
10.
11. Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to
global warming. The ash and smoke emitted during
volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and
affects the climate.
Water Vapor
Water Vapor is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the
earth's temperature more water gets evaporated from the water bodies
and stays in the atmosphere adding to global warming
Melting Permafrost
Permafrost is there where glaciers are present. It is a frozen soil
that has environmental gases trapped in it for several years. As the
permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the atmosphere
increasing the earth's temperature.
Forest Blazes
Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke.
These gases are released into the atmosphere and increase the earth's
temperature resulting in global warming
12. z
• Increase in the average temperature of the earth.
• Alterations in the ecology, including an increasing sea level and
modifying the quantity and pattern of rainfall.
• Boost the occurrence and concentration of severe climate
events, such as floods, famines, heat waves etc.
• Glacier melting, lesser summer stream flows, gen.~ extinctions
and rise in the ranges of disease vectors.
• Effects the marine life.
• The global warming is extending the distribution of mosquitoes
due to the increase in humidity levels and their frequent growth
in warmer atmosphere.
15. • Transportation-The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas
emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for
our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over 94% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum
based, which includes primarily gasoline and diesel.
• Electricity production-Electric power generates the second largest share of greenhouse
gas emissions and includes emissions from electricity production used by other end use sectors (e.g.,
industry). In 2021, 60% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
• Industry- Greenhouse gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for
energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions necessary to produce
goods from raw materials.
• Agriculture-Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as cows,
agricultural soils, and rice production.
16. • Land use and Forestary- land areas can act as a sink (absorbing
CO2 from the atmosphere) or a source of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Commercial and Residental-Greenhouse gas emissions from the
commercial and residential sector include fossil fuels burned for heat and the use of
gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings, and non-building specific emissions
such as the handling of waste.
17. transportation, 28%
electricity pro., 25%
industry, 23%
agriculture, 10%
land and forestary, 12%
commercial, 13%
GREEN HOUSE EMESSION ACC. TO 2021 DATA
19. • Global Warming- It is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the
average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. The main cause for this
environmental issue is the increased volumes of greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide and methane released by the burning of fossil fuels, emissions from the
vehicles, industries and other human activities.
• Depletion of Ozone Layer- Ozone Layer protects the earth from harmful
ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is found in the upper regions of the stratosphere. The
depletion of the ozone layer results in the entry of the harmful UV rays to the earth’s
surface that might lead to skin cancer and can also change the climate drastically.
The major cause of this phenomenon is the accumulation of natural greenhouse
gases chl chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.
20. • Runaway Greenhouse Effect-This phenomenon occurs when the
planet absorbs more radiation than it can radiate back. Thus, the heat lost from the
earth’s surface is less and the temperature of the planet keeps rising.
• Smog and Air Pollution-Smog is formed by the combination of smoke
and fog. It can be caused both by natural means and man-made activities.
In general, smog is generally formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases
including
nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The major contributors to the formation of smog aare
automobile and industrial emissions, agricultural fires, natural forest fires aand the
reaction of these chemicals among themselves.
21. • Acidification of Water Bodies-Increase in the total amount of
greenhouse gases in the air has turned most of the world’s water bodies acidic. The
greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater and fall as acid rain. This leads to the
acidification of water bodies.
Also, the rainwater carries the contaminants along with it and falls into the river,
streams and th lakes thereby causing their acidification.
22. The Role of Human Activities
in Climate Change
23. Climate variability – variations in climate patterns, beyond individual
weather events, that occur within smaller timeframes, such as a month, a
season or a year that are generally attributed to natural causes
CO2 equivalent - a unit of measurement that compares the number of
metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one
metric ton of another greenhouse gas
Greenhouse effect – a phenomenon that occurs when gases in the
atmosphere trap heat emitted by the planet
Greenhouse gases – a set of naturally occurring and man-made gases in
earth’s atmosphere that trap heat, while allowing sunlight to pass through;
many greenhouse gases are extremely long-lived, with some remaining
airborne for tens to hundreds of years after being released
24. Greenhouse Effect
The atmosphere’s ability to trap thermal energy or heat is called
the greenhouse effect. Normally, the greenhouse effect is an
essential process that keeps our planet temperate and habitable.
Because human activities produce additional thermal energy and
emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere—increasing the
amount of heat being trapped—global warming occurs.
The following graph shows how the rise in global temperature
correlates with the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere.
26. Human Activities & Climate Change
Human activities are responsible for almost all of the increase in
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the last 150 years. The
largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in
the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and
transportation. To slow climate change, we will need to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Different greenhouse gases have different global warming potentials
(i.e. how long they remain in the atmosphere, how strongly they
absorb energy, and how they contribute to warming the earth). To
make the calculations easier, scientists estimate emissions in tons of
CO2 equivalent.
27. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Using electricity, disposing of waste, driving
to school, and many of our other daily
activities emit greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere. The greenhouse gases are
water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), ozone (O3),
nitrous oxide (N2O), and
chlorofluorocarbons. Some greenhouse
gases occur naturally, others are man-
made.
29. HABITAT LOSS AND
FRAGMENTATION
• Rising temperatures can lead to the loss and fragmentation of habitats critical for
various species.
• For example, melting polar ice caps threaten the habitats of polar bears, while
coral bleaching due to warmer ocean temperatures endangers the ecosystems
dependent on coral reefs.
Shifts in Species Distribution
• Many species are forced to move to higher latitudes or elevations as
temperatures change, disrupting existing ecosystems and potentially leading to
competition with or predation upon native species.
30.
31. LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
• The combination of habitat loss, shifting ecosystems, and changing
environmental conditions can lead to a loss of biodiversity.
• Species unable to adapt or migrate face extinction, resulting in reduced genetic
diversity and ecosystem stability.
Altered Ecosystem Services
• Ecosystem services, such as pollination, water purification, and carbon
sequestration, are disrupted by global warming.
• For example, changes in precipitation patterns can affect water availability,
leading to droughts or floods that impact agriculture, water supplies, and human
livelihoods.
32.
33. INCREASED EXTINCTION RISK
• Many species are unable to adapt quickly enough to the rapid pace of
climate change, increasing the risk of extinction.
• This is particularly concerning for specialized species with narrow habitat
requirements.
Changes in Phenology
• Global warming can alter the timing of biological events such as flowering,
migration, and hibernation, leading to mismatches between species
interactions (e.g., predator-prey relationships) and disrupting ecosystem
functioning.
34.
35. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
• Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere lead to higher levels of
carbon dioxide being absorbed by the oceans, resulting in ocean
acidification.
• This can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms
with calcium carbonate shells such as corals, shellfish, and plankton.
Increased Disease Spread
• Warmer temperatures can facilitate the spread of diseases among
species, as pathogens and vectors expand their ranges into new areas.
• This can have cascading effects on ecosystem dynamics and species
populations.
36.
37. Rising sea level
What is rising sea level ?
Sea levels are rising due to melting ice and
thermal expansion related to global warming.
38. THE KEY MECHANISMS LINKING GLOBAL
WARMING TO SEA LEVEL RISE INCLUDE:
1.Thermal Expansion: As the Earth's temperature rises due to the
enhanced greenhouse effect, the oceans absorb heat. The absorbed
heat causes the water molecules to expand, leading to an increase in
the volume of the ocean. This process, known as thermal expansion,
is a significant contributor to rising sea levels.
2.Melting Ice: Higher global temperatures lead to the melting of ice
from glaciers, ice caps, and polar ice sheets. This melted ice adds
freshwater to the oceans, contributing to an increase in sea level. The
two main ice sheets of concern are in Greenland and Antarctica,
which contain vast amounts of ice that, if melted, would substantially
raise sea levels.
39.
40. International effort to combat
climate change : Treaties and
Agreement
Efforts to combat climate change involve various
treaties and agreements among nations. Some
significant international agreements include:
1. United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
2. Kyoto Protocol
3. Paris Agreement
4. Montreal Protocol
5. Kigali Amendment
41. Brief explanation of the treaties &
agreements
• (UNFCCC): Adopted in 1992, it's the foundational
treaty that sets the overall framework for
intergovernmental efforts to tackle climate change.
• Kyoto Protocol: Established in 1997 under the
UNFCCC, it set binding targets for industrialized
countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Paris Agreement: Adopted in 2015, it aims to limit
global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius
above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
42. • Montreal Protocol: primarily aimed at addressing
ozone depletion, it indirectly contributes to climate
change mitigation by phasing out substances that
deplete the ozone layer, which are also potent
greenhouse gases.
• Kigali Amendment: An amendment to the Montreal
Protocol agreed upon in 2016, it aims to phase down
the production and consumption of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent
greenhouse gases used mainly in refrigeration and air
conditioning.
46. Renewable Energy
• Maine is endowed with plentiful bioenergy, wind, hydropower,
ocean, and other renewable energy resources.
• Non-hydro renewables are responsible for 32% of in-state
generation, a higher percentage than in any other state in the
nation.
47. Renewable Energy
• Maine is home to the country’s first tidal energy device to
generate electricity for the power grid and first working
offshore wind turbine (as of 2014).
48. Solar Energy
We use solar thermal energy systems to
• heat water for use in homes, buildings, or swimming pools
• heat the inside of homes, greenhouses, and other buildings
• heat fluids to high temperatures in solar thermal power plants
Solar photovoltaic devices, or solar cells, change sunlight
directly into electricity.
50. Solar Energy
The two main benefits of using solar energy are
• Systems do not produce air pollutants or carbon dioxide.
• Systems on buildings have minimal impact on the environment.
The main limitations of solar energy are
• The amount of sunlight that arrives at the earth's surface is not constant. The amount of sunlight
varies depending on location, time of day, season of the year, and weather conditions.
• The amount of sunlight reaching a square foot of the earth's surface is relatively small, so a large
surface area is necessary to absorb or collect a useful amount of energy.
51. Wind Energy
• Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in
the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades around a
rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a
generator to create electricity.
53. Wind Energy
• Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most
energy. At 100 feet or more above ground, they can take
advantage of faster and less turbulent wind.
• Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single
home or building, or they can be connected to an electricity
grid for more widespread electricity distribution.
54. Wind Energy
• Advantages of Wind Energy
– Clean and renewable source of power
– Cost effective
– Rapid growth of industry, large potential
• Disadvantages of Wind Energy
– Wind reliability
– Threat to wildlife
– Noise and visual pollution
55. Tidal Energy
• Tidal Stream Generator
– Makes use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines, in
a similar way to wind turbines that use wind to power turbines.
• Tidal Barrage
– Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in
height between high and low tides.
56. Tidal Energy
• Advantages
– Clean fuel source compared to fossil fuels
– Domestic source of energy
• Disadvantages
– Tidal power can have effects on marine life.
• The turbines can accidentally kill swimming sea life with the
rotating blades.
• Some fish may no longer utilize the area if threatened with a
constant rotating or noise-making object.
• Installing a barrage may change the shoreline within the
bay or estuary, affecting a large ecosystem that depends on tidal
flats.
57. Wave Energy
• Ocean waves contain tremendous energy
potential.
• Wave power devices extract energy from the
surface motion of ocean waves or from
pressure fluctuations below the surface.
58. Wave Energy
• Advantages
– Renewable
– Environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel energy
– Variety of designs to use
– Less energy dependence from foreign governments
• Disadvantages
– Can affect the marine environment
– May disturb private or commercial shipping
– Dependent on wavelength for best operation
– Poor performance in rough weather
– Visual/noise issues
59. Geothermal Energy
• (geo = earth and thermal = heat), geothermal energy comes
from heat produced by the Earth.
60. Geothermal Energy
• Direct geothermal energy can be accessed in areas where hot
springs/geothermal reservoirs are near the surface of the
Earth.
• Geothermal heat pumps utilizes a series of underground
pipes, an electric compressor and a heat exchanger to absorb
and transfer heat.
• Geothermal power plants also harness the heat of the Earth
through hot water and steam. In these plants, heat is used to
generate electricity.
61. Geothermal Energy
• Advantages
– Renewable energy
– Cleaner than burning fossil fuels
• Disadvantages
– Cost of drilling, researching proper areas
– Requires a suitable location
62. Biofuels
• The two most common types of biofuels
are ethanol and biodiesel.
63. Biofuels
– Ethanol is an alcohol.
– Ethanol is mostly used as a fuel additive to cut down a vehicle's
carbon monoxide and other smog-causing emissions.
64. Biofuels
• Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol (usually methanol)
with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking greases.
• It can be used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions
(typically 20%) or in its pure form as a renewable alternative
fuel for diesel engines.
65. Biofuels
• Advantages
– Easy to source
– Renewable
– Reduces greenhouse gases
– Reduced dependence on foreign energy
• Disadvantages
– Higher cost of production (lower supply than gasoline)
– Monoculture
– Shortage of food
– Water Use
66. .Talent management remains a critical aspect of
organizational success, requiring ongoing attention and
investment.
• .By adopting holistic talent management strategies,
organizations can effectively nurture their workforce,
drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in
the market.
• .As we navigate through evolving trends and
challenges, the ability to attract, develop, and retain
top talent will remain paramount for organizations
aiming to thrive in the future.
Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Waste-to-energy and anaerobic digestion are also done, but not discussed in detail here.
Waste – to – energy – Using waste as an energy source to generate electricity or heat; it is also a waste reduction method.
Anaerobic Digestions (biogas) - Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that produces a gas principally composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) otherwise known as biogas. These gases are produced from organic wastes such as livestock manure, food processing waste, etc and these gases can be used for process heating or electrical generation. Source: http://www.energy.ca.gov/biomass/anaerobic.html
Non-Renewable Energy – Most of the energy consumed in the U.S. is from non-renewable energy sources: petroleum products, hydrocarbon gas liquids, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
Photo Source: http://www.entrypoint.cz/files/2814/4240/8640/questions-reponses-profits.jpg
Photos clockwise (starting top left) – wind turbines, water tidal turbines, wave energy, geothermal energy, solar panels, biofuels
Source: wind - https://bdn-data.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2009/09/1251860949_2543.jpg, solar - http://solaroregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/solar-panel-energy-orgeon-850x450_c.jpg, tidal energy - http://tidalenergytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/orpc-shows-progress-on-maine-tidal-project.jpg, wave - https://media.salon.com/2016/08/wave_harvesters-620x412.jpg, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/large/public/2014-11/heat-pump-heating.pn, biofuel - https://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/biofuellifecycle11.jpg
The tidal device (left photo) is stationed on the bottom of Cobscook Bay (Downeast Maine) and can power approximately 30 homes. The floating offshore wind turbine is 65 feet high and can power five homes. It was tested off of Castine, Maine.
Source: http://www.acore.org/files/pdfs/states/Maine.pdf Photo: wind turbine - https://bdn-data.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/07/10025241_H10688622-600x450.jpg
Photo Top Left – Solar Tower - The Sun’s light is focused onto a small area using mirrors. The mirrors constantly follow the Sun as it moves through the sky. They do this to make sure they are receiving as much light as possible.
The beam created by all of these reflecting mirrors is used to heat a liquid to an extremely hot temperature—sometimes over 1000°F! This liquid is a chemical that is very good at trapping heat. After it is heated, the liquid is pumped through a tank of water in a pipe. These hot pipes cause the water to boil and create steam. This steam spins a turbine, which powers a generator. Sometimes, the hot liquid itself is used to power the generator.
Source: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/concentrating-solar/
Photo Middle - shingles: http://news.energysage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dow-solar-shingles-300x176.png
Photo Right - Solar panels on roof: http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2011/7/26/1/iStock-13689706_solar-panels-on-roof_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.suffix/1409157922480.jpeg
Source: https://energy.gov/eere/wind/animation-how-wind-turbine-works
Photo: https://metaefficient.com/news/the-tallest-wind-turbines-in-the-us-installed-in-texas.html (1.5MW turbine in Texas)
Yaw –a twisting or oscillation of a moving ship or aircraft around a vertical axis.
Pitch - a swaying or oscillation around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of motion
Source:
https://www.gerenewableenergy.com/content/dam/gepower-renewables/global/en_US/images/body-images/onshore-wind/GE-turbine.gif
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-wind-energy.php
Mars Hill Wind Farm Photo Source: https://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20091120_states_15332_large.jpg
The world's first large-scale tidal power plant was the Rance Tidal Power Station in France, which became operational in 1966
Tidal Stream Generator - Some tidal generators can be built into the structures of existing bridges or are entirely submersed, thus avoiding concerns over impact on the natural landscape.
Tidal Barrage - When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the dam, holding a large amount of potential energy. With the receding tide, this energy is then converted into mechanical energy as the water is released through large turbines that create electrical power through the use of generators.
There are other types tried as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power Photo: tidayenergytoday.com,
Disadvantages - Inhibiting the flow of water in and out of the bay, there may also be less flushing of the bay or estuary, causing additional turbidity (suspended solids) and less saltwater, which may result in the death of fish that act as a vital food source to birds and mammals. Migrating fish may also be unable to access breeding streams, and may attempt to pass through the turbines. The same acoustic concerns apply to tidal barrages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power
https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wave-Energy/
Several types are shown….
Photos: Ocean Power Technology's (OPT) Powerbuoy wave generation system (left) A point absorber is a floating structure with components that move relative to each other due to wave action (e.g., a floating buoy inside a fixed cylinder). Point absorbers often look like floating oceanographic buoys. They utilize the rise and fall of the wave height at a single point for energy conversion. The relative up and down bobbing motion caused by passing waves is used to drive electromechanical or hydraulic energy converters to generate power.
Right - The Agucadoura Wave Farm offshore Portugal was the world's first. It was tested and operated in 2008. 3 miles offshore, using the Pelamus Wave Energy Conversion Device. Attenuators are long multisegment floating structures oriented parallel to the direction of the waves. They ride the waves like a ship, extracting energy by using restraints at the bow of the device and along its length. The differing heights of waves along the length of the device causes flexing where the segments connect. The segments are connected to hydraulic pumps or other converters to generate power as the waves move across.
Beneath the surface (or crust) of the Earth, there are a number of heat-producing layers of rock, minerals, and magma, including the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. The deeper you dig towards the center of the Earth, the hotter it gets. In fact, the core (about 4,000 miles beneath the surface), can reach temperatures of 7,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
This heat – which can be harnessed for energy — is caused by residual heat from the formation of the Earth, as well as decay of radioactive isotopes.
Photo: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwietIHxparXAhWFNxQKHWyEAZcQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alternativeenergyprimer.com%2FGeothermal-Energy.html&psig=AOvVaw2aib3RNqXcNckTvqZ8XhkH&ust=1510069534519825
Source: https://www.justenergy.com/blog/beneath-our-feet-an-introduction-to-geothermal-energy/
Direct geothermal energy - . In these areas, hot water (pumped through a heat exchanger) can be directly piped in to heat homes or buildings. The “used” water is then returned to the reservoir for re-heating.
Geothermal heat pumps - In the summer, the system removes heat from the house/building and returns it to the Earth. In the winter, the geothermal pump absorbs heat from the ground and transfers it into the house/building.
Geothermal Power Plants – There are several different kinds of power plants.
Source: https://www.justenergy.com/blog/beneath-our-feet-an-introduction-to-geothermal-energy/
1 – hot water extracted from the earth, 2 - hot water exposed to lower pressure creates steam, 3 – steam goes through a turbine generator converting thermal energy to mechanical / electrical energy, 4 – in the cooling tower steam is cooled and the condensed water is returned to the earth in 5 - .
Photo https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7807505/feature_geothermal_2017_inline1.jpg
Source: https://www.justenergy.com/blog/beneath-our-feet-an-introduction-to-geothermal-energy/
The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.
Ethanol is an alcohol, the same found in beer and wine. It is made by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates (starches, sugars, or celluloses) through a process similar to brewing beer. Ethanol is mostly used as a fuel additive to cut down a vehicle's carbon monoxide and other smog-causing emissions. But flexible-fuel vehicles, which run on mixtures of gasoline and up to 85% ethanol, are now available.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/bioenergy/tech/biofuels.html
Anaerobic Digestions (biogas) - Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that produces a gas principally composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) otherwise known as biogas. These gases are produced from organic wastes such as livestock manure, food processing waste, etc and these gases can be used for process heating or electrical generation. Source: http://www.energy.ca.gov/biomass/anaerobic.html
Photo: https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/files/2016/11/cropped-danger-of-ethanol-fuel-2fpvumy.jpg, http://www.duqlawblogs.org/energy/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/biodiesel_logo.jpg
Advantages of Biofuels
Cost Benefit: As of now, biofuels cost the same in the market as gasoline does. However, the overall cost benefit of using them is much higher.
Easy To Source: Biofuels are made from many different sources such as manure, waste from crops and plants grown specifically for the fuel.
3. Renewable: Since most of the sources like manure, corn, switchgrass, soyabeans, waste from crops and plants are renewable and are not likely to run out any time soon, making the use of biofuels efficient in nature. These crops can be replanted again and again.
4. Reduce Greenhouse Gases: Fossil fuels, when burnt, produce large amount of greenhouse gases i.e. carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases trap sunlight and cause planet to warm. The burning of coal and oil increases the temperature and causes global warming. To reduce the impact of greenhouse gases, people around the world are using biofuels. Studies suggests that biofuels reduces greenhouse gases up to 65 percent.
5. Economic Security: If more people start shifting towards biofuels, a country can reduce its dependance on fossil fuels. More jobs will be created with a growing biofuel industry, which will keep our economy secure.
6. Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil: As prices of crude oil is touching sky high, we need some more alternative energy solutions to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels.
7. Lower Levels of Pollution: They release lower levels of carbon dioxide and other emissions when burnt. Although the production of biofuels creates carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is frequently used to grow the plants that will be converted into the fuel. This allows it to become something close to a self sustaining system.
Disadvantages of Biofuels
High Cost of Production: Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market.
Monoculture: Monoculture refers to practice of producing same crops year after year, rather than producing various crops through a farmer’s fields over time..
3. Use of Fertilizers: Biofuels are produced from crops and these crops need fertilizers to grow better. The downside of using fertilizers is that they can have harmful effects on surrounding environment and may cause water pollution. Fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. They can be washed away from soil to nearby lake, river or pond.
4. Shortage of Food: Biofuels are extracted from plants and crops that have high levels of sugar in them. However, most of these crops are also used as food crops. Even though waste material from plants can be used as raw material, the requirement for such food crops will still exist. It will take up agricultural space from other crops, which can create a number of problems. Even if it does not cause an acute shortage of food, it will definitely put pressure on the current growth of crops. One major worry being faced by people is that the growing use of biofuels may just mean a rise in food prices as well.
5. Industrial Pollution: The carbon footprint of biofuels is less than the traditional forms of fuel when burnt. However, the process with which they are produced makes up for that. Production is largely dependent on lots of water and oil
6. Water Use: Large quantities of water are required to irrigate the biofuel crops and it may impose strain on local and regional water resources, if not managed wisely.
7. Future Rise in Price: Current technology being employed for the production of biofuels is not as efficient as it should be. Scientists are engaged in developing better means by which we can extract this fuel.
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