Biofuels are fuels produced either directly or indirectly from a organic matter known as biomass. They can be solid, liquid, or gaseous.
100
Name (at least) 2 environmental benefits of using biofuels?
• they reduce GHG Emissions
• they have a high net energy
• they make people less reliant on fossil fuels
• they help many nations commit to environmental standards
• they potentially help us protect our biodiversity, air quality, and ensure that our land is used in environmentally protective ways
100
Name two water intensive biofuel crops
Corn, sugar beet
100
What amount of energy consumption has SFU committed to reduce annually?
2%
100
What is bioenergy?
Bioenergy is energy derived from biofuels.
200
What is biomass?
Biomass is organic matter including plant materials and animal waste.
200
Name 3 ways biofuels can increase Potential Food Security?
• Biofuel expansion in rural communities provides education and technology advancements for other industries.
• Increased income for landless people in rural communities who spend less money on food, so they can buy more food.
200
Why is monoculture bad?
Growing the same crops degrades the soil and promotes diseases
200
How much of our automobile fuel (in BC) comes from renewable energy?
9% in BC (5% ethanol and 4% biodiesel)
200
What are primary biofuels?
Primary biofuels are unprocessed organic material which are used to produce energy in their natural state.
300
What are some example of traditional biofuels?
Traditional biofuels are unprocessed biomass including animal waste, charcoal and fuelwood
300
How can a country become energy secure using biofuels?
• through energy diversification (or blending mandates)
300
Why is converting forest land into biofuel crop bad?
Releases more carbon than can be recaptured or mitigated by biofuel
300
What does the triangle of sustainability include?
Social, economic and environmental factors
300
What are secondary biofuels?
Secondary biofuels are made from processed organic material, so the raw resource or biomass has been altered in some way
400
What is ethanol made of?
Fermented sugars and starch from food like maize and sugar beets
400
How can biofuels alleviate poverty?
• by providing employment and income opportunities
• Land Lease Opportunities give governments money for social programs
• Technological Advancements
• Improved health of labourers (through improved infrastructure) so employees can work more, and advance in their careers.
400
Why does producing biofuel produce more pollution?
Still uses coal, natural gas and consumes a lot of water
400
What type of subsidy does Fortis BC have to encourage renewable energy?
Consumers pay a premium in support of renewable energy. This premium helps develop and further innovate green technologies
400
What percentage does bioenergy cover of the world energy demand?
Bioenergy covers 10% of world energy demand
500
Comparing ethanol to petrol, what are two differences?
1) A litre of ethanol only contains 66% of the energy provided by a litre of petrol;
2) Ethanol helps reduce emissions of sulphur oxide ( a component of acid rain and carcinogen), since ethanol only contains a trace amount of sulfur compared to petrol
500
How do biofuels benefit women?
They alleviate time poverty. Women have more time in the end, so they can pursue jobs, complete more house work, spend time with families, or partake in leisure activities.
500
How much more potent is the GHG from nitrous oxide from nitrogen fertilizers?
300x
500
What percentage of cow is wasted during food production?
50%
500
What do secondary-biofuel hope to use as a future material for producing biofuel?