2nd generation biofuels

Question 1

What materials can 2nd gen biofuels consist of?

Answer 1

Organic waste, wood chippings, straw, hay

Question 2

Give a general positive and a general negative of 2nd gen biofuels

Answer 2

• Reduced environmental damage so more sustainable

- But, the process is more complicated and the technology more sophisticated

Question 3

What type of country can utilise 2nd gen biofuels?

Answer 3

both high and low income countries

Question 4

Give 3 case studies where 2nd gen biofuels are being used to generate energy, including:

• Project name
• Location

Answer 4

• BioTech, Kerala, India
• Ener-Tech, California, USA
• The Biobus, Bristol, England

Question 5

BioTech:

• What kind of waste is converted into energy?
• What did people originally rely upon?
• How many domestic tanks have been installed?
• How many full-time workers are employed to install the tanks?

Answer 5

• Food
• Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• Over 12,000
• 40

Question 6

Give 2 positives of the BioTech project

Answer 6

• People can supply their own sustainable energy, be more self-sufficient and save money.
• Waste previously not disposed of, so project helping to clean up the environment

Question 7

Ener-Tech:

• What kind of waste is converted into energy?
• How long does the process take
• How much more efficient than coal is the fuel that is produced?
• How much are CO2 emissions reduced by?

Answer 7

• Human poo
• 1 day
• 66% more energy produced for the same cost
• 80,000 tonnes

Question 8

Give 2 benefits of the Ener-Tech plant

Answer 8

• Fuel produced in a day, but coal takes millions of years to form before being turned into a fuel
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions so less damaging to the environment

Question 9

The Biobus:

• What kind of waste is converted into energy?
• How far can the bus travel on a full tank?

Answer 9

• Food and Sewage

- 200 miles

Question 10

Give 2 benefits of The Biobus

Answer 10

• Can improve urban air quality (especially on a larger scale) as fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• Gives discarded waste a useful purpose

Question 11

Name a local 2nd gen biofuel scheme

Answer 11

• Tyseley waste to Energy Scheme, Birmingham

Question 12

Tyseley:

In 2006, ……………….. of rubbish was burned, producing enough energy to power ……………………..

The plant was built to reduce the council’s reliance on ………..

Answer 12

313,000 tonnes

40,000 homes

Landfill