In recent history biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol have become industry around the globe. Many nations have taken a keen interest in their continued manufacture and usage, including developing countries such as Brazil which is seen as a world leader in biofuel development. Even smaller sized countries such as the UK presently around one and a half million litres of biofuel a year and goal to increase this three-fold within the next ten years.

But wait, there's an issue.

There is however a considerable problem; with the increase in appeal of biofuels as has the level of criticism increased. From the "food versus fuel" argument, links to food price boosts and impact of water resources to issues over deforestation and loss of biodiversity there are installing difficulties for the fuel to get rid of. But there is hope to be discovered in a range of innovations broadly referred to as 2nd generation biofuels. Such fuels are produced from sustainable feedstock rather than the traditionally editable crops used in very first generation biofuels (sugarcane, corn etc.) thus preventing many of the problems discussed formerly.

Hope for the future

One such innovation is Algae Fuel, which can produce as much as three hundred times more oil per acre than standard crops as well as growing twenty to thirty times more rapidly. As if these benefits weren't considerable enough it is likewise possible to cultivate algae on generally unusable land such as land stricken by drought or including extremely high levels of saline. Another extremely promising fuel is Cellulosic Ethanol which is just fuel produced from non-edible parts of plants (or indeed turfs and other plants that are inedible). This fuel source shares some advantages with Algae fuel such as high per-acre efficiency but has the special benefit that no special cultivation is needed. Cellulose is consisted of in practically all plants growing across the world.

Or should that be expect the present?

These might sound like science-fiction but the fact of the matter is that by 2008 the United States was already producing twelve million litres of fuel from cellulosic ethanol with production facilities capable for producing an additional eighty million gallons annually in development. There is much to be delighted about in the Biofuel industry from both a company and eco-friendly point of view and continued development especially in second generation technologies appears ensured. Such rapid grown represents an interesting time for alternative energy production. To keep abreast of the latest advancements and market projections for alternative energy and biofuels it's suggested the reader postpone to professional biofuel market analysis.