What is the problem that stems from the spread of "biofuels" adopted by the US military?

BySandia Labs

It is refined based on materials derived from cereals and animals without relying on petroleum which is fossil fuelBio fuelWe are expecting to use it as an alternative energy source. In fact, although biofuels are being developed for practical use, such as being adopted as fuel by the US Navy, there seems to be little problems to be cleared yetMIT Technology ReviewIt is summarized.

Why Biofuels Are not Working Out, Despite a Decade of Investment | MIT Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/546196/the-problem-with-biofuels/

In mid-January 2016, the US Navy is aircraft carrier "John C. Stenis"We announced the launch of a fleet consisting of four vessels. This fleet blended 10% of ingredients made from cattle fat into conventional oil as fuelBio fuelWe are using the world's first biofuels fleet.

US navy launches first biofuel-powered aircraft carriers | Environment | The Guardian


This "eco" fleet accomplished a round of the world in the early 20 th centuryGreat White FleetCompared to "Great Green Fleet"It is named. The US Navy aims to replace 50% of the energy sources used by the military by around 2020 with similar biofuels.

Navy launching first Great Green Fleet next week - Pacific - Stripes


Biofuels are said to play an important role in the dissemination of renewable energy and at the same time do not affect the global carbon dioxide emissions level, so to realize sustainable society It is hoped for renewable energy. However, on the other hand, problems such as comprehensive carbon dioxide balance, strongly concerned food crisis problems, and economic problems as actual problems certainly exist, and gradually towards realization Although it is a moving biofuel, it is said that its predecessor is not sailing smoothly.

In 2007, President Bush signed the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" that set policy guidelines for the overall energy policy in the United States, and the bill was passed. This law was a law incorporating the considerable incorporation of fuel to replace petroleum, such as determining that fuel (ethanol) made from raw materials such as corn and sugar cane is mixed with gasoline supplied in the United States .

However, it is said that a large cost is required to manufacture these biofuels. According to MIT Technology Review, the profitable line for which biofuels are cost-effective is that the crude oil price is at a level of 120 dollars per barrel (about 15,500 yen), but as of the end of January 2016 the crude oil price per barrel It has been around 30 dollars (about 3600 yen), and furtherPossibility to fall to $ 10 a barrelIt is whispering. Economic benefits also existed around 2005, when attention was paid to biofuel, because there was a soaring crude oil price, but now, the cost merit has become equal to the disappearance I am doing it.

ByShell

In addition, many people question the view that biofuels are friendly to the earth. Even if biofuels that are refined based on crops are burned, the emitted carbon dioxide originally existed on the ground surface, so if we consider the total amount of carbon dioxide on the ground surface we will not affect the amount of carbon dioxide on the ground Is also called "green fuel", but in reality, the total balance of carbon dioxide is worse than oil because it requires a lot of energy for processing at refining and agricultural machinery for raising crops He said that even the voice.

Furthermore, using grains such as corn as a raw material for biofuels presents a risk that could lead to a new food crisis. Prices of grains such as corn are decided by futures trading, but since biofuels have been taken over, the price has jumped more than doubled. There are many people who live in less than one dollar per day in the poorest countries of the world, there is a problem that the price of food is too high and can not be bought, but as soaring prices rise, more People may get troubled with food.

At the same time, there is also the danger that literally "food shortage" will occur as food itself is distributed to fuel production. Because the produced grain can be sold at a better price when shipped for fuel, it happens that farmers ship them for fuel only.

ByBill Ohl

Biofuel as an alternative fuel is well worth continuing development from the viewpoint of crisis management against the current situation that it relies heavily on petroleum in the Middle East, but a number of problems are piling up in front of us On the one hand it is a fact. Many issues such as costs, environmental aspects, and interests on conventional energy policy exist, and the biggest issue is whether diffusion of biofuels will be solved below It seems to be said that it is said.