2% of global electricity is generated from Biofuels

Biofuels represent a form of energy derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal matter. This energy source harnesses the natural process of photosynthesis, where plants capture solar energy and store it as chemical energy in biomass. This stored energy can then be converted into liquid fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel or used directly to generate heat and electricity. Biofuels, being biodegradable and renewable, offer an alternative to fossil fuels, with an inherently lower environmental footprint, making them an integral component in the clean energy mix focused on reducing carbon emissions.

The use of biofuels to generate electricity involves burning biomass materials in power plants to produce steam, which then drives turbines connected to electricity generators. Alternatively, biofuels can be converted into gaseous forms and used in combustion engines or turbines designed to run on bio-syngas. The flexibility in processing and the ability to integrate biofuels with existing energy infrastructures make them a versatile choice for power generation. While not yet a major player in global electricity generation, biofuels have made significant inroads in specific regions, contributing to green energy portfolios.

One of the main advantages of biofuels is their substantially lower carbon intensity compared to traditional fossil fuels. The carbon intensity of biofuels stands at 230 gCO2eq/kWh, significantly lower than coal at 820 gCO2eq/kWh and natural gas at 490 gCO2eq/kWh. This positions biofuels as a cleaner energy source, aligning with the global push towards low-carbon technologies such as wind, solar, and nuclear, which have even lower carbon footprints. Just like these other clean energy options, biofuels play a crucial role in reducing overall carbon emissions in electricity generation, offering a partial solution to the environmental challenges posed by high-carbon fossil fuels.

Biofuels contribute approximately 2.3% of all electricity consumed worldwide, highlighting their role in the global energy landscape even if still a minority player. Certain countries have embraced biofuels to a much greater extent, with Uruguay generating 22% of its electricity from forms of biomass and biofuel, Denmark 17%, Finland 12%, and Maine in the US with 11%. This diversity in energy sourcing underscores the global flexibility and potential offered by biofuels.

In focusing on the global growth of clean energy, biofuels sit alongside leading low-carbon technologies like nuclear, solar, and wind. While these latter options often take center stage due to their minimal carbon emissions—nuclear at 12 gCO2eq/kWh, wind at 11 gCO2eq/kWh, and solar at 45 gCO2eq/kWh—biofuels add value in certain geographic and economic contexts, especially where biomass resources are abundant. Yet, the overarching need is an increase in sustainable electricity generation from these exceedingly low-carbon sources to combat the harmful impacts of fossil fuel reliance and accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future. This entails extensive and strategic investments, particularly in nuclear and solar, to meet the growing global demand for clean electricity, driven by electrification and technological advancements such as AI.