by Adam Collett

In a world where fossil fuels are being used at an exponential rate, finding alternative sources of energy is fast becoming a top priority on every country’s agenda. Global energy consumption soared to a massive 11.4 billion tonnes of oil equivalent in 1997, 80% of which came from fossil fuels and 60% of which was used for transport. (International Energy Agency, 2008)

Given the current and future energy scenarios it is of no surprise that research into renewable energy is now booming, with a vast range of different sources and technologies available. In terms of transport fuel, biofuels derived from plants are heading the way as a promising substitute, largely due to their perceived renewable nature and reduced greenhouse gas emissions; however their biggest selling point is that they have been proven to work with little or even no adaptations to existing engines and are relatively simple to produce on industrial or micro-scale. This article aims to give an overview of biofuels, including types, chemistry and the current global situation.