Brazil has quietly become a leader in the efforts to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.  In doing so, they are providing the world – especially the United States – some ideas and methods that should be taken note of.

First of all, after the fuel crisis in the 1970s Brazil moved forward looking for and acting on solutions. 

One of the solutions is to look at a variety of sources that can be turned into biofuels.  Sugar, various plant oil feedstock, starches (which can be turned into sugar) and oilseeds are all excellent sources.  In addition researchers are looking at which of the thousands of types of algae would be appropriate to produce biofuels.  Also, one more piece of the biofuel puzzle could be the use of animal fat from cattle, pigs, fish and poultry.  At present, there is extensive research regarding the technology needed to be able to use all these sources to create biofuel.

There are already proven and cost-effective technologies available to be able to produce biofuels from sugar crops, starch and oilseeds.  Scientists, researchers and farmers are working to create high yields from these crops.

For commercial transportation there are additional fuels needing additional types of treatment and technology.  To create biodiesel and/or ethanol, government subsidies are needed, and in Brazil and other countries, this is taking place.  For these two types of fuel essential to the transportation industry, there is an extra process that turns them from regular biofuel to biodiesel or ethanol.  This can be lucrative if the technology is efficient enough, and researchers at looking at ways to see how this can all happen. 

Energy economists worldwide are in agreement that biofuel is critical and that “mix biofuels” will be an essential when it comes to powering vehicles.  Bio refineries will be needed to produce the quantities needed, and researchers are working toward developing an effective system of these refineries.

One thing that Brazil did after the crisis in the 1970’s was to shift the major portion of their use of petroleum to bioethanol.  This saved them nearly $50 billion in their oil import bills.  In addition, the change to bioethanol from petroleum created over one million jobs, most of them rural.

With all the conversations regarding alternatives to imported foreign oil for fuel, Brazil’s bold move forward in the late 1970’s through today is important for the world to look at.  Other countries, such as India and  China whose economies are weighed down by high oil import bills would be helped by using ideas similar to Brazil’s, and the United States would definitely benefit by using some of the alternatives and making at least some of the changes that Brazil has made.

Everybody is searching for fuel these days, and almost everybody is trying to find fuel that is sustainable, environmentally friendly and affordable. 

The UK has been experimenting with biodegradable fuel that could cut its transportation fuel purchases by 10%.  The fuel is actually created by using bacteria found in compost heaps.  The bacteria is used to convert waste plant fiber into ethanol. 

Researchers have actually created a new strain of bacteria that can break down straw and agricultural plant waste, domestic hedge clippings, wood chips, cardboard, garden trimmings and other waste products and convert them into fuel that can be used by the transportation industry.

There are a number of benefits to this discovery in addition to having another source of fuel.  The bioethanol fuel produced by the process will easily mix with existing fuel.  By creating the mix, greenhouse gasses will be diminished and this will help decrease global warming.  In addition, the fuel will reduce dependence on foreign oil and work toward meeting criteria for renewable energy sources.

Bioethanol used to be quite expensive to produce, because the barley mash had to be heated then cooled then re-heated, taking quite a lot of time, as well.  The new strain of bacteria that has been created does not have to go through such an intricate and elaborate process, making it faster and less expensive to produce. 

The UK has just completed commissioning its first cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility.  There are only a few of these facilities in the world.  Researchers are convinced that in addition to creating biofuel, the process can be used to create high-value chemicals and drug ingredients that are currently created from oil.

There are reports that the U.S. is working on similar projects that could create one piece of the energy puzzle through sustainable waste that is easily obtainable and efficient to use, while being renewable and less harmful to the environment.