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.

Algae has been sought out as a source for fuel since the 1950s.  At that time experiments were being started to see if converting algae to fuel could run cars efficiently.  In the late 70’s when the fuel crisis was creating long lines at gas stations, studies to see whether or not algae was a viable alternative to fossil fuel began in earnest, funded by government and private money.

As the fuel crisis of the 70s and 80s ended, memories shortened and money for fuel research dried up in favor of other studies, algae research slowed to a near halt.  However, with the fuel crisis looming its head again, there has been a tremendous interest in algae as an alternative source of bio-fuel.

While researchers have been looking for methods of using algae for cars, there has also been research to help find alternatives for airlines and the military, who are also troubled by the same fuel issues that everyone else is.  It looks as if one company, Solazyme, has found an alternative that will work.

Solazyme has been researching an algae-based alternative to jet fuel and has created an alternative that passes the ASTM’s standards.  It is the first algae-based bio-kerosene fuel and could be used for jets both commercially and in the military, which would provide solutions to problems for both.

This algae-based fuel has the same properties as regular jet fuel.  It also has an advantage over other bio-fuels in that most bio-fuels freeze at high altitudes, but algae-based bio-fuel does not freeze at high altitudes.  Algae-based jet fuel also has the same density that regular jet fuel has, which makes it a truly viable choice, since none of the alternative jet fuels produced matches in density – not even ones derived from coal or natural gas.

It will take time to bring the fuel to market for widespread use.  At present it is more expensive to produce than fuel that is currently used.  Also, building a plant or plants to create and produce the algae-based fuel is a huge expense and will take time to do.  However, the good news is that this fuel, when ready, will not hurt the planet, especially the rainforests, and the rest of the good news is that researchers are making progress toward eliminating dependence on expensive foreign oil, which will put air travel in reach again.

Everyone is looking for an alternative to fuel that harms the environment, costs too much and holds the country hostage to the handful of countries that control fuel supplies.  There are numerous ideas being considered. 

As the presidential election inches closer, we are hearing about everything from drilling to ethanol to natural gas.  Of course, any of the alternatives to fossil fuels would require major adjustments – and possibly major costs – to the vehicles that these fuels are made for.

There are, however, some alternative fuels that have not been mentioned much and that many of us do not know much about.  Algae is the basis for one of those bio-fuels.

According to researchers, algae can be grown inexpensively and it can be grown in areas that are unfit for crops.  As a result, crops that are raised for human or animal consumption would not be affected by the growth of algae, which has been a concern when dealing with using crops for the development of ethanol.

Experts in the Department of Energy and in the Bio-Fuel industry estimate that algae for fuel can yield up to 30 times more energy per acre than soybeans and other crops, thus using less land for higher results.  In addition, there are thousands of types of algae world wide that could be adapted to be grown and harvested for fuel.

Algae is extremely rich in oil and scientists have been able to isolate the types of algae that have the most oil and the best suitability to be used for fuel.  Extensive research has been done from the 1970s through late 1990s, especially during the Carter administration.  In fact, there are existing patents for using algae as a base for fuel.  Funding and budget shortages ended research at that time.

There is good news, however.  With all eyes on the fuel crisis, there are three U.S. studies being performed regarding the viability of using algae to create alternative fuel.  Additionally, there are studies being performed in Japan, Australia and other countries involving major oil companies.

Algae may very well be a big part of the solution to the fuel crisis affecting the U.S. and the world.  Though there are no immediate answers and though it will probably take a combination approach, algae could alleviate a substantial part of the fuel crisis at a reasonable cost, and the good news is that it is available everywhere. 

Even though prices for fuel have gone down a bit during the past few weeks, the fuel crisis is still alive and well.  After all, we are still looking for alternative fuel sources as well as taking less vacations and trying to conserve on our driving. 

There are huge issues as far as the airlines are concerned, as well.  After all, the gas tanks on airplanes are so much larger than the ones on our cars. 

We are looking at alternatives for fuel everywhere.  Plants are being seriously considered.  Vegetable oils, steam and other substances are being tested, tried, experimented with and looked at closely to try to end dependence on fossil fuels. 

Biodiesel and other eco friendly, sustainable and renewable fuels are being looked at closely as alternatives to the fuels that we have relied on through the end of the 20th century.  As we move further into the 21st century, we are moving forward toward alternatives that will do a better job for all of us in the future.

The airline industry is pursuing alternative fuels that can be created at home rather than being purchased abroad.  Ongoing studies have yielded ideas for these alternatives, but most of them are still being developed.  Unfortunately, it is essential to find alternatives that will work now. 

Jet engines run on kerosene but can be retrofitted to run on other fuels, such as hydrogen.  There is a logistical problem with this, however, in that in order for jets to run on hydrogen, they would have to be fitted with massive tanks for the fuel.  In today’s economy, that might be an overwhelming financial issue.

There are synthetic fuels available, notably from South Africa, using coal as a base.  Because these synthetic fuels are blends and work like actual jet fuel, planes will not have to be redesigned to use this fuel source.  Numerous American companies are now creating these fuels and will be able to provide millions of gallons in the near future.  Another biofuel made from tree oil will be tested this spring b several of the major air carriers.  In addition, algae-based fuel is being developed.

It may take some time for these developments to be available on a wide scale, however there are alternatives for the airlines.  Maybe vacations are not a thing of the past after all.