By Yemi Olakitan
Biofuels have the potential to play a significant role in mitigating global warming and climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The process of converting biomass feedstocks into biofuels is environmentally friendly, and using biofuels for transportation can help restore the natural balance of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Plants absorb CO2 from the air, and is released back into the atmosphere when the fuels are burned, making biofuels a potentially carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative way to power vehicles.
However, there are challenges in ensuring that biofuels are truly carbon neutral. The production process of biofuels, including fermentation, energy for processing, transportation, and fertilizers used for plant growth, may emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases even before the fuels are burned. Additionally, the farmland used for growing biomass can have climate impacts, especially if it replaces CO2-storing forests.
Studies have shown that the environmental sustainability of biofuels is crucial in determining their effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels are being promoted as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels due to their potential to reduce GHG emissions.
However, in order to accurately assess the impact of biofuels, a life cycle analysis is necessary to consider all stages from crop growth to fuel combustion.
While biofuels hold promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, it is essential to address the challenges associated with their production and ensure that they are produced sustainably to maximize their environmental benefits.
Biofuel Resources in Africa
Africa possesses significant resources for producing sustainable liquid biofuels. These biofuels are based on biomass feedstocks that do not compete with food supplies or contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.
The region’s biofuel potential depends on several factors, some of which are: Increasing the collection of residues from food crops and forest products, cultivating farmland beyond food needs specifically for biofuel crops and addressing waste and losses in the food chain.
According to assessments by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), with conversion to advanced liquid biofuels, sustainable biomass feedstock could potentially meet or exceed the combined fuel needs for transport in Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda by 2050.
The African continent has immense potential to reduce dependency on petroleum fuels by adopting electric mobility solutions. Electric motorcycles, tuktuks, cars, minibuses, and buses in public transport fleets can significantly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.
Biofuels offer several advantages for African countries.They can contribute to economic growth, employment, and rural incomes. Biofuels can become important exports for African countries.They also provide low-cost fuel options.
Furthermore, Initiatives like Eni’s African biofuels strategy aim to develop new agricultural production channels across six African countries to supply refineries and the emerging ‘green’ aviation market.
Africa’s biofuel potential lies in sustainable biomass utilization, waste reduction, and embracing electric mobility.
By harnessing these opportunities, the continent can move toward greener transportation alternatives.
In Kenya, the transportation sector faces significant challenges related to fossil fuel dependency and environmental impact. However, the country is actively exploring biofuels particularly biodiesel as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative for its transportation system.
Biodiesel is a liquid biofuel derived mainly from edible agricultural biomass. It is produced by combining fats or oils with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. Biodiesel sources include plant oils, used cooking oil, animal fat, and algae.
Biodiesel has several advantages over conventional fossil fuels. It has negligible sulfur content, 67% less aromatic content (such as toluene and benzene), and a higher flashpoint (150°C) compared to petrol and diesel. It also offers a 47% reduction in particulate matter (soot and hydrocarbons) pollution and a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions.
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Biodiesel is non-toxic and fully degrades in about 28 days when released into a waterway environment. Biodiesel has comparable energy and power content to ultra-low sulfur diesel, extends injector efficiency, and exhibits appreciable lubricant characteristics that reduce engine wear and tear. Biodiesel is often blended with petrol or diesel at different ratios.
It is approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTMI) for all types of compression engines. B20: A common blend with 20% biofuel balances costs, emissions, cold-weather performance, and materials compatibility.
Kenya heavily relies on diminishing biomass (such as wood) and non-renewable petroleum (mostly imported) as primary energy sources.
The transport sector is the largest consumer of petroleum products, contributing to approximately 67% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 11.3% of total greenhouse gas discharges.
Exploiting Kenya’s bioenergy potential, estimated at 15.6 metric tonnes for biodiesel production, could significantly contribute to the country’s clean energy goals. Biodiesel presents an opportunity to address energy security, affordability, and environmental concerns in Kenya’s transport decarbonization efforts.
In Nigeria, the adoption of biofuels as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels in the transportation system has gained attention. Biofuels offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option compared to fossil fuels. In Nigeria, where petroleum fuels dominate energy consumption, there is growing interest in exploring biofuels as an alternative.
Ethanol which is also known as ethyl alcohol or gasohol, ethanol is used as a replacement for gasoline in many countries. However, its high vapor pressure limits the amount that can be blended into conventional or reformulated gasoline. Despite this limitation, it remains a viable biofuel option.
Biodiesel, produced from oil seeds-bearing plants such as jatropha, is another biofuel being explored in Nigeria. It can be blended with diesel fuel and used in diesel engines. Biofuels help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), which contributes to climate change.
By replacing fossil fuels with biofuels, Nigeria can limit atmospheric CO2 levels. Given Nigeria’s perennial fuel scarcity and concerns about fuel subsidies, biofuels offer a pathway toward energy independence and diversification.
Developing efficient biofuel production technologies is crucial. Both ethanol and biodiesel production require specific processes (such as transesterification) and feedstocks.
Establishing the necessary infrastructure for biofuel distribution and utilization is essential. Nigeria’s biofuel policy proposes a 90% gasoline–10% fuel ethanol mix and a 20% blending ratio for biodiesel. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is enforcing these blending requirements, according to reports.
While biofuels serve as an interim decarbonization measure, Nigeria is also exploring electric-based transportation systems. Mode-shifting from gasoline/diesel vehicles to electric buses and two/three-wheelers can further reduce emissions.
In Nigeria, Biofuels hold promise for Nigeria’s transportation system, offering environmental benefits and contributing to energy security. However, addressing technological challenges and ensuring proper implementation are critical for their successful adoption.
In Ghana, Biofuels have the potential to significantly impact Ghana’s transportation sector by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the country’s dependence on imported fuels.
Currently, there is no blending mandate for biofuels in Ghana, and they are neither used nor produced for transportation purposes. However, studies suggest that implementing a policy to blend biofuels at a 10% rate with regular fuels could help reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuels and associated issues.
The transport sector in Ghana is a significant contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with road transportation being a major emission source.
To align with pathways compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, Ghana aims to halve direct annual CO₂ emissions from the transport sector by 2030 and achieve full decarbonization by 2047-2050. This transition could involve a rapid uptake of electricity and potentially the use of biofuels made from non-food sources.
Ghana has taken steps towards promoting sustainable transportation, such as launching a “Drive Electric Campaign” to encourage the use of electric vehicles and developing a Draft Electric Mobility Policy.
Additionally, plans to modernize and expand the railway network could further contribute to reducing emissions from road transportation.
While biofuels are not currently integrated into Ghana’s transportation system, exploring their production and utilization could offer environmental benefits, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and contribute to achieving climate goals in the country.
