2) Helioculture
This is another one of the extreme new alternative energy sources, which will involve sunlight and greenhouse gases. Microorganisms are at the center of the process, which will secrete a chemical similar to ethanol when exposed to the sun and CO2. The resulting fuel would be perfect for running a vehicle, for example. SolarConverters, which are flat large panels, will be used to cultivate this reaction. There is already a commercial-scale operation underway that will be producing 20,000 gallons of oil on every acre annually.

A major breakthrough

On the market of alternative fuels helioculture is a major breakthrough. It is scalable and inexpensive, and it could help reduce a large amount of water wastage in certain areas. It is even possible to grow the microorganisms in waste water and salt water. The fuel that will come from this process is cheaper than gasoline, and will cost around $50 per barrel. This is a good bargain, since oil prices are currently nearing $70 per barrel. By 2022, it is aimed to have 36 billion gallons of this alternative fuel to be blended with the gasoline supply.

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In addition, this extremely versatile source of energy can also be used as a basic food stuff that is highly nutritious, such as a form of vegetable oil, cooking oil, and salad dressing. When it comes to transportation energy and energy for industrial and technological needs, this renewable energy source can be converted into a number of different biofuels, such as biodiesel, biogasoline, bioethanol, biobutanol, biomethanol, and various other kinds of biofuels. So, all this points to that fact that algae bacteria really could turn into the energy source of the future.

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For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algaculture

Biology departments at universities and schools worldwide, which have been researching into the benefits of the algae energy source, have all come to the same conclusion: algae renewable energy may the answer to satisfying a large part of our future energy needs in a way that does not harm the environment and is cost-effective at the same time. A wide variety of experiments have already been conducted which have lead to this conclusion, as well as the fact that algae energy source can replace oil-based fuels. It just needs more time to be properly developed and perfected, after which the algae renewable energy source may well become widely used.

Algae bacteria are probably one of the best possible sources of energy, so algaculture, as it is called, is one of our best options in the future. Many algae strains contain over 50 percent oil, which can easily be converted to biodiesel fuel. The algae energy source offers various advantages that other sources of renewable energy don’t have. For example, soybeans and corn are frequently used in biofuel production, but there are many problems with this. Developing countries are fiercely against it, because food crops are not being used for eating, and they are taking up fertile land, which is becoming scarce around the world.

As for algae renewable energy, these bacteria can be grown almost anywhere, and they do not need to take up fertile land. They can be grown on salt or sewage water, and even in polluted wastewater, which will actually leave that water cleaner than it was. If algae is grown on fresh water, it will not pollute it, but help clean it by absorbing certain elements that could lead to possible problems with PH balance. Algae renewable energy is very efficient and can be produced with little effort and cost. Another benefit of algae as an energy source is that it captures carbon dioxide, which is one of the harmful greenhouse gases. All it needs is water (which does not have to be suitable for farm use or drinking) and sunlight to grow. Algae has a high yield per acre, it only takes hours to reproduce, it is biodegradable, it does not contain sulfur, and it is not toxic.

In addition, this extremely versatile source of energy can also be used as a basic food stuff that is highly nutritious, such as a form of vegetable oil, cooking oil, and salad dressing. When it comes to transportation energy and energy for industrial and technological needs, this renewable energy source can be converted into a number of different biofuels, such as biodiesel, biogasoline, bioethanol, biobutanol, biomethanol, and various other kinds of biofuels. So, all this points to that fact that algae bacteria really could turn into the energy source of the future.

To continue reading, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algaculture

Cutting edge research is yielding several new types of biofuels, including making biofuel from algae. The benefits of biofuels are many, such as being renewable because they are produced by crops, specifically domestically produced crops, alleviating the dependence on foreign countries. They also do not emit harmful gases that contribute to global warming.

One of the types of biofuels being heavily researched today is biofuel from algae. Algae is a common substance, so you may be asking yourself, Is it possible to farm it at home? The answer is yes, you can make biofuel from algae at home. This is one of the great benefits of biofuels from algae; you don't need a lot of special expensive equipment to make it. To make biofuel from algae you need a bioreactor that keeps substances from contaminating the algae. A bioreactor can be as simple as a tank or a clear plastic bag.

The process of making biofuel from algae is relatively complex, but there are several publications that can show you how to do it step-by-step from beginning to end.

Researchers all over the country are trying to find a way to mass produce biofuel from algae, but it is already being done on a small scale. A particular biofuels company has reported that an algae area the size of a two-car garage can produce more oil than a soy bean field the size of a football field. Although it is not commercially viable at this point, it can be manufactured at home with the right steps.

The future of biofuel production is currently a hot topic as there are several pros and cons as well as unanswered questions that only time and research will be able to answer. Proponents see biofuel production as a path to the road to future, while critics say it could destroy the economy and environment. There are several types of biofuels. Biofuels are liquid fuels made from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, soy, willow and poplar.

Those who currently support massive biofuel production say it will help the environment, create thousands of biofuel jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But many people see mass biofuel production causing more problems than the benefits might justify.

Critics say that there is not enough usable land for biofuel production. They say it would take away from land being used for food production causing conflict and soaring land prices. Another argument is that agricultural commodity prices would soar and be passed down through the agricultural production chain causing a severe economic backlash that would affect millions of consumers, industries, and non-biofuel jobs.

Opponents also point out that biofuel production is too energy intensive of a process and takes too much energy to produce. Critics say that mass biofuel production would raise the overall cost of energy. Other challenges include costs of transportation and crops, and logistical concerns.

There are several types of biofuels and biofuel production may be the road to the future but it certainly looks like a bumpy one. Only time and research will tell if the potential of mass biofuel production can be realized.

Certainly, there is great deal of potential benefits of biofuels, both environmentally and economically. Proponents of the biofuel industry, such as the current U.S. administration, say that as biofuel production and research grows that millions of biofuel jobs will be created and the economy saved. So, can biofuel jobs help drag the economy out of its current doldrums?

From an economic standpoint, biofuels are terrible. They cannot, at least as of yet, produce large quantities of energy at affordable prices, even though the government subsidizes them. The government spent millions and millions of dollars on subsidizing renewable energy, yet it still only contributes less than one half of 1 percent to the nation's electricity.

Even though biofuel jobs may be created, they will certainly displace millions of jobs that employ people in the industries that bring us reliable energy today. Another of the potential pitfalls of biofuel jobs is that the technologies used to create biofuel are energy intensive and cost a great deal of money. Those two factors combined are job killers, not creators. So you may create biofuel jobs but lose millions of jobs to foreign countries that have lower energy costs. This is already happening in the IT and manufacturing industries.

One cannot deny the environmental benefits of biofuels and the biofuel industry will certainly continue to evolve. But sweeping statements coming from the Hill in Washington stating that biofuel jobs can save the economy are more fodder for votes than they are reality.

1. Corn Husk
One of the most exciting new generation biofuels is corn husk fuel. Instead of using corn, the cellulose from the husk is used to convert to ethanol. This has great potential to solve the problem of crop competition between the same crop being used for fuel or food.

2. Algae
Algae, also known as oilgae, is currently being harvested to use as a biofuel. This is one of the new generation biofuels that has also garnered a lot of attention and created a lot of excitement for its potential. Some companies say that algae can produce much more oil per square foot than soybeans. Making biofuel algae is currently too expensive to market.

3. Wood
This new biofuel developed at the University of Georgia is made using woodchips. Unlike other wood-based biofuels, this one can be blended with biodiesel and petroleum diesel. The process is called pyrolysis and involves heating the wood pellets in an environment without oxygen. This process has the biofuel industry quite excited at its potential.

4. Tree Bark
The official name is lignocellulose and it is derived from tree bark. Some experts say it could be produced for as little as $40 per barrel, which is significantly lower than its oil-based petroleum counterpart.

5. Cellulosic Biobutinol
This type of biofuel is made from wheat straw hydrolysate. Major fuel companies are partnering with the manufacturers of cellulosic biobutinol in hopes of bringing it to the mass market.

So, as the biofuel industry continues making biofuel products from non-food sources, there may just be a brighter future for biofuels because of these new generation biofuels being created.

There are literally dozens and dozens of biofuels being used and researched today. Making biofuel out of different materials has become a major priority for businesses and researchers as a top priority status has been placed on creating and perfecting alternative forms of energy and types of biofuels.

The most common types of biofuels are called first generation biofuels. First generation biofuels are made from plant sources such as corn. New generation biofuels are currently being researched and are made from non-food sources such as wood, bark, grass, and corn husks. Below is a list of the top 5 types of biofuels.

1. Ethanol
Ethanol fuel is the most commonly used biofuel. It is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting sugars derived from food sources such as wheat, corn and sugar cane.

2. Biodiesel
Biodiesel is the most common biofuel used in Europe. It can be used in any diesel engine when mixed with mineral diesel fuel. Making biofuel such as biodiesel involves transesterification of oils and fats from animals and plants.

3. Vegetable oil
Used vegetable oil is now being used to convert to vegetable oil biofuel. Conversion kits can now be purchased to convert a gasoline powered vehicle into a vegetable oil vehicle.

4. Biogas
Biogas is commonly made from cow manure using an anaerobic digester. Landfill gas is an example of a low quality biogas.

5. Solid new generation biofuels
New generation biofuels are now being made from wood, sawdust, wood chips, tree bark, and algae. These sources will likely become major biofuel sources as they do not compete with food crops as first generation biofuels do.

Biofuel production is on the rise and new types of biofuels are being researched every day. In 2008 alone, the world invested more than $4 billion into increased biofuel capacity, yet it makes up for less than 2 percent of the world's fuel. The excitement and potential are there, but there are also disadvantages of biofuels. Only time and research will be able to confirm or deny just how serious these issues may be. Below we break down the top 5 disadvantages of biofuels.

1. Land issues
Switching to mass biofuel production would cause a land battle between crops used for food and crops used for biofuel production. Opponents of biofuels say there is not enough land to produce enough crops for biofuels and food. Some experts say that the food supply would diminish greatly if the focus of crops switched to biofuel production.

2. Does making biofuels use too much energy?
Some people think so, as a few studies have found that when you factor in the energy used to grow the crops, the numbers don't look good to the tune of a 29 percent deficit.

3. Biofuel is not easy to find
Our society is so dependent on oil-based fuel that finding biofuel can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

4. Loss of performance in vehicles
Typically, a biofuel car loses between 10 and 15 percent of its performance compared to running on gasoline.

5. Lower fuel economy
Many types of biofuels actually result in lower fuel economy when compared to their gasoline competitors. This is just another one of the disadvantages of biofuels.

Below you'll find answers to the Five "W" questions as related to alternative fuels.

First let's start by answering the "what" question. There are several definitions for alternative fuels out there but not all are clear. One of the better alternative fuels definition web sites is found at the National Safety Council. This site provides factual information about traditional substitutes for fuels. Methanol, ethanol and others are discussed.

Who should use alternative fuel?
Everyone from big businesses to individual consumers should use alternative fuel. Even the government honors the use of alternative energy, such as ethanol alternative fuel by offering an alternative fuel tax credit to those who are eligible.

When should alternative energy be used?
One of the most overlooked areas of the alternative fuels definition is when it should be used. The answer is that it should be used as often as it can help reduce the environmental damage being caused daily by traditional sources of energy.

Where are the changes taking place?
Another of the alternative fuels definition that can be looked at is where are the changes taking place? Europe has long been farther ahead of us in all things environmental but with the advent of things like the alternative fuel tax credit as well as an increased concern for the environment the United States is making a big push to increase alternative fuel.

Why should alternative energy like ethanol alternative fuel be used?

To be a good steward of the environment.