Biofuels, Biorefinery & Renewable Energy: Issues & Developments

Cellulosic biofuels are produced from cellulose (fibrous material) derived from renewable biomass. They are thought by many to hold the key to increased benefits from renewable biofuels because they are made from potentially low-cost, diverse, non-food feedstocks. Cellulosic biofuels could also potentially decrease the fossil energy required to produce ethanol, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Cellulosic biofuels are produced on a very small scale at this time. Significant hurdles must be overcome before commercial-scale production can occur. This book discusses the issues and developments relating to biofuels, biorefineries and the current research in renewable energy, including fuel ethanol and agriculture-based renewable energy.