Biofuels

This free course, Biofuels, investigates what is meant by a biofuel and covers the advantages of using biofuels compared with fossil fuels. The different types of biofuel are explored, with particular emphasis on transport biofuels. Finally, the issue of whether biofuels are the complete answer to our future energy needs is considered.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 What are biofuels?
• 1 What are biofuels?
• 2 Energy from plants and climate change
• 2 Energy from plants and climate change
• 2.1 Photosynthesis
• 2.2 The link between energy and biofuels
• 3 Wood as an energy source
• 3 Wood as an energy source
• 4 Grasses as an energy source
• 4 Grasses as an energy source
• 5 Transport biofuels: biodiesel and bioethanol
• 5 Transport biofuels: biodiesel and bioethanol
• 6 Biogas
• 6 Biogas
• 7 Biofuels: some of the issues
• 7 Biofuels: some of the issues
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements