In recent history biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol have actually become industry around the globe. Many nations have actually taken an eager interest in their continued manufacture and usage, consisting of developing nations such as Brazil which is viewed as a world leader in biofuel advancement. Even smaller sized countries such as the UK currently use around one and a half million litres of biofuel a year and goal to increase this three-fold within the next 10 years.

But wait, there's an issue.

There is however a substantial problem; with the increase in popularity of biofuels as has the level of criticism increased. From the "food versus fuel" debate, links to food price increases and effect of water resources to issues over logging and loss of biodiversity there are installing challenges for the fuel to overcome. But there is want to be found in a variety of innovations broadly described as second generation biofuels. Such fuels are produced from sustainable feedstock rather than the generally editable crops used in first generation biofuels (sugarcane, corn etc.) therefore preventing a number of the problems pointed out previously.

Hope for the future

One such technology is Algae Fuel, which can produce as much as 3 hundred times more oil per acre than traditional crops in addition to twenty to thirty times more quickly. As if these benefits weren't considerable enough it is also possible to cultivate algae on typically unusable land such as land stricken by dry spell or including really high levels of saline. Another hugely appealing fuel is Cellulosic Ethanol which is just fuel produced from non-edible parts of plants (or indeed turfs and other plants that are inedible). This fuel source shares some benefits with Algae fuel such as high per-acre performance but has the distinct benefit that no unique growing is required. Cellulose is contained in practically all plants growing throughout the world.

Or should that be hope for today?

These may sound like science-fiction but the reality of the matter is that by 2008 the United States was currently producing twelve million litres of fuel from cellulosic ethanol with production centers capable for producing an extra eighty million gallons annually in advancement. There is much to be excited about in the Biofuel market from both a business and ecological point of view and continued development especially in 2nd generation technologies seems guaranteed. Such fast grown represents an amazing time for alternative energy production. To keep up with the latest advancements and market projections for alternative energy and biofuels it's suggested the reader defer to expert biofuel market analysis.