Abstract
Transport fuels supply around one third of total energy use in the UK, and nearly a quarter of national carbon dioxide emissions. Until recently, there seemed little that could be done to curb the growing demand for transport, and there were few practicable options for cleaner delivery of transport services. However, the British government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) is now promising verifiable cuts in carbon emissions together with improved security of supply, based upon substituting a rising proportion of conventional fuels with biofuels derived from agricultural crops such as oil seed rape, palm oil, wheat and sugar. Biomass fuels or biofuels are defined as those made from any kind of plant matter (agricultural or forestry products, by-products, residues and wastes), whereas most transport fuels are presently derived from oil (with a small contribution from other fossil fuel resources such as coal and natural gas).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Anderson, K., Shackley, S., Mander, S. and Bows, A. (2005) Decarbonising the UK: energy for a climate conscious future. Technical Report 33, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich. 89 pp.
ANRE (2006) Energy Supply in Japan Today. Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Government of Japan, Tokyo, http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/english/energy/japan/supply.html (accessed l-Oct-06).
Bauen, A., Howes, J., Chase, A., Tipper, R. Inkinen, A., Lovell, J. and Woods, J. (2005) Feasibility study on certification for a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, final report, June 2005. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/divisionhomepage/610328.hcsp.
BTF (2005) Final report to Government. Biomass Task Force, York. 80 pp.
Culshaw, F. and Butler, C. (1992) A Review of the Potential of Biodiesel as a Transport Fuel, ETSU R-71, The Stationary Office, Norwich.
DEFRA (2006) UK Emissions of Greenhouse Gases. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statis-tics/globatmos/gagccukem.htm (accessed l-Oct-06).
DTI (2003) Our Energy Future: creating a low-carbon economy. Department of Trade and Industry Energy White Paper, February 2003, Cm 5761, The Stationary Office, Norwich.
DTI (2006) Department of Trade and Industry Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2005, The Stationery Office, Norwich, 2006.
E4tech (2006) UK Carbon Reduction Potential from Technologies in the Transport Sector. Report to UK Department of Transport and Energy Review team, May 2006. E4tech, Imperial College, London. 54 pp.
ECI (2006) Predict and Decide: aviation, climate change and UK policy. Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. 122 pp.
EIA (2006) Petroleum Products Information Sheet. Energy Information Administration, US Department of Energy, Washington DC http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/infosheets/petroleumproducts.htm (accessed l-Oct-06).
Embassy of Brazil (2006) Clean Energy: the Brazilian ethanol experience. Embassy of Brazil, London. 72 pp.
Eyre, N., Fergusson, M. and Mills, R. (2002) Fuelling Road Transport: implications for energy policy, Energy Saving Trust, London / Institute for European Environmental Policy, London / National Society for Clean Air, Brighton.
IEA (2003a) Energy Balances of Non-OECD Countries 2000–2001. International Energy Agency, Paris.
IEA (2003b) Energy Balances of OECD Countries, 2000–2001. International Energy Agency, Paris.
IEA (2006a) Energy Statistics and Energy Balances, by country. International Energy Agency, Paris. http://www.iea.org/Textbase/stats/index.asp (accessed l-Oct-06).
IEA (2006b) World Energy Outlook 2006. International Energy Agency, Paris. 600 pp.
Junginger, M., Faaij, A., Rosillo-Calle, F. and Woods, J. (2006) A growing role: opportunities, challenges and pitfalls of the biomass trade. Renewable Energy World 9(5), Sept–Oct 2006.
Kheshgi, H.S., Prince, R.C. and Marland, G. (2000) The potential of biomass fuels in the context of global climate change: focus on transportation fuels. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 25, 199–244.
Lovins, A.B. and Cramer, D.R. (2004) Hypercars, hydrogen, and the automotive transition. International Journal of Vehicle Design 35, 50–85.
MacLean, H.L., Lave, L.B., Lankey, R. and Joshi, S. (2000) A life-cycle comparison of alternative automobile fuels. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association 50, 1769–79.
Marrow, J.E., Coombs, J. and Lees, E.W. (1987) An Assessment of Bio-ethanol as a Transport Fuel in the UK, ETSU R-44, The Stationary Office, Norwich. MOSPI (2006) Energy Statistics 2004–2005. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, New Delhi. http://mospi.nic.in (accessed l–Oct-06).
NFU (2006) UK biofuels — land required to meet RTFO 2010. NFU press release, 10-Aug-06, National Farmers Union, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, http://www.nfuonline.com/x9761.xml.
NSCA (2006) Biogas as a Transport Fuel. National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection, Brighton. 52 pp.
Potter, S. (2006) Travelling Light: the roles of behavioural change and technical innovation in achieving sustainable transport. Keynote paper for the 2006 Shell Eco-marathon. The Open University, Milton Keynes.
RCEP (2004) Biomass as a renewable energy source. Special Report, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, London. 92 pp.
REN21 (2006) REN21 2006 Global Status Report. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, Paris. 35 pp.
Saynor, B., Bauen, A. and Leach, M. (2003) The Potential for Renewable Energy Sources in Aviation, Report to Department of Trade and Industry. ICCEPT, Imperial College, London. 78 pp.
Scurlock, J.M.O. (2005) Biofuels for transport in the UK: what is feasible? Energy and Environment 16, 273–82.
SDC (2006) Response to the Department for Transport on Biofuels and the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, June 2006. Sustainable Development Commission, London. 24 pp.
Shapouri, H.; Duffield, J.A. and Wang, M.Q. (2002) The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Agricultural Economic Report No. 813.
Smeets, E., Junginger, M., Faaij, A., Walter, A. and Dolzan, P. (2006) Sustainability of Brazilian bio-ethanol. Copernicus Institute, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands / State University of Campinas, Brazil. 136 pp.
Tijmensen, M.J.A., Faaij, A.P.C., Hamelincka, C.N. and van Hardeveldb, M.R.M. (2002) Exploration of the possibilities for production of Fischer Tropsch liquids and power via biomass gasification. Biomass and Bioenergy 23, 129–52.
Woods, J. and Bauen, A. (2003) Technology Status Review and Carbon Abatement Potential of Renewable Transport Fuels in the UK, Report B/U2/00785/RP, Department of Trade and Industry, London.
Worldwatch (2006) Biofuels for Transportation: Global Potential and Implications for Sustainable Agriculture and Energy in the 21st Century. Worldwatch Institute, Washington DC.
UNDP (2001) World Energy Assessment: Energy and the Challenge of Sustainability. Sustainable Energy and Development Division, United Nations Development Programme, New York. 516 pp.
UNDP (2004) World Energy Assessment: Overview — 2004 update. Sustainable Energy and Development Division, United Nations Development Programme, New York. 88 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2007 Jonathan Scurlock
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Scurlock, J. (2007). Biomass — Greening the Transport Sector. In: Elliott, D. (eds) Sustainable Energy. Energy, Climate and the Environment Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230378384_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230378384_3
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-230-24174-9
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-37838-4
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)