Biofuels – Essential or a waste of time?

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Biofuels – Essential or a waste of time?

25 Jan 2009

The panel ask whether biofuels offer a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Steve Koonin begins by putting the term 'biofuel' in context, discussing the problems and advantages of hydro fuel systems and the great potentialities of biomass. He explains the possibilities of exploitation of crop matter, not just crop sugars, and explains how governments need to encourage these alternative fuel molecule technologies.

Nick Goodall explains the role of the regulator as the collector and publisher of information and advice, and the ensurer of standards of sustainability. He outlines issues such as security of supply, carbon saving, agricultural opportunities, and sustainibility targets.

Ben Graziano explains the origins and initiatives of The Carbon Trust, a government-backed company that aims to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy. Graziano describes some of the innovative technologies that The Carbon Trust supports, including projects that work with pyrolysis and algae.