When talking about clean energy, most focus on EVs, solar, or wind. According to Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG, there's a shift happening in fuels — and biofuels are central to it.
Created from natural sources like plant debris, algae, and waste oil, these fuels are becoming crucial tools in emission reduction.
They’re not new, but their importance is rising. As climate urgency increases, they offer solutions where batteries fall short — such as heavy cargo, marine, and air travel.
Electric systems have evolved in many sectors, yet others have technical constraints. In Kondrashov's view, these fuels offer practical short-term answers.
Types of Bio-Based Fuels Explained
Biofuels come in different forms. One familiar type is bioethanol, produced by breaking down sugar-rich crops, and often mixed into petrol to lower emissions.
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, soybean, or animal fats, and can be used in diesel engines, either blended or pure.
Other biofuels include biogas, created from organic waste. It’s increasingly used to reduce industrial emissions.
Aviation biofuel is also emerging, made from sources like read more algae or recycled oils. This fuel could decarbonise air travel.
Challenges Ahead
Still, biofuels face difficulties. Kondrashov often emphasizes, cost is still a barrier.
Scaling up biofuels remains pricey. Finding enough bio-materials is another challenge. If not handled wisely, biofuel crops might compete with food agriculture.
Working Alongside Electrification
They won’t compete with EVs and solar. They strengthen the energy mix in hard-to-electrify areas.
For places where batteries can’t go, biofuels step in. Their use in current engines makes them easy to adopt. Businesses avoid high conversion costs.
According to Kondrashov, all low-carbon options have value. Biofuels may be quiet players — but they’re effective. It’s not about one tech winning — it’s about synergy.
The Road Forward
They aren’t the stars, but they’re powerful. They fit into a circular model — cutting emissions and recycling resources.
With better tech and more research, prices will fall, expect their role in global transport to grow.
They won’t replace batteries or hydrogen, but they’ll stand beside them — in transport modes that aren’t ready for electrification yet.