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Biofuels Special

How Green Are Biofuels?

Politicians and businesses have embraced biofuels to promote energy independence and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But rising demand for biofuels has caused some unexpected environmental and economic side effects: prices for staple foods like corn have risen sharply, while rainforests are being cleared to make way for new farmland.

Allianz Interview

"The Age of Easy Energy is Over"

Wondering about energy security and oil prices? Christopher Wheaton, manager of Allianz Global Investors' Global Energy Fund, cuts through the hype.

Biofuel Gallery

Eight crops for biofuel production

What We Do

Biogas: Power Ranchers

Germany wants to reduce dependence on coal, oil, and nuclear power, but renewable energy is limited in many parts of the country. Many farmers are discovering biogas as an alternative.


Expert Interview

Biofuels? Source Locally!

Investment in biofuels has attracted criticism lately. Diana Profir, head of the Green Power Market Development Group Europe at the World Resource Institute, talks about the do's and don'ts.

Biofuel Facts

  • Biomass supplies over ten percent of primary global energy consumption
  • Half of all bioenergy is produced from burning wood
  • Around 2.4% of electricity in the European Union comes from biomass
  • Biofuel production (ethanol and biodiesel) is growing by about 15% annually
  • Biomass could potentially produce several times the energy the world consumes each year

Quiz

The Top Crop

Which plant is more more efficient for biofuel production?

 

Backstory

The Top Five Biofuel Crops

Biofuels can be produced from a number of crops and plants. Corn, rapeseed, palm oil, sugar cane, and jatropha are among the top five. But how efficient and sustainable are they?