In Britain we could
generate a maximum of
7kWh per person per day.
Land used for growing
biofuels can cause loss of
habitat and burning biofuels
emits CO2. However,
generating electricity from
biofuels emits 60% less CO2
than from fossil fuels.
We can choose plant material
and animal waste that are in
constant supply. This means that
we can have constant electricity.
Therefore, biofuels are reliable.
Growing high-energy plants to
use biofuels produce about
0.2Wagricul per square metre.
We can also use by-products of
other agricultural activities such
as animal manure or rubbish.
Biofuels are burnt to heat water,
creating steam. This then turns
turbines, generating electricity.
Burning biofuel to produce electricity
is about 40% efficient, whist burning
coal is about 30% efficient.
Electricity generated by biofuels
costs about 17p per kWh.