Biofuel production from date palm waste using photovoltaic plants

What is it about?

The transport sector is responsible for high consumption of energy and high emission of greenhouse gases. This is a growing problem as the demand for liquid fuels is expected to increase in the future. The use of biological waste for production of synthetic fuels is a feasible alternative. This can help tackle the problem of depleting conventional fossil fuels. In Tunisia, the synthetic biofuel production process makes use of date palm waste. A major drawback of this production process is the system’s demand for oxygen and electricity. The electricity is mostly generated from fossil fuels, raising questions about sustainability. Tunisia has huge potential for the production of solar energy. Researchers have thus suggested the use of a dedicated photovoltaic (PV) plant that produces electricity from solar energy. Overall, the researchers assessed the economic and environmental suitability of this altered biofuel production pathway in this study.

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Photo by Sami Lamqaddam on Unsplash

Photo by Sami Lamqaddam on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study presents an enhanced biofuel production pathway and its effect on the environment and economy. The enhanced pathway can reduce the cost of electricity production, though significant investment is required for initial installation. It can also help mitigate climate change through the use of renewable oxygen. The enhanced biofuel pathway is more sustainable if the benefits with respect to energy crisis and climate change problems are considered. KEY TAKEAWAY: The use of PV plants can lead to 70% reduction in climate change problems and 100% reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Overall, the enhanced pathway is more favorable considering the environmental impact, as it aligns with goals to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy • SDG 13 - Climate Action • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure • SDG 15 - Life on Land