EU, India hold advanced biofuels conference amid push for renewable energy
European and Indian business leaders will gather in New Delhi today to discuss the fledgling advanced biofuel industry.
Unlike conventional biofuels, which produce energy from consumables, such as sugarcane and maize, advanced biofuel production is the attempt to produce fuel from non-consumable organic materials. The idea has grown in recent years to address the concern that conventional biofuels produce energy at the expense of consumable food; 40% of maize in the US is used to produce energy.
As advanced biofuel energy is difficult to extract, and huge costs are associated with the process, the industry has failed to take off. Regardless, India has been a leading player in an industry that could lead the way in limiting greenhouse gas emissions; last month it hosted 50 international delegates for a two-day conference to encourage investment in advanced biofuels.
For Europe, however, the industry has been largely ignored—advanced biofuels currently account for only 0.03% of transport energy on the continent. Today’s conference could be the starting point for European business to invest and innovate in a potentially lucrative industry.
Start your day with an open-source intelligence briefing. Download The Daily Brief app.
