Biofuels 'benefiting from second-phase research'

The secondary phase of biofuels research is starting to highlight the benefits renewable energy can have for both the environment and businesses.

This is the opinion of Peter McManners, an author and consultant on green issues, who noted biofuels are increasingly becoming a viable source of sustainable power for the future.

According to Mr McManners, much of the work in the sector originally resulted in minimal gains as it required input from agricultural sources, which he said is "going to cause problems" down the line.

"Second-generation biofuels from waste produce and third-generation biofuels from arid desert areas - these are where there is huge potential," he explained.

Scientists are seeing the advantages of widening the scope for biofuels exploration, the expert concluded, which is something the wider renewables energy industry may benefit from considering.

Under current European Union legislation, each member must derive at least ten per cent of their transport fuels from biofuels and sustainable sources.