Mining landfill sites 'could be the future for biofuels'

Landfill sites have become a source for biofuel analysis, as the industry looks to concentrate their efforts on converting garbage into low-carbon energy.

Household and office rubbish have been cited as the most promising source for the biofuel industry in 2012, which could lead to the intriguing possibility of mining landfill sites, reports the Guardian.

The World Biofuels Markets conference is posed to get underway in Rotterdam, with many early comments suggesting that municipal solid waste was seen to be the next-generation feedstock. A survey found that this was the leading choice amongst experts, with 24 per cent looking for non-food crops like jatropha and switchgrass, which was the second most favourable outcome. Algae was well supported, as well as cellulosic materials.

Biofuels have been estimated to grow to 25 per cent of all fuels by 2030 by experts in Rotterdam, with record oil prices  likely to be a big driver in the expansion of the industry.

Government mandates were also seen as being key to the expansion of the industry, with about a quarter of those surveyed still thinking they would be the most critical factor in driving biofuel investment.

The challenges facing the biofuel industry are obvious. It is projected that 1300 biorefineries would be required (at an average size of 50 million gallons per project) to meet the known, existing mandates around the world.

Posted by Joseph Hutton