Biofuels production drives growth in biomass energy use

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), biomass energy consumption in the US grew more than 60% between 2002 and 2013.

In 2013, biomass accounted for approximately half of all renewable energy consumed and 5% of total US energy consumed. This growth was almost entirely caused by increased consumption of biomass to produce biofuels.

From 2002 to 2013, biomass energy converted to biofuels grew more than 500%. This was due primarily to growth in US production of ethanol and biodiesel. On average, 60% of the energy in feedstocks is converted to deliverable biofuels . The remainder becomes energy losses or coproducts, which are measured as energy consumed by the industrial sector.

Most biofuels are consumed as blended transportation fuels, however some biodiesel is used as heating oil.

Adapted from a press release by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/18032014/biofuel_production_growth_279/