4
consumption has increased considerably from the 1990s towards the 2020s and also
that it will increase significantly further in future. Much of the world’s energy consumption occurs between non-OECD nations (outside the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development) due to expanding population and strong
economic growth. Nowadays, sustainable biomass feedstock development for the
production of biochemicals and biofuels is significantly considered around the
world with extensive work being conducted to convert scientific and academic
improvements into profitable reality [1–3].
The word biofuel refers to any solid, gas or liquid fuels that are produced from
plant materials, wastes and residues which can replace petroleum fuels. The most
suitable alternative for petroleum-based fuels are biofuels, which can be used for
transport and do not face the limitations of fossil fuels [4]. The increase in energy
consumption over the past decades, the significant growth in energy demands in the
future and limited sources of fossil fuels have all enforced scientists and researchers
to study more about sustainable sources of energy.
Another motivation and incentive for scientists to explore renewable and green
sources of energy were environmental concerns and global climate change issues.
The most well-known reason for the phenomenon of global warming is the effect of
greenhouse gases. “Greenhouse gas” refers to the atmospheric gases which emit and
absorb radiation at particular wavelengths in the thermal infrared radiation spectrum transmitted by the surface of the earth, clouds and the atmosphere itself.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
y
g
r
e
n
E
)
J
E
(
Time (Year)
OECD
Non-OECD
Fig. 1 Energy consumption of the world between 1990 and 2040 [3]
H. Jahangiri et al.
consumption has increased considerably from the 1990s towards the 2020s and also
that it will increase significantly further in future. Much of the world’s energy consumption occurs between non-OECD nations (outside the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development) due to expanding population and strong
economic growth. Nowadays, sustainable biomass feedstock development for the
production of biochemicals and biofuels is significantly considered around the
world with extensive work being conducted to convert scientific and academic
improvements into profitable reality [1–3].
The word biofuel refers to any solid, gas or liquid fuels that are produced from
plant materials, wastes and residues which can replace petroleum fuels. The most
suitable alternative for petroleum-based fuels are biofuels, which can be used for
transport and do not face the limitations of fossil fuels [4]. The increase in energy
consumption over the past decades, the significant growth in energy demands in the
future and limited sources of fossil fuels have all enforced scientists and researchers
to study more about sustainable sources of energy.
Another motivation and incentive for scientists to explore renewable and green
sources of energy were environmental concerns and global climate change issues.
The most well-known reason for the phenomenon of global warming is the effect of
greenhouse gases. “Greenhouse gas” refers to the atmospheric gases which emit and
absorb radiation at particular wavelengths in the thermal infrared radiation spectrum transmitted by the surface of the earth, clouds and the atmosphere itself.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
y
g
r
e
n
E
)
J
E
(
Time (Year)
OECD
Non-OECD
Fig. 1 Energy consumption of the world between 1990 and 2040 [3]
H. Jahangiri et al.