Mobility -> Fuels
Swedish advantages from a domestic bio fuel production

Marcus Engblad  [2006-12-04  10:42]   #1811 In my master thesis, I examined and analysed the determining factors influencing the increase in production of domestic bio fuel in Sweden, focusing on the first generation of bio fuels; biogas, ethanol and RME (bio diesel). A background was given of the environmental problems stemming from the use of fossil fuels, the concept of Peak oil and the political decisions that follow. Through an international overview; other countries’ successful ways of creating advantages from the change and environmental demand was studied. Sweden has a unique bio fuel potential and this thesis showed that if clear and long-term political guidelines are introduced, the bio fuel industry is ready to invest in increased production. At the beginning of the change, it’s important to introduce incentives such as tax-reductions on bio fuels and other forms of financial aid. This aid will be best used if invested in research and development of technical solutions which can cut production costs in order to make the bio fuels more competitive in the market. Increasing the permitted percentage of bio fuel blended in traditional petrol and diesel is an additional and successful way of stimulating domestic production. By making the right decisions, regarding these questions, Sweden is likely to achieve the EU bio fuel directive of a 5, 75 % bio fuel part in 2010 and 20 % in 2020 respectively, from a domestic production. Furthermore the employment potential of the bio fuel industry is examined and it is suggested that close to 13 000 new jobs can be created by 2020. Realization of these opportunities depends mainly on political will and decisions that support domestic production. If the bio fuel industry as a whole (including heat and electricity) and the second generation of bio fuels is taken into account, considerably more jobs could be created. The conclusion is that it is just as important to think long-term as it is to act both long-term and short-term. This means that the most beneficial results will be achieved if a broad stake is made both on the first and the second generations of bio fuel. The biggest advantage of acting quickly and seeing the opportunities are that Sweden shows the rest of the world that the country is taking climate-change seriously. This will most likely lead to Swedish knowledge being requested and disseminated when more countries walk the unavoidable path to change. Sweden gets a safe fuel support, jobs created and most important; a better environment; today and tomorrow, in Sweden as well as in the world as a whole. You can download the thesis (in swedish) from: http://www.sustainablefuture.co.nr  http://www.sustainablefuture.blogg.se Johan Erlandsson  [2007-02-21  18:16]   #1826 Isnt it a bad idea to get stuck with the ancient and inefficient internal combustion engine with all these biofuel initiatives? Isnt it better resource management to go for electrical propulsion instead? Taking the Swedish example, 70 % of all liquid fuel to cars could be replaced by just a 5 % increase of electricity production. And that is with current battery technology, not tomorrows. The biomass could probably reduce more carbon dioxide emissions if it was used to replace coal in the VERY CO2 intensive coal fired power plants.

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