European Transportation Biofuel Consumption Up 78% from 2005 to 2006
24 July 2007
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| Consumption of biofuels by country. Click to enlarge. |
Consumption of transportation biofuels in the 25-member European Union jumped 78% from 2005 to 2006, rising from 3 million to 5.38 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), according to the Biofuels Barometer published by EurObserv’ER, a renewable industry consortium. That increase resulted in biofuels representing a 1.8% share of the total consumption of transportation fuels, compared to a 1% share in 2005.
In 2006, biodiesel represented 71.6% of the energy content of biofuels dedicated to transport, far out ahead of bioethanol (16.3%) and other biofuels (12.1%). Of the “other” biofuels, pure vegetable oil accounted for 629,809 toe (11.7% of total biofuel consumption) and biogas for 13,940 toe.
The consumption of crude vegetable oil is primarily driven by Germany, where it is legally considered a full-fledged fuel, according to the report.
Biodiesel consumption is growing the most rapidly, with an increase of 71.4% between 2005 and 2006, compared to a 57.5% growth in bioethanol consumption. Consumption of the other biofuels was multiplied by 3.4 in a single year.
Germany continued to be the largest European consumer of biofuel in 2006, accounting for 2.8 million tonnes of biodiesel, according to the AGEE Stat, the statistical organization of the Ministry of the Environment. The 2.8 million tonnes of biodiesel represents 2.408 million toe. German consumption of vegetable oil was 0.71 million tons of vegetable oil (628,492 toe) and 0.48 million tons of bioethanol (307,200 toe).
This consumption corresponds to a 6% share by energy content of biofuels, the largest for an EU country.
France remained the second largest European biofuel consumer in 2006. French consumption increased by 62.7% to reach, according to the Ministry of Industry, 682,000 toe (i.e. 1.6% of French domestic fuel consumption). Biodiesel represents the biggest share (78%, far ahead of bioethanol with 22%).
Hi, EurObserv’ER also published its Biogas Barometer. Big growth there too.
In 2006, around 5.35 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) was produced in the EU, an increase of 13.6% compared to 2005. The production of electricity from biogas grew by 28.9% over the same period. Germany remains European leader and noted a 55.9% growth in 2006 in electricity generated from the renewable gas.
Study: EU biogas production grew 13.6% in 2006, holds large potential
Biogas makes for the best biofuel for transport!
Posted by: Jonas | 24 July 2007 at 08:51 AM
on the map Romania is marked were Bulgaia is ,and Bulgaria were Ro.
who is the publisher of this map?some elementary school kid?
Posted by: gabi | 24 July 2007 at 09:25 AM
@ Jonas -
"Biogas makes for the best biofuel for transport!"
Biogas is easier to produce than liquid biofuels, but it's much harder to distribute to filling stations and store on board. CNG tanks are bulky and heavy, affecting the weight distribution ratio of an LDV. IN HDVs, the issue is that you tend to lose either cargo space or operating range.
Moreover, until someone delivers methane direct injection, CNG engines suffer from reduced specific power. Releasing a gaseous fuel into the intake manifold displaces fresh charge, so you need a super- or turbocharger just to match the rating of a naturally aspirated gasoline engine of the same displacement.
Finally, there's the chicken-and-egg problem: until there is a sufficient number of filling stations, CNG vehicles need an emergency gasoline tank to avoid getting stranded. That means the high octane rating of methane cannot be fully exploited for improved torque and fuel economy.
So CNG is doable, but it is still hard / expensive. Ironically, Iran may end up becoming a leader in the technology. It's indigenous auto industry produces over 1m vehicles a year and its political/economic isolation make invention the mother of necessity.
@ Gabi -
yeah, you're right. Someone messed up.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 24 July 2007 at 11:49 AM
Rafael Seidl,
Methane does not have that much higher octane rating (105 vs say ethanol 115 and methanols 135). But I agree Biogas is best to replace natural gas not transport fuel, although there are things like forklifts and indoor machinery that run on methane.
Iran has all this oil but no refineries (like having stockpiles of canned food but no can opener) what up with that? Iran does have lots of natural gas and few places to put it.
Posted by: Ben | 24 July 2007 at 06:59 PM
Using anaerobic digesters to produce biogas is a good co-generation opportunity for biodiesel and bioethanol. The waste products from biofuels production can be treated in the anaerobic digester with a by product of fertilizer.
Posted by: Kit P. | 25 July 2007 at 08:28 AM
Natgas (Methane) is not difficult to transport. There are gas pipelines in every country state & city and the same network can be used for Bio-natural-gas as well.
As for the CNG tanks being heavier, just a small tank which can give 20 mile range is good enough. For beyond that range, Gasolene (Petrol) can be used.
After Bi-Fuel vehicle is a proven technology.
Currently 6.3 million CNG vehicles are there and Biogas could give both a marketing boost and a green image.
Its the developing countries like Argentina, Brazil & Pakistan are the Top-3. Sad that developed countries like US, Japan & Germany are lagging behind, but good that they are catching up.
Posted by: Max Reid | 27 July 2007 at 03:44 PM
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Posted by: Marian | 20 August 2007 at 10:02 PM