Third-generation biofuels

Third generation biofuels Algae Vegetable oil, biodiesel... 

Biofuels can be classified as first generation when they are produced from fermentation of sugar-based raw materials, second generation if they are produced from feedstocks such as lignocellulose and municipal solid wastes, and third generation when they are formed from algal biomass [314,315]. Currently, the most used biofuels are ethanol and butanol. 

Lee, R.A. and Lavoie, J.-M. (2013) From first-to third-generation biofuels challenges of producing a commodity from a biomass of increasing complexity. Anim. Front., 3, 6-11. 

Finally, the third-generation biofuels is produced directly from CO2 and sunlight via photosynthesis. Major research efforts are directed to the use of algae or cyanobacteria for the direct production of (bio) diesel and secondary products from CO2. Whereas this approach does not compete with arable land, there are restrictions relating to CO2 availability (production facilities need to be in the vicinity of a major CO2 source such as a power station), product yield, and nutrient requirement (Clarens et al. 2010). 

The metabolic versatility of prokaryotes has enabled the development of a number of processes for the conversion of organic matter (or CO2 directly, for third-generation biofuels) to biofuels at high energy density, which are suitable for... 

American public support has turned its attention to third-generation biofuels (eg, biomass/cellulose based biofuels), sustaining numerous projects. Excise tax credits ( 1.00/gallon biodiesel tax credit for producers or blenders of pure biodiesel and biodiesel from biomass) and import tariffs are mainly used as instmments for biofuels support across States (U.S. Department of Energy, 2015). The support policy for biofuels in the United States tends to apply low tariffs on imported biofuels commodities. Tariffs on ethanol are, for example, the equivalent of 1.2—2.5% from countries outside NAFTA. Blending practices are also notably applied to favor the reexport of biofuel commodities, in particular to the European Union. 

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