Biofuels: the next generation

There are many issues with the continued use of fossil fuels for energy, including finite supply, energy security and their contribution to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate change, leading to substantial, increased interest in the research and development of renewable energy. In 2006, renewable energy provided only 2.5% of global energy needs, which is well short of the national renewable energy targets of many countries for the period 2020-2030, including Australia. For these reasons there is substantial investment in the development of renewable fuel technologies. Bioethanol and biodiesel derived from biomass are alternative fuels for which production capacity and demand is rapidly increasing.