Description of the Project

CO₂ Mitigation through Biofuels in the Transport Sector. Status and Perspectives
CO₂-neutrale Wege zukünftiger Mobilität durch Biokraftstoffe: Eine Bestandsaufnahme

Contractor and Project Partner(s)

Research Association for Combustion Engines (FVV)

Financed by: Research Association for Combustion Engines (FVV)
Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)
German Association for Research on Automobile-Technique (FAT, see VDA)
Executed by: IFEU – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg

Summary

Many studies have been conducted world-wide to examine the environmental impact of biofuels for transportation and estimate their cost and quantity potential. These studies have shown considerable differences in the findings and conclusions at times. In order to obtain an overview which identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the available studies and to determine further research needs, IFEU Institute Heidelberg conducted the present study. It was commissioned by the Research Association for Combustion Engines FVV - with member companies such as BMW, DaimlerChrysler, and Volkswagen - and the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants organisations such as the German Farmer's Association, the German Cooperative Association, and the Association of the Chambers of Agriculture Plant Breeding Companies.
This study analyses and compares all international, publicly accessible publications about all biofuels for transportation currently being used (e.g. biodiesel and bioethanol as well as those potential future biofuels like BTL). More than 800 studies were taken into account. From these, 63 studies satisfied the criteria for detailed analyses, leading to the evaluation of 109 balances of energy and greenhouse gases of various biofuels, which were compared either to conventional fuels or other biofuels. In most cases the complete life cycles of the fuels, from production to consumption, were considered.

Duration and Head of Project

Duration: 2003 - 2004

Dr. Guido A. Reinhardt

Download

Pressemitteilung/Press Release auf Deutsch/in German

Executive Summary
Main report (in English, pdf file, 1.8 MB)

The Annex to the report is available in German only. (pdf 1.3 MB)

Please have a look at the English overview over its contents at the end of the main report or here (pdf 11 kB)

Contact

Dipl.-Phys. Ing. Sven O. Gärtner: sven.gaertner@ifeu.de
Dr. Martin Pehnt: martin.pehnt@ifeu.de
Dr. Guido A. Reinhardt: guido.reinhardt(at)ifeu.de