Tanzania Issues of Biofuelsthe case of Jatropha Production.

Tanzania issues of BiofuelsThe Case of Jatropha Production

By JULIUS GONTAKO

1

What are Biofuels?

‘Biofuels are biomass

materials directly used as

solid fuel or converted into

liquid or gaseous fuels that

can be stored, so that the

harnessed energy can be

released through

combustion when needed.’

2

(Bessou et al.2011)

Biofuel Classification

3United Nations 2008

Intermediate Products Can Be Produced from Various

Feedstocks via Various Technologies

4Biodiesel Association of Australia 2012

5Sheehan J.J 2009

Substitutability of biofuels with

common petroleum-derived fuels

6United Nations 2008

Why Biofuels?

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Why Biofuels?

Therefore, there are

many reasons why

we are interested

in biofuels:

To reduce our dependence on

fossil fuels

To reduce reliance on foreign

oil

To lower emissions of

greenhouse gases

To bring business to rural

economics

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Advantages of Biofuels1.There is no emission of hazardous gases

2.Locally available in every region of the world.

3.Friendly with the environment, so they do not cause globalwarming

4.The energy release per unit mass of biofuel is greater thanthe energy released from the unit mass of fossil fuels.

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Global issues of Biofuels

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Transport sector greenhouse gas emissions

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• Transport-sector CO2 emissions represent 23% (globally) of

overall CO2 emissions from Fossil fuel combustion. The sector

accounts for approximately 15% of overall greenhouse gas

emissions.

• Biofuel usage accounted for only 3% of total road transport fuel in

2009 (Soimakallio and Koponen, 2010).

• Global CO2 emissions from transport are expected to continue to

grow by approximately 40% from 2007 to 2030 . (International

Transport Forum, 2011).

Greenhouse gas mitigation

potential

2007 OECD study found life cycle

reductions of between 25 and 82% for each

unit of output for biofuels produced from

most common feedstocks.

Second generation biofuels from cellulosic

feedstocks eg. Miscanthus and switchgrass,

have significantly lower direct ghg

emissions intensity than corn ethanol or

petrol. (Khana, et al, 2011).

Conversion of rain-forest to oil palm

estimated it would take between 75 and 93

yrs for carbon emissions saved through use

of biofuel to compensate for carbon lost

through forest conversion. If original habitat

peatland, carbon balance would take 600

years. (Danielsen, et al, 2008).

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(CSIRO 2007)

Food security

Food, livestock and biofuels are competing forthe same commodity crops

High and volatile food prices are likely tocontinue. Demand from consumers in rapidlygrowing economies will increase, populationwill continue to grow, and further growth inbiofuels will place additional demands on thefood system. ( FAO, 2009).

‘Food versus fuel’ makes it possible for a carowner in a developed country to fill vehicletank (50 litres) with biofuel produced from 200kg. of maize, enough to feed one person forone year. ( FAO, 2009)

Second generation lignocelluosic feedstocks

provide an opportunity to avoid such

competition with food crops. 13

( FAO, 2012)

WorldNumber and percentage of undernourished

persons2006-2008 850 million (13%)

2000-2002 836 million (14%)1995-1997 792 million (14%)

1990-1992 848 million (16%)

1979-1981 853 million (21%)

1969-1971 878 million (26%)

Water and biodiversity impacts

Biofuels could seriously exacerbate water quantity, water quality andbiodiversity problems.

International Energy Agency Blue Map 2050 contains highest level ofbiofuel consumption of any IEA Scenario, it requires:

117% of current global water use by agriculture

82% of current global water use

Potential to restore degraded lands through the use of second-generationbiofuel plantations eg. Salinity, erosion and soil carbon loss can beaddressed. (Delucchi, 2010) 15

What is Jatropha?

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• Shrub: 2 meters in height

• Draught resistant, perennial

• Starts producing after 2-3 years of plantation (produces for 30-35 years)

• Seeds contain 50% oil (approx. 30% is extractable)

• Oil: non-edible

• Seed production: 0.8 to 5.2 tons per acre per annum (depending on soil and

irrigation)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Gallons per acre

Oil producing crops

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Jatropha Process

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Possible utilization of Jatropha

Plant

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Features Of Jatropha- Biodiesel

Jatropha grows well on

low fertility soils

Jatropha begins yielding

seeds in the first year

after plantation.

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Facts & Figures Jatropha trees are productive for up to 30-40 years.

2,200 trees can be planted per hectare (approx 1,000 peracre).

1 hectare yields around 7 tonnes of seeds per year.

The oil pressed from 4kg of seeds is needed to make 1litre of biodiesel

Filtered jatropha oil can be used as is in many dieselvehicles (as SVO) with only small modifications requiredto the engine.

Jatropha oil can be used as a kerosene substitute forheating and lamps.

Jatropha oil burns with a clear smokeless flame.

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How Jatropha-biodiesel and Petro-

diesel compare:

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• Low emissions: Reduction in unburned hydrocarbons, CO, SO2 and

particulate matter. Slight increase in NOX

• Energy content: 94% (~70% for ethanol)

• Energy Balance: >3.2 (US DOE estimate with soy-biodiesel)

Jatropha Benefits Oil provides energy for light,

transportation, and cooking.

Jatropha is a natural fence(leaves are poisonous toanimals).

The Jatropha plant improvesthe soil and prevents erosion.

Jatropha biomass starts a yearafter first planting, and is at amaximum after 5 years.

Glycerin, a by product ofJatropha oil, can be used toproduce soap.

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Biodiesel Advantages

Higher cetane numbers of biodiesel compared to the

petroleum diesel indicates potential for higher engine

performance.

Superior lubricating properties of biodiesel

increases functional engine efficiency.

Higher flash point makes them safer to store.

Biodiesel is oxygenated so its use dramatically

reduces toxic air emissions compared to petroleum

diesel.

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Biodiesel Disadvantages Modifications are required for the vehicles.

High CFPP (cold filter plugging point) values

Solidification and clogging of the fuel system at low

temperatures (around 0°C).

Can introduce additives to curb CFPP.

Rubber seals, gaskets, and hoses made before 1994 should be

replaced when using B100.

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Jatropha Biodiesel Economics 375 kilograms per hectare for soybeans in the United States (280

gallons per acre).

1,000 kilograms per hectare of rapeseed in Europe (740 gallonsper acre).

3,000 kilograms per hectare of Jatropha (2,226 gallons per acre)in India.

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The Issues Surrounding Biofuel

Plantations /Challenges

Food versus fuel

In general, due to food concerns, the extensive mechanized energy

crop production is not appropriate, mostly, to poor countries.

Specifically, is contributed much when good soil is taken for

energy crop production and not accessible for producing food.

In most African countries like Tanzania, there is lack of

interconnections among energy and agriculture productions.

Jatropha production has been carried in fertile land in most

regions in Tanzania particularly to those areas that are known to

be chief producers of food such as Mbeya and Rukwa. (Romijn H

et al 2011).

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Poverty alleviation

More opportunities for agriculture are in rural regions; biofuel

productions are targeted to these areas. Poorest Tanzanians small-

scaled and subsistence farmers reside in these areas.

Biofuel can help in alleviating poverty by providing fuels through

raising income per capital.

However, distribution of wealth, its equity and development in

people’s qualities in the society that are impacted by biofuel

development projects still need a comprehensive examination.

(Amigun B et al 2010).

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Capital

Though, there is government willpower in the establishment of

strong biofuel industries in Tanzania, but the absence of enough

fund to integrate feedstock production into a stressed agriculture

sector remain a challenge.

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The Issues Surrounding Biofuel Plantations

/ChallengesThe Social Dimension

The Tanzania government is the owner of land. People are permitted to own legally bymeans of lease. Mostly, rural people do not have legal entitlement to their cultivating landbecause they get it through historical inheritance ownership.

Women are mostly used on production activities and unpaid labour work. In most poornation women’s responsibilities, include doing major works in the field and securingenergy and water for households.

Biofuels can liberate them by making fuel affordable and accessible hence they canspend more time to other productive activities. Conversely, the reverse is happening now,according to Amigun B et al (2010) reported that, an investor uses women for beingcheaper hence they give less salary unlikely men complements. They are passive and asreliant on the workforce hence are exploited.

The biofuel production from Jatropha production can result to partially or totally women’sdisplacement in agricultural activities, by increase plantations on marginal land, includingbad consequences in meeting household needs.

Additionally, these schemes can have impacts on the decision making on agricultureactivities as the role of men and women will be altered by reducing the ability of womento take part in land utilization decision making as a result, the decline in land ownership.

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The Biofuel Policy

Currently, according to Martin M et al (2009), the government of

Tanzania does not have biofuel policy.

Furthermore, environmental and energy policies that have initiated

biofuel project expansions had slightly interacted or coordinated

by the agriculture policy. As a result, biofuel production is not

entirely embedded or intergraded in the strategic plan of

agriculture policy.

Gontako JP 2014.BDEPM I, BRDP I & BDUDEM I 32



The ecosystem

Basing on environmental concern, the major focus was

greenhouse gas emission from the expansion of biofuel

production industries. But, there are other issue to consider hence

need a secure notice for the next decades for both improved

biofuel and food production and, these are pollution (air, water

(run-off of nitrogen)), loss of biodiversity, deforestation, as well

as overutilization of water.

How to balance ecosystem protection with economic

development through mixed-model development including small-

scale holders remains to be a big challenge that requires close

examination. (Lee H et al 2008).

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The Infrastructure

Limited capability of implementing and making policy, an

inadequate infrastructure network, low degree of industrialization,

time –consuming roads, harsh and with high prices; all these

affected investors in choosing where to establish biofuel

production projects in Tanzania. (Romijin H et al 2011).

Furthermore, poor institutional, legal and regulatory systems those

are important for investors’ encouragement to take financial risks

remain to be a big challenge.

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Market Concern

Presently, there is no world market for biofuels.

Importation charges together with the non tax trade obstacles

created in major biofuel importer countries oblige the rise of an

operational world market, this rejects economic auspicious mostly

to the poor nation including Tanzania.

Due to the absence of biofuel policy, there is no clear taxation

regime for biofuel production. The development of pricing models

for the local market is difficult because of not understanding the

kind of taxation scheme.

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The Costs of Production

All stages of Jatropha production and manufacturing of its

products involve money consumption.

The primary aim of growing Jatropha plant covers

establishment and management costs of the project.

Additionally, there are other costs involved in the manufacture

and marketing of Jatropha products.

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Way Forward

Most countries are planning or has set determined biofuel projects.

The total impacts of these goals on food in the world and forage

markets, the rate of expanding agriculture into original/flesh

grasslands, and forests have to be assessed in order to examine the

upcoming effects of present and future biofuel policies.

Poor nations like Tanzania require a keen analysis of advantages

and damages of biofuel plantations. Specifically, the impacts to

food productions and its price. Supporting local invention for

country benefits and interests has to be given first priority than

international trade.

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Way Forward

As investments are increasing quickly, before biofuels become the

future’s source of renewable energy in Tanzania, there are many

settings to be met. Particularly, the biofuel policy containing

guidelines for forthcoming projects.

The success and establishments of biofuel initiatives depend on

complicated relations among technical and social factors that have

to be met by both private and public performers.

For the biofuel industry to be sustainable, there is a need to evade

the negative societal and environmental impacts. Issues like

biodiversity, forest conservation, water availability, land rights,

communities, employment and environmental protection has to be

resolved, before the establishment of biofuel projects.

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Way Forward

To minimize the negative impacts the government policies for

driving the industry has to balance with energy security,

regional development goals and environment. To solve this, the

welfare of small landowners has to be protected through

making them to be processors and producers of biofuels.

The government of Tanzania can promote and develop biofuel

policy, programmes and regulations that take into consideration

women in rural communities and the interests of subsistence

farmers.

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Tanzania Issues of Biofuelsthe case of Jatropha Production.

Environment

Transcript of Tanzania Issues of Biofuelsthe case of Jatropha Production.