London, Feb 1 (IANS) Scientists are trying to find answers to one of the most challenging problems existing today — generating energy without worsening climate change or harming food output.
Researchers are investigating biofuels generated from waste, which is perceived by many as the ‘green alternative’ to using fossil fuels.

Biofuels seem to be the perfect solution because they are not net producers of harmful by-products, but they can tempt farmers into growing energy crops at the cost of badly-needed food, particularly in poorer countries.

Looking for an answer to the ‘food-fuel conflict’ is at the heart of research led by Komang Ralebitso-Senior, who teaches molecular biology at Teesside University.

Her team of six researchers based at the TU Institute is looking at whether biofuel production could use waste materials, viz domestic refuse and sewage sludge, instead of energy crops to generate biogas.

The biogas could then be used directly or to produce alternative energy sources such as electricity.

“We’re carrying out laboratory investigations to optimise the production of biogas through a process known as anaerobic (without oxygen) digestion. This uses naturally- occurring micro-organisms to break down waste in closed vessels,” she says.

Ralebitso-Senior believes that, although anaerobic digestion is an established process already being used by some waste-to-energy companies, its full potential has not yet been realised in solving many of the problems associated with growing biofuel crops.

“We can produce most biofuels using crops — but the big issue is whether the land could be used for food instead. The loss of agricultural crops is a major concern.

“We call this the food-fuel conflict as the economic returns of growing crops for fuel are often higher and with more farmers choosing this option, foodstuffs inevitably become more expensive.”

“Using anaerobic digestion is an alternative method which has considerable potential, but we still do not understand a lot about how it works,” she says,” according to a university release.

“That is what we are investigating in the laboratory, seeking ways in which we can optimise and, therefore, exploit the process effectively,” she adds.