*3.1.1 Production*

Europe is the world's largest biodiesel producer (**Figure 1**). Total European production in 2016 is estimated at over 1.5 million tons, with Germany and France


#### **Table 1.**

*Liquid biofuel production globally (all values in billion liters) [45].*


#### **Table 2.**

*Liquid biofuel production in continents in 2016 [45].*

**Figure 1.** *Liquid biodiesel production in 2016 [45].*

being the largest producers within the EU. Italy, the Czech Republic and Austria are also active in biodiesel production [50].

Biodiesel is a generic name for the methyl esters or ethyl esters of organic fatty acids. Biodiesel can be produced from a wide range of seed oils such as oilseed rape, sunflower, soybean and coconut oil.

For example, rapeseed oil is an extremely good substitute for diesel, and it is one of the main oil seeds produced in the European Union. The treatment of plant oil through metallization gives us methyl ester by enabling its ultimate use in diesel vehicles [51].

Seed oils used for biodiesel production come from conventional crops grown by conventional techniques in many parts of Europe. With proper management, crop alternatives may arise as seed oil biodiesel opens a new market for regional economies.

The technology for the production of biodiesel from seed oils has been proven and commercially available for several years. For example, biodiesel is produced from rapeseed by a simple transesterification process, which involves reacting the pulp with small amounts of methanol in the presence of a catalyst. The resultant biodiesel is usually mixed with conventional diesel at the refinery. Biodiesel can also be produced from recycled or used cooking oils, and thus provides a useful outlet for disposal of these oils, which otherwise would have to be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable alternative [52].

#### *3.1.2 Environmental performance*

The main advantage of using biodiesel as a transport fuel is that it may have a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional oil use. The use of 100% biodiesel (which is rare) can reduce net CO2 emissions by 40–50%, respectively, 5% reduces CU2 by 2–2.5% [51].

These calculations are based on a comprehensive life cycle analysis of biodiesel – covering crops, biodiesel production and biodiesel use in the vehicle. In theory, biodiesel can be considered free of carbon, since the carbon emitted during combustion is initially blocked during the growth phase of the cultivated plant. In practice, however, the reduction in emissions from biodiesel from energy crops is lower, because growing and growing plants requires the use of conventional fuels. The use of biodiesel contributes to the creation of an alternative for transport fuels in the context of European Union policy and national climate change policies [51, 53].

**9**

**Figure 2***.*

*Liquid bioethanol production in 2016 [45].*

*Maize as Energy Crop*

sensitive wetlands.

**3.2 Bioethanol**

*3.2.1 Production*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88969*

Biodiesel can reduce emissions and some other pollutants from vehicles, although this depends on the type of vehicle and the fuel specifications. Biodiesel is a new energy source, aiming to reduce crude oil imports and strengthen security of energy supply in Europe. Biodiesel is easily biodegradable and safe, a property that gives it an advantage for specific uses, such as fuel for boats sailing in ecologically

At present, Brazil and the United States (which holds 44% of world production and covered 1.2% of demand for automotive fuel producing 12 billion liters of ethanol) are the largest bioethanol producers of transport fuel worldwide (**Figure 2**), using cane and corn as feedstock, respectively. In Europe, bioethanol is mainly produced from sugar beet and wheat. Spain, Poland and France dominate the bioethanol sector in Europe with a total production of 500,000 tons in 2004. Sweden, Austria and Germany are also active in the production of bioethanol. Production in 2015, after continuing increases, amounted to 58 billion liters. The raw material for bioethanol production is common products from agricultural crops that grow using conventional cultivation techniques in different parts of Europe. Bioethanol production from agricultural crops can be a useful new market for regional economies and help regional development. Bioethanol is prepared by fermenting sugars, starch or cellulose using yeast [54]. The choice of feedstock depends on factors related to cost, technology and economics. Technologies for the production of bioethanol from agricultural products containing sugars and starch are commercially available [55]. Cellulosic materials such as agricultural and forest residues, as well as sorted household waste, are considered as future sources of raw material. However, these materials need to be hydrolyzed before fermentation, using a more complex process than the cereal equivalent. In the long run, cellulosic materials will be considered a potential source of sugars for ethanol production and their use can further reduce CO2 emissions. Ethanol production is made from corn grain through two different processes: dry or wet milling. The main difference between the two is the grain processing method. In dry milling, which is the most common procedure, the dried grain is milled into a meal, which is then heated in water to liquefy the starch. Then introduce an enzyme to hydrolyze the starch into sugar, and then is added to ferment the sugar into ethanol and CO2 [56, 57]. The resulting CO2 can be used for the production of

#### *Maize as Energy Crop DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88969*

Biodiesel can reduce emissions and some other pollutants from vehicles, although this depends on the type of vehicle and the fuel specifications. Biodiesel is a new energy source, aiming to reduce crude oil imports and strengthen security of energy supply in Europe. Biodiesel is easily biodegradable and safe, a property that gives it an advantage for specific uses, such as fuel for boats sailing in ecologically sensitive wetlands.
