Second generation biofuels, also called advanced biofuels and next generation biofuels, are derived from nonfood feedstocks. The only time food crops can be used as second generation biofuels is if they have already fulfilled their food purpose, as in the case of waste vegetable oil (WVO). It is a second generation biofuel because it had already been used and is no longer fit for human consumption. Examples of other potential feedstocks are forest residues, municipal waste, sustainable biomass, and industry residues. Second generation biofuels are lignocellulosic, meaning they use more “woody” materials such as wood, leaves, or bark. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is the goal of second generation biofuel processes to extend the amount of biofuel that can be produced sustainably by using biomass that consist of the leftover non-food parts of current crops, such as the leaves, husks, and stems that are left behind once the food crop has been harvested, as well as crops that are non-food crops, such as jatropha and switchgrass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second generation biofuel technologies have been developed because first generation biofuels manufacture has important limitations. ‘First generation biofuel processes are useful but limited in most cases: there is a threshold above which they cannot produce enough biofuel without threatening food supplies and biodiversity. Many first generation biofuels depend on subsidies and are not cost competitive with existing fossil fuels such as oil, and some of them produce only limited greenhouse gas emissions savings. When taking emissions from production and transport into account, life-cycle assessment from first generation biofuels frequently approach those of traditional fossil fuels.’ Second generation biofuels can help solve these problems, as well as supply a larger proportion of global fuel supply sustainably, affordably, and with greater environmental benefits.