Alternative Fuels Used for Farming

Dear Colleagues,

Farms use a huge amount of energy and materials. Tractors, generators, and other agricultural equipment are all required for a successful operation. Although this is important, the continuing rise in the expense of conventional energy and fuels, coupled with their negative environmental effect, necessitates the development of alternative fuel sources. Diesel is usually used to power tractors and other agricultural vehicles, while electricy is used to power the lights and equipment on a farm. Many green-living enthusiasts and those who care about the environment, including an increasing number of farmers, are looking for alternate fuel sources. While it is nice for non-farmers to dream of the days when farmers worked on fields without the use of machines, ploughing with horses and ponies, the reality is that this is just not practical. The image of horse-drawn agricultural equipment is firmly entrenched in the past. Today, we must seek solutions that strike a balance between environmental benefits and farmers' capacity to operate a profitable company. If a farmer is unable to produce food effectively, the cost of food rises, placing pressure on the customer. As a result, if alternative agricultural fuels are explored, they must be an effective alternative. Many farms strive to achieve carbon neutrality and many alternative fuels can help farmers reduce his or her carbon footprint. Biofuels, which are fuels produced from biomass such as ethanol, are becoming more popular and are a viable alternative. The word "biomass" refers to the plants that are utilized to produce this fuel. Some fuels are made from sugar cane and maize but this varies by nation. Although biofuels still release carbon when burned, this is counterbalanced by the fact that the biomass used to produce the fuel recycles the carbon via  photosynthesis, thereby negating the negative environmental impact. Another advantage of biofuels is that they grow quickly and are an excellent way to manage land. Notably, alternative biofuels aren't a new concept and biofuels were used in the development of the earliest automobiles. The interest in biofuels began to fade only when crude oil became widely and inexpensively accessible. Biofuels' benefits are being rediscovered today and provide a suitable answer to the problems associated with conventional fuels.

Dr. Sathasivam Karthikeyan
Dr. Sabariswaran Kandasamy
Guest Editors

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• alternative fuels
• biofuels
• biocomponents
• biorefineries
• biorefinery systems
• renewable energy
• sustainable development
• energy transformation
• energy efficiency
• alternative fuels application in automobiles