Track: Sustainability and Green Systems

Abstract

This article summarises some of the major findings and developments on global 2G biofuels’ research in a non-chronological order. This was done in order to give a highlight on some of the potential implications these findings could have on Southern Africa’s decision making processes, given its abundant lignocellulosic biomass resources and residues. Before specific feasibility studies can be made on a country-to country basis, this overview can give a glimpse into some potential opportunities and hurdles for such waste-to-biofuels systems from a socio-economic perspective. The findings indicate that biofuels demand is increasing around the globe, and it is envisaged that 2^nd generation (2G) biofuels will gain a larger market share compared to 1^st generation (1G) due to their vast availability, limited interference with food security and ecological benefits. Southern Africa will have to take advantage of the abundance of biomass, especially lignocellulosic residues from forestry and agriculture and create room for the transfer of some promising, demonstrated or commercialised technologies. The largest opportunity for the 2G biofuels will be from waste feedstocks like crop and forest residues, organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), black liquor and other wood process wastes. Issues of limited supply and associated conversion costs will have to be considered along with the supplementary options to determine the socio-economic sustainability of such waste-to-biofuels ventures. Lessons will have to be drawn from socio-economic shortcomings of 2G biodiesel Jatropha projects to ascertain the viability of feedstock supply chains, right choice of conversion technologies and proper projection of potential socio-economic impacts.