Lignocellulosic Ethanol: A Review of Status and Potential

Abstract

Fossil fuels have a dominant share in current energy supply and their share is likely to be maintained in future. Among the fossil fuels, gasoline a product of crude oil is the most important fuel for transport sector, but on the basis of reserve to production ratio, it is sufficient for only 55 years. The quantitative restrictions because of limited crude oil reserves create a need for an alternative fuel which can be used in place of gasoline. The search for an alternative leads to ethanol. Presently, conventional ethanol produced from food crops has negative effects on food security. But lignocellulosic ethanol (lc-ethanol) is free from these drawbacks. It is produced from the lignocellulosic biomass, which is waste and residual material and do not cause any threat to food security. It offers 70–90% benefit in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and even more than 100% in some cases. However, lc-ethanol technology is currently not commercialised but expectations for its commercialisation are high. Sincere efforts of the government of USA like adoption of new renewable fuel standard, a flow of public funding and tax incentives can pave the way for a breakthrough in near future.