Leopoldina German Academy of Science has expressed doubts whether it is reasonable to use biomass as a fuel in Germany. Producers of biofuels have a different opinion. Twenty scientists from the Leopoldina Academy have been working since 2010 on "Bio-energy - Chances and Limits" thesis. These chemists, biologists, ecologists and climatologists clearly think that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of biofuels. German politicians want to increase the share of bioenergy to 23 or 30 percent. German cars are burning petrol or diesel blended with 5 to 10 percent of ethanol.
For the use of bioenergy, there are two basic arguments: Supplies of fossil fuels are limited and their imports create economic and political dependence. Greater use of domestic resources such as oil sands, represents an environmental risk. Bioenergy sources produce the same amount of carbon dioxide as plants from which bio-energy is obtained consume from the atmosphere for their growth. At first glance, there is an balance.
It is necessary to include all aspects of climatology in the production of biomass, including the use of fertilizers releasing greenhouse gases based on nitrogen. Another factor are the exhaust gases of tractors working in the fields. Other emissions are released during the production of fertilizers and their transport to the fields. When calculating the amount of energy obtained from one liter of ethanol is necessary to include all costs associated with the cultivation of biomass and ethanol production.
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