Experts involved with the Sustainable Energy or SusEn research program of the Academy of Finland are considering the possibilities of processing biogas and biobutanol to become alternative transport fuels.

The primary source of biobutanol will be the by-products of the paper industry, pulp, and food industry. Biogas on the other hand can be a good source of methane which has a great potential to be a fuel substitute.

Ulla Lassi who works as a professor in the University of Oulu is looking at the production process using microbiological techniques so raw materials can be turned into sugars first then fermented to become butanol. The project of Lassi also involves using chemical syntheis using catalyst materials to promote the conversion of methanol, ethanol, or glycerol into pentanol, butanol, and other alcohol mixes. The outcome of the microbiological and chemical processes are good as substitutes to liquid fuels. For example, glycerol, when used, is very cost effective since it is a biodiesel by-product.

There are several hindrances in the process of making butanol thru microbiological means. One big challenge is the raw material digestion to make it a fermentable form of sugars. The fermentation process is another issue since it is a very complicated process. Experts are already looking into solutions to address these challenges.

The biogas project is also looking into it as a good alternative transport fuel. With experts from Finland and Chile working together, they are looking into the process f making gas from landfill as fuel.

Methane from biogas is one alternative fuel option which has a good chain for sustainability. It also meets the standards set by the European Union as a sustainable biofuel.

Ford and Alternative Fuels are starting to prove to be a winning combination. For has been trying to expand the use of E85 throughout the Midwest this year. In its partnership with VeraSun energy they are trying to increase the availability of E85 to several states around the area as well.

While that is going on Ford and Alternative Fuels are making new advancements in other bio-fuels as well. Ford is trying to focus on bio-eathanol, bio-desel, and natural gas methods. Combining Ford and Alternative Fuels is a chance to keep Ford alive in the competitive car market out there. Ford is trying to get these projects underway in Ireland, the UK, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. With Ford teetering on the brink of extinction they are trying to remain the pace setting bio-fuel car in Europe.

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