Biofuels in Turkey

Biofuels are a form of renewable energy produced from biomass. Biofuels, as a clean alternative to the fossil fuels, are of wide interest due to the increasing world energy demand and high fossil fuel prices. Using biofuels to partly replace fossil fuels has environmental and economic benefits and it is also an important way of utilizing renewable sources and providing a variety of sources of energy. Production and use of biofuels have a lot of advantages at local, state, and national levels. Biofuel production provides additional income to the local economy and households, while also contributing to job creation. Benefits to agriculture and the rural economy are of crucial importance to the countries that produce biofuels. Biofuels are classified into first, second, third, and fourth generations in this chapter; first-generation biofuels are examined in detail by focusing on bioethanol, biodiesel, bioheat, and bioelectricity production, while emphasizing their potential for today and for the future by considering alternative policies. The importance of biofuels in Turkish plant and energy agriculture, the opportunities they provide, and related research and development are also explored by taking into account the world's and the EU's positions.