Science and Health

Denmark starts offering biofuel at gas stations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-28 16:15

COPENHAGEN -- Denmark Thursday introduced biofuel made from wheat straw for cars, becoming the first country in the world to offer biofuel at gas stations.

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The new biofuel, launched by Norway-based international energy company Statoil at 100 gas stations across Denmark, is sold as a 5-percent blend, meaning it contains 5-percent biofuel from wheat straw and 95-percent gasoline.

Its performance is as same as 100-percent gasoline, said a news release by Novozymes, Denmark's biggest biofuel developer and producer, which provided enzymes technology for the biofuel's production.

According to the news release, this biofuel holds tremendous potential for society. If implemented on a large scale, it will create jobs, combat climate change and radically improve Europe's energy independence.

"Long a grand vision of the future, next-generation biofuel is now coming to market to fulfill its promises. The industry has delivered and we're now sending a strong signal to policy-makers that their support for this exciting technology is required if all citizens are to benefit from it," said Steen Riisgaard, CEO of Novozymes.

According to a recent study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the next-generation biofuel could create up to one million jobs in the 27 EU nations over the next decade. Next-generation biofuel could reduce CO2 emissions in road transport by 50 percent in 2020.

"By converting agricultural residues into fuel ethanol, China can reduce its gasoline consumption by 31 million tons in 2020, thereby reducing its dependence on imported petroleum by around 10 percent. Meanwhile this industry will create 6 million direct jobs, resulting in income increase of 32 billion yuan ($4.7 billion)," Riisgaard added.