Energy balance of biodiesel for five sources recommended for Mexico

Abstract

This document provides a brief comparison of the energy balances, both physical and caloric, for the five sources of biodiesel recommended for Mexico by two specific studies: Jatropha curcas, Ricinus communis (Higuerilla or Castor), Oil Palm, used cooking oils and algae. This comparison is made taking into account the requirements of production, properties, and yields of each of them. The analysis of the information resulting from the caloric energy balance allows us to determine the rate of energy return (RER) for each source in the whole cycle of generation and use of biodiesel, which shows the competitiveness of crops of Jatropha, Ricinus and Palm oil with positive RER or positive balances, while used cooking oils and algae do not show until now (in the conditions they are produced in Mexico) the desired sustainability and profitability characteristics.