Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2006, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (2): 221-230.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2006.0031

• Original article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

WORLD BIODIESEL UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN CHINA

JIA Hu_Sen, XU Yi_Nong*()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environmental Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
  • Accepted:2005-06-28 Online:2006-03-30 Published:2006-03-30
  • Contact: XU Yi_Nong

Abstract:

The stocks of fossil fuels, currently the major energy source driving the global socioeconomy, is being heavily depleted due to increasing anthropogenic activities worldwide, and its burning contributes to global climate warming and air pollution. In contrast, biodiesel is an alternative non_toxic, biodegradable, and renewable alternative energy source. This paper discusses the essence, properties and the development of biodiesel fuels, mainly in European countries; discusses the international supply and demand of soybean and rapeseed, the main biodiesel feedstock; and analyzes the production and consumption of edible plant oils in China and its balance as it is affected by international biodiesel development. Considering that domestic foodstuffs and plant oil production currently are insufficient to feed the 1.3 billion people in China due to limited agricultural lands, ultimately ways are needed to grow biodiesel feedstock on unproductive agricultural lands, such as saline_alkaline lands, poor soil, desertified soils, and plough_withdrawn land.

Key words: Energy source, Biodiesel