[Biofuels in a Climate Crisis and Carbon Neutral Era International Symposium III] "Biofuels are a Shortcut to Carbon Neutralization"

[Four Seasons Hotel=The Hwankyung Ilbo] Hyun Jin Lim Reporter = In the second session of the "Biofuels in a Climate Crisis and Carbon Neutral Era International Symposium" held on July 12th, speakers also talked about why they should pay attention to the value of biofuels.

Lee Ki Hyung, a mechanical engineering professor at Hanyang University, predicted, "We will need a market dedicated to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) in 40 years, predicting the future of internal combustion engines in the automobile market."

"The market share of the ICE-only market could fall to 40% by 2030, and instead, ICE/HEV (Hybrid Electronic Vehicle) could expand to 80%, he said. "Even if the automobile industry is gradually hybridized or electrified, research and development to secure ICE-based systems should not be released."

"Let's not label internal combustion engines as fossil fuels, but as a single mechanical system," he said.

Professor Lee likened, "If you change the food you feed the system, you can greatly reduce carbon emissions, but it is a real waste to throw it away because bad excrement (carbon) comes out of the food you currently feed (petrol, diesel)."

Sang Byung In, a professor of chemical engineering at Hanyang University, said, "Biofuels will help 'soft landing' into eco-friendly transportation. It is a natural energy source that can contribute to the early realization of carbon neutrality."

He noted recent changes in Europe's attitude, with Britain stopping subsidies for electric vehicles and Norway reducing incentives for electric vehicles.

Professor Sang said, "We need to think about whether it is realistic to change all internal combustion locomotives into electric vehicles," adding, "We need to think about realistic countermeasures that can soft-land the transition of transportation."

"Biofuels have been promoted worldwide and will continue to expand for carbon neutrality in the transport sector," said Kim Jae Gon, head of the research and development team at the Korea National Oil Management Institute.

Need realistic energy diversification

"The use of biofuels not only reduces carbon dioxide but also helps establish an energy security system, recover waste energy, and develop rural areas," he said. "We must promote biofuels production through sustainable materials such as agricultural residues, organic wastes, and algae."

The situation abroad was also reported. For example, Dr. Lee Eui Sung (Argonne Research Institute in the U.S.) said, "The overall carbon intensity (CI) is continuously decreasing due to improved corn ethanol production in the U.S."

Dr. Lee said, "The U.S. is considering biofuels as zero carbon emissions fuel and is trying to reduce carbon dioxide further," adding, "Biofuels will play an important role in decarbonizing areas where carbon removal is difficult."

Rowena Torres, a technical advisor to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), said, "We will actively share the association's know-how on mixing, storing, and transporting biofuels in Korea for years."

Policy support became a hot topic in the panel discussion. Kim Jung Hwan, head of the Environment Ministry's Climate Strategy Division, said, "Government-level governance is important," adding, "Since officials from each ministry are currently in the "2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee," we will be able to communicate seriously over various options for carbon reduction."

Dr. Kim Kyung Min (Environmental Labor Team of the National Assembly Research Service) said, "Biofuels must be introduced to diversify new and renewable energy as well as solar and wind power," adding, "The policy to revitalize biofuels should be carried out consistently regardless of the regime."

Kim Young Sook, a former professor at Kookmin University's College of Science and Technology, said, "There was a time when we provided funds for bioethanol R&D for companies, but it was only momentary." He pointed out, "The context has been cut off as government policies have changed."

Carbon reduction, policy sustainability

There was also a question mark about the legitimacy of biofuels. "If you look at countries that use bioethanol as a substitute for gasoline, they have a large amount of bioethanol raw materials in their countries. But our country impacts agriculture and industry," he said.

In response, Kim Hak Soo, CEO of the USGC Korea Office, interpreted, "We should use what increases the efficiency of the country and increases the welfare of the people and consumers as the basis for policy judgment rather than logic such as 'food or fuel' and 'food or feed.'"

"Biofuels should be approached in terms of carbon reduction," said Kwon Yong Joo, a professor of automobile transport design at Kookmin University.

"We should abandon the irresponsible idea that replacing fossil fuels with biofuels will reduce oil taxes on fossil fuels, causing problems in the national finances," he said. "Biofuels are an effective carbon reduction plan for energy diversification."

Rowena Torres, a USGC technical advisor, advised, "Biofuels are not the only solution to carbon neutrality, but they are one of the solutions."

Kim Ik Soo, editor-in-chief of Environmental Daily, who headed the debate, predicted, "Biofuels will serve as a bridge to carbon neutrality." But, he added, "We all need to be able to deliver accurate information transparently."