IOSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN) www.iosrjen.org ISSN (e): 2250-3021, ISSN (p): 2278-8719 Vol. 11, Issue 4, April 2021, ||Series -I|| PP 32-41 International organization of Scientific Research 32 | P a g e Advances in Biofuel Technology: A Review Dr Diksha Srivastava Assistant Professor, Department of Advanced Science and Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur Received 16 April 2021; Accepted 30 April 2021 Abstract Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Security are one of the major problems faced by modern era. There are many factors which are the source of their production and accelerate their intensity of damage, among which the major one is high reliance on fossil fuels for our day-to-day activities. Renewable Energy although has started to share a considerable portion of energy production and utilization; but still there is need to focus on new and improved sources of Renewable Energy for future supplementation in terms of energy needs. In this context, Microalgae have emerged as a promising source as a sustainable and secured energy source which offers a additional perk of fast recovery. This article reviews the state-of-art of algal biomass production and conversion into various economically important fuels, which can be used. Keywords: Algal biomass production, Biofuels, Renewable Energy, Energy Security. I. INTRODUCTION Energy security is one of the major factor to access the economic development of any country. According to IEA, Energy Security can be defined as uninterrupted energy supply to everyone at affordable prices in the present along with safeguarding the energy resources for future generations. If a country is secured in terms of energy, it ought to progress and develop in future as it has already resources to fulfil the needs of present and has safeguarded for future needs. In Indian context, this aim has still a long way to go but being blessed with ample number of renewable resources of energy this aim seems to be achievable with little steps to be taken. Renewable energy resources are sources which can be used again and again and are abundantly available in nature that too without any cost. Some of the sources are Solar Energy, Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, etc. With the use and implication of appropriate technology and knowledge these resources can do wonders in providing energy security. These resources are environment- friendly also which is an added advantage for their use. As per the recorded data on November 2020, the total installed capacity of India to generate electricity from renewable sources is 38% of the total capacity. This data is still increasing with time in India because as per research till September 2020; 89.22 GW capacity projects were operational and 48.21 GW capacity projects are at various stages of implementation whereas 25.64 GW capacity projects are under various progress of implementation or approval. These data clearly indicates that the share of renewable energy resources in Indian context is increasing exponentially. Since 19 th century the production of biofuels is reported. It was when bioethanol was first derived from corn. At the same time first Rudolf Diesel’s engine ran on fuel comprising of peanut oil. Until the 1940s, biofuels were seen as viable option for transportation fuels, but at that time their high cost of production and low calorific values as compared to fossil fuels acted as inhibitory factors for their further development. In 1970s biofuels again gained attention with the production of ethanol from sugarcane bagasse in Brazil and from corn in United States. In both the countries their production started on commercial levels by mid-1970. But their production gained its growth from the last few decades only after the support from government policies and subsidies. People were made aware of the positives and advantages of biofuels with the help of NGOs and other help groups. It was made them understand that besides energy security, biofuels also offer sustainable development with the reduction of CO 2 emissions. However, biofuels still have to go a long way to gain popularity. Biofuels as earlier stated are derived from biomass sources, which are again renewable sources of energy. Production of chemical energy from sunlight is regarded as one of the most important processes for life to sustain on this planet. This conversion is responsible for plant reproduction. “Biomass” term is used for all the organic resources that can be used for the production of bioenergy, mainly including forests, agricultural crops and residues resulting from agroforestry and livestock. Biomass can be classified under two major groups: Traditional option and Modern option. In traditional option, the biomass is directly burned to produce energy whereas, in the modern option, the biomass is converted into high calorific fuels with the help of various biological or chemical conversion routes. The examples of biomass under traditional use can be combustion of fuelwood, etc. which produces pollution and low energy content whereas examples of biomass under modern use can be biogas production, bio-oil production and biofuels production.