Biodiesel is emerging as a cleaner alternative to regular diesel, but its growth is being slowed by high costs and the difficulty of choosing the right raw materials without affecting food supplies, reports India Today.
A new study by the Beijing Institute of Technology says artificial intelligence could provide solutions. The researchers found that artificial neural networks and deep learning can help identify the best raw materials and make production faster and cheaper.
“Smart technology can guide us in choosing raw materials wisely and help reduce production costs,” the study’s lead researcher said. “This will make biodiesel a more practical option in the future.”
Biodiesel is currently made from crops such as soybean, palm oil, and rapeseed, as well as from non-edible sources like algae and Jatropha. But large-scale production has been held back by high expenses and limited facilities.
India has made advances in renewable fuels. The government’s 2018 National Policy on Biofuels set a goal of blending 5% biodiesel with diesel by 2030. While progress has been slow in biodiesel, the country has already reached its 20% ethanol blending target in petrol this year, well ahead of schedule.
The study points to several hurdles: shortage of raw materials, outdated technology, weak infrastructure, and high costs. But it says combining deep learning with Internet of Things (IoT) devices could improve efficiency by allowing real-time monitoring and flexible adjustments in production.
“This approach can cut costs and save time while adjusting to changes in raw material supply and market demand,” the researchers explained.
Biodiesel produces less carbon monoxide and sulphur than regular diesel and has less than half the ozone-forming potential. However, it still releases nitrous oxide, depending on how engines are used and tested.
The researchers recommend creating AI models that can be applied across different regions, engines, and fuel types to fill existing data gaps. They also called for more work to solve problems such as nitrous oxide emissions, biodiesel’s higher freezing point, and the risk that fuel crops could compete with food production.
