Abstract
The paper looks at France and at its changing demography, growing economy, and steadily-growing energy needs. The paper focuses upon France's massive consumption of bio-fuels and what the future holds for this country as its demand appears to be out-stripping domestic supplies.

From the Paper
"Before delving too deeply into the matter of bio-fuels and their relationship to France, it is vital to present an overview of the country in question. As most people are well-aware, France is located in Western Europe, bordering the Pacific Ocean, with Germany to its immediate East and Spain to the West (a map outlining France's location can be found in the appendix to this paper). The population of France, according to one online source was, as of late 2006, 60,742,000 ("Population of France" 2006). France's GDP (as of 2006) stood at around US$1.9 trillion and its per-capita GDP stood at US$31,200 (Central Intelligence Agency 2007,...)"

Tags:france, bio, fuels, europe

Abstract
This research examines the rental car industry from the competitive profile of the Lotus rental car company (Lotus). The writer notes that Lotus operates rental car fleets across three major regions which include North America, Europe and Asia. The writer points out that currently Lotus is considering deploying alternative fuel vehicles and is targeting the European market as its test market and initial target market. The writer maintains that Europe is deemed a better test and roll-out market because it is ahead of both North America and Asia in terms of alternative fuel availability and use.

Outline:
Abstract
Company Overview
Industry Overview
Market Overview
Competition
Generic Competitive Strategies
Alternative Fuel Technology
Bio-fuel & Bio-diesel Overview
Economic Rationale

From the Paper
"The competitive profile in the rental car industry in Europe is uniquely different than it is in the U.S. market and several other large markets. In most of Europe's larger internal markets, such as France, Germany, and Italy, vehicle manufacturers control most of the operation fleets in the rental car industry within those respective markets. However, the UK market within the larger European rental car market is the most developed rental car market and has additional financing schemes that allow other independent operators other than the large vehicle manufacturers to enter the rental car market. Thus, in the UK, companies such as Avis tend to dominate the market. Currently, no rental car competitor in Europe is operating even a partial fleet of AFVs which creates quite an opportunity for Lotus."

Tags:rental, vehicles, AFV, rates

Abstract
The technology of converting of food into fuel (bio fuel) is examined in this paper. The chemical process is explained and the various forms of food that could possibly be used, are listed. The advantages and disadvantages of such a process are discussed and environmental considerations provided.

From the Paper
"Research shows that several types of vegetable oils are applicable for diesel engine work, such as canola, coconut, peanut, corn, cottonseed, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oil. Both pure and waste oils are applicable, known as Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) and Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), based on local abundance and preference of each region. It also opens opportunities to use animal fat as the substitute of the oils."

Tags:environment, biofuel, biodiesel, triglycerides, resources

Abstract
This paper discusses the way the products, which make up bio-diesel industry, are made and sold and their benefits to the environment. The author points out that bio-diesel energy is a clean burning alternative fuel, which is produced from domestic, renewable resources. The paper focuses on three companies: The American company Bio-diesel Industries and two British companies Bio-fuels Corporation and D1 Oils Plc..

From the Paper
"The energy needs of the world must be met somehow, and many today see the continuing reliance on fossil fuels as a dead end proposition, for fossil fuels will one day run out and are not renewable. It took thousands of years to produce the oil we are not pumping out of the ground, and there is no way to speed that particular process to replace those resources. Finding sources that are truly renewable and that can satisfy the world's energy needs is a major research goal, and one of the types of fuel being developed today is bio-diesel. Several companies are working to produce bio-diesel today, conducting research and producing the fuel for use in diesel vehicles in order to reduce reliance on petroleum-based products and improve the environment."

Tags:alternative, fuel, companies

Abstract
The use of bio fuels has long been viewed as a potential solution to solve the world's dependency on petroleum and its negative environmental impact. Recently, many Western countries, Canada among them, have begun to make a deeper examination of bio fuels, and specifically bio diesel, now that both its production costs have been lowered due to technology advances and its cost-basis is improved due to petroleum's high market costs. This paper examines the issue concerning the artificiality of the gasoline demand curve that creates a greater need for bio diesel irrespective of its benefits related to lowering the external costs associated with gasoline.

Tags:soybean, biodiesel, bus

Abstract
This paper argues that the large-scale diversion of food-crops towards bio-fuels is an ill-advised move that could have catastrophic consequences against little gain. The paper reveals that the large-scale diversion of food crops such as corn for producing ethanol has resulted in sky-rocketing food prices around the world. The paper also discusses the indirect effects of producing ethanol that arguably results in greater emission of carbon-dioxide as large forested areas, particularly in the Amazon, are cleared for growing crops. The paper argues further that corn-based ethanol is an unviable proposition, mainly because the ethanol would anyway only fulfill a minuscule amount of the total gasoline requirement in the country. The paper therefore concludes that producing corn-based ethanol is simply not worth the human suffering and environmental damage it can cause.

Outline:
Rising Grain and Food Prices
Effect on the Amazon
Corn-based Ethanol is Unviable
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Barely a couple of years ago bio ethanol fuel was the undisputed 'darling' of environmentalists and government policy makers alike. It was being touted as a clean and renewable alternative to fossil fuels that would tame the galloping oil prices, cure the United State's 'addiction' to imported oil, and control the on-going global warming threatening the world's environment. The overenthusiastic proponents of bio-fuels had obviously not catered for the unintended consequences of an untried policy. The large-scale diversion of food crops such as corn for producing ethanol has resulted in sky-rocketing food prices around the world, and precipitated the worst food crisis in decades."

Tags:grain, food, prices, agriculture, Amazon, environment, energy

Abstract
This paper discusses the production of bio-ethanol fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels, in Brazil. The paper begins by giving a summary of the political and economic background of Brazil and goes on to describe why the production of bio-ethanol has been so successful in Brazil. The paper presents the pros and cons of bio-ethanol production and concludes that, at this stage, the advantages of producing ethanol for fuel use appear to outweigh the disadvantages.

From the Paper
"Overall, the advantages of producing ethanol for fuel use appear to outweigh the disadvantages, which at this stage, are believed to be manageable. The first benefit is the decrease of the net output of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, since the amount of carbon dioxide released in the manufacture would be cyclically absorbed in the production of the new fuel crops (Wikipedia 2006). The burning of fossil fuels brings up massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere without creating damage. But this advantage can be derived only from agricultural ethanol, not petroleum ethanol. It is also assumed that production processes, like distillation and fertilizer production, would not exact large amounts of energy and done without using fossil fuels (Wikipedia)."

Tags:fossil, butanol, contamination

Abstract
Hemp was an important crop for American farmers until 1937 when Congress passed a prohibitive tax on hemp production, the Marijuana Tax Act, and the hemp industry in the U.S. was destroyed. This paper shows how hemp has the potential for being an important resource in farming, medicine, and fuel production. The paper focuses mainly, however, on the environmental benefits of using bio-diesel produced from hemp seeds.

From the Paper
"Although, there are still restrictions on industrial hemp cultivation, pressure from industry in recent years has led to a relaxation of the laws, resulting in a wide variety of new products, ranging from clothing to cosmetics and ice-cream (29). Because hemp is easy to grow, even in the poorest of soils, and can be harvested in four months, its environmental sustainability is a major selling point (30). Moreover, as a plant, like all plants, it absorbs the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, from the atmosphere as it grows and due to the fact that it requires very little energy to process, it saves money, conserves fossil fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions (31)."

Tags:petroleum, diesel, EPA, Clean, Air, Act

Abstract
This paper discusses the biofuel developments in Brazil and the many issues surrounding it. It also serves as an introduction to biofuel efficacy and creates a sense of the current epicenter of biofuel use and production. The paper discusses the history of biofuel use in Brazil, the effects it has had on culture and economy, the pros and cons of biofuel, the import and export market effects, cost differentiation, sugar versus corn ethanol, auto technology in Brazil, and provides a discussion of US and other international responses to Brazil's programs.

Outline:
Executive Summary
History of Biofuel in Brazil
How Brazil Import Export Market is Effected
History and Policy of bio-diesel in Brazil
Affects on Culture and Economy in Brazil
Change of Dependence from Fossil Fuel to Biofuel Degree of Success
Environmental Effects
Pros of Biofuel
Cons of Biofuels
Cost of Oil vs. Ethanol
Sugar Ethanol vs. Corn Ethanol
US Response

From the Paper
"The cost of oil versus ethanol is debated, as the whole picture is required for an understanding of the cost issue. With fossil fuel derived oil the earth has done the work of people with regard to creating a close to finished product. Though it is also important to note that depending on the feedstock used to create the fuel the cost can vary. Sugar ethanol is subsidized in Brazil, taxed at a lower rate and sold for half the price of traditional fuel, yet this does not completely reflect the cost in total of either. Cost must also be discussed with regards to vehicle changes, Brazil converted the car to met the fuel while most nations are doing the reverse, trying to build a car to run on a particular fuel, a more costly process. "

Tags:sugar, industry, crisis, economic, recession, ethanol, mix

Abstract
This paper explains the importance of finding alternatives to fossil fuels. The author first explains what fossil fuels are and why they are fast depleting before taking a look at the two most common alternative fuels used, ethanol and bio diesel. The drawbacks of alternative fuels such as these are also examined as well as the technologies that companies are using to bring alternative fuels to the mass market.

From the Paper
"In order to get from place to place we rely on cars, which run on fossil fuels. The main fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are non renewable sources of energy and will eventually run out. These fossil fuels are older than the dinosaurs; they come from the decomposition and compression of plants and dead animals deep below the Earth's surface. As the trees and plants died, they sank to the bottom of swamps and oceans. They then formed a spongy material, called peat. Over hundreds of years, the peat was covered but sand, clay, and other minerals, which turned into sedimentary rocks. More and more rock piled on over hundreds of years."

Tags:global warming, green technologies, biofuel pollution