Second-generation biofuel (SGB) in Southeast Asia via lignocellulosic biorefinery: Penny-foolish but pound-wise

Over optimistic projects on crop-based biofuel, especially first generation biofuel (FGB), in Southeast Asia have hampered future development of biofuel. In this study, second generation biofuel (SGB) was introduced to substitute crop-based biofuel in Southeast Asia. This work suggests that the development of lignocellulosic biorefinery be designed as a package for SGB and by-products that is divided into stages. Although biorefinery projects are capital intensive in the early stage, the infrastructures and transportation network built up in rural regions can provide cross border trading routes, connecting towns and villages as well as improving the living standards of rural residents. In addition, it reduced pollution problem by treating the biomass in proper ways to prevent illegal burning. Hence, it is essential that Southeast Asia chart its direction clearly to create self-sufficient community by utilizing the biomass resources. By setting biorefinery as a development goal, Southeast Asia can illustrate a blueprint for positioning its future on the grounds of renewable energy.