This section may be divided into subheadings. It should provide a concise and precise description of the experimental results, their interpretation, and the practical conclusions that can be drawn.
Ecuador. - It began with the biofuels project as a pilot plan on January 12, 2010, using ethanol with a purity of 99.5 to 99.9 degrees extracted from sugar cane mixed with low (35%) and high octane naphtha (60%) and anhydrous ethanol (5%) called "Eco-country.”
Decree 675 of May 13, 2015, established that Eco-country gasoline must be composed of up to 10% anhydrous additive ethanol. One of the reasons was to generate jobs for artisanal and small ethanol producers; this decree is in force, and the proportion of the mixture depends on the supply available in the Ecuadorian market (12).
The implementation of the use of biofuels means an opportunity for economic development since a significant change in the productive matrix depends on this resource, in which factors such as production, economy, future investments, and job creation are promoted, and the use of new technologies in these sectors is encouraged.
These results of change in the productive matrix will generate long-term benefits for the country not only in the economic field but also in the social field since this progress will mean the development of different activities for the country. In the case of our country, unlike others, it has the power to increase its production of raw material in industrial quantities since it has the necessary climatic factors and the raw material in abundance, in addition to other essential resources and the land to develop them, or failing that, the power to export Eco-Country gasoline that could well compete with the price and quality of other biofuels. (11)
This is done even though Ecuador is a pure oil country. In this sense, previous governments have designed several governments and municipal plans, such as the Energy Sovereignty Plan, which contains energy laws and policies under the approach that the sovereignty of renewable resources is extensively found in Ecuadorian territory and that they are the heritage of the state and its citizens, in addition to exposing the operation and implementation of practices that motivate the saving and efficient use of alternative fuels that are less aggressive with the environment.
In recent years, the use of fossil fuel, oil, in an uncontrolled way, has caused environmental damage that, in this century, has become increasingly visible. The change in the product matrix to replace power with biofuel is the most successful option to mitigate such pollution. Humanity's most significant challenge today is climate change. That is why it seeks to replace the use of fossil fuels with biofuels. To achieve the evolution of the productive matrix in Ecuador, a significant investment is needed, mainly to implement industrial plants dedicated to fuel extraction from biomass.
In this sense, previous governments have designed several governments and municipal plans, such as the Energy Sovereignty Plan, which contains energy laws and policies under the approach that the sovereignty of renewable resources is extensively found in Ecuadorian territory and that they are the heritage of the state and its citizens, in addition to exposing the operation and implementation of practices that motivate the saving and efficient use of alternative fuels that are less aggressive with the environment. (9)
Similarly, governments have demonstrated their participation with the projects initiated in those governments, such as hydroelectric power plants, wind power plants, and the Pacific and Esmeralda’s refineries, among other projects still in planning or awaiting approval. However, radical laws and policies must be made, which go hand in hand with subsidies that apply to biofuels and clean sources since an energy matrix of renewable and diversified sources contributes to energy security and a better relationship with the ecosystem.
Natural gas in Ecuador is presented in associated form (in the east) and not associated in the Gulf of Guayaquil being privileged to have between 98-99% methane, the unit of measurement is MPCD (thousands of cubic feet day), for its sale energy units called BTU (British Thermal Unit) are used. (13)
It is a clean energy resource standing out for low emissions of (CO)2 representing a significant saving in the import of fuels; according to executive decree 338 of 2015, the price of natural gas for liquefaction plants and public companies of the electricity sector is set at USD 2.75 per million BTU, while the price processed in the liquefaction plant of EP Petroecuador and delivered to the industrial segment will be USD 5.31 per million BTU. (10)
Natural gas is one of the short-term alternatives to reduce imports of liquid fuels, ensuring their energy independence; there are currently commitments from Ecuador to reduce emissions, (CO)2 presented at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in 2021, through the p the transition towards the decarbonization of the economy by 2050, in the short term the goal is to reduce 22.5% of emissions by 2025. One of the projects to consider is the replacement of public transport fleets from diesel to natural gas, also giving it added value by transforming into fertilizers and polymers with these agricultural inputs have more options to compete with markets in other countries; for example, urea is a fertilizer used in most plantations: sugar cane, bananas, potatoes, maize, rice, vegetables and fruit crops. In Ecuador, the price of agrochemicals doubled, causing inflationary pressure on food products. (11)
At the Latin American level, most countries have large hectares of land for use in the production of biofuels. Argentina has been one of the pioneer countries in biodiesel production since 2006. It is currently considered one of the leading producers, mainly due to the laudable action of the government in contributing to the advancement of these biofuels. (14)
Fossil fuels are under government subsidies. In 2015, the world's oil industries received approximately $325 billion in grants, an amount of money that biofuel projects do not receive. It should be added that citizens do not accept with good eyes the advance of biofuels because of their ignorance of the significant advantages and because they consider that products that would serve for human consumption would be wasted.
Costa Rica. - In recent years, Costa Rica has made significant progress in changing the productive matrix through policies aimed at sustainable development, with agriculture being one of the main sectors of its economy. This country is an essential producer of coffee, bananas, pineapple, cocoa, African palm, and sugar cane, the latter of significant consideration for the production of biofuels. According to different electricity evaluation studies carried out in the country, they indicate that at least 98% of the country's electricity generation comes from renewable sources (15), where slightly more than 70% of the energy comes from hydroelectric plants located in different regions of the country, followed by wind generation with a percentage of 15% and the use of biofuels in a smaller portion. (16)
However, the government, in search of constant improvement, has implemented programs and laws that promote the development of biofuels through a legislative assembly seeking to contribute to energy efficiency, the reduction of climate change, and the reactivation of the agricultural sector.
The concept of developing and implementing alternative fuels is due to two factors of utmost importance: environmental awareness and the dangerous complete dependence on fossil fuels.
Liquid biofuels had their boom almost on par with internal combustion engines, these being the first to be used in this type of engine. However, the low cost and easy obtaining of fossil fuels deferred biofuels.
Argentina. Historically, it has depended heavily on natural gas and oil, accounting for the most significant national demand. Mandatory mixing regulations have been implemented for 12% ethanol and 10% biodiesel; however, there has been a more extraordinary boom in renewable sources nationwide in the last decade. It is a country with a high rate of oil production and a high level of demand. That is why the government has endeavored to promote and finance research into alternative fuels. They represent opportunities to diversify the energy matrix by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating agricultural diversification. (17)
Brazil. - Brazil stands out the most in generating and consuming renewable energies, being a global leader in terms of biofuel production and ethanol production. The government of this country has generated essential changes in terms of the productive matrix, especially in the energy matrix and its diversification, replacing fossil fuels with mixtures of anhydrous bioethanol, implementing programs such as 'Proalcool' in 1979 and Flex Fuel in 2003, making it the country that most uses bioethanol and biodiesel in the Latin American continent. (18)
Guatemala. – To diversify the energy matrix in Guatemala, in 1985, Decree-Law 17-85 came into force to reduce the use of fossil fuels, mixing gasoline with at least 5% alcohol. However, that was not entirely fulfilled, and even in 2006, there was an attempt to reform this law. The country can produce 65 million ethanol from the molasses they have annually; however, 80% of this advanced ethanol production is destined for export. The invalid source specified. Therefore, the country is one of the least consuming biofuels, such as biodiesel or bioethanol, and still depends on petroleum products for 33% of energy consumption. (19)
El Salvador. - At present, with the reforms of the current president Nayib Bukele, the country's economy is open to international trade, which has generated some concern about the trade and export of raw materials for the production of biofuels, which compete with products that are destined for human and animal feed, causing an increase in the demand for raw materials. Like many countries, El Salvador has sought to mitigate the use of fossil fuels in some way, developing policies since 2012 that are based on the mixture of alcohol with gasoline, also known as 'Gasohol,’ and increase the production of species such as soybeans, sunflower, rapeseed, jatropha and palm oil for the production of biodiesel. (18)(3)
On the other hand, the government has supported, together with private companies such as CORSAIR, the investment in the first biodiesel plant, which generates 5000 to 25000 gallons of biodiesel per day. However, the country remains one of the least consuming biofuels in Latin America because petroleum derivatives continue to lead to energy consumption. (10)
Peru: In recent years, the rise in oil prices has forged the Peruvian trade balance of liquid fuels to intervene in the national economy due to the multiple interrelated variables. The Peruvian state promotes the transformation of the productive matrix towards the consumption of substitutes such as natural gas since, although there are some projects for the production of biodiesel or methanol, in general, there is little supply of replacements for fuels derived from petroleum.
Colombia. - on the other hand, the growth has been undeniable due to the increase in the production of biofuels and the support by government institutes that rely on decrees of law that introduce the use of biofuels mixed with traditional gasoline to seek independence from oil in the coming years.
In 2015, one of the world's most modern ethanol production plants was inaugurated in Valle del Cauca, which, together with five other refineries, are responsible for producing at least 1,200,000 liters per day and in addition to other Biodiesel plants that are responsible for producing 10,000 barrels per day. (14)(18)
The use of natural resources obtained from oil propagates the generation of polluting waste; the limits of such pollution have exceeded the limits of sustainability, so it is necessary to review and implement policies that promote the reduction of the consumption of resources and energy flows to mitigate the degradation of the environment. The environmental impact of fossil fuels is a pervasive evil in all countries, regardless of their cultural or economic level. Many ecological problems result from government policies that see economic interests above good environmental management. For several social strata, it is considered an unnecessary luxury to allocate public goods to seek solutions for the environment.
Greenhouse gas emissions would be the main reason for climate change; if all countries around the world committed not to burning more oil, it would be possible to curb climate change and its consequences in the future; in addition, the implementation of alternative energy sources such as those from biomass, wind, thermal and solar energy is a viable alternative to climate change.
Government policies should be directed towards implementing biofuels as an alternative for energy security, meaning an excellent save significant capital in importing petroleum products.