The 4th International Conference on Biofuels Standards: Current Issues, Future Trends will be held on November 13-15, 2012, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This international conference is being organized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) and the European Commission’s Directorate General – Energy. Biofuels are finding expanded utilization in ground transportation systems, and more recently in aviation systems. Biofuels are being produced from different feedstocks, using a wide range of processes. Documentary and measurement standards, and reference data on thermophysical and thermochemical properties of biofuels, play a critical role in assuring consistency and quality of biofuels produced using different processes and feedstocks. Brazil, EU and the US are the three largest producers of biofuels; other countries where biofuel production and utilization is increasing are also expected to participate in this conference.
The conference will provide an overview of the state-of-the-art on biofuels used in surface transportation, such as bioethanol, biodiesel, other biofuels and algal biofuels; it will also provide an overview of the more recent developments in utilization of biofuels in aviation, and specific issues and requirements for biofuels that are utilized in commercial and military applications. Documentary and measurement standards needed to facilitate trade and applications in new areas will be identified. Requirements that result from new regulations and applications in different parts of the globe will be discussed. Utilization of biofuels in developing economies will be reviewed, implications for sustainability will be discussed, and future trends that may lead to the need for new biofuels standards will be identified.
According to recent market study Global Biofuel Production Forecast 2015-2020 the global biofuel production is forecast to pass 1,900 Million barrel by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% over the forecast period 2015 – 2020.