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The situation of biofuels in the European Union (EU) is here limited to so-called "first generation" liquid biofuels, namely biodiesel and bioethanol. The potential of synthetic biofuels (also often referred to as "second generation biofuels", such as Fischer-Tropsch diesel, dimethyl ether, biomethanol, etc.) is discussed in the Generalities section. The latter have not yet reached the stage of development required for commercial/industrial production .
This section presents a global view on the current situation of liquid biofuels in the EU, by focusing on the following aspects:
Goals and stakes
Background and objectives
European Directive 2003/30/EC and the Biomass Action Plan
European Directive 2003/96/EC
European Directive 98/70/EC
The Energy-Climate Package
European Directive 2009/28/EC
Production of biodiesel
Production of bioethanol
Results of the European biofuels policy
Main actors in biodiesel and bioethanol production
Use of biofuels
Conclusions
The above topics are discussed in the specific context of the EU. The position of the EU with respect at the international level is also presented. Other aspects such as the main barriers to the development of biofuels, the price of biofuels in the wholesale market, environmental considerations or research and development (R%amp;D) activities, are treated in the Generalities section.
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