New Study Finds Ethanol Yields Positive Energy Balance
Producing ethanol from corn uses much less petroleum than producing gasoline.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jan 27, 2006
Ethanol yields more energy than it takes to produce and it also decreases dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study from the University of California-Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group and the Goldman School of Public Policy.
The study, published in today's journal Science by Professors Daniel Kammen, Alex Farrell and their associates sought to analyze conflicting reports that exist about the energy balance of ethanol.
According to the results, producing ethanol from corn uses much less petroleum than producing gasoline. More information on the report is available at http://rael.berkeley.edu/EBAMM/.
The study found that the production and use of ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emission by 15% compared to oil and gasoline use. These findings are consistent with those of the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, which estimates that the use of 10% ethanol blends would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 19%.
"A 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is significant and puts ethanol at the forefront in the effort to address global warming," says Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association. "No other liquid fuel in widespread use today can make that claim."
The study also notes that new technology to convert cellulosic material, such as corn stalks, switchgrass and woody material, to ethanol holds even more potential.
"There isn't an ethanol producer in the country that isn't actively pursuing a cellulose-to-ethanol research program," says Dinneen. "While corn will continue to be the major feedstock for U.S. ethanol production, the development of cellulosic ethanol technology offers a promising compliment and a new era for the U.S. ethanol industry."
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