New Research Supports Ethanol Production
Thursday, September 25th, 2008Came across this article this morning. According to the article, …1.5-1.6 more units of energy are derived from ethanol than are used to produce it. Comments?
New Research Supports Ethanol Production
09/23/2008
Ken Cassmen, director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research says – recent research, conducted at the University, clearly shows that estimates for the energy balance of corn-based ethanol are much more favorable – in fact 2-3 times more favorable than previous estimates. Cassman points out - it is important to understand that ethanol has a substantial net positive direct energy balance – that 1.5-1.6 more units of energy are derived from ethanol than are used to produce it.
Cassmen added - we estimate that 13 gallons of ethanol are produced for every gallon of petroleum used in the production life cycle for corn ethanol. Alan Tiemann, a member of the Nebraska Corn Board, added that greenhouse gas emission reductions are also more favorable than previous estimates when compared directly to corn and ethanol production.
Compared to just five years ago, Tiemann points out, ethanol plants produce 15 percent more ethanol from a bushel of corn and use about 20 percent less energy in the process. At the same time, corn growers are more efficient, producing more corn per acre and using less energy to do so.
Source: http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/wire/news/01502_energy_study_180658.php