Alternative Alternative Fuels: Fuels: EthanolEthanol

What is ethanol?What is ethanol? GM CommercialGM Commercial CHCH33CHCH22OHOH

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel that is Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel that is produced from renewable sources.produced from renewable sources.

At its most basic, ethanol is grain alcohol, produced At its most basic, ethanol is grain alcohol, produced from crops such as corn. from crops such as corn.

Since pure 100% ethanol is not generally used as a Since pure 100% ethanol is not generally used as a motor fuel, a percentage of ethanol is combined with motor fuel, a percentage of ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline, to form E10 and E85 unleaded gasoline, to form E10 and E85 E10: E10: 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, is is

approved for use in any US vehicleapproved for use in any US vehicle E85: E85: 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline,85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline, is an is an

alternative fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). alternative fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).

How is it made?How is it made?

Ethanol can be made by fermenting almost any material that Ethanol can be made by fermenting almost any material that contains starch.contains starch.

Most of the ethanol in the U.S. is made using a dry mill Most of the ethanol in the U.S. is made using a dry mill process. process.

In the dry mill process, the starch portion of the corn is In the dry mill process, the starch portion of the corn is fermented into sugar then distilled into alcoholfermented into sugar then distilled into alcohol

Prior to fermentation, high-value chemicals are removed from Prior to fermentation, high-value chemicals are removed from the biomass. These include fragrances, flavoring agents, the biomass. These include fragrances, flavoring agents, food-related products, and high value nutraceuticals with food-related products, and high value nutraceuticals with health and medical benefits.health and medical benefits.

There are two main valuable co-products created in the There are two main valuable co-products created in the production of ethanol: distillers grain and carbon dioxide. production of ethanol: distillers grain and carbon dioxide. Distillers grain is used as a highly nutritious livestock feed Distillers grain is used as a highly nutritious livestock feed while carbon dioxide is collected, compressed, and sold for while carbon dioxide is collected, compressed, and sold for use in other industries.use in other industries.

Energy Balance of Energy Balance of EthanolEthanol

Energy BalanceEnergy Balance

Although CO2 is released during ethanol production and combustion, it is recaptured as a nutrient to the crops that are used in its production.

Unlike fossil fuel combustion, which unlocks carbon that has been stored for millions of years, use of ethanol results in comparatively lower increases to the carbon cycle.

Ethanol also degrades quickly in water and, therefore, poses a smaller risk to the environment than an oil or gasoline spill.

Research studies from a variety of sources have found ethanol to have a positive net energy balance. The most recent, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shows that ethanol provides an average net energy gain of at least 77%.

It takes less than 35,000 BTUs of energy to turn corn into ethanol, while the ethanol offers at least 77,000 BTUs of energy. Thus ethanol has a positive energy balance—meaning the ethanol yields more energy than it takes to produce it.

Impact on air qualityImpact on air quality

Using ethanol-blended fuel has a positive impact on air Using ethanol-blended fuel has a positive impact on air quality. By adding oxygen to the combustion process quality. By adding oxygen to the combustion process which reduces exhaust emissions—resulting in a which reduces exhaust emissions—resulting in a cleaner fuel for cleaner air. cleaner fuel for cleaner air.

Ethanol reduces the emissions of carbon monoxide, Ethanol reduces the emissions of carbon monoxide, VOX, and toxic air emissions:VOX, and toxic air emissions: Since ethanol is an alcohol based product, it does not produce

hydrocarbons when being burned or during evaporation thus decreasing the rate of ground level ozone formation.

Ethanol reduces pollution through the volumetric displacement of gasoline. The use of ethanol results in reductions in every pollutant regulated by the EPA, including ozone, air toxins, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and NOX.

Impact on energy Impact on energy independenceindependence

Since it is domestically produced, ethanol helps reduce Since it is domestically produced, ethanol helps reduce America's dependence upon foreign sources of energy. America's dependence upon foreign sources of energy. U.S. ethanol production provides more than 4 billion U.S. ethanol production provides more than 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel for our country.gallons of renewable fuel for our country.

Current U.S. ethanol production capacity can reduce Current U.S. ethanol production capacity can reduce gasoline imports by more than one-third and effectively gasoline imports by more than one-third and effectively extend gasoline supplies at a time when refining extend gasoline supplies at a time when refining capacity is at its maximum. capacity is at its maximum.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the According to the Energy Information Administration, the 7.5 billion gallon ethanol production level in the recently 7.5 billion gallon ethanol production level in the recently enacted enacted Renewable Fuels StandardRenewable Fuels Standard could reduce oil could reduce oil consumption by 80,000 barrels per day. consumption by 80,000 barrels per day.

Impact on economyImpact on economy In a 1997 study In a 1997 study The Economic Impact of the Demand for EthanolThe Economic Impact of the Demand for Ethanol, ,

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management found that:Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management found that: During ethanol plant construction, approximately 370 local jobs are During ethanol plant construction, approximately 370 local jobs are

created. created. During ethanol plant operation, up to 4,000 local jobs are created. During ethanol plant operation, up to 4,000 local jobs are created. Ethanol plant construction creates $60 million to $130 million in additional Ethanol plant construction creates $60 million to $130 million in additional

income. income. Ethanol plant operation creates $47 million to $100 million in additional Ethanol plant operation creates $47 million to $100 million in additional

income. income. American-made, renewable ethanol directly displaces crude oil we would American-made, renewable ethanol directly displaces crude oil we would

need to import, offering our country critically needed independence and need to import, offering our country critically needed independence and security from foreign sources of energy.security from foreign sources of energy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has concluded that a 100 million The U.S. Department of Agriculture has concluded that a 100 million gallon ethanol facility could create 2,250 local jobs for a single gallon ethanol facility could create 2,250 local jobs for a single community. Ethanol production creates domestic markets for corn and community. Ethanol production creates domestic markets for corn and adds 4-6 cents a bushel for each 100 million bushels used. Better adds 4-6 cents a bushel for each 100 million bushels used. Better prices mean less reliance on government subsidy programs not to prices mean less reliance on government subsidy programs not to mention higher income and greater independence for farmers. mention higher income and greater independence for farmers.

Impact on auto industryImpact on auto industry Ethanol could be the alternative fuel source that Ethanol could be the alternative fuel source that

catapults sales of American auto manufacturers.catapults sales of American auto manufacturers. GM and Ford are looking for environmental fixes that are GM and Ford are looking for environmental fixes that are

quicker and cheaper than the more costly hybrids and quicker and cheaper than the more costly hybrids and futuristic fuel cells. Both companies started promoting futuristic fuel cells. Both companies started promoting flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) aggressively this year. flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) aggressively this year.

General Motors tied their new campaign "Live Green, Go General Motors tied their new campaign "Live Green, Go Yellow.'' to not only Super Bowl Sunday but the opening Yellow.'' to not only Super Bowl Sunday but the opening of the Winter Olympics as well.of the Winter Olympics as well.

Since only about 600 of the nation's 170,000 filling Since only about 600 of the nation's 170,000 filling stations sell E85, both companies stations sell E85, both companies

have begun programs to install have begun programs to install E85 pumps at more stations.E85 pumps at more stations.

Impact on politicsImpact on politics President Bush gave ethanol a big plug in his State of the Union address, by President Bush gave ethanol a big plug in his State of the Union address, by

stating that:stating that: The United States must move beyond a petroleum-based economy and develop The United States must move beyond a petroleum-based economy and develop

new ways to power automobiles. The Administration will accelerate research in new ways to power automobiles. The Administration will accelerate research in cutting-edge methods of producing "cellulosic ethanol" with the goal of making the cutting-edge methods of producing "cellulosic ethanol" with the goal of making the use of such ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years. use of such ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years.

The Biorefinery Initiative. The Biorefinery Initiative. To achieve greater use of "homegrown" renewable To achieve greater use of "homegrown" renewable fuels in the United States, advanced technologies need to be perfected to make fuels in the United States, advanced technologies need to be perfected to make fuel ethanol from cellulosic (plant fiber) biomass, which is now discarded as waste. fuel ethanol from cellulosic (plant fiber) biomass, which is now discarded as waste. The President's 2007 Budget will include $150 million – a $59 million increase over The President's 2007 Budget will include $150 million – a $59 million increase over FY06 – to help develop bio-based transportation fuels from agricultural waste FY06 – to help develop bio-based transportation fuels from agricultural waste products, such as wood chips, stalks, or switch grass. Research scientists say that products, such as wood chips, stalks, or switch grass. Research scientists say that accelerating research into "cellulosic ethanol" can make it cost-competitive by accelerating research into "cellulosic ethanol" can make it cost-competitive by 2012, offering the potential to displace up to 30% of the Nation's current fuel use.2012, offering the potential to displace up to 30% of the Nation's current fuel use.

Associated Press, March 2, 2006: To increase the production of alternative Associated Press, March 2, 2006: To increase the production of alternative fuel sources, the Bush administration has proposed allowing ethanol plants to fuel sources, the Bush administration has proposed allowing ethanol plants to emit more air pollutants. The EPA announced that it would propose a rule to emit more air pollutants. The EPA announced that it would propose a rule to raise the emissions threshold for corn milling plants that produce ethanol fuel, raise the emissions threshold for corn milling plants that produce ethanol fuel, allowing them to emit up to 250 tons a year of air pollutants before setting off allowing them to emit up to 250 tons a year of air pollutants before setting off tougher restrictions on production. Corn milling plants can now emit 100 tons tougher restrictions on production. Corn milling plants can now emit 100 tons a year. a year.

Problems with EthanolProblems with Ethanol

Odors as a public nuisance, ex: New Energy Ethanol Odors as a public nuisance, ex: New Energy Ethanol Plant here in South Bend Plant here in South Bend

Green house gas emissions have sometimes shown to Green house gas emissions have sometimes shown to be equivalent to those of gasoline (data is often be equivalent to those of gasoline (data is often inconclusive)inconclusive)

Environmental performance of ethanol varies greatly Environmental performance of ethanol varies greatly depending on the production processdepending on the production process

Costs involved with building new facilities for ethanol Costs involved with building new facilities for ethanol productionproduction

New ways to maximize crop production are necessaryNew ways to maximize crop production are necessary Research is needed to refine the chemical processes to Research is needed to refine the chemical processes to

separate, purify and transform biomass into usable fuelseparate, purify and transform biomass into usable fuel

Problems with EthanolProblems with Ethanol

Soil erosion from increased agricultureSoil erosion from increased agriculture Conversion of forests into agricultural land—which Conversion of forests into agricultural land—which

could lead to future environmental dilemmas…could lead to future environmental dilemmas…

ConclusionConclusion

Do the benefits outweigh the costs Do the benefits outweigh the costs associated with ethanol production?associated with ethanol production?

Ethanol helps communities to meet clean Ethanol helps communities to meet clean air standards, farmers to find new air standards, farmers to find new markets for their products, and America markets for their products, and America to replace foreign crude oil with a to replace foreign crude oil with a renewable source grown domestically.renewable source grown domestically.