Blue and Grey

The Ethanol Future?

Ethanol as Fuel

Derived from starch or sugar rich Biomass

Mass ProductionPretreatment to remove impurities (non sugars)

Fermentation by microbes

Distillation

Dehydration

U.S. refineries produce 7 billion gallons annually

Currently serves 5.4% of world fuel consumption

Why Ethanol?

The Cheap StuffBy far the cheapest auto-revamp option - Conversion kits (to E85) ranging $300-$900

Tax credits for station owners (EPA act, 2005) up to 30%

Tax credits for Ethanol-based crop production, up to $0.49 cents per gallon.

Better range than all-electric vehicles

Burns with less emissions than gasoline, renewable

Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere

Ethanol Now

Averages 10% of current gasoline volume (E10)Most cars can safely burn up to E15 (85% gas)

Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV, E85) are the most widely available non-gasoline cars

Emissions and Efficiency

Toxic EmissionsGasoline: Particulate matter, carbon oxides, nitrous oxides, methane

Ethanol/Methanol: Particulate matter (down 50%), gaseous aldehydes, nitrous oxides (reduced), methane, Carbon oxides(down 21%, 30%)

Efficiency after production (feedstock)

Gasoline (Petroleum) 100%

Ethanol (Biomass) ~73%

Methanol (Biomass) ~51%

Hydrogen (Petroleum) ~35-40%

Problems with Ethanol

Oil dependent for pesticides and insecticides

Global genetic diversity loss in plants

Food prices increase

Little to no extra farming room (deforestation)

Ideal plants for production are nutrient intensive (soil depletion)

Up to 68% of FFV owners are unaware of Flex-Fuel technology

Most E85 pumps are in the Western U.S.

Problems with Ethanol

Tax credit (0.49cents/gallon) very likely to expire in 2011

Require larger tanks than gasoline models for equal range (lower energy/volume)

Transportation of biomass still bound to high gas prices

Cold StartingAlcohol fuels have a much higher freezing point than gasoline

Cold-start conversion kits, manipulate fuel flow for better ignition spray ($200-$350)

Corn Alternatives

Cellulosic EthanolUp to 85% harmful emissions reduction

Derived from cell walls, mostly inedible plant parts and wood chips

Could dispose of plant matter waste in the US (more than 50 million tons annually), and produce up to Cons

Much more expensive to process (~$380 million/refinery) than conventional Ethanol production (~$80 million/refinery)

Corn Alternatives

Switch grassHailed by some as a miracle for bio fuels

Can be harvested with 5 times total energy return

Requires less fertilizers and pesticides than most plants

Can grow in a wide variety of soil

FFV Alternatives

Electric carsNo harmful emissions

Supported over Ethanol by Honda

Can be coupled with other fuel-intake systems for amazing efficiencyBreak heat recycling

Cons:

Intimidating Recharge Infrastructure (electric grid)

Range Inefficiency, range anxiety

Large production change required, auto overhaul

FFV Alternatives

Mass Transit (USA)Considerable initial and upkeep cost (difficult to find investors)

Not as flexible on a landmass with scattered urban centers

Gov. Rick Scott's denial of High Speed Rail funding (2011)

The Future of Fuel

If we venture into an Alcohol Economy...

Domestic food prices will rise, trading with developing nations may become viable-Hydroponics in urban centers (solar power innovation)