Is cellulosic ethanol viable?

Is cellulosic ethanol viable?

These issues, along with many other difficult production challenges, led George Washington University policy researchers to state that “in the short term, [cellulosic] ethanol cannot meet the energy security and environmental goals of a gasoline alternative.”

What is the source of cellulosic ethanol?

Cellulosic ethanol is a type of biofuel produced from lignocellulose, a material that comprises much of the mass of plants. Corn stover, switchgrass, miscanthus and woodchip are some of the more popular nonedible cellulosic materials for ethanol production.

What are the benefits of cellulosic ethanol as compared to corn ethanol?

Cellulosic fuels have a very small carbon footprint, emitting up to 115% less greenhouse gases than gasoline (compared to an average reduction of 34% from corn starch ethanol).

Why is ethanol created by cellulose good for the environment?

The findings for cellulosic ethanol are a lot better: greenhouse gases are 90 percent less compared to petroleum-based gasoline, according to researchers at the University of California at Berkeley. Corn-based ethanol has endured because it has had strong political support.

What is one advantage of producing cellulosic ethanol?

The biggest benefit of making ethanol from cellulose is the inexhaustibility and convenience of cellulosic biomass. It’s more available than corn or any other source of ethanol, or for that matter, any existing source of fuel. When done wisely, cellulosic ethanol production can get rid of waste and make fuel.

What’s the most energy efficient crop source for ethanol?

Corn
Corn is the leading U.S. crop and serves as the feedstock for most domestic ethanol production. Corn ethanol meets the renewable fuel category of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is limited to 15 billion gallons.

Why is ethanol not a sustainable energy choice?

The research, which was funded in part by the National Wildlife Federation and U.S. Department of Energy, found that ethanol is likely at least 24% more carbon-intensive than gasoline due to emissions resulting from land use changes to grow corn, along with processing and combustion.

Why are researchers so interested in cellulosic ethanol as a biofuel?

Why are researchers so interested in cellulosic ethanol as a biofuel? Since all plants contain cellulose, any plant could be used as a feedstock. the grasses can be grown on neglected agricultural lands and in marginal soil.

Which plant is best for ethanol production?

Today, nearly all ethanol produced in the world is derived from starch- and sugar-based feedstocks. The sugars in these feedstocks are easy to extract and ferment, making large-scale ethanol production affordable. Corn is the leading U.S. crop and serves as the feedstock for most domestic ethanol production.

What crop might be better than corn for making ethanol?

Miscanthus Is a Better Alternative to Corn and Switchgrass for Biofuel Production. This type of grass could produce two and a half times the amount of ethanol as compared to corn, according to a paper in Global Change Biology.

Is ethanol actually better for the environment?

Overall, ethanol is considered to be better for the environment than traditional gasoline. For example, ethanol-fueled vehicles produce lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Is ethanol worse for the environment?

The process to harvest and produce corn-based ethanol creates more harmful emissions than normal gasoline, according to a new report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.