Cellulosic ethanol, or ‘treethanol,’ is a promising new energy source with the potential to mitigate high gas prices, national security concerns, and global climate change. Ethanol derived from cellulose–the complex sugar polymer that gives green plants their structure–has a smaller carbon footprint than other fuels and could be used to supplement or replace gasoline. But anything that requires cutting down trees while purporting to save the environment should attract a reasonable dose of skepticism.

Harnessing energy from the sun in the form of biomass is not new. For centuries, man has used wood to provide warmth, cook food, and forge tools. New enzyme technologies now enable scientists to break down wood cellulose into glucose, its component sugar, which is then converted to ethanol through fermentation, turning this age-old energy source into fuel for the new global economy.

Cellulosic ethanol differs from the most common biofuels–sugarcane-based ethanol from Brazil and corn-based ethanol from the United States–in both its net energy yield and its fuel conversion process. Traditional ethanol and cellulosic ethanol are chemically equivalent: Both produce two-thirds the energy of regular gasoline. But not all ethanol is created equally. The energy balance (or energy yielded over energy added during production) for corn ethanol is roughly 1.3 and an estimated 8.3 for sugarcane. For cellulosic ethanol, the ratio can reach as high as 16. When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, traditional ethanol shows a reduction of 10 to 20 percent compared to gasoline, while cellulosic ethanol reduces emissions as much as 80 to 100 percent.

Using trees or other biomass instead of food crops for ethanol production also has its advantages. Trees make up roughly 90 percent of the worlds terrestrial biomass, grow all year round, require fewer inputs than food crops, and yield more energy. Switchgrass, a native North American plant, shows great potential for cellulosic ethanol: It can produce twice as much ethanol per acre compared to corn, it requires less water, and it can grow in places otherwise unsuitable for food crops. Poplars and other fast growing trees are also being explored as potential sources.

Food price volatility, highlighted in a report by UN-Energy, is a concern that does not apply to cellulosic ethanol production. As demand for cleaner energy grows, ethanol production increases and therefore commodity prices rise for corn and sugar. Some developing countries have already felt these effects. As Adam Dean writes elsewhere in Policy Innovations, ‘Due to its use in the production of ethanol, corn prices have risen more than 80 percent since last summer, from $2.17 to nearly $4 a bushel. This increase has caused tortilla prices in Mexico to rise by nearly 50 percent over the same period.’

Replicating the success of other biofuels, cellulosic ethanol could also play a role in promoting rural development. Increases in commodity prices generally benefit rural farmers who rely on those prices to make a living, although this benefit is hindered by agricultural subsidies in developed countries. Ethanol production also creates more jobs for low-skilled laborers.

Domestic production of ethanol in developing countries is also an opportunity to correct trade imbalances and spur foreign investment. This is especially true if those countries are able to participate in the higher value-added production process. Annie Dufey of the International Institute for Environment and Development writes, ‘Domestic biofuel production offers an opportunity to replace oil imports and improve the trade balance.’ For example, it is estimated that the replacement of gasoline by sugarcane ethanol in Brazil saved some $43.5 billion between 1976 and 2000.

High gas prices and national security concerns have precipitated a favorable change in the political and economic climate for alternative fuel sources such as cellulosic ethanol. Policymakers around the world have made reducing reliance on foreign oil a high priority. If the price of ethanol can compete with gasoline, the effects of political volatility in oil-rich regions such as Russia, Venezuela, and the Middle East will lessen.

Because oil has a high price elasticity of demand, countries that rely heavily on oil stand to lose dramatically if demand drops: During the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis there was a 10 percent drop in oil demand which sent oil prices plummeting 75 percent. But according to Thomas Friedmans ‘First Law of Petropolitics,’ this could also be a boon for the development of democratic institutions. Friedman claims that oil prices and the pace of freedom are negatively correlated.

Despite its benefits, cellulosic ethanol is no magic elixir for the worlds energy woes. Significant hurdles hinder its adoption on a commercial scale, including feasibility, production costs, and environmental degradation. Achim Steiner, executive director of UN Environment Programme says, ‘Investments need to be planned carefully to avoid generating new environmental and social problems.’

High cost of production, almost synonymous with any new technology, is one of the greatest barriers to the adoption of cellulosic ethanol. Right now, methods of producing cellulosic ethanol are expensive and complex, involving a multi-step enzymatic process. Significant R&D investment is needed to generate more efficient production methods, particularly better enzymes. This month, researchers in Brazil announced that they had done just that, perfecting a method of producing cellulosic ethanol that reduces its costs of production from about $2.25 cents per gallon to roughly 40 cents per gallon. If verified, this would mark a great advancement in cellulosic ethanol production.

Many argue that there is simply not enough land to meet the worlds food needs and provide energy if ethanol is added to the mix. It would take about 100 million acres of switchgrass–roughly the area of California–to replace just 25 percent of the petroleum use in the United States.

Cellulosic ethanol production also promotes exploitation of forests, which threatens the climate change benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions. One proposed solution is to use fast-growing grasses, like switchgrass, or leftover biomass, such as corn stalks, instead of trees. But if trees are cleared to grow other biofuels, both the forest as a carbon sink and the higher energy yield of the treethanol will be lost.

Governments have an important role to play, encouraging development of this new technology through incentives and sustainable policies, but they must do so with caution. An imprudent rush to reduce reliance on fossil fuels is likely to have its own environmental and economic side effects.

By Kyle Valenti
www.policyinnovations.org

One of the biggest differences that biodiesel make is with regards to smog. Using biodiesel actually reduces smog. Both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in diesel fuel account for most of the particulates in air pollution. When you use biodiesel product or homemade biodiesel there is a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons and if you are using a blend that is right for your machine. Tests that have been conducted according to EPA regulations have shown that the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions that biodiesel are half that of that measured for diesel fuel.

Can biodiesel make more energy? Unlike the burning of fossil fuels, the burning biodiesel fuels actually gives back more energy to the environment that it takes. Lifecycle studies of biodiesel production show that for every unit of fossil energy it takes to manufacture fossil fuel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. This kind of lifecycle study examines the impact during all phases of biodiesel production including its transportation, production and distribution to the biodiesel fuel customer.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing the effects of global warming? The answer is yes. The overall lifecycle emissions of carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) from biodiesel are 78% lower than the overall carbon dioxide emissions from petroleum diesel fuel!

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing acid rain? Once again the answer is very positive. The overall lifecycle emissions of sulfur oxides (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are 8% lower than overall sulfur oxides emissions from regular diesel fuel. Its a start.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to waste water? The overall lifecycle production of waste water from biodiesel production is 79.0% lower than overall production of wastewater from diesel fuel. To put it another way, petroleum diesel makes roughly five times as much wastewater flow than biodiesel can make.

Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to lung cancer and asthma? Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust is less harmful to humans then diesel fuel exhaust because it lacks aromatic compounds. The purer the biodiesel fuel is the less likely it is to create the cancer causing compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Most of the poisonous compounds common to diesel exhaust are reduced by 75 to 85 percent by using biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is also easier on the lung because it reduces the emission of the types of particulate matter that cause asthma and other lung disorders by about 47 percent.

Additionally biodiesel make less soot. Studies have shown that biodiesel reduces the total amount of particulate matter soot in bus tailpipe exhaust by 83.6%. Soot is the heavy black smoke portion of the petroleum diesel fuel exhaust that consists of 100% carbon. It has been suggested that diesel soot produces cancer.

How can you use biodiesel to make a difference? Burning just a 2% biodiesel blend in on-road vehicle that usually takes diesel fuel will curtail all kinds of harmful emissions. Annually this one action has the potential to reduce poisonous carbon monoxide emissions by more than 35 million pounds, reduce ozone forming hydrocarbon emissions by almost 4 million pounds, reduce hazardous diesel particulate emissions by almost 3 million pounds and reduce acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 3 million pounds. Thats a big difference!

Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website. Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html

Facts:

* Biodiesel raw materials are renewable. * Biodiesel manufacturing produces virtually no waste product. * Biodiesel makes western governments less dependent on oil producing countries. * Biodiesel burns cleaner than standard diesel fuel. * Biodiesel offers similar performance results as standard diesel fuel. * Biodiesel is cleaner to manufacture than standard diesel fuel.

The best thing about Biodiesel though is that it is not the fuel of the future, the future is now. Biodiesel is ready to be manufactured and consumed as we speak. Many times when a new technology becomes a reality there is a lag time between when it is invented or developed and when it is ready to be released for general use. This lag time is generally used to let all segments of the manufacturing, distributing, and consumption process become a reality. With Biodiesel, this lag time is not needed.

Bringing Biodiesel to the marketplace would involve four main components. Raw materials to manufacture the fuel from must be found and obtained. Fuel must be processed, or refined, so that it is able to be put into vehicles. There must be a distribution plan setup to get the fuel to market. There must be end users who are able to use the finished fuel product.

The raw materials for Biodiesel are vegetation. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil. In most cases corn or soybean oil is used to make the vegetable oil that is eventually turned into Biodiesel. As these raw materials are very common in almost every corner of the world, obtaining them is not difficult at all.

The processing of Biodiesel is going on right this very minute. Far sighted companies and individuals have been putting millions upon millions of dollars into Biodiesel processing plants all around the world. Millions and millions of gallons of Biodiesel can be made in the United States alone. This process is much cleaner than the process of refining standard diesel fuel as well. There are virtually no leftover byproducts and less pollution is made during the manufacturing process.

The physical properties of Biodiesel are so similar to that of standard diesel fuel that all machinery in use now that is used to handle the distribution of diesel fuel could be used in the distribution of Biodiesel. From the fuel tankers that haul it down the freeway to the gas stations underground tanks and above ground fuel pumps, Biodiesel needs no special equipment that is not already in use.

So, now we have grown the raw materials, manufactured the Biodiesel, and delivered it to the fuel stations, all thats left is finding the consumers. Biodiesel can be used in most standard diesel fuel engines with little to no adjustment made to the engine itself. Wherever there is a standard diesel fuel burning automobile, there is a potential end user for Biodiesel.

Biodiesel is ready now to be manufactured, delivered, and used as an alternative to petroleum based fuels. When thinking of the possibilities of Biodiesel, we no longer have to think of ‘one day’, we can just think of ‘today’.

To make, or manufacture, Biodiesel you must first start with raw materials. The raw materials needed in the production of Biodiesel are a small amount of Methanol and a ready supply of vegetable product. One of the most common vegetables used in the production of Biodiesel is corn, although depending on the geographic location of the manufacturing facility many other plants are used as well (rapeseed, soybeans, flaxseed, etc.). The first step is to use the raw vegetable product to make vegetable oil. Vegetable oil by itself will not be what you need to power a car, from here it has to be processed into Biodiesel.

The process for converting vegetable oil into Biodiesel is sometimes called ester interchange. To complete this process the vegetable oil has to be combined with a smaller amount of Methanol and then put in the presence of a small quantity of an alkaline catalyst (for example, .5% to 1% sodium hydroxide). Vegetable oil is made up of so-called triglycerides, which is a compound of the trivalent alcohol glycerin with three fatty acids. The goal of ester interchange is to separate, or detach the glycerin molecule from the three fatty acids and replace it with three methanol molecules. This process then yields roughly 90% Biodiesel and 10% of a glycerin byproduct. The glycerin byproduct can be used in a number of other chemical processes for different industries. There are also studies being done to see if the glycerin byproduct, since it is vegetable based, can be used as feed for animals. This makes the production of Biodiesel produce virtually no waste products at all.

The production of Biodiesel is done in a large manufacturing facility like those being built around the world to take advantage of this relatively new fuel source. These facilities are built much like their oil refinery cousins with the intent of putting out hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of gallons of fuel. Unlike the manufacturing process of standard mineral based fuel, Biodiesel can also be manufactured in smaller home or farm units, or kits. The process remains the same but on a much smaller scale. There is also the option of making Biodiesel at home from used vegetable oil gathered from restaurants and delis. To achieve this the oil first has to go through another process to clean it of any impurities.

One of the main benefits of Biodiesel is that it burns cleaner than standard mineral based fuel. An additional benefit is that it also pollutes less during the process of making Biodiesel than it does during the manufacture of standard mineral based fuel like diesel and gasoline. Cleaner to burn and cleaner to make, Biodiesel is truly a viable alternative energy source.

Mark Allen is an avid supporter of the continued search for a viable alternative-fuel. More information at BiodieselPlans.info

Safe for any engine
Every major automaker has approved the use of ethanol-blended gasoline under warranty including General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler. With its 113 octane rating, ethanol is the highest-octane fuel on the market and helps engines run more smoothly. Ethanol helps keep fuel injection systems clean for better performance. Ethanol also works as a gas line antifreeze. It suspends moisture in the fuel system and eliminates the need for gas tank additives in cold weather. Ethanol blends are also safe for snowmobiles, motorboats and lawnmowers.

Helps reduce air pollution
Using an ethanol-blended gasoline is an easy way to reduce air pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol contains oxygen, which helps components of gasoline burn cleaner and more efficiently, thus helping to reduce emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, E-10 reduces carbon monoxide emissions by up to 30%.

Supports agriculture
Because it is produced from corn, ethanol opens a new market for corn growers. According to the National Corn Growers Association, U.S. farmers produced 9.5 billion bushels of corn in 2001, and 600 million bushels were used for ethanol production. Ethanol is a renewable, domestic source of fuel, and helps reduce dependence on foreign fuels.

Ethanol Education
Take a little time and learn about the problem and possible solutions to help reduce your carbon foot print and help us all to enjoy our world a little more.

Better lubricity
Soy biodiesel dramatically enhances the lubricity of diesel fuel. In fact, adding two percent soy biodiesel to diesel increases lubricity by 66 percent, according to tests by Stanadyne Automotive Corp. Improved lubricity reduces engine wear and extends the life of diesel engines.

Safe for diesel engines
Soy biodiesel can be used immediately in diesel engines, without any expensive engine modifications. In addition, most diesel engine manufacturers have affirmed that the use of biodiesel in their equipment will not void their warranties.

Better for the environment
Soy biodiesel is better for the environment. Pure biodiesel (B100) contains no sulfur, is nontoxic, and biodegrades as fast as sugar. A two percent biodiesel blend such as Ruby Fieldmaster B2 will reduce harmful emissions for cleaner air. Pure biodiesel is renewable and made from domestically produced ag products.

Better for agriculture
The ag economy also benefits from biodiesel. Most of the current biodiesel supply in the U.S. is made from soybean oil. One bushel of soybeans can produce 1.5 gallons of biodiesel. Biodiesel expands the U.S. soybean market, creating more demand for soybeans. And since biodiesel is made in the United States, it can help our country become energy-independent.

BioDiesel Education
Learn more about the importance of biodiesel. Understanding the problem and possible solutions is the first step in reducing your carbon foot print in the world and helping us all to enjoy a better world.

It seems the IRL is willing to put its money where others are only willing to put their mouths. Engineers, chassis designers and engine manufacturers have worked long and hard to bring the ethanol powered racing machines to the starting line. And Tony George, the IRL and IRL team owners should be applauded for taking this responsible step.

In remarks to the Renewable Fuel Association’s National Ethanol Conference team co-owner Bobby Rahal said, “…the Indycar Series is the perfect live case study to showcase that ethanol is in fact a high-performance fuel. After all if Jeff Simmons and Scott Sharp (drivers for Rahal Letterman Racing) can turn laps at Indianapolis and Watkins Glen running on ethanol, then surely the fuel is effective and sufficient to pilot your mini-van to the mall, the market and back.”

When you fill up your vehicle do you look to see if gasohol is available? Every car and truck can run the E10 blend of 90% gas and 10% ethanol. If you have a newer vehicle that is flex-fuel capable are you doing business at fuel stations that have invested in bringing E85 to your area?

Ethanol lower pollution, is renewable, takes money out of the hands of terrorists, helps your local rural economy and can easily power your vehicle.

If you’re not familiar with biofuels there are several resources here to help your learn more. The IRL is showing the way, providing the example. Ethanol is capable and efficient enough for million dollar high-tech racing machines. It will power your vehicles just fine. It’s time for change and the change that use of environmentally friendly biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel is good for you and me, our neighbors, our communities, our country and the planet.

Unlike grain feedstocks, however, separating those fermentable sugars from cellulosic biomass is a more complex process than typical grain based ethanol processes. But studies show that cellulosic ethanol produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than grain ethanol does by significant margins. The technology to extract and ferment ethanol from cellulosic biomass exists today and the next step is to scale it for commercial applications.

Switchgrass is the source most often looked at for cellulosic ethanol production. Current average yields range in about the five tons per acre but many crop experts say that breeding techniques could double that yield. Switchgrass is drought resistant, is growable on marginal land and doesn’t need heavy fertilization. Estimates are that switchgrass could produce 60 to 140 gallons of ethanol per ton.

Producing ethanol from biomass is requiring new technology that just a few years ago would have seemed bizarre. In partnership with private biotech firms the Dept. of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab has been researching using both enzymes and bacteria to produce ethanol.

Abengoa is set to begin testing production of ethanol using enzymes at their York, NE facility starting this year.

Iogen, Corp, a Canadian company, uses what they call the enzyme hydrolysis method and is seeking partnerships in the U.S. for a production facility. Iogen’s EcoEthanol uses the enzyme hydrolysis method to change the cellulose into sugars. Iogen claims they have been producing ethanol from this process since April 2006.

The next step is to begin building out the biorefinery infrastructure across the country, commercialize the processes required to produce cellulosic ethanol and provide distribution to local pumps for use in vehicles.

While it’s not an overnight change each of these steps is bringing us closer to energy independence and environmentally friendly ethanol fuel production solving two of the major challenges we face.

Research into algae as a source of oil is not new, however the continuing oil crisis and concerns for global warming are fueling the search for other less traditional means of producing energy sources.

Like plants, algae use photosythesis and store energy similarly to plants. While most algae can be grown just about any place growing the specific strains of algae best suited to biodiesel production is a bit more difficult. In research so far, those species best suited to biodiesel production don’t reproduce the fastest. And that leaves room for other algae species to invade the area, take over and lock out the biodiesel oil producing algae.

Using algae for biodiesel production has another good factor…there is little or no waste. The flakes remaining from production can be used to make ethanol, animal feed or made into high grade fertilizers.

Research continues into algae based biodiesel. While no large scale production biodiesel from algae has been completed it does appear feasible and may well be one of the solutions to the worlds energy challenges.

Biodiesel is very much a grassroots effort. Several local cooperatives have been formed around the country to produce their own biodiesel and make it available to their members.

Unlike ethanol production plants biodiesel production facilities can change their feedstock easily. For ethanol manufacturers if its a corn ethanol plant, that’s it, they can only produce corn based ethanol. On the other hand a biodiesel plant can easily change from soybean oil to canola oil to palm oil easily.

In the U.S. alone last year 62 billion gallons of diesel were consumed. By contrast only about 150 million gallons of biodiesel was produced. In 2007 that should change as companies like Imperium Renewables come on line with large scale biodiesel production plants.

While alternative fuels have always been looked at as a fringe activity it’s quickly becoming apparent that only by switching to biofuels like biodiesel will we solve some of the worlds greatest challenges such as global warming and environmental damage from pollution.