Biofuels: A sustainable replacement for petroleum

Warning: strip_tags() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given in /home/propelea/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 631

Considering the depleting oil reserves in the world and the contribution of petroleum-based fuels to CO2 emissions, scientists have long advocated renewable energy to replace petroleum. Among the alternatives are the so-called biofuels, which are solid, liquid or gaseous fuel obtained from relatively recent lifeless biological material and is different from relic fuels, which are derived from long dead biological material. The biofuels are therefore considered to be “CO2 neutral”, not adding to the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere.

Although, in a global scale, biofuels are now commonly used to power vehicles, heat homes, and for cooking, and industries producing biofuel are expanding in Europe, Asia and the Americas, the question that needed answer an is whether or not biofuels could be produced in massive quantity and volume as to become a suitable replacement to petroleum. Sandia has proven that it could.

Breakthrough research conducted by Sandia National Laboratories and General Motors Corp. has concluded that biofuels could sustainably replace nearly a third of gasoline use by the year 2030. To prove that this is so, the study must conclude that it can produce roughly 90 billion worth of ethanol by 2030, the energy equivalent of 90 billions of gasoline, a third of estimated petroleum consumption.

For a nine-month examination period, the 90-billion Gallon Biofuel Deployment Study aimed to determine the volume of cellulosic biofuel that could be produced from agricultural sources, plant waste, forest residue, energy-yielding crops and short rotation crops.

Using a mathematical model called the Biofuels Deployment Model, or BDM, Sandia researchers computed that 21 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol and 15 billion gallons of corn-derived ethanol could be produced per year 13 years from now, in 2022. This amount already meets the targeted mandate set by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.

The study also made conclusive results to indicate that based on current environmental and economic considerations, over 90 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol could be produced as alternative source of energy by 2030. Thus, it could suitably end petroleum dependence and become a sustainable fuel alternative to gasoline.

Sandia researchers also found that cellulosic biofuels are more affordable. It could compete with current oil prices at $90 per barrel, and is expected to reduce biofuel technology advances. Reduced water costs is another pro because massive biofuel production consumes less water compared to consumptions levels required for on-shore petroleum refining. Most importantly, ethanol cuts on annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 260 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Related Posts

1. Time to get ’smart’ on biofuels
2. EPA report claims biofuels are harmful to the environment
3. Green Plains Renewable Energy: Ethanol Producer
4. American Petroleum Institute says Obama administration should delay new smog regulations
5. Green Star’s eco-friendly electric vehicles