Cornell ecologist's study finds that producing ethanol and biodiesel from corn and other crops is not worth the energy
By Susan S. Lang
In terms of energy output compared with energy input for ethanol production, the study found that:
* corn requires 29 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced;
* switch grass requires 45 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced; and
* wood biomass requires 57 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced.
In terms of energy output compared with the energy input for biodiesel production, the study found that:
* soybean plants requires 27 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced, and
* sunflower plants requires 118 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced.
Biomass for biofuel isn't worth it
Biofuel crops may worsen global warming: study
Then there is a mechanical aspect using biofuels in automobiles, though engines may like biofuel, the starches and sugars they create as a byproduct are not handled very well by a vehicles fuel injectors and or carburateurs, so at $2,000.00 a pop to take em (fuel injectors) ($1,000.00 for Carburateurs) apart, clean them or replace every 6 months or a year, certainly makes biofuels unattractive, not to mention trying to run Biofuel in Wintery Northern climates where winter temperatures will leave you stranded on the side of the snowbanked road.
But then, people feel Common Sense "Free Advice" isn't worth the Story it is typed on, when others like Al Gore who charge millions for Junk Science advice is taken at face value worldwide by a gullible public.
Biofuel crops may worsen global warming: study | The News is NowPublic.com
Rapeseed biofuel ‘produces more greenhouse gas than oil or petrol’
Measurements of emissions from the burning of biofuels derived from rapeseed and maize have been found to produce more greenhouse gas emissions than they save.
Rapeseed and maize biodiesels were calculated to produce up to 70 per cent and 50 per cent more greenhouse gases respectively than fossil fuels.
The concerns were raised over the levels of emissions of nitrous oxide, which is 296 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Scientists found that the use of biofuels released twice as much as nitrous oxide as previously realised. The research team found that 3 to 5 per cent of the nitrogen in fertiliser was converted and emitted.
In contrast, the figure used by the International Panel on Climate Change, which assesses the extent and impact of man-made global warming, was 2 per cent.
The findings illustrated the importance, the researchers said, of ensuring that measures designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions are assessed thoroughly before being hailed as a solution.
Rapeseed biofuel ‘produces more greenhouse gas than oil or petrol’ - Times Online
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