Archive for the 'Biofuels' Category

Biofuels and Water Usage

August 12th, 2007 by Kishore

Biofuel production is hot topic these days, both domestically and around the world. However, a recent study indicates that Biofuel production in poor water scarce countries may have severe negative impacts on water supply.

In India, the Linking of Rivers of project are designed to transfer water to water poor areas to support water intense agriculture. Indian sugarcane is 100% irrigated, the main biofuel crop for ethanol production. The amount of water evaporated is 3500 liters per liter of ethanol. In Brazil, it takes about 2200 liters of water, but that demand is met by rainfall.

Entering the biofuel market will create additional strain on their water supply. Visible signs have already emerged with water tables dropping in Punjab, India as well as increased pollution from irrigation runoff.

Takeaway: Biofuel economic analyses should take water usage into account in water scarce regions.

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Category: Biofuels, Water | No Comments »

Biofuels - How to get involved!

May 29th, 2007 by Kishore

Dan mentioned a few places to go deeper with any of the energy issues brought up during his talk. First and foremost, Dan said just Google it. If there is a particular energy issue you want to learn about, google it + your city and you’ll find it.

Dan also highlighted the biggest problem, in his opinion, facing us globally: poverty. A few of the links below are groups working locally on the connection between poverty and environmental justice.

Latino Issues Forum

Ella Baker Center

Environmental Entrepeneurs

Environmental Defense - Take Action

ICLEI - Local governments for sustainability

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Category: Biofuels | No Comments »

Biofuels - Video and Pics are up!

May 29th, 2007 by Kishore

Dan waiting for Kish to stop talking

Last week, Dan Kammen came out to talk Biofuels. This was one of the best science cafes I have been to…EVER. Dan was incredibly engaging, melding both the science and policy surrounding this issue. I encourage everyone to check out the video and the pics here. The first video has dead audio for the first couple minutes, but it clears up when Dan starts to speak.

See you next month at Fertility!

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Category: Biofuels, General | No Comments »

Corn in my tank…but how much?

May 21st, 2007 by Kishore

Popular Mechanics did an interesting fiscal analysis of various gasoline substitution technologies. Even though the only ethanol source listed is from corn, the analysis illustrates how conventional gasoline still tops the charts. Many technologies were compared including E85/ethanol, M85/methanol, B100 biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electricity (EV cars), and Hydrogen fuel cells.

As of May 2006:

  Raw Materials Consumed Fuel Needed Price Economy
Gasoline 4.5 barrels of oil 90.9 gal $2.34/gal 33 MPG
Corn Ethanol 53 bushels of corn, 0.5 barrel crude oil 176 gal $2.41/gal 17 MPG
M85 Methanol 18190 cu ft Natural Gas, 0.5 barrel crude oil 214 gal $2.89/gal 14 MPG
B100 Biodiesel 16.5 gals of used veg oil 68.2gal $3.40/gal 44 MPG
Compressed Natural Gas 10,650 cu ft natural gas 88 gal equiv $1.25/gal equiv 34 MPG
Electricity 1 ton of coal 16.4 gal equiv $3.66/gal equiv 202 MPG
Hydrogen 16,000 cu ft H2 73 gal equiv $11/gal equiv 41 MPG

Don’t let the table fool you, each of the potential fuels above is fret with problems. The greatest potential for widespread use lay with 2: biodiesel and ethanol. Why? Infrastructure change is highly expensive and these require the least amount of change.

Check out the pdf including the data above.

Read the entire article which describes pros and cons here.

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Category: Biofuels | 1 Comment »

Cheap beer = Cheap Electricity?

May 15th, 2007 by Kishore

Foster’s is teaming up with scientists at the University of Queensland to convert beer wastewater into energy. They will be building a “fuel cell” powered by bacteria. The bacteria will consume the beer wastewater, which is ripe with all sorts of good stuff: sugar, starch, and alcohol.

The cell will convert the chemical energy into electrical energy. Don’t get too excited, they are talking about a cell that can generate 2 kW of power, enough to only power one home.

Why don’t they take it one step farther? Might as well use the beer waste water they are putting into the Foster can.

Check out the AP article here.

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Category: Biofuels | 1 Comment »

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