19X More Energy Independence
Let’s do the math on the corn ethanol hoax.
For every unit of energy I put into making grass biofuel pellets, I get 14 out = 14:1 net energy.
With corn ethanol the net energy is just 1.67:1
14/1.67 = 8.383 better return on the investment made in grass pellets.
Now consider how the two fuels will be used.
Pellets will be burned at 80% efficiency. Lets say 70%.
Ethanol will be burned in an internal combustion engine at just 30% efficiency.
.7/.3 = 2.333
So the systems advantage of grass pelllets over ethanol is: 8.383 X 2.333 = 19.56X
Solid biofuel in the form of grass pellets, gives us 19X more return on our investments, 19X more energy independence. And 19X more national security than corn ethanol.
So why is it that all of the subsidies etc go the the biofuel with 1/19 the benefit?
Isn’t it amazing, the out right stupidity of corn ethanol? It is just a mechanism to transfer and redistribute wealth to ADM and Cargill. It just another example of corporate looting of the public treasury. It also depends utterly on fertilizers made from fossil fuels. Not to mention the virgin water degraded by the corn ethanol process: gallons of water degraded for each gallon of corn ethanol made.
Can we say that there is a pathological condition in this market and its supporting politics?
Your thoughts?
permalink | Jock Gill | Climate Change, Economic Justice, Energy, Intelligence, Politics
How do you power a car with grass pellets?
Frank,
I would prefer to dedicate biofuels to stationary power demands, which currently exceed the supply of biofuels.
You can make electricyt with solid biofuels and thus use them to power electric vehicles. We can very substantially reduce our reliance on low net energy liquid fuels in the transportation sector.
Thanks for posting a comment.
Jock
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