when i input non renewable energy into a cornfield and subsequent processes by the Mda figures I get 1.34 units of ethanol energy for 1 unit input.
do i count the energy in ethanol as been used already during the creation of that fuel?
well no..
if i get a barrel of oil equivalent and expend 0.2 of its energy content to process and deliver (and presumably extract in the first place) the rest as gasoline do i consider the end product energy in the gasoline as been already used in that process.
no.. if it was what would be the point.. you want the energy stored for transport use ie you do not consume it during the production of it self... a simply mad if not insane proposition.. Mda stats give the impression through the word consumed that the energy in the gasoline has already been used
at the end of the day you have 1.34 units of ethanol and 4 units of gasoline energy for the same amount of input.
fossil fuel energy in the end product (gasoline) has not been used yet..
wouldn't be much point in the whole business if it was
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 309 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:
I have been trying to comb through the mess of "facts" as well, including showing the "6 units of energy for 1 from ethanol" paper to an expert Ethanol professor. Didn't get much useful feedback. However, PO.com found this tidbit which is worth reading: http://www.ilcorn.org/Ethanol/Tribune_/tribune_.html
On the balance, it looks like the the large majority of studies find it minorly energy positive. I would still like to see how biofuels will adapt when tractored super-farms die off as pesticides, fertilizers, and tractors become untenably expensive and agriculuture relocalizes. _________________ "Our forces are now closer to the center of Baghdad than most American commuters are to their downtown office."
--Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, April 2003
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