Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower
Author: David Pimentel and Tad Patzek
Submitted: Thu, 12/06/2007 - 23:32
Edited: Tue, 07/08/2008 - 18:24
Published in: Natural Resources Research, Vol. 14, No. 1 on March, 1st 2005
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Copyright Status: free to download Description:
This report explores the net energy balance of ethanol production from corn, switchgrass and wood biomass, along with biodiesel production from soybeans and sunflower. All critical inputs are considered on a kcal basis including: labor, machinery, diesel, gasoline, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, lime, seeds, irrigation, herbicides, insecticides, electricity, transport, steel, cement, and waste disposal.
A summary of energy outputs compared to energy inputs are as follows:
Ethanol from corn grain required 29% more fossil energy than fuel produced. Ethanol from switchgrass required 50% more fossil energy than fuel produced. Ethanol from wood biomass required 57% more fossil energy than fuel produced. Biodiesel from soybean required 27% more fossil energy than fuel produced. Biodiesel from sunflower required 118% more fossil energy than fuel produced.
Readers should be advised that the authors findings are heavily contested, and generally viewed as inflated. A rebuttal to some of this studies research methodologies was written by the National Biodiesel Board and can be downloaded from the following link: National Biodiesel Board
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