Ethanol production is different when cellulosic biomass is used as the raw material. For ethanol production, fossil energy inputs into the production cycle represent about 2/3 of the energy content of the ethanol produced, and greenhouse gas emissions on a per mile basis are about 2/3 of a gasoline base case, representing an approximately 33% reduction. Ethanol from Cellulosic biomass shows a better energy balance and is sustainable as well.
The reasons why I think cellulosic ethanol can be used against corn
1. Corn is easier, and currently less expensive, to process into ethanol than is cellulosic biomass. However, cellulosic biomass is less expensive to produce than corn by a factor of roughly 2 on a per ton basis, and the amount of ethanol that can be produced per acre of land.
2. For ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass, the energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions are more favorable when compared to corn
3. Relative to corn, production of a perennial cellulosic biomass crop such as switch grass requires lower inputs of energy, fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide, and is accompanied by less erosion and improved soil fertility.
4. Finally, cellulosic biomass differs from corn kernels in that it contains substantial amounts of non-fermentable, energy-rich components that can be used to provide energy for the conversion process as well as to produce electricity.
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