Ethanol as a Transportation Fuel
Abstract
In this paper I will explore the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel source. Ethanol is considered a renewable energy resource; as it is derived from crops such as: corn, sugarcane, beets, as well as, other organic materials. The use of ethanol could decrease our dependence on ever depleting supplies of fossil fuels; such as oil.
In this paper, I will briefly review how ethanol is produced in different parts of the world. I will also review several of the advantages of using ethanol as a renewable source of energy for the transportation sector. Many environmental organizations support the use of ethanol as it burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Ethanol is considered a renewable resource because it is plant based. Additionally, this paper will review several of the common disadvantages of using ethanol as an alternative fuel source for the transportation sector. One of the main issues is the amount of farm land required to produce enough ethanol to significantly offset the amount of fossil fuel currently consumed. This paper will also review current United States policies that support the use of ethanol by American consumers.
Ethanol as a Transportation Fuel One of the major problems the world is faced with today is what to do about our dependency on fossil fuels. Petroleum dependence is a big problem for the United States because the supply will eventually be depleted if consumers continue to use it at the current rate of consumption. In an effort to find a viable alternative to foreign oil, many politicians and environmental groups have been heavily promoting the use of alternatives fuels such as ethanol. The continued increases in oil prices, strong farmer support, government subsidies, and environmental concerns have led to major expansion of global ethanol use over the last few years. Even though its use has increased over the past decade, ethanol has been around for several centuries. “In 1908, Ford Motor Company’s
In this paper I will explore the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel source. Ethanol is considered a renewable energy resource; as it is derived from crops such as: corn, sugarcane, beets, as well as, other organic materials. The use of ethanol could decrease our dependence on ever depleting supplies of fossil fuels; such as oil.
In this paper, I will briefly review how ethanol is produced in different parts of the world. I will also review several of the advantages of using ethanol as a renewable source of energy for the transportation sector. Many environmental organizations support the use of ethanol as it burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Ethanol is considered a renewable resource because it is plant based. Additionally, this paper will review several of the common disadvantages of using ethanol as an alternative fuel source for the transportation sector. One of the main issues is the amount of farm land required to produce enough ethanol to significantly offset the amount of fossil fuel currently consumed. This paper will also review current United States policies that support the use of ethanol by American consumers.
Ethanol as a Transportation Fuel One of the major problems the world is faced with today is what to do about our dependency on fossil fuels. Petroleum dependence is a big problem for the United States because the supply will eventually be depleted if consumers continue to use it at the current rate of consumption. In an effort to find a viable alternative to foreign oil, many politicians and environmental groups have been heavily promoting the use of alternatives fuels such as ethanol. The continued increases in oil prices, strong farmer support, government subsidies, and environmental concerns have led to major expansion of global ethanol use over the last few years. Even though its use has increased over the past decade, ethanol has been around for several centuries. “In 1908, Ford Motor Company’s
References: Ethanol - A Renewable Energy Source (n.d.). Retrieved 22 July 2011, from http://www. extraordinaryroadtrip.org/research-library/technology/ethanol/advantages.asp Ethanol Fuel History (March 2009). Retrieved 22 July 2011, from http://www.fuel-testers.com /ethanol_fuel_history.html Miller, T., Spoolman, S. (2009). Sustaining the Earth, 10e. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole