Environment & Energy

LTR

(13,227 posts)

11. The problem with ethanol is corn

Mon Dec 10, 2012, 01:18 PM

Dec 2012

Corn is a terrible crop for fuel. It has a low energy yield compared to other products, and it's just a pain in the ass to cultivate and process..

Brazil succeeded with ethanol because they set up a very efficient system with sugarcane. Granted, sugar needs tropical climate to grow, and the U.S. might not have the infrastructure to do this effectively. But sugar's fellow grass plants have way more energy yield than corn and grow quickly and easily. But the agricultural lobbyists got too greedy and started shoving corn down everyone's throats.

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Can flex-fuel cars put US on the road to low oil prices? [View all] xchrom Dec 2012 OP

And at $50 a barrell dipsydoodle Dec 2012 #1

Doubtful. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #3

My sister says she pays 25¢ less per gallon. CrispyQ Dec 2012 #2

Does oil really need to be cheaper? tinrobot Dec 2012 #4

+1 wtmusic Dec 2012 #9

ethanol is no longer an option if the weather continues across the grainbelt madrchsod Dec 2012 #5

Bad idea in every way. Starboard Tack Dec 2012 #6

Exactly right. (n/t) Nihil Dec 2012 #13

Oil refineries have been increasing their use of natural gas, gas liquids, and electricity. hunter Dec 2012 #7

Cutting US demand by 50% would cut oil prices to $50/barrel. Um, no. NickB79 Dec 2012 #8

The problem with ethanol is corn LTR Dec 2012 #11

Grass-based ethanol is the cellulosic method I mentioned NickB79 Dec 2012 #12

He wants to make methanol from coal?? wtmusic Dec 2012 #10