Comments on: Financiers question corn's day in sun for ethanol

Although long-term prospects for ethanol are positive, experts warn that corn-based ethanol investments could hit snags.

[Jane in KC]

Ethanol

Maybe things are "down" with respect to the ethanol business because people don't want to use it. I'm all for loosening the stranglehold of gasoline, but I'm not going to put ethanol in my car until I have a vehicle that is built to run on the stuff.

[bensimo]

Cost of producing ethanol in energy?

Martin,

Is it true that the total amount of energy consumed in producing corn based ethanol, including the corn and everything else that goes into the process, is slightly greater than the amount of energy one gets from the ethanol itself??


Thanks, Ben

[mlamonica]

Not clear

Ben,
The question over the "energy balance" of ethanol is not an easy one to answer. From what I've read, there's a wide range of estimates. If you want to dig into it more, I'd suggest checking out www.theoildrum.com, where they have discussed this extensively. Also, here is a recent congressional report that touches on energy balance and many other issues.
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/PDF/ethanol.pdf

[Commander_Spock]

>>>"To hear money people talk about it,...

... the numbers for investing in corn-based ethanol aren't looking as good as they did only a year ago.

Biofuels have been the top recipient of investment in a multi-year clean tech, or green tech, expansion.

But some indicators show that projects around corn-based ethanol may run into speed bumps, even though the long-term prospects for biofuels are positive, according to speakers at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum here on Wednesday.

For one thing, the price of corn is on the rise, as farmers look to capitalize on government incentives that favor domestic fuel production. About a year ago, corn was about 2 dollars a bushel but is now hovering near 4 dollars a bushel.

Ethanol can be made from a variety of plant-based "feedstocks," including grains like corn or sugar cane. Cellulosic ethanol, made from woody substances like wood chips or grasses, appears to be more financially attractive, experts said..."<<<. Questions: How were these financial figures/projections arrived at (what were the computing tools... used); and, where are the economic and technical projections (how were assumptions arrived at, comparisons in production, distributions... with countries like Brazil...) from international perspectives. Additionally, what were some of the recommendations made at "the Renewable Energy Finance Forum".

[wildchild_plasma_gyro]

What is a theta socialite

someone who proceeds with prudance and celebrates transformation in respect of balance.

[pbollini]

Ethanol

Has anyone figured out the money and environmental costs generated by increased use of fertilizers and oil-based farm machinery for processing, tilling, harvesting and transport?