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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to view a briefing series on renewable fuels.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining recent research regarding the carbon dioxide (CO2) intensity of transportation fuels, such as crude oil and ethanol. The panel also considered the economic costs and benefits of renewable fuels as a CO2 reduction strategy. There is a growing body of research concerning the carbon intensity of both petroleum-derived and renewable fuels. Carbon intensity refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (including CO2, nitrous oxide, and methane) that are released per unit of fuel. “Wells to wheels” assessments are calculated by adding the emissions at each production step. For biofuels, this includes emissions and/or carbon sequestration as well as impacts to land use associated with growing biofuel feedstocks.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining the technologies that are making commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production a reality. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from agricultural residue — primarily, at this time, from corn stover (leaves, stalks and husks) and wheat straw, which is removed in a sustainable manner after the harvest. But many different cellulosic ethanol technologies and feedstocks exist, including organic landfill waste, algae, grasses, and wood. Every region in the United States could potentially produce cellulosic ethanol.
Currently, cellulosic ethanol is commercially produced at one U.S. facility, with two more coming on-line before the end of the year. Combined, these three facilities are expected to produce a total of approximately 80 million gallons of renewable fuel per year. Contrary to popular belief, cellulosic fuels are not ‘phantom fuels’ but commercially viable ethanol fuels, which have been scaled up in a relatively short time period.
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