 As ethanol production is evolving and becoming more efficient, cellulosic ethanol is emerging. Cellulosic ethanol production will allow the United States to further enhance our energy independence, national economy and environment.
Fact: Cellulosic ethanol is made from cellulosic biomass materials such as corn stover, cereal straws, sugar cane, sawdust, paper pulp, wood waste, and dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass. Cellulosic biomass is the most abundant organic material on earth.
- Researchers estimate an average of 2.45 billion metric tons of cellulosic biomass could be available in the U.S. each year for fuel conversion — providing a potential ethanol yield of 270 billion gallons (twice the total of U.S. gasoline consumption).
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Ethanol Fact Book 2007
- A "Well to Wheel" (WTW) life cycle analysis model was used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions produced by fuels in internal combustion engines. The WTW model for cellulosic ethanol showed greenhouse gas emission reductions of about 80 percent (over gasoline). This reduction helps make the air cleaner allowing consumers to breath easier.
Source: Argonne National Laboratories
- Depending on the state you live in, emission tests are a requirement to getting your car licensed. Ethanol has a positive benefit in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. On a per gallon basis, cellulosic ethanol has an 85 percent reduction in GHG emissions, allowing cars to burn cleaner.
Source: Dr. Michael Wang of Argonne National Laboratory Ethanol Study
- January 2008, history was made when Western Biomass Energy produced its first batch of cellulose based ethanol. The plant derives its feed stock from ponderosa pine, which is found in the foothills of the Black Hills of Eastern Wyoming. This achievement proves to consumers that cellulosic ethanol is available today and is bringing us one step closer to energy independence.
Source: KL Process Design Group
- There are several companies leading the way with various forms of cellulosic research and production.
- KL Process Design Group has brought cellulosic ethanol to market using ponderosa pine.
- POET's Project LIBERTY is researching the use of corn cobs to produce ethanol.
- Mascoma Corporation has recently started a small scale production facility in New York producing ethanol from wood waste.
- ICM, Inc. has launched a dry-fractionation process creating the ability to produce food AND fuel. Dry fractionation is also essential in the production of cellulosic ethanol from corn fiber, the initial step forward in developing an entirely new generation of biofuels.
- Six cellulosic biorefineries are currently co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and in development across the U.S. They should be completed over the next few years. These plants are expected to produce more than 130 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. This increase in available cellulosic ethanol will allow us to weaken our addiction to oil allowing the country to become more energy independent.
Source: Ethanol Monitor Jan. 14, 2008
- The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires the use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels annually by 2022. Of the 36 billion gallon goal, 16 billion gallons must come from ethanol produced from cellulosic material. As more ethanol is put into the fuel supply, the price at the pump should start to decrease, giving consumers a much needed financial break at the pump.
Source: 2007 Renewable Fuels Standard
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