Biofuels in the Gas Tank: What Does It Take? Maria Janowiak Future Fuels Field Trips March 2009

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1 Biofuels in the Gas Tank: What Does It Take? Maria Janowiak Future Fuels Field Trips March 2009

2 Three types of energy: Heat Electricity Fuel

3 Current US Energy Use 94% of our energy comes from fossil fuels. Figure: Perlack et al. 2005

4 Why are we looking for alternatives to fossil fuels? #1 Energy Security & Independence Because fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource, they will eventually run out. That means that demand, price, and competition will increase.

5 Why are we looking for alternatives to fossil fuels? #2 Environment and Climate Change Fossil fuels damage our air, water, and land. Fossil fuels are biggest cause of greenhouse gases worldwide, which cause climate change.

6 What can we do? #1 Energy Efficiency & Conservation Just use less energy

7 What can we do? #2 Use Renewable Energy Sources Fossil fuels take millions of years to replace, but renewables take much less time.

8 Current US Energy Use 94% of our energy comes from fossil fuels. Figure: Perlack et al. 2005

9 Algae What s biomass? And more Plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source. (thefreedictionary.com) Animal waste Trees and wood products Agricultural crops (including, corn, soybeans, & switchgrass)

10 Biomass? Plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source. (thefreedictionary.com) Bioenergy? Energy (heat, electricity, or transportation fuel) made from biomass Biofuel? One type of bioenergy: fuels for transportation made from biomass

11 Types of Biofuels First generation ethanol is produced from biomass containing relatively simple sugars (such as corn kernels) Second generation, ligno cellulosic, or cellulosic ethanol is made from more complex biomass sources that contain cellulose molecules (such as wood, switchgrass, and corn stalks) Biodiesel (from soybeans and other oilproducing plants) Bio oil, methanol, and many others.

12 Biofuels In 2005, the USDA and US DOE estimated that agricultural and forest biomass could substitute 30% of current US petroleum use. The 2007 National Renewable Fuel Standard mandated the production of 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by Figure: Perlack et al. 2005

13 Biofuel Production The short version (because you ll learn more about this throughout the day): Step 1: Feedstock Production & Extraction Step 3: Fuel Production Step 5: Fuel Combustion (a.k.a. gas tank) Step 2: Transportation Step 4: Transportation (Distribution)

14 Remember to think about whether biofuels make sense Does it make sense economically? How much does it cost to produce? Does it make sense socially? Does it benefit people and communities? Will people use it? Does it make sense environmentally? What are the positive and negative effects on the environment? Compare each biofuel to fossil fuels and other renewables.

15 Environment: Biofuels, climate change, and carbon The carbon cycle: Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) CO 2 and other greenhouse gases Vegetation Absorbs CO 2 from the atmosphere Fossil Fuels Carbon stored underground for millions of years

16 Environment: Biofuels, carbon, and climate change All biofuels aren t the same. Example #1: Biofuels from a forest Step 1: Feedstock Production & Extraction Step 3: Fuel Production Step 5: Fuel Combustion (a.k.a. gas tank) Step 2: Transportation Step 4: Transportation (Distribution)

17 INPUTS: Tilling Planting Fertilizer Pesticide Environment: Biofuels, carbon, and climate change All biofuels aren t the same. Example #2: Biofuels from corn Step 1: Feedstock Production & Extraction Step 3: Fuel Production Step 5: Fuel Combustion (a.k.a. gas tank) Step 2: Transportation Step 4: Transportation (Distribution)

18 Today You ll be looking at different parts of biofuels production Step 1: Feedstock Production & Extraction Step 3: Fuel Production Step 5: Fuel Combustion (a.k.a. gas tank) Step 2: Transportation Step 4: Transportation (Distribution)

19 Questions?

20 Citations Citations & Photo Credits Perlack et al Biomass as Feedstock for Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The technical feasibility of a billion ton annual supply. The Free Dictionary Photo Credits Microsoft Clipart us/clipart/default.aspx National Renewable Energy Laboratory John Deere (pic from 9TrucksdiagramDeerelarge.jpg) Other Resources EIA Energy Kid s Page Educational Website on Biomass & Bioenergy Union of Concerned Scientists Biofuels: An important part of a low carbon diet. Clean Vehicles Program. low carbon diet.html Presentation by Maria Janowiak; janowiak@mtu.edu