Ethanol-based biofuel is made from starchy crops like corn and potatoes, and has been used as an alternative to gasoline since the early days of the automobile. The US is the world’s leading producer of ethanol, but its use is controversial due to its impact on food sources, water resources, and the environment. New production methods, such as biofuel algae, may prove to be more sustainable.
Ethanol-based biofuel is an alternative to gasoline distilled from some agricultural crops. Though considered by some to be a groundbreaking discovery, ethanol-based biofuel has been used since the early days of the invention of the automobile. While technically a renewable resource, many environmental experts suggest that this alternative fuel has significant consequences for both the planet and its inhabitants.
The production of ethanol biofuel begins with the seeding and growth cycle of many plants. Starchy crops, such as sugar, potatoes and corn, are particularly efficient when used for ethanol production. After achieving the desired growth, the crops are harvested and put through a fermentation process that creates ethanol. The biofuel is siphoned off and processed to achieve consistency and the correct balance or concentration.
Ethanol-based biofuel can be used as an alternative to gas or added to conventional gasoline in certain concentrations. Adding ethanol to regular gasoline reduces the amount of fossil fuel needed, making the process slightly more sustainable. The use of ethanol-based biofuels in vehicles is hardly a new idea; Henry Ford was a big believer in ethanol and some of his early car models ran entirely on this alternative fuel.
The United States, with its vast agricultural heartland, is the world’s leading producer of ethanol. Much of this country’s produce is made from corn, an extremely common crop. However, controversy rages over the use of corn crops for ethanol production; detractors suggest food sources are dwindling as farmers take advantage of increased subsidies offered for ethanol-producing corn. This problem gets much bigger on the world stage. Some experts suggest that the huge increase in crops used for ethanol will lead to an increase in malnutrition and hunger in developing countries around the world.
Ethanol-based biofuel is often touted as a renewable and environmentally friendly form of alternative fuel, but this claim is widely disputed. The process of producing and manufacturing ethanol creates significant carbon dioxide pollution, as well as causing topsoil depletion through some farming methods.
Also, producing ethanol requires huge amounts of water. While this may not cause an immediate problem in developed countries, usable water is a scarce commodity in many parts of the world that grow ethanol crops. Often mistakenly considered an infinite resource, water resources are at risk of significant depletion if dependence on ethanol production continues to grow.
Proponents suggest that investing time and resources in ethanol development is an important step in weakening reliance on fossil fuels. New production methods, such as biofuel algae, can use wastewater sources and prove sustainable and much more productive than traditional crop sources. While the battle over its status as an environmentally friendly fuel continues to rage, the demand for ethanol fuel has shown a steady increase since the turn of the 21st century.
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