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Michael Wang
CO2 emissions
during
fermentation CO2 emissions
Carbon in Carbon in from ethanol
corn kernels ethanol combustion
Carbon
in crop
residue
Carbon
in soil Ethanol plant
A Full Understanding of Ethanol’s Energy
and GHG Emissions Accounts for All Production Steps
Agro-Chemical Production
Agro-Chemical Transportation
Petroleum Transportation
MTBE or EtOH for Gasoline
and Storage
Petroleum
PetroleumRefining
Refiningto
toGasoline
Gasoline
0.55 Precision
farming, etc.?
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Technology Has Reduced
Energy Use Intensity of Ethanol Plants
70,000 1980s
60,000 2000s
50,000
Btu/Gallon
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Wet Mill Dry Mill
Source: from Argonne’s discussions with ethanol plant designers and recent USDA data.
Energy and Emissions Allocated
to Co-Products of Corn Ethanol Vary by Method
2.0
mmBtu/mmBtu Fuel
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Corn EtOH, Corn EtOH, Cellulosic EtOH Gasoline Electricity
Displacement Mkt Value
-20%
-40%
-60%
-80%
Note: Based on per-mile results of E85 use in FFVs. Fossil fuels here include
petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
E85 Reductions in Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Relative to Gasoline
Corn EtOH, Displacement Corn EtOH, Mkt Value Cellulosic EtOH
-20%
-40%
-60%
-80%
Note: Based on per-mile results of E85 use in FFVs. GHG emissions are CO2-
equivalent emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O.
Summary:
Effects of Ethanol Use