Comments on: The Impossible Dream? 50% Cellulosic Ethanol

By: Izzy

Izzy — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:11:37 +0000

Why doesn’t anyne ever mention hemp as a source for biofuels? I know it’s currently illegal but the “weed” that comes from hemp is so totally unsmokable anyway that it’s really a non-issue.

Hemp needs almost no tending, can grow in just about any climate in the continental US and can yield the production of cellulosic biofuels, fiber for textiles and oil for any number of uses, including fueling combustion engines.

To take hemp off the table because of laws that are so totally outdated is just absurd. I certainly hope more people start asking and talking about it. It could really help our economy and undo the damage that corn biofuel has inflicted via exorbitant food price increases.

By: Biofuelsimon

Biofuelsimon — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:50:48 +0000

I get the feeling that a lot of the US Biofuel targets are aspirational (man on the moon by the end of the decade). There are a range of problems that would have to be overcome if it were ever to happen. A major rail tankcar building programme, is one thing that doesn’t get spoken about much… That’s not to say it can’t be done in smarter ways than are being used now. Perhaps there is more real benefit in using waste food, waste timber and waste agricultural products to make biofuels than food crops. Technologies around Fischer-Tropsh could be valuable sources of liquid fuels. But the capital costs are high and require a real commitment, compared to building a low capital fermentation plant. Which technologies do you think will win out in the medium term?

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:24:36 +0000

I think you bring up an important issue with this post. Is ‘going green’ a fad or a trend? I see your point that we may not reach the EPA goal by 2022, butI hope that it happens.

I really think that ‘going green’ is a trend and not a fad. I am sure at some point it will slow down, but it has already impacted so many people and how they view our environment and energy that I do not think it is going away.

I am sure that if gas prices continue to be low that people will be less likely to purchase hybrid or (other form of green cars) right away.

It makes sense, the hybrids are more expensive. I think the ‘green’ car will be like the DVD player. It will start out expensive, where only a few people purchase them, but then everyone’s friends have them and the product gets to be cheaper. Finally the DVD player is all we have and I think soon it will be the same thing with the ‘green’ car. Over time, I think the ‘green’ car will be the standard especially as the technology continues to evolve.

I may be optimistic, but that is how I see it.

Thank you for the great post!