| type="text/javascript"> ch_client = "articlealley"; | | | | needed input was. What has always been important |
| ch_type = "mpu"; ch_width = 590; ch_height = 250; | | | | is the conversion-the end-product energy is what is |
| ch_non_contextual = 4; ch_noborders = 1; | | | | useful for our needs, while the input energy is just |
| ch_vertical ="premium"; ch_sid = "590x250 Article | | | | the effort it takes to produce the end-product.) The |
| Mixed Top"; var ch_queries = new Array( ); var | | | | OSU study found corn-derived ethanol to be only |
| th)); if ( ch_selected < ch_queries.length ) { | | | | 20% energy efficient (gasoline made from petroleum |
| ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected]; } Biofuels are | | | | is 75% energy efficient). Biodiesel fuel was recorded |
| produced by converting organic matter into fuel for | | | | at 69% energy efficiency. However, the study did |
| powering our society. These biofuels are an | | | | turn up one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was |
| alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we | | | | charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than |
| currently depend upon. The biofuels umbrella includes | | | | that of the fantastically efficient nuclear energy. |
| under its aegis ethanol and derivatives of plants such | | | | Recently, oil futures have been down on the New |
| as sugar cane, as well aS vegetable and corn oils. | | | | York Stock Exchange, as analysts from several |
| However, not all ethanol products are designed to be | | | | different countries are predicting a surge in biofuel |
| used as a kind of gasoline. The International Energy | | | | availability which would offset the value of oil, |
| Agency (IEA) tells us that ethanol could comprise up | | | | dropping crude oil prices on the international market |
| to 10 percent of the world's usable gasoline by 2025, | | | | to $40 per barrel or thereabouts. The Chicago Stock |
| and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the | | | | Exchange has a grain futures market which is starting |
| percentage figure is two percent. | | | | to "steal" investment activity away from the oil |
| However, we have a long way to go to refine and | | | | futures in NY, as investors are definitely expecting |
| make economic and practical these biofuels that we | | | | better profitability to start coming from biofuels. |
| are researching. A study by Oregon State University | | | | Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts |
| proves this. We have yet to develop biofuels that | | | | that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the |
| are as energy efficient as gasoline made from | | | | entire world's transportation fuels by the year 2030. |
| petroleum. Energy efficiency is the measure of how | | | | One certain energy markets analyst has said, growth |
| much usable energy for our needed purposes is | | | | in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down |
| derived from a certain amount of input energy. | | | | dramatically, if the government subsidizes firms |
| (Nothing that mankind has ever used has derived | | | | distributing biofuels and further pushes to promote |
| more energy from output than from what the | | | | the use of eco-friendly fuel. |