On the previous slide, you can see the table comparing the energy conversion efficiency, GHG emissions, and water, fertilizer, and land use needed to meet 50% of our energy demands. Considering all these factors, which biofuel would you recommend as the best option? Pick one of the options from grasses to woody biomass to residues and oil crops. Identify one pro and one con associated with your choice of fuel.
Which one would you invest in? 18 low Land Area needed to meet Energy GHG 50% of US transportation fuel conversion emission Water demand in efficiency use Fertilizer % US cropland Grasses Ethanol Corn 1.1 - 1.25 81 - 85 high high 157-262% Switch Grass 1.8-44 -24 low low 60-100% Native Prairie Grass -5.44 -88 low 316% Woodybiomass biodiesel/ethanol Poplar & Willow 10 -24-11 low-med 32-54% Residues biodiesel ethanol Com sover 81 med high Wheat straw low med Oil crops biodiesel 49 Soybeans high low-med 160-240% Rapeseed or canola 1.8-4.4 57 high med 30% -183 Microalgae biodiesel med low 1.1.1.7% *Conversion efficiency: energy output/energy input. Gasoline is 0.83-0.85 "Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Gasoline is 94kgCO2e/MJ fuel Which one would you invest in? GHG emission Water Land Area needed to meet 50% of US transportation fuel demand in % US cropland use Fertilizer 81 - 85 -24 high low Energy conversion efficiency Grasses Ethanol Corn 1.1 - 1.25 Switch Grass 1.8-4.4 Native Prairie Grass -5.44 Woody biomass biodiesel/ethanol 10 Poplar & Willow Residues biodiesel/ethanol Corn stover 5-11 Wheat straw 2-5 high low low 157-262% 60-108% 316% -88 low -24 - 11 low-med 32-54% 81 high med low med -88 low low 10 Native Prairie Grass -5.44 316% Woody biomass biodiesel/ethanol Poplar & Willow -24 - 11 low-med 32-54% Residues biodiesel/ethanol Corn stover 5 - 11 81 med high Wheat straw 2-5 low med Oil crops biodiesel Soybeans 1.9 - 6 49 high low-med 180-240% Rapeseed or canola 1.8-4.4 57 high med 30% Microalgae biodiesel -183 med low 1.1-1.7% * Conversion efficiency: energy output/energy input. Gasoline is 0.83-0.85 **Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Gasoline is 94kgCO2e/MJ fuel Which one would you invest in? 18 low Land Area needed to meet Energy GHG 50% of US transportation fuel conversion emission Water demand in efficiency use Fertilizer % US cropland Grasses Ethanol Corn 1.1 - 1.25 81 - 85 high high 157-262% Switch Grass 1.8-44 -24 low low 60-100% Native Prairie Grass -5.44 -88 low 316% Woodybiomass biodiesel/ethanol Poplar & Willow 10 -24-11 low-med 32-54% Residues biodiesel ethanol Com sover 81 med high Wheat straw low med Oil crops biodiesel 49 Soybeans high low-med 160-240% Rapeseed or canola 1.8-4.4 57 high med 30% -183 Microalgae biodiesel med low 1.1.1.7% *Conversion efficiency: energy output/energy input. Gasoline is 0.83-0.85 "Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Gasoline is 94kgCO2e/MJ fuel Which one would you invest in? GHG emission Water Land Area needed to meet 50% of US transportation fuel demand in % US cropland use Fertilizer 81 - 85 -24 high low Energy conversion efficiency Grasses Ethanol Corn 1.1 - 1.25 Switch Grass 1.8-4.4 Native Prairie Grass -5.44 Woody biomass biodiesel/ethanol 10 Poplar & Willow Residues biodiesel/ethanol Corn stover 5-11 Wheat straw 2-5 high low low 157-262% 60-108% 316% -88 low -24 - 11 low-med 32-54% 81 high med low med -88 low low 10 Native Prairie Grass -5.44 316% Woody biomass biodiesel/ethanol Poplar & Willow -24 - 11 low-med 32-54% Residues biodiesel/ethanol Corn stover 5 - 11 81 med high Wheat straw 2-5 low med Oil crops biodiesel Soybeans 1.9 - 6 49 high low-med 180-240% Rapeseed or canola 1.8-4.4 57 high med 30% Microalgae biodiesel -183 med low 1.1-1.7% * Conversion efficiency: energy output/energy input. Gasoline is 0.83-0.85 **Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Gasoline is 94kgCO2e/MJ fuel
