Coal Corn Ethanol Plants Seen As Emerging Trend

Long time readers know I’m not a fan of biomass energy. Well, here’s yet another reason to be underwhelmed by the prospect of corn ethanol. Can you say “Defeating the purpose”? Sure! Late last year in Goldfield, Iowa, a refinery began pumping out a stream of ethanol, which supporters call the clean, renewable fuel of the future. There’s just one twist: The plant is burning 300 tons of coal a day to turn corn into ethanol – the first US plant of its kind to use coal instead of cleaner natural gas.

“Ethanol can be, if it’s made the right way with cellulosic technology, a really good fuel for the United States,” said Farrell, an assistant professor of energy and resources. “At the moment, cellulosic technology is just too expensive. If that changes – and the technology is developing rapidly – then we might see cellulosic technology enter the commercial market within five years.”

futurepundit