Doris-Global bioethanol production and consumption Flashcards
State briefly the history of ethanol as a transportation fuel:
USA ~ 1900: ethanol fueled automobiles by Ford (Ford Model T)
Brazil: since 1975 governmental support for the use of ethanol as motor fuel
(“Proalcool” program)
2 options:
a, 100% ethanol – special motors
b, blending of petrol (up to about 25% ethanol)
USA: after 1990 blends to petrol (up to 10% ethanol)
„Clean-Air-Act“ against air pollution and to support the agriculture
1993: market launch of „flexible fuel“-Ford Taurus (E 85) in USA
2003: EC- Biofuels directive
2009: EC- Renewable energy directive
How many billion liters of bioethanol were produced in 2014?
Which are the biggest biofuels producers in Europe?
France& Germany together produce 53% of EU27
Which type of bioethanol is the most prevalent in the following EU countries:
- France
- Spain
- Sweden
- Germany
Where is bioethanol cheapest? EU, USA, Brazil? which feedstock us cheapest?
What are the reasons behind the volatility of food crop prices?
- Volatility of crude oil price
- Climate effects: reduced harvest yields
- Trading on financial markets
- Trade policies (restrictions, taxes,…)
- Local food prices may also depend on local monopols
In general, biofuel prices are more sensitiv to crop price volatilities than food prices.
Example: contribution of feedstock price to product price (Germany):
bioethanol: 36%
bread: 4%
What are the benefits and problems related to sugar cane production in Brazil?
Benefits:
- High yields per ha (–> 7100 l/ha bioethanol)
- High efficiencies concerning energy consumption and CO2 reduction
- Cost efficient production
Problems:
- High water demand (as for any agricultural production) ~ 2000 l/l bioethanol
- Use of pesticides: 2013 ~ 77 0000 tons pollution of aqueous systems
- Further enlargement of production land use change
- Mainly large land holdings
- Social problems:
–> Low wages for field workers
–> Conflicts for land with local peasants and native inhabitants
