Studies/Reports
Positive Energy Benefits of Ethanol
On June 21, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Energy Policy and New Uses released a report that clearly demonstrates the overwhelmingly positive energy benefits of ethanol. Here are some highlights of the study.Purdue University Indirect Land Use Study
This new research cuts indirect land use change estimate in half. Click here for more information.Ethanol's Incredible Efficiency Gains
Faced with criticism that ethanol required more energy to produce than it contained, Steffen Mueller, University of Illinois Chicago, conducted a study on this very topic. This research ultimately puts to rest once and for all the huge myths concerning the net energy balance of corn-based ethanol. Click here for a one-page overview of the study.High Agricultural Yields Reduce GHG
New research from Stanford University shos that high-yield agriculture has prevented the equivalent of 590 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmopshere. Click here for a one-page review on this study.University of Illinois Fact Sheets
The University of Illinois Extension office has some great information available for you on their website, here we highlight some on ethanol. Ethanol: What Is It? Where Does It Come From? How is it produced? and more... Biofuels and the Consumer What are biofuels and how are they used in Illinois? Ethanol and Motor Vehicles What is E10 and E85? Water Use for Ethanol... Read More>>
CORN ETHANOL
The Potential Role for Corn Ethanol in Meeting the Energy Needs of the United States in 2016-2030 Executive Summary Corn available for use in ethanol plants will continue to increase in volume after 2015 and could contribute significantly to the nation's renewable energy goals. Corn yields may increase to 289 bushels per acre by 2030 corn crop with total production of 24.6 billion bushels.... Read More>>
Global Warming Impact of Corn Ethanol
The Global Warming and Land Use Impact of Corn Ethanol Produced at the Illinois River Energy Center Executive Summary This study assessed the global warming impact (GWI) of ethanol produced at the Illinois River Energy ethanol plant (IRE) on a life cycle basis. IRE is located 80 miles west of Chicago. The plant currently produces 58 million gallon per year of ethanol with an expansion... Read More>>
The Land Use Impact of a New Ethanol Plant
This study sought to determine if corn extensification -- conversion of non agricultural land to corn -- and corn intensification -- conversion of non-corn crop acres to corn or increased yield in current corn acres -- occurred within the vicinity of an ethanol plant. And if so, whether the ethanol plant caused these effects. The study was conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy... Read More>>
Case Study on MOR Technology
MOR Technology Solves Ethanol Puzzle Offers Improved Corn Fractionation and CO2 Oil Extraction for Next-Generation Bio Refineries The ethanol industry is at a crossroads. Environmental and political concerns have created an unprecendented demand for ethanol, but at the same time, producers are struggling with rising costs and falling profits. Emergent technologies, such as fractionation, have... Read More>>
Texas A&M Study on Ethanol
A study done by Texas A&M in 2008 on The Effects of Ethanol on Texas Food and Feed.