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Monday, 14 April 2008
BIO-FUEL FROM GRASS COULD BE AS CHEAP AS CHIPS
Technology is improving all the time, and this report explains how plant material like grass may be suitable to make bio-fuels when enzymes that can break down cellulose become available in about 5 years time.
All I can say is that bio-fuels are not going to be the only source of fuel. We simply don't know what other new discoveries may be made. If you don't believe CO2 is a problem we can continue to use fossil fuels for this century, as well as nuclear.
I agree with you that we should not subsidise it, but the demand for fuels is so great that the price is likely to remain high in the forseeable future. Surely the answer, as the fossil fuels get dearer, has to be nuclear fission, until one day we conquer the problems with fusion.
Why don't we make a recyling like system where people put there grass clippings on the side of the road to be collected so that it can be converted to fuel. Every time I cut my yard, which is a pretty small yard cut once a week, I end up with about a bag and half of clippings. Those are the large outdoor trash bags probably weigh around 60 lbs together.
I doubt it. There just isn't enough energy in grass. (thats why I eat meat)
ReplyDeleteBut with the right enzymes it might be possible to break it down.
ReplyDeleteBut there is only so much energy in the carbon bonds. That's what we are talking about here, right?
ReplyDeleteAssuming high efficiency, we would harvest about 100 GJ of energy per hectare--this is about 800 gallons of gas (energy wise).
Based on my math, we could just make enough "gas" to match our current usage. But that would leave no land for food production.
All I can say is that bio-fuels are not going to be the only source of fuel. We simply don't know what other new discoveries may be made. If you don't believe CO2 is a problem we can continue to use fossil fuels for this century, as well as nuclear.
ReplyDeleteI think I have been to harsh. You are right that it would be a great gain to have reasonably priced bio fuel.
ReplyDeleteI'd be opposed to subsidize it at the cost of human food, but if it really stand on it's own then I would be first in line to fill up.
I agree with you that we should not subsidise it, but the demand for fuels is so great that the price is likely to remain high in the forseeable future. Surely the answer, as the fossil fuels get dearer, has to be nuclear fission, until one day we conquer the problems with fusion.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we make a recyling like system where people put there grass clippings on the side of the road to be collected so that it can be converted to fuel. Every time I cut my yard, which is a pretty small yard cut once a week, I end up with about a bag and half of clippings. Those are the large outdoor trash bags probably weigh around 60 lbs together.
ReplyDelete