Comments on: $1 a gallon ethanol a step closer http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/ General interest observations and true web-log. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:44:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: PeterY http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1113572 PeterY Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:30:54 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1113572 Removing the .54 cent a gallon tarrif on Brazillian ethanol would help jumpstart the Ethanol supply in the US. Another source of biomass is Bamboo, it's 4-8 times more renewable than trees. Save a tree, plant some boo. Removing the .54 cent a gallon tarrif on Brazillian ethanol would help jumpstart the Ethanol supply in the US.

Another source of biomass is Bamboo, it’s 4-8 times more renewable than trees. Save a tree, plant some boo.

]]> By: JimD http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1113203 JimD Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:53:55 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1113203 I think all these alternative fuels will fail when the Oil Cartel - OPEC and Mobil/Exxon - just ratchest the prices back down just enough to kill the alternatives off !!! THAT'S REAL MONOPOLY POWER !!! I think all these alternative fuels will fail when the Oil Cartel – OPEC and Mobil/Exxon – just ratchest the prices back down just enough to kill the alternatives off !!! THAT’S REAL MONOPOLY POWER !!!

]]> By: TVAddict http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1113153 TVAddict Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:38:05 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1113153 Greg, I LOVE the idea of converting sunlight directly to electricity. The efficiencies of the process have to improve to make it useful. I think we will see some big improvements come from the use of graphene sheets to improve solar cells. It will take more research. Greg, I LOVE the idea of converting sunlight directly to electricity. The efficiencies of the process have to improve to make it useful. I think we will see some big improvements come from the use of graphene sheets to improve solar cells. It will take more research.

]]> By: Attin http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112529 Attin Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:12:35 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112529 Coskata is using the same plasma torch technology to heat biomass materials to over 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature is sufficient to convert almost any organic matter into a gas that is an intermediate ingredient in Coskata’s process for producing cellulosic ethanol. Coskata is using the same plasma torch technology to heat biomass materials to over 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature is sufficient to convert almost any organic matter into a gas that is an intermediate ingredient in Coskata’s process for producing cellulosic ethanol.

]]> By: Ahtnos http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112292 Ahtnos Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:01:58 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112292 You guys seem to be missing the fact that this plant will make ethanol from CELLULOSE. Now, raise your hand if you can digest cellulose. Anyone? Humans can't digest cellulose. This plant would use "woody biomass as well as agricultural and industrial wastes as feedstocks". Those are things like sawdust, cornstalks, and probably plants like switchgrass. Yes, high cellulose crops could compete with food crops over land, but this plant won't use anything that people would ever eat. Now the question is, will it actually work, or will it be so inefficient that the ethanol is $10/gallon? You guys seem to be missing the fact that this plant will make ethanol from CELLULOSE. Now, raise your hand if you can digest cellulose. Anyone? Humans can’t digest cellulose. This plant would use “woody biomass as well as agricultural and industrial wastes as feedstocks”. Those are things like sawdust, cornstalks, and probably plants like switchgrass. Yes, high cellulose crops could compete with food crops over land, but this plant won’t use anything that people would ever eat.

Now the question is, will it actually work, or will it be so inefficient that the ethanol is $10/gallon?

]]> By: Chris Mac http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112282 Chris Mac Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:48:49 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112282 Tidal, wind and thermal come to mind. Tidal, wind and thermal come to mind.

]]> By: Greg Allen http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112255 Greg Allen Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:20:41 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112255 TV Addict, I'm with you -- but isn't DIRECTLY CONVERTING the sun to electricity better even yet? In don't think solar panels are the only solution to our oil dependence but I seriously doubt there will be only one replacement to oil. TV Addict,

I’m with you — but isn’t DIRECTLY CONVERTING the sun to electricity better even yet?

In don’t think solar panels are the only solution to our oil dependence but I seriously doubt there will be only one replacement to oil.

]]> By: TVAddict http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112241 TVAddict Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:07:05 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112241 This is the type technology we need. They are using BIOMASS to create fuel instead of food stock(corn, sugar cane, etc.). Biomass is basically any plant based material you can get to the plant. The only problem I can see is getting enough mass to make it work. This is the type technology we need. They are using BIOMASS to create fuel instead of food stock(corn, sugar cane, etc.). Biomass is basically any plant based material you can get to the plant. The only problem I can see is getting enough mass to make it work.

]]> By: Ah_Yea http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112233 Ah_Yea Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:00:41 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112233 #23, Greg. Here is an answer from one of my previous posts: The cost is a limiting factor, but not like it was just a year ago. The lithium batteries are going to be available within a year. So within a couple of years, this will be entirely doable, and given the price increase in oil, affordable. "I personally am looking forward to the day where solar roof tiles become a bit more affordable. They do exist, and apparently work fairly well. http://tinyurl.com/hrhnv http://tinyurl.com/69hth2 In my ideal world, I would have a decent electric for around town. Since I don’t have a long commute, I could get by with 60 miles on a charge with miles to spare. While I am gone, the solar panels charge a set of high-power lithium-ion batteries which runs the house at night and recharges the car. It won’t fill all my energy needs, but should fill the majority." #23, Greg. Here is an answer from one of my previous posts: The cost is a limiting factor, but not like it was just a year ago. The lithium batteries are going to be available within a year. So within a couple of years, this will be entirely doable, and given the price increase in oil, affordable.

“I personally am looking forward to the day where solar roof tiles become a bit more affordable.

They do exist, and apparently work fairly well.
http://tinyurl.com/hrhnv
http://tinyurl.com/69hth2

In my ideal world, I would have a decent electric for around town. Since I don’t have a long commute, I could get by with 60 miles on a charge with miles to spare.

While I am gone, the solar panels charge a set of high-power lithium-ion batteries which runs the house at night and recharges the car.

It won’t fill all my energy needs, but should fill the majority.”

]]> By: Greg Allen http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112186 Greg Allen Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:05:13 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112186 Sounds great to me. I also want solar panels on my garage that will charge my electric car enough for about 50 miles a day in the city. Any of science guys know if that is realistic? Sounds great to me.

I also want solar panels on my garage that will charge my electric car enough for about 50 miles a day in the city.

Any of science guys know if that is realistic?

]]> By: TheGlobalWarmer http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112111 TheGlobalWarmer Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:50:18 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112111 If they can do it cheaply (without subsidies) this would be a great thing. If they can do it cheaply (without subsidies) this would be a great thing.

]]> By: becagle http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1112000 becagle Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:26:00 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1112000 Big Deal!!! I live in California there are to date only 4 locations for E85. 2 in San Francisco, 1 in Lompoc and 1 in San Diego. I live in Long Beach, I'd have to burn a half a tank just to get to the station to fill up. When there is one within 5 minutes of my house, then we'll talk. Big Deal!!!

I live in California there are to date only 4 locations for E85. 2 in San Francisco, 1 in Lompoc and 1 in San Diego. I live in Long Beach, I’d have to burn a half a tank just to get to the station to fill up.

When there is one within 5 minutes of my house, then we’ll talk.

]]> By: iamrbrooks http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1111828 iamrbrooks Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:02:35 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1111828 Hmmm...can't edit previous posts. Let me add another outlet link for Robert Rapier at The Oil Drum. See http://www.theoildrum.com/user/Robert+Rapier/stories for more. I don't want people to be cynical about Alt-E energy technologies but informed skepticism is a good thing. Hmmm…can’t edit previous posts. Let me add another outlet link for Robert Rapier at The Oil Drum. See http://www.theoildrum.com/user/Robert+Rapier/stories for more.

I don’t want people to be cynical about Alt-E energy technologies but informed skepticism is a good thing.

]]> By: iamrbrooks http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1111817 iamrbrooks Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:56:31 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1111817 I refer people here to Robert Rapier's R-Squared Energy blog at http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/ to see why the promises of "pilot plants" don't mean much and to learn about some of the real barriers that are in the way of this technology. #7 is right. Believe it when you see it. Press releases are easy. I refer people here to Robert Rapier’s R-Squared Energy blog at http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/ to see why the promises of “pilot plants” don’t mean much and to learn about some of the real barriers that are in the way of this technology.

#7 is right. Believe it when you see it. Press releases are easy.

]]> By: natefrog http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2008/04/28/1-a-gallon-ethanol-a-step-closer/comment-page-1/#comment-1111784 natefrog Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:29:31 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17471#comment-1111784 It sounds as though this plant won't be primarily corn-based, which is a relief. Corn-based ethanol is one of the larger swindles of the past couple of decades... It sounds as though this plant won’t be primarily corn-based, which is a relief.

Corn-based ethanol is one of the larger swindles of the past couple of decades…

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