Argonne expert addresses energy, environmental impacts of fuel ethanol
ARGONNE, Ill. (Aug. 23, 2005) — A recent national debate has arisen over the
net energy and environmental benefits of ethanol as a substitute for gasoline
in transportation fuels. Argonne researcher Michael Wang, a world-leading expert
in this field, presented the results of his research today at the Ethanol Energy
Open Forum, sponsored by the National
Corn Growers Association at the National
Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Conclusions from Wang's presentation include:
- Energy balance value alone is not meaningful in evaluating the benefit
of ethanol or any other energy product. For proper evaluation, a product's
energy balance must be compared with that of the product it replaces.
- Compared to gasoline, any type of fuel ethanol substantially helps reduce
fossil energy and petroleum use.
- Ethanol produced from corn can achieve moderate reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions.
- Ethanol produced from "cellulosic" plants, such as grass and
weeds, can achieve much greater energy and greenhouse gas benefits.
Wang's PowerPoint presentation is available for downloading.
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The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
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Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information, please
contact Steve McGregor (630/252-5580 or media@anl.gov)
at Argonne.
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