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The Problem with Biofuels

Real Engineering2 HN recommenders · 2021–2023
2.1M views · explainer · evergreen · Uploaded 2021-06-05

Real Engineering explains why biofuels, especially corn ethanol, are a poor energy source, looking at energy inputs, efficiency and carbon cost.

Linked in fuel and aviation threads as the full story on why ethanol and biofuels are energy-negative or inefficient.

Renewables, batteries & storageEnvironment, agriculture & food systemsClimate policy, solutions & debate

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5 comments from Hacker News

@dharmab2021 · in “EU draft exempts private jets, cargo from jet fuel tax”

The energy put into the process to grow and ferment the plants or algae is high enough to outweigh the offset use of fossil fuels. It's an energy negative process. The same creator has a 15 minute video on that topic: [VIDEO]

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@lathiat2021 · in “Unleaded Avgas Approved”

This video was crazy, making ethanol from Corn provides something like 1% of the power of the sun hitting the square meter of farm used for it. Meanwhile using tonnes of water, space, and other things. It's basically a terrible idea over-all given alternatives like electricity and solar power. And it mostly only works because its government subsidised. But watch the video for the full story: Real Engineering - Why Biofuels Are Terrible [VIDEO]

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@exabrial2021 · in “Porsche Working on Synthetic Fuel to Make ICE Cars as Clean as EVs”

There are no efficient ethanol operations both financially and carbon wise. Even it the best case scenarios, it results in a break even in many years of the future but at a major loss of habitat. Corn is a huge problem, but there are literally no crops that solve the problem. [VIDEO]

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@runarberg2021 · in “Why Electric Airplanes Face Such a Tough Haul [video]”

I think the fermentation process of getting the bioethanol is not as carbon-neutral as we hoped. Then there is the issue of monoculture (although that is a problem with more industries). [VIDEO]

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@Lord-Jobo2023 · in “Rolls-Royce calls off bets on electric planes, says low-carbon fuel is future”

I think this may be wise given the rapid pace of development that batteries are still undergoing. Pretty hard to create a design around a battery when you dont even know what chemistry you are working with. And there is a bit of a revolution happening with lower carbon fuels, even though it sucks compared to pure electric, and it still has a lot of work to make sense( [VIDEO] ). I was under the impression though that this was a potentially good area for hydrogen fuel? can anyone confirm? Edit: the more directly relevant source [VIDEO]

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