Ethanol is a renewable alternative to
gasoline and diesel. However, its production and use have significant
negative impacts on the environment that will become more pronounced
as climate impacts increase. Understanding these pros and cons is
crucial to effectively growing and using the biofuel as part of the
energy transition.
Ethanol: Pros and Cons
There are many pros and cons of ethanol. As a result, people have
debated over ethanol fuel for several decades, particularly regarding
its environmental and sustainability impacts.
Proponents of ethanol ethanol argue that it is one of the alternative
fuels and it is a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil
fuels. In contrast, critics argue that it is not a viable solution for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and may contribute to environmental
problems.
What Is Ethanol Fuel?
Ethanol fuel is a type of biofuel made from starch or sugar-based
crops. The type of crop used varies by country and heavily depends on
what grows in the region’s climate. For example, corn is the most
common source of ethanol in the United States, and sugar cane is the
most common in Brazil. The US and Brazil account for around 81% of the
world’s ethanol production.
Source:
Renewable Fuels Association
How Is Ethanol Fuel Produced?
Ethanol fuel is produced through the fermentation of starch or
sugar-based crops, followed by distillation to make a high-alcohol
content liquid. Its primary use is as a fuel additive mixed with
gasoline to reduce emissions and improve engine performance. In the
US, gasoline typically contains around 10% ethanol.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of ethanol fuel:
Advantages of Ethanol – Pros
1. Renewable Energy
Ethanol and biofuels come from biomass, a renewable energy source. The
crops grown to produce biomass feedstocks harness energy from the sun
and grow relatively quickly. During photosynthesis, the plants
sequester carbon dioxide, which is eventually released during
combustion. This cycle makes the process carbon neutral.
2. Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Ethanol vs Gasoline
One of the main benefits of all biofuels is that
they are significantly less carbon-intensive than traditional fossil
fuels. Because ethanol fuel is carbon neutral, the feedstock absorbs
carbon to grow, then releases the same amount when burned, and new
feedstock is quickly grown to continue to cycle. The only true
emissions come from energy inputs from farming practices and
transport.
Source:
Vital Poet
Alternatively, fossil fuels take millions of
years to form, so new fossil fuels can’t be quickly produced to offset
the carbon released. Additionally, traditional gasoline and diesel
fuel require significant energy input to extract, refine and transport
long distances. A recent study found that US corn ethanol releases
44-52% fewer gas emissions during its life cycle than gasoline.
3. Ethanol Production Supports Rural Economies
Ethanol fuel production is a major source of income for farmers,
particularly in rural areas. This creates employment opportunities in
communities that often lack a diversified job market.
Idle or partially employed people are a significant waste of resources
for countries. In 2021, the ethanol biofuel industry in the US
employed 73,000 people and boosted household income for these
employees by USD 28.7 billion.
4. Increased Energy Independence
Countries can reduce their dependence on foreign oil resources by
relying on the domestic production of ethanol fuel. This allows
nations to develop policies and take actions that make a positive
impact.
The Russia-Ukraine war is a recent example of why energy independence
is so important in a globalised world. Europe’s dependence on Russian
natural gas has shaped Europe-Russia relations and is a major
bargaining chip for Russia.
5. Stable Prices
Fossil fuel prices are notoriously volatile because they are a limited
resource controlled by a fraction of the world’s countries. For
example, 2022 saw record prices for natural gas in India due to the
Russia-Ukraine war. Similar effects are occurring around the world,
which is leading to global inflation and energy shortages.
Biofuels and other renewables are significantly stabler when it comes
to price because they need minimal financial investment after initial
construction. Additionally, there is an unlimited supply, and
countries can produce them locally from domestically grown crops. This
alone is a major pro against the cons of ethanol fuel use.
Source:
Reuters
Disadvantages of Ethanol – Cons
1. Land Use Issues
The production of ethanol feedstock requires large quantities of
arable land. Clearing land of native vegetation leads to habitat loss
for native species and biodiversity loss. It can also reduce the
overall health of surrounding intact ecosystems.
Furthermore, native forests are almost always more efficient at
removing and storing carbon than the carbon savings from biofuels.
This difference leads to a carbon debt, which one can pay back over
time. An excessive carbon debt in the near term will be a hurdle as
the world fends off critical climate change tipping points in the next
few decades.
2. Water Use
Corn and sugar cane are water-intensive crops, and their use can
strain local water supplies. This is particularly relevant to major
agricultural areas in the US and Brazil that already have drought
issues.
As climate change continues, the world will face growing water stress
concerns.
“Agricultural water scarcity is expected to increase
in more than 80% of the world’s croplands.”
Earth’s Future
Food Versus Fuel
As existing croplands switch to ethanol production, the available land
for food production declines. This leads to increased crop prices,
which raises food prices for consumers. This pushes the agricultural
sector to clear more native land to support food demand.
Another concern is that the world’s population is steadily increasing,
and food demand is increasing. The United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) predicts that the world will need to produce 70%
more food by 2050 to meet the growing population.
TFP (Total Factor Productivity) = measures
overall agricultural output. Source:
Global Agricultural Productivity
