ENERGY BALANCE

Currently, there are many questions being asked and many misconceptions about the amount of energy needed to produce ethanol. EPAC has permission from US Department of Agriculture to link to their web with one of the studies that addresses this question. The following paragraph is a synopsis of the study, and if you desire additional information, please click on the address at the end of the paragraph.

Estimating the Net Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol
By Hosein Shapouri, James A. Duffield, and Michael S. Graboski
Agricultural Economics Report No. 721. 24 pp, July 1995
* Studies conducted since the late 1970's have estimated the net
energy value of corn ethanol. However, variations in data and
assumptions used among the studies have resulted in a wide range
of estimates. This study identifies the factors causing this wide
variation and develops a more consistent estimate. We conclude
that the net energy value of corn ethanol has become positive in
recent years due to technological advances in ethanol conversion
and increased efficiency in farm production. We show that corn
ethanol is energy efficient as indicated by an energy ratio of 1.24.


You can view the complete USDA Ag Research Service study by clicking on to http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer721/