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Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean

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Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems

Abstract

In this analysis, the most recent scientific data for corn, switchgrass, and wood, for fermentation/distillation were used. All current fossil energy inputs used in corn production and for the fermentation/distillation were included to determine the entire energy cost of ethanol production. Additional costs to consumers include federal and state subsidies, plus costs associated with environmental pollution and/or degradation that occur during the entire production process. In addition, an investigation was made concerning the conversion of soybeans into biodiesel fuel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, 5126 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 15850

    David Pimentel

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, 425 David Hall, MC1716, Berkeley, CA 94720

    Tad Patzek

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  1. David Pimentel
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  2. Tad Patzek
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 15850, USA, 5126 Comstock Hall

    David Pimentel

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Pimentel, D., Patzek, T. (2008). Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean. In: Pimentel, D. (eds) Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8654-0_15

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