Global Warming Solution: Ethanol as Gasoline Alternative - Research Paper Example

Global Warming Solution: Ethanol as Gasoline Alternative Roll No: Teacher: 23rd May 2009 Global Warming Solution: Ethanol as Gasoline Alternative Introduction The emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has strong link with the rising temperature of earth. The green house gases result in shape of combustion of fossil fuels (A “nonlinear fit” shows a different straight-line relationship for each of four periods) Courtesy Kevin Trenberth, National Center for Atmospheric Research With the ever growing demand of fuel, the face of the automotive industry is changing rapidly. From gas guzzling vehicles, coal driven locomotives to now hybrid electric vehicles – one common factor which triggers every change is the fuel used for an automobile. This paper briefly highlights the changes encountered by the industry over the years and how it now needs alternate fuel to keep up with the peoples demand. The leader in the automobile industrys fuel is gasoline without any doubt. The fact that gasoline has ruled over the industry for generations, is evident with its global demand and consumption. However, change is the only constant factor therefore the automobile industry is looking towards new alternatives for a cleaner and more economical future. The inquiry is based on certain factors, including the two major ones that are economical feasibility and environmental effects. Further issues concerning the feasibility are also highlighted, which include the political, social and infrastructure repercussions of the implementation of ethanol driven drive system. The energy management issues and more advantages of ethanol driven vehicles are also analyzed. The inquiry is mainly based on the US scenario and is considered over recent data. It also takes into account, proposed infrastructures for the development of an ethanol based vehicle system. It relates to incentives from the state and also considers governments interest in the progress of alternate fuel technology. The inquiry takes into account two major factors, along with some sub factors. On the basis of these issues the conclusions are made. The inquiry is meant for the purpose of demonstrating ethanols potential as an alternate fuel for the automobile industry. Problem Statement Rising oil prices and concerns regarding the green house gas emissions have triggered the need of alternative automotive fuels. Ethanol is regarded as the most important competitor of the traditional fuel options such as oil and gasoline. The competitiveness and appropriateness of Ethanol as fuel substitute is still a moot issue as there are concerns regarding the consideration of ethanol as absolute economic substitute of oil and gasoline. The paper is aimed at testing the feasibility of ethanol as the appropriate substitute of Oil and Gasoline. Thesis Ethanol cannot be regarded as a feasible Global Warming solution as recent studies have shown that ethanol production emits an equal or even greater amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as traditional fossil fuel production. Ethanol has gained popularity as the substitute for the traditional fuel to an extent that it was regarded as the main source of energy in the Advanced Energy Initiative presented by President Bush. The inclusion of new energy rules in law was also a resultant of the consideration of ethanol as a perfect solution for green house emission. There is much controversy involved with the consumption of Ethanol as the less green house gas emitter. ILLUSTRATION BY FLYING-CHILLI.COM In order to evaluate the appropriateness of Ethanol as an effective and economic substitute it should be considered that whether Ethanol is Eco-friendly. What are the environmental issues attached with the consumption of ethanol? We would start our analysis with the ethanols friendliness with environment compared to gasolines emission and its impact on the global environment. The safety and health benefits attached with its use. The global environmental issues are rising and a cleaner environment is desired. Worldwide, natural gas vehicle use is expanding dramatically. Natural gas vehicle solutions are no longer in the proof of concept stage, but rather are being rapidly adopted by many countries seeking to reduce petroleum use and improve the environment, Reuters (2009). While it is true that natural gas itself is not 100% pollution free, however its pollution contents are way below those of gasoline or diesel. It is to be noted that natural gas vehicles produce very less green house gases, compared to a normal gasoline run vehicle. The data for EPA signifies this. According to the pro ethanol group the use of ethanol leads to lower emission of toxic and ozone-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases. This purpose can be achieved by blending high quality gasoline with ethanol. The use of ethanol will reduce the oil dependency hence improving the energy security. On the other hand the opposite lobby put forth the objection that the provision of policies supporting corn growers and ethanol producers leads to a market distortion. The process of conversion of corn in ethanol not only increases the energy consumption but also increase emissions. Different studies also state that there is a meager difference in the emissions from the use of ethanol and gasoline. For the issue of global warming and its solution, governmental assistance and inducements are required as the funds and economic support is provided by the government according to the governmental regulations. According to Yacobucci (2006), government provides a huge amount of tax credit for the manufacturing of ethanol and also manufacturers towards its production in a greater ratio. In terms of price, ethanol has proved itself far more costly than gasoline and other products that are used for the solution of pollution as a whole. Not only large but small producers of ethanol are also encouraged by federal government by means of credit. Yacobucci (2006) reports that ethanol industry is able to sustain only because of the financial support provided by the government in the form of federal incentives. Ethanol therefore proves to be a more economically reliable fuel from an individuals point of view. It is not only encouraged by the state, but is also backed financially by state laws. It can further be concluded that depending on current fluctuating ethanol prices and the economical prospects of natural ethanol vehicles, the financial aspects of infrastructure of industry for natural gas are high and promising. This fact cannot be negated that the fuels that are used in motor vehicles are dangerous if they are employed without care (NVG America 2006). Burning is a process that takes place for the liberation of energy in case of fuels. Like other fuels, ethanol is also a harmful fuel if dealt inappropriately but with the passage of time, people have understood about the secure usage of ethanol (NVG America 2006). Unlike other fuels, ethanol needs less purifying prior to usage as it is a fuel that exists in fuel form naturally. For secure usage of ethanol, the users are only required to follow logical rules (NVG America 2006). As compared to other fuels such as gasoline and diesel, ethanol is far more advantageous as it is non-hazardous and has less chances of contagion because of leakage (NVG America 2006). Considering the gathered chemical and technical data, ethanol tends to be more secure if used properly. Thus the issue of health and safety is at minimum risk. The non-pollutant characteristics of ethanol and its chemical stability make it a safe fuel. Therefore it can be easily utilized in vehicles. Making America less dependent on foreign oil is a national priority.  In his 2006 State-of-the-Union address, President Bush stated that we are “addicted to oil,” and his Administration is dedicated to reducing that addiction.  Congress, too, is strongly on record in support of reducing petroleum use, and has passed a number of pieces of legislation to provide incentives to Americans to move to non-petroleum fuels.  While in 2005, the U.S. imported over 65 percent of the oil it used, 97 percent of the natural gas used in the U.S. was produced in North America (85 percent from the U.S. and 12 percent from Canada).  This statement alone expresses the dire need to create a more self sufficient fuel program through ethanol vehicles. The dependency on oil has not only brought political crises, but has also wasted revenues for the acquisition of foreign oil reserves. This in turn impacts economy. The US has sufficient offshore reserves of natural gas, they are being drilled and the fuel is being obtained easily since the infrastructure is mature. Therefore usage of ethanol can easily allow us to quit dependency on foreign reserves. Compared to gasoline run vehicles, the ethanol run vehicles are relatively new. The fact that an ethanol run vehicle needs more modifications to adapt to ethanol is a bit negative. Automobile industry has already taken a step forward to support ethanol as a fuel. With the automobile industry being very ambitious about utilizing ethanols potential and the thorough support from the government, the future of automobile industry seems correlated to ethanols progress and exploration. After considering the data and statistics obtained from various resources and thoroughly analyzing aspects such as economy, environment, political influence as well as health and safety concerns. We can easily establish that although ethanol is comparatively very clean and cheap. It is also backed by the government and the infrastructure too is very feasible. Though the fact that natural gas is still a fossil fuel remains unchanged. Therefore the consideration for reserves has to be made. Recommendations After thorough analysis, the following facts can be considered: While we are still mainly dependant on oil, the need for a better and cleaner fuel is evident. However this would mean adopting a totally different strategy. This will surely take time to mature. Natural gas might be the best alternate; we however need to look for more alternates too, since as a natural resource this fuel might just become scarce due to immense global demand. The automobile industry has to unite on this ground, and take serious efforts for the development of natural gas run cars. A plan is needed for the development in infrastructure and technological progress of the natural gas run vehicles. Conclusion Natural gas no doubt seems promising for the automobile industry, as analyzed by the paper. It has the potential to gather a significant user base. Though there might just be many arguments against it, the overall scenario proves that an alternate to gasoline is needed and it could be ethanol but its effectiveness has been reduced as there are studies reporting the emission of an equal or even greater amount of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere as traditional fossil fuel production. References Allen, Mike. Pickens Overlooks Existing Natural Gas Cars in Energy Plan: Reality Check. Popular Mechanics, 2008. Environmental Protection Academy. Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Expanded Renewable and Alternative Fuels Use, 2007. Retrieved on May 18th , 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/oms/renewablefuels/420f07035.htm Fact Sheet: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, Pub. L. No. 111-5. Natural Gas Vehicles for America. About natural gas vehicles, 2008. Retrieved on May 19, 2009, from http://www.ngvc.org/about_ngv/index.html NVG America. How Safe are Natural Gas Vehicles? Natural Gas Vehicles for America, 2006. Retrieved on May 19th, 2009 from http://www.ngvc.org/tech_data/techbulletin2.html Reuters. Clean Energy Applauds Proposed Federal Legislation to Significantly Increase Natural Gas Vehicle Use in America, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009 from http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS116178+02-Apr-2009+BW20090402 Yacobucci, B. D. Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy, Issues, March 3, 2006, CRS Report for Congress. Retrieved as on May 19th 2009 from http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/62837.pdf Read More