I saw a report on TV a few days ago about Brazil and its efforts to make ethanol. Turns out they make it from sugar cane. It has proven to be a success for that country. With the apparent failure of corn based ethanol looming, I think maybe it would be a good idea for us to take a look at making ethanol from sugar cane instead of corn. I don't know if our land will support the growth of enough sugar cane to get it accomplished, but I did read on Yahoo that Florida bought the land from our largest sugar cane producer. Here's a link to what wikipedia has to say about sugar cane based ethanol.
Ya. The wikipedia article named all the states where sugar cane can be grown. Florida, Hawaii, and Weezyrana are three that are mentioned. Can't remember the other ones off the top of my head.
The articles I've read say cane ethenol (?) is higher octane and is using a product that doesn't interfere with our food chain. I also read where some cities (St. Louis is one) are producing energy by incinerating garbage. Two fold help, no garbage and usable energy.
Cain is pretty good as far as gallons per acre. Corn is HORRIBLE.
there are several new technologies out there that are starting to change the paradigm.
Scientists are looking at turning woody fiber into sucrose to process into ethanol. that would be a huge advancement.
others are working on a new genetically engineered microbe that will turn sucrose into a new form of diesel directly. this is a very new and potentially HUGE advancement. these guys are saying they can produce Diesel at $50 a barrel.
Algae is still IMHO the really great answer provided the kinks can be worked out.
and there is still huge potential from advancements in using Compressed air to drive a car motor. this could really be the big deal in moving away from typical internal combustion engines.
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Would we have to get new cars to use these other types of fuels?
We already have cars that will run on a blend of ethanol and gasoline, but not the kind what will run exclusively on ethanol. The technology already exists, and is being used in countries like Brazil, but it is not being used here in the States.
We already have cars that will run on a blend of ethanol and gasoline, but not the kind what will run exclusively on ethanol. The technology already exists, and is being used in countries like Brazil, but it is not being used here in the States.
Rico, not exactly. I am sure you have seen the "Flex Car"? and the E80 pumps? those are the kind of cars that can run on high ethenol gas. we have them, but they are only a couple of years on the market.
it will be a while before the majority of the american fleet is switched over.... us used car buyers will take a while to come around...
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Rico, not exactly. I am sure you have seen the "Flex Car"? and the E80 pumps? those are the kind of cars that can run on high ethenol gas. we have them, but they are only a couple of years on the market.
it will be a while before the majority of the american fleet is switched over.... us used car buyers will take a while to come around...
Yes, I have seen the E85 pumps. In fact, a station in Terre Haute, where I used to live, was one of the first ones in Indiana to get a pump just for E85. What I meant by my post is that we are not mass producing those kinds of cars yet.
Hybrid Mode
