Economic Analysis of Alternative Fuels Technologies
In this report, Drs. Starbuck, Erickson, and Libbin of New Mexico State University (NMSU) delineate the major features of: (1) ethanol from corn, sorghum, switch grass, sugarcane, and cellulosic materials; and (2) marine based lipids. The analysis addresses the following questions: (1) What is the net energy output and potential from the fuel source? (2) What are the main characteristics and quality of the fuel generated? (3) What co-products are possible? (4) What are the foreseeable economic and environmental effects of large scale production of the fuel; specifically, the impacts of algal production on water resources, and how algal production is affected by water quality? (5) What technical and economic variables limit extremely large scale algal fuel production? and (6) What are the true costs of algal fuel production? The report was submitted to the Library of Congress to inform policy makers and contribute to the formulation of research agendas and funding opportunities for NMSU and the other IAS participant members. The work is preparatory for large scale interdisciplinary grant opportunities that are expected to become available in the near future.
The literature regarding biofuels does not contain a current, systematic estimate regarding the potential production costs of algal based fuels. The funding provided by IAS was instrumental in developing this new information. This data and analysis has subsequently been utilized in a large proposal for the production of JP-8 fuel derived from algal triglycerides for the Department of Defense.
As the additional reports and materials are revised into their final versions the analysis will be widely disseminated and will provide an important source of data and results that our research partners can use in a wide variety of applications. These results will allow NMSU and its partners to have material ready for any proposal calls, and will help improve our competitiveness on biofuel proposals.
We sincerely appreciate the support of IAS. These funds have been instrumental in our efforts to compete for large scale renewable fuels projects; and will continue to be so.
The in-depth report for the Library of Congress is here
Contact: Meghan Starbuck starbuck@nmsu.edu
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