Matrix of Biofuel Feedstocks in Oregon
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Next: Chapter 7 - Other Uses for Biomass
| Fuel |
Net energy | Greenhouse gas benefit (% reduction against petroleum baseline) |
Yield (gallon/acre) |
Negatives | Positives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | .81 |
0% |
Not applicable |
Air pollution; major driver of global warming; oil spills; national, international and global security |
Comparatively inexpensive; doesn’t compete with food |
| Diesel | .83 |
0% |
Not applicable |
Air pollution; major driver of global warming; oil spills; national, international and global security
|
Comparatively inexpensive; doesn’t compete with food |
| Soybean biodiesel |
3.2 |
20-78% |
53 |
Drives deforestation in rainforests
|
Reduces air pollution & GHGs |
| Brassica oilseeds biodiesel |
Approx. 3.2 |
40-60% |
100 |
Crossbreeds with other Brassicas
|
Higher yield then soybeans; drought-resistant varieties |
| Waste oils and fats biodiesel | >3.2 |
>70% |
Not applicable |
Limited availability
|
Doesn’t require extra arable land; efficient use of wastes |
| Corn ethanol |
>3.2 |
0-29% |
300-400 |
Industrial corn currently requires high inputs of fertilizer and other chemicals; food crop; coal-fired ethanol plants eliminate any GHG benefits |
Large production potential nationally; technology already available |
| Wheat ethanol |
<1.67 |
0-29% |
< 300 |
Similar to corn, but more expensive
|
Large production potential in Oregon |
| Sugar beet ethanol |
Not available |
>50% |
694-776 |
Currently uneconomical |
High yield per acre; large production potential in Oregon |
| Potato ethanol |
Not available |
0-29% |
Not applicable |
Probably low yields per acre
|
Use of waste potatoes can benefit farmers |
| Whey and other agricultural byproducts ethanol/ biodiesel |
Not available |
50-90% |
Not applicable |
Limited availability |
Strong reduction in GHGs; efficient use of waste |
| Hybrid poplar cellulosic ethanol |
High |
0-165% |
700-1000 |
Might drive destruction of natural forests
|
Perennials improve soil quality and habitat over annual crops |
| Agricultural residues cellulosic ethanol |
High |
50-90% |
Varies |
Can increase erosion and reduce soil fertility |
Increases ethanol yield/acre without displacing food production |
| Forest thinnings, slash and residues cellulosic ethanol |
Not available |
0-165% |
Varies |
Can impact forest health and might drive deforestation
|
Can reduce forest fires; doesn’t take away from food production |
| Algae biodiesel |
Not available |
N/A |
Not applicable |
Commercial viability is unproven; unforeseen problems |
Doesn’t require arable land; huge yields |
