The greenhouse gas benefits of corn ethanol - assessing recent evidence

被引:43
作者
Lewandrowski, Jan [1 ]
Rosenfeld, Jeffrey [2 ]
Pape, Diana [2 ]
Hendrickson, Tommy [2 ]
Jaglo, Kirsten [2 ]
Moffroid, Katrin [2 ]
机构
[1] USDA, Off Chief Economist, Washington, DC 20250 USA
[2] ICF, Washington, DC USA
来源
BIOFUELS-UK | 2020年 / 11卷 / 03期
关键词
Ethanol; corn; greenhouse gas; life cycle analysis; LAND-USE CHANGE; BIOFUELS;
D O I
10.1080/17597269.2018.1546488
中图分类号
TE [石油、天然气工业]; TK [能源与动力工程];
学科分类号
0807 ; 0820 ;
摘要
In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a life-cycle analysis of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production and combustion of corn ethanol. EPA projected that by 2022, the emissions profile of corn ethanol from a new refinery would be 21% lower than that of an energy equivalent quantity of gasoline. Since 2010, the 21% value has dominated policy discussions and federal regulations related to corn ethanol as a renewable fuel and a GHG mitigation option. It is now 2018 and new data, scientific studies, technical reports, and other information allow us to examine the emissions pathway corn-ethanol has actually followed since 2010. Using this information, we assess corn ethanol's current GHG profile at 39-43% lower than gasoline. We also develop two projected emissions scenarios for corn ethanol in 2022. These scenarios highlight opportunities to produce ethanol with emissions that are 47.0-70.0% lower than gasoline. Many countries are now developing or revising renewable energy policies. Typically, biofuel substitutes for gasoline are required to reduce GHG emissions by more than 21%. Our results could help position U.S. corn ethanol to compete in these new and growing markets.
引用
收藏
页码:361 / 375
页数:15
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