BioFuels Journal

More efficiently using our natural resources is at the core of this nation’s efforts to secure a more sustainable energy future.

America’s ethanol producers are at the forefront of that effort, developing the technologies and processes that are constantly improving the already green footprint of this domestic renewable energy industry.

A recent report by John Christianson, CPA of the independent accounting firm Christianson & Associates, PLLP, catalogues the energy improvements being made at ethanol biorefineries across country.

According to the report, the average amount of energy as measured by British Thermal Units (BTUs) required to produce ethanol and a livestock feed co-product across all ethanol production technologies was reduced by 13.5 percent between 2004 and 2007.

BTUs requirements per gallon of ethanol production:

2004 ... 2007

31,588 BTUs per gallon ... 27,298 BTUs per gallon

(Note: A gallon of ethanol contains approximately 77,000 BTUs)

The most efficient biorefineries demonstrated an even more dramatic 19 percent reduction in BTU energy requirements, today using fewer than 21,000 BTUs per gallon of ethanol produced.

Likewise, electricity usage at ethanol biorefineries was also cut.

The Christianson report shows a 13% reduction in electricity consumption at the average ethanol facility.

The electricity requirements of ethanol facilities per gallon of ethanol produced:

2004 ... 2007

.781 Kwh per gallon ... .680 Kwh per gallon

The results of the Christianson report are consistent with the results of the Department of Energy’s recent Argonne National Laboratory analysis of the improving efficiency of the American ethanol industry between 2001 and 2006.

According to Argonne:

• Water consumption—down 26.6%

• Grid electricity use— down 15.7%

• Total energy use— down 21.8%

For more information, call 202-289-3835.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Christianson & Associates
• Argonne National Laboratory

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