“Overall (farming, distillation), it takes 129,600 BTU to produce a
gallon of EtOH (ethanol), but the energy value of a gallon of EtOH is
only 76,000 BTU. In SI units [conversions in footnote 3]: it takes
45.7 MJ to produce a kilogram of EtOH, but the energy value of that
kilogram of EtOH is 26.8 MJ.”
“There is thus a net energy loss of about 54,000 Btu for every gallon
(18.9 MJ for every kilogram) of EtOH produced. Unlike the old joke
about the tailor who claims he loses money on every suit, but stays in
business by ‘making up for it in quantity’, there is no deception
here. It’s a losing proposition.”
You can read the whole article here:
http://www.energyadvocate.com/etohscam.htm
True advancements in a capitalist system, would be one that
can pay for its own way allowing for a profit for the producer and a better product for the consumer. ETOH doesn’t seem to fit that criteria with current technology.
Besides, if left wing environmentalist are for something, I’m immediately suspect. IMO.
I can assure you I am not on the left wing. The article you cite is not a refereed scientific publication. ETOH provides a 30% gain in energy at over 300 gallons/acre from feed-grade corn. This information comes from an Agricultural Economist at the University of Missouri.
Let me just ask you a simple question to see what you know about farming, ok? How many gallons of diesel does it take to plant one acre?