...Ethanol is the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It can be used as a biofuel additive for gasoline, or on its own. It is produced from fermenting glucose and other sugars in corn, sugarcane or other crops. Ethanol fermentation also yields side products such acetic acid, glycols and other products. It is possible to generate ethanol out of cellulosic materials. That, however, requires a pretreatment that splits the cellulose into glucose molecules and other sugars that subsequently can be fermented. Ethanol can be produced from a variety of feedstocks such as barley, corn, hemp, sugarcane, sugar beet, sorghum, switchgrass, potatoes, sunflower, wheat, and many types of cellulosic waste material such as wood chips, grass clippings, and plant stalks....
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...prices and the ever growing concern of global warming here are a few alternatives that hopefully can one day supplement (if not already) or possibly replace the need for unleaded fuel. The first alternative is Ethanol. Ethanol is already being used today in over 6 million Flex Fuel Vehicles as an additive to unleaded fuel (Future Vision Energy, 2011). Both corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol are a renewable fuel source that can be produced from both edible and non-edible plants and can greatly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (Newman, 2008). Electricity is another form of alternative fuels. Electricity as an alternative is by far the easiest to access by simply just plugging in your vehicle to the nearest outlet. The downfall to an “all electric” car is that the battery required would be so large that the vehicles would need to be designed around the battery itself and the cost for now, would be too expensive (Newman, 2008). Hydrogen, vegetable oil, and even solar panels are alternatives that could someday be used as an alternative to unleaded fuel if the demand becomes great enough. References Future Vision Energy, LLC. (2011). Retrieved June 5, 2011, from http://www.futurevisionenergy.com/What_is_Ethanol.html Newman, R. (2008, January 11). The Pros and Cons of 8 Green Fuels. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from...
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...LOTUS CAR RENTAL/ALTERANTIVE FUEL VEHICLES Stephen McCauley Comm/215 University of Phoenix June 7, 2013 INTRODUCTION Lotus car rental, one of the world’s leading car rental companies, is in a position to take advantage of a great opportunity. This is an opportunity to be one of the first car rental services to provide our consumers with alternative options to fuel-powered vehicles, and to rise above the competition. Adding alternative fuel vehicles to our car rental fleet will increase our car rental turnover and improve the company's image to consumers. Creating a fleet of Alternative fuel vehicles for Lotus rental cars would be a very wise decision. There is a strong movement towards using alternative fuels for many reasons. The consumers are now motivated to drive vehicles that not only protect the environment, but also save money. More and more car manufactures are providing vehicles that use alternative fuels or flex fuels. This movement in the market place is gaining momentum. It would be wise for Lotus to lead this market by providing this service to the consumer. Today environmentally concerned consumers are looking for ways to not only save the environment, but also save money. Oil prices are constantly on the rise and turmoil in the oil producing regions has not helped alleviate the problem. Taking these considerations and research into account, we feel that Louts Rental Cars should invest in an alternative fuel vehicle fleet. BACKGROUND ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS ...
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...plenty of energy in the future, it is up to all of us to use energy wisely. The people must all conserve energy and use it efficiently. It is also up to those who will create the new energy technologies of the future. All energy sources have an impact on the environment. Concerns about the greenhouse effect and global warming, air pollution, and energy security have led to increasing interest and more development in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave power and hydrogen. References EIA Energy Kids - Biomass. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.eia.gov/Kids/energy.cfm?page=biomass_home-basics-k.cfm Mathias Aarre Maehlum. (2013, June 1). Biomass Energy Pros and Cons - Energy Informative. Retrieved from http://energyinformative.org/biomass-energy-pros-and-cons/ Rinkesh. (2009). Advantages and Disadvantages Of Biomass Energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_BiomassEnergy.php Biomass and the Environment - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved from...
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...Cellulose Ethanol as Alternative to Fossil Fuels Saint Leo University Today people are dependant almost entirely on fossil fuels as a form of energy and fuel. There is a very finite amount of fossil fuels in the grounds and it in inevitable that we will run out. For a time we thought ethanol from corn would be what took us away from our dependence on fossil fuels. Scientists are now looking into various options for alternative sources of fuel such as solar power, wind and biomass. Biomass in the form of cellulosic ethanol seems to hold the most promise as an alternative to fossil fuels for several reasons. Cellulosic ethanol is a completely renewable resource, unlike fossil fuels, and can be converted from plants, wood clippings and tree branches, even human waste in some cases (Khemani, 2008). The primary source of cellulosic ethanol is from tree harvesting and leftovers from paper mills. All of these resources can and are replaced or produced daily. The use of human waste and garbage would also alleviate some of the pollution problems of the world. There are other sources of energy that are more popular or have gotten more attention in the last few years such as wind and solar power. Wind power is feasible for farmland because it only requires a small portion of land and does not interfere with the everyday on goings of the farm; it is not feasible as a source of energy for the mass populous. There is also the fact that the wind isn’t constantly blowing to...
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...Weiss 5/17/12 “From an ethical point of view, big business is always bad business” Discuss the pros and cons of this statement. That a corporation is large poses, in and of itself, very little threat provided that is required to operate in a depoliticized environment. If, however, the marketplace is politicized through strings of regulations, controls, subsidies, taxes, etc., then the corporation has every incentive to use its size and wealth to buy political influence in order to skew the results in their favor. Considering that their competitors will be doing this as well any corporation would be stupid not to act in this manner. But Big Business becomes a threat only to the degree that it can impose its will on people. And that can only be done through the use of Big Government. The real threat that corporations pose to liberty and well-being comes about precisely when well-meaning individuals increase the powers of government to turn competitive markets into politicized markets. The ability of a corporation to impose its will on individuals is rather limited absent a large state apparatus capable of enforcing that will. Wal-Mart doesn’t have police agents able to prevent competition. But politicians can rig markets to prevent competition. Archer Daniels Midland can’t force you to buy their ethanol. But they can buy off politicians who pass laws forcing you to buy the ethanol, and, for good measure, pass laws handing some of you tax monies over to ADM in the form of subsidies...
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...Marketing Case Project: General Motors [pic] Zach Bauer Matt Biersdorf Matt Flinn Amy Oliver Danielle Provance Marketing Strategies Professor Paul 11/08/2006 Executive Summary General Motors is one of the largest motor vehicle manufacturers in the world and has been a market leader for over 75 years. The company itself has been going through changes especially in the way that they are creating products and on an internal basis, however, there are some changes that the company still needs to overcome. One of the changes that General Motors has promoted is its’ Flexible Fuel Vehicles which do not run on solely petroleum, rather Ethanol 85. These vehicles cost only $150 more than a normal vehicle, however, the lacking of E-85 fueling stations throughout the nation are making it harder for consumers to take advantage of this “greener” technology while also saving money. The company has also decided to implement a widespread corporate restructuring initiative to help alleviate company debt as a result of rising costs of employee healthcare, benefits, and pensions. Such a plan includes the closure of over a dozen North American plants and manufacturing lines, as well as making substantial job cuts. This three-year endeavor is necessary in keeping General Motors in line with competitors. General Motors is struggling to keep up with its competition in hybrid technology. In order to become a major competitor in the automotive market GM needs to penetrate...
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...Lekeisha Mitchell Eng 102 Howell T/TH Is Ethanol the New Fuel of Tomorrow? If you’re like me, the prices at the pumps have probably got you ready to trade in your car keys for a helmet, knee pads, and reflectors. Since the beginning of the current term, our fearless leader has repeatedly reminded us that we must no longer be dependent on foreign oil. I don’t know about you, but to me that sounds like we’re addicts who’ve just missed a few steps of the 12-step program. He talks as though we have a choice in the matter. Is there an alternative fuel that would no longer force billions of Americans to have to choose between feeding their family a healthy meal or having a ride to work? Would you give it a go? Well, let me be the first to tell you that everything that glitters isn’t gold. As with any and everything, there are pros and cons of alternative fuel. At the risk of sounding like my mother: remember way back when the price of a gallon of unleaded fuel cost the same as an item on McDonald’s Value Menu, when you could literally pay for gas from the change in your couch cushions? Those were the days. Unfortunately, nowadays, you’d have to dig in all of your friends’ cushions, and you would still have to sell a pint of blood just to have gas for the week. And at the risk of sounding like my mom yet again: I never thought I would see the day when the cost of a gallon of milk and the cost of a gallon of gas would be running a tight race--and in some parts of the country--the...
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...5631207721 Solar Energy is in Our Everyday Life Charles Fritts Daryl Chapin NASA Amount of Money Saved Per Year Wind Energy What is wind energy ? How does it work? Capacity and Production Capacity and Production PROS and CONS - Reliable for longterm future - Affordable - Sustainable - GREEN Hydroelectric Power Conventional Water wheel - Mechanical power Sawing, grinding How does it work? The leading source of renewable energy - Inexpensive Efficient More than 90% of energy can be converted to electricity Fossil fuel < 50% In the US , 81% of the electricity produced by renewable sources comes from hydropower. Biomass energy - What is it? Biomass Energy - How does it work? Biomass Energy - Virgin wood Energy crops Agricultural residues Waste from food and drink manufacture, preparation and processing - Industrial waste and co-products from manufacturing and industrial processes Biomass Energy - Burning Bacterial decay Fermentation Conversion to gas/liquid fuel Question 1. Which method was the biggest energy prodiver in the past? 2. What is the thing that is added to the biomass to produce ethanol in fermentation method? 3. Which continent uses solar panels the most? 4. According to the slides, what association plays the most important role in adapting the use of solar panels? 5. Is it possible to use the wind energy to generate electricity in household...
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...reduce cost by looking into other means of transportation. In an effort to bring down the gasoline cost for his fleet, Lotus Car's Chief Financial Officer is looking at the possibility of adding alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet. Types of Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Today, there is numerous alternative fuel vehicles developed and being developed to compete with fossil fuel usage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than a dozen alternative fuels are in production or under development for the use in alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. (U.S. Department of Energy, 2013) Vehicles are being powered by biodiesel, propane, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and electricity. The most popular alternative fuel vehicles being used in today’s rental car fleets are hybrid, ethanol, and electric vehicles. Hybrid: Hybrids have a potential for excellent fuel economy and are capable of running on existing fuel supplies, without any behavioral change. Hybrids (HEVs) are currently more expensive than regular models but over time much of the costs will be recovered through gasoline savings and state incentives. Plug-in-Hybrids (PHEVs) are all electric capable of short commuting distances for many...
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...will cover the Energy Act of 1992 concerning the alternative fuel sources, explain the pros and cons of using alternative fuel technology such as Hybrids, Battery power, Diesel, Biodiesel, and Natural Gas, and also the factors that will impact the American people having to find resources easily, which can be difficult. Energy Act of 2005 As early as 2005 the United States knew that we could not rely on fossil fuels indefinitely and did not want to rely on foreign oil. The Energy Act of 2005 sec 301 defined what the Alternative Fuels are: Ethanol, Biodiesel, Propane, Natural Gas, Hydrogen, and Electricity are all naturally produced domestically in the US. Currently the US has learned that burning gasoline is bad for the environment, and when you burn gas you create bi products such as Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide. According to an EPA study the Green House gasses that affect out atmosphere are made up of 82% Carbon Dioxide, 3% Fluorinated Gas, 6% Nitrous Oxide, and 9% Methane.(Refer to graph 1). Overview of Green House Gases EPA.gov As you can see the bulk of the emissions are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The global goal is to reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the world, not just in the US. The goal is to create a smaller carbon footprint on the planet Earth and slow down the rate of global warming. Pros and Cons of alternative fuels Hybrids Hydrogen is currently being explored as an optional fuel...
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...articles that you found and then combine the information you find into a unified paper that represents your fully formed expertise. The key to the whole thing is "combining," so as you do your research, look for facts and information that go well together and help explain (or disagree with) each other o You may start your introduction and research questions. Then start a second paragraph with a short explanation of what is “outsourcing” and state facts such as how many dollars or how many jobs the US outsourced to China in 2010. o The paper must show an analysis of a real world outsourcing situation such as what are the problems with the outsourcing, why there are the problems, how to fix the problems, what the pros and cons of each solution are, and how it will affect consumers who buy imported goods at Walmart or exporters to China. o Warning: You should have one or two research questions or more depending on your interest. If you only have one research question for your whole paper and that question is “what is outsourcing”, for example, you basically just look for a definition or a textbook explanation. This will NOT be a good research paper. This is NOT a high school paper. o A paper that only provides definition, textbook...
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...have a limited supply of these fuels on the Earth. We’re using them much more rapidly than they are being created. Even- tually, they will run out. And because of safety concerns and waste disposal prob- lems, the United States will retire much of its nuclear capacity by 2020. In the mean- time, the nation’s energy needs are expected to grow by 33 percent during the next 20 years. Renewable energy can help fill the gap. Even if we had an unlimited supply of fos- sil fuels, using renewable energy is better for the environment. We often call renew- able energy technologies “clean” or “green” because they produce few if any pollutants. Burning fossil fuels, however, sends greenhouse gases into the atmos- phere, trapping the sun’s heat and con- tributing to global warming. Climate scientists generally agree that the Earth’s average temperature has risen in the past century. If this trend continues, sea levels will rise, and scientists predict that floods, heat waves, droughts, and other extreme weather conditions could occur more often. Other pollutants are released into the air, soil, and water when fossil fuels are burned. These pollutants take a dramatic toll on the environment—and on humans. Air pollution contributes to diseases like asthma. Acid rain from...
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...The Future of Energy: Guiding Decisions with Evidence SC300 October 16, 2012 Kaplan University The Future of Energy: Guiding Decisions with Evidence Here in my home I try and do what I can to conserve energy. I use a low flow water head on my shower and I rarely use the bathtub. I keep my water heater set at 120 degrees. I buy only compact florescent bulbs for my lights. I keep my thermostat no higher than 68 degrees, even if that means wearing hoodies inside when it feels chilly. There are other things I should do to conserve. I need to add more insulation to my attic, turn off my electronic devices when not in use, and upgrade some of my appliances to newer energy efficient ones. (I did just upgrade my washer and dryer). On an average day it is amazing to think of the energy that I use. My cell phone, which I have to recharge, is my alarm clock. I use the water heater when I shower. My furnace heats the house now that it’s gotten colder out. I use my stove or microwave to make something to eat. The refrigerator keeps my food cold. I use my computer to do my homework on. I have to drive myself to work because there is no public transportation where I live. I do not have central air conditioning in my home, and although I have window a/c units, I really try and not use them. Luckily my house sits where trees do most of the shading during the summer months. Over the course of a year my energy needs vary very little. The only difference is not using...
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...Chapter 9 Ethanol Policy and Ethanol Politics David S. Bullock28 The United States is currently passing through one of the most exciting and controversial periods of its energy history. With the US military caught up in armed conflict in the Middle East, and with global warming looming in the minds of many expert scientists as the world’s greatest environmental challenge, a common belief is that it is more important than ever that the US develop sensible and far-sighted energy policy. Politicians’ claims aside, the politics of energy policy are rarely about what is best “for the country.” When government sets energy policy, some people gain, and others may lose. The politics of energy policy, then, are not simply, or even generally, about how to make the nation as a whole better off. Rather, the politics of energy policy are very much about interested political groups struggling against one another. This type of “special interest” politics is nothing new, and not unique to energy policy. Nevertheless, it is widely held among average Americans that the political activities of special interest politics are often bad for the nation as a whole. Because public information is a democracy’s best weapon against harmful special-interest politics, in this chapter we hope to accomplish three goals: 1) to present an outline of the “nuts and bolts” of U.S. ethanol policy; 2) to use economic analysis to examine the effects of ethanol policy, presenting arguments to cut through much of the...
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