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Bio-methanol: How energy choices in the western United States can help mitigate global climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Vogt, Kristiina A.
  • Vogt, Daniel J.
  • Patel-Weynand, Toral
  • Upadhye, Ravi
  • Edlund, David
  • Edmonds, Robert L.
  • Gordon, John C.
  • Suntana, Asep S.
  • Sigurdardottir, Ragnhildur
  • Miller, Michael
  • Roads, Patricia A.
  • Andreu, Michael G.

Abstract

Converting available biomass from municipal, agricultural and forest wastes to bio-methanol can result in significant environmental and economic benefits. Keeping these benefits in mind, one plausible scenario discussed here is the potential to produce energy using bio-methanol in five states of the western United States. In this scenario, the bio-methanol produced is from different biomass sources and used as a substitute for fossil fuels in energy production. In the U.S. West, forest materials are the dominant biomass waste source in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, while in California, the greatest amount of available biomass is from municipal wastes. Using a 100% rate of substitution, bio-methanol produced from these sources can replace an amount equivalent to most or all of the gasoline consumed by motor vehicles in each state. In contrast, when bio-methanol powered fuel cells are used to produce electricity, it is possible to generate 12–25% of the total electricity consumed annually in these five states.

Suggested Citation

  • Vogt, Kristiina A. & Vogt, Daniel J. & Patel-Weynand, Toral & Upadhye, Ravi & Edlund, David & Edmonds, Robert L. & Gordon, John C. & Suntana, Asep S. & Sigurdardottir, Ragnhildur & Miller, Michael & R, 2009. "Bio-methanol: How energy choices in the western United States can help mitigate global climate change," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 233-241.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:34:y:2009:i:1:p:233-241
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.03.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jefferson, Michael, 2006. "Sustainable energy development: performance and prospects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 571-582.
    2. Alanne, Kari & Saari, Arto, 2006. "Distributed energy generation and sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 10(6), pages 539-558, December.
    3. Shapouri, Hosein & Duffield, James A. & Wang, Michael Q., 2002. "The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update," Agricultural Economic Reports 34075, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    1. Tsita, Katerina G. & Pilavachi, Petros A., 2013. "Evaluation of next generation biomass derived fuels for the transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 443-455.
    2. Yang, Jing & Zhang, Peidong, 2011. "Assessment methods of carbon dioxide emitted from bioenergy utilization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 2684-2689, August.
    3. García-Gusano, Diego & Iribarren, Diego, 2018. "Prospective energy security scenarios in Spain: The future role of renewable power generation technologies and climate change implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 202-209.
    4. Zhang, Mengzhu & Ge, Yunshan & Wang, Xin & Xu, Hongming & Tan, Jianwei & Hao, Lijun, 2021. "Effects of ethanol and aromatic compositions on regulated and unregulated emissions of E10-fuelled China-6 compliant gasoline direct injection vehicles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 322-333.

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