Corn Based Ethanol-A Grand Illusion!

Abstract

This is part six of an ongoing white paper funded by the Censors Foundation dedicated to promoting strategies in support of our National interest. The mission is to identify a Global Energy Strategy for the Industrialized Nations leading to energy and environmental sustainability. It should be abundantly clear our Nation should phase out and terminate reliance on petroleum, to reduce the political and military premium for continuing dependence on imported oil especially from the Persian Gulf. A study of energy sources since the beginning of the industrial revolution in 1800 shows industrialized nations shifted to a new energy source about every 50 years. We are currently at mid point of a new 50year transition to next generation energy source nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion will complete this upcoming 50-year cycle after 2030. A fusion energy economy leads directly to dramatic solutions to political, military, and environmental concerns and will radically reduce 21 Century conflicts. Since 2000, corn based ethanol has gained momentum as an alternate fuel candidate poised to bridge a transition to nuclear fusion energy. Ethanol energy balance, positive or negative, however, is not clear since corn production and conversion to ethanol depends on petroleum based energy inputs. This study compares ethanol energy balance from several sources, political, ethanol producers, agricultural lobby, scientific community; and concludes science based analysis indicate a negative energy balance. The scope of this paper is delimited: corn based ethanol, petroleum, fission and nuclear fusion hydrogen. Within these boundaries, mastering fusion energy defines our national 21 century mission.