Abstract
SYNOPSIS The current use of fossil fuels for heating, industrial production and transportation, poses serious issues relating to supply, environmental effects, and security. One potential solution to US energy requirements is the use of biofuels to reduce consumption of fossil fuels, which can contribute to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions, since fuels such as ethanol are potentially carbon-neutral. However, producing ethanol requires large amounts of energy; current estimates indicate that at least 40% of the cost of production is for energy. If energy consumption during production can be reduced, the potential for ethanol to be a viable fuel source is increased. The use of solar energy during the energy-intensive distillation phase would dramatically improve the potential environmental benefits of ethanol relative to fossil fuels. Little research has been conducted into the commercial-scale viability of using solar energy to produce ethanol. This study uses available data and research to predict the potential economic feasibility of a commercial-scale ethanol production facility utilising solar energy in the distillation phase. Using a range of assumptions it is likely that solar energy-based ethanol production can be cost-competitive with fossil fuel-based production. This presents a useful area for research.
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