Researchers are working on a way to make ethanol that could be ten times more efficient than using corn. The GLRC’s Richard Annal reports:
Transcript
Researchers are working on a way to make ethanol that could be ten times more efficient than using corn. The GLRC’s Richard Annal reports:
In the US, ethanol is usually made from corn. Researchers at the College of Environment Science and Forestry in Syracuse are working on a method that uses willow. Their process also uses water instead of harsh chemicals to extract sugars from organic matter. Using willow instead of corn has the potential to produce ten times the amount of energy. Tom Lindberg is a commissioner with the New York State Department of Agriculture.
“Were hoping that we can speed up the commercialization of this technology here in New York so that we’re kinda getting ahead of all the other states and developing this industry here and kind of laying the groundwork so hopefully this industry will grow here… we can create jobs and economic activity.”
Just like corn-based ethanol, the willow ethanol can be combined with 15 percent gasoline to make E-85. It’s an alternative fuel that burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Researchers say the process will be ready for commercial application within 2 years.
For the GLRC, I’m Richard Annal.