Arvand Ghodrati

10-21-15
Davis 1
Ethanol from Algae
Its an undisputable fact that our nations current reliance on fossil fuels needs to change.
Aside form being nonrenewable; our dependence on oil creates challenging foreign affair
problems as well as forcing our dependence on outside sources for fuel. In recent years there has
been a shift toward biofuels as a means to replace traditional gasoline. Biofuels are already in use
today and there are numerous forms that are derived from various types of organic matter.
Among them, Ethanol stands out for its unique qualities that capture the positive aspects of
gasoline while bringing renewability and less environmental damage to the table. The Renewable
Fuel Program, a subsection of the Clean Air Act, already calls for an annual increase of biofuel
use in the United States and includes incentives for private sector ethanol producers. The issue is
that it does not include all types of ethanol production, specifically the newest and most
promising algae-based biofuels. Algae-based ethanol shall be used to fill the majority share of
the advanced biofuels portion of the Renewable Fuel Source (RFS) program because increased
use of biofuel, namely ethanol, is a necessity in the current climate of the energy sector, algaebased biofuel technology is superior to all other biofuel sources, and it deserves parity with the
other forms of ethanol regarding the tax breaks and incentives given to private producers.
An increase in the use of ethanol biofuel is the best substitute for gasoline since it can be
used in similar engines, work more efficiently, and improves the emissions of our vehicles.
Ethanol can be used in internal combustion engines and there are already vehicles running on
E85, the most popular blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. According the US department of

energy, Ethanol is the most widely used biofuel(Biofuels, Ethanol Overview). It is most cost
effective and logical to focus our resources on progressing already existing fuel sources that are
known to work. Flex fuel vehicles accept E85 and almost any engine can be tuned to accept it.
Ethanol contains only about two-thirds as much energy as gasoline, gallon for gallon. But if it is
burned in engines designed for high cylinder pressures, it will produce competitive
horsepower(Squeezing more from). Ethanol has an octane rating of 100, 9 higher than anything
sold in California. This exceptional octane rating allows a smaller displacement engine to use a
turbocharger and a much higher compression ratio to achieve higher horsepower output than a
large gasoline engine. This allows the consumer to drive a lighter, faster, and more efficient car
that retains the tried and true internal combustion system. Ethanol is also a more environmentally
conscious choice. E85 decreases the emissions of CO2, as well as the emissions of many
harmful toxics, such as benzene(Ethanol Vehicle Emissions). With global warming posing very
serious threat, the burning of traditional fossil fuels can no longer be accepted and ethanol is a
viable solution. E85 has already proved itself to be a great fuel source but how it is used in
vehicles is only half the story. How it is produced makes it the obvious choice and validates the
need for it.
Algae-based ethanol should be the primary form of ethanol production since it actually
creates two fuel types, requires the least land, and improves the environment. All ethanol fuels
require a biomass, such as corn or soybeans, to ferment into ethanol. When algae is grown the
lipids in its oil are used to make biodiesel while the remaining carbohydrates are used as a
biomass that is fermented into ethanol (Demirbas). Essentially you get two different fuels from
one crop. One may query whether it takes twice as much land and resources to produce but in
reality it requires far less than the standard corn biomass. According to a Georgia Institute of

Technology study, corn biomass ethanol results in 400 gallons of fuel per acre. Algenol exceed
its milestone of 9,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year(Making algal biofuels). Algenol is a
private company that focuses on producing ethanol from algae. Their ability to use the land far
more efficiently demonstrated the potential of large-scale production. The algae can also be
grown in areas where normal agriculture cannot take place due to the soil type. Algae-based
ethanol is also the most environmentally conscious route since its production emits oxygen and
freshwater as byproducts. The carbon dioxide released when ethanol is burned is balanced by
the carbon dioxide captured when the crops are grown to make ethanol(Ethanol benefits and
considerations). This remains true for all biofuels, but algae are grown in contaminated water
and absorb the contaminants and emit fresh water. The process of growing the algae is far more
scientifically involved than generic farming and will create many jobs to meet the recent increase
in job demands in STEM graduates. Algae-based ethanol shows the most promising data and
should be included as an advanced biofuel.
The RFS program mandates that by the year 2022, there will be 22 billion gallons of
advanced biofuels mixed in with all fuel sold that year. The RFS is great program that helps
biofuels become a regular part of the energy sector but it currently neglects to include algaebased ethanol as part of the advanced biofuel portion. While referring to cellulosic biofuels the
EPA states that we will also make cellulosic credits available to obligated parties for end-ofyear compliance, should they need them, at a price of $1.56 per gallon(EPA Finalizes
Regulations). Algae-based biofuels are a superior option for renewable energy sources but since
they do not meet the requirements of a cellulosic method they do not qualify for the credit. The
definition of cellulosic biofuel under the Internal Revenue Code should be modified to include
algae based biofuels. The majority of advanced biofuels created should be algae-based since it
can create two different types of fuel. Nested within advanced biofuels are two sub-categories:

cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel(Renewable Fuel Standard). Both biodiesel and
ethanol can be harvested from algae making it the most obvious choice for meeting the 21 billion
gallon RFS programs requirement.
Certain groups are against the idea of increased algae-based fuels since they will shift the
automotive market away from electric cars and others claim it will be a waste of government
funds since the oil industry is working fine. There has been a noticeable shift towards electric
cars in recent years due to their increased efficiency and low emissions. Supporters of the electric
car believe it is the best route and vehicle biofuels are behind the times. In reality though electric
cars are not better for the environment. In 2014, the United States generated about 4,093 billion
kilowatthours of electricity. About 67% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuels (coal,
natural gas, and petroleum)(U.S. Energy Information Admiration). While tailpipe emissions for
electric cars may be zero the majority of the electricity used to run it is created from harmful and
nonrenewable fossil fuels. Also electric cars are more expensive to produce and the batteries will
need to be replaced which equates to more cost and resource use. Whenever the government
decides to fund a new technology there are always doubters who want to keep the old system.
What they dont understand is that biofuels will make gasoline cheaper and end our dependence
on foreign markets. Biofuels can be produced domestically, which could lead to lower fossil
fuel imports (Huang et al. 2013). Reducing our demand for petroleum could also reduce its price,
generating economic benefits for American consumers(Economics of Biofuels). Producing
Algae-based ethanol will stimulate the economy in many ways and is an excellent use of funds.
All opposition to algae-based biofuels rooted in the worries that it will detract business from
other fuel type vehicles and no that it will damage the country. Algae-based ethanol is the best
choice for a renewable fuel source and should be included in the RFS program.

It is blatantly apparent that the United States needs to create renewable fuel sources, that
algae-based ethanol is the best biofuel option, and that it deserves to be included as an advanced
biofuel in the RFS program. The government needs to protect the environment and this is one
simple step that can lead to significant change in greenhouse gas emissions and ease America off
of fossil fuels. The RFS program needs to be amended to include algae-based ethanol as an
advanced biofuel and focus on using algae as the primary biomass for future biofuels.

Works Cited
Books
Demirbas, Ayhan, and M. Fatih. Demirbas. Algae Energy: Algae as a New Source of
Biodiesel. Dordrecht: Springer, 2010. Print.
Book.
Websites (In order of appearance)
"Biofuels, Ethanol Overview." Biofuels, Ethanol Overview. US Deparment of Energy,
n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
http://cta.ornl.gov/bedb/biofuels/ethanol/Ethanol_Overview.shtml
Wald, Matthew L. "Squeezing More From Ethanol." The New York Times. The New York
Times, 04 May 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
"Ethanol Vehicle Emissions." Alternative Fuels Data Center:. US Deparment of Energy,
n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/flexible_fuel_emissions.html

"Biomass to Biofuels Primer." (n.d.): n. pag. GAtech.edu. Georgia Institute of

Technology. Web.
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty/ragauskas_art/technical_reviews/Bioethanol%20from
%20Wood%20Facts.pdf
"Making Algal Biofuel Production More Efficient, Less Expensive." Energy.gov. US
Deparment of Energy, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
http://energy.gov/eere/articles/making-algal-biofuel-production-more-efficient-lessexpensive
"Ethanol Benefits and Considerations." Alternative Fuels Data Center:. US Deparment of
Energy, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_benefits.html
Epa, Us. EPA Finalizes Regulations for the National Renewable Fuel Standard Program
for 2010 and Beyond - Regulatory Announcement (EPA-420-F-10-007, February 2010)
(n.d.): n. pag. Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.
http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/420f10007.pdf
"Renewable Fuel Standard." Alternative Fuels Data Center. US Deparment of Energy,
n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/RFS

"U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis."

What Is U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source? US Energy Information
Administration, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3
"Economics of Biofuels." Economics of Biofuels. US Environmental Protection Agency,
n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/EE%5Cepa%5Ceed.nsf/webpages/Biofuels.html
References
"E-85 Information." E-85 Information. Owa State University of Science and Technology,
n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
http://www.transportation.iastate.edu/fueling/e85.html
"Federal Laws and Incentives for Biodiesel." Alternative Fuels Data Center:. US
Deparment of Energy, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/BIOD/US
Burning E85 Fuel in Your Vehicle." MSU Extension. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/burning_e85_fuel_in_your_vehicle
"EPA." Program Overview for Renewable Fuel Standard Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 18
Oct. 2015.
http://www2.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/program-overview-renewablefuel-standard-program
"Making Algal Biofuel Production More Efficient, Less Expensive." Energy.gov. US
Deparment of Energy, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
http://energy.gov/eere/articles/making-algal-biofuel-production-more-efficient-lessexpensive
Committee on the Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels and Board on Agriculture
and Natural Resources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States.
Washington, D.C.: National Academies, 2012. Print.
Book