GoodFuels

Popular Science picks up UNL study

Remember that study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln we posted about last week? Well, it seems that the folks over at Popular Science magazine thought it was interesting enough to blog about.

The magazine says that the researchers used better data than other studies, who relied on outdated production methods.

And new refineries run on efficient natural gas, recycle heat to use in other parts of the plant, and put the waste to crop good use. The scrap from the refineries actually makes nutritious cattle feed. So putting a feedlot right next to a refinery saves the emissions that would go into growing food separately and trucking it in. The best facilities save even more energy by collecting the manure and urine from cows and turning it into methane gas for use in the plant.

Unlike “clean coal” plants that exist only in the minds of their proponents, ultra-efficient ethanol operations are the norm. According to the study, the new facilities account for 60 percent of all U.S. ethanol production today and will produce 75 percent of national supply by the end of the year.

Efficiency is indeed improving with today’s technology, and growing more efficient every day. It’s great that a national magazine has recognized this and pointed it out.

To see the report in its entirety, click here.

Photo courtesy of jade-rabbit via creative commons license.