November 25, 2005
WE COULD AT LEAST CATCH UP TO THE THIRD WORLD:
Sugar Powers a Revolution on Brazil’s Roads: Brazil has found an alternative to oil that it is touting as the future of fuel. “Alcohol,” a bio-ethanol fuel made from sugar cane, is increasingly powering Brazilian automobiles, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks of an “energy revolution,” led by his country. Biodiesel, a renewable fuel, is seen as a way to make Brazil,and indeed the world, less dependent on oil. Its manufacture provides jobs for the poverty-stricken interior regions of the country and Lula has high hopes that, if the trend catches on across the globe, Brazil may become a large exporter of biodiesel. (Tom Phillips and David Gow, 23 November 2005, The Guardian)
Driven by soaring oil prices, petrol already costs 70% more at the pumps than "alcohol", the bio-ethanol fuel derived from sugar cane that Brazilians increasingly favour for their cars.Posted by Orrin Judd at November 25, 2005 10:39 AMAnd, according to Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Ale Jatinho represents the front line of a new "revolucao energetica" or energy revolution led by Brazil in a world where dwindling oil reserves and growth in emerging economies such as China are making high petrol prices a permanent feature.
Fuels such as biodiesel are renewable and can be made from agricultural products, like palm oil or soya beans, which can then be mixed at up to 30% with petroleum-based products such as diesel. As with samba and football, it is an area in which Brazil leads.
"The truth is that nobody can compete with Brazil," President Lula said recently. "Biodiesel production is a way of making Brazil less dependent on oil, a fuel that may eventually come to an end. This is a vital project for ensuring more independence for Brazil, as we may become a large biodiesel exporter," he said on opening a new biodiesel plant.
If you're a lefty environmentalist, this is a conundrum. On the one hand, it's a renewable resource that cuts our dependence on fossil fuels. On the other hand, it means taking a chainsaw to the rainforest. On the other other hand, da Silva is a "progressive" and Brazil is a third world country. On the other other other hand, all that biodiesel will go to power monster SUVs that despoil the environment.
Posted by: Mike Morley at November 25, 2005 10:53 AMCorn-based ethanol had a go in the U.S. back in 1979 during the Iran-inspired energy crisis, and the price was usually a few cents cheaper than standard gasoline. But there were problems with rusting in the fuel tanks and fuel lines using the new fuel, though I'd assume a quarter-century down the line the automakers have ways to address that problem.
Willie Nelson seems to be bio-diesel's most prominent proponent in the U.S. right now, but he seems to be more into that vegtable oil reprocessing thing that Ms. Fonda had planned to use on her peace tour around the country. That might work for a few people who want to feel morally superior about themselves, but any serious bio-diesel production in the U.S. would need dedicated crops supplies to go into the fuel mix.
Posted by: John at November 25, 2005 10:56 AMwww.frybrid.com is an interesting place to visit. Don't miss the forum link.
Posted by: Qiao Yang at November 25, 2005 11:36 AMA local fuel dealer runs his pickup on a blend of McDonald's fry oil and diesel. My plumber's converting his truck to flexitanks. Coal to oil is being promoted for blends in Montana. As long as fuel remains high priced this trend toward diesel blends may continue. The approach is more effecient than hybrids, unless a diesel hybrid is developed.
Raise the fuel tax ... choke Chavez and the Madrassas.
Posted by: Genecis at November 25, 2005 12:42 PMWhen I lived in Rio de Janeiro, there was a slightly sweet alchohol-ish smell in traffic. It was actually not unpleasant. I can't confirm, but I think it was the smell of the sugar-case-based fuel exhaust. Could have been the smell of tanning oil floating up from the beaches, too...
Posted by: Jorge Curioso at November 25, 2005 2:11 PMI paid $1.96/gallan right off the interstate today.
Posted by: David Cohen at November 26, 2005 4:47 PM