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Ethanol generators could be the future of electrical power generation. There are still not an abundant amount of
ethanol generators available, especially in the United States but hopefully that will change as generator companies
like Generac, Coleman, and Honda eventually will look into cleaning burning, renewable fuel source powered generators.
Ethanol is to gas what biodiesel is to diesel. Both are renewable resources made from waste products of plants like
corn and soybean. Both can be used to run gas or diesel generators to produce cleaning burning results. Ethanol is
currently used in many applications using E10 which is 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol. The popular E85, which is 85%
ethanol and 15% gasoline is used in a lot of applications and comes with some alternative fuel benefits. Ethanol is a
renewable source with sources coming from corn, wheat, and biomass. Because ethanol is cleaner burning than gasoline
and can produce similar but not as high rated power as gasoline, it is an ideal fuel, like biodiesel, for use in
electrical power generators. This makes fueling electrical generators cheaper and less dependent on demands of oil.
The idea of using waste products and turning it into fuel is a huge plus as well.
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Like all generators, ethanol fueled ones have advantages and drawbacks. Taking a look at the advantages first, ethanol
is a renewable resource, which makes ethanol generators cleaner burning and not dependent on oil prices. Ethanol
generators provide an ample amount of power, granted not as much as gasoline, but enough to power everything that gas
does. Ethanol helps to bolster the economy and keep dependence on foreign energy supplies low. Because grown crops are
used to produce ethanol, a nation's economy can focus internally on energy demands with less dependence on foreign
fuels. Like biodiesel, ethanol can be made from waste products as well which is a great idea in itself. Different
studies also have found that ethanol is cheaper to make per gallon as well. Now to the disadvantages of ethanol. The
most debated one is probably if all the energy used to create ethanol from growing the crops to making the ethanol,
produces more energy than put into it. Many researchers still debate the argument but according to the US Department
of Energy, the energy output from ethanol is almost 25% higher than what is put into making it. Another current
disadvantage is the lack of fueling stations and lack of ethanol production. There is not enough ethanol produced to
take over as a major fuel source yet and there are not near enough fueling stations that offer ethanol but these are
already starting to change as big companies are starting to take notice. The last disadvantage discusses here,
although there are a few more, is the lack of power compare to gasoline. Not too many fuels provide as much power as
gas however and in use in cars there will be less gas mileage but this is countered with a cleaner burning fuel
source. These are just a few of the major advantages and disadvantages of ethanol generators.
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The future of ethanol looks very good as the need for renewable energy sources to replace dependence on foreign oil is
in high demand. However, because of the strong hold oil currently has and the research spread out on different
solutions, ethanol usage is growing slowly. In generators, it is growing very slowly as generator makers are sticking
to what fuel types is more readily available to consumers. However a lot of research is being done including turning
biomass, materials from plants, into ethanol using special biotechnology methods. There has been continuing research
on improving the energy output of ethanol and improvements should keep growing. Right now, more and more E85 stations
are popping up everywhere and more products from generators to power tools to lawn mowers will all start to use some
alternative fuels. There are already engines that can run 100% pure ethanol and improvements will help migrate these
engines to other areas. Big auto manufacturers like Nissan, Ford, and Honda have all invested money into E85 models as
well. Portable generators, standby and emergency generators should all start using ethanol as a fuel source as well.
Hopefully an alternative fuel like ethanol will be more popular before the big booms in India and China car usage
begins to lower environmental pollution.
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Only blends of E85 and higher may qualify for some alternative fuel benefits and tax incentives. All gasoline vehicles
already can use up to E10 blend but few are E85 and higher capable. |
- Ford offers many FFV vehicles including the F-series, Lincoln Town Cars, and Crown Marquis; Honda and Nissan also
offer FFV vehicles as well
- Walmart will offer E85 fuel at gas pumps which should push automakers for more FFV vehicles
- many businesses are using biodiesel as part of their energy source
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