Comments on: The Consequences of Biofuels From Food http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/ Jeff Nolan's take on innovation, entrepreneurship, tech and stuff that interests me Thu, 17 May 2012 21:05:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Ethanol Bubble Just Popped | Venture Chronicles http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-301248 The Ethanol Bubble Just Popped | Venture Chronicles Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:50:51 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-301248 [...] their corporate lawyer speak into language more descriptive of their problems. The company rode a wave of government incentives designed to help corn farmers in Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, which gave VeraSun access to a lot of capital that they took full advantage of, $2 billion worth. [...] [...] their corporate lawyer speak into language more descriptive of their problems. The company rode a wave of government incentives designed to help corn farmers in Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, which gave VeraSun access to a lot of capital that they took full advantage of, $2 billion worth. [...]

]]> By: More on corn prices, inflation and polticians' lack of joined up thinking » Bio Products Opportunity http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143832 More on corn prices, inflation and polticians' lack of joined up thinking » Bio Products Opportunity Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:09:30 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143832 [...] There’s more on corn prices, inflation and politicians’ lack of joined up thinking over on Venture Chronicles. [...] [...] There’s more on corn prices, inflation and politicians’ lack of joined up thinking over on Venture Chronicles. [...]

]]> By: The Big Biofuels Blog http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143830 The Big Biofuels Blog Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:05:45 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143830 <strong>More on corn prices, inflation and polticians' lack of joined up thinking ...</strong> There's more on corn prices, inflation and politicians' lack of joined up thinking over on Venture Chronicles. I particularly like this This is not to suggest that biofuel is not something that deserves this attention, but to subsidize domestic ethan... More on corn prices, inflation and polticians’ lack of joined up thinking …

There’s more on corn prices, inflation and politicians’ lack of joined up thinking over on Venture Chronicles. I particularly like this This is not to suggest that biofuel is not something that deserves this attention, but to subsidize domestic ethan…

]]> By: biofuelsimon http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143829 biofuelsimon Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:01:51 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143829 There is likely to be considerable inflationary pressure and food stress around the world by switching US corn from food into gasoline. Without more efficient cars all we are doing by moving to ethanol is leaving relatively more expensive oil in the ground for longer. You can read more about both of these themes and much more at the big biofuels blog There is likely to be considerable inflationary pressure and food stress around the world by switching US corn from food into gasoline. Without more efficient cars all we are doing by moving to ethanol is leaving relatively more expensive oil in the ground for longer.
You can read more about both of these themes and much more at the big biofuels blog

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143599 Jeff Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:51:53 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143599 Martin, You have commented on my Bluetec posts, so you know what a fan I am of diesel. It absolutely drives me crazy that ethanol gets so much more attention than diesel when it is so much less efficient. With 30% less energy than gasoline, cars can't help but get lower mileage which means greater fuel consumption, while diesel is more efficient than gasoline which means vehicles consume less fuel across the entire fleet as a result. Martin,
You have commented on my Bluetec posts, so you know what a fan I am of diesel. It absolutely drives me crazy that ethanol gets so much more attention than diesel when it is so much less efficient.

With 30% less energy than gasoline, cars can’t help but get lower mileage which means greater fuel consumption, while diesel is more efficient than gasoline which means vehicles consume less fuel across the entire fleet as a result.

]]> By: Martin Edic http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143409 Martin Edic Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:09:26 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143409 Jeff, I'd tend to agree on cane- the politics of it are ridiculous also. The grasses interest me although I am not a proponent of ethanol in general because I believe it obscures the obvious immediate action: much more efficient cars and things like the new diesel engines coming from Europe. These things will be driven by markets rather than politicians. The trucking industry would love a higher mileage, cleaner fuel. It goes right to their bottom line in costs including repairs. Ethanol does nothing for them. Jeff, I’d tend to agree on cane- the politics of it are ridiculous also. The grasses interest me although I am not a proponent of ethanol in general because I believe it obscures the obvious immediate action: much more efficient cars and things like the new diesel engines coming from Europe. These things will be driven by markets rather than politicians. The trucking industry would love a higher mileage, cleaner fuel. It goes right to their bottom line in costs including repairs. Ethanol does nothing for them.

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-143048 Jeff Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:14:56 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-143048 Pablo, I have not seen that Foreign Affairs (great publication BTW) piece but I have seen a similarly themed article somewhere else. Thanks for point it out. Martin, I would be reluctant to support sugarcane growth because of the destructive nature of growing it, but fortunately here in the U.S. most sugar comes from sugar beets and not cane. Pablo,
I have not seen that Foreign Affairs (great publication BTW) piece but I have seen a similarly themed article somewhere else. Thanks for point it out.

Martin,
I would be reluctant to support sugarcane growth because of the destructive nature of growing it, but fortunately here in the U.S. most sugar comes from sugar beets and not cane.

]]> By: Martin Edic http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-142989 Martin Edic Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:39:46 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-142989 Miscanthus Gigantus is being grown in Europe- grows 18' in a season with practically no upkeep or fertilizer (a petro product needed for corn). Sugarcane is also a great source but sugar is so heavily subsidized in the US that they wouldn't be able to justify switching. In addition to the political influencers you mention, ADM is a major reason for the focus on corn- they produce the sterile seeds needed to grow it and own the supply chain. On top of all this ethanol is not stable enough to store or transport in pipelines. An utter waste when we should be focused on other technology (like efficiency!) Miscanthus Gigantus is being grown in Europe- grows 18′ in a season with practically no upkeep or fertilizer (a petro product needed for corn). Sugarcane is also a great source but sugar is so heavily subsidized in the US that they wouldn’t be able to justify switching.
In addition to the political influencers you mention, ADM is a major reason for the focus on corn- they produce the sterile seeds needed to grow it and own the supply chain.
On top of all this ethanol is not stable enough to store or transport in pipelines. An utter waste when we should be focused on other technology (like efficiency!)

]]> By: Pablo H. http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/comment-page-1/#comment-142953 Pablo H. Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:46:43 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/07/16/the-consequences-of-biofuels-from-food/#comment-142953 Have you seen this article in Foreign Affairs, "How Biofuels Could Starve The Poor": The prices of oilseeds, including soybeans, rapeseeds, and sunflower seeds, are projected to rise by 26 percent by 2010 and 76 percent by 2020, and wheat prices by 11 percent by 2010 and 30 percent by 2020. In the poorest parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where cassava is a staple, its price is expected to increase by 33 percent by 2010 and 135 percent by 2020. The projected price increases may be mitigated if crop yields increase substantially or ethanol production based on other raw materials (such as trees and grasses) becomes commercially viable. But unless biofuel policies change significantly, neither development is likely The whole piece is full of depressinig data. http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070501faessay86305/c-ford-runge-benjamin-senauer/how-biofuels-could-starve-the-poor.html And from an article in the Times of London today: "What’s the connection between ethanol, the biofuel produced from corn, and a cherry vanilla ice-cream? Answer: the first is responsible for pushing up the price of the other." http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/united_states/article2080599.ece: Have you seen this article in Foreign Affairs, “How Biofuels Could Starve The Poor”:

The prices of oilseeds, including soybeans, rapeseeds, and sunflower seeds, are projected to rise by 26 percent by 2010 and 76 percent by 2020, and wheat prices by 11 percent by 2010 and 30 percent by 2020. In the poorest parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where cassava is a staple, its price is expected to increase by 33 percent by 2010 and 135 percent by 2020. The projected price increases may be mitigated if crop yields increase substantially or ethanol production based on other raw materials (such as trees and grasses) becomes commercially viable. But unless biofuel policies change significantly, neither development is likely

The whole piece is full of depressinig data.

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070501faessay86305/c-ford-runge-benjamin-senauer/how-biofuels-could-starve-the-poor.html

And from an article in the Times of London today:

“What’s the connection between ethanol, the biofuel produced from corn, and a cherry vanilla ice-cream? Answer: the first is responsible for pushing up the price of the other.”

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/united_states/article2080599.ece:

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