Ethanol Fuel

With the recent surge in gas prices and fears of a peaking supply of cheap petroleum, people are looking more and more into alternative fuels like never before.  Ethanol fuel is one of the alternatives that are garnering interest, especially among those looking for a renewable source of energy.

What is Ethanol Fuel?

Ethanol fuel is derived from ethanol, an alcohol, and is capable of being used in modified internal combustion engines.  It is the source of the ethanol that makes it a promising energy source.  The alcohol is obtained by fermenting corn, a crop that can be grown in a field year after year.  This renewablity is a definite plus compared to nonrenewables like, fossil fuels.  There is also an argument that the carbon dioxide that is emitted from burning ethanol fuel would be equal to the amount absorbed by the growing corn crops.  This type of mass balance is impossible for fossil fuels to achieve but could theoretically be accomplished with ethanol fuel.