Saab 9-5 BioPower
by on 12.10.04
Recently announced was the expected 2005 arrival of an ethanol fuelled Saab 9-5. Apparently because ethanol is derived from renewable agricultural crops (which are carbon dioxide absorbing), this will equal out any CO2 emissions whilst driving the car. If true, this could make it greenhouse gas neutral.
It seems like the engine may have been tested in Brazil, where 100% ethanol, derived from sugar cane, is predominant. In Sweden, however, it will be an 85% ethanol fuel mix. The Biopower engine is not thought to be much more costly than current models yet there will be definite in-use savings. Ethanol is 25% cheaper. Swedish owners of the car are likely to be exempt from a proposed city conjestion and parking tax, while qualifying for a 20% reduction in car benefit taxes. And better combustion will lead to improved efficiency at cruising speeds offering a 15% saving in fuel costs per km. Available in the northern summer 2005. ::Saab [by WM]
Except for the pollution and energy costs of turning corn/canola into ethanol fuel, of course. It's not a terribly clean way of making gasoline substitute.
Why is it that in the cases made for ethanol fuels and biodiesel, people never pay attention to the waste products created during the refining processes or the energy required to do that refining?
Because that waste doesn't happen at the tailpipe. As long as the pollution happens somewhere else, it's ignored by the car owner.
The only problem with the whole idea about agricultural lands taking up CO2 is that they take up less than forested lands do. Turning forests into grazing lands is already a major problem throughout the world; so, the idea of demolishing even more forests (and thus increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere) for the production of ethanol is not particularly heartwarming.
Agreed. We obviously need solutions to the whole, not just the parts. However, as it is likely that oil will run out within about 20-30 years, current stepping stones are important. They show that other possibilities exist, opening minds to even better ways. Just as we know that compact fluoros and LEDs are better for the planet, than incandescent lights, would we have rathered that Edison, (and those before him) had not bothered in the first place? What is really required is a revolution – but in the meantime – evolution is better than standing still.
I am Professor in Thermodynamics at the Technical University of Crete and I am saying to my students , among other things, that Biopower car such as SAABs is the future car of the world in general and in Greece in particular. How could I become a member of SAAB fans? I would like also visit you in Stockholm.
Congratulations
Vassilis Gekas
Dear TH,, We have developed a Totally New Renewable Energy Crop/Process, that promises to produce abour 2 times the ethanol/acre as corn. and we can produce it at Near Zero Fossil Fuel Inputs, and the cost should be some less than
$0.50/gal -- it widely adapted to all areas, a
Univ of Hawaii study showed 3000+gal/A potential.
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