Energy ratio analysis of genetically-optimized potato for ethanol production in the Chilean market

Abstract

Energy in all its forms is essential to humanity and is central to the improvement in people's quality of life.The continuous increase in energy demand, the inevitable decline in the availability of fossil fuels, and the growing concerns about climate change have sparked a number of initiatives from governments around Energy ratio analysis of genetically-optimized potato for ethanol production in the Chilean market AbstractThe continuous increase in energy demand, the high cost of imported oil, and the growing concerns about climate change have sparked a number of initiatives from governments around the world to increase production of energy from renewable sources. Along these lines, the Chilean government is analyzing the introduction of a law to set a reference value of 5% of biofuel production to be placed on the market by 2013. The analysis of different options to meet this new regulatory measure needs to consider different alternatives such as biodiesel and bioethanol from crops or lignocellulosic biomass. This paper analyzes the energy ratio of some of the most common crops grown in Chile that can be utilized for ethanol production. Using a methodology adapted to local conditions of agriculture and transportation, the results indicate that a potato cultivar specially bred for high yield, high starch and dry matter content can obtain a positive net energy balance with an energy ratio of 1.8. The results also show yields near 60 tons ha -1 which translate to approximately 9,000 L ha -1 of ethanol making the genetically optimized cultivar of potato a suitable local source for ethanol production.Additional key words: biofuel, energy flow, Solanum tuberosum. Resumen Análisis de la ratio de energía para papa optimizada genéticamente para la producción de etanol en el mercado chilenoEl aumento continuo en la demanda de energía, el alto coste del petróleo importado y la preocupación creciente sobre el cambio climático, han impulsado iniciativas de los gobiernos alrededor del mundo para aumentar la producción de energía a partir de fuentes renovables. El gobierno chileno está analizando la introducción de una ley para poner un valor de referencia del 5% de producción de biocombustibles en el mercado para 2013. El análisis de opciones para implementar esta nueva regulación necesita considerar diferentes alternativas como el biodiesel y bioetanol de cosechas o biomasa de lignocelulosa. Se analizó la ratio de energía de algunas de las cosechas más comunes en Chile aptas para su utilización en la producción de etanol. Usando una metodología adaptada a las condiciones locales de agricultura y transporte, los resultados indican que una variedad de papa genéticamente modificada con altos rendimientos, alto contenido de almidón y volumen de la materia seca, puede obtener una ratio de energía neta positiva de 1,8. Los resultados también muestran rendimientos de 60 ton ha -1 que producen aproximadamente 9.000 L ha -1 de etanol, que hacen una fuente local conveniente a la variedad genéticamente perfeccionada de papa pora la ...

Energy consumption and CO2 emissions analysis of potato production based on different farm size levels in Iran

“…Energy in all its forms is essential to humanity and is central to the improvement in people's quality of life (Contreras et al, 2010). The continuous growth in energy demand, the inevitable decline in the availability of fossil fuels, and the growing concerns about climate change have resulted to a number of activities from governments around the world to increase the production of energy from renewable sources (Quintero et al, 2008).…”