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- Ethanol Is A Green Fuel, But It Takes 78 Times More Water To Make It, India Should Take Lessons From Brazil
New Delhi2 hours ago
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India has decided to mix 20% ethanol in petrol by 2025. This reduces air pollution, but also creates water pollution and insecurity of water and food. In this matter, Dr. Jennifer Eglin says that India must know about Brazil in the matter of mixing ethanol in petrol. Jennifer is an ethanol specialist in Brazil. Recently his book ‘Sweet Fuel’ has come out.
India on the way to Brazil
Under the E-20 project in India, 20% ethanol will be mixed in petrol by 2025. IndiaSpend reports that by doing this, India will save petroleum expenditure of 30 thousand crore rupees annually. This will be 0.7% of the total expenditure. Now India has to decide what it wants to save from the expenditure of 0.7% oil versus water, forest, land.
Why is ethanol a green fuel?
Ethanol can be made from any starchy crop like potatoes, grapes, sugarcane, maize etc. Ethanol cars release 70% less hydrocarbons, 30% less nitrogen and 65% less carbon monoxide than petroleum-powered cars. Ethanol powered vehicles do not cause air pollution. Hence it is green fuel.
How was the experience in Brazil?
This accelerated in Brazil between 1964 and 1985, when there was a period of military dictatorship. In the 1970s, 20% ethanol was allowed to be used in gasoline. In 1979, only 0.3% of cars ran on ethanol. In 1985 this figure reached 96%. By 1998, this number had dropped to just 0.1% due to water pollution and food insecurity. Hybrid cars were allowed in 2003, running on both ethanol-gasoline. Lessons should be learned from the experiences of Brazil.
Jennifer Eglin is Professor of Environmental History at The Ohio State University, USA.
What is the problem with ethanol?
- Water pollution occurs in the process of making it. Water also feels manifold. Compared to one gigajoule of fuel from fossil fuels, it takes 78 times as much water to make that much fuel from ethanol.
- To make one liter of ethanol, 10 to 16 liters of toxic by-product waste is released. It is discharged into water sources. From 1979 to 1985, the production of ethanol increased from 500 million liters to 1000 million liters annually. By December 2021, the level of water sources there has decreased by up to 80%. The worst drought in 20 years.
- 1 liter of ethanol contains 5,130 kcal of energy, but 6.6 kcal of energy is spent in it. That is, 22.3% energy loss in making itself. Growing food grains is essential for alleviating hunger, but growing food grains to make fuel can prove disastrous.
Would it be appropriate to hybridize electric vehicles with ethanol?
IndiaSpend reports that in a year, it would take 187 hectares of land to cover the same route with ethanol by charging one hectare of land from a solar plant. Water-food insecurity, water pollution apart. You decide yourself.
Are there enough forests left in Brazil?
In the north of Brazil are the Amazon and in the south are the Atlantic forests. Sugarcane-based ethanol production has destroyed 85% of the Atlantic. In 4 of the 17 states, up to 90% of the forest has been destroyed. Sugarcane replaced other crops, so deforestation of the Amazon forest has intensified to make room for those crops. Due to this harvesting, 10 million tons of carbon dioxide is dissolved in the climate of Brazil annually. That is, along with water, air pollution and increase in heat also.