Estimating the Net Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol

Hosein Shapouri, James A. Duffield and Michael S. Graboski

No 34005, Agricultural Economic Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Studies conducted since the late 1970's have estimated the net energy value of corn ethanol. However, variations in data and assumptions used among the studies have resulted in a wide range of estimates. This study identifies the factors causing this wide variation and develops a more consistent estimate. We conclude that the net energy value of corn ethanol has become positive in recent years due to technological advances in ethanol conversion and increased efficiency in farm production. We show that corn ethanol is energy efficient as indicated by an energy ratio of 1.24.

Keywords: Resource/Energy; Economics; and; Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 18
Date: 1995
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (29)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerser:34005

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.34005

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