USDA increases biodiesel net energy return calculation by 10 percent; cites improved processing in first revision since 1998

The US Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with researchers at the University of Idaho, released anew calculation of the energy balance of biodiesel. The new ratio, a net return of 3.5 units of energy for every unit of input, has been increased from 3.2 due to improvements in biodiesel processing since the calculation was last updated in 1998. Petroleum diesel has a net energy return of 0.83 units.

EnergyBullertin.net reports EROEI (Energy Return on Energy Invested) for competing fuels as:

Coal- 1:1 to 10:1
Ethanol- 1.2:1
Natural Gas- 1:1 to 10:1
Hydropower- 10:1
Hydrogen- 0.5:1
Nuclear- 4:1
Oil- 1:1 to 100:1
Oil Sands- 2:1
Solar PV – 1:1 to 10:1
Wind – 3:1 to 20:1

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