Sandia National Lab releases studying finding 90 billion gallons per year in EU ethanol capacity; 75 Bgy from cellulose

In California, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories released a study concluding that the United States has sufficient biomass to produce 90 billion gallons per year of ethanol, including 75 billion produced from cellulosic feedstocks including switchgrass, corn stover and woods.

The study also found that cellulosic ethanol would be competitive with oil at prices of $70-$90 per barrel based on a 91 gallons per ton conversion rate for CE, with investment costs for ethanol production equivalent to the exploration and production costs of an equivalent amount of fossil oils.

The study concluded that ethanol would cost $1.65 per gallon to produce, based on a a cost of $40 per dry ton for biomass and a construction cost of $3.60 per gallon.

General Motors sponsored and contributed to the study.

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