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Some New Ethanol Technology: Cost Competition and Adoption Effects in the Petroleum Market

Abstract:
This study examines the adoption prospects and market effects for fuels made from agricultural materials. New ethanol processing methods may eventually enable ethanol production from cellulose materials. A cost analysis suggests that corn residue-based production could be competitive with petroleum based gasoline because land-cost recovery is unnecessary. A supply analysis for U.S. corn residue accounts for potential livestock use and environmental factors. Some simulations are based on a petroleum market model, the residue supply estimate, and adoption of the new ethanol processing technology; results suggest a petroleum price reduction. The benefit-cost analysis for this technology accounts for the oligopoly-offsetting effect of additional supplies and the option valuef or loss reductions in the event of an embargo. Substantial underestimates of the technology benefit will occur unless the chance of embargo and oligopoly pricing are taken into account.

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Energy Specializations: Petroleum – Markets and Prices for Crude Oil and Products; Renewables – Biofuels ; Renewables – Policy and Regulation

JEL Codes: Q42: Alternative Energy Sources, Q24: Renewable Resources and Conservation: Land, Q16: Agricultural R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services, Q21: Renewable Resources and Conservation: Demand and Supply; Prices, Q41: Energy: Demand and Supply; Prices, Q35: Hydrocarbon Resources

Keywords: Renewable energy, Biofuel, Ethanol, Cellulose, technological change, oil market, US.

DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol20-No2-4

Published in Volume20, Number 2 of the bi-monthly journal of the IAEE's Energy Economics Education Foundation.

 

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