Alvian Choiri Apriliansyah
My name is Alvian Choiri Apriliansyah (2006517751), a Universitas Indonesia student from Mechanical Engineering (2020 batch, International class). Currently I'm in 6th semester, studying Energy Conversion System 2 classes amongst others
ECS 02 ChatGPT conversation
What's the relations between sugar factory, electric vehicles, and fossil fuels?
There are several possible relationships between sugar factories, electric vehicles, and fossil fuels, depending on the context and perspective.
One possible relationship is that sugar factories can be a source of biofuels, which can be used to power electric vehicles. For example, some sugar factories produce ethanol from sugarcane, which can be blended with gasoline to create a fuel that can be used in conventional vehicles, or used as a standalone fuel in flex-fuel vehicles. Additionally, ethanol can also be used as an input in the production of electricity, either directly or through the use of fuel cells.
Another possible relationship is that electric vehicles can reduce the dependence on fossil fuels that are used in transportation. By using electricity as a fuel source, electric vehicles can help reduce the consumption of gasoline and diesel, which are derived from fossil fuels. This can lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental benefits.
However, it's worth noting that the electricity used to power electric vehicles may still be generated from fossil fuels in some cases. While renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power are becoming increasingly common, many power plants still rely on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas to generate electricity. Therefore, the environmental benefits of electric vehicles depend on the mix of energy sources used to generate the electricity they use.
In summary, the relationships between sugar factories, electric vehicles, and fossil fuels can be complex and multifaceted, but there are certainly opportunities for these entities to interact in ways that can promote sustainability and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels
But I found the recent research from University of Wisconsin a year ago, concluded that ethanol actually produce 24% more GHG than gasoline because of land usage from producing corn
Yes, you are correct that some studies have suggested that the production and use of corn ethanol can result in higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than gasoline, especially when the emissions associated with land use changes are taken into account. This is because the production of corn requires large amounts of land, fertilizer, and other inputs, which can lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and other environmental impacts.
The study you mentioned from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, published in 2021 in the journal Environmental Research Letters, found that the GHG emissions from corn ethanol were indeed higher than those from gasoline, by approximately 20-30%. The authors of the study concluded that the use of corn ethanol as a transportation fuel is unlikely to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions and may even result in net increases in emissions, particularly when indirect land use changes are considered.
It's worth noting, however, that there is still some debate in the scientific community about the environmental impacts of biofuels like corn ethanol. Some studies have suggested that the emissions from biofuels can be lower than those from fossil fuels, particularly if the biofuels are produced from non-food feedstocks like agricultural waste or dedicated energy crops grown on marginal lands. Additionally, advances in technology and farming practices could potentially reduce the emissions associated with the production of corn and other biofuels.
Overall, the relationship between biofuels, fossil fuels, and GHG emissions is complex, and the environmental impacts of biofuels depend on a variety of factors, including the type of feedstock used, the production methods employed, and the specific energy and transportation systems in which the biofuels are used.
