Study Reveals Bioelectricity Could Be More Efficient than Ethanol to Power Vehicles

By Tracey de Morsella on May 13, 2009 3 Comments biomass, Carnegie Institution, Christopher Field, David Lobell, department of global energy, electric battery, electricity, Elliott Campbell, emissions offsets, energy, ethanol, greenhouse gas offsets, Merced, performance, power source, Stanford University, transportation, University of California

Scientists are examining biomass – plant matter that’s grown and used to generate energy – as a potential power source. Two biomass technologies involve ethanol and electricity. Biomass converted into ethanol, a corn-based fuel, can power internal combustion vehicles. Biomass converted into electricity can fuel a vehicle powered by an electric battery. A study by University of California, Merced, Assistant Professor Elliott Campbell and two other researchers in the online edition of this week’s Science journal suggests that biomass used to generate electricity could be the more efficient solution.