Ethanol supply chain and industry overview : more harm than good?
Name
858277767-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
10.91 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
2060653b2b2481a7edfce61cd2286497
Author(s)
Bruce, Sarah L
Advisor(s)
Alexis Hickman Bateman and Edgar Blanco.
Date Issued
2013
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis is a comprehensive study that aggregates the key aspects of ethanol including its supply chain, government legislation that impacts the use of, and the inherent material characteristics of the fuel as well as its environmental impact. Based on existing research, this study suggests whether or not mandating biofuels in today's energy portfolio makes sense and if so, to what extent. The objective of this research was to compile and analyze the large body of existing working knowledge regarding ethanol and distill some key takeaways for actionable recommendations. The findings in this research may be useful to policy makers, and those unfamiliar with the industry and wanting to learn more about ethanol. The key takeaway is that ethanol does not provide a quick fix to the world's energy problems but when combined with improved energy conservation, continued research and development to improve ethanol's carbon footprint, it can provide some help to reducing the environmental impact along with other benefits such as energy independence and rural economic stimulation.
Description
Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-87).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
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