This & That, Ceci et Cela

From National Geographic peeps comes a great multimedia piece on alternative energy. “Biofuels Compared” interactively illustrates how emerging biofuels size up and the benefits and costs of producing each one. It also shows comparison of each source’s greenhouse gas emissions and energy balance (ratio of the amount of fossil fuel required to make each biofuel to the amount of energy the biofuel itself can produce). Naturally, it uses gasoline cost and output as benchmarks. Concise audio commentary provided on each source rounds out the snapshot analysis.

For those keen to know more, there is a lot of supporting text available, which offers more interesting nuggets and views from various sources. For instance, while sugarcane yields more than twice as much ethanol than corn, every biofuel consumes crops that could be used for food (UN says 25,000 people die of hunger every day, most under age five). However, non-food source of ethanol (eg grass as opposed to sugarcane) is currently just 45% efficient (amount of energy extractable per unit) compared to 85% for crude oil. Others see biofuels as a total waste that deters from what should be the real goal; conservation.

And the scum of the earth may rise: While there’s no “magic-bullet fuel crop that can solve our energy woes without harming the environment”, algae (pond scum) apparently comes closest because it grows in wastewater or seawater, it merely needs sunlight and carbon dioxide to flourish.� Click on pictures for larger views. Better yet, check out the National Geographic site and try out the interactive module.