SD Corn

The United States hit a record rate of ethanol production when they averaged 761,000 barrels of ethanol per day this last November. The record is an increase of 93,000 barrels per day since November of 2008. Ethanol demand also reached a record high of 781,000 barrels per day.

The new ethanol record could be attributed to the record corn crop raised this last fall. With the increased corn yields, farmers are growing more with less. Thus proves that farmers are capable of both feeding and fueling America’s growing population.

While the production and demand of ethanol are on the rise, the demand for oil seems to be on a downward slope.

A report came out Sunday from KansasCity.com saying that the demand for oil in the United States is falling and has been for some time. Oil demand peaked in 2007 and has been declining ever since. Experts, including Oil Execs, say they don’t expect that demand to ever recover. The article suggested that alternative fuels, like ethanol, will grow enough to meet any future increase in demand for automotive fuel.

Ethanol, a home-grown, clean burning, renewable fuel is helping the United States lessen its dependence from foreign oil, especially oil imported from countries with a history of terrorist activity. Ethanol is providing good jobs across rural America, decreasing green house gas emissions, supporting local economies and lowering our trade deficit.

Ricardo Inc. made the ethanol community proud yesterday when it released its new Ethanol Direct Boost Injection engine at the Washington Auto Show. The engine is the first of its kind, using technology designed for diesel engines but taking advantage of the ethanol fuel properties.

 Ricardo put their engine in a one ton GMC pick-up as a test model for the auto show. The 3.2 V6 will be able to substitute any gas or diesel motor without losing performance or power.

“We think this could replace conventional engines, and could even replace diesels,” says Kent Niederhofer, president of Ricardo.

The optimum blend for the EDBI is between 30-50% ethanol, but can run on any blend of ethanol or regular gas. That fuel blend is becoming easier to find with the increase in ethanol blender pumps across the country.

The smaller 3.2 V6 EDBI engine will have an estimated cost of $4,500 more than that of the conventional gas, but will gain in efficiency. The one ton pick-up with a its normal engine averaged 12.7 miles per gallon with regular gas and 12.1 miles per gallon with ethanol. But when replaced with the EDBI engine, the vehicle got 15 miles per gallon on ethanol.

“People are likely to be amazed with the performance and fuel economy that can be delivered from a comparatively small displacement engine running on a renewable fuel such as ethanol,” said Rod Beazley, director of the Ricardo Inc.

Diesel Trucks usually cost around $8,000 more than conventional gas and the EDBI will weigh around 400-500 pounds less while maintaining the same torque and towing capabilities.

Advancements like the EDBI are solutions toward America lessening its dependence from foreign oil and strengthening its economy.