Chem321:Discussion 10
Revision as of 12:33, 30 July 2012 by Amannme192 (talk | contribs) (→Biofuels in the North Country)
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This discussion is based on discussing two questions, and it is set to take place on the wiki, over the next few days (until midnight on Monday, 16th July). We will leave comments on the page below, in response to (and under) the questions posted or the related responses. Be sure to start your text with a *, and sign your responses with four tilde marks at the end.
Biofuels in the North Country
What the the possibilities for biofuel production in the North Country? Could these replace petroleum-based fuels locally? Could they become a major cash crop for local farmers?
Consider the question with two scenarios - (a) the status quo or (b) after global oil demand surged ahead of supply, and so there is a price spike for gasoline and similar liquid fuels.
- Based upon the very limited growing season in the North Country (approx. 60-70 days), I think the chance to grow biofuels is very limited. If we were to grow biofuels, corn would be a good option because it grows so quickly. Even if global oil demand sky-rocketed, I don't think the North Country would be the optimal region to start a massive biofuel attempt. If, however, there's a biofuel that can withstand freezes and thaws well, than the North Country could stand a chance of producing that biofuel. Since the North Country is also relatively poor, it would provide decent jobs and could help the region. If the market stays as is, I don't think there's a good market up here for it. HKopelson (talk) 11:18, 30 July 2012 (EDT)
- I believe that only scenario (b) would make bio-fuels economically viable for the North Country, by today's definition. With the severity of winter, and unpredictable nature of the rest of the seasons here in Potsdam, locally produced Bio-fuel would be relatively expensive compared to gasoline and other fossil fuels. Only when fossil fuel reserves are depleted to a point to cause a huge spike in the price will North Country produced bio-fuel be affordable and economicly viable as a substitute. We will see more benefit from other alternative fuels, such as wind and solar energy. Another possibility that could make bio-fuels economicly viable here in the north-country would be if the definition of "economic viability" were changed. Currently this term means that the price is cheap compared to other alternatives at the time, only taking into account normal costs and benefits. If environmental damage and longevity(normally externalities) were also included in prices, gasoline and other fossil fuels would become much more expensive than the bio-fuels created here in the north-country.Stewarjm192 (talk) 13:21, 30 July 2012 (EDT)
- I think that it would be very difficult for the biofuel production in the North Country. The winters are too severe that everything dies off- we get temperatures way to low to even consider this. Not only do temperatures get too low, but the drastic changes in temperatures also wouldn't be good for the biofuel industry. Our growing season is too short, from winter's freezing temperatures to falls frosts- it just wouldn't be possible. If there was a price spike for gasoline I think that farmers in the north country could rely on the windmills and solar power, although they may be expensive at first- solar and wind power will always be around so they will end up getting their money back- even in the winter months we have both of these. amannme192Amannme192 (talk) 13:33, 30 July 2012 (EDT)
