[E&E seminars] Thur Apr 09 12-1pm Sustainable Renewable Fuels Seminar [E51-149]

[Elsa Olivetti]

"Sustainable Renewable Fuels"
E51-149
Thur Apr 09 noon-1pm
by Professor Amy Landis
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Pittsburgh

Abstract:
"In most cases, biofuels exhibit environmental benefits in the form of 
fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less nonrenewable fossil fuels usage 
when compared to their petro-counterparts. Research on the 
sustainability and environmental implications of these renewable fuels 
has been measured primarily based on reductions in emissions related to 
the carbon cycle (greenhouse gases and fossil fuels). Important 
tradeoffs have been neglected, such as eutrophication and hypoxia caused 
primarily in the US by agricultural runoff. As society increases its 
reliance on bio-based resources, it is important to critically examine 
these non-carbon based environmental stresses and to determine methods 
for reducing the resultant negative rebound effects. This presentation 
evaluates the environmental tradeoffs for a variety of biofuels (i.e. 
ethanol, biodiesel) from a variety of feedstocks (i.e. corn, corn 
stover, soybeans, switchgrass, sugar cane, rapeseed, algae, woody 
biomass) with respect to many environmental impacts of concern, 
including human health and eutrophication (and global warming). This 
talk will also evaluate the environmental impacts from meeting the 
Renewable Fuel Standards set forth in the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007. We will also discuss strategies that may reduce 
the life cycle environmental footprint of biofuels."