Bioenergy is, essentially, liquid solar energy. Sunlight and heat create complex carbohydrates in organic matter, which in turn are converted into renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, as well as other oils and lubricants.

Alternative fuels, including bioenergy, are rapidly increasing in popularity — nearly 2 million alternative fuel vehicles were sold in the United States in 2007. The general population and policy makers are rapidly embracing the need for sustainable, alternative fuels, including bioenergy. Global warming, ever-higher oil prices, the specter of “Peak” oil, and our dependence on fossil fuels from unstable and often unfriendly areas of the world combine to make bioenergy and other alternative fuels attractive and financially feasible.

The IRS allows taxpayers using alternative fuels to claim a special tax credit, known the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. Under this provision, the definition for alternative fuel is: Any fuel containing at least 85 percent of one or more of ethanol, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen; or any mixture which consists of two or more of biodiesel, diesel fuel, or kerosene, and at least 20% of which consists of biodiesel.

Learn more about the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit

As with any new technology, there are misunderstandings and myths about the impact and practicality of bioenergy. Even with the ongoing debate, there seems to be agreement that bioenergy is playing an important role in providing for America’s energy future.

Myth #1: People are going to go hungry.

REALITY: Our cars won’t be taking food from our mouths. More than 70 percent of the grain we grow is used to feed animals, not people. In the U.S., 500 million of the 800 million acres of cropland and animal pasture produce animal feed, not food consumed directly by human beings. Indeed, hunger is a huge problem in the world, but facts are more important than emotions when it comes to energy policy. A $3 box of corn flakes contains about five cents worth of corn. Increased corn prices do affect the cost of some items, no doubt — but skyrocketing fuel prices increase the cost of everything that has to be transported. In fact, an increased use of biofuels will help hold down gasoline and diesel prices, which in turn will help hold down prices for food and everything else that depends on transportation.

Myth #2: Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly tested.

REALITY: Biodiesel has been tested as much — or more — than any alternative fuel on the market. It’s used successfully by more than 300 major fleets, covering more than 50 million road miles and countless off-road and marine miles. Many independent studies have shown biodiesel performs similarly to petroleum diesel, while outstripping diesel when it comes to the impact on the environment and human health. These studies include research by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stanadyne Automotive Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute. In addition, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have completed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.

Myth #3: Biodiesel does not perform as well as diesel.

REALITY: The beauty of biodiesel is its ability to perform as well as petroleum diesel in existing engines and fuel injection equipment. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than U.S. petroleum diesel fuel. More than 50 million miles of real-world demonstrations showed B20 offering similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel also has superior lubricity and the highest BTU content of any alternative fuel.

Myth #4: Ethanol will always cost more than gas.

REALITY: Truth is, we can’t find oil as fast as we’re burning it. Yet, when corn is about $3.20 per bushel, ethanol can be produced for about the same price as gasoline can (at a crude oil price of $65 per barrel). Brazil has reduced the cost of ethanol made from sugar cane to the point that, on an energy-equivalent basis, ethanol from sugar cane is now cheaper than gasoline. The cost of ethanol made from corn is likely to decrease somewhat over the next five years or so as production costs decrease and corn prices stabilize. For ethanol produced from grass (cellulosic ethanol), the news is even better. Economic analyses indicate that “grassoline” can eventually be produced for about 60 cents per gallon, or less than $1 per gallon of gasoline (energy-equivalent basis) using mature technology.

Myth #5: Biodiesel causes filters to plug.

REALITY: Fuel and engine systems do NOT require modification to use biodiesel. However, pure biodiesel (B100) can act as a solvent, which may release deposits from previous diesel fuel use on tank walls and tubes, so use of higher blends requires some precautions, including replacing filters, until the petroleum build-up is gone. Use of B20 and lower blends show little to no evidence of filter plugging.

Myth #6: Engine warranty coverage would be at risk.

REALITY: To our knowledge, no major U.S. engine manufacturers’ warranties are voided or invalidated by the use of biodiesel in existing diesel engines.

As bioenergy emerges as a major force in helping America overcome its addiction to fossil fuels, its positive impact on the environment, city and state governments, and expanded employment and opportunities for growers, refiners and distributors are all contributing to an increasing number of success stories — and Cyclone BioEnergy wants to help spread the word.

Agriculture Innovation Center Helps Georgia Emerge as a Leader in Bioenergy Revolution

The bioenergy business is booming in the state of Georgia. While less than five bioenergy companies are operational in Georgia today, over 80 are considering locating or starting up in the state. Read more.

Biodiesel is Working Hard in Kentucky

In Kentucky, biodiesel use increased by 1,100 percent between 2002 and 2004. Due to its low cost relative to other alternative fuels (considering vehicle, fuel, and infrastructure costs), biodiesel is especially interesting as an alterna­tive fuel for school districts, who can achieve emissions reductions and petroleum displacement benefits with­out significant vehicle or infrastructure investments. Read more.

King Metro Fuels Seattle Transit with Biodiesel

King County Metro Transit is committed to the use of a 20-percent blend of biodiesel to help power its fleet of buses as part of a Seattle City Light greenhouse gas mitigation program. Read more.

Las Vegas Schools Roll on Biodiesel

One of the largest alternative fuel fleets in Clark County is the Clark County School District, which serves an estimated 246,000 students in 266 schools across the 8,000 square mile county. The school district currently operates virtually all of its buses on a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel fuel. Read more.

Bioenergy is exploding on the American energy scene, and Cyclone BioEnergy is in the thick of it. One of our objectives is to help educate consumers and buyers on the potential for biomass-related energy — so here are some links to other sites that you may find helpful.

Biodiesel Coalition of Texas, Inc. (BCOT)
http://biodieselcoalitionoftexas.org/
A non-profit corporation created by biodiesel pioneers and industry leaders to ensure that biodiesel receives favorable treatment by state regulatory agencies and the Texas Legislature.

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
http://www.treia.org/mc/page.do
Representing 400+ member companies, organizations, agencies and individuals providing products, services and information in the areas of alternative energy and sustainable building design and construction.

Central Texas Clean Cities
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cleancities/
Central Texas Clean Cities is one of more than 80 volunteer coalitions that develop public and private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction. Biodiesel.org http://www.biodiesel.org/ Official site of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the national trade association representing the biodiesel industry in the United States.

Biodiesel America
http://www.biodieselamerica.org/index.php
Resources, information, community and news about the biodiesel industry.

Ethanol News
http://ethanol-news.newslib.com/
Articles from around the world focusing on ethanol.