Conservation of Fossil Fuels in S’pore through the use of Bio-Ethanol as

Alternative Fuel

Darryl Ho 09A10

Contents

• Rationale• Feasibility• Constraints

Rationale

• Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource.• They are being depleted at an increasing rate.• If left unchecked, this could result in an energy

crisis.• There is a need to explore alternative,

renewable sources of energy.

Rationale

• Bio-ethanol has been used as an alternative fuel in recent years.– Particularly

prominent in Brazil, the USA and Sweden

An ethanol-fueled bus in Sweden

Rationale

• Plants are a renewable resource– Energy that is derived from plants is more

sustainable than energy derived from fossil fuels

• Ethanol fuel is compatible with most vehicle engines– Can be blended with normal gasoline– High potential for widespread use

Feasibility

• Singapore’s well-developed research facilities put it in a position to take full advantage of the possibilities that bio-ethanol as an alternative energy source has to offer.

Constraints

• As bio-ethanol fuel is a relatively new field of research from a Singaporean perspective, research and development costs may be high at the outset.

• Persuading regular consumers to switch from using gasoline to ethanol fuel blends may therefore be an issue, as the cost of ethanol fuel blends will probably be higher than that of gasoline in the beginning phases of this project.

Bibliography• http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/15-10/ff_plant?currentPage=1• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://www.icis.com/Articles/2007/02/12/4500680/the-brazilian-ethanol-model.html• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/enews/enews_0505/enews_0505_Cellulosic_Ethanol.ht

m• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol_energy.html• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/ethanol-better-than-gasoline-if-done-right-

5855.html• (last accessed 9/4/09)• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulosic_ethanol• (last accessed 9/4/09)

The EndAre there any questions?