Ethanol as a Biofuel

Ethanol is a plant-based alternative fuel, also referred to as a biofuel. The majority of ethanol produced in the United States is derived from corn and is used as motor fuel for automobiles. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of ethanol over the last decade. Increases in ethanol use are associated with increased demand and a consequent rise in prices for gasoline, as well as subsidies for ethanol production in the United States. The first-generation technology of ethanol production is based on fermenting the starch of corn found in the corn kernel. Second-generation ethanol technology aims to utilize cellulous, and it is made from wood, grasses, or other plant waste. However, current technologies are not yet sufficiently developed to make this a profitable option in the industry.