Quiz
The Student Guide and Introduction to Bioenergy – Starter Pack contain the quiz and cloze notes.
Quiz Answer Key: Q1:C Q2:D Q3:A Q4:B Q5:A Q6:C Q7:A Q8:D
Cloze Notes Answer Key: biomass, wood, carbon dioxide, carbon neutral, environmental, technologies, biofuels
Data Set
The Student Guide contains the Introduction to Bioenergy – Data Set.
Answer Key: Question 1: From 1990 to 2000, South America had the highest biofuel energy production. From 1990 to 2024, South America increased its production by 278.67 TWh (347.18 – 68.51 = 278.67).
Question 2: Answers may vary. (Example: In 2020, Europe only increased its biofuel energy production by 6.82 TWh (194.29 – 187.47 = 6.82). In the same time frame the Asia-Pacific region increased its production by 126.43 TWh (319.57 – 126.43 = 126.43), a much bigger jump! This suggests that Asia-Pacific is focused on increasing biofuel production and technology, while Europe may be already stable or focusing on other energy sources.)
Question 3: Answers will vary. (Example: Africa may not have as much technology or funding to turn crops into biofuels. The main use of crops may also be for food, not energy. Also, there may not be enough factories, equipment, or trained workers to produce biofuel on a large scale.)
Question 4: Answers will vary. (Example: I think biofuel energy will keep growing, because the graph shows that every region increased its production since 1990, and some regions are growing very fast.)
A Bioenergy Challenge Hands-On
The Student Guide contains the A Bioenergy Challenge Hands-On – Student questions.
Student investigation answers will vary based on their investigation question. Below are sample student answers using the investigation question, “Can ethanol from corn stalks fuel the town’s municipal FFV vehicles?”
4. Can ethanol from corn stalks fuel the town’s municipal FFV vehicles?
5A. Corn stalks
5B. There are 300 acres, and each acre produces 3 U.S. tons of corn stalks per year. 300 x 3 = 900 U.S. tons of corn stalks per year.
6A. Ethanol
6B. Ethanol refinery
6C. No, Springville doesn’t have the financial resources to build its own ethanol refinery. Springville would need to partner with nearby towns, a company, or a regional facility to share the cost and processing.
7. Springville produces 900 U.S. tons of corn stalks per year, and 20 gallons of ethanol can be produced per ton of corn stalks. 900 x 20 = 18,000. Springville can produce 18,000 gallons of ethanol per year from its corn stalks.
8A. The town has 8 municipal FFV vehicles, which altogether use 20 gallons of E85 fuel per day (8 x 2.5 = 20). The total demand of E85 fuel per year for municipal vehicles is 7,300 gallons (20 x 365 = 7,300). Since E85 is 85% ethanol, the ethanol demand per year is 6,205 gallons (7,300 x 0.85 = 6,205).
8B. Yes. Using all its corn stalks, Springville could produce 18,000 gallons of ethanol a year, but only needs 6,205 gallons for its FFV fleet. That means the town could meet 100% of its ethanol demand for FFVs, and have plenty left over.
9A. Access to an ethanol refinery, as well as a collection and transport system for corn stalks from farms.
9B. Outside support is needed. Springville needs to partner regionally or apply for state or federal funding to access a refinery.
9C. Government grants, regional partnerships and local investment.
9D. (1) Apply and (hopefully receive) state and federal government grants that can help with building up local systems (such as a collection and transport system for corn stalks from farms). (2) Contact neighboring towns to form a regional bioenergy partnership to build an ethanol refinery. (3) Reach out to local farms and businesses to invest in the project, and host a community meeting to educate and build support.
10. Advantages: Results in less vehicle emissions compared to regular fuel; uses agricultural waste, no new crops needed; potential local jobs; economic and business opportunities
Disadvantages: Big expense of building an ethanol refinery; regional cooperation needed; transportation of stalks may add cost and logistics; it will take time to plan and build partnerships
11. To power its municipal FFV vehicles, Springville can use corn stalks from its 300 acres of farms to make ethanol, a fuel that burns with fewer emissions than regular fuel. With about 900 tons of stalks per year, the town can produce 18,000 gallons of ethanol, which is more than enough to cover the 6,205 gallons needed by its FFV fleet annually. There is huge potential for local farmers and businesses to switch to FFV vehicles using the extra ethanol produced. However, Springville does not have the resources to build a full ethanol refinery alone, so we recommend forming a regional partnership with neighboring towns, who also want to process their corn stalk waste into ethanol. We can also apply for government grants to access an ethanol refinery and build a transportation system. This plan has a high upfront cost, but will be cost-effective over time, and help Springville lower emissions and support its local agricultural community.