Ethanol Energy Balance

Ethanol in the United States is mainly produced from the starch in corn grain. Some studies have suggested that corn-based ethanol has a negative energy balance. However, a preponderance of recent studies using updated data about corn production methods demonstrates a positive energy balance for corn ethanol.

In addition, once the technology to produce cellulosic ethanol becomes widely available, the energy lifecycle balance of ethanol will improve. That's because it will be produced using less fossil fuel and more energy-efficient feedstocks, such as fast-growing trees, corn stover, grain straw, switchgrass, forest product residues, and municipal waste. Cellulosic ethanol also produces lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Learn how Ethanol's Lifecycle Energy Balance relates to emissions.

For more information on the energy balance of ethanol, see the U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program's Ethanol Myths and Facts and download the following documents. Download Adobe Reader.

• Life-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Impacts of Different Corn Ethanol Plant Types (PDF 606 KB)
• Ethanol's Energy Return on Investment: A Survey of the Literature 1990-Present (PDF 290 KB)
• Energy and Environmental Aspects of Using Corn Stover for Fuel Ethanol (PDF 1.7 MB)
• The 2001 Net Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol (PDF 30 KB)
• The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update (PDF 169 KB)