Environmental and economic assessment of international ethanol trade options for the German transport sector

In this study an environmental and economic assessment of the trade of fuel ethanol (EtOH) from Brazil (sugarcane), United States (corn) and France (wheat and sugar beet) has been performed. The fuel is supposed to be consumed in Germany. The focus of the work lies on the transportation of fuel ethanol. The anhydrous ethanol from Brazil requires 3.48 GJ m−3 of fossil energy input for its production and transport to Cologne, whereas the USA supply from corn delivered to the same location would consume 17.1 GJ m−3 and the wheat and sugar beet derived ethanol from France would consume 10.6 GJ m−3. The energy ratio (renewable energy output/fossil energy input) resulted in 7.3 for Brazilian, 1.24 for the USA and 1.99 for French ethanol including production and transport to Cologne. The carbon dioxide equivalent emissions is 491 kg m−3 of sugarcane ethanol from Brazil, 1,243 kg m−3 of corn ethanol from USA and 729 kg m−3 of sugar beet and 744 kg m−3 of wheat ethanol from France. The final cost of ethanol from Brazil in Cologne was 510 € m−3 at 2006 prices, while ethanol from the US is available for a cost of 636 € m−3. The costs of wheat and sugar beet ethanol from France are 568 € m−3 and 595 € m−3 respectively (2006 prices). The results show that the transport to Germany has only a limited impact on total fossil energy consumption, GHG emissions and costs.

► We investigate the energy balance, GHG emissions and costs of production and transport of ethanol fuel to Germany.
► Ethanol transport has a minor impact compared to production in terms of fossil energy consumption and costs.
► Ethanol energy ratio in Germany is 7.3 for Brazilian, 1.24 for American and 1.99 for French ethanol.
► Brazilian ethanol has a more competitive price in Germany including transport and taxes, due to lower production costs.