The Use of Bioethanol
The objective of the EU is that the use of renewable fuels increases gradually from 6 % to 20 % by 2020. The Finnish consumption would then be ca 200 000 t per annum. The Finnish national goal is to replace 20 % of the fossil fuel with renewable fuel, which would increase the need of bioethanol in Finland to 400 000 t per annum.
Finland produces currently only 5 % of the need of bioethanol. The contemplated bioethanol plant of Suomen Bioetanoli Oy would produce ca 30 % of the need of bioethanol created by the EU objectives.
Both in Finland and in Europe there is a strong energy and environmental political will to support the manufacturing of fuel out of renewable raw materials. It appears so that during the coming 15 years the fastest and technically most advanced alternative to replace fossil traffic fuels is to manufacture them out of bio mass.
Suomen Bioetanoli Oy is interested also in manufacturing wood-based bioethanol, provided that research proves such manufacturing feasible. According to Suomen bioetanoli Oy´s view the production of wood-based bioethanol cannot be feasible prior to solving entirely the related technical issues.
Advantages of ethanol as fuel
Ethanol is cleaner in terms of emissions than gasoline manufactured out of crude oil. The domestic production of ethanol improves the energy supply during potential crises and reduces the dependency on oil-related fuels. The manufacturing of bioethanol increases the wealth at the countryside and also contributes to the economy of the Kouvola region.
According to studies made by the University of Eastern-Finland, the carbon balance of the contemplated bioethanol plant is 60 % less than the one of fossil gasoline, considering the modern agriculture and the usage of wood chips in the steam energy production.
Mixing bioethanol with gasoline does not affect the car motors and does not increase noticeably the fuel consumption. Currently even a mixing ratio of 10 % is possible. The new mix ratio can be used with the current cars without problems. Many car manufacturers are also introducing new FlexiFuel cars, which can use almost entirely ethanol (E85).
