Innovatsioon 2011: prügi autokütuseks

Ühiskonnas palju kõneainet pakkuva prügitemaatika ning kütusehindade tõusu juurde sobib ülihästi USA tuntud autorifma General Motors´i hiljutine teade, et nad on koostöös biotehnoloogia arendusi pakkuva Coskata Inc´ga valmis 2011st aastast sünteesima etanoolipõhist biokütust praktiliselt igasugusest prügist.

Using patented microorganisms and transformative bioreactor designs, Coskata ethanol is produced via a unique three-step conversion process that turns virtually any carbon-based feedstock, including biomass, municipal solid waste, bagasse and other agricultural waste into ethanol, making production a possibility in almost any geography. Coskata’s process technology is ethanol-specific and enzyme independent, requiring no additional chemicals or pre-treatments; environmentally superior, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 84% compared to conventional gasoline; and has the ability to generate 7.7 times as much energy as is required to produce the ethanol, compared to corn ethanol which generates approximately 1.3 times as much energy according to Argonne National Labs.

Seejuures pakutakse ühe galloni (4,6 liitrit) "prügikütuse" omahinnaks alla ühe USD (10,6 EEK), ehk siis alla 2,3 EEK liitri kohta.