Ethanol From Waste Straw

Message Somebody proposed this as an alternative to SPS on one of the space newsgroups, and there was an excellent rebuttal posted. Can't remember fine details, but in its essentials: there just isn't enough biodegradable matter around to replace oil. Certainly not enough to help China and India elevate to Western energy usage levels. My attitude: Don't count SPS out quite yet.

Regards,
Mike Combs

Another way SSPS is getting passed by:

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid/04/23/1240249&mode=thread&tid6&tid4&threshold=2

"The CBC is reporting that 'Iogen Corporation of Ottawa has developed
enzymes to break down waste straw and wood chips into ethanol on a
commercial scale.' Apparently traditional ethanol from food crops like
corn used at least as much energy to create as they released when
burned. It's nice to see that big oil companies are helping fund a
project like this too. It's very rare today to hear of a major company
throwing money at a research project since the '80s."

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/04/22/sci-tech/biofuel040422

"After more than 20 years and $110-million worth of research, a Canadian
company has found a way to make "greener" gasoline on a commercial
scale. Iogen Corporation of Ottawa has developed enzymes to break down
waste straw and wood chips into ethanol on a commercial scale."