[Letters] A look at adoption of bioethenol in synthetic standpoint

Home > Opinion > Letters

print dictionary print

[Letters] A look at adoption of bioethenol in synthetic standpoint

As variability of oil prices expands in recent years, the importance of alternate green energy, is being brought into fore. Recently CNN spotlighted how Brazilians are relatively less affected by oil shocks by using sugarcane based bioethanol as fuel for cars. This global energy environment became major grounds for invigorating bioethanol through out the world.

Most advanced countries and developing countries are required to commercialize bioethanol in order to emerge as a powerful green-energy nation. Our government has established the first national energy foundation plan with plans to increase renewable energy from 2.4 percent to 11 percent by 2030.

Now it is only a matter of time when to adopt bioethanol. Here is some advice for the government.

First, securing price competitiveness of bioethanol does not seem so easy in the near term, considering the price of oil is about $75 per barrel. So it is important to thoroughly prepare for a reasonable price policy for ethanol and to secure policy transparency.

Second, the government should not be stuck in a narrow box of environmental logic that implies bioethanol is environmental friendly and needs to maintain balance with the economy. For example, bioethanol in the U.S. has led to the rapid expansion of corn fields and global food issues. Bioethanol has become the future global energy source. Therefore the government must maintain a balanced view between energy and food by establishing an organic supply system for crops based on reasonable supply and demand plan of bioethanol. Of course governmental level international exchange of information and cooperation should accompany this.

Third, developing bioethanol as a more environmental friendly energy source is necessary. Ethanol produced from sugarcrane has been found to harm soils during the production process.

Fourth, the government must get bioethanol interest groups to cooperate.

Fifth, a long term examination on the supply and demand of bioethanol is needed.

Lastly, distribution of bioethanol should be based in some local governments before it is commercialized nationally. Through this, more accurate predictions of market demand can be done. And certain aspects to be improved during the distribution process can be found, while the advancement of related businesses such as developing a flexible engine that uses bioethanol can also be planned.

A government bioethanol policy must be established and executed with the synthetic viewpoints above. It is a prerequisite in order to successfully adopt bioethanol as a Korea’s next green energy source.


Pae Ki-pyo,

CEO of Copetition Consulting Company
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)