In line with the Saudi government's initiative to diversify energy resources and promote clean environment at the same time, a US company is introducing an innovative, versatile biofuel solution to produce ethanol using waste paper and whey as feedstocks.
Whey is the watery part of milk that is separated from the curd in making cheese.
The Modular Ethanol Production System (MEPS) of Easy Energy Systems, Inc., a Minnesota-based company, is a fully self-contained, fully automatic ethanol production system that is pre-built in a factory and can be shipped anywhere in the world, Sam Roy, adviser to founder and CEO and director of Business Development said.
Roy, who is currently in the Kingdom, said he has productive dialogues with potential investors and representatives from both the private and government sectors. "They are very keen on our system," he added.
Ethanol or ethyl alcohol used for fuel is being blended into gasoline at concentrations of 5 to 10 percent. However, in the US, there is a small but expanding segment of flexible fuel vehicles than runs on fuel that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. In Brazil, vehicles that regularly use 100 percent ethanol fuel are expanding.
In an interview with the Saudi Gazette, he said that though fossil fuel would still last for a long period, the fact is that the time will come when it will be depleted, notwithstanding the harm it does to the environment relative to biofuel.
MEPS solution produces cellulosic ethanol more feasible and cheaper than the traditional, large-plant model.
Besides, though it may appear expensive as a start-up investment, continued progress with ethanol production technologies would eventually lead to competitive ethanol production costs against fossil fuels. Roy said once everything is in place and "perfected", it would be much cheaper and environment-friendly, too.
Moreover, Easy Energy Systems welcomes Saudi investors to be its partners in the company's projects not just in the US, but in other countries as well, Roy added.
