Many companies, countries, professors, and others are pursuing sustainable energy. By tapping into renewable energy sources, it may be possible to preserve resources for future generations while stabilizing utility prices. Among the most promising renewable energy solutions is ethanol, a fuel derived from corn and other plants.

“Ethanol has been around for quite some time, but there are still a lot of misconceptions,” says Gunawan Jusuf. “Perhaps most importantly, many folks believe that ethanol doesn’t offer any environmental benefits, but that’s false. Early ethanol technologies were perhaps inefficient, but the tech has come a long way.”

What’s the source of confusion? Purely as a fuel, ethanol is typically a bit less efficient than gasoline in terms of miles per gallon. However, it’s important to remember that ethanol can be produced with fewer negative environmental drawbacks. From an environmental perspective, the benefits outweigh the slightly lower MPG.

Whereas gasoline produces a lot of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, ethanol production is relatively clean and captures carbon during the production process. This is because plants must be grown to produce ethanol, and those plants capture carbon dioxide as they grow.

Gunawan Jusuf Discusses Energy Security

The environment should never be overlooked, especially concerning energy. That said, as important as the environment is, it’s not the only factor. Energy security is also crucial.

“Energy security is essential, and countries that grow a lot of corn or other crops that can produce ethanol, like the United States, can increase energy security by using ethanol,” says Gunawan Jusuf. “While the United States has considerable oil deposits, those deposits will run out. Meanwhile, corn is renewable.”

Corn is plentiful in the United States and relatively easy to grow. Further, corn isn’t the only crop that can be used to create ethanol. Sugar cane and some other crops can also be used. Even if corn production should be disrupted, there are already available alternatives. By using ethanol, countries may be able to increase energy security.

When energy prices rise, it can put a lot of pressure on families. Further, energy prices can be affected by geopolitics, environmental disasters, and various other things. Ethanol helps countries diversify their energy supplies, making them more resistant to price swings.

Meanwhile, ethanol also creates jobs and can help grow the economy. It’s estimated that ethanol produces more than 50,000 jobs across the United States alone. Many high-paying jobs involve research and development, skilled trades, and the like. Much of the money is directed to farmers and small businesses in terms of economic impact.

“Panaceas don’t exist,” notes Gunawan Jusuf, “but as far as energy is concerned, ethanol is, in some ways, a sort of cure-all, providing a range of important benefits across the board.”

Whether talking economics, politics, or sustainability, ethanol can pay off. It should be no surprise that proactive countries strive to develop their ethanol sectors.