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Biomass can be used to create ethanol fuel. It can also be used to generate electricity, that can then be used to charge electric vehicles (EVs). In this problem, you will determine whether ethanol or electricity can provide a higher biomass-to-wheel efficiency. Assume that one hectare of cropland can produce 14 tons of dry switchgrass per year and that dry switchgrass has an energy density of 15 MJ/kg. Alternatively, each ton of dry switchgrass could be used directly to generate electricity, and this electricity could in turn be used to operate an EV. Assume that a biomass-fueled power plant has a first-law efficiency of 28%. There is a 7.5% loss for transmission and distribution of electricity from the power plant to the car charging station. The motor plus battery is 88% efficient in converting electrical energy delivered from the charging station to
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