Many Americans are worried about the recent fluctuations in oil prices and the fact that the United States imports much of its energy from foreign oil. The United States is looking for a way to limit the dependence on foreign oil and use sustainable substitutes made in the United States. Brazil serves as a perfect case study because it meets 85% of its gasoline needs from ethanol made from sugarcane. The goal of this study is to outline the steps Brazil took to make the switch from an oil economy to an energy independent society using ethanol. This report also addresses ways that the United States can try to emulate Brazil.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Turba, Ronald David
• Fajardo, Erik Emmanuel

Subject

• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability
• Environment

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-100608-221212

Keyword

• Sustainability
• Renewable energy sources
• Biomass energy

Advisor

• Rao, Reeta Prusty

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-10-06

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-02-02