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Fossil Fuels such as coal and gasoline provide most of the energy needs of the world today, but because of their diminishing reserves, high prices and most importantly, their damaging effect on the environment, alternative sources of energy and environmentally friendly fuels are now being developed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “There are more than a dozen alternative and advanced fuels in production or use today.” From the perspective of protecting the environment, alternative fuels and alternative sources of energy usually fall under seven broad headings.
- Biofuels
- Natural Gas
- Wind Energy
- Hydroelectric Power
- Solar Energy
- Hydrogen
- Nuclear Energy
Biofuels
Any kind of fuels made from plants or animals. These include wood, wood chippings, methane from animal excrement or as a result of bacterial action and ethanol from plant materials. Lately it is ethanol that has become synonymous with the term biofuel and is in wide use in combination with gasoline in the transportation industry.
Natural Gas
Although a fossil fuel, Natural Gas is cleaner burning than gasoline, but does produce Carbon Dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. Like gasoline natural gas is a finite source, but unlike it, there is still a very plentiful supply still available. The EIA, in conjunction with the Oil and Gas Journal and World Oil publications, “estimates world proved natural gas reserves to be around 5,210.8 Tcf (Trillion cubic feet)”.
Wind Energy
One of the oldest and cleanest forms of energy and the most developed of the renewable energy sources. There is the potential for a large amount of energy to be produced from wind. The Global Wind Energy Council is forecasting that "the global wind market will grow by over 155% to reach 240 GW of total installed capacity by 2012." Unfortunately wind farms, whether onshore or off shores are unsightly, noisy and generate a lot of opposition.
Hydroelectric Power
Like wind energy, a very old and well developed energy source, but unlike wind energy its capacity for expansion is limited. Over development and unrestricted harnessing of water power can have devastating effect on the local environment and habitation areas.
Solar Energy
Apart from Nuclear Energy, all other forms of energy result from solar energy. Fossil fuels, biofuels and natural gas are in effect “bottled” solar energy. The wind and rivers which provide renewable energy are the result of solar energy reacting with the earth’s atmosphere. It is also possible to harness this inexhaustible supply of energy directly through photoelectric cells or using Thermal Power plants.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen could be a very environmentally friendly fuel, and with the advent of the fuel cell it has been proved a viable fuel source for vehicles. But there are serious questions on its production, storage and distribution. There are also questions on its energy efficiency, as so far, it takes more energy to manufacture than it produces.
Nuclear Energy
Once thought to be the “Jewel in the Crown” of alternatives to fossil fuels, Nuclear Energy has received a very bad press since the “Three Mile Island” incident and especially since the Chernobyl accident. Nuclear fission is now a mature and very well understood source of energy, but generates a lot of opposition because of safety concerns. It is very costly and produces difficult to handle toxic waste. Nuclear fusion, which would have no such safety or waste problems, remains the “Holy Grail” of alternative energy, but so far science has failed to come up with a working solution.
No one alternative source will solve the problems posed by global warming. Wind energy does have potential, biofuels and hydrogen are possibilities, but all these have associated problems as well. Coupled with more investment and better technology, the solution should come from a combination of all these sources.
Fossil Fuels such as coal and gasoline provide most of the energy needs of the world today, but because of their diminishing reserves, high prices and most importantly, their damaging effect on the environment, alternative sources of energy and environmentally friendly fuels are now being developed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “There are more than a dozen alternative and advanced fuels in production or use today.” From the perspective of protecting the environment, alternative fuels and alternative sources of energy usually fall under seven broad headings.
- Biofuels
- Natural Gas
- Wind Energy
- Hydroelectric Power
- Solar Energy
- Hydrogen
- Nuclear Energy
Biofuels
Any kind of fuels made from plants or animals. These include wood, wood chippings, methane from animal excrement or as a result of bacterial action and ethanol from plant materials. Lately it is ethanol that has become synonymous with the term biofuel and is in wide use in combination with gasoline in the transportation industry.
Natural Gas
Although a fossil fuel, Natural Gas is cleaner burning than gasoline, but does produce Carbon Dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. Like gasoline natural gas is a finite source, but unlike it, there is still a very plentiful supply still available. The EIA, in conjunction with the Oil and Gas Journal and World Oil publications, “estimates world proved natural gas reserves to be around 5,210.8 Tcf (Trillion cubic feet)”.
Wind Energy
One of the oldest and cleanest forms of energy and the most developed of the renewable energy sources. There is the potential for a large amount of energy to be produced from wind. The Global Wind Energy Council is forecasting that "the global wind market will grow by over 155% to reach 240 GW of total installed capacity by 2012." Unfortunately wind farms, whether onshore or off shores are unsightly, noisy and generate a lot of opposition.
Hydroelectric Power
Like wind energy, a very old and well developed energy source, but unlike wind energy its capacity for expansion is limited. Over development and unrestricted harnessing of water power can have devastating effect on the local environment and habitation areas.
Solar Energy
Apart from Nuclear Energy, all other forms of energy result from solar energy. Fossil fuels, biofuels and natural gas are in effect “bottled” solar energy. The wind and rivers which provide renewable energy are the result of solar energy reacting with the earth’s atmosphere. It is also possible to harness this inexhaustible supply of energy directly through photoelectric cells or using Thermal Power plants.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen could be a very environmentally friendly fuel, and with the advent of the fuel cell it has been proved a viable fuel source for vehicles. But there are serious questions on its production, storage and distribution. There are also questions on its energy efficiency, as so far, it takes more energy to manufacture than it produces.
Nuclear Energy
Once thought to be the “Jewel in the Crown” of alternatives to fossil fuels, Nuclear Energy has received a very bad press since the “Three Mile Island” incident and especially since the Chernobyl accident. Nuclear fission is now a mature and very well understood source of energy, but generates a lot of opposition because of safety concerns. It is very costly and produces difficult to handle toxic waste. Nuclear fusion, which would have no such safety or waste problems, remains the “Holy Grail” of alternative energy, but so far science has failed to come up with a working solution.
No one alternative source will solve the problems posed by global warming. Wind energy does have potential, biofuels and hydrogen are possibilities, but all these have associated problems as well. Coupled with more investment and better technology, the solution should come from a combination of all these sources.
Geothermal: If you drill down deep enough into the surface of the earth, you will reach very hot rocks. You can inject cold water into this deep hole, and the rocks heat the water, turning it to steam. You can then use this steam to turn a turbine to make electricity.Waves and Tides: The movement of water due to crashing waves or rising and falling tides can be used to spin a submerged propeller or a turbine to make electricity
Fusion: In addition a costly and somewhat dangerous resource is being developed which is known as fusion. This is the same energy which generates the sun's heat and energy. It fuses hydrogen atoms into helium atoms but is not yet cost effective and they have yet to make a self sustaining reaction.
Air cars, solar cars, water cars, hybrids, hydrogen cars, efficient diesels, biodiesel, LPG and more..,. They are all part of a mix of options. And the future is here now!
Obviously, an alternative fuel car is a vehicle that runs on non-mainstream fuel. And mainstream fuel, of course, is petrol or diesel. Fossil fuel products that have their problems. Peak oil bites twice: in rising prices due to dwindling reserves and through carbon offset pricing.
Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. America's cars and pickup trucks alone make up 30% of the nearly 700 million vehicles globally. But they are responsible for nearly half of the greenhouse gases emitted by those cars. In Europe transport accounts for 21% of greenhouse gas emissions.
So-called "green cars" can deliver better fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Good for the planet and good for your wallet.
Each US gallon (about 3.75 litres) of gasoline, emits 22 pounds (about 11 kilograms) of CO2. With about 700 million cars on Earth, projected to double by 2030, we’d better get on with it.
Obviously you think so too.
In 1992 Stanley Meyer patented a system where a car engine could run on 100% water. Since his death in 1998 all kinds of conspiracy stories have circulated on the web. And, unfortunately his alternative fuel car results have never been replicated.Whatever the truth of his alternative fuel cars concept, or the stories, fact is that thousands of motorists are now driving on DIY water fuel systems that cost them little to make and install.
LPG fuelled cars
In 2008 some 250,000 vehicles drive on LPG in Australia, with its excellent nation-wide LPG fuel network. I drive a factory-made LPG (liquid petroleum gas) fuelled Ford Falcon myself. Half the gasoline fuel price but less energy-efficient. Its clean fuel means about 15% lower greenhouse emissions compared to petrol and a longer engine life. Australian petrol-driven cars are converted at virtually no direct cost to you: Federal and State subsidies combined make this a no-brainer. And... Western Australia is self-sufficient in LPG - an easy feeling.Hydrogen car
A hydrogen vehicle converts the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy in one of two ways: combustion or electrochemical conversion in a fuel cell. Where the the production of hydrogen fuel is by using fossil fuel power plants, it is still a contributor to greenhouse gasses. However, using its fuel cell technology, there are nil emissions from the car's exhaust. Not really viable yet although Honda has produced the first commercial model, the FCX Clarity. Available to Southern Californians first. Something to do with the Governator's renewable energy policies...Solar car
Uses as much of its body surface as possible in capturing solar energy through photovoltaic cells. Not a commercial option today due to cost of solar PV cells.But, why now have fun and make one – a model car - yourself?Air car
Yes! There really is such a thing. Take the MDI (Moteur Development International ). It operates on two technologies : Single energy compressed air engines and dual energy compressed air plus fuel engines. They claim no, or low emissions, affordability, a loooong driving range, and will shortly have this car on the market. How does it work? The power of compressed air.Have a look under the bonnet of this air car yourself and perhaps buy and install your own pre-commercial Quasi-turbine production engine.
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