Today most of the world uses petroleum to fuel transportation. Petroleum is a fossil fuel, which means that it takes millions of years to form. Since it takes so long to form, it is a finite resource. Needless to say a major part of our way of life, transportation, is being fueled by something that will eventually run out. This is not favorable for the future. So, instead of using fossil fuels till they run out, there are initiatives to find alternative fuel sources that have the ability to replenish. Another major concern with the current transportation fuel source is its negative impact on the environment. An Environmental and Energy Study website states, “…combustion of oil releases fine particulates which can lead to serious respiratory problems, and is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions” [1]. The website goes on to state that petroleum is responsible for 34 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Not only is it a finite resource it also harms the environment on a global scale. Fossil fuels used as the only fuel for transportation is not sustainable, but there are alternatives in development.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS SOURCES AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION
The technology for mass utilization of these alternatives is still being developed. Although currently it may not be feasible to use these methods as a world-wide alternative, the technology will come with time and commitment. Initial investment and efficiency is a chief concern according to a website on Transportation and Energy. The website states, “…the main issue concerning the large-scale uses of these alternative vehicle fuels is the large capital investments require in distribution facilities as compared with conventional fuels” [2]. Many companies are focused on the costs of implementing these alternatives on a wide scale, but the fuels are each different and have different effects on cost.
These alternatives mentioned below are just a few of the alternatives that are being developed and may become the secret weapon against fossil fuels fouling our future.
Biodiesel: this fuel is renewable and it is also environmentally friendly. It can be produced from a variety of renewable sources, including soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, and animal fats [3].
Electricity: using batteries this fuel source has no harmful emissions, but it does not currently have the range that a fossil fuel combustible engine has and therefore limits its usefulness.
Hydrogen: this fuel source uses hydrogen fuel cells to power cars, but since hydrogen requires more pressure and needs to be cooled it is more expensive than fossil fuels. The price might be worth it in the future because the emissions from hydrogen fuel are practically pollutant free [4].
Hybrid: this technology is widely accepted and used. It is a combination of electricity and petroleum. This is more of a temporary fix to lessen the impact of fossil fuel emissions and not a permanent alternative solution.
Paper: recently Tulane University scientists developed a fuel for cars using newspapers. Specifically the fuel utilizes a strain of bacteria called butanol that is found in paper. The exciting thing about this discovery is that it can be used in current car engines without modification. Also, this fuel source can be found in waste, repurposing this waste to fuel transportation [5].
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[2] http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch8en/conc8en/ch8c2en.html
[3] http://slate.wvu.edu/r/download/37735
[4] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hydrogen.shtml
[5] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825105024.htm
Your article was very informative and I liked how you listed the alternative fuel methods. From biodiesel, electricity, hydrogen to the hybrid cars. These methods are all good for the environment but can be quite expensive to convert from the traditional gas motor vehicle. I don't believe people have additional cash flow to warrant making the switch to one of these alternative fuel methods for their personal vehicle. However, it also depends on their priorities and making the decision in going green. On the news this evening they were talking about how the bicycle community at UTA has grown and how a few they interviewed said it just makes sense. But, also the theft of bicycles has gone up too which is a shame. I enjoyed your reading your post!
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Sonya
Dominic, it is interesting to learn about paper as fuel. The upside, much like biodiesel, is that you can use it in an existing engine without modifications. Alternative fuels are one of my main research interests. We give a great deal of thought into the built environment but I feel we should also look into how individuals arrive at their destination. I do not feel that one single method alone can effectively replace fossil fuels, but a combination of different methods is definitely a step in the right direction.
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