Public Sees Alternative Fuels as Wave of Future
Gallup Poll News - Washington,DC,USA
... about whether the world's oil supply will be able to meet future demand ... Looking ahead, only 21% of Americans believe most cars will still be powered by gasoline ...
more>
It is very clear that the direction of the automobile industry for the future is leaning towards the utilization of alternative fuel. It could be SVO, biodiesel, alcohol or natural gas.
Based on the recent developments and current trends of newly released and concept vehicle designs, automakers like Nissan, GM, Toyota and Mazda are doubling thier research on hybrid, electric, and cars that could run on both gasoline and biofuel.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Oil Forever ? ( I think not )
by Ed Faust
Oil Forever ? We all know that this country needs to reduce its dependency on Foreign oil. The question is how (and how long). Recently Ford Motor CEO Bill Ford addressed his concerns, perhaps leading one to question how long it will be before demand exceeds production. Also; one hopes that his calls for Energy summits are of value. Perhaps Mr. Fords concerns will nudge the members of congress and the white house to get off their duffs and adopt some energy policies that will make us less dependent and not locked into an inflated oil price venue. I'm sure Mr. Ford realizes they developed the Gas Guzzlers and some adjustments need to be made.
Lets look at some facts: Foreign oil dependency has not been reduced. New regulations simply slowed the growth. The average gas mileage for new vehicles has gone down for the last 15 years. Technological advances did not improve efficiency during these years. Manufacturers created Faster, Larger and more Powerful vehicles. Should the people who choose to continue buying these gas guzzlers be charged higher fees on certain items to offset the loss of reserves, etc? (Probably won't happen).Yes; Demand was there for these vehicles and still is for some models, but these types of vehicles have proven to be a burden on our oil imports and reserves. If you feel you deserve a Credit, there is an Energy Bill Credit for buyers of Hybrid vehicles in 2006 (limited amount).
The high cost of Oil, etc. will have a huge impact on many consumers this heating season with many experts predicting heating bills expected to surpass last years by as much as 50 to 75 percent. This places a huge burden on many households (lower incomes, etc) and always comes at the time of the year when they can least afford it. Gas prices (at this writing) have come down somewhat but still quite high by most standards. Speaking of Gas prices, some states are asking for a vote each year in order to justify a Gas Tax increase , no increase, or would you believe - a decrease ? Well, the latter would probably not come into play.
Many question why we don't have an alternative to Fossil fuel. Well; there is. Usually the problem is they are to expensive and or simply just not available to some. One such fuel would be ethanol - from Grain. Lets look at one particular form of Ethanol - E85. E85 is a blend of 85 percent Ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Just that statement alone sounds good. But wait, Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, produced in our own country, renewable, good for the environment, (reduces emissions) and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. E85 can also be purchased for less - some areas as much as 40 to 50 cents a gallon cheaper than we pay for other gasolines. So what is the problem ? E85 can only be burned in certain vehicles and is not available in many areas although distribution points are increasing. This (E85) seems to be one of the more attractive alternatives at this time and we can hope for further use of our resources. Another form is Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Fuel Cells are like batteries. Fuels similar to Hydrogen gas or Methane are combined with Oxygen. The result - Electricity. Some cities are testing the Fuel Cell powered vehicles but it would appear that this form of power is more costly than anyone (lets say most) could afford, at least for now.
Some interesting figures on Oil production (and probably higher at this writing).
World production ------------- 75 Million Barrels a Day 27 Billion Barrels a Year US Consumption -------------- 19 Million Barrels a Day 7 Billion Barrels a Year US Production ----------------- 8 Million Barrels a Day ( a shortfall of 11 Million Barrels).
Question - Can we run out of Oil? Surely; but probably not in the near future. If we estimate our consumption, reserves, etc, it appears we have enough oil to last us somewhere in the 25 to 30 years area. This assumes present consumption. If we consume more, we have less time. If we are more conservative, that gives us more time. Many people would not know we (US) are the second largest producer of Oil(very close to Saudi Arabia's production). Reserves are also very interesting. Many people also would not believe our neighbor to the north (Canada) has the second highest amount of oil reserves (Saudi Arabia is number one).A survey done recently estimates that there are three or four times the amount of oil reserves we have today waiting to be pumped to the surface. We have the time to develop an alternative means of Fuel, Power, etc. Business leaders along with the Government can make it happen if they work together. It will never be easy but we have no alternative and Wait and See is not an option.
About the Author
Ed Faust is a small business owner and freelance writer Ed can be reached at edco10@msn.com and sites http://www.worksathome.4t.com/& http://sportswagers.8m.com/
Oil Forever ? We all know that this country needs to reduce its dependency on Foreign oil. The question is how (and how long). Recently Ford Motor CEO Bill Ford addressed his concerns, perhaps leading one to question how long it will be before demand exceeds production. Also; one hopes that his calls for Energy summits are of value. Perhaps Mr. Fords concerns will nudge the members of congress and the white house to get off their duffs and adopt some energy policies that will make us less dependent and not locked into an inflated oil price venue. I'm sure Mr. Ford realizes they developed the Gas Guzzlers and some adjustments need to be made.
Lets look at some facts: Foreign oil dependency has not been reduced. New regulations simply slowed the growth. The average gas mileage for new vehicles has gone down for the last 15 years. Technological advances did not improve efficiency during these years. Manufacturers created Faster, Larger and more Powerful vehicles. Should the people who choose to continue buying these gas guzzlers be charged higher fees on certain items to offset the loss of reserves, etc? (Probably won't happen).Yes; Demand was there for these vehicles and still is for some models, but these types of vehicles have proven to be a burden on our oil imports and reserves. If you feel you deserve a Credit, there is an Energy Bill Credit for buyers of Hybrid vehicles in 2006 (limited amount).
The high cost of Oil, etc. will have a huge impact on many consumers this heating season with many experts predicting heating bills expected to surpass last years by as much as 50 to 75 percent. This places a huge burden on many households (lower incomes, etc) and always comes at the time of the year when they can least afford it. Gas prices (at this writing) have come down somewhat but still quite high by most standards. Speaking of Gas prices, some states are asking for a vote each year in order to justify a Gas Tax increase , no increase, or would you believe - a decrease ? Well, the latter would probably not come into play.
Many question why we don't have an alternative to Fossil fuel. Well; there is. Usually the problem is they are to expensive and or simply just not available to some. One such fuel would be ethanol - from Grain. Lets look at one particular form of Ethanol - E85. E85 is a blend of 85 percent Ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Just that statement alone sounds good. But wait, Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, produced in our own country, renewable, good for the environment, (reduces emissions) and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. E85 can also be purchased for less - some areas as much as 40 to 50 cents a gallon cheaper than we pay for other gasolines. So what is the problem ? E85 can only be burned in certain vehicles and is not available in many areas although distribution points are increasing. This (E85) seems to be one of the more attractive alternatives at this time and we can hope for further use of our resources. Another form is Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Fuel Cells are like batteries. Fuels similar to Hydrogen gas or Methane are combined with Oxygen. The result - Electricity. Some cities are testing the Fuel Cell powered vehicles but it would appear that this form of power is more costly than anyone (lets say most) could afford, at least for now.
Some interesting figures on Oil production (and probably higher at this writing).
World production ------------- 75 Million Barrels a Day 27 Billion Barrels a Year US Consumption -------------- 19 Million Barrels a Day 7 Billion Barrels a Year US Production ----------------- 8 Million Barrels a Day ( a shortfall of 11 Million Barrels).
Question - Can we run out of Oil? Surely; but probably not in the near future. If we estimate our consumption, reserves, etc, it appears we have enough oil to last us somewhere in the 25 to 30 years area. This assumes present consumption. If we consume more, we have less time. If we are more conservative, that gives us more time. Many people would not know we (US) are the second largest producer of Oil(very close to Saudi Arabia's production). Reserves are also very interesting. Many people also would not believe our neighbor to the north (Canada) has the second highest amount of oil reserves (Saudi Arabia is number one).A survey done recently estimates that there are three or four times the amount of oil reserves we have today waiting to be pumped to the surface. We have the time to develop an alternative means of Fuel, Power, etc. Business leaders along with the Government can make it happen if they work together. It will never be easy but we have no alternative and Wait and See is not an option.
About the Author
Ed Faust is a small business owner and freelance writer Ed can be reached at edco10@msn.com and sites http://www.worksathome.4t.com/& http://sportswagers.8m.com/
Photovoltaic Systems - Energy from the Sky
by Ross MacIvar
As people search for alternatives to fossil fuel energy, solar energy emerges as one of the cleanest and most practical sources of electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity.
Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company, instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid.
One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device.
Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone - there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power. They can be of almost any size and are suitable for providing electricity for small items such as calculators or watches right up to complete industrial complexes. Because they can be wired together, an array of solar cells can produce enough electricity for residential or commercial needs.
The main requirement, of course, is sunlight. This makes solar power most practical for southern areas such as California and Arizona. But it can also be used in more northerly areas as a backup power system. As the technology advances, photovoltaic cells are able to produce usable amounts of electricity even in low light conditions.
About the Author
Ross is the leading author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/
As people search for alternatives to fossil fuel energy, solar energy emerges as one of the cleanest and most practical sources of electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity.
Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company, instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid.
One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device.
Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone - there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power. They can be of almost any size and are suitable for providing electricity for small items such as calculators or watches right up to complete industrial complexes. Because they can be wired together, an array of solar cells can produce enough electricity for residential or commercial needs.
The main requirement, of course, is sunlight. This makes solar power most practical for southern areas such as California and Arizona. But it can also be used in more northerly areas as a backup power system. As the technology advances, photovoltaic cells are able to produce usable amounts of electricity even in low light conditions.
About the Author
Ross is the leading author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/
Benefits of Hybrid Automobiles
by David Maillie
High fuel prices and concerns over the environment have inspired more people than ever to go in search of alternative energy sources. The internal combustion engine is considered to be the biggest polluter on the planet. Hybrid automobiles have been gaining attention and popularity as a result of these concerns. Most manufacturers either currently offer these vehicles or are in the process of developing them.
There are two types of hybrids: series hybrids and parallel hybrids. The parallel kind has a fuel tank for the gas engine and batteries for the electric motor. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission and power the vehicle. The small gas engine runs the car and the electric motor comes on when needed to boost power. This is typically needed for increasing speed, merging and passing other vehicles. Honda currently uses this technology.
Series hybrids have a gas engine that powers the generator. The generator then charges the batteries and powers the electric motor. The gasoline engine doesn't power the vehicle on its own. The electric motor runs all the time and the gas engine comes on only when needed. This vehicle gets better mileage around town, where the electric motor is doing most of the work. Ford and Toyota currently use this technology.
Hybrid cars get significantly better gas mileage than the traditional internal combustion engine. Most get between 20 and 30 miles per gallon more than standard automobiles. All hybrids shut off the gas engine automatically when the car is stopped. This saves fuel and is better for the environment. When you press the gas pedal, the engine turns back on automatically. The gas engine will also come on to start charging the batteries when they become low on power.
Because less gasoline is burned in these vehicles, there is less pollution causing emissions released into the atmosphere. In addition, there is a lower level of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Many scientists and environmentalists link carbon dioxide to global warming.
Parts of a Hybrid Vehicle:
o Gas engine: the engine is smaller and more energy efficient than engines in traditional vehicles. o Fuel tank: the fuel tank is also smaller and holds less gasoline. Since these cars burn less, a smaller tank is plenty to power the vehicle. o Electric Motor: the electric motor acts as both a motor and a generator. The motor takes energy from the batteries to power the car for acceleration. When you slow down, the energy is returned to the batteries, which are then automatically recharged. o Batteries: a series of batteries store energy needed to power the electric motor. o Transmission: in most hybrids, the transmission works to propel the car forward in a similar way as in traditional gasoline powered vehicles.
Hybrids recover energy from the electric motor to the battery. When you step on the brake, the energy from the motor is transmitted back to the battery. This process is known as regenerative braking. This helps to recharge the batteries and keep them in good working order.
The aerodynamic designs of the hybrids help in their energy efficiency. Look at pictures of the various hybrids on the market. The shape of the vehicle is intentional. It reduces the frontal area of the car, which reduces the drag on the car when it moves through the air.
Lightweight materials are used on hybrid cars. This is also intentional. The more a car weighs, the more energy is needed to propel the vehicle forward. This is one reason SUVs use so much more gas than other cars. Lighter materials are used to reduce the overall weight of the car and in turn, decrease the energy that is needed to run it.
The tires on these vehicles are specially designed to increase efficiency. Stiffer materials are used in the construction and the tires are inflated to a higher pressure. This ensures optimum efficiency and conserves energy. These tires have about half as much drag as regular tires.
Automobile manufacturers are always looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency. Technology is being continually developed to increase the efficiency and performance of these vehicles. Some of the coming improvements include: increased fuel economy, more safety features, better performance and comfort.
Your new hybrid automobile is an investment that you will want to protect. Keep the exterior looking great with regular washing and waxing to protect the finish of the car. Don't overlook the headlights when performing exterior maintenance. Headlight cleaner and restorer is now available.
About the Author
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com
High fuel prices and concerns over the environment have inspired more people than ever to go in search of alternative energy sources. The internal combustion engine is considered to be the biggest polluter on the planet. Hybrid automobiles have been gaining attention and popularity as a result of these concerns. Most manufacturers either currently offer these vehicles or are in the process of developing them.
There are two types of hybrids: series hybrids and parallel hybrids. The parallel kind has a fuel tank for the gas engine and batteries for the electric motor. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission and power the vehicle. The small gas engine runs the car and the electric motor comes on when needed to boost power. This is typically needed for increasing speed, merging and passing other vehicles. Honda currently uses this technology.
Series hybrids have a gas engine that powers the generator. The generator then charges the batteries and powers the electric motor. The gasoline engine doesn't power the vehicle on its own. The electric motor runs all the time and the gas engine comes on only when needed. This vehicle gets better mileage around town, where the electric motor is doing most of the work. Ford and Toyota currently use this technology.
Hybrid cars get significantly better gas mileage than the traditional internal combustion engine. Most get between 20 and 30 miles per gallon more than standard automobiles. All hybrids shut off the gas engine automatically when the car is stopped. This saves fuel and is better for the environment. When you press the gas pedal, the engine turns back on automatically. The gas engine will also come on to start charging the batteries when they become low on power.
Because less gasoline is burned in these vehicles, there is less pollution causing emissions released into the atmosphere. In addition, there is a lower level of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Many scientists and environmentalists link carbon dioxide to global warming.
Parts of a Hybrid Vehicle:
o Gas engine: the engine is smaller and more energy efficient than engines in traditional vehicles. o Fuel tank: the fuel tank is also smaller and holds less gasoline. Since these cars burn less, a smaller tank is plenty to power the vehicle. o Electric Motor: the electric motor acts as both a motor and a generator. The motor takes energy from the batteries to power the car for acceleration. When you slow down, the energy is returned to the batteries, which are then automatically recharged. o Batteries: a series of batteries store energy needed to power the electric motor. o Transmission: in most hybrids, the transmission works to propel the car forward in a similar way as in traditional gasoline powered vehicles.
Hybrids recover energy from the electric motor to the battery. When you step on the brake, the energy from the motor is transmitted back to the battery. This process is known as regenerative braking. This helps to recharge the batteries and keep them in good working order.
The aerodynamic designs of the hybrids help in their energy efficiency. Look at pictures of the various hybrids on the market. The shape of the vehicle is intentional. It reduces the frontal area of the car, which reduces the drag on the car when it moves through the air.
Lightweight materials are used on hybrid cars. This is also intentional. The more a car weighs, the more energy is needed to propel the vehicle forward. This is one reason SUVs use so much more gas than other cars. Lighter materials are used to reduce the overall weight of the car and in turn, decrease the energy that is needed to run it.
The tires on these vehicles are specially designed to increase efficiency. Stiffer materials are used in the construction and the tires are inflated to a higher pressure. This ensures optimum efficiency and conserves energy. These tires have about half as much drag as regular tires.
Automobile manufacturers are always looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency. Technology is being continually developed to increase the efficiency and performance of these vehicles. Some of the coming improvements include: increased fuel economy, more safety features, better performance and comfort.
Your new hybrid automobile is an investment that you will want to protect. Keep the exterior looking great with regular washing and waxing to protect the finish of the car. Don't overlook the headlights when performing exterior maintenance. Headlight cleaner and restorer is now available.
About the Author
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com
Energy Crisis Changes We Will See Part 1
by Steven Raker
GLOBAL PEAK OIL ENERGY CRISIS CHANGES WE WILL SEE From: http://gasprices-usa.com
". . the world has never faced a problem like this. Without massive mitigation more than a decade before the fact, the problem will be pervasive and will not be temporary."
U S Dept. of Energy report
The United States of America is about to go through a profound and wrenching change. As is the rest of the world. We face a crisis we have never before confronted in human history. Energy for transportation manufacturing and everyday living will have to come from another source than the one we use now, a less efficient source. That beautiful black liquid with the fantastic Power/Mass ratio that was the base building block of our civilization is going to hit its mid-point, Global Peak Oil, and then slide into permanent decline and we are going to have to make major changes in our primary energy source. We are at the beginning of the end of the Age of Oil, Diesel and Gasoline. One prediction is that gas prices could trend upward at around a dollar a gallon a year once Peak Oil is reached (though it should be remembered higher prices bring about a more conservative energy expenditure which will effect price). The average per capita consumption of gasoline in the US in 2004 was 465 gallons. Our society is starting through a profound energy source transformation in the middle of a worldwide War on Terror that will last many years, a War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq in the middle of the oil fields of the Middle East. It won't be easy. It could get quite rough financially. It will touch every part of our society. It is already too late for a smooth transition to the future's energy sources !!
The liquid nature of gasoline and diesel and the Power/Mass ratio has led to civilization as we know it today. This gave us the energy source to build our current transportation systems and lifestyles. That is about the change. Global Peak Oil marks the point at which half of the oil is gone. Population and therefore demand keeps going up but the oil supply begins to go down. Year after year, decade after decade, demand and population increase, supplies of oil decrease. Until all the oil is gone.
Gas prices and the price of just about everything will reflect this peak once it has been reached. This point has been predicted by knowledgeable people in the energy community as being in 2008-2010 though no one really knows for certain. Oil reserves spike in 80's.
Demand destruction from high prices will help stabilize gas prices as people change their ways of doing things and a recession with its slowdown in business activity (and therefore energy consumption) would alter the landscape but gas prices will trend upward. How sharply remains to be seen. Upward pressure on prices from rising Asian economies will be significant. Gas prices will, over the coming years, keep hitting new plateaus where they will stay for a while, then surge up to a new high. A new level of pain!!
It is not that we are going to run out of oil, that won't happen for a while. You don't have to lose all the water in your body to suffer the effects of dehydration, 5% will do that. It's the same with oil. When oil peaks it will jolt our personal vehicle based civilization and our economy. No one will escape it. You will see it in ever increasing gas prices, manufactured goods prices, the price of just about everything will rise until we transition to new energy sources and new energy efficient ways of doing things. The Party is over. And when peak is hit, the law of supply and demand in times of scarcity and hysteria will begin to show its ugly face. Then we will begin to change our ways.
Our energy is about to become much more expensive. This will cause fundamental changes in our economy and our society. By 2030 the world's demand for oil is expected to rise from 85 million barrels a day to 120 million barrels of oil per day. We would need to increase oil production by about 1.1 million barrels per day, each year beyond 2010, to keep up with demand. Or find alternative sources of energy. Right now we are in a consensus trance of denial fixated on gas prices and not on the sweeping changes that will come.
The first to feel the economic effects of Global Peak Oil and rising gas prices will be the poor. Gas prices will hit them hard. They will be forced to give up their cars and start using mass transit, bicycles and tricycles. The cost of energy will continually squeeze them. If it costs more to grow food and it costs more to haul food it will cost more to eat. And that is just the beginning.
Oil and gas are used for a whole list of things basic to our way of life. Not only is it used for fuel for transport of everything that moves from point A to point B, we use oil and gas based fertilizers to grow our food. Plastic products are based on petroleum. Gas prices are only part of it. This Petroleum based products List has a partial listing of products made from oil and natural gas. You can see the extent to which Global Peak Oil (and peak natural gas a bit later) will affect the country and the economy. The age of cheap oil is over. The basic sources of energy will cost more to manipulate into power. And there is going to be some serious economic and political pain particularly for the poor. How serious ? No one knows !! It's time for you to get ready.
There are a number of alternative energy sources out there.Coal, Natural Gas, Hydrogen, Oil Shale, Tar Oil Sands, Methane Hydrate, Nuclear Power, Solar Power, Wind Power, Geothermal Power, Hydroelectric Power, Biomass Fuels, Waste to Energy. Each has pros and cons. It will take a combination of energy sources to keep our civilization going. Many energy sources are not suitable for our need for powering personal vehicles. There will be big changes in the area of fuel, vehicles and personal driving habits. The Age of Biomass fuels, hydrogen and LEV's (Light Electric Vehicles) is coming.
About The Author:
Steven Raker
GasPrices-USA.com http://gasprices-usa.com
Selected Pages
Global Warming http://gasprices-usa.com/globalwarming.htm
Biomass Energy http://gasprices-usa.com/biomassenergy.htm
Situation Report USA http://gasprices-usa.com/situationreportusa.htm
GLOBAL PEAK OIL ENERGY CRISIS CHANGES WE WILL SEE From: http://gasprices-usa.com
". . the world has never faced a problem like this. Without massive mitigation more than a decade before the fact, the problem will be pervasive and will not be temporary."
U S Dept. of Energy report
The United States of America is about to go through a profound and wrenching change. As is the rest of the world. We face a crisis we have never before confronted in human history. Energy for transportation manufacturing and everyday living will have to come from another source than the one we use now, a less efficient source. That beautiful black liquid with the fantastic Power/Mass ratio that was the base building block of our civilization is going to hit its mid-point, Global Peak Oil, and then slide into permanent decline and we are going to have to make major changes in our primary energy source. We are at the beginning of the end of the Age of Oil, Diesel and Gasoline. One prediction is that gas prices could trend upward at around a dollar a gallon a year once Peak Oil is reached (though it should be remembered higher prices bring about a more conservative energy expenditure which will effect price). The average per capita consumption of gasoline in the US in 2004 was 465 gallons. Our society is starting through a profound energy source transformation in the middle of a worldwide War on Terror that will last many years, a War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq in the middle of the oil fields of the Middle East. It won't be easy. It could get quite rough financially. It will touch every part of our society. It is already too late for a smooth transition to the future's energy sources !!
The liquid nature of gasoline and diesel and the Power/Mass ratio has led to civilization as we know it today. This gave us the energy source to build our current transportation systems and lifestyles. That is about the change. Global Peak Oil marks the point at which half of the oil is gone. Population and therefore demand keeps going up but the oil supply begins to go down. Year after year, decade after decade, demand and population increase, supplies of oil decrease. Until all the oil is gone.
Gas prices and the price of just about everything will reflect this peak once it has been reached. This point has been predicted by knowledgeable people in the energy community as being in 2008-2010 though no one really knows for certain. Oil reserves spike in 80's.
Demand destruction from high prices will help stabilize gas prices as people change their ways of doing things and a recession with its slowdown in business activity (and therefore energy consumption) would alter the landscape but gas prices will trend upward. How sharply remains to be seen. Upward pressure on prices from rising Asian economies will be significant. Gas prices will, over the coming years, keep hitting new plateaus where they will stay for a while, then surge up to a new high. A new level of pain!!
It is not that we are going to run out of oil, that won't happen for a while. You don't have to lose all the water in your body to suffer the effects of dehydration, 5% will do that. It's the same with oil. When oil peaks it will jolt our personal vehicle based civilization and our economy. No one will escape it. You will see it in ever increasing gas prices, manufactured goods prices, the price of just about everything will rise until we transition to new energy sources and new energy efficient ways of doing things. The Party is over. And when peak is hit, the law of supply and demand in times of scarcity and hysteria will begin to show its ugly face. Then we will begin to change our ways.
Our energy is about to become much more expensive. This will cause fundamental changes in our economy and our society. By 2030 the world's demand for oil is expected to rise from 85 million barrels a day to 120 million barrels of oil per day. We would need to increase oil production by about 1.1 million barrels per day, each year beyond 2010, to keep up with demand. Or find alternative sources of energy. Right now we are in a consensus trance of denial fixated on gas prices and not on the sweeping changes that will come.
The first to feel the economic effects of Global Peak Oil and rising gas prices will be the poor. Gas prices will hit them hard. They will be forced to give up their cars and start using mass transit, bicycles and tricycles. The cost of energy will continually squeeze them. If it costs more to grow food and it costs more to haul food it will cost more to eat. And that is just the beginning.
Oil and gas are used for a whole list of things basic to our way of life. Not only is it used for fuel for transport of everything that moves from point A to point B, we use oil and gas based fertilizers to grow our food. Plastic products are based on petroleum. Gas prices are only part of it. This Petroleum based products List has a partial listing of products made from oil and natural gas. You can see the extent to which Global Peak Oil (and peak natural gas a bit later) will affect the country and the economy. The age of cheap oil is over. The basic sources of energy will cost more to manipulate into power. And there is going to be some serious economic and political pain particularly for the poor. How serious ? No one knows !! It's time for you to get ready.
There are a number of alternative energy sources out there.Coal, Natural Gas, Hydrogen, Oil Shale, Tar Oil Sands, Methane Hydrate, Nuclear Power, Solar Power, Wind Power, Geothermal Power, Hydroelectric Power, Biomass Fuels, Waste to Energy. Each has pros and cons. It will take a combination of energy sources to keep our civilization going. Many energy sources are not suitable for our need for powering personal vehicles. There will be big changes in the area of fuel, vehicles and personal driving habits. The Age of Biomass fuels, hydrogen and LEV's (Light Electric Vehicles) is coming.
About The Author:
Steven Raker
GasPrices-USA.com http://gasprices-usa.com
Selected Pages
Global Warming http://gasprices-usa.com/globalwarming.htm
Biomass Energy http://gasprices-usa.com/biomassenergy.htm
Situation Report USA http://gasprices-usa.com/situationreportusa.htm
Thursday, March 16, 2006
New Solar Technology - Holographic Tuning
by Rick Chapo
With the renewed emphasis on renewable energy, new technologies are emerging. Holographic tuning is one such technology and could revolutionize solar cells.
Holographic Tuning
Traditional solar panel systems are not particularly efficient and can be more than a bit of an eyesore. Since the panel systems only convert a small amount of the sunlight that hits them, there really isn't any alternative to placing the bulky beasts on your roof. Or is there?
Holographic tuning, also known as Holographic Planar Concentrator, is a new technology with one goal in mind - cheaper and small solar cell collectors. The technology is based on a unique theory in which solar cells are holographically tuned to attract and focus different spectrums of sunlight on solar cells. The cells are tuned to attract certain spectrums that can be converted without excessive heat production. This allows the cells to make the maximum amount of energy while maintaining a very small size.
Current silicon cell technology is restricted to only a few spectrums and is highly inefficient as it fails to covert up to 85 percent of the sunlight into power. To make things even better, the process is being designed to "tune" the solar light onto both sides of each cell, thus doubling the energy output.
The primary advantage of holographic tuning is it will revolutionize the solar panel as we know it. Instead of large, bulky panels that aren't particularly attractive, holographic tuning panels will look similar to regular bedroom windows, but with five or six horizontal rows of black rectangles, the cells. The prototypes are actually very striking and are a major improvement over current solar panel systems.
Prism Solar Technologies is the leading company in the holographic tuning field. The company is a subsidiary of Direct Global Power, and is pursuing the advancement of the technology through an exclusive rights license from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Prism Solar Technologies intends to begin manufacturing of the new holographic tuning solar panels this year. Keep an eye out for these attractive, efficient solar panels.
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - a directory of solar power and solar energy companies. Visit SolarCompanies.com to read more solar electricity and wind power articles.
With the renewed emphasis on renewable energy, new technologies are emerging. Holographic tuning is one such technology and could revolutionize solar cells.
Holographic Tuning
Traditional solar panel systems are not particularly efficient and can be more than a bit of an eyesore. Since the panel systems only convert a small amount of the sunlight that hits them, there really isn't any alternative to placing the bulky beasts on your roof. Or is there?
Holographic tuning, also known as Holographic Planar Concentrator, is a new technology with one goal in mind - cheaper and small solar cell collectors. The technology is based on a unique theory in which solar cells are holographically tuned to attract and focus different spectrums of sunlight on solar cells. The cells are tuned to attract certain spectrums that can be converted without excessive heat production. This allows the cells to make the maximum amount of energy while maintaining a very small size.
Current silicon cell technology is restricted to only a few spectrums and is highly inefficient as it fails to covert up to 85 percent of the sunlight into power. To make things even better, the process is being designed to "tune" the solar light onto both sides of each cell, thus doubling the energy output.
The primary advantage of holographic tuning is it will revolutionize the solar panel as we know it. Instead of large, bulky panels that aren't particularly attractive, holographic tuning panels will look similar to regular bedroom windows, but with five or six horizontal rows of black rectangles, the cells. The prototypes are actually very striking and are a major improvement over current solar panel systems.
Prism Solar Technologies is the leading company in the holographic tuning field. The company is a subsidiary of Direct Global Power, and is pursuing the advancement of the technology through an exclusive rights license from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Prism Solar Technologies intends to begin manufacturing of the new holographic tuning solar panels this year. Keep an eye out for these attractive, efficient solar panels.
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - a directory of solar power and solar energy companies. Visit SolarCompanies.com to read more solar electricity and wind power articles.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Environmentally Friendly Reasons To Choose A Hybrid
by Gregg Hall
Whether OPEC likes it or not, hybrid owners are changing the landscape for car sales and automobile ownership. The process has been slow. Many people were not and are still not ready to pay the extra money to buy a hybrid. Some fear that technology will bypass the hybrid in the next couple of years, making their purchase a bad investment. Many people do not want to be the first one to buy a strange, new technology, just like when the regular car came into existence. Others have found that tax incentives and saving money on gas are the best reasons to go hybrid. For most hybrid buyers, however, the environmental reasons to buy one have outweighed any other reasons or any negative fallout that is present now or foreseeable in the future.
1. Emissions: With all the news about high gas prices and people across the country feeling the effects in their pockets, having a hybrid sounds like a great idea. Hybrids are super-efficient with their use of gas because they rely on electricity for some of their power. This has made it possible for hybrids to get great mileage. The environmental impact is phenomenal. Hybrids use less gas sending fewer emissions into the air. Chemicals from dioxide, to nitrogen oxide all get into the air with gas cars. Although hybrids still emit some fumes and toxic elements, they are performing so well that the EPA has made special ratings for them because they are putting about 90% fewer emissions into the air.
2. Getting Gas: Acquiring gas has become a major concern for the entire world. Having to build more refineries to produce gas will only put more chemicals into the air. Finding places to get oil are also becoming harder to find. Many have objected to the government's desire to drill in the protected parks of Alaska. Depending less on oil helps contributes to less destruction of our natural resources.
3. Effects on the Human Environment: When emissions get churned into the air, the environment is not the only place that suffers. The human body does not take well to the excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, lead and other chemicals that gas-guzzling cars use. Sitting in traffic, one experiences the odors alone that carry the cancer causing agents. All of the chemicals produced by emissions have been linked to cancer, birth defects and a number of other preventable conditions.
4. Ride the Environmental Wave: Many people say that buying a hybrid is a great idea, but not everyone buys one. It is hard to blame people, since the cost is thousands of dollars more than for a regular car, but for those who are taking the first steps, they are contributing to environmental awareness. Choosing a hybrid helps the market get the price down, which allows for more people to buy them. Buying a hybrid is one of the best ways to get the environmental domino effect moving.
5. Encourage the Government: Buying a hybrid car is beginning to get some encouragement from the government. Known for being dependant on foreign oil for years, the Federal government is beginning to see the benefits of hybrid cars being on the market and is offering tax credits through the end of 2006. Each person that buys a hybrid can be eligible for up to a $2,000 credit on their tax return. When more and more hybrids are purchased, it is likely that the government will consider the environment in its decisions.
Numerous other reasons to buy hybrids are being offered by the makers of hybrids, those who have already purchased one, and by dealerships. To many, any issues that makers are having with the production of hybrids seem like less of a problem than finding real ways to stay green. Emissions and efficiency have come to the forefront of people's minds more and more as gas prices rise. People are starting to be more concerned about the effects of high emissions on their health, and their future grandchildren. Choosing a hybrid makes a huge statement to the government and to other consumers. More and more people are beginning to "choose green" when they buy a vehicle, which encourages more people that doing so is the right way to go.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get patented care products http://www.stopwaxing.com
Whether OPEC likes it or not, hybrid owners are changing the landscape for car sales and automobile ownership. The process has been slow. Many people were not and are still not ready to pay the extra money to buy a hybrid. Some fear that technology will bypass the hybrid in the next couple of years, making their purchase a bad investment. Many people do not want to be the first one to buy a strange, new technology, just like when the regular car came into existence. Others have found that tax incentives and saving money on gas are the best reasons to go hybrid. For most hybrid buyers, however, the environmental reasons to buy one have outweighed any other reasons or any negative fallout that is present now or foreseeable in the future.
1. Emissions: With all the news about high gas prices and people across the country feeling the effects in their pockets, having a hybrid sounds like a great idea. Hybrids are super-efficient with their use of gas because they rely on electricity for some of their power. This has made it possible for hybrids to get great mileage. The environmental impact is phenomenal. Hybrids use less gas sending fewer emissions into the air. Chemicals from dioxide, to nitrogen oxide all get into the air with gas cars. Although hybrids still emit some fumes and toxic elements, they are performing so well that the EPA has made special ratings for them because they are putting about 90% fewer emissions into the air.
2. Getting Gas: Acquiring gas has become a major concern for the entire world. Having to build more refineries to produce gas will only put more chemicals into the air. Finding places to get oil are also becoming harder to find. Many have objected to the government's desire to drill in the protected parks of Alaska. Depending less on oil helps contributes to less destruction of our natural resources.
3. Effects on the Human Environment: When emissions get churned into the air, the environment is not the only place that suffers. The human body does not take well to the excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, lead and other chemicals that gas-guzzling cars use. Sitting in traffic, one experiences the odors alone that carry the cancer causing agents. All of the chemicals produced by emissions have been linked to cancer, birth defects and a number of other preventable conditions.
4. Ride the Environmental Wave: Many people say that buying a hybrid is a great idea, but not everyone buys one. It is hard to blame people, since the cost is thousands of dollars more than for a regular car, but for those who are taking the first steps, they are contributing to environmental awareness. Choosing a hybrid helps the market get the price down, which allows for more people to buy them. Buying a hybrid is one of the best ways to get the environmental domino effect moving.
5. Encourage the Government: Buying a hybrid car is beginning to get some encouragement from the government. Known for being dependant on foreign oil for years, the Federal government is beginning to see the benefits of hybrid cars being on the market and is offering tax credits through the end of 2006. Each person that buys a hybrid can be eligible for up to a $2,000 credit on their tax return. When more and more hybrids are purchased, it is likely that the government will consider the environment in its decisions.
Numerous other reasons to buy hybrids are being offered by the makers of hybrids, those who have already purchased one, and by dealerships. To many, any issues that makers are having with the production of hybrids seem like less of a problem than finding real ways to stay green. Emissions and efficiency have come to the forefront of people's minds more and more as gas prices rise. People are starting to be more concerned about the effects of high emissions on their health, and their future grandchildren. Choosing a hybrid makes a huge statement to the government and to other consumers. More and more people are beginning to "choose green" when they buy a vehicle, which encourages more people that doing so is the right way to go.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get patented care products http://www.stopwaxing.com
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Flex-Fuel Vehicles: is E85 Ethanol Based Fuel the First Step to Beating "Oil Addiction"?
by Dana Buttenhoff
Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff
During the State of the Union Address on January 31,2006 President George W. Bush presented a plan to the people of the United States and to the U.S. Congress to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025.He spoke of hybrid cars, hydrogen based fuel cell cars and the expansion of ethanol fueled vehicles. The ethanol-based technology is already here, there are already somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 million Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) already on the road in the USA.FFV can run on regular unleaded gasoline or a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent regular unleaded gasoline (known as E85) or any percentage of ethanol and gasoline blend in between.
The expansion of FFV is, in my opinion, an opportunity for General Motors and Ford to step forward and show the American people that they can compete by building vehicles that are friendlier to the environment and not dependent on products imported to us from the politically volatile Middle East.
Ford showed off an ethanol-hybrid SUV this past January at the Washington, D.C. auto show, as reported by USA Today writer James R. Healy. This E85-burning hybrid Ford Escape is part of "a development program, not a research program", according to Ford Executive Vice President Anne Stevens. This means that the American consumer will find these vehicles in showrooms sooner rather than later.
USA Today writer James R. Healy did a cover story on Thursday February 2,2006 highlighting the message from the States of the Union Address indicating that E85 is not the answer because among other things the infrastructure is not in place, except for the Midwest, and, if you do not own one of the 5 million FFV currently on the road you would need to buy a new car that can use E85. I understand these very valid points but I also must say that it is February 2006 as I write this article and 2025 is still 19 years away. The technology is here; we just need to get on board with the new technology now in order to cut the dependency on foreign oil imports in the future.
In his USA Today feature article Mr. Healy noted that Ford CEO Bill Ford states his company will boost FFV production 25% this year to 250,000. Also noted was that General Motors has pledged to build more than 400,000 FFV annually, starting this year. Noting that a barrel of oil is saved for every 37 gallons of E85 that is used.
Mr. Healy's feature article raised an interesting point: most cars on the road today in the USA require no modifications at all to run on Gasohol, which is a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. By taking the first step of using the 10 percent ethanol blend we, as the American driving public, can accomplish a couple of things. First we can help the environment by burning a cleaner fuel in our current cars. Second we can give the automakers the acknowledgement that the American consumer is serious about alternative renewable fuel. This perhaps would spur other manufacturers to join General Motors and Ford in offering expanded choices in the FFV line-up. Third this would give production facilities time to tool up as well as a ready and willing market to expand into. Fourth this should help American farmers by boosting the price of corn that is widely used in ethanol production. Fifth this would also give more fuel stations the time to begin making the necessary additions to their storage facilities to accommodate E85 fuel. This will not happen over night but instead slowly over time. The next time you are in the market for a new vehicle a FFV may be a viable choice for you.
The manufacturers will build the vehicles that are demanded by the public. If you feel that an E85 fuel vehicle may fit your needs the next time you purchase a vehicle do your research and do what is right for you. Remember that the flexibility of an E85 fueled vehicle does not restrict your travel to only areas that have E85, because it will also run on regular unleaded fuel. To get additional information you can visit www.e85fuel.com for the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.
About the Author
Dana Buttenhoff has over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. The past 12 years as an automotive service consultant for a European luxury car dealership in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff
During the State of the Union Address on January 31,2006 President George W. Bush presented a plan to the people of the United States and to the U.S. Congress to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025.He spoke of hybrid cars, hydrogen based fuel cell cars and the expansion of ethanol fueled vehicles. The ethanol-based technology is already here, there are already somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 million Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) already on the road in the USA.FFV can run on regular unleaded gasoline or a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent regular unleaded gasoline (known as E85) or any percentage of ethanol and gasoline blend in between.
The expansion of FFV is, in my opinion, an opportunity for General Motors and Ford to step forward and show the American people that they can compete by building vehicles that are friendlier to the environment and not dependent on products imported to us from the politically volatile Middle East.
Ford showed off an ethanol-hybrid SUV this past January at the Washington, D.C. auto show, as reported by USA Today writer James R. Healy. This E85-burning hybrid Ford Escape is part of "a development program, not a research program", according to Ford Executive Vice President Anne Stevens. This means that the American consumer will find these vehicles in showrooms sooner rather than later.
USA Today writer James R. Healy did a cover story on Thursday February 2,2006 highlighting the message from the States of the Union Address indicating that E85 is not the answer because among other things the infrastructure is not in place, except for the Midwest, and, if you do not own one of the 5 million FFV currently on the road you would need to buy a new car that can use E85. I understand these very valid points but I also must say that it is February 2006 as I write this article and 2025 is still 19 years away. The technology is here; we just need to get on board with the new technology now in order to cut the dependency on foreign oil imports in the future.
In his USA Today feature article Mr. Healy noted that Ford CEO Bill Ford states his company will boost FFV production 25% this year to 250,000. Also noted was that General Motors has pledged to build more than 400,000 FFV annually, starting this year. Noting that a barrel of oil is saved for every 37 gallons of E85 that is used.
Mr. Healy's feature article raised an interesting point: most cars on the road today in the USA require no modifications at all to run on Gasohol, which is a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. By taking the first step of using the 10 percent ethanol blend we, as the American driving public, can accomplish a couple of things. First we can help the environment by burning a cleaner fuel in our current cars. Second we can give the automakers the acknowledgement that the American consumer is serious about alternative renewable fuel. This perhaps would spur other manufacturers to join General Motors and Ford in offering expanded choices in the FFV line-up. Third this would give production facilities time to tool up as well as a ready and willing market to expand into. Fourth this should help American farmers by boosting the price of corn that is widely used in ethanol production. Fifth this would also give more fuel stations the time to begin making the necessary additions to their storage facilities to accommodate E85 fuel. This will not happen over night but instead slowly over time. The next time you are in the market for a new vehicle a FFV may be a viable choice for you.
The manufacturers will build the vehicles that are demanded by the public. If you feel that an E85 fuel vehicle may fit your needs the next time you purchase a vehicle do your research and do what is right for you. Remember that the flexibility of an E85 fueled vehicle does not restrict your travel to only areas that have E85, because it will also run on regular unleaded fuel. To get additional information you can visit www.e85fuel.com for the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.
About the Author
Dana Buttenhoff has over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. The past 12 years as an automotive service consultant for a European luxury car dealership in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Hybrid Battery Car Plugs In
by Mark Walters
The future of the hybrid battery car is so bright you have to wear shades. Some would say the interest in the plug in hybrid is down right electrifying.
The hybrid battery car got a huge boost when President Bush featured it in a speech on his energy policy. It's part of the plan to replace over three-quarters of Mideast oil imports by the year 2025.
The location the President chose to give the speech is also significant. He spoke at Johnson Controls, a Milwaukee auto parts company that is making lithium-ion battery cells for the next generation of the hybrid battery car.
The race for hybrid technologies continues as the U.S. Energy Department pushes for hydrogen fuel cells to replace gasoline in cars. The department has targeted the year 2024 as a time when those fuel cells will be widely used in hybrid vehicles of all kinds.
There are really two forces driving the development of hybrid technologies. Number one is the uncertain Mideast sources of fossil fuels. The other is the cost per barrel of oil. As the cost of oil increases the race for information on hybrid cars becomes even more important.
Because hydrogen fuel is very expensive to transport some predict that the hybrid battery and ethanol technologies will precede any hybrid fuel based on hydrogen.
Government support means that plug in hybrid cars are on the horizon. These vehicles would get a battery charge from an ordinary electric outlet. Lithium-ion batteries will make this possible. These batteries will be large versions of the lithium-ion battery you use in your cell phone. You could be driving a plug-in hybrid by the year 2010.
The energy density of lithium-ion is typically twice that of the standard nickel-cadmium battery. There is even a growing potential for higher energy densities with these power source.
Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery, an advantage that most other battery types can't match. Self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-cadmium, making lithium-ion well suited for modern fuel gauge applications. They pose no threat to the environment for lithium-ion cells cause little harm when discarded.
Like most hybrid technologies, this one has its draw backs. Chief among them is that the lithium-ion batteries are fragile and require a protection circuit to maintain safe operation. All short comings are expected to be overcome as research and development continue.
To be successful hybrid fuel technologies must include petroleum alternatives. Right now ethanol would lessen the need for oil if mixed with gasoline. Here in the U.S we already make nearly 4 billion gallons of ethanol from corn. The irony is that a great deal of energy is needed to manufacture ethanol and that energy often comes from fossil fuel and natural gas.
Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel that is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feed stocks for this fuel include corn, barley, and wheat.
Ethanol has a better chance of surviving as an important hybrid fuel when it is made from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses. These produce a hybrid fuel called bioethanol. Ethanol is used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.
Ethanol is blended with gasoline to create E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 and blends with even higher concentrations of ethanol qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act. Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and can currently be purchased from several vehicle manufacturers.
There will be one surviving hybrid fuel in the future. What is your guess on which it will be? Or are there some surprise hybrid technologies in our future?
About the Author
Mark Walters follows hybrid technologies and recommends that you learn more about the Hybrid Battery Car Here.
The future of the hybrid battery car is so bright you have to wear shades. Some would say the interest in the plug in hybrid is down right electrifying.
The hybrid battery car got a huge boost when President Bush featured it in a speech on his energy policy. It's part of the plan to replace over three-quarters of Mideast oil imports by the year 2025.
The location the President chose to give the speech is also significant. He spoke at Johnson Controls, a Milwaukee auto parts company that is making lithium-ion battery cells for the next generation of the hybrid battery car.
The race for hybrid technologies continues as the U.S. Energy Department pushes for hydrogen fuel cells to replace gasoline in cars. The department has targeted the year 2024 as a time when those fuel cells will be widely used in hybrid vehicles of all kinds.
There are really two forces driving the development of hybrid technologies. Number one is the uncertain Mideast sources of fossil fuels. The other is the cost per barrel of oil. As the cost of oil increases the race for information on hybrid cars becomes even more important.
Because hydrogen fuel is very expensive to transport some predict that the hybrid battery and ethanol technologies will precede any hybrid fuel based on hydrogen.
Government support means that plug in hybrid cars are on the horizon. These vehicles would get a battery charge from an ordinary electric outlet. Lithium-ion batteries will make this possible. These batteries will be large versions of the lithium-ion battery you use in your cell phone. You could be driving a plug-in hybrid by the year 2010.
The energy density of lithium-ion is typically twice that of the standard nickel-cadmium battery. There is even a growing potential for higher energy densities with these power source.
Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery, an advantage that most other battery types can't match. Self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-cadmium, making lithium-ion well suited for modern fuel gauge applications. They pose no threat to the environment for lithium-ion cells cause little harm when discarded.
Like most hybrid technologies, this one has its draw backs. Chief among them is that the lithium-ion batteries are fragile and require a protection circuit to maintain safe operation. All short comings are expected to be overcome as research and development continue.
To be successful hybrid fuel technologies must include petroleum alternatives. Right now ethanol would lessen the need for oil if mixed with gasoline. Here in the U.S we already make nearly 4 billion gallons of ethanol from corn. The irony is that a great deal of energy is needed to manufacture ethanol and that energy often comes from fossil fuel and natural gas.
Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel that is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feed stocks for this fuel include corn, barley, and wheat.
Ethanol has a better chance of surviving as an important hybrid fuel when it is made from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses. These produce a hybrid fuel called bioethanol. Ethanol is used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.
Ethanol is blended with gasoline to create E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 and blends with even higher concentrations of ethanol qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act. Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and can currently be purchased from several vehicle manufacturers.
There will be one surviving hybrid fuel in the future. What is your guess on which it will be? Or are there some surprise hybrid technologies in our future?
About the Author
Mark Walters follows hybrid technologies and recommends that you learn more about the Hybrid Battery Car Here.
Hydrogen Powered Cars: The New Way To Go
by Ben Franklin
With the ever-rising price of fossil fuels, it's no wonder alternative sources of transportation, such as the hydrogen powered car are getting new look. Cars that run off hydrogen, rather than gasoline, are cleaner for the environment, don't deplete a precious resource and they are not a far off invention.
The hydrogen car's potential implications for the environment, economy and even politics make it an interesting idea. These cars just might be the answer to getting around without wasting a precious, limited resource. And, they just might help stave off environmental issues as well. But, what are hydrogen cars and how do they work?
A hydrogen car is simply one that relies on hydrogen rather than gasoline for power. There are two basic types: combustion and fuel-cell conversion. Both are currently in existence, but neither have been moved into full-scale production for a number of reasons.
The combustion engine is similar to what is used in most automobiles now. It simply burns fuel to create power. Combustion engines already in existence can be modified for hydrogen burning.
Fuel-cell conversion, on the other hand, uses the hydrogen and turns it into electricity. This electricity provides the power for the engine's electric motor.
No matter the process, though, the byproduct of combustion or fuel-cell conversion is simply water. Rather than ozone depleting fuel, what's left behind is nothing more than good, old fashion H2O.
Adding to its environmental friendly stance, hydrogen is more or less a renewable source. It comes from the decomposition of methane or can be gleaned from water. Inasmuch, its only byproduct is water vapor. And, unlike fossil fuels it is fully renewable.
Despite its potential, hydrogen cars have not been moved into full-scale production for a number of reasons. The world's dependence on oil is a strong one and it will be hard to break. Entire economies depend on its production, processing and sale, so making the switch to hydrogen will be difficult at best.
In addition to a resistance from oil producers, auto manufacturers, too, must get on the bandwagon before this will become a reality. They are, however, beginning more and more to research and develop cars that run on hydrogen. The engines involved in modern cars can in fact be converted to burn hydrogen.
One of the biggest problems with switching to all hydrogen is a problem with storage. Car fuel tanks need to be better developed for this as would "hydrogen stations" where drivers can refuel. In addition, more study needs to be done to increase the miles per gallon hydrogen vehicles can muster.
Although much work still needs to be done to replace gasoline-based cars with hydrogen models, the idea is more than feasible. In fact, with gas prices soaring, it's looking more and more like a real possibility these cars will someday rule the roads. Already there are cars, buses, trucks and even rockets that use hydrogen for their power to some extent.
About the Author
#1 Resource
Hydrogen cars.
http://www.hydrogencarnews.com
With the ever-rising price of fossil fuels, it's no wonder alternative sources of transportation, such as the hydrogen powered car are getting new look. Cars that run off hydrogen, rather than gasoline, are cleaner for the environment, don't deplete a precious resource and they are not a far off invention.
The hydrogen car's potential implications for the environment, economy and even politics make it an interesting idea. These cars just might be the answer to getting around without wasting a precious, limited resource. And, they just might help stave off environmental issues as well. But, what are hydrogen cars and how do they work?
A hydrogen car is simply one that relies on hydrogen rather than gasoline for power. There are two basic types: combustion and fuel-cell conversion. Both are currently in existence, but neither have been moved into full-scale production for a number of reasons.
The combustion engine is similar to what is used in most automobiles now. It simply burns fuel to create power. Combustion engines already in existence can be modified for hydrogen burning.
Fuel-cell conversion, on the other hand, uses the hydrogen and turns it into electricity. This electricity provides the power for the engine's electric motor.
No matter the process, though, the byproduct of combustion or fuel-cell conversion is simply water. Rather than ozone depleting fuel, what's left behind is nothing more than good, old fashion H2O.
Adding to its environmental friendly stance, hydrogen is more or less a renewable source. It comes from the decomposition of methane or can be gleaned from water. Inasmuch, its only byproduct is water vapor. And, unlike fossil fuels it is fully renewable.
Despite its potential, hydrogen cars have not been moved into full-scale production for a number of reasons. The world's dependence on oil is a strong one and it will be hard to break. Entire economies depend on its production, processing and sale, so making the switch to hydrogen will be difficult at best.
In addition to a resistance from oil producers, auto manufacturers, too, must get on the bandwagon before this will become a reality. They are, however, beginning more and more to research and develop cars that run on hydrogen. The engines involved in modern cars can in fact be converted to burn hydrogen.
One of the biggest problems with switching to all hydrogen is a problem with storage. Car fuel tanks need to be better developed for this as would "hydrogen stations" where drivers can refuel. In addition, more study needs to be done to increase the miles per gallon hydrogen vehicles can muster.
Although much work still needs to be done to replace gasoline-based cars with hydrogen models, the idea is more than feasible. In fact, with gas prices soaring, it's looking more and more like a real possibility these cars will someday rule the roads. Already there are cars, buses, trucks and even rockets that use hydrogen for their power to some extent.
About the Author
#1 Resource
Hydrogen cars.
http://www.hydrogencarnews.com
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
American Drivers and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Choice
by Dana Buttenhoff
Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff
The questions about alternative fuel vehicles increase every time gasoline prices rise. There are many options for vehicle manufacturers. Getting these vehicles from the research and development phase to the mainstream public has been a long and tedious process. The American vehicle manufacturers seem to have lagged behind the Japanese in this regard or have they?
When most people hear the term "alternative fuel vehicle" the vast majority will think of hybrid vehicles, the gas and electric combination. In the 2006 model year vehicle line-up for cars the only hybrid choices are Japanese. For light trucks however, the only choices are American. The SUV line up has both Japanese and American choices. The big question remains to be answered; will the demand for alternative fuel vehicles be the saving grace for a faltering American auto industry? Can General Motors and Ford adapt quickly enough to the consumer demand for lower operating costs for the average American driver to use the current spike in gasoline prices to their advantage? Perhaps the opposite is true and the inability to change will push one or both of the American auto giants over the top and make them a takeover target for perhaps Toyota? If you don't think this scenario is possible, have you ever heard of a company called DaimlerChrysler?
Hybrid technology seems to be the most recognizable with the general public but it is not the only alternative fuel choice available. Some other alternative fuel sources have been used for years, mostly in fleet or industrial vehicles. The most notable would be Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) more commonly known as propane. Another similar fuel source is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Fleets of trucks, buses and government agency cars have used these fuel sources for many years. Having a network of fueling stations is a stumbling point to bringing these vehicles to mainstream America. One reason why these fuel sources work well for fleet usage is because of the central garage and fueling station arrangement. When the vehicle has completed its workday it is brought back to the central garage as well as fueled for the next day's service. Although both LPG and CNG are fossil fuels they produce less emissions than gasoline. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV) are vehicles that have a single fuel source and are designed to run on either regular unleaded gasoline or a mixture of gasoline and an alcohol fuel source such as ethanol or methanol. With many farmer owned cooperatives building ethanol production facilities as a way to market their corn and other grain crops this type of alternative fuel vehicle choice has gained the most momentum in mainstream America. Another type of alternative fuel source vehicle is known as a Bi-fuel Vehicle. This design uses two completely separate fuel system. Typically one fuel source is a readily available fuel such as regular unleaded gasoline or diesel and the other fuel source is either LPG or CNG. By using two fuel sources the vehicle has greater flexibility to travel outside the limited refueling network for LPG or CNG. The vehicle is designed to easily switch between the two fuel sources based on fuel availability. Electric vehicles show promise but there are issues with the weight from battery storage sources and a network of recharging facilities as well as their limited travel range. Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) are several years away as they are not expected to reach the mass market prior to 2010.Government agencies and domestic automobile manufacturers are joining forces to bring a zero emission vehicle that does not rely on fossil fuels to the American driving public. Freedom CAR is a cooperative research effort between the Department of Energy and the U.S. Council for Automotive Research whose goal is to develop cars and trucks that are cheaper to operate, pollution free, competitively priced and free from imported oil.
With alternative fuel sources there will be growing pains. These would include setting up a network of refueling stations and training automotive repair technicians on vehicles that are completely different from what they have repaired in the past. There are many automotive technicians who, I am sure, will leave the industry as the new technology is introduced. The neighborhood repair garage will disappear as these increasingly more sophisticated vehicles begin rolling on American streets and highways. Most vehicle manufactures will keep the training on these new vehicles for their network of dealer service technicians only.
If you are considering an alternative fuel vehicle you should also consider the proximity of refueling stations and how that network will expand in the foreseeable future. Staying informed on alternative fuel vehicles currently in production as well as those that will be available in the near future will be to your advantage as a consumer.
-Reference material from www.fuleconomy.gov , The Department of Energy, FreedomCAR initiative and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
About the Author
Dana Buttenhoff has over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. The past 12 years as an automotive service consultant for a European luxury car dealership in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff
The questions about alternative fuel vehicles increase every time gasoline prices rise. There are many options for vehicle manufacturers. Getting these vehicles from the research and development phase to the mainstream public has been a long and tedious process. The American vehicle manufacturers seem to have lagged behind the Japanese in this regard or have they?
When most people hear the term "alternative fuel vehicle" the vast majority will think of hybrid vehicles, the gas and electric combination. In the 2006 model year vehicle line-up for cars the only hybrid choices are Japanese. For light trucks however, the only choices are American. The SUV line up has both Japanese and American choices. The big question remains to be answered; will the demand for alternative fuel vehicles be the saving grace for a faltering American auto industry? Can General Motors and Ford adapt quickly enough to the consumer demand for lower operating costs for the average American driver to use the current spike in gasoline prices to their advantage? Perhaps the opposite is true and the inability to change will push one or both of the American auto giants over the top and make them a takeover target for perhaps Toyota? If you don't think this scenario is possible, have you ever heard of a company called DaimlerChrysler?
Hybrid technology seems to be the most recognizable with the general public but it is not the only alternative fuel choice available. Some other alternative fuel sources have been used for years, mostly in fleet or industrial vehicles. The most notable would be Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) more commonly known as propane. Another similar fuel source is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Fleets of trucks, buses and government agency cars have used these fuel sources for many years. Having a network of fueling stations is a stumbling point to bringing these vehicles to mainstream America. One reason why these fuel sources work well for fleet usage is because of the central garage and fueling station arrangement. When the vehicle has completed its workday it is brought back to the central garage as well as fueled for the next day's service. Although both LPG and CNG are fossil fuels they produce less emissions than gasoline. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV) are vehicles that have a single fuel source and are designed to run on either regular unleaded gasoline or a mixture of gasoline and an alcohol fuel source such as ethanol or methanol. With many farmer owned cooperatives building ethanol production facilities as a way to market their corn and other grain crops this type of alternative fuel vehicle choice has gained the most momentum in mainstream America. Another type of alternative fuel source vehicle is known as a Bi-fuel Vehicle. This design uses two completely separate fuel system. Typically one fuel source is a readily available fuel such as regular unleaded gasoline or diesel and the other fuel source is either LPG or CNG. By using two fuel sources the vehicle has greater flexibility to travel outside the limited refueling network for LPG or CNG. The vehicle is designed to easily switch between the two fuel sources based on fuel availability. Electric vehicles show promise but there are issues with the weight from battery storage sources and a network of recharging facilities as well as their limited travel range. Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) are several years away as they are not expected to reach the mass market prior to 2010.Government agencies and domestic automobile manufacturers are joining forces to bring a zero emission vehicle that does not rely on fossil fuels to the American driving public. Freedom CAR is a cooperative research effort between the Department of Energy and the U.S. Council for Automotive Research whose goal is to develop cars and trucks that are cheaper to operate, pollution free, competitively priced and free from imported oil.
With alternative fuel sources there will be growing pains. These would include setting up a network of refueling stations and training automotive repair technicians on vehicles that are completely different from what they have repaired in the past. There are many automotive technicians who, I am sure, will leave the industry as the new technology is introduced. The neighborhood repair garage will disappear as these increasingly more sophisticated vehicles begin rolling on American streets and highways. Most vehicle manufactures will keep the training on these new vehicles for their network of dealer service technicians only.
If you are considering an alternative fuel vehicle you should also consider the proximity of refueling stations and how that network will expand in the foreseeable future. Staying informed on alternative fuel vehicles currently in production as well as those that will be available in the near future will be to your advantage as a consumer.
-Reference material from www.fuleconomy.gov , The Department of Energy, FreedomCAR initiative and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
About the Author
Dana Buttenhoff has over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. The past 12 years as an automotive service consultant for a European luxury car dealership in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What Difference Can the Use of Biodiesel Make?
by Ash Ried
What kind of difference can the use biodiesel make when it comes to changing the world for the better? Perhaps the biggest impact of the use of biodiesel fuel instead of just plain diesel is on the human health and the environment.
One of the biggest differences that biodiesel make is with regards to smog. Using biodiesel actually reduces smog. Both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in diesel fuel account for most of the particulates in air pollution. When you use biodiesel product or homemade biodiesel there is a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons and if you are using a blend that is right for your machine. Tests that have been conducted according to EPA regulations have shown that the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions that biodiesel are half that of that measured for diesel fuel.
Can biodiesel make more energy? Unlike the burning of fossil fuels, the burning biodiesel fuels actually gives back more energy to the environment that it takes. Lifecycle studies of biodiesel production show that for every unit of fossil energy it takes to manufacture fossil fuel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. This kind of lifecycle study examines the impact during all phases of biodiesel production including its transportation, production and distribution to the biodiesel fuel customer.
Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing the effects of global warming? The answer is yes. The overall lifecycle emissions of carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) from biodiesel are 78% lower than the overall carbon dioxide emissions from petroleum diesel fuel!
Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to reducing acid rain? Once again the answer is very positive. The overall lifecycle emissions of sulfur oxides (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are 8% lower than overall sulfur oxides emissions from regular diesel fuel. It's a start.
Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to producing acid rain? The overall lifecycle production of waste water from biodiesel production is 79.0% lower than overall production of wastewater from diesel fuel. To put it another way, petroleum diesel makes roughly five times as much wastewater flow than biodiesel can make.
Can biodiesel make a difference when it comes to lung cancer and asthma? Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust is less harmful to humans then diesel fuel exhaust because lacks aromatic compounds. The purer the biodiesel fuel is the less likely it is to create the cancer causing compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Most of the poisonous compounds common to diesel exhaust are reduced by 75 to 85 percent by using biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is also easier on the lung because it reduces the emission of the types of particulate matter that cause asthma and other lung disorders by about 47 percent.
Additionally biodiesel make less soot. Studies have shown that biodiesel reduces the total amount of particulate matter soot in bus tailpipe exhaust by 83.6%. Soot is the heavy black smoke portion of the petroleum diesel fuel exhaust that consists of 100% carbon. It has been suggested that diesel soot produces cancer.
How can you use biodiesel to make a difference? Burning just a 2% biodiesel blend in on-road vehicle that usually takes diesel fuel will curtail all kinds of harmful emissions. Annually this one action has the potential to reduce poisonous carbon monoxide emissions by more than 35 million pounds, reduce ozone forming hydrocarbon emissions by almost 4 million pounds, reduce hazardous diesel particulate emissions by almost 3 million pounds and reduce acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 3 million pounds. That's a big difference!
About the Author
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel.
You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website.
Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
Biodiesel, Fight The Diesel Prices
by Ash Ried
Using biodiesel in your diesel engine is one way to fight rising diesel prices. The idea is that the higher the blend of biodiesel that you use in your engine, the more money you will save per gallon on fuel.
Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from soybean oil or other vegetable oils or animal fats. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the vegetable oil fueled engine. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900. He used peanut oil as fuel.
Today biodiesel is primarily made out of soy or canola oil. Buying biodiesel keeps diesel prices down and farmers in business! Biodiesel fuel is also good for the environment and reduces emissions as much as 80%.
Owners of vehicles with diesel engines can use biodiesel fuel without having to make engine modifications. Some hoses may need to be changed however because vegetable oil degrades certain types of rubber. If you go to the website of the national biodiesel board you can find plenty of information about where to buy biodiesel in your area. The national biodiesel board also has an interactive map that allows you to locate pumps with low diesel prices in your area.
If you're feeling really adventurous, you can make your own biofuel from used vegetable oil, which is available for free at most restaurants. You can either purchase a small production system or make your own biodiesel to add to your diesel engine by mixing up a few chemicals in a blender.
You can also fight diesel prices by converted your car into a SVO (straight vegetable oil engine. In essence these kits, called grease car kits allow you to build a small processor inside your car engine that heats and processes the oil so that it becomes biodiesel. A heating element, thermostat and special rubber hoses that cannot be damaged by vegetable oil are components of this kind of kit. Water heater processors help recovering excess methanol that is created during the chemical reaction that creates biodiesel. This cuts the cost per gallon for diesel even further.
Usually these types of converters cost anywhere from $249 to $3,000.00. Like most products, you get what you pay for. However if you install one that is effective you can fight rising diesel prices and make your own fuel for as little as .70 per gallon!
About the Author
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel.
You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website.
Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
Using biodiesel in your diesel engine is one way to fight rising diesel prices. The idea is that the higher the blend of biodiesel that you use in your engine, the more money you will save per gallon on fuel.
Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from soybean oil or other vegetable oils or animal fats. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the vegetable oil fueled engine. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900. He used peanut oil as fuel.
Today biodiesel is primarily made out of soy or canola oil. Buying biodiesel keeps diesel prices down and farmers in business! Biodiesel fuel is also good for the environment and reduces emissions as much as 80%.
Owners of vehicles with diesel engines can use biodiesel fuel without having to make engine modifications. Some hoses may need to be changed however because vegetable oil degrades certain types of rubber. If you go to the website of the national biodiesel board you can find plenty of information about where to buy biodiesel in your area. The national biodiesel board also has an interactive map that allows you to locate pumps with low diesel prices in your area.
If you're feeling really adventurous, you can make your own biofuel from used vegetable oil, which is available for free at most restaurants. You can either purchase a small production system or make your own biodiesel to add to your diesel engine by mixing up a few chemicals in a blender.
You can also fight diesel prices by converted your car into a SVO (straight vegetable oil engine. In essence these kits, called grease car kits allow you to build a small processor inside your car engine that heats and processes the oil so that it becomes biodiesel. A heating element, thermostat and special rubber hoses that cannot be damaged by vegetable oil are components of this kind of kit. Water heater processors help recovering excess methanol that is created during the chemical reaction that creates biodiesel. This cuts the cost per gallon for diesel even further.
Usually these types of converters cost anywhere from $249 to $3,000.00. Like most products, you get what you pay for. However if you install one that is effective you can fight rising diesel prices and make your own fuel for as little as .70 per gallon!
About the Author
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel.
You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website.
Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
Monday, March 06, 2006
Biodiesel, High Performance Fuel
Author: Ash Ried
Somehow biodiesel fuel got a bad rap as a low performance fuel when actually the opposite is true. In fact biodiesel fuel blends are typically added to a diesel engine to improve itsperformance. The fact is that biodiesel fuel blends perform very similar to low sulfur diesel fuel in terms of power, torque, haulage and fuel consumption without and major modification todiesel engines!
Biodiesel fuel lubricates your diesel engine far better than'straight' petroleum diesel fuel. According to the national biodiesel board, lubricity tests that compare of biodiesel fuel and petroleum diesel indicate that there is a marked improvement in performance after biodiesel is added to conventional dieselfuel.
Even biodiesel levels as low as one percent can provide up to a65 percent increase in lubricity in petroleum distillate diesel fuels.
However like most diesel fuels, biodiesel is not perfect. Perhaps its biggest drawback is that it is not compatible withall engine components. Although many manufacturers have or are in the process of creating a diesel car or diesel engine more compatible with low sulfur diesel fuels such as biodiesel not all diesel engines can handle it.
Biodiesel's mistaken reputation as a bad diesel fuel probably originated with individuals who were trying to run certain older diesel engines on pure biodiesel. Keep in mind that all biodiesel fuel is not created equal and that it is usually a big mistake to pour pure biodiesel into any engine. Pure biodiesel is 100% vegetable oil. The best biodiesel that is compatible with most diesel engines is one that is a combination of both diesel fuel and vegetable oil. The confusion comes from the idea that the term biodiesel fuel also covers 'blends' with diesel. Pure vegetable oil is pure biodiesel and that is rarely used in any diesel car, truck or engine.
The main problem with putting pure biodiesel fuel into certain models and older machines is that pure biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. Undiluted biodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and seal compounds like natural rubber.
Unfortunately these materials are what most fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of and of course if you pour pure biodiesel into a diesel engine or diesel car you are going to get poor performance.
Most manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel fuel. One way around this is to replace your hoses and fuel caps with a
material that is compatible with biodiesel or stick to using a blend of biodiesel which will not cause as much wear and tear onyour hoses and sealants. Once you have done this, you will be achieving high performance with biodiesel fuel every time.
About the author:
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles onBiodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on hiswebsite. Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
If you run a diesel engine are familiar with biodiesel fuel blends you might already know from experience already be aware that they perform almost identically to conventional diesel fuel. The national biodiesel board claims that there is only1.73% difference in economy, torque and horsepower between B20blend biodiesel and Diesel No. 2 fuel.
Somehow biodiesel fuel got a bad rap as a low performance fuel when actually the opposite is true. In fact biodiesel fuel blends are typically added to a diesel engine to improve itsperformance. The fact is that biodiesel fuel blends perform very similar to low sulfur diesel fuel in terms of power, torque, haulage and fuel consumption without and major modification todiesel engines!
Biodiesel fuel lubricates your diesel engine far better than'straight' petroleum diesel fuel. According to the national biodiesel board, lubricity tests that compare of biodiesel fuel and petroleum diesel indicate that there is a marked improvement in performance after biodiesel is added to conventional dieselfuel.
Even biodiesel levels as low as one percent can provide up to a65 percent increase in lubricity in petroleum distillate diesel fuels.
However like most diesel fuels, biodiesel is not perfect. Perhaps its biggest drawback is that it is not compatible withall engine components. Although many manufacturers have or are in the process of creating a diesel car or diesel engine more compatible with low sulfur diesel fuels such as biodiesel not all diesel engines can handle it.
Biodiesel's mistaken reputation as a bad diesel fuel probably originated with individuals who were trying to run certain older diesel engines on pure biodiesel. Keep in mind that all biodiesel fuel is not created equal and that it is usually a big mistake to pour pure biodiesel into any engine. Pure biodiesel is 100% vegetable oil. The best biodiesel that is compatible with most diesel engines is one that is a combination of both diesel fuel and vegetable oil. The confusion comes from the idea that the term biodiesel fuel also covers 'blends' with diesel. Pure vegetable oil is pure biodiesel and that is rarely used in any diesel car, truck or engine.
The main problem with putting pure biodiesel fuel into certain models and older machines is that pure biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. Undiluted biodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and seal compounds like natural rubber.
Unfortunately these materials are what most fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of and of course if you pour pure biodiesel into a diesel engine or diesel car you are going to get poor performance.
Most manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel fuel. One way around this is to replace your hoses and fuel caps with a
material that is compatible with biodiesel or stick to using a blend of biodiesel which will not cause as much wear and tear onyour hoses and sealants. Once you have done this, you will be achieving high performance with biodiesel fuel every time.
About the author:
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles onBiodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on hiswebsite. Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
Friday, March 03, 2006
EXPOSED: Foreign Oil, Auto Industry, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Vehicles
by: Cheryl Dixon
Can our soaring gas prices and dependence on foreign oil turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
It seems as though the most effective way to reach consumers is through our pocketbook. Once more we are outraged at high fuel prices and demanding something be done about it.
The auto industry has the technology to build fuel efficient cars, it has had much of this technology for decades, but it has not developed this technology into cost effective mass marketed vehicles. Why? Because the consumer has not demanded it. No matter what, the auto industry is and always will be consumer driven.
As long as the consumer continues to purchase what the industry is putting out, they will keep building what they are building. Granted, because of emission controls and higher mileage standards over the years we now have less harmful emissions and better mileage than we did twenty years ago. While this has been a great start we cannot let that become a stopping point.
Let's take realistic look at where we are today and how we, as consumers, can help insure a more cost efficient and healthier future for ourselves, our children and generations to come. We now have hybrid cars that provide much better fuel efficiency and less pollutants, and fuel cell vehicles that use no gasoline and produce no harmful emissions.
Both hybrid and fuel cell vehicles are currently being used in mass transit systems in many selected U.S. cities as well as in Canada and Germany that include city transit buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles such as UPS.
Military vehicles - In April, the U.S. Army took delivery of the modified fuel cell Chevrolet Silverado that is capable of generating 188 kW and 317 foot-pounds of torque, or roughly the motor torque generated by GM’s 5.3 liter V-8 engine. This is the first time the vehicle has been driven in California. It will be delivered to the Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., later this year for demonstration and evaluation.
"This vehicle has spent the last few months performing civilian-type duty at Ft. Belvoir, Va. where Army soldiers have been evaluating its performance and learning first-hand about hydrogen and fuel cells," said Dr. McClelland, director Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) of the U.S. Army.
World's First Individual Fuel Cell Vehicle Customer
California Hydrogen Highway - The Spallino family, living in the Los Angeles area, will be among the first individuals to begin utilizing the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a statewide infrastructure build out underway to offer hydrogen refueling station access to private individuals. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the state's commitment to a Hydrogen Highway in April of this year, creating a public and private partnership to build California's Hydrogen Highway by 2010.
In the Chino project, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage SUVs, powered by fuel cells manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells, will operate throughout Southern California and refuel at the ChevronTexaco hydrogen station. Of particular importance is the on-site production of hydrogen from natural gas. Natural gas, with an existing distribution infrastructure, is critical to the eventual transition to the hydrogen economy. This station will also have the future capability to convert other renewable fuel sources, such as ethanol, into hydrogen for refueling fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen Fueling Station - The EPA has commissioned a hydrogen fueling station at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The station provides compressed hydrogen gas for hydrogen vehicles in Southeast Michigan.
The lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the first federal facility to install such a vehicle fueling station. This state-of-the art station serves as a real world example for others of the safe installation and operation of a hydrogen fueling station. In addition to supporting the Fuel Cell Delivery Vehicle Testing Program, this station will also be used for the fueling of hydrogen fueled vehicles deployed in the future in Michigan.
So perhaps our future is looking brighter with less dependence on foreign oil and a good start for achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone. But it rests in our hands, each of us, the consumers, and what choices we make that will determine our future.
About The Author
Cheryl Dixon is an avid researcher for fuel saving and environmentally safe vehicles. The results of her continuing research and latest news can be found on her blog: http://hybridandfuelcellcars.featureblog.com and on her website: http://www.hybridandfuelcellcars.com.
© Copyright Hybrid and Fuel Cell Cars 2005 and beyond
Can our soaring gas prices and dependence on foreign oil turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
It seems as though the most effective way to reach consumers is through our pocketbook. Once more we are outraged at high fuel prices and demanding something be done about it.
The auto industry has the technology to build fuel efficient cars, it has had much of this technology for decades, but it has not developed this technology into cost effective mass marketed vehicles. Why? Because the consumer has not demanded it. No matter what, the auto industry is and always will be consumer driven.
As long as the consumer continues to purchase what the industry is putting out, they will keep building what they are building. Granted, because of emission controls and higher mileage standards over the years we now have less harmful emissions and better mileage than we did twenty years ago. While this has been a great start we cannot let that become a stopping point.
Let's take realistic look at where we are today and how we, as consumers, can help insure a more cost efficient and healthier future for ourselves, our children and generations to come. We now have hybrid cars that provide much better fuel efficiency and less pollutants, and fuel cell vehicles that use no gasoline and produce no harmful emissions.
Both hybrid and fuel cell vehicles are currently being used in mass transit systems in many selected U.S. cities as well as in Canada and Germany that include city transit buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles such as UPS.
Military vehicles - In April, the U.S. Army took delivery of the modified fuel cell Chevrolet Silverado that is capable of generating 188 kW and 317 foot-pounds of torque, or roughly the motor torque generated by GM’s 5.3 liter V-8 engine. This is the first time the vehicle has been driven in California. It will be delivered to the Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., later this year for demonstration and evaluation.
"This vehicle has spent the last few months performing civilian-type duty at Ft. Belvoir, Va. where Army soldiers have been evaluating its performance and learning first-hand about hydrogen and fuel cells," said Dr. McClelland, director Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) of the U.S. Army.
World's First Individual Fuel Cell Vehicle Customer
California Hydrogen Highway - The Spallino family, living in the Los Angeles area, will be among the first individuals to begin utilizing the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a statewide infrastructure build out underway to offer hydrogen refueling station access to private individuals. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the state's commitment to a Hydrogen Highway in April of this year, creating a public and private partnership to build California's Hydrogen Highway by 2010.
In the Chino project, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage SUVs, powered by fuel cells manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells, will operate throughout Southern California and refuel at the ChevronTexaco hydrogen station. Of particular importance is the on-site production of hydrogen from natural gas. Natural gas, with an existing distribution infrastructure, is critical to the eventual transition to the hydrogen economy. This station will also have the future capability to convert other renewable fuel sources, such as ethanol, into hydrogen for refueling fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen Fueling Station - The EPA has commissioned a hydrogen fueling station at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The station provides compressed hydrogen gas for hydrogen vehicles in Southeast Michigan.
The lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the first federal facility to install such a vehicle fueling station. This state-of-the art station serves as a real world example for others of the safe installation and operation of a hydrogen fueling station. In addition to supporting the Fuel Cell Delivery Vehicle Testing Program, this station will also be used for the fueling of hydrogen fueled vehicles deployed in the future in Michigan.
So perhaps our future is looking brighter with less dependence on foreign oil and a good start for achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone. But it rests in our hands, each of us, the consumers, and what choices we make that will determine our future.
About The Author
Cheryl Dixon is an avid researcher for fuel saving and environmentally safe vehicles. The results of her continuing research and latest news can be found on her blog: http://hybridandfuelcellcars.featureblog.com and on her website: http://www.hybridandfuelcellcars.com.
© Copyright Hybrid and Fuel Cell Cars 2005 and beyond
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Biodiesel Fuel and Your Diesel Engine
Author: Ash Ried
It stands to reason that neat biodiesel will gel even faster than blended biodiesel. Solutions for winter operability with neat biodiesel include blending biodiesel with No. 1 petroleum diesel fuel. Storing the vehicle in a heated garage so that the biodiesel blend in the diesel engine does not have a chance to gel is also recommended. Both blended and neat fuels in a diesel engine will respond to the use of cold flow improvement additives such as regular anti-freeze and kerosene. However make sure that your manufacturer approves any additives you add to your biodiesel.
Biodiesel fuel is not compatible with every diesel engine. Thisis why it is so important for you to check your Owner's EngineManual to find out what types of fuels you can use.The biggest drawback of biodiesel is that it is not compatiblewith all engine components. However many manufacturers such asFord and Volkswagen have or are in the process of creating adiesel car or diesel engine more compatible with low sulfurdiesel fuels.
The main problem arises when you try to put biodiesel fuel intothe diesel engine of older machines. Even blended biodiesel willsoften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural
rubber compounds in you diesel engine over time. Undilutedbiodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and sealcompounds like natural rubber, Buna-N, and nitrile, which can create fuel system leaks. Unfortunately these materials are whatmost fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of.
rubber compounds in you diesel engine over time. Undilutedbiodiesel can destroy certain types of gasket, hose, and sealcompounds like natural rubber, Buna-N, and nitrile, which can create fuel system leaks. Unfortunately these materials are whatmost fuel hoses and fuel pump seals are made of.
Most manufacturers recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with pure biodiesel. One way around this is to replace your hoses and fuel caps with a material that is compatible with biodiesel. Another suggestion is to use the diesel fuel blend that is recommended not to cause stress and wear on your hoses and sealants.
In general it is thought that that blends of B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel) or lower cause the least stress for diesel engines. Once again, it cannot be stressed enough that you must
consult with the manufacturer of your vehicle or machine and read your owner's manual before playing around with biodiesel. As a rule of thumb, never ever pour pure (B100) biodiesel into a
diesel engine of any kind! Always use a blend because experimentation with biodiesel fuel could prove to be expensive.
consult with the manufacturer of your vehicle or machine and read your owner's manual before playing around with biodiesel. As a rule of thumb, never ever pour pure (B100) biodiesel into a
diesel engine of any kind! Always use a blend because experimentation with biodiesel fuel could prove to be expensive.
The single greatest factor that can affect biodiesel's performance in our engine is a cold temperature. Cold weather can cloud biodiesel and turn into gel. Users of a 20 percent biodiesel blend with #2 diesel will usually notice problems when the temperature reaches approximately 2 to 10° Fahrenheit. Below that you could experience gelling in your fuel pumps and hoses.
Given the above information you can also see why you would never use 100% pure biodiesel in a diesel engine in cold temperatures.
It stands to reason that neat biodiesel will gel even faster than blended biodiesel. Solutions for winter operability with neat biodiesel include blending biodiesel with No. 1 petroleum diesel fuel. Storing the vehicle in a heated garage so that the biodiesel blend in the diesel engine does not have a chance to gel is also recommended. Both blended and neat fuels in a diesel engine will respond to the use of cold flow improvement additives such as regular anti-freeze and kerosene. However make sure that your manufacturer approves any additives you add to your biodiesel.
About the author:
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles onBiodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website. Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles onBiodiesel. You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website. Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
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