Whatever happened to sawgrass ethanol?
Making bio-fuels is fine in concept however using corn and creating higher meat prices in the USA, ( notice the price of feeder livestock beef and pork has risen 30% or 40% the past couple of years? ) and food shortages world wide by decreasing grain exports?
And a cheap way to turn water into hydrogen -- the most abundant fuel source in the world? They are starting to use hydrogen power efficiently in Iceland ... Iceland ??? A little country ...
Hydrogen fuel could be produced in the Pacific Northwest where there is cheap hydroelectric power sources and sent by pipeline (technology to be developed) to the Western USA.
Sure, it is a major investment but it would create jobs, technical innovation and in the process improve the balance of trade in America's favor. We would need to build new fuelling stations -- more jobs and useful spending. Why the hell we are not doing this?
Vested interests in the petrochemical business ... That's why.
Making bio-fuels is fine in concept however using corn and creating higher meat prices in the USA, ( notice the price of feeder livestock beef and pork has risen 30% or 40% the past couple of years? ) and food shortages world wide by decreasing grain exports?
And a cheap way to turn water into hydrogen -- the most abundant fuel source in the world? They are starting to use hydrogen power efficiently in Iceland ... Iceland ??? A little country ...
Hydrogen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewab...eland#Hydrogen
Currently, imported oil fulfils most of Iceland's remaining energy needs. This cost has caused Iceland to focus on domestic, renewable energy. Bragi Arnason, a local professor, first proposed the idea of using hydrogen as a fuel source in Iceland during the 1970s, which is also when the oil crisis occurred. At that point in time this idea was considered untenable, but in 1999 Icelandic New Energy was established to govern the project of transitioning Iceland into the first hydrogen society by 2050.[10] This followed a decision in 1998 by the Icelandic Parliament to convert vehicle and fishing fleets to hydrogen produced from renewable energy.[11]
Iceland provides an ideal location to test the viability of hydrogen as a fuel source for the future, since it is a small country of only 320,000 people, with over 60% living in the capital, Reykjavík. The relatively small scale of the infrastructure will make it easier to transition the country from oil to hydrogen. There is also a plentiful supply of natural energy that can be harnessed to produce hydrogen in a renewable way, making it perfect for hydrogen production. Iceland is a participant in international hydrogen fuel research and development programs, and many countries are following the nation's progress with interest. However, these factors also make Iceland an advantageous market for electric vehicles. Because electric vehicles are four times more efficient, and less expensive than hydrogen vehicles, the country may switch to electric vehicles.[12]
Iceland already converts its surplus electricity into exportable goods and hydrocarbon replacements. In 2002 it produced 2,000 tons of hydrogen gas by electrolysis—primarily for the production of ammonia for fertilizer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewab...eland#Hydrogen
Currently, imported oil fulfils most of Iceland's remaining energy needs. This cost has caused Iceland to focus on domestic, renewable energy. Bragi Arnason, a local professor, first proposed the idea of using hydrogen as a fuel source in Iceland during the 1970s, which is also when the oil crisis occurred. At that point in time this idea was considered untenable, but in 1999 Icelandic New Energy was established to govern the project of transitioning Iceland into the first hydrogen society by 2050.[10] This followed a decision in 1998 by the Icelandic Parliament to convert vehicle and fishing fleets to hydrogen produced from renewable energy.[11]
Iceland provides an ideal location to test the viability of hydrogen as a fuel source for the future, since it is a small country of only 320,000 people, with over 60% living in the capital, Reykjavík. The relatively small scale of the infrastructure will make it easier to transition the country from oil to hydrogen. There is also a plentiful supply of natural energy that can be harnessed to produce hydrogen in a renewable way, making it perfect for hydrogen production. Iceland is a participant in international hydrogen fuel research and development programs, and many countries are following the nation's progress with interest. However, these factors also make Iceland an advantageous market for electric vehicles. Because electric vehicles are four times more efficient, and less expensive than hydrogen vehicles, the country may switch to electric vehicles.[12]
Iceland already converts its surplus electricity into exportable goods and hydrocarbon replacements. In 2002 it produced 2,000 tons of hydrogen gas by electrolysis—primarily for the production of ammonia for fertilizer.
Sure, it is a major investment but it would create jobs, technical innovation and in the process improve the balance of trade in America's favor. We would need to build new fuelling stations -- more jobs and useful spending. Why the hell we are not doing this?
Vested interests in the petrochemical business ... That's why.
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