Alternative Fuel Sources - Moving Away From Gas
Alternatives to Oil and Fossil Fuels in the Form of Renewable Fuels
by Matthew Hick
With soaring gas prices and concerns over the effects fossil fuel use is having on the environment, researchers are scrambling to find alternative fuel options for America's dependence on foreign oil. While others are being studied, there are currently several promising fuel options already in limited use across the nation:
Biodiesel:
One of cleanest, cheapest and easiest fuel options to implement, biodiesel, fuel can be made from vegetable and soy bean oils and animal fats, as well as recycled restaurant grease.
In its pure form (100%), biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel that emits very little air pollutants, and would help reduce dangerously high levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and sulfates in the air, by limiting the use of traditional petroleum products.
Switching the average consumer to biodiesel fuel may be one of the easiest and cheapest transfers among all the alternative fuel sources available. Most cars and trucks built since 1994 are designed to already accept biodiesel fuel with little or no modifications. No new or special pumps are needed to make it available to the public, and according to a recent study by the United States Department of Energy, current U.S. stockpiles of soybean and other usable foodstuffs are currently available to produce nearly 2 billion gallons of biodiesel. That's just 5% of America's annual fuel usage.
Ethanol:
Once considered the alternative fuel of choice, ethanol has taken a back burner to other options in recent years as critics contend that it takes more energy to make it than Americans will save using it. Still, research continues to find ways to make this fuel option easier to make. Ethanol is a clear, colorless fuel that is made by distilling ground corn, and other high-sugar plants (such as sugar beets, grasses and even some fast-growing trees), into grain alcohol using a wet-milling process.
Methanol:
Also known as wood alcohol, methanol can be used in an 85% blend (85% methanol mixed with 15% gasoline) in flexible fuel vehicles. Blended with gasoline to enhance the octane and provide a cleaner fuel, methanol is produced by reforming natural gas to create a synthetic gas fed into a reactor to produce methane and water vapor. While the technology showed promise at first, most car manufacturers eventually stopped producing flexible fuel vehicles when concerns rose over contaminated ground water produced during the methanol production process.
Electricity:
A completely clean fuel, interest in using electricity to fuel cars is rising. While storage capacity is small in most current models, limiting the amount of miles an electric car can drive before needing to recharge, solar and wind power may be a "recharging" option in the future, making the electric car more accessible and usable for the average driver.
Hydrogen:
Hydrogen is used to grow fuel cells that can be converted into electricity for cars. Although Hydrogen emissions are low, critics contend that since it is made from burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and nuclear energy, it isn't a viable large-scale alternative for lowering the country's gas consumption.
While alternatives due exist for our country's reliance on fuel, more research is needed to find the best source to replacing our dependence on fossil fuels.
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Flex Fuel Vehicles & E85 Ethanol Blend Help Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
Clean Cities Campaign for an American Fuel
The time is right for flexible fuel vehicle dealers and fuel retailers selling ethanol to unite. The results could mean better business for both and increased energy security for our nation.
Automotive dealers who sell flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) have a unique opportunity to help our nation reduce its dependence on foreign oil. FFVs can be fueled with either gasoline or E85 (an American alternative fuel that consists of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), the trick is educating consumers so that: #1, they want to purchase these vehicles and #2, they fuel with E85.
U.S. Department of Energy Sponsors Clean Cities Program with a Campaign to Increase Flex Fuel Vehicle Sales & Educate Consumers
Clean Cities wants to work with FFV dealers and E85 retailers to develop campaign partnerships that will increase vehicle and fuel sales. The strategy is to arm dealers with information about the benefits of ethanol-fueled vehicles; the dealers will pass that knowledge on to customers to help increase sales. Fuel retailers working in partnership with FFV dealers and Clean Cities coordinators can create promotional events and fueling incentives to increase sales of E85.
FFV dealers and E85 retailers can work with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program to initiate a campaign to increase sales for FFVs and E85. There are many benefits to participating in this campaign.
Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
The U.S. Department of Energy's Definition for Alternative Fuels
Term "Alternative Fuel" Defined by the Energy Policy Act
Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel*, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels. These fuels are being used worldwide in a variety of vehicle applications. Learn more about how the EPAct Program works by going to the EPAct Web site.
Using these alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. In addition, most of these fuels can be domestically produced and derived from renewable sources.
Use these alternative fuels pages to learn more about the fuels, their benefits, and how they can be used in personal and fleet vehicles. You can compare alternative fuels properties, including benefits, environmental impacts, and more. To get regional alternative fuel pricing data, go to the Alternative Fuel Price Report.
* Pure biodiesel (B100) is considered an alternative fuel under EPAct. Lower-level biodiesel blends are not considered alternative fuels, but covered fleets can earn one EPAct credit for every 450 gallons of B100 purchased for use in blends of 20% or higher. To learn more, visit the EPAct Alternative Fuels Web page.
Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
