Burlington High School

Burlington, Kansas

Teacher: Mrs. Devra Parker

  2nd
 Fuels of the Future

By Andrew Askins

12th Grade

 

Each year an average American citizen spends hundreds and even thousands on the lottery. The fact is there is a one and a million probability in winning the jackpot.  If by chance one should get the lucky numbers all of life’s hardships just won’t disappear with a swipe of a plastic card.

This analogy can relate directly to the fuel crisis we are having today. Finding a replacement fuel source should not be a shot in the dark. There should be research done and long debates to decide the what, where, how and when. 

 

There are several different types of fuel sources that are predicted to be the fuel of the future.  While the government leads an exploration for these fuels, they are balancing many concepts into the equation such as the pollution, the cost, and, of course, the dangers. But, one of the most promising fuels would have to be Hydrogen. The Earth’s mass is 70 percent Hydrogen. This substance can be found in mass quantities and is very easily produced through electrolysis, which is the splitting of water molecules. This element is first on the periodic table of elements. It is very unstable, making it very combustible--even more so than gasoline. 

 

Two main disadvantages of Hydrogen are the cost and the dangers involved.  The cost from switching all motor vehicles to be combatable with Hydrogen is estimated to be well over a trillion dollars. This cost will fall on the consumers.  There will also be major cost imposed on the fueling companies of today, such as Exxon, Conoco and Shell. These organizations will be forced to change their product.  Along with the cost the main concern is with the dangers involved.  Hydrogen is very dangerous and at great risk while being transported and pumped.  Even with these drawbacks to Hydrogen, it would be very beneficial in the long run to making the switch from gasoline to Hydrogen.

 

Another fuel or energy source in the running for the fuel of the future is the electric car.  The concept of the electric car is not new; it has been around since the 1830’s.  Electricity has three main advantages. First, an electric car does not make exhaust; therefore, this could cut down on air pollution.  Second, the electric car is very quiet; almost completely silent.  Last, the electric car runs off…battery power.  These batteries can be charged just about anywhere from home to work.  

 

Unfortunately, with the good always comes the bad. The electric car also has its disadvantages.  These cars are almost impractical because they cannot exceed more then 100 miles without needing a charge.  Consequently, long trips can be very painful.

 

The third in line for the substitution of gasoline would be methanol.  Like every other alternative, methanol has its positives and negatives.  One positive of methanol is that it produces higher performance than gas.  Another advantage is that methanol can be produced through a wide variety of sources. So the availability is not…a factor. One negative of methanol is that it is very corrosive.  Any item that comes in contact with this substance must be able to withstand its power.  The toxicity of methanol is another worry.  Although this substance can be found naturally in the human body in large quantities, it can cause major heath problems and even death. I have come to [the] conclusion that the dangers outweigh the reward for switching from gasoline to methanol.

 

With three very creative and favorable alternatives for a fuel of the future we still have not perfected the art.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is helping make this art more beautiful, one could say.  The Energy Policy is an ingenius idea; it influences individuals…to find another fuel source and…consumers benefit.  It the consumer happens to buy a hybrid vehicle (a vehicle that runs on both electricity and gasoline), he is reimbursed by the United States Government up to 3,400 dollars.  This act could have the ability to totally change the way Americans look at the fuel crisis today.  The average citizen is more up to investing in a hybrid car if he knows he will be compensated [to] some degree.  

 

The steady growth of the price of gasoline is becoming outrageous.  Something must be done and fast or the middle class American citizen will go broke just driving to and from work. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a good first step by the government to help solve the energy crisis today.  We should not stop there.  We should keep pushing the issue…until a resolution is found. 

  

Questions Based on Required Reading

 

Q1- Gasohol is a byproduct exclusively from  gasoline and ethanol  whereas cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural waste such as prairie, switchgrass, woodchips and  cornhusks.

 

Q2- Why did auto makers produce cars that could operate using ethanol as well as gasoline before there was an adequate number of service stations that could provide ethanol?

·       Automakers quietly added the flex-fuel feature to get a break form fuel- economy standards.

 

Q3- When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?

 ·       1979

 

Q4- In a paragraph, describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol.  What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil’s key to success?

·       Ethanol slowly crept into Brazil's mainstream of fuels and now accounts for 40% of the fuel used in Brazilian cars. In Brazil, 73% of the cars sold in 2005 came with flex-fuel engines. Also, Brazilian ethanol sold 45% less per liter than that of gasoline in 2003 and 2004.

·       The key to Brazil's success is that consumers are choosing ethanol rather than being forced to buy it.


Q5- What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?

 ·       Yellow gas caps mark those cars with flex-fuel engines and draw attention to E85-ready vehicles.
 

Q6- Describe bio-diesel.

      ·       Bio-diesel refers to ester made form oil and methanol.

 

Q7- Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?

·       A flex-fuel engine is one that can use both ethanol and gasoline. The First company to manufacturer a prototype flex-fuel engine was the Ford company.

 

Q8- Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site. (dates introduced, amended, pass or rejected) http://www.eei.org/industry_issues/electricity_policy/federal_legislation/index.htm

·       The Bill was signed Bush on August 8th, 2005.  Congressman Russ Carnahan voted against the act. Passed with 275 in favor, and 156 opposed in the House of Representatives.

 

Q9- What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?

·       It is intended to decline the use of petroleum.  At the same time bringing new and improved technologies for the hybrid/ flexible-fuel vehicles.

 

Q10- What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource?

 

Q11- What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative?

 ·       For the technology to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen for used in fuel-cell vehicles.
 

Q12- List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.

·       A new tax credit for manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.

·       Tax credits for the contractors of new energy efficient homes if the homes achieve an energy savings of 50 percent or more over the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

·       Tax credits for the purchase of water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and other equipment that achieve certain efficiency levels when purchased for residential properties.

·       Offers businesses and consumers tax credits for the purchase of alternative- fuel and hybrid vehicles.

·       Provides 30 percent credit for investments in alternative fuel refueling stations.

·       Provides $2.7 billion in production tax credits to encourage the production of clean renewable energies for wind, closed- loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gases, and trash combustion.
 

Works Cited

 

www. library.thinkquest.org (very informative) heavy bias

 

www-erd.llnl.gov (very informative) none bias

 

"Alternative Fuels Data Center." Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy. 8 Mar. 2006. U.S. Department of Energy. 2 Apr. 2006 <http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/>.

(Very Informative) slight bias

 

"Energy Policy Act of 2005." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.

MediaWiki. 2 Apr. 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005>.

(Very Informative) non bias

 

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