Abstract This paper concerns the alternativefuel hydrogen. The writer notes how this fuel is produced and looks at some of the problems of making it practical for use in automobiles and other vehicles. The writer explains that storage is a major issue, because hydrogen takes up four items the space of a comparable fast energy source. Some of the research being conducted to correct this situation is noted, including new materials for storage.
From the Paper "There are many reasons to embrace the demand for alternative fuels. The current state of the world's ongoing energy crisis, of the demand for fossil fuel and of the constant fighting over oil in the middle east, are all current events that are related to oil and fuel. However, we should also look to the future for the true reasons for using alternative fuels. The emissions from power plants, refineries and automobiles are causing global warming and irreversible damage to the ozone. This is why it is so important for scientists, engineers and researchers to break down the fossil fuel barrier and replace it with alternative fuels, one of which is hydrogen."
Abstract This paper examines how the energy crisis that plagues many American cities has been at the center of much debate. It looks at information about current energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, wind energy, nuclear energy, and fossil fuel. The discussion also covers alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, hydrogen energy, and biomass energy. It seeks to explain the expense, transportation, production, and storage of these energy sources and focuses on issues of practicality, such as current availability and renewal. It also discusses efficiency and environmental ramifications.
Outline
Introduction
Current Forms of Energy
Hydroelectricity
Wind Energy
Nuclear Energy
Fossil Fuel Alternative forms of Energy
Solar Energy
Hydrogen Energy
Biomass energy
Efficiency, Practicality and Environmental Ramifications
Conclusion
From the Paper "Wind Energy is also a current source of electricity for millions of people. (Blackburn, 1987) Utilities can use the energy from the wind to propel vessels or to pump water. (Blackburn, 1987) wind energy is rather inexpensive especially in remote areas. (Blackburn, 1987) According to an article in the Geographical Review, wind energy is extremely efficient and is now the fastest growing source of renewable energy. (Pasqualetti 2000) Blackburn (1987) asserts that wind energy can produce energy for a cost of 12-15? per kilowatt hour before tax benefits come into consideration. (Blackburn, 1987)"
Abstract The paper discusses the strong reliance on other countries for fossil fuels and the problem of global warming that has encouraged many to promote the use of ethanol as a natural renewable energy source. The paper looks carefully at this alternative and how it compares to other energy sources. The paper discusses how it takes considerable energy to produce ethanol and could divert corn and soybeans from the nation's food supply thus causing a food crisis. The paper stresses the need to look carefully at this alternative and explore all its potential ramifications before any far-reaching decisions are made.
From the Paper "This year more than ever, Americans are beginning to be concerned about alternative fuels, do to the possibility of global warming, the significant increase of gasoline for automobiles and other vehicles and the growing tendency toward green concerns. Deciding on what alternatives of fuel to use, for automobiles for example, is not easy. There are a number of factors to consider that are known in addition to a number of unknowns as well. One of the alternatives that has been receiving considerable coverage this past year is ethanol. Similar to other options, however, it too has its plusses and minuses."
Abstract This paper explores the progress of ethanol as a fuel derived from renewable crops. It particularly focuses on cellulosic ethanol, which can be produced from agricultural, municipal and forestry waste, corn stalks, sawdust and waste paper. The paper discusses all of these options, as well as the viability of being able to produce enough to significantly reduce the United States dependence on foreign oil.
Table of Contents:
History of Ethanol
Current Uses of Ethanol
Arguments For and Against Ethanol as a Major AlternativeFuel Retooling for Ethanol
Conclusion
From the Paper "United States would require an "area of energy crops as large as the current area of food crops grown in the United States. Additional land use of this magnitude would be staggering and contentious" (p. 18). According to Haroon S. Kheshgi, an engineer for EXXonMobil Research, nothing will replace petroleum because to run an average U. S. car with corn-derived ethanol for a year would require 14 acres of cropland--about nine times more land than is needed to feed one person the same length of time. Aside from the fact that Kheshgi is invested in the oil industry, this argument, does not consider the use of agricultural waste products as the source or use of the by-products of distilling ethanol. If the land were still used to grow food, and the wastes were used for ethanol, benefits to the environment would be great. Also, if hydrogen power is the ultimate goal, ethanol could be "part of a transition strategy for shifting from today's internal combustion engine technology to tomorrow's hydrogen-based engines" (Issues in Science & Technology, 2002, p. 17)."
Abstract This paper examines the American metropolitan transportation system and maintains that it is in dire need of improvement, especially in terms of reducing air pollution. The paper discusses how the massive use of fossil fuels derived from oil is becoming prohibitively expensive, but that the gravest consequence is the constant emission of poisons into the atmosphere from vehicle exhausts. The paper points out that this problem has become especially acute over the last thirty years and needs to be resolved through the use of alternativefuels.
From the Paper "The American metropolitan transportation system is in dire need of improvement, especially in terms of reducing air pollution. The massive use of fossil fuels derived from oil is becoming prohibitively expensive, but the gravest consequence is the constant emission of poisons into the atmosphere from vehicle exhausts. This problem has become especially acute over the last thirty years and needs to be resolved through the use of alternative fuels. The initial development of fuel-efficient cars was primarily in response to the OPEC oil crisis of the nineteen-seventies and the resulting dramatic rise in gasoline prices for American motorists. Up until the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Americans drove high-powered, gas-guzzling cars and since gasoline was so cheap no consumers were interested in buying fuel-efficient cars."
Abstract This paper looks at how formerly environmentally damaging methane gas from landfills is now being utilized for direct-use and gas-to-electric projects that not only benefit consumers but are actually responsible for improving the environment.
From the Paper "Three decades ago the notion of landfills was a distasteful one to most people. Landfills emit natural gases that are a by-product of decomposition of organic waste. Landfill gas emissions give off a noxious odor for those living in close proximity to landfills and the release of gases from aerobic and anaerobic oxygen free processes were thought to be detrimental to the environment. Landfill gas (LFG) is primarily composed of carbon dioxide and methane. Because of this it is flammable and potentially explosive in..."
Abstract The paper explains that since airlines are heavily dependent upon fuel for its continuing operations, they have been heavily burdened by rising fuel prices. The paper then looks at airlines' cost-cutting measures such as laying of thousands of workers and delaying or eliminating long-distance flights and relates that the general aviation industry has also suffered. Next, the paper overviews the solutions that revolve around alternative lead-free fuel. The paper concludes that while the market is extremely unstable at the moment, it is nonetheless possible that the crisis can be averted when officials work together to find viable solutions.
From the Paper "The rising costs of fuel has become the main conversation point of motorists throughout the world. For perhaps the first time in world history, the food and fuel crises have become worldwide phenomena, with only an investment in alternative fuel sources appearing to be a valid long-term response. The aviation industry is no exception, and indeed appears to be one of the hardest hit industries in terms of fuel. Both commercial and private airlines need a large amount of fuel in order to complete their long- and short-distance flights. The rising fuel costs have resulted in a number of strategies to mitigate the extra investment required. Some commercial airlines have even reduced their long-distance flights in order to save fuel, while others have increased their ticket costs. The reality is that fuel prices are likely to continue their upward trend as the world's oil resources are increasingly pressured."
Abstract This paper discusses the different types of alternate energy sources. There are three reasons for the U.S. to find alternate energy sources: cost, dependence on the Mid East, and the environment. This paper discusses the importance of both home and automobile alternate energy sources. The U.S. has offered incentives for different companies to work on finding these sources.
From the Paper ""At some plants, electric and fuel costs alone can be reduced by more than 30 percent -- $200 million in one case - by taking advantage of smarter procurement methods already available but underutilized" (Industrial Energy, 3005, 27). These statistics are something that many businesses must consider with the fear of higher and higher energy costs. America has been warned on the news that natural gas prices can go up as high as 70 percent this winter. "But now, with natural gas rising to more than $7 per million BTUs and eastern coal up to $60 per ton, average U.S. electricity prices, by state, now range from 5 cents to 16 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh)" (Carey, Aston, Hibbard, and Grover, 2005, 36). Recently, the news warned that gasoline prices could go up as high as $5.00 a gallon during the Katrina crisis."
An outline of the responsibilities and research of the renewable energy source ESEP group. In addition to describing the roles and each member of the group, the proposal explains the urgency and significance of perfecting non fossil fuel energy sources.
5,415 words (approx. 21.7 pages), 23 sources, 2001, $ 133.95
Abstract This research discusses the world's current energy crisis. Fossil energy comprises the majority of the world's energy source; however, these fuels pose threats to the environment and do not provide a renewable source of energy. Analysts predict that the world will run out of fossil fuels in forty to fifty years. Due to this impending crisis, experts research and attempt to determine renewable energy sources that meet the world's growing energy needs while considering the technical, environmental, financial, and social impact of these alternatives. This report summarizes four of the most developed renewable energy options that could feasibly replace fossil fuels as a source of energy, including fuel cells, solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power. Fuel cells use substances such as methanol and oxygen to react and provide energy; however, obtaining a clean, reliable hydrogen source and lowering the cost must precede implementation. Solar power harnesses the sun's thermal with photovoltaic cells to produce electricity; the paper focuses on concentrating solar technologies and the addition research required to employ this alternativefuelsource. Wind power uses turbines situated in a field to capture the kinetic energy of the wind; as one of the most frequently used renewable energy resources, this solution may become feasible as prices decrease. Hydropower uses flowing water through a system of turbines and generators to produce vast amounts of clean energy, but its environmental impacts are serious and widespread. All of these renewable energy sources have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to producing energy on a large scale. Some of these factors include cost, efficiency, environmental factors, and political and social factors. The report recommends an increase in research for each of these fields, and concludes that these renewable energy sources will only develop if society as a whole accepts the financial burden that accompanies them. Overall, the financial burden of renewable resources does not compare to the devastating effects that continued fossil energy usage will leave on the environment.
From the Paper "As the global energy crisis worsens, scientists and researchers internationally race to refine and implement renewable energy resources to provide societies basic power needs that do not depend upon the consumption of natural resources. Within the next century, if energy consumers continue to rely on resources such as coal, petroleum, and other fossil fuels at the current rate, society will deplete its fuel reserves, specifically petroleum, to the extent that alternate power sources become necessary to maintain current standards of living based on power sources. Environmentalists, scientists, and the general public target fossil fuel usage as the primary cause for the environment's poor condition; renewable resources will offer an opportunity to prevent and possibly improve damage caused by pollution from power procurement. Globally, consumers are ill-prepared for our inevitable reliance upon renewable energy resources; moreover, developing countries in the process of electrifying their citizens will not have the means to progress in the same energy-technology development cycle and cannot base their tenuous energy dependence on a rapidly waning fuel source. In the absence of fossil fuels, people must rely on new forms of transportation and energy to power our increasingly
technology-based society. Renewable resources, such as fuel cells, solar power, wind power, and hydro power offers an environmentally-savvy alternative to fossil fuels, yet many of these technologies require further research, refinement, and optimization before we can rely upon them as a substitute for fossil fuels in basic power needs (SolarPACES 1). The problem involves ensuring global preparedness when low energy reserves mandate the use of renewable energy resources through proper allocation of renewable energy technology, ethical support from the public and the government, financial flexibility, and environmental sustainability."
Abstract The paper shows that fuel cells offer tremendous promise and potential as an energy source. Among topics covered in this paper include: How fuel cells operate, why they are cleaner than a combustion powered engine and the research that is currently being conducted to advance this technology. The paper also lays out the roles the federal government, automakers, and oil companies are playing in investing in fuel technology. It also discusses the problems that need to be overcome in order for the use of fuel cells to meet their full potential as an energy source.
From the Paper "In summary once the fuel cell market begins to take off, the impact can snowball. Using hydrogen to combine such renewable energy sources with highly efficient fuel cell cars would impact many industries such as the automobile, oil, electricity and natural gas. Furthermore, an added benefit of fuel cell will be the elimination of carbon dioxide that are produced by gas powered engines, instead the only by product produced here would be water. In fact this water will be safe enough to drink because it will be pure. Research will continue to advance the potential of fuel cell as a dependable long term energy source."
Abstract This paper examines how energy is the vital force powering business, manufacturing, and the transportation of goods and services to serve the American and world economies and how, if we don"t do something, there could be a problem. It looks at how we can"t continue to rely on fossil fuels as we do today because of their limited supplies and how we need to find new, renewable, and alternative energy sources. It analyzes the technologies, such as hydropower, hydrogen and fuel cells, geothermal, and biomass, and shows how we need to decide what we are going to do to change our ways and help preserve the world we love.
From the Paper "The last predominate renewable energy source is from water or what is called hydropower. We can harness one of the earth's most predominate resources to our advantage and create clean renewable energy. According to the Alternative Energy Institute, ?There are several favorable features of hydropower. Anywhere sufficient rain falls, there will be rivers. If a particular section of river has the right terrain to form a reservoir, it may be suitable for dam construction. Once the system has been installed, no fossil fuels are required to produce the electricity, and the earth's hydrologic cycle naturally replenishes the "fuel" supply (Alternative Energy Institute)."
Abstract The limited supply of fossil fuels is a fact that has been known for quite some time, and the great increase in the number of automobiles on the road has forced us to realize that the time we have left guzzling gas is very, very limited. This paper shows that prototypes of solar-powered vehicles have made news along with electric cars, but their lack of efficiency will not adequately support our driving needs. The paper argues, therefore, that the most probable alternative to the internal combustion engine is the fuel cell--a simple, clean source of energy that can be used in a variety of applications.
From the Paper "Right now most fuel cell developments are directed toward use in automobiles. Gas prices are rising and our wallets are realizing the relative inefficiency of the internal combustion engine. More importantly, people are becoming more aware of the damage being done to the atmosphere by major greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide, the main by-product of the internal combustion engine. Despite these factors, there is a bottom line."
This paper tries to externalize the feasibility and optimality of the development of a nuclear fusion reactor as a source of energy for future consumption.
Abstract This paper discusses the inevitable need for developing alternativesources of energy in order to bridge the gap between the rapidly increasing fuel demand and the depleting resources available. This paper tries to analyze the potentials of nuclear fusion reactors as a reliable alternative to overcome this energy crisis. Though the theories propounded are still in the state of infancy, they hold relevance for satisfying the fuel demand in the future in both on earth as well in space stations. Fusion, explains the author, is a source of the sun's energy that offers a clean, potentially limitless source of electricity and power. Hence a magnetic fusion reactor by using plasma would manage to bring about the nuclear fusion reaction in a controlled way.The author shows how plasmais a new state of matter in which most of the atoms are ionized due to some sort of 'violence' and breaking away of the originally bound electrons. Within the plasma, colliding deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse into helium nuclei and release energy to be converted into electricity.
From the Paper "The concept of generation of usable energy from the nuclear fusion reactor is still at its state of infancy. Though both Bose and Einstein , in 1925 predicted the condensation of atoms into super dense states but still even after 76 years of extensive research the idea of a nuclear fusion reactor has not been physically implementable. Though nuclear fusion is the primary governing factor in the nuclear reactor design but a number of complex systems and their analysis need to be incorporated for its success. Currently, a number of significant projects are being pursued individually by the developed nations like the SST project, the Magnetic Mirror project and the combined efforts of scientists and governments from all over the world pooling their intelligence and resources to develop the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)."
Abstract This paper explains that the environment is in need of an alternativefuelsource. It examines option for this alternative and discusses how this will be beneficial, both economically and environmentally.
From the Paper "It is difficult to imagine a human society without cars. The idea that for millennia humans managed to survive, and even to thrive, without such a contraption is inconceivable to many in today's Western World. Automobiles are everywhere, and in most American cities it is nearly impossible to work or go to school without access to one. However, the widespread use of cars is not without its negative effects on society. Cars can be cost prohibitive for many people, especially in the lower classes. Maintenance and fueling of automobiles are two things which can truly take their tolls on the pocketbooks of the working class. Additionally, cars are also a cause of much pollution, and quite harmful to the environment. Many solutions have been proposed over the years to help make cars both less costly to run and less harmful to the environment. One of the most talked about solutions involves alternative fuel sources instead of the very costly and environmentally unsound petroleum-based fuels which are currently in use. ?Whether it is natural gas, fuel cells, hydrogen or a popular combination of gasoline and electricity, alternative fuels are being pushed as a solution to America's energy crisis.? (Maier) Cars cause a lot of pollution, therefore it is necessary to find alternative fuels. However, there are still many problems with alternative fuels that must be resolved, and the government should be taking steps to help make alternative fuels a widespread reality."
Abstract The subject under review here stems from the need for the world to transfer its oil dependence to an alternativesource of energy. The research presented constitutes an endorsement for a different form of alternativefuel from petroleum or biofuel. It also helps shed light on the drawbacks to biofuel as they outweigh the prospective benefits.
Outline:
Abstract
Executive Summary
Proposal: Critical Literature Review
Objective
Research Question and Thesis
Introduction
Literature Review
Findings
Discussion
From the Paper "There is a clear and irrevocable need for the world community and major industrialized nations such as the United States to reduce their dependency on petroleum which, as a fuel source, is environmentally destructive and precipitous of fractious world politics. A popular interest has developed on the part of those in the agriculture and oil industries, as well as within the American government, of considering the potential value of biofuel as a viable alternative fuel source. Typically taking the form of ethanol, biofuel is in that context an alcohol-based fuel converted from the fermented sugars of plant cellulose. Given this point of origin, it is generally a cleaner burning fuel than most fossil fuels. For this reason, biofuels have commanded a great deal of attention in the discourse over possible alternative fuel foci."
