Global warming threatens to change the entire world as we know it, but these alternative fuels could significantly slow down the entire process.
1. Biochar
The most remarkable thing about biochar is that it is a form of charcoal made entirely from agricultural waste.
Biochar produces gas generating energy, and a stable form of carbon – charcoal. The process is then made ‘carbon negative’ by burying it in the ground. It sounds a bit strange, but biochar will go a very long way toward reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
According to researchers, biochar can reduce the demand for carbon intensive fertilizers while simultaneously improving farm productivity. Although the benefits of using biochar are apparent, there are challenges to implementing the use and progress of biochar. The biggest obstacle is perfecting biochar and distributing it at an affordable rate.
2. Sun and hydrogen
Executives at the British energy company, Hydrogen Solar, claim to have used fuel cell technology to convert more than eight percent of sunlight into hydrogen.
Hydrogen fuel is a clean, green power source that, depending upon the production process, can easily be stored.
The potential for solar energy has been widely touted for more than 100 years. It does, however, need energy to remove the hydrogen from water and other sources.
Hydrogen Solar developed Tandem Cell technology which uses two photocatalytic cells, which are made from very thin metal oxide film and coated with a nano-crystalline called nanoscale. The nanoscale coating makes it possible for the hydrogen to be produced very efficiently with no need for fossil fuels, which are responsible for significant amounts of pollution and increased damage to the environment. The greatest challenge is the cost of producing this fuel alternative. However, after the cost of production is under control, hydrogen cell farms could conceivably produce hydrogen for a pretax amount of $1.80 to $3 per kilo.
3. Cold Fusion: Nuclear Energy at Room Temperature
Two Salt Lake City electrochemists commandeered the spotlight on March 23rd 1989 w3hen they claimed to have observed controlled nuclear fusion in a glass jar. The excess heat that resulted in during the trial promised the dawning of a new power source for the entire world... not to mention a financial boon for the two scientists.
However, in the twenty years since its discovery, it is obvious that cold fusion has had absolutely no influence on the production of energy. Sceptics are convinced that cold fusion is not real and so far, no experiment has convinced them of anything to the contrary. In the 20 years that have passed since the first announcement, major funding for research has been cut off.
However, the concept of cold fusion has not completely died out. There remains a committed circle of devotees have kept the fires of cold fusion burning white hot, by conducting experiments in basements and garages, with interest still holding strong at a few more conventional institutions as well.
4. Zero-Point Energy
The premise of zero point energy lies in fundamental quantum physics. If one were to study classical physics, one would not find any reference to a matter or energy. However, quantum physics recognizes vacuums as a whole separate world of possibilities. The laws of traditional physics dictate that an object that oscillates like a pendulum for example, will continue along its path as long as it is moved by an external force, and without an outside force, the pendulum will eventually come to a halt. The laws of quantum physics, however, stipulate that the pendulum is still vibrating even while at rest. This imperceptible movement of an object is due to gravitational or magnetic fields in a vacuum, called zero point energy.
While the experts agree in principle, there is still controversy regarding the amount of energy that is actually contained in ZPE, and whether it can be extracted. The debate among the experts continues. Steven Weinberg has gone on record as being committed to the fact that a vacuum the size of planet Earth has the same energy as a gallon of gasoline. However, his colleague, John Wheeler is equally convinced that there is enough energy in a mere cup of coffee to evaporate all of the water in all of the oceans.
5. Laser Powered Fusion
Scientists have long dreamed of nuclear fusion as a reliable alternative source of energy. The idea behind nuclear fusion is to form helium by fusing deuterium and tritium, which in essence are two heavier forms of hydrogen.
At the very center of the Sun, the massive gravitational pressure makes it possible for laser powered fusion to take place at temperatures as high as ten million degrees Celsius. Laser powered fusion is only possible at the lower pressures on Earth, is only possible at extremely high temperatures - 100 million Celsius and above.
In order to achieve this, lit is necessary to use ultra powerful lasers to achieve Laser Powered Fusion. The massive NIF laser is scheduled for completion in 2010.
Tags: bait, future fuels
These are all great, but very long term to develop sources of needed fuel. If global warming were a real threat. And, actually, even though it isn’t. Since the US has an estimated 1000 years supply of natural gas, it certainly makes sense to exploit natgat to the fullest – vehicle fuel; electricity-generating plants; home heating; cooking. Plus natgas will cause CO2 output to greatly diminish, just in case CO2 is the problem all the frauds and fakes have spent billions on to prove their agenda.
More likely we’ll need these technologies to save the world from despots who use the Global Warming mantra to fatten their wallets and control the world. These technologies might help keep people free from their tyranny.
This is all very interesting science, but I see little in the way of hope for change in the way we produce and use energy.
Production is from coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear fission. There is absolutely nothing that will change this situation in within the next 20 years. Those who would disagree probably need some exposure to the real world. And to the world of economics.
Of course government can force change. If they direct change it will force economic ruin. And so reduce our standard of living that we, millions of us, will have to become sustanance farmers.
Then maybe government can induce change? Sure, maybe the Chinese will help us with subsidies to all the scientists to we can continue to sustain our economy.
Has anyone seriously calculated the cost of actually producing our needed energy with these alternatives? Simply put, they have all failed, and continue to fail because no one has the experience or knowledge to understand the real world of energy production.
Groan! Where did we get these morons?
Wow Thomas M Mason, Martin, & Red Raider, do you people work for the coal/oil/natural gas industries? The above comments are not only absurd but obviously written by people who know nothing about the science of global warming or Physics not to mention their total lack of understand about economics and the world economy at large. I don’t even know where to begin in order to point out the flaws in their logic/reasoning, nor do I think they would I understand. I think it would be like trying to explain how an airplane flies to a cat.
Now all of these fandangos are just that, toys. Now if you are really interested in the 21st centuries most powerful invention go to inri.us or tnr.us or is it net and look at the inventions there. You will never ever be the same. You will wish you were part of the action. Oh, it is a privately held company, but with the right resources you will be allowed to invest. Also there is no intention of ever taking INRI public so no government or business entity can sweep it under the rug. TNR will go public some time in the future.
Of course you can continue to look at complex systems where common sense was never considered. Only PHD’s can understand the systems you have listed. They are most likely the same PHD’s that study climate change. The reason the ocean levels are rising has only to do with garbage, storms and the occassional California house falling into the Pacific. That is called erosion which goes into the ocean to stay. That means that the bottomless pit called the ocean is filling up and raising water which is undercutting even the Artic ice as well as the Antartic ice.
Simplicity and common sense. If you do not believe me, take a pail of water and start adding sand or dirt or garbage ans see if the level of water rises. Duh.
Tominator
Cold fusion has more reality to it than zero point energy. After having read up on both, the idea of zero point energy producing energy from a vacuum which is to say, without mass (and you know that MC square = Energy) in zero point energy there is no mass and so, you are being sold a snow job, a hope in nothing.
Truly it is selling you on the notion of nothing, energy from a vacuum, from nothing. From space and time as they say. And I understand the expansion of space and time and the little amount of ripple (wavelength) energy that is created at the very small scale in the vacuum. However, zero point energy will never be realized because its more or less a good story to sell a million books over night.
I believe that cold fusion is a guarded reality, as are many other forms of energy. Some believe that the manipulation of matter at the sub-atomic level (alchemy) is also a guarded reality, and by matter transmutation there exists a virtual inexhaustible supply of energy. These realities are likely to be found in Naval research laboratories, or other defense oriented facilities, and are secret because they give our country an “edge” in the arena of defense. At some point however, the revelation of such wonders will become necessary to the sustenance of our future as a planet. I look forward to the day when such taxpayer funded “miracles” are enjoyed by the taxpaying American public ,after all, we are footing the bill.
Biochar has interesting characteristics but it suffers from the same thing that all fossil fuels, alcohol products and every other combustible fuel suffers from: You have to burn it to release its energy. Okay, so say we can sequester whatever carbon results from combustion then bury it or bind it up with some other compounds, etc. In order to support this type of fuel economy a very large (and still very much experimental) infrastructure must be built up around them in order for them to be useful.
IMHO if we are to make any real headway toward carbon neutrality we have to stop burning processed dead things. Period.
Cold fusion and zero-point energy are both, at best, in their very early theoretical development stages. We’ll all become grandparents or great grandparents by the time these technologies prove useful – if they ever do.
Laser fusion has been in development for around a half century. The technology to make it work may have finally arrived, but it will be one or two decades more before it reaches industrial practicality.
Solar hydrogen production probably has the best chance of near-term (within a decade) practical use. The technologies here are relatively new but very promising.
I don’t mean to put a damper in your expectations, but I calls them as I sees them.
Grotleg!
CH
The world of alternative energy is real and exciting. To revamp our country with new power sources will led to even new ercreative ways that will come from the current younger generation to the next and beyond. I think this is good for the country and the people, it is a national move forward. Can we afford it, absolutely !!
Unfortunately, Di-hydrogen Oxide is released during the production and / or use of all of these energy sources. This nasty substance, when mixed with Sodium, Magnesium, Silicon or Calcium oxides causes billions of dollars a year in road and infrastructure damage. It even sides of mountains have come crashing down on towns killing everyone in its path.
Di-hydrogen oxide is too dangerous and we must not allow research into these five alternative areas of fuels
I forgot to mention that many people were killed when the Mianus, CT (I95) river bridge collapsed in the middle of the night. Authorities determined that exposure to di-hydrogen oxide in combination with other naturally occurring chemicals caused the bridge to collapse.
I see the future of hydrogen being very bright. Unfortunately, the discussion here only mentions hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cells. All cars and trucks on the road today could be converted to burn hydrogen in their existing internal combustion engines just as propane has been used for many decades. The hydrogen could even be made at home using electrolysis. And hydrogen is actually a safer fuel to use than gasoline. Since hydrogen can be used for either internal combustion engines or fuel cells, it offers the most versatility for a fuel. Hydrogen is technically a an energy carrier because it comes from water and returns back to water when it is used as a fuel. So it can be used over and over again without damaging the environment.
nat gas usage produces a lot of ozone. is it the good stuff or do we need to look at it? question? did you mean morons ore muons?
This is the big challenge for American in the future and for the long term..
I thinks scientists need to committed and devotees of they works on this: biofuel, charcoal, clean energy, renewable energy, solar, wind…
Hey Guys,
Those who study science gets benefits. “Energy in a vacumn” is a “reality”. Space vehicles from Xeon are powered from this process. If we studied science instead of watching football games or golf, then we might have a higher standard of living.
I find it absolutely amazing that there are still people out there who don’t want to believe that global warming is happening right now. Haven’t they seen what is happening to the ice caps? And the negativity! Let’s try to be positive instead of killing these ideas before they even get moving. If every municipal builing in FL, TX, AZ, NM etc. would install solar panels on their roofs we could immediately see a great reduction in energy usage and costs. Maybe some of the money we’re spending on Iraq could be spent to set up production in this country of low cost solar panels. A few more jobs for us. A bit less energy wasted. Every little bit helps.
When I see patents, then I will think about it
ECONOMICS, most people don’t get it, or just don’t want to get it. Parmary causes CHANGE, MONEY and lack of forsight. First of all you need to change the way people thank, eduication and training in the fields written about alternative energy sources. Yes we have coal and natural gas to supply our great great grand children, but what good is it if they can not take a breath of air or have to move to higher ground, because the the water levels have risen about 3 to 4 feet – look at any map and see what areas would be under water.
I wrote a question to the Pickens Plan a month ago and still awaiting a reply as promised. I had just came back from Arizona and saw first han what was later aired on a didcover chanel regarding the blight that is taking place by a utility company and what the Indian nation is trying to do. The problem, the utility was using high sulfer coal striped mined mixed with CLEAN DRINKING WATER and sending it through a pipe to be burned to produce electricity for Las Vagas and Southern California, now some people may ask, “so whats wrong wirh that”? One Frish Clean Drinking Water was used where water is already hard to come by. A common thing is to go several miles to a city like Sedona and purchase what you may need for a week, and no I am not talking about bottled water, I ‘m talking about loading up a 500 gal tank. The other part of this delima is the use of the worst coal that could be used with the highest level of sulfer, and NO USE OF SCRUBBERS. The unit was temperrally shut down, but the electric company is trying to reopen it. The Indian Nation has proposed the use of Wind Machine Generators (wind farm) and Solar Panels. Refocus the monies and edicate the public. But first of all get The BIG OIL AND UTILITIE COMPANIES out of the Government Pockets Just to get permits to try to install home units takes an act of congress. Using the Indians as an example, for approximately $25,000.00 I could have a whole house windmill [(2400sqft) 200Amp Service] installed along with the solar panels on the roof and necessary batteries/inverter to supply most of my electricity, but until Local, State and the US Goverment make it easer for the home owner to construct such items it is just not going to happen, one last thing the money spent on these items would place people back to work, yes they would have to be trained OH MY There’s your econmics. Look for feed back Please and Thank you
Over 30 years ago my brothers and I built a retirement home for my parents in central Nebraska. It is made from 12 inch thick cement walls, 4 inches of ridgid foam insulation on all walls, ceilings, and floors. At 1200 sqft., it only took one 3/4 ton pickup load of wood to heat it in the winter for two years. It is earth sheltered. Selling it tomorrow. It is really sad to see all the inefficeintcy that is designed into products still today. If only we as a nation had the forsight to include the cost of operation and disposal into all products, would we have the incentive to do the right thing.
I think our best bet is the biochar/natchar. for short term anyway. and yes the global warming freaks would be pissed about it but what ever. i dont know anything about the zero point energy. cold fusion seems pretty remote and not a viable option for us.
Well I welcome the global warming deniers. So far, though, every one of the “skeptics” I have any knowledge of have put forth the book “State of Fear” by Michael Crichton as their standard source for “refuting” global warming. Unfortunately the book is extremely poorly written and says little in response to the actual science. It is rather like a long name-calling screed, all heat and no light. It lumps all environmentalists into categories of either idiots or radical fanatics. The science of global warming began well over 100 years ago. But it was only during the 1950s when US Navy scientists began to make some crucial discoveries about ocean chemistry that scientists began to realize that spewing CO2 into the atmosphere might actually become a problem. Before you dismiss something, take a little time to educate yourself about the real science. If you only read the stuff by the so-called “skeptics” (who generally make a living in the fossil fuels industry), you have no way to really claim that you have investigated the issues.
By the way, I do know a tiny number of genuine global warming skeptics, people who are actually very knowledgeable about science and technology. However, real GW skeptics know enough about the science to realize that they may in fact be wrong, and they will freely admit that they may be wrong. They understand that intelligent skepticism about GW requires research into a vast array of scientific subjects, and that there are strong facts and arguments in favor of human caused GW (AGW). They prefer, however, to side with the fact that the whole picture is extremely complex, and therefore it is nearly impossible to absolutely PROVE that AGW is happening. If you fit that description I can have some respect for your position. However, it is more a leap of faith to believe AGW is NOT happening than to believe that it is.
I see technology continuing to grow at a snail’s pace regarding introduction of alternative fuels for automobiles without significant demand being expressed by consumers and governments alike. As we sit on our natural gas reserves and continue to import from OPEC we are simply driving our economy into further chaos. I agree that there are no quick fixes, however nothing is being done at the government level to force development of natural gas combustion vehicles for the average consumer, or the infrastructure to maintain these vehicles. I am forced to use a petrolium powered vehicle to commute to job locations daily and would welcome the opportunity to own a vehicle that could be fueled at any service station with natural gas as would many in my trade, even if I had to pay comparable prices for that fuel, just to reduce our dependency on imported oil.
I’m happy to see that there are at least thoughts going into development of technologies such as these – they won’t all work or be viable on the large scale, and they may be too late, however it excites me to know that not everyone has given into ‘drill baby drill’ and other unsustainable modes of energy production. Talking about new ideas is fundamental to progress, even if some ideas are imprudent…..it’s the talking and the trying and the doing that moves us into a better way of doing things, whatever that may end up being.
[...] future fuels that could save the world from global [...]
Without a doubt when you learn about how this technology is no longer in the laboratories but is presently being used by large corporations instead of the present sales pitch that non-renewanle energy companies and utilities keep trying to sell us to believe then you too will see the future is now by visiting http://www.bloomenergy.com .
As the founder of the Hedtke Institute, which has become an online think tank, I have long held a strong personal interest in alternate energy becoming a viable energy source for residences, helping free consumers from remaining “energy prisoners” by the non-renewable energy suppliers. It isn’t difficult to recognize that the bloom energy unit will be the most economical solution to change how Americans purchase energy for their homes. A few years ago I sent a challenge to the XPrize committee to do what they are now doing, so I applaud them. That being said, currently, as the Florida’s 24th Congressional District leader for the Picjens Plan and a 40+ year alternative energy advocate, I feel that this is a consumer’s dream come true. The Hedtke Institute site has the copy of my XPrize request from a few year’s back that never was acted upon and the site includes a few of the solutions and problems we have addressed over the years at: http://www.stormynites.net/Hed.....blems.html and my Pickens profile is available at: http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/MarkHedtke
I have become one of the people who is promoting the Bloom Energy product line, I respectfully submit this for everyone’s reasoned consideration. Mark Hedtke