Ending Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels

When I was in college so many years ago I had a professor that said, "There are no problems, only opportunities." I was studying engineering and engineers are problem solvers.

Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels:

This is a great example of how beneficial opportunities can be.

Increased demand and reduced supply of oil is forcing the world to take advantage of this opportunity. Alcohol/bio-fuels, solar, wind, tidal and nuclear energy alternatives are the most likely winners in the race to replace fossil fuels campaign.

Bio-fuels like alcohol and bio-diesel made from agricultural products have great promise. Hundreds of new bio-fuel plants are being built. Alcohol is a very clean fuel source for gasoline engines requiring minimal conversion of the existing engines. There is a downside though. In order to produce enough alcohol through agricultural means alone too much acreage would be required. Diverting enough acreage to produce 50% of our gasoline demands would cause food prices to soar. Competition with food and feed needs would increase the cost of bio-fuels.

The high cost of agricultural commodities could be born by only the wealthiest of nations if they were the sole alternative. In Mexico today, higher corn prices are already placing a burden on the poor. This while we are producing approximately 5% of our gasoline fuel demands.

Solar energy has great potential. However, the sun only provides watts per square foot and that is only produced when the sun is shining. With an average electrical conversion of 10-14 watts per square foot, the average household in the US would need roughly 5000 square feet of solar panels (5 kilowatt hours). Also needed is a battery system capable of storing 50 hours of energy and/or a backup power system, for no or reduced light conditions and peak demand loads. That would be for a stand alone solar power application. If your are able to connect to the utility grid life is simpler. You sell electric to the grid during the day and buy it back at night. As photovoltaic technology advances solar will be a more practical option.