How Alternative Fuel Sources Are Changing the World
HOW ALTERNATIVE FUEL SOURCES ARE CHANGING THE WORLD
Alternative fuel sources have done a lot to positively impact the environment. Here’s how alternative fuels are bringing on a change for the world.
Keyword(s): alternative fuel sources
Over seven billion tons of resources are mined from the earth each year. Over two million hectares of our forests are cut down and burned.
That leaves us with only 28% of wild forests left globally. While these stats aren’t good, there are steps being taken to find other ways to create energy other than through mining and wood.
We are finding that alternative fuel sources are helping us find ways to create energy without destroying the planet. And in some cases, it delivers to us cheaper and cleaner energy.
If you’re looking to learn about other types of alternative fuels, keep reading. We’re sharing with you a few of our favorite greener options.
What Alternative Fuel Sources Are
What is alternative fuel? In the past, we relied on conventional fuels such as fossil fuels (petroleum oil), coal, and natural gas. We’ve also used nuclear materials such as thorium and uranium.
Unfortunately, oil and gas, especially when produced irresponsibly, place huge health and environmental risks to us all.
Electricity
There are several alternative fuels for cars like electricity that are highly efficient. Electricity is used as an alternative fuel for battery-powered electric and fuel-cell cars.
In fuel cells, they produce their electricity without pollution or combustion. And all you need is a standard electrical source to recharge the battery.
The downside is that we still haven’t found a way to produce electricity without causing pollution or combustion.
Biodiesel
If you’re looking for a new fuel to replace oil, take a look at biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel comes from animal fats and vegetable oils. You can even recycle that fuel from restaurants after they’ve used them for cooking.
Vehicle engines are converted to burn biodiesel in its purest form. You can also blend this fuel with petroleum diesel to use in unmodified engines.
The plus side is that it’s safe, reduces air pollutants, and biodegradable. The downside is that right now there is limited infrastructure in terms of production and distribution.
Methanol
One of the more interesting alternatives to gasoline is methanol. It’s wood alcohol that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles designed to run on M85. M85 is a blend of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline.
If automakers would manufacture methanol-powered vehicles, methanol could wind up being a very important alternative fuel to use as a source of the hydrogen necessary for powering fuel-cell.
Unfortunately, automakers aren’t producing methanol-powered cars right now.
Hydrogen
Mix hydrogen with natural gas and it’s a great alternative fuel source for certain types of internal combustion engines. And you can use hydrogen in fuel-cell vehicles that run on electricity.
Hydrogen is a great fuel source since it produces no bad emissions. Unfortunately, it’s expensive and there’s no infrastructure in place right now.
P-Series Fuels
P-Series fuels are a combination of natural gas liquids, methyl tetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), and ethanol. You can use P-Series fuels in flexible fuel vehicles.
You can use these fuels either on their own or you can even add gasoline to the tank. Unfortunately, no manufacturers are making flexible fuel vehicles at this moment.
Learn Why Alternative Fuels Are Vital to Our Future
Understanding why alternative fuel sources are vitally important these days. We all have a commitment to help reduce our carbon footprint on this planet.
But it’s hard to take action unless we understand why it’s so important. We want to help educate you. Click here to learn the environmental benefits of alternative fuels.