In the never ending quest to produce a fuel that will be both efficient and environmentally friendly there has been much debate about the advantages and disadvantages of these types of fuels. Today we are going to discuss three fuels, their advantages and disadvantages and see if we can determine which fuel would reduce air pollutants while being economically friendly. The three fuels we will look at today are Ethanol, Hydrogen and Hybrid.
First let’s take a look at Ethanol. While many people will agree with Henry Ford who built the Model T Ford to run on alcohol and claimed that alcohol or Ethanol as it is called today is the “fuel of the future” (Journey to Forever) many will also disagree with this statement saying that Ethanol is not yet an option. The production of Ethanol fuel can be an asset in more than one way, because not only does it provide jobs and a demand for locally grown materials but it also keeps investments and money in the community which can be imperative to some areas (Journey to Forever). Some of the other advantages of using Ethanol fuel are that it is renewable due to being made from plants, making and using it does not increase the greenhouse effect, high octane at low cost as another option to harmful additives, biodegradable without negative effects on the environment and reduces significantly harmful exhaust emissions (Journey to Forever). Now while all those advantages make Ethanol seem to be the best way to go for an alternative fuel there are also some very significant disadvantages to take into consideration. For example according to researchers at the University of Minnesota ethanol production of every acre of corn in America can only supply about twelve point three percent of the fuel that we currently demand (EnergyRefuge.com, 2009). It has also been estimated that even using three hundred million acres of switchgrass would not be enough to meet our current demand, which is estimated to double by the year 2025 (EnergyRefuge.com, 2009). So while Ethanol may seem a great way to go, how great will it be when you are not able to use it because there is not enough available? Then you also have to look at the other disadvantages such as Ethanol being very concentrated, which is known to cause more fumes and smog effect gases the gasoline does currently. That does not even take into consideration the effects of the runoff of pesticides and phosphorus nitrogen that will be entering our waterways (EnergyRefuge.com, 2009).
Next let’s look at Hydrogen which is being aggressively pursued as an alternative fuel. Hydrogen is the most abundant and simplest element in the universe (U.S. Department of Energy, 2009). It can be produced from electrolyzing water, biomass, and fossil fuels. The use of Hydrogen is virtually pollutant free and will eliminate the current dependency on imported petroleum (U.S. Department of Energy, 2009). Hydrogen can be produced from several sources domestically. It does not produce greenhouse gases or pollutants when used in fuel cells. While these are relevant advantages in the use of Hydrogen as an alternative fuel there are also relevant disadvantages that counteract those advantages (U.S. Department of Energy). For example Hydrogen fuel cells are expensive to produce and are only available at limited locations which are primarily in California. Not to mention how expensive fuel cell vehicles are and the fact that there are only a limited number of these vehicles produced. Then there is also the problem of how to store enough hydrogen on board to be able to travel more than two hundred miles (U.S. Department of Energy). After all who wants to stop that frequently for fuel even if there were stations readily available for hydrogen run vehicles?
Then on the other hand you have Hybrid vehicles that have both a combustible engine and at least one electric engine. The combustible or gas engine is usually a four cylinder engine and is primarily used when higher speeds are demanded and usually gets between twenty-seven and sixty miles per gallon (Clearr, 2009). While the electric engine is designed to handle the slower speeds and automatically turn off when left in an idling position to conserve energy. On the roof of most of the Hybrid vehicles you will find a solar panel which allows the car to recharge using the sun. The hybrid vehicles also do not typically have standard brakes, instead they have regenerative brakes, in other words instead of the brakes stopping the brakes the motor slows the car down and brakes it harvesting the energy that would normally be lost when braking (Clearr, 2009). This can be very beneficial when other sources are not available. Of course while there are advantages to owning a Hybrid there are also disadvantages that need to be considered such as higher maintenance expenses since the car has two motors.
As you can see Ethanol, Hydrogen, and Hybrid vehicles all have advantages that would be beneficial to the environment when compared to your typical combustible engine vehicle. But are they all currently a feasible alternative for the average person? I do not think so. When taking all this information into consideration if I was going to recommend the purchase of one of them it would be the Hybrid. The Hybrid is cost efficient, it is environment friendly, it is accessible to the common person and it also appears to demonstrate dependability.
References
Clearr, B. (2009). Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Hybrid Car. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from How to do just about everything: http://www.ehow.com/about_4781148_advantages-disadvantages-owning-hybrid-car.html
EnergyRefuge.com. (2009). Ethanol is not the answer… yet. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from EnergyRefuge.com: http://www.energyrefuge.com/archives/ethanol_not_the_answer.htm
Journey to Forever. (n.d.). Ethanol Fuel. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from Journey to Forever: http://www.journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html
U.S. Department of Energy. (2009, August 17). Alternative and Advanced Fuels. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.html
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Hydrogen. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from www.fueleconomy.gov: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/hydrogen.shtml
