HYBRID ENERGIES - Research Paper Example

Harris Kamran Chemistry Analysis Paper 10 July An evaluation of fossil fuel, hybrid energies (alternative fuel) as compared to conventional fuel Of the more conventional energy source, the hydroelectricity is the most desired because of its numerous benefits over the fossil fuels. Although the cost of production may be more than the traditional fuels, especially the start-up costs, in the long run, it is a cheap source of energy. The most striking feature is its very low negative impact on the environment, especially of the small hydropower plants (Our Energy, 2010).

This is because the large-scale plants, although producing no waste products like gases and fumes, effect the surrounding ecology by disrupting the ecosystem and laying a waste to the soil in terms of agriculture (Our Energy, 2010). Hence, of late, the small-scale power plants, which can be set up on local water supply pipelines and, therefore, not radically shifting the ecosystem, are preferred (Our Energy, 2010). Another near-zero negative impact hybrid energy comes from the solar thermal technology (Solar Thermal Energy, 2008).

This is the most favored form of the hybrid energies, and is increasingly becoming cheaper than the conventional fuels to both harness and maintain (Solar Thermal Energy, 2008). The point focus form of this technology is much more efficient than the other forms, almost double the efficiency (Solar Thermal Energy, 2008). This means that to produce the same amount of energy, it will have the least negative balance on the environment. The highest negative balance on the environment comes from the burning of fossil fuels (Postnote, 2006).

Even from among these traditional fuels, coal has the highest carbon footprint, reaching to a level of more than 1,000 gCO2eq/kWh (Postnote, 2006). However, another interesting fact has still kept the coal burning in practice; its lowest cost of production from among all the known energy sources, be they conventional or alternative (Solar Thermal Energy, 2008). Whichever factor wins shall determine the future of energy fuels. The automobile industry is always on the look out for cheaper alternatives, and ones that preferably also create less pollution.

This is because of the ever-increasing inflation in the price of oil and gasoline, and the tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases that these conventional fuels add to the environment (Bogo, 2008). The most promising alternative that can be expected to fully mature in the next five years and infiltrate the consumer market is that of biofuels such as ethanol; indeed, in 2007, the U.S. produced “6.5 billion gal. of ethanol and 250 million gal. of biodiesel” (Bogo, 2008). Another technology which is certainly being considered is that of fuel-cells, such as hydrogen cells; however, this technology is still in its initial stages and is less likely to compete with biofuels as a popular alternative energy in the automobile sector_ the annual sales are of only 800,000 units (Stern, 2009).

The government of the United States has passed many laws and acts to facilitate the development, harness, utilization, and advancement of alternative energy fuels, especially in regard to the automobile industry. If the technology is sufficiently developed, there should be no problem as to its functioning in the country. These acts include, but are not limited to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, and others (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011).

The discussion of these acts individually is beyond the scope of this paper; suffice it to say, that the policy framework and foundation for the development of alternative energy sources is ripe, and in full accordance with the development of these sources themselves. References (2008). Solar thermal energy: an industry report. Retrieved from http://www.solar- thermal.com/solar-thermal.pdf (April 6, 2011). China adds 18.9 GW of new wind power capacity in 2010. Retrieved from http://www.ren21.

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(August 25, 2008). Inside the future of electric cars, hydrogen and next-gen biofuels. Retrieved from http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/4279508 (July, 2011). Global trends in renewable energy investment 2011. Retrieved from http://www.fs-unep-centre.org/publications/global-trends-renewable-energy- investment-2011 (June 15, 2011). U.S. department of energy: federal and state incentives and laws. Retrieved from http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/key_legislation Kenneth S. Corts. (January 24, 2011).

Flex-fuel vehicles and alternative-fuel infrastructure: a chicken-or-egg question. Retrieved from http://www.rff.org/Publications/WPC/Pages/Flex-Fuel-Vehicles-and-Alternative- Fuel-Infrastructure-A-Chicken-or-Egg-Question.aspx Marc Stern. (December 20, 2009). Fuel technology: the auto industry faces an uncertain future. Retrieved from http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1040465_fuel-technology-the-auto- industry-faces-an-uncertain-future Melaina, M.W., McQueen, S., and Brinch, J. (April 3, 2008).

Refueling infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles: lessons learned for hydrogen. Retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/43669.pdf (September 26, 2010). Our energy: small hydro (small hydroelectric). Retrieved from http://www.our-energy.com/small_hydro.html Stephen Singer. (February 9, 2011). Energy report: 100% renewable energy by 2050. Retrieved from http://www.ren21.net/Home/FeaturedArticle/FeaturedArticleArchive/Article09022011/tabid/29926/Default.aspx (October, 2006). Postnote: carbon footprint of electricity generation.

Retrieved from http://www.parliament.uk/documents/post/postpn268.pdf (December 13, 2004). State incentives for alternative fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Retrieved from http://www.consenseus.org/downloads/policy/StateIncentives.pdf Virginia Sonntag-O'Brien. (October 7, 2010). Clean energy and global trade. Retrieved from http://www.ren21.net/Home/RenewableEnergyNews/Article7102010/tabid/6342/Default.aspx