Top 10 Future Energy Solutions

[accadacca]

Link (http://blogs.experience.com/Patrick/2006/12/top-10-future-energy-solutions.html)

[DiscGo]

I think the idea of harnessing energy from a wave is awesome.

[BrainDamage]

I love how coal is #2 is on the list.

[DiscGo]

I love how coal is #2 is on the list.

That is kind of funny. Clean or not, it's still coal.

[R]

No mention of ethanol? Come on - I live in the country. Can I set up a still and make some? Please?

[tanya]

No mention of ethanol? Come on - I live in the country. Can I set up a still and make some? Please?


I would imagine it will be a mix of all kinds of things. Ethanol works! :2thumbs: I too wonder about why coal is #2 on the list?

[rockgremlin]

No mention of ethanol? Come on - I live in the country. Can I set up a still and make some? Please?


I would imagine it will be a mix of all kinds of things. Ethanol works! :2thumbs: I too wonder about why coal is #2 on the list?


Coal is #2 for a variety of good reasons - It is very abundant, relatively inexpensive to mine, and is high in BTUs.

The only downside to coal is the emissions when burned. If we could figure a way to burn coal and NOT release harmful pollutants, it would be an awesome source of energy - hence the trend towards coal gasification.

[tanya]

Coal is #2 for a variety of good reasons - It is very abundant, relatively inexpensive to mine, and is high in BTUs.

The only downside to coal is the emissions when burned. If we could figure a way to burn coal and NOT release harmful pollutants, it would be an awesome source of energy - hence the trend towards coal gasification.

:popcorn: :2thumbs:

[RedMan]

I had the opportunity to attend the USAF Industry day this year.

I figured we would be hearing about stuff like new aircraft.

Not.

What 50% of the day was about is the fact that the USAF views the energy crisis as a threat to their mission.

As a result the worlds single largest consumer of petro energy is spending over $1B per year trying to do something real. This is just UASF spending.

The number one potential is Hydrogen.
Number 2 is wind.

They already have a program to evaluate bio-fuels in aircraft with several test systems flying. The biggest concern there is cold weather effects on bio.

USAF spends $6B per year of energy. 80% of that goes into aircraft.

If you need funding for alternative fuel research the USAF is a great place to start looking.

[BrainDamage]

I love how coal is #2 is on the list.

That is kind of funny. Clean or not, it's still coal.

I don't think it is funny, coal gasification and coal liquefaction are in our future.

great links
http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/powersystems/gasification/index.html

http://www.futurecoalfuels.org/

http://www.worldcoal.org/index.asp

[Sombeech]

I heard that Ethanol currently requires gasoline for the production. Maybe that's why it wasn't on the list? :ne_nau:

I like that idea of harnessing the waves as well.
http://www.oceanpd.com/Anims/pelamis_V4.html

[Joe Gardner]

I'm all for alternative energy, my car runs on bio diesel, my house is 100% wind power (blue skys) but the American people as a whole need to focus more on saving and conserving energy. Turn off the lights, think ahead when going to the store, carpool, use public transportation etc.

Our suburban culture and consumerism mindset is killing us all. :(

Way to much of our current energy demand is simply wasted.

[DiscGo]

I'm all for alternative energy, my car runs on bio diesel, my house is 100% wind power...

If you don't mind me asking, how much did that set you back? I always want to be more conscience but (without really knowing how to look in to it) I don't think I can afford it.