Flex fuel, biodiesel, or hybrids: Which is America's answer to oil dependency?
When the Iranian Revolution in 1979 caused massive gas lines in the United States, many Americans turned to small Japanese vehicles. Eventually, however, oil prices stabilized, gas prices dropped, and many Americans returned to gas-guzzling as SUVs became an expression of American freedom.But the Iranian Revolution wasn't only felt in the U.S., and the problems of oil dependence, particularly foreign-oil dependence, pushed Brazil to do more than just buy a few small Japanese vehicles. By 1985 almost every vehicle produced in Brazil was designed for alcohol as fuel transportation and gasoline stations were updated to handle this new fuel.
So did Brazil kick the oil habit? Not exactly. According to an interesting article, Ethanol: Is it the answer?, a combination of cheap oil and droughts - which caused poor harvests and less ethanol - led Brazilians back to oil.
Today in Brazil, flex-fuel technology has changed everything. Able to run on both gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two, flex fuel vehicles allow Brazilians to take advantage of which ever fuel they choose. Thus, drivers are hedged against either drought, or skyrocketing oil prices.
So should America just focus on flex-fuel vehicles as the solution to America's oil problems?
Absolutely not.
Flex-fuel vehicles definitely are part of the solution, but even Brazil hasn't been able to kick the oil habit. More important Brazil consumes SIGNIFICANTLY less fuel per year than the U.S.. Additionally, Brazil uses sugar to produce its ethanol fuel, the U.S. uses corn, which is far less efficient than sugar.
Of course new grains, etc., might offer better efficiency, but how long will it take to create enough fuel? Brazil produces only about 5 billion gallons of ethanol per year, U.S. demand is around 140 billion gallons per year. And what about drought, or another natural disaster?
The key to Brazil's struggles and successes boil down to one thing, flexibility. Flex-fuel vehicle technology should be the standard in America, but it shouldn't stop there. Hybrid technology, or even better, plug-in hybrid technology, offers even far more flexibility.
Hybrid cars, or better yet, flex-fuel hybrid cars, could significantly improve fuel efficiency, while opening up new fuel possibilities beyond oil. In reality; however, fuel competition alone won't be enough to handle the oil monster, and that's why hybrid technology is so important.
Plug-in flex-fuel advanced diesel hybrid vehicles could offer fuel efficiency of more than 100 mpg with today's technology - even for SUVs. Sure the technology is somewhat expensive today, but it is FAR less expensive than fuel cell technology. Additionally, a national fleet of 100 mpg vehicles would end the need for foreign oil in about 5 years, which I've argued could save America more than a TRILLION dollars (more).
Even better, plug-in power could lead to another revolution in the automotive world, the utilization of solar power. Already solar power is cost-effective to power a home - if you are going to live in that home for at least 15 years - but what if you could also help power your car with your home energy system, with totally clean energy? Even more interesting, garage mechanics have already created plug-in hybrids with solar panels and Mazda is now showing a solar hybrid concept vehicle that includes embedded solar panels in the roof of the vehicle.
Ultimately, the good old days of the U.S. auto industry are over. Constant innovation and the best technology are an absolute requirement, and the best technology requires fuel flexibility, as well as the best possible fuel economy. It isn't just about saving money at the fuel pump, or protecting the environment, it is about protecting the security and welfare of Americans and the American economy.
Neither ethanol, bio-diesel or hybrids alone are going to take the oil monkey off America's back quickly enough, but combined, these alternative choices could radically change America within a decade.
Instead of subsidizing the cost of a foreign-oil-dependency-ending fleet of vehicles, America is going to build more oil refineries, drill in Alaska, and give billions of tax payer dollars to filthy rich oil companies, as GM increases production on the Hummer.
Is that really an investment in the future? Isn't it time to start investing in real American freedom, instead of investing in companies that can profit as much as $23 billion in just one quarter?
I guess it is pretty clear who Congress represents, and it isn't the majority of Americans.
Labels: clean diesel, Congress, Ethanol, Flex-fuel, Foreign Oil Dependency, fuel efficiency, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrids
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:24 AM
6 Comments:
I strongly agree with this article. After studying energy efficiency for over 25 years, as a matter of national survival and security, the United States will have to adopt a "Discrete Energy Model" instead of its current "Single Point Distributed Energy Model." This means that each home in the rural and sub-urban areas and most vehicles under 4,000 lbs. GVW will be required to produce and/or store a minimum of 75% of the electrical energy necessary for their operation. Doing this is mere child's play, getting it enacted into policy is the real bugger.
The only hitch to implement this economy-saving strategy seems to be certain greedy and ultra-ignorant people who would rather see their country and it's economy decline rather than permit an antiquated petroleum-based propulsion and heating infrastructure to fade into history--not to mention the associated billion dollar income streams they are receiving from the old single point distributed model. Just as humanity quit hunting whales for fuel oil in the past, natural petroleum has become entirely unnecessary for transportation. In short, Organic Petroleum is dead.
Electricity and electrical energy storage is the new energy "King." A close runner-up will be the synthetic fuel plants that can produce fuel superior to that derived from organic crude from trash. Australia seems to be taking the international lead by being the first nation to build a large-scale functioning plant specifically for this purpose. To give an idea of how radical a shift this is in global economics, imagine trash becoming more valuable than crude oil is today. Imagine getting permits to dig up and reclaim all the land fills world-wide and turning it into fuel? No more barges of trash sent out to sea. Trash companies could easily become the new oil tycoons.
Other nations realize things are changing very rapidly as well and are taking measures to head off an uncomfortable "bump" in their national infrastructures when organic petroleum goes away. I suspect if the United States doesn't "get smart" within the next decade, it might find itself having worthless currency, no credit or international influence and no military force to speak of. Unless more intelligent people are selected from that nation to make policy in that country, we could see the decline of the United States into a "2nd world" country in our lifetimes. Such an event would have a terribly de-stablizing effect on the world.
Thanks for this article. I've been lusting after the light blue Prius of late, but I've also been reading a lot about the end of oil of late, and had come to the conclusion that I should hold out for a flex fuel plug-in hybrid. That's the only technology that makes sense. Electricity is vulnerable, oil is vulnerable, fuel cells are highly vulnerable, and the best way to hedge our bets is to buy and drive vehicles that allow maximum flexibility.
So when Toyota or some other reliable vendor starts making plug-in/flex fuel hybrids, I'll be willing to trade in my little baby. I hope I can last until then, as that's definitely the best long-term future investment I see on the horizon.
Out of the given choices in this Article,
Ethanol is stupid, period.
It's polluting, corrosive, and generally made from sources that are a hairs breath from being energy negative.
Even with cellulosic ethanol, it's a pointless gesture that would never replace gasoline.
It also poses strong conflicts with food supplies.
Hybrids require two drive trains.
That will always give it the problems and expenses of both.
They will always be doomed to being expensive niche vehicles.
Out of those choices.
I'm starting to think that shifting to Diesel is the answer.
New in 2007 will be rolling out with 2 Diesel Anti-Smog Technologies. (90% less Smog/Ozone/AcidRain/NOx)
And there's already conventional regenerating particulate filters. (90% less Smoke/Particulates)
Last piece to the puzzle is BioDiesel, which has 97% less Sulfur.
Or hell, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel made from Coal, with the same 97% less Sulfur, could even be the stepping stone.
Result:
The Smell is virtually eliminated
Diesel gets 20%-40% more mileage over gasoline
has engines that last 3-5x longer,
puts up only 50% the global warming emmisions
(Particularly it treats the NOx emmisions to produce N2 and H20,
Rather than a catalytic converter which makes N2O which has 300x the global warming effect as CO2)
And while we have plenty of Coal,
GreenFuels, based out of MIT, is finding that BioDiesel made from Algae can produce 100-500x the diesel-acre-year as conventional Soy Beans.
Also requires no farmland, and grows fastest by eating power plant emmisions, where it absorbs 80% of the Smog, and 30% of the Carbon.
Not to mention, another company in Wyoming has found that they can make BioDiesel with equal or greater performance specs as PetroDiesel.
And that 100% BioDiesel can use existing Diesel infastructure, or be blended at progressivly higher rate with little to no changes.
20% BioDiesel could be blended with absolutely no change or research.
Since practically all the backbone infrastructure of America is founded on Diesel.
Much of which cannot shift to Electric.
Practically every Gas Station in the country already sports a Diesel pump.
And major car manufacturers ready to put the associated Anti-Smog/Smoke technology on the road within mere months.
The real question comes down to,
BioDiesel from Algae
Or
Fully Electric Plugin Vehicles
And the race to see which one reaches mainstream first.
Given the fact that any Republican could get behind Coal based Clean Diesel.
And all the existing infrastructure,
My bet is Diesel makes it big, first.
That said, electric vehicle tech isn't that far behind.
(2007 can expect from exciting electrical storage devices especially from EESTOR and AltairNano)
They just lack the infrastructure, culture, and market knowledge to make them succeed in the short run.
But perhaps the answer might be both, but for seperate roles.
Ethanol and Hybrids though.
Is not the answer.
They just perpetuate the usage of oil.
The real irony being, either way you turn.
Coal will be the major way to generate Clean Diesel, or Electricity.
However both can lead the way forwards towards the full replacement of Gasoline.
And eventual independance from Coal using Renewable Technology.
Sorry Dave, I have to completely disagree with you.
First, how can you say hybrids perpetuate gasoline use and say that diesel is the answer. Diesel still is derived from oil, correct?
Second, yes some hybrids use two drive trains, but series hybrids are moving away from two drive trains. More important, hybrids establish the electric drive in vehicles and are adaptable to gasoline, diesel, flex-fuel, biodiesel, hydrogen, etc.
Third, hybrids will push the development of lithium-ion batteries - the same batteries that are powering the 100 mpg Prius that doesn't need to plug-in.
Fourth, hybrids also make electric vehicles viable for the majority of Americans. Americans want a driving range of 500 - 600 miles, but they will accept around 350 miles if they feel there is a benefit according to most consumer studies. Electric vehicles cannot meet this requirement. Plug-in hybrids help bridge this gap.
I personally believe biodiesel hybrids may be the answer. On sunny days you charge your vehicle with solar electricity on cloudy ones you run it on biodiesel. Neither "fuel" is vulnerable because they are both decentralized and abundant. All new internal combusion engines could be diesel. The key of course is CONSERVATION, reduction of trips, SOVs,and much more mass transit utilization will make this transition all the more successful. Electric scooters & electric assist bicycles should be the norm for all short trips. All internal combustion engines are massively polluting in short trip usage. Personally I'd like to see Volkswagon and Toyota team up to produce the world standard in biodiesel hybrids - in all vehicles. America has to sign the Kyoto accords and get on board with worldwide air standards. Oil will need to be shifted to only critical use like medicines, solar panel manufacture, etc. and home heating will be accomplished by nat. gas, solar, high efficiency wood fireplace inserts, etc. Big oil companies could take the lead in these areas, especially if they put their considerable cash reserves towards implementing the solar, biodiesel hybrid solution. Cars like the Smart Car (bio)diesel get 62 mpg and that should be the beginning of the world standard, which could even get to 100mpg with a biodiesel hybrid that could charge on renewable energy sources, solar, wind, etc. Are any major politicians listening? As far as I know only Denis Kucinovich has been willing to make this kind of future happen. Anyone else care to step up?
I didn't read the other comments, so forgive me if I'm repetitive. I think the article missed a point about ethanol/methanol flex fuel cars. I agree that simply growing plants for not only food but now also fuel would not be the complete answer, and would add to soil depletion. But even now we PAY farmers NOT to grow on their land sometimes, so at least we could stop that and be productive with it. Additionally, it doesn't just have to be about fields being harvested for fuel. According to Robert Zubrin, a former aerospace engineer, there's a lot more flexibility in the source of the ethanol and methanol than merely growing corn or sugar. He says methanol can be made from any kind of plant at all. It can be made from wood chips, slumped (?) plants, fallen leaves, coal, natural gas, even recycled urban trash.
My understanding is that therefore even current parts of the plant that are otherwise wasted could be used. Many of these sources are no longer therefore from planting even more crops, but instead from using the same crops more efficiently, and using other readily available resources. If we use those diverse potential sources wisely, instead of being brainwashed to believe only a couple or few work, then I believe the economic efficiency can be much higher.
As Zubrin says, if we can get most of our cars to be flex fuel, then ethanol and methanol will be available at most gas stations, and we'll have a choice, depending on the relative prices, and OPEC then can no longer merely dictate how much we pay.
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