Evaluate An Alternative Energy Source

By Author: Robert Sherry
Total Articles: 29
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Are we today running out of oil? No. Are we probably running out of affordable oil? We are undoubtedly running out of the inexpensive oil which has powered the global economy ever since the 1950s. Those of us who are accepting the reality have begun to explore in earnest for other alternative energy solutions. There seems to be a limitless number of technologies which could come to our rescue. However are all of them feasible? No. The exploring for alternative energy sources is a path full of technology potholes and politically inspired wrong turns. We need to make correct and informed choices. Can we do it? Yes we can. This paper is going to examine an alternative source of energy that can be used effectively and sustainable.

Bio-fuel as an alternative fuel
After analyzing the available energy sources, it is certain the Bio-fuel offers the most feasible, economical and sustainable source as an alternative to the current situation. Bio-fuel (agro-fuel) generally can be defined as liquid, solid or gas fuel that consists of, or is obtained from biomass. The bio-fuel can be used in transport sector to replace the ...
... oil which is increasingly becoming unaffordable not forgetting that it (oil) highly contributes to pollution and global carbon emissions

Bio-diesel
As Marshall (2007) points out, Bio-diesel has been proven to be so common in many countries especially Europe and as it combines well mineral diesel to run many diesel engines. Bio-fuel can be produced from oils or fats by using transesterification producing a liquid which is similar in composition as mineral diesel, which is chemically known as fatty acid methyl (or ethyl) ester.
Bio-diesel can effectively be used in all diesel engines when mixed together with mineral diesel and run the engines smoothly without any problem. At present some countries manufacturers are covering their diesel engines with a warranty for 100% bio-diesel use, which show that bio-fuel is able to run these engines effectively. Many people are running their vehicles on bio-diesel without any problems. Though, many of vehicle manufacturers limit their recommendations of bio-fuel to 15% bio-diesel mixed with mineral diesel. Studies indicate that bio-diesel can effectively be used in vehicles without any hindrance. This point is being supported by the fact that in Europe hundreds of gas stations currently are stocking bio-diesel as noted by Marshall (2007).
When we use waste biomass to generate energy we will ease fossil fuels use, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and lessen pollution and also reduce waste management difficulties. As highlighted in a recent publication by the European Union, the prospects for waste-derived bio-energy in contribution to the reduction of global warming are high. More so the report concludes that 19 million tons of oil equivalent can be obtainable from biomass by 2015, this goes a long way in supporting the idea of bio-fuel as a feasible and sustainable. (European Environment Agency, 2006)
According to a report by European Environment Agency (2006) in the USA, over 80% of commercial vehicles and city buses use diesel. For that reason the nascent USA market for bio-diesel can be able to grow at a staggering rate, which is estimated to be 30 million gallons per year in 2006 and it was expected that it will reach to 98 million gallons by the beginning of 2009. at the end of 2007 bio-diesel production was projected to increase fivefold to over 1 billion gallons, this projection are according to the energy expert Will Thurmond who wrote this in European Environment Agency, article (2006)

Benefits
The use of bio- fuel will certainly bring about both economical and environmental benefits. Environmental protection and greenhouse gas emissions reduction are among the benefits that will be brought about through the use of bio-fuel. These benefits will benefit the local communities and the government as whole. Some more benefits of using bio-fuel are; (Jorg and Sascha, 2008)
Bio-fuel will reduce the amounts used by fuel users, as bio-fuel is relatively cheap compared to diesel. By using Bio-fuel which is more economical, the demand of the energy will be reduce which in turn will reduce the amounts spend on energy.
Bio-fuel will improve air quality since less amount of fossil is used; reduction of greenhouse gases will highly improve the quality of air which is very vital to those people suffering lung disease such as asthma.
Bio-fuel use will also bring about Improved quality of living; with measures of reducing greenhouse gases emissions being practiced, Which includes, using of hybrid cars, reducing air pollution and noise pollution, the entire nation and even other countries will have a better life than before.
Bio-fuel will create an increased demand for more green products. By the society demonstrating the use green energy, will influence the communities to raise environmental awareness that will lead to the local developing more interest in the products and thus create demand. (Jorg and Sascha, 2008)
Fuel costs
It is estimated The Royal Society (2008) that using a bio-diesel saves around $76 per week in terms of fuel cost this for a person who is using small car will translate to around $4,256cost reduction in one year. This is a lot of money that we can all save and use the money on something else.
Environmental
Research done by Bourne and Clark (2007) shows that switching 36, 000 convectional cars to 36,000 bio-diesel cars will have same results as removing 8,000 privately owned cars from the road. Basing on the estimates given by the US Environmental Protection Agency, if for example, a fleet of 3600 Hybrid Chevy Impala cars were you to replace them, then it will reduce the volume of carbon dioxide emissions in the air by about 30,000 tons per year. Thus, switching from the normal cars to the bio-diesel cars will highly reduce the volume carbon dioxide in the air. Reduction of amount of carbon dioxide will directly reduce the effect of global warming. (Bourne and Clark, 2007)
More so, Jorg and Sascha (2008) notes that a global bio-fuel bio-pact involving rich and poor countries can assist alleviate the poverty levels in the developing countries whilst assisting to resolve the problems of global warming that we are experiencing currently. At the same time the bio-fuel use will enhance energy security in the developed countries. This idea is supported by John Mathews, professor of Strategic Management at Macquarie University, Australia, of who points out that such having a bio-pact will control global bio-fuel and make it sustainable over long period. This counters those who think that bio-fuel is unsustainable.
As it you can note bio-fuel is certainly a viable source of alternative energy that should be used as it offer a lot of economical and environmental benefits to all Every effort needs to be done in order to get a affable and a sustainable energy source that can also be environmental friendly as Environment is every important to every human being, the current global warming is a result of an increase in greenhouse gas effects that is resulting in high amounts of carbon dioxide in the air being produced by fossil fuels. Thus, in the words of Bourne and Clark, (2007) ultimately bio-fuel is best alternative source of energy.

Reference:
Bourne, J.K and Clark, J.R (2007): Green Dreams; National Geographic Magazine, October 2007 p. 41, Article
Cerrato, D.S and Barbara, A (1999): Riley, Developing green Programs for Commercial Establishments,
European Environment Agency (2006): How much bio-energy can Europe produce without harming the environment? EEA Report no.
Jorg, P and Sascha, T (2008) Promoting Bio-fuels: Implications for Developing Countries, Ruhr Economic Papers #38 available online on; www.rwi-essen.de
Marshall, A. T. (2007): Bio-energy from Waste: A Growing Source of Power, Waste Management World Magazine, April, p34-37
The Royal Society (2008): Sustainable bio-fuels: prospects and challenges". The Royal Society (14 Jan 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15

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