| A threefold understanding would emphasize the | | | | inadequate sources of fuel that are speedily rarefying |
| importance of alternative energy resources in the | | | | as the energy crisis is bearing down on us, |
| near future | | | | continuously. Thus, we can firmly agree that the |
| - The reasons behind why the mentality towards the | | | | alternative resources are the Future and will provide |
| use of alternative energy resources will change, over | | | | for a Better Future. |
| the next half century. | | | | What is the "future car"? A future car is a vehicle |
| - How this change (i.e. the use of alternative energy) | | | | that runs on alternative fuels. "Alternative fuels" are |
| will affect car technology. | | | | fuels that are not made from petroleum. The types |
| - The various types of alternative energy resources | | | | of alternative energy resources:o Alcohols - ethanol |
| that are available, or currently under research, | | | | and methanol.o Compressed natural gas (CNG)o |
| especially for use in cars | | | | Electricity - stored in batteries.o Liquefied natural gas |
| The alternative energy advantage is the fact that | | | | (LNG)o Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)o Liquids made |
| they are renewable! We will never go short on | | | | from coal - gasoline and diesel fuel that doesn't come |
| supplies of renewable energy. For instance, solar | | | | from petroleum.o Biodiesel - a lot like diesel fuel, but |
| energy - the sun will always be there! - the quantity | | | | made from plant oil or animal fat. |
| of solar electricity intercepted by the Earth each 60 | | | | According to the experts, hydrogen-powered cars |
| second is greater than the energy quantity that the | | | | will be the next BIG change in our mode of transport. |
| entire human race uses in fossil fuels each year. | | | | Theoretically it can be extracted from a wide variety |
| Wind energy - the wind will always exist - The power | | | | of sources. The most common sources are Water; |
| in the winds that blow across the US annually | | | | Natural gas (methane); Coal (via coal gasification); and |
| produces more than 16 billion GJ of electricity. Tidal | | | | Bio-mass (vegetation such as wood chips and |
| energy - the moon will always be here and so will its | | | | agricultural waste).The processes for extracting |
| forces that cause tidal waves. Hydroelectric energy - | | | | hydrogen from these sources are diverse, |
| water energy will always be available unless there is | | | | predominantly in the case of water. To get hydrogen |
| an extreme change in rain patterns or droughts. | | | | gas out of water, electrolysis is used-that is, |
| Another advantage is that renewable energy is | | | | electricity is used to extract the hydrogen molecules |
| green; hence they don't exude CO2, which is indeed | | | | out of the water. From natural gas, a "reforming" |
| the biggest provider to global temperature rises, into | | | | process is used. For fossil fuels or biomass, the |
| the atmosphere. | | | | substrates are power-plant fuels themselves, which |
| Bio-fuels are carbon neutral as manufacturing them | | | | use them for generating both electric power and |
| depletes about as much CO2 as expending them | | | | hydrogen. |
| produces. Considering these renewable energy | | | | The significance is plain and clear: we need an |
| advantages, it is apt for producing simple and | | | | uncontaminated, renewable electric-generation |
| inexpensive resources of energy. Non-renewable | | | | technology. For now, the problem at hand is of |
| resources (for e.g. carbon-based fuels) are restricted | | | | discovering alternative energy solutions to power our |
| - their supplies will eventually run out in the long run. | | | | vehicles. The mission is huge, but without doubt, it is |
| Non-renewable resources like petroleum release CO2 | | | | attainable. |
| into the surrounding atmosphere. These are | | | | |