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Solution to World's Energy Problem?

by thunderbird
6 replies
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It is an open secret that, with current know-how, producing ethanol from corn takes as much fossil fuel as the energy it produces. It is a lucrative farce.

An energy source which is more viable is algae. In fact, Airbus and British Airways are working on a project to test algae fuel on jets:
Airbus, BA team with Cranfield on algae biofuel project

The US Navy is also testing the use of algae biofuel to meet its 2020 goal of 50% use of renewable resources:
U.S. Navy buys 20,000 gallons of algae fuel | Green Tech - CNET News

Hoover is building a plant that is powered by algae biofuel:
Hoover may get alternative fuel plant | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

Also, algae is a possible source of feed for cows and sheep:
Seaweed diet for cattle. 20 Sep 2010. National Rural News. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

This is all current news found in Google news searches:
algae fuel - Google Search
#algae biofuel #algae energy #algae fuel #renewable energy
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Thank you for t-bird!
    I used to be buying agent for a national vehicle buying service. The farce then was Hybrid cars. Sure, you the consumer save gas. But the energy needed to produce the drivetrain in the first place makes the "lifetime energy" used by the hybrids (and the effect of that on the environment) more costly than a Mustang or a Hummer.
    By the way, I love the term you coined: "Lucrative farce." I'm stealing that! :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by sparkie2260 View Post

      Thank you for t-bird!
      I used to be buying agent for a national vehicle buying service. The farce then was Hybrid cars. Sure, you the consumer save gas. But the energy needed to produce the drivetrain in the first place makes the "lifetime energy" used by the hybrids (and the effect of that on the environment) more costly than a Mustang or a Hummer.
      By the way, I love the term you coined: "Lucrative farce." I'm stealing that! :-)
      I'm happy that you found it interesting, lol. I was starting to feel alone in my geeky enthusiasm for it. That drivetrain issue you mention is kind of disturbing. I'd like to read more about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      Originally Posted by sparkie2260 View Post

      The farce then was Hybrid cars. Sure, you the consumer save gas. But the energy needed to produce the drivetrain in the first place makes the "lifetime energy" used by the hybrids (and the effect of that on the environment) more costly than a Mustang or a Hummer.
      Please clarify. Are you claiming that the greenhouse gases produced by the manufacture of a Toyota Prius drivetrain + the greenhouse gases produced by the Prius during its lifetime is greater than the greenhouse gases produced by the manufacture of a Hummer drivetrain + the greenhouse gases produced by the Hummer during its lifetime?
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Gary a group of scientists organized by one from the University in Oregon were working very hard on algae for ages -- they want to use the algae ponds to restore soil in desertificated areas that are too destroyed to replant - so we get fuel and fix land for reforestation.

    I think it's a very smart way to go.

    The corn farce? -- thank MONSANTO and crony capitalism.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    I read about an IM newbs to ethanol plant somewhere out west...

    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Sawgrass is best for ethanol. It creates the most energy, grows without any help and is the native grass to the American plains. But the problem is taking up land for engergy that's needed for food.

    I'v never been a fan of hybrids. Twice as much stuff means twice as many things to go wrong. And gas cars were getting better milage in the late 70's than hybrids get.
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