As the world faces global warming, all signs point to the fact that people are going to start having to rely on natural, renewable resources in order to evolve along with our planet.\u00a0 This is particularly true in energy technologies, specfiicially, fuel technologies.\u00a0\u00a0 According to Joanna Burgess, 80 percent of greenhouse gases consist of carbon dioxide that is generated partially through the burning of fossil fuels.\u00a0 Our society must turn to alternative energy sources in order to preserve our planet.\u00a0\u00a0 Due to these reasons, it is my belief that one of the main next leaps of technology will revolve around solving this problem.<\/p>\n
There are many different prediction as to what the future of car fuels will look like. One example of an alternative fuel being researched, is dubbed \u201celectrofuel\u201d by the federal agency funding it\u2019s development.\u00a0 Theses electofuels \u201ccould offer electricity storage that would have the energy density of fuels stuch as gasoline\u201d according to one article in The Scientific American.<\/em> This system could lead to a more efficient way of turning heat and light energy to fuel, and in turn store electrical energy in a way so that it could be used as transportation fuel.<\/p>\n Another example of potential fuel energy alternatives are fuel-cells.\u00a0 Not only are fuel-cell vehicles being developed, but fuel-cells all around are considered to be one of the most exciting energy technologies because they are highly efficient and clean (ChemRec).\u00a0 Fuel-cells can utilize all types of natural gas, syngas, biogas, methanol, and petroleum products according to\u00a0 ChemRec, and fuel-cell vehicles are part of the \u201cclean car revolution\u201d (Burgess).<\/p>\n While the above examples are ways to manipulate current fuel technologies or further them, some researchers are thinking outside of the petroleum realm by examining different materials that can be used for energy purposes.\u00a0\u00a0 One car company, Toyota, is planning to take hydrogen fuel cell cars to market, and build a network of hydrogen outlets in preparation of its launch of the car next year (Laird). When compared to other alternative energy cars such as the Nisson Leaf or BMW i3, hydrogen fuel-cell cars offer major advantages, such as shorter charging time, and further range.\u00a0 Another benefit is that according to Techradar, society could produce hydrogen from purely renewable energy sources, and as the Middle East runs out of fossil fuel, that definitely offers it\u2019s advantages.<\/p>\n In my opinion, there will be many attempts to steer society in a variety of ways when it comes to fuel technologies.\u00a0 Many of the options being pursued today seem to offer many of the same benefits and drawbacks, so I don\u2019t foresee one specific technology dominating the rest.\u00a0 However, on the business side of these technological advancements, the direction the world will go in fuel technology lays in the hands of car manufacturers. \u00a0The opportunity to steer the world in one way will create much business for car companies, and perhaps will strengthen our economy.\u00a0 Regardless to say, the next twenty years will be critical for these fuel technologies to develop and it will be fascinating to see where the future of energy goes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Biello, David. \u201cFossil FreeL Microbe Helps Convert Solar Power to Liquid Fuel\u201d. The Scientific American.<\/em> http:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/microbe-uses-solar-electricity-to-build-liquid-fuel\/<\/a>. 3\/30\/12. 8\/27\/14.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Burgess, Joanna. \u201c5 Future Fossil Energy Technologies\u201d. Discovery Channel<\/em> http:\/\/www.discovery.com\/<\/a>tv-shows\/curiosity\/topics\/5-future-fossil-energy-technologies.htm.. <\/em>8\/27\/14.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFuel Cells- the energy technology for the future\u201d. Chemrec.<\/em> http:\/\/www.chemrec.se\/Fuel-cells—the-future-energy-technology.aspx<\/a>. 8\/27\/14.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laird, Jeremy. \u201cIs Hydrogen really the future of car fuels?\u201d. TechRadar.<\/em> http:\/\/www.techradar.com\/us\/news\/car-tech\/is-hydrogen-really-the-future-of-car-fuels–1213081<\/a>. 1\/8\/14. 8\/27\/14.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the world faces global warming, all signs point to the fact that people are going to start having to rely on natural, renewable resources in order to evolve along with our planet.\u00a0 This is particularly true in energy technologies, … Continue reading