Story Tags What are Tags?

This Story is Archived and Commenting is Closed

Comments: 14

• 
  Avg rating: (+7/-2 5)

  m-simon

  Sept. 22, 2006, 8:17 a.m.

  There is not enough cropland in the world to make all the biofuels required for a modern civilization.

  What is needed is a way to tun electricty into liquid fuels. Because there is enough wind.
• 
  Avg rating: (+6/-0 6)

  ck

  Sept. 22, 2006, 8:30 a.m.

  I don't think that the goal is to make "all the biofuels" required for a modern civilization, but to make biofuels one of the many diversified options to help run a modern civilization and wean it off of oil.
• 
  Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)

  Virginia

  Sept. 22, 2006, 10:19 a.m.

  What we need are clean burning fuels at a price that is affordable. Oil has been a one size fits all answer although it is not actually a one size product. In the future there are many opportunites to develope other products not just 100% corn based ethanol as a fuel. I am elated that someone is making a choice to put the funds behind the development of such products. They richly deserve the monetary rewards along with the accolades they will receive from all of us.

  This is a first original Netscape news article on a very important subject that I have seen. Thank you c.k.
• 
  Avg rating: (+4/-5 -1)

  searchbeam

  Sept. 22, 2006, 1:29 p.m.

  It is a matter of "from here to there".

  If our goal is to move from 80% fossil 20% nuclear to 100% renewable energy, it will need to be done in stages, and using different resources to fit the needs of that particular transition stage.

  Automobile is just one component of the overall energy equation. It is a component that has complex requirements such as distribution infrastructure, research and development of internal combustion engines-possibly Sterling engines- and overcoming psychological barriers. Simply using the current BTU requirements precludes possible breakthroughs in efficiencies. Evolution is the name of the game here.

  Corn is just one source of ethanol; biomass using fast-growing willows, cornstalks, by-products of timber industry and others are evolving into feasible options.

  Automotive fuel is one possible use for ethanol. It can also be used in stationary power generation with fuel cells using Proton Exchange Membranes.- More..
• 
  Avg rating: (+9/-0 9)

  searchbeam

  Sept. 22, 2006, 1:51 p.m.

  Conventional energy calculations may not apply in the fuel cell application.

  One of the often used argument against ethanol is more energy is used to produce it than produced by it. While it is true on the face of it, there are other ways to produce ethanol than by using fossil fuel. One such source is the by-products of the corn crop, while others are solar and wind energy. Who knows what other possible ways there would be unless we start on that journey?

  A comprehensive energy approach to renewable energy would include all of the above, and also geothermal heat pump to heat and cool our living spaces. The average temperature of the earth is almost constant at a depth of 8 feet - 50 degrees F, which can be used very efficiently to heat and cool our homes, schools, offices and factories!

  My take is the Government can play a very important role in creating a platform to study, research and develop all possible options to get the right mix!

  From here to there can be very exciting!
• 
  Avg rating: (+5/-1 4)

  mntnman444

  Sept. 22, 2006, 3:37 p.m.

  Hey folks,lets get educated before we make some of these comments.While it may be true about the yield that corn produces,there are other crops,for instance how about hemp.The original recipe for diesel fuel called for the use of hemp.Henry Ford built a car from hemp that ran on hemp fuel.as for yield,the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture determined that hemp produces 20 times more cellulose than corn and that if America used just 6% of it's landmass to grow hemp for fuel,we would never be dependant on foriegn oil again.Check it out,search for the Govt. program called "Hemp for Victory".Pay attention California,ask your Governor to sign the Industrial Hemp Bill that is on his desk now.Remember,if we're going to be open minded about alternative fuels...we have to be OPEN MINDED.

  1 Reply

  • 
    Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)

    r2me2

    Dec. 17, 2006, 8:42 a.m.

    I agree but let's not forget the fact that we're saturating our atmosphere with gases that, in the furture, will increase the green house effect on the planet.

    We're already facing this problem. What you propose is an excellent alternative to move away from fossil fuels while some other ways of energy sources are develop. One interesting and beneficial for all of us, especially for our home planet would be solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, among other types of energy, even though this last one is still controversial because of the waste that is left behind.

    Your comments just hit the nail.

    Way to go!
• 
  Avg rating: (+1/-0 1)

  m-simon

  Sept. 22, 2006, 11:04 p.m.

  mntnman444,

  Hemp is still used in autos:

  http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2006/08/hemp-makes-wonderful-fiber.html
• 
  Avg rating: (+7/-1 6)

  m-simon

  Sept. 22, 2006, 11:06 p.m.

  Hemp for victory:

  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6234815658481845054
• 
  Avg rating: (+6/-0 6)

  mntnman444

  Sept. 23, 2006, 2:41 p.m.

  If anyone out there is really interested in how hemp could be used as a renewable scource of energy,check out the book The Emporer Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer.This is the most comprehensive book ever written about this subject.The best thing about this book is that it is completely verifiable.One interesting fact is that in the original 13 colonies,hemp was so important that it was a law that if you were a land owner you had to plant a certain percentage of your land with hemp.Until the 1860's,you could actually pay your taxes with it!
• 
  Avg rating: (+16/-1 15)

  videofilm

  Jan. 5, 2007, 12:27 p.m.

  I don't think that Mr. Branson is aware that one of his ethanol ventures could destroy a unique national treasure, the White Deer of the Seneca Army Depot. Check out www.senecawhitedeer.org. The place where they want to build an industrial ethanol operation is the home of unique wildlife resources including pure white whitetail deer. The habitat has also been designated an important bird area by the National Audubon Society. The area was proposed as a conservation and military history park with widespread public support. An industrial ethanol plant could destroy this great potential.

The first 11 comments are shown. Show all 14 comments »