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Biodiesel
Hybrids
by
Chuck Hall
 If there are any entrepreneurs
looking for the Next Big Thing, I’m going to present an idea that
may just help you along. I didn’t originate the idea, but so far I
haven’t been able to find any material to indicate that anyone is
working on it. Before I introduce it, a little background
information is required.
One of the possible alternatives
for fossil fuels is biofuels. Biofuels are fuels made from renewable
plant materials. Some examples would be ethanol, which is a type of
alcohol already used as an additive in gasoline, and biodiesel,
which is a type of diesel fuel made from vegetable oils. In fact,
the inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolph Diesel, intended it to
run on pure peanut oil.
Biofuels sound good in that they
are a renewable resource and burn cleaner than fossil fuels;
however, research from the Earth Policy Institute estimates that in
order for the United States to meet its current energy needs with
biofuels, we’d need 250 million acres of land dedicated to growing
crops for biofuel production. This is an area roughly the size of
Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Louisiana combined. At first glance
this seems like an impossible task, but these figures make a few
assumptions. The first is that our fuel needs would remain at the
same level that they are now. The second is that all of the
vegetable material would have to come from crops. The third is that
they’re not considering recycling.
Addressing the last two assumptions
first, consider the fact that crops currently grown for food produce
a fair amount of waste plant material. For example, we eat corn, but
the stalks are thrown away, burned or plowed under. These waste
products could instead be converted to biofuels. As for recycling,
biodiesel can be made from discarded fryer vat grease from
restaurants and other establishments. By recycling this instead of
throwing it away, we could put another dent in those figures.
Finally, the figures from the Earth
Policy Institute assume that our fuel consumption needs will remain
constant. This is where we have the chance to make the biggest
impact, in my opinion. Hybrid cars are the latest in fuel efficiency
technology. It’s not uncommon for hybrid cars to achieve fuel
efficiencies of 100 mpg. The problem is that hybrids still burn
fossil fuels. But what if a hybrid car could be designed that would
run on biofuels? According to current research biofuels could
replace 20% to 25% of our fuel needs. If a hybrid car could run on
biofuels at 100 mpg, and assuming that the average fossil fuel car
gets 25 mpg, converting to biodiesel hybrids could theoretically
meet all of our fuel needs without straining our current
agricultural infrastructure. Imagine being able to drive from New
York to Miami on a renewable, cleaner burning fuel source without
having to stop to refuel! Biofuel hybrids could make this a reality.
Okay, entrepreneurs, it’s time to
get busy!
Chuck
Hall is a Sustainability Consultant and author. His latest book, Green
Circles: A Sustainable Journey from the Cradle to the Grave, is
now available at Booklocker.com.
You may contact Chuck by email at: chuck@cultureartist.org or visit
the Culture Artist Web site at www.cultureartist.org.
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