Economics project on alternative fuel.

1. Alternative Fuel
KRISTIN TERRY

2. Ethanol
 Ethanol is made by distilling crops, such barley, in order to produce
alcohol; this can then be mixed with gasoline in order to reduce the
emissions.
 The government would need to supply the funds needed for the
crops to distill, as well as for the labs where the ethanol and gasoline
would be mixed.
 The infrastructure needed is fields designed for the growth of crops
to be distilled will need to be created, as well the labs for the
combination of the ethanol and gasoline.

3. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Ethanol
Advantages
 Ethanol is easily renewable.
 Ethanol will help clean up the emissions when mixed with gasoline.
Disadvantages
 Using Ethanol as a fuel source could have a negative impact on the
food market.

4. Electricity
 There are two ways to use electricity to supply energy: battery cells,
and fuel cells. Battery cells store energy in batteries that are able to
be recharged; fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce
the electrical energy needed to power the car.
 The government would need to supply the funds for the battery cells
and/or the fuel cells, for the public charging stations, and for the
factories where these cells would be manufactured.
 The infrastructure needed is the factories for manufacturing the
cells, as well as the public charging stations for battery cell run cars.

5. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Electricity
Advantages
 Electricity has been proven very efficient.
 When using fuel cells, no chemical combustion is needed in order to
produce electricity, which means no pollution emissions.
Disadvantages
 In order to generate the electricity needed to power the cars, we
still rely on natural gas and coal, which leave large carbon
footprints.
 Electric cars can only travel a short distance before needing a
recharge.

6. Biodiesel
 Biodiesel is oil from vegetables and animal fats; in its pure form, it
can be burned by specifically designed engines. It can also be
combined with petroleum to be used in currently existing engines.
 The government would need to supply the funds needed for
manufacturing of the new designed engines, and/or for the labs
needed to combine biodiesel with petroleum.
 The infrastructure needed is labs for the combination of biodiesel
with petroleum, as well as factories for the manufacturing of the
specifically designed engines needed to convert pure biodiesel into
energy.

7. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Biodiesel
Advantages
 Biodiesel is safe to work with, unlike some other alternative fuel
sources.
 Biodiesel is biodegradable, therefore reducing emissions.
Disadvantages
 We currently lack the infrastructure required to work with biodiesel.

8. Hydrogen
 Hydrogen can be used in two ways: in electrical fuel cells, and in
natural gas. In fuel cells, hydrogen is combined with oxygen, which
created a chemical reaction that results in energy that can be used
similarly to electricity. Hydrogen can also be mixed with natural gas,
which can be processed by certain combustion engines.
 The government would need to supply the funds needed for the
hydrogen, as well as for the labs to either combine the hydrogen
with oxygen for fuel cells, or with natural gas.
 The infrastructure needed is labs for the utilization of the hydrogen
into either fuel cells or into a natural gas mixture.

9. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Hydrogen
Advantages
 Hydrogen is an entirely clean source of energy, with zero emission.
 Earth has an unlimited supply of hydrogen.
Disadvantages
 Hydrogen is expensive to obtain in large quantities.
 Hydrogen can be difficult to work with.

10. My Choice: Biodiesel
If I had to choose an alternative fuel to use in vehicles in the next 10
years, I would choose biodiesel. Since it is created from vegetable oils
and animal fats, it would not only help reduce carbon emissions, it
would also help recycle our everyday waste. Biodiesel is also safe to
use, unlike hydrogen, which means that it wouldn’t require special
equipment to create it, making it less costly and more realistic. While
there are many other alternative fuel sources, for example solar power,
from the four listed in this power point, I believe that biodiesel is the
most sustainable option.

11. Sources
 http://www.afdc.energy.gov/
 http://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/08/top-eight-alternative-fuels/
 https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/current.shtml