| Energy
Notes
compiled by
CP Thomas, P.E., Retired
1. Electricity and hydrogen ARE NOT energy sources,
but only energy transporters.
2. The energy sources for hydrogen produced by electrolysis
and other processes are coal, gas, oil and nuclear.
3. Hydrogen from the reformation of natural gas releases
CO2, the major greenhouse gas.
4. The production of hydrogen for vehicle power will
greatly increase the total energy use and the release
of greenhouse gasses compared to present fuels.
5. If electricity
were used to only generate vehicle hydrogen (not the
compression and transmission energy) it would require
new generating capacity of 930 gigawatts. Present total
U.S. generating capacity is 850 gigawatts. The new capacity
would be required to operate at a 100% usage factor
to produce the needed hydrogen.
6. The only alternate energy source without greenhouse
gas release is NUCLEAR. All other sources (such as solar,
wind and hydro) are only supplemental (i.e., not available
24/7).
7. The production of ethanol from cultivated crops appears
to be a net loss (30%) of total usable energy. 8. If
nuclear were used to replace present transportation
energy, wouldn’t you want to get almost full use
of this source by utilizing electric battery storage
instead of much less than 50% availability using hydrogen?
9. The next evolution of vehicle power after hybrids
will be plug-in hybrids. This will be made possible
by putting more battery/capacitor storage in the vehicle
that will be charged from the electric grid, not from
engine power. This will provide electric only operation
for 15 to 30 miles per charge which will provide about
70%+ of average personal transportation.
10. Cheap and available energy provides for our American
lifestyle. Energy’s importance needs to be in
the forethought of our planning and discussions daily,
not just when the lights go out.
Suggested Reading:
1. "Engineering Challenges of the Hydrogen Economy"
2. "Using Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles to Drastically
Reduce Petroleum-based Fuel Consumption and Emissions."
3. "Producing Hydrogen Using Nuclear Energy."
All are writing of Dr. Robert E. Uhrig, P.E. that were
published in "The Bent" of Tau Beta Pi, The
Engineering Honor Society. They are available on the
internet at www.tbp.org/pages/main.cfm.
Some of Dr. Uhrig publication can be located at www.utk.edu.
Consumers often do
a better job of making wise purchasing decisions on
products that they buy frequently . Decisions to purchase
food, clothing, household products, etc. are made relatively
easily. Major purchase decisions that are made less
frequently - home, cars, etc., can be tougher and more
stressful. Often, the difference between a "right" and
a "wrong" decision depends on the questions that are
asked before the purchase is made. The problem is, on
some products, the customer simply does not know the
right questions to ask.
Such may be the case when purchasing a replacement
heating and air conditioning system for your
home. Following is a listing of questions to consider
asking contractors you are thinking of using.
Keep in mind, you may not want to ask all of the questions.
But then again, the more information you gather, the
more informed you will be when the time comes to make
a smart buy. When comparing proposals from different
contractors, the best offer you receive may not necessarily
be the one with the lowest price.
Interestingly, in South Carolina, the
following professionals must become state-licensed by
passing stringent exams to operate: |
