Roundup Of Intriguing Alternative Fuels

Greenwala's Green Technology, Architecture & Innovation discussion group recently addressed many of the latest new generation fuels that are created from weird (and even delicious) ingredients, and rightfully so -- it seems that each day, we learn about even more technologies on the horizon that might officially break us of our addiction to fossil-based fuels once and for all. In many cases, the materials that are being used are unquestionably unconventional, unless you think that watermelon, kiwi, orange oil, chocolate, and plant waste are ho-hum? Of course, no matter the material used, all require a great deal of research and development in order to ensure that they create an efficient and yet hopefully cleaner alternative to what we presently pump into our gas tanks. Inspired by a recent Slate Magazine post, here's a roundup of the latest contenders that have the highest hopes.

GARBAGE
We certainly have mountains of waste just begging to take on a new life, but garbage as fuel -- can this really be a viable alternative? Amazingly, the answer is yes. If zoos can do it, why can't the entire world? Materials that we lack the technology at this point to reuse or compost, such as construction-wood waste and certain plastics, can actually be converted into a gas and then ultimately into liquid ethanol that is chemically identical to that of its corn counterpart. The huge plus is that we won't be harvesting massive fields of GMO corn using tons of chemical fertilizers. Oh yeah, and we'll be able to finally do something productive with all of that junk we've accumulated. Sounds like a win-win situation all the way around!

COW MANURE
We're perfectly accustomed to using manure to enrich our garden soil but moo poo can apparently surpass our wildest expectations, from its application as a sound building material to its potential as an alternative fuel source. Already widespread in Europe, 135 anaerobic digesters operating in the United States convert cow waste into methane fuel, resulting in enough power to keep 25,000 homes running. Considering how wildly popular the beef industry here in the states, as long as we remain meat eaters, we'll have a steady supply of manure to stoke our energy needs for the next zillion years.

CASSAVA (otherwise known as tapioca or yucca)
Energy intense crops that deliver high carbohydrates are known to fuel humans effectively, but what about our gas tanks? The cassava crop is a staple crop grown across the developing world, favored for its resistance to drought-like conditions and the fact that it attracts far fewer pests than conventional crops. Less fertilizer, less water, more affordable (overall) to cultivate than corn -- what's the down side? So far, this potential fuel is still in the testing stages, but hopes are high that it might come out on top -- it averages around $1.40 to $2.40/gallon to produce.

ALGAE
This fast growing leafy green aquatic plant, found around the globe in fresh and salt water, is a plentiful source of ethanol and biodiesel which can potentially yield over 30 times more energy per acre than other, second-generation biofuel crops. Manufacturing its own food through the process of photosynthesis, it requires just two ingredients to thrive -- sunlight and water.  Of course, algae is the major source of food for all marine life, so it's definitely not a good idea to rob our dwindling sea creature populations of their much deserved leafy goodness. However, though the modern marvels of science, algae crops are cultivated via vertical land-bound "farms". With their naturally occuring oil content and ability to filter dirty water as well as act like a carbon sink, algae could indeed be the wave of the future, costing between $1 to $2/gallon to produce.

BEETLE INFESTED TIMBER
Thanks to global warming, the mountain pine beetle has enjoyed many a sunny, unseasonably warm day in regions that are supposed to be a lot colder, such as Canada. The result is that their populations have been basking in the glow of the rising mercury, prompting their armies to invade 500 million cubic meters of British Columbia's lodgepole pine forest (among other areas as far down as Colorado). The feeding frenzy has rendered forests absolutely brown, holy and ripe for fires, so Lignol Energy Corporation has wisely decided to make the most of a bad situation by clearing out the arbor carcasses and resurrecting them as ethanol. This is not such a bad idea, all things considered, and it will cost around $1.50/gallon to produce.

CHICKEN FAT
Syntroleum Corporation turns the unwanted fatty remains of America's original white meat into synthetic fuel via hydro-processing, resulting in a fuel that is chemically identical to conventional petroleum fuel. This is particularly intriguing considering that many health conscious eaters have strayed away from beef, giving the poultry industry a lot to cluck about. So, for as long as there are concerns about high cholesterol, there will be a steady supply of chicken goo that can be converted into fuel at less than $2.40/gallon. Have you heard about any other interesting alternative fuel developments? Please share them below.