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Difference between revisions of "Renewable energy"

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Currently most of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. In the future we should transition to use of sustainable, renewable power sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal to generate clean green electrical power. PHEVs should use renewable [[Biofuel|biofuel]] as their sole source of liquid fuel.  
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Currently most of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. In the future we should transition to use of sustainable, renewable power sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal to generate clean, green, renewable electric power. PHEVs should use [[Biofuel|renewable biofuel]] as their sole source of liquid fuel.  
  
 
== PHEVs using renewable fuels ==
 
== PHEVs using renewable fuels ==

Revision as of 18:01, 21 November 2014

  Mission * Why Vehicles Need to use Electricity > Peak oil > Climate change > Renewable energy > Smart grid > Vehicle-to-grid > Vehicle-to-home

Currently most of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. In the future we should transition to use of sustainable, renewable power sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal to generate clean, green, renewable electric power. PHEVs should use renewable biofuel as their sole source of liquid fuel.

PHEVs using renewable fuels

PHEVs fueled with renewable electricity and renewable biofuel.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) enable travel to be done using only renewable fuel sources (i.e. no need for fossil fuels). In the future our PHEVs should get most of their fuel (e.g. 90%) as electricity exclusively from renewable sources such as solar, wind, water and geothermal. Simple electric vehicles for short distance travel get 100% of their fuel from electricity. The electric grid infrastructure that is already available throughout society just needs to be extended out to where we park our vehicles.

Whenever the dual fuel PHEVs need to travel beyond the capacity of their batteries and the recharging infrastructure, then they can be fueled (e.g. 10%) with renewable liquid biofuels made from crop residues, algae, etc. We cannot produce enough biofuel for all of our vehicle travel needs, but when all short distance vehicle travel is fueled with electricity, then long-distance travel by PHEVs could easily be fueled with biofuel. In the US and many other countries the gasoline supply already contains 10% biofuel, so all we need to do is eliminate the gasoline and use our existing liquid fuel infrastructure to supply pure liquid biofuel for PHEVs whenever they need to travel long distances.

Fossil fuels and their CO2 greenhouse gas pollution problems could be completely eliminated from the transportation sector using technology that is available today. The electric vehicles we have today will become the low emissions vehicles we need when they are fueled exclusively with renewable electricity and renewable biofuel. (Biofuels absorb CO2 when they are produced to compensate for the CO2 that is released when they are burned.) Renewable fuels enable simple electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to become the vehicles of the future for a clean, green, sustainable society.

News Sources

News

Videos

  • 2013.05.23 - Renewable Energy - Modern Marvels This program describes renewable energy sources including solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and biomass. "Oil is becoming more expensive and more scarce. Its diminishing quantity affects millions on a personal and industrial level. Without oil and other fossil fuels many industries will shut down completely. ... there is new emphasis on researching renewable power sources. These resources are not only readily available, but cause less damage to the environment than their fossil (fuel) counterparts." Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) fueled with electricity from renewable energy sources can help reduce the greenhouse gas pollution caused by transportation.


Hawaii Renewable Energy Roadmap

Hawaii is working towards becoming a leader in use of electric vehicles fueled with local renewable energy.

  • Fifteen Year Roadmap for Sustainable Energy in Hawaii 30jan2012 Watson and Frank describe their plan for Hawaii to transition from using imported fossil fuels to electricity generated from local renewable energy (sun and wind). Gasoline-fueled vehicles would be replaced with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These PHEVs would be fueled with renewable electricity for all short distance travel. Whenever travel distances exceed the capacity of the vehicle's battery, then the PHEVs would use liquid biofuels for long distance travel. This would provide a sustainable energy economy without sacrifices in lifestyle.
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations in Hawaii - Hawaii State Energy Office "To reduce Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuel, the State of Hawaii has set a goal of achieving 70% clean energy by 2030. This undertaking will require transforming its current energy production and consumption. A key component to reducing fuel demand and utilizing locally produced renewable energy will be a vibrant plug in electric vehicle (EV) market and Hawaii is looking toward EVs to build a clean transportation future. The widespread deployment of EVs in Hawaii is a key approach toward the reduction of fossil fuel dependency and Hawaii’s drivers have enthusiastically adopted EVs as their mode of transportation."
  • Hawaii's Energy Future - Electric Vehicle "Even if the electricity comes primarily from oil, as it does in Hawaii at present, switching to electric vehicles will use substantially less oil at lower cost to reach the same level of mobility. Using electricity in millions of vehicles would substantially reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the transportation sector with only a modest increase in the emissions of the electrical sector. If renewable energy is used instead of fossil fuels, the benefits will be even greater." Latest developments, Benefits of electric vehicles, Hawaiian Electric companies’ present EV activities, The commitment, Why move to electric vehicles?, EV History in Hawaii
  • Electric Cars in Hawaii - Honolulu Civil Beat "Hawaii is considered an ideal spot to introduce electric vehicles because the size of the islands limits driving distances and the state has some of the highest gas prices in the nation. The state's mix of renewable power sources, including wind, geothermal and solar, is another draw, because it means that the overall carbon footprint of electric vehicles here would be lower than in many other parts of the country. Hawaii stands to benefit as an early adopter of electric cars. The move would help the state achieve its goals in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to reduce the state’s dependence on imported oil for power and transportation."
  • Electric Vehicles | Honolulu Clean Cities "A key component to reducing fuel demand and utilizing locally produced renewable energy will be a vibrant plug in electric vehicle (EV) market and Hawaii is looking toward EV’s to build a clean transportation future." Local Programs and Partners, Local Resources, Local Publications.

Organizations

  • California Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Green Power Network - DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy "news and information on green power markets and related activities. The site provides up-to-date information on green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets."
  • ChargePortland: electric cars, electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations in Portland, Oregon "The City has developed a strategy to address the many issues around adoption of this new technology: "Electric Vehicles- The Portland Way” was adopted by the Portland City Council on July 20, 2010." "Climate Action Plan ... sets in place our community’s ambitious sustainability roadmap to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050."
  • Running on Green Power! - Gouvernement du Québec "working now to make a much bigger place in Québec’s transportation system for electric vehicles. This action is also motivated by a desire to replace petroleum with renewable energy. Québec more than anyone else can use its hydroelectricity — a clean and renewable energy source — for transportation purposes."
  • Green Riverside - Green Power Premium " is a voluntary program available to all RPU electric customers interested in helping Riverside achieve and surpass its renewable energy goals. As we work together to develop energy resources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, we reduce our use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This is how we'll achieve a green energy future."
  • Policies plug into electric vehicle future | Renewable Northwest Project "Transportation is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. Plug-in electric vehicles offer an exciting solution. They have no tailpipe emissions, making them cleaner to operate than any conventional vehicle. The shift toward electric vehicle adoption, though, is just the first step. Here in Oregon, we can encourage the development and use of technology that enables the charging of electric vehicles with 100 percent renewable energy, so they generally can be zero-emissions vehicles and not powered by an energy mix that includes dirty fossil fuels."
  • Running on Green Power - ACTION PLAN FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES - government of Québec " 'As the world's fourth-largest producer of hydroelectricity, which is a green and renewable form of energy, Québec has a number of assets that will help stimulate the use of electric vehicles within its territory and make the shift towards a less oil-dependent economy,' said Minister Normandeau."