Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 12:01:27 -0600
Reply-To: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: Question on Biodiesel
In-Reply-To: <86476e2505051710222100be06@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
On 5/17/05 11:22 AM, "Loren Busch" <starwagen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Okay, here is the $64,000,000,000 question:
> What is the TOTAL cost in BTU vs. BTU output realized? And what is the
> TOTAL acreage dedicated to producing the vegetable matter required?
> (Assuming total replacement of fossil diesel)
> The last figures I saw (some years ago) on bio fuels still put them in
> the same category as running a generator with an electric motor that
> was powered by the generator: Net loss in the system.
> (And then you get into the mess they have in the UK of the government
> collecting a fuel tax on the left over fish and chips oil)
>
A recent PBS program was an update on a previous program they had aired
about 5 yrs ago. It had some interesting info in it and showed where some
really massive changes in technology have been advancing and where many
others are still stuck at the starting gate.
With current costs of oil bio is becoming more cost effective.
To be real cost effective oil was going to have to stay in the mid 50 buck a
barrel range.
Acreage available would never feed more than 25-30% of needs.
As demand for the fuels rises so would the costs of the bio portion of the
fuel. Therefore though we would increase supply we would still never meet
demand. This was the critical part of the program.
The future for vehicles in the world may be multi-fuel stations. Vehicle
fueling stations that provided LPG, Ethanol-Gasoline, Biodiesel, CNG, and
high current charging stations (for batteries still in experimental stages).
Vehicles would become more diversified with hybrid, bi-fuel,or dual fuel
capable.
With the bi-fuel you would have two types of fuel in separate tanks. The
computer would blend as needed by the engine. Dual fuel would be capable of
running on either of two types of fuel like a propane/gasoline setup could
actually be a bi or dual fuel. Hybrids are still the elect/other fuel in
combination.
In the elect/hybrid area a couple French companies are working on charging
stations with agreements that have set up charging spots in parking lots and
at some major companies. I kind of like that idea. Park and Charge
franchise coming soon to a parking lot near you.
jimt
