More diesels vs hybrids

I posted an article link a little while ago from MotherJones.com which advocates putting more resources into developing hybrid cars that run on ethanol and biodiesel. (this thread)

I don't think those should be mutually exclusive. I happen to favor diversified power. Similar to the arguments going on with the monoculture of computers and their vulnerabilities to malicious code, a diversified power infrastructure would strengthen our country.

(We should develop what makes sense for certain regions: solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, etc.)

Super-efficient cars could be built to use what's available locally - biodiesel made from algae for the coastal areas, ethanol powered hybrids for the heartland. The less energy used to distrubute these fuels, the more efficient they really would become, especially when they're coming from renewable resources.

I think the biggest gain can come from a united voice from both diesel and gas hybrids for more efficient, low emission vehicles.

My biggest complaint at this moment with diesel is that so many school buses use it and it's a shame because the current pollution coming from those vehicles is stunting our children (intellectually and possibly physically by making them more prone to asthma and other illnesses). Biodiesel, exhaust scrubbers and cleaner fuel can remove those impediments to diesel making it truly another option for American consumers.

I think the most important part of your conversations will be how much your goals are the same and the way you get there doesn't need to be identical for them to be compatible. Support for these burgeoning technologies needs to come from somewhere and early adopters are the key for them to continue to be explored and developed.

 

I don't see that much of a conflict between biodiesel and hybrids. Assuming (and I'm ignorant on this point) that biodiesels are not producing the particulate emissions of petroleum diesels.

I am not convinced that ethanol accomplishes anything but to provide a market for corn. I gather that the energy input is close to the energy output. Plus, at present, diesel tractors are used to produce the corn.

What about a Stirling-cycle engine in a hybrid? The slow response time of a stirling-cycle engine is its biggest drawback for an automobile, but with the electric motor to provide the instant-demand power, and the battery to absorb excess power when demand suddenly drops, this engine seems well-suited. And, since it can burn anything, why not burn bio-diesel in it? It may need a larger battery to compensate for the long lag times, but then you get the benefit of longer EV-mode operation.

But as for you and your partner, why not settle on diesel hybrids? (Though, admittedly, that does not solve the argument of what you ought to be driving today. For that, there is Toyota reliability and the pure comfort and pleasure of driving the Prius.)

 

I have to say that your friend is being a tad shortsighted.

First, mixing biodiesel into pump fuel at even 20% results in a significant increase in price at the pump. The market simply won't accept it. Making your own is fine. I've done this. However, I don't have the time to do this kind of thing regularly. At that, you are correct in the statement that there really isn't enough being made to make a measurable difference.

Second, he is complaining about the bunker oil used in the transport ships? Well, bunker oil is not used at the port. Bunker oil must be warmed to very high temperatures to become thin enough to pass through the engine's injection system. They run on plain ole #2 diesel fuel, much like a WVO system in a converted car.

There is room for both technologies. Instead of arguing how one is better, they both need to be implimented to be a part of the bigger picture.

 

You can say that hybrids are helping to defray the development costs of electric drive systems and batteries which will be needed to move away from our combustion-based systems. Biodiesel doesn't help much with the CO2 problem, either.

 

JBC, biodiesel definitely DOES help with the CO2 situation. Biodiesel only releases CO2 that was recently captured by the plant source. Fossil fuels release CO2 that has been trapped for milleniums. With biofuels, the net CO2 release is zero, since it's a part of the existing carbon cycle.