Fuel Survey Idea

Jordan- In the interest of getting things moving with this project I agree that we should focus on a few choice alternatives in the transportation sector. These being the ones that will have the most impact on our current alternative energy resources in the future. If the group agrees I would like to explore further the alternatives you listed in your previous post. These being
- Hybrid and Fuel Cell
-Hydrogen
-P-Series fuels
Being that these three are seemingly the most realistic transportation alternatives in the future I agree we should begin research into the economics behind them, as well as environmental implications. If this is something that sounds interesting and comprehensive enough to base our research around I think we should head in that direction. At this point the alternative energy sector includes such a large number of experimental alternatives I feel it would be impossible to cover them all, unless that is what is expected of us.

For the time being here are some resources that expand on the notes you have provided for the aforementioned energy alternatives.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
This link is to the U.S Department of Energy. Hydrogen infrastructure is outlined by safety codes and regulations, equipment and advocacy. At the bottom of the page you can find links to demonstrations and evaluations of current hydrogen powered bus fleets and fuel cell technology programs.

HYBRID ELECTRIC
This link is also to the U.S Department of Energy dealing with Hybrid-Electric fuel alternatives in cars and vehicles. Discusses Electric Motor tech, regenerative Braking and fuel efficient system design including mild hybrids and full hybrid technology. On this page you can follow this link ?(http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/electric_basics_phev.html) to a page that deals specifically with plug in electric vehicle basics, fuel savings, tax incentives, tax credits and fueling options. This is good place to start when dealing with the economics of plug-in hybrid technology.

P-SERIES
Also from the Alternative & Advanced Fuels Data Center we have this link to an overview of P-Series fuels. Being that P-SERIES fuels were added to the Energy Policy act of 1992 they seem to be a relatively old alternative energy and used in limited quantity nowadays. It seems the problem with P-SERIES fuel alternatives is that they are currently not being produced in high quantities and probable wont be as other alternatives begin to develop. While P-Series fuels can be used almost exclusively in "flexible" fuel vehicles it seems alternatives are being more aggressively developed as complete power sources.

I would like to stick with these three as they seem to be the most realistic and information rich. if we can synthesize a report including the environmental and economic implications of each of these alternatives and somehow compare it to current trends I think we would have something worth looking at. Let me know how you guys feel about this idea.

(--Prof. O'Donnell) On a side note, please excuse my absence from class this week, I have been in bed with the flu.