Introduction
Alternative fuels, otherwise known as non-conventional or advanced fuels, are defined as any materials or substances that can be used as a fuel other than convention fuels. The lure of alternative fuel is in finding a source of energy with minimal environmental impacts and low cost to the end-user. Many alternative fuels exist, but few are as bountiful, easily produced, and cost effective as traditional fossil fuels.
Alternative fuels that are defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 as suitable for vehicles include biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, and propane. Several fuels are currently under development that may have the benefit of reduced emissions and potential for energy security. Those fuels are: biobutanol, biogas, biomass to liquids (BTL), coal to liquids (CTL), Fischer-Tropsch Diesel, gas to liquids (GTL), hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel (HDRD), P-series, and Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
Several emerging fuels are currently under development. Many of these fuels are also considered alternative fuels and may have other benefits such as reduced emissions or increased energy security.
Fischer-Tropsch and No. 2 Diesel fuels
Photo: NREL
How Alternative Fuels Work
Alternative fuels are actually a broad descriptor of a variety of alternative energy sources. Generally speaking, fuels are something that can be consumed, and must be gathered and processed before use. For example, biodiesel is generally an additive or alternative to petroleum based diesel made from animal fats or plant oils. Biodiesel is rendered in such a way that it can be used in a regular diesel burning engine with little or no modification to the engine. In general, liquid or gas-based fuel can be stored and transported similarly to existing petroleum-based fuels, and so makes them more realistic for modern day use.
Other fuels, such as hydrogen, must be rendered and used in fuel cells. Fuel cells operate through the constant exchange and movement of chemicals, which in turn produces electricity. This process is not useable in a regular car engine or home heating system, and so requires a substantial investment to install and use in a private entity. For that reason, hydrogen cells are still under research and development and are not considered practical for most small-scale uses. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, or electricity are actually best thought of as tools to store energy until a time when it is more valuable, or to move energy to a place where it is more valuable.
Alternative fuels such as fish oil, Fischer-Tropsch fuels, and biodiesel are simply fuels derived from underutilized resources.
Many other types of alternative fuels exist. Links to websites more particular to each type of fuel are available at the bottom of this page.
Alternative Fuels in Alaska
There are currently several alternative fuel programs and projects in Alaska. The University of Alaska Fairbanks sponsored Palmer Center for Sustainable Living has been working on fuels and plastic-like polymers derived from waste wood fibers.
The Palmer Center for Sustainable Living Photo credit: UAF
This project is very much in the developmental stage, but the effort focuses on addressing not only the replacement of fossil fuels to power vehicles and heat homes, but to also replace petroleum based products such as plastics.
In 2010, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska state legislature expressed desire to see a commercial-scale alternative fuels plant that could convert coal, natural gas, or biomass into liquid fuel. The fuel would then be available to the military needs in Alaska, as well as commercial airlines.
Challenges of Alternative Fuels
Because Alaska is a small state with a relatively small and widely spread population, the creation and distribution of alternative fuels is logistically very difficult. Successful projects thus far have operated in small communities with very specific needs (i.e. heat in the winter) who are located off of an established energy grid. While the potential for alternative fuels in Alaska is high, particularly with vast untapped renewable natural resources available at low cost , much technology and infrastructure development remains to be done before widespread alternative fuels would be available to the public.
Alternative Fuels Technology
| TECHNOLOGY SNAPSHOT: ALTERNATIVE FUELS | |
|---|---|
| Fischer-Tropsch Fuels | Potential to produce liquid fuels at lower cost than petroleum based fuels. Issues include CO2 sequestration, high capital cost, and technology shortage |
| Propane | Based on construction of gas pipeline, Tanana is serving as pilot project |
| Fish Oil | Has been used economically by large fish processors, fish oil from smaller processors could have potential but has been slow to develop |
| Ethanol and Biodiesel | Rapidly evolving technologies with limited feedstock available at this time |
| Waste Oil | Limited resource availability |
| Hydrogen | Expensive to produce and store, pilot studies have not been shown to be economical |
| Ammonia | Requires very cheap electricity and diesel fuel costs above $10/gallon for consideration |
| Electricity | Possibility to use plug-in electric vehicles in areas of the state where the cost of electricity is low |
To learn more about alternative fuel technologies, click on the link below:
ALTERNATIVE FUELS TECHNOLOGY
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Links and Resources
- ABS Alaskan - Link to ABS Alaskan, a company that develops and builds alternative energy systems (including alternative fuel systems) specifically for Alaska's environment.
- Alaska Bus Guy - Link to an Alaskan based bus service run entirely on alternative fuels. A good resource for visitors to Alaska looking to travel green.
- Grass as Alternative Fuel?: An interesting look at using grass (grassoline) as an alternative fuel.
- Alaska Natural Resources to Liquids, LLC. "A Legacy Decision for Alaska." June 20,2008. Presentation on Alaska North Slope gas to liquids (GTL) option. Prepared for the Legislative Audit and Budget Committee.
