Comparing Alternative Fuel Sources to Oil

Finding alternative sources for fuel consumption is a debated topic in today's society. With the oil crisis seemingly worsening on an annual basis, the need for alternative fuel sources is a priority of many government agencies and consumer advocate groups. Most Americans are unaware that the United States consumes more oil per year, and emits more emission pollution than any other nation. Many organizations are developing new technologies that will allow for lower cost, more reliable, and cleaner emission sources for fuel consumption.

Understanding the three central coordination problems related to alternative fuels is very important in the process of estimating the future of these consumption methods. What types of alternative fuel sources are available, and how much should be produced? How much of each fuel source should be produced? What marketplace will benefit form the usage of alternative fuels? These questions can lead directly into a description of the types of fuels and what factors weigh on the cost to operate the vehicles, and what the emission benefits are to these fuels from an environmental standpoint.

The most common and widely adapted alternative fuel source is biodiesel fuel. Using nonpetroleum diesel fuel substitutes can be obtained from oilseed crops such as soybean, sunflower, and rapseed. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable, nontoxic, biodegradable, and domestically produced fuel that can be blended with diesel fuel or used direct. Biodiesel is often blended with diesel fuel at a ratio as 20180, also known as 20/80. The usage of 20/80 is compatible with all existing diesel engines, requiring no additional engine components, and will significantly reduce emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons.

CNG, compressed natural gas, is also another alternative fuel source. Being that CNG is a source of natural gas found in underground reservoirs, the fossil fuel is composed primarily of methane. Interest in using CNG has increased over the past few years, especially in urban areas, due to the fact that the emission levels are significantly reduced from gasoline and diesel fuel. Outfitting vehicle fleets such as transit buses required a significant investment. The cost to perform engine rebuilds and upgrades is a significant upfront investment.

Using fossil and domestic renewable sources of natural gas, methanol is another fuel source currently under increased