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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Short Stories for Teachers

Alternative Energy - Hydrogen For Better Fuel
By:Steven D. Foster

Some people believe that our energy source in the world will soon be depleted. Our massive use of oils and gasoline will eventually diminish not only our lives but also our environment. The oil companies are sending us a clear message that we will always be dependent on their resources and will never exist without it. Do we even know anything about alternative energy? Have we ever considered how important and helpful alternative energy can be? Why are we so reliant in oils and gasoline to run our machines, industries, and markets?

On February 24, 2009, The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama addressed a speech to the joint session of Congress about the use of alternative energy. He said that "To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy."

What is alternative energy?

Basically the term alternative energy is a renewable energy intended to substitute the traditional fuel sources of our world. It is also a fundamental way to relieve the undesirable consequences derived from the use of oils, gasoline, nuclear energy, and fossil fuels. The adverse effects caused by these traditional fuel sources are:

• Global Warming.
• Release of High Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Obscure disposal of harmful Radioactive Waste.
• And many more unwanted outcomes to our planet.

Alternative energy is the best solution for the unwanted effects of these traditional fuel sources. And the role of "Hydrogen Fuel" as an alternative energy source is very important in achieving positive changes for our environment. It will also provide us sufficient energy sources that will not only power our machines but will also take us to the next significant step in saving our planet.

What is Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the third most abundant element of the universe. It is a chemical element with an odorless, tasteless, and colorless characteristic. Hydrogen is a highly flammable diatomic gas which has the lightest weight from to all the elements in the world.

Hydrogen Fuel

When we use hydrogen as a fuel, it burns more cleanly than a regular gasoline. It does not release harmful carbon dioxide that is detrimental to our atmosphere. Here are some positive attributes of a Hydrogen Fuel:

• It can be made from different plentiful resources such as coal, natural gas, biomass and water.
• It can also be created by transferring electrical current through water with a process called electrolysis.
• When used in an engine or motor, it can emit no harmful gasses. The only waste it produces is water vapor.
• It has the highest content of energy compared to other kinds of fuels.
Disadvantage of a Hydrogen Fuel:
• Producing Hydrogen Fuel takes a sizeable amount of energy from fossil fuels, and may tend to be more expensive than using traditional kinds of fuels. Some believes that Hydrogen Fuel production is not too economical today.

The Future of Hydrogen Fuel
A handful of economist believes that by producing hydrogen fuel from renewable energy like solar and wind power, we may actually lower the cost of making hydrogen fuel. This can also pave the way in producing more alternative energy to power our vehicles, industries and cities. Hydrogen, as an alternative energy For Better Fuel, can actually be our hope for a better and more environment friendly future.

Copyright (c) 2009 S.Foster - http://www.forbetterfuel.com - All rights reserved






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