Will Kentucky lead the way in synthetic fuels production? A history lesson
At four times in the history of the United States, synthetic fuels have been used as the energy savior of the country, from the period immediately following the second World War to the mid 1980s when the Synthetic Fuels Corporation was unceremoniously demolished by the Reagan administration. The Center for Applied Energy Research at the University of Kentucky has been a major player in the game and the state of Kentucky has received much funding for synthetic fuels development since the 1970s. The article traces the history of developments in the field. The fate of the development has in the author's opinion been influenced by the misalignment of three 'spheres of influence' - in essence the political economy, environmental/regulatory issues, and the technological innovation process. Synthetic fuels can now become an integral part of what is called a 'multiplex energy strategy' and Kentucky again has the opportunity to build on its prior experience and embrace a new paradigm regarding how clean energy solutions based on gasification technologies can aid the USA. 4 photos.
- OSTI ID:
- 21036956
- Journal Information:
- Energeia (Lexington), Vol. 19, Issue 2; Other Information: mike.musulin@gmail.com
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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