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Long-range prospects for solar-derived fuels. [Gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels produced from organic wastes and biomass]

Journal Article · · Am. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7249851
The long-range prospect for the use of solar energy through photosynthesis to produce solid, liquid, and gaseous fuel seems reasonably well assured. The technology for such fuels is already well developed. Their extensive use awaits a favorable price level for delivered biomass and a major shift in agricultural and silvacultural practice through which energy crops become comparable in value to traditional crops. The transition to this new mode will take place gradually and at varying rates in different parts of the world. In countries like the United States with abundant reserves of coal and oil shale it is likely to be delayed, while an early onset seems most likely in the humid tropics where the production of solar-derived solid fuel and alcohol can eliminate all dependence on imported oil. When tropical agrisilvaculture has become widely deployed, the countries in this region can begin to benefit from a growing, lucrative, and assured market for alcohol to replace gasoline. The prospects are also promising in the case of the direct use of solar energy for hot water and for heating buildings. As the cost of oil, natural gas, and electricity escalates and scarcities develop, such solar-heating systems seem certain to be increasingly adopted. Only in the case of the direct or indirect use of the sun for the generation of the central-station electricity in utility systems does the long-range prospect for solar energy seem economically unfeasible, mainly because of the high costs for equipment and maintenance and the insecurity of the investment.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, TN
OSTI ID:
7249851
Journal Information:
Am. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 64:5; ISSN AMSCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
090222 -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALCOHOLS
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHARS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHANOL
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUEL OILS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEATING OILS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
METHANOL
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PROCESSING
PYROLYSIS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHESIS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES