ONE OF THE MOST important issues facing our country is reducing our dependence on oil. With the price of gas continuing to climb, the $3 a gallon that we pay now will seem like a bargain in a couple of years.
The Topeka Capital-Journal last week had an interesting article on the BNSF railroad, which is building a prototype hydrogen-powered fuel cell locomotive in Topeka. This new engine is expected to be completed by June.
Many experts predict hydrogen will be the future for all transportation.
The article talked about how this engine holds great promise because it has zero dependence on oil and zero CO2 emissions. This engine could operate at 70 percent efficiency, compared to the 35 percent efficiency of a standard diesel engine.
It is exciting to see this prototype — which could reduce our dependence on oil — nearing completion. But are we doing enough to bring these new technologies to market?
To help fund this project, the government gave it $2 million last year and $2.4 million this year.
For a technology that can revolutionize rail travel, I am surprised at how little funding it has received. Just think — if trains didn’t need diesel fuel, the cost savings would be remarkable.
To help bring these technologies to market we should be spending considerably more.
Our government doesn’t think anything of going to war and spending billions to protect our oil interests. Right now, the government is spending $275 million a day on our war efforts. We need to be spending that kind of money on our country, to foster energy independence.
Of course, what can you expect from a president who made his money from oil and has a vested interest in keeping the price high?
Let’s hope a new president will make it a priority to invest significantly in projects that will move our country toward energy independence.
create (anonymous) says...
I'm with you, Chris Walker. And this just on the news today: OPEC was unimpressed with President Bush's speech to them. Are we surprised???? But he did go to visit one of their prize Arabian horse ranches.
January 16, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
The government has let the rail system go to pot, what is the point of pushing hydrogen in locomotives, push it in cars and trucks as well.
January 17, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Doug (anonymous) says...
It's not just the president. When was the last time a politician was shmoozed by the hydrogen people prior to an election. The oil people have our politicians in their back pockets. Ah, the almighty dollar!
January 17, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CAFEmporia (anonymous) says...
This is a very important development, regardless of its cost. However, even if it works better than expected, the major problem is finding hydrogen which does not occur naturally on our planet. It must be extracted from some compound like water, but doing so costs more in energy than can be extracted from it.
In theory, we could gain a virtually unlimited amount of hydrogen from the sea by simply building machines that create electricity which would then be used to separate the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. There are advantages in that, too, since we could use more oxygen in our atmosphere right now. Practically speaking, it has so far not worked out as easily or as productively as theory would indicate. Other methods are necessary.
Still, I applaud the railroad (which still carries the majority of our large freight over long distances) and the government with hits little bit of support for nearing an important if symbolic goal of having a demonstrable working model of a more efficient engine.
January 17, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )