This NASA picture shows the earth viewed from space. You can see the shadows of the clouds on the surface of the sea. At the edge you can see that the atmosphere is only a shallow layer. This NASA picture shows the earth viewed from space. You can see the shadows of the clouds on the surface of the sea. At the edge you can see that the atmosphere is only a shallow layer.
The black of space reinforces the notion that our earth, our home, is a space craft. It is the only place known to support life.
Earth’s life depends on the stability of the composition of this shallow layer of atmosphere. Humanity’s energy systems are beginning to change the atmosphere’s composition in a manner that can be accurately measured. These composition changes are shown to increase the amount of solar energy that is retained on the earth. This causes the average temperature to increase.
If we continue changing the composition of the atmosphere other changes of greater consequence will surely occur. It is the responsibility of the current generation of humanity to modify our energy systems in a manner that will stop the alteration of the atmosphere’s composition. To learn more about the RFH Energy System, click here. To learn more about author Laurence O. Williams, click here.To see this NASA photo larger click here.
All energy is produced by renewable or fusion energy sources. Electrolysis of water converts energy into hydrogen and oxygen. Energy is distributed as hydrogen by highly reliable underground gas lines. Electricity is made locally in fuel cells. Ground transportation is driven by hydrogen fuel cells. The oxygen by-product helps reduce many other types of pollution.
Recovery of fossil fuels damages the surface of the earth. Fossil fuel combustion irreversibly vents fossil carbon into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. The addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere will warm the earth. Today, many signs of global warming can be detected. The climate change brought on by carbon dioxide has the potential to disrupt societies all across the world. The pollution resulting from fossil fuel use will increase if we progress to the use of low-grade sources. The chemicals in fossil fuels should be conserved for much higher value use in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, fibers, paint and drugs.
Combustion of fossil fuels coupled with sequesterization of the carbon dioxide is unsustainable and immoral because it burdens future generations with the responsibility for protecting the earth from our irresponsible carbon dioxide build-up.
Renewable energy sources, (solar, wind etc.) are carbon free and must be harvested. These sources are neither robust nor reliable enough to provide the needed energy. Trouble with existing hydroelectric energy harvesting demonstrates extensive harvesting of a renewable source can cause environmental damage.
Use of Fission (uranium & plutonium) energy requires the biosphere be protected from the high level radioactive waste for thousands of years, a protection we cannot guarantee. Wide use of fission enables the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Uranium supplies will run out in less than 100 years without breeder reactors. Breeder reactors multiply the waste by a large amount and facilitates weapons manufacture. Fission is not acceptable.
The production of energy by FUSION, an energetic reaction of light elements, is the best option to supply base load energy for a high technology civilization. Sir David King, the chief science advisor for the United Kingdom, recommends that fusion (not uranium fission) is the answer to future energy needs (King, David, ‘Fast Forward to Fusion’ New Scientist, Issue 2442, 10 April 2004).
A simple-to-use chemical fuel is needed for summer to winter energy storage, to compensate for daily variations in demand and to supply the energy for the transportation sector of the economy. Water can be decomposed with electric current to provide hydrogen to serve as the synthetic fuel. The process is called electrolysis. Electrolysis is a very well developed simple and extremely efficient process. With electrolysis oxygen is produced as a by-product.
Detailed analysis shows that hydrogen is the only option for the alternative fuel with acceptable properties and zero pollution potential. As reported in the Journal of Hydrogen Energy over the last 30 years, hydrogen has been demonstrated as a fuel in homes, industries, automobiles, and airplanes. There appears to be no technical barriers to converting all fuel-burning devices, from primitive cooking fires to commercial jet planes, to the use of hydrogen. These demonstrations have validated the low pollution potential of hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen can be piped to homes in the same manner that natural gas is delivered today. This will lead to fuel cell generators in the home to supply local electric energy. This will improve safety. No one can be electrocuted by high power delivery systems and electric fires will not be possible. This system of energy delivery will be more reliable than our current system of electric energy delivery. Gas piped in underground lines is not subject to the weather disruptions that plague fragile electricity transmission.
The use of hydrogen-air fuel cells will provide the power source for home, factory and commercial electric energy, the automobile and other ground transport. In 2007, hydrogen fuel cell automobile have been produced in limited quantities by most major auto manufacturers. Fuel cell automobiles will produce NO pollution.
On a weight basis hydrogen has 2.5 times more energy than hydrocarbon fuels. The large energy content is an advantage in aircraft. Hydrogen fueled airplanes will be lighter, more efficient and likely safer than current commercial aircraft.
The oxygen by-product can help solve the second grave challenge of this century, adequate safe water supplies. Oxygen greatly enhances the treatment of wastewater. It can aid in reducing the pollution load in existing rivers and lakes. Oxygen enhanced incineration will reduce the environmental burden that results from disposal of domestic and industrial trash. Oxygen can be converted to ozone. Ozone is an excellent replacement for chlorine. It kills bacteria as well as chlorine, is more effective in killing viruses and does not produce carcinogenic chlorinated hydrocarbons. Ozone oxidizes and removes organic materials not removed by current water treatment methods.
Academic quality fusion research has been ongoing for more than 50 years. The data from this research provides the basis for an engineering push to develop fusion. Currently a group of nations are providing modest funds and a languid schedule for the development of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER - www.iter.com) As called for in Tom Friedman’s book, “The world is flat” what is needed is maximum practical effort similar to the Manhattan project to develop atomic energy during World War II and the Apollo manned lunar landing program. These programs demonstrate that a dedicated engineering program can be successful. The Manhattan project went from zero to success in about 3 years and the Apollo project placed men on the moon in seven years. As a result of advances in computers and materials our capability to perform engineering development is incomparably better today than it was when these programs were successful.
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