by John Koscelny

Created on: October 29, 2008

There is a limited supply of natural gas and the more we can stretch that supply with renewable energy the better off the United States and the World. There is many different estimates on the amount of natural gas we have left some say we have 60 years, whereas in comparison we have a 200 year supply of coal. By using renewable energy to extend that natural gas supply it only makes sense and if we can use existing infrastructure (pipelines, storage facilities) so much the better. Now the question is what renewable energy can fit this infrastructure - hydrogen, ethanol, biomass production, methane, and of course producing more electricity from renewable sources.

Methane production from waste is a very good renewable energy and takes care of handling waste as well. Methane energy can be produced from livestock manure, solid waste dumps, and other sources. It burns the almost the same as natural gas and is very good to produce electricity that can in turn be used to produce heat, light, and all things we have came to rely upon from electricity. By capturing the methane we have reduced smell and broken down waste. Even human waste could be taken and used in sewage treatment systems to produce methane gas to produce electricity. The gas captured from these systems can be taken to electrical generators that many cities have and produce electricity.

Hydrogen energy can be used to fuel our cars and could the fuel of choice in hopefully 10 years or so. If we set up fueling stations for natural gas, hopefully they can be converted to hydrogen when we are ready for hydrogen cars. Again we need to convert cars to run on natural gas hopefully from renewable sources and then they can be converted to hydrogen.

Biomass production can be used to produce a producer gas. The biomass goes through a gasification process to produce gas. It is very good to use in internal combustion engines and was even used during World War II by Australia and Germany to power vehicles. Biomass would be items such as wood, switch grass, hay, and some forms of sugars such as sugar cane.

Producing more electricity from renewable energy and replacing natural gas with this electricity is another way to reduce the burden on natural gas. Renewable sources of electricity would be wind turbines, solar systems, tidal power, and hydroelectric. Wind turbines in the wind corridor of the United States can replace a good portion of the natural gas produced. Solar systems is another good alternative and one that individuals may be able to incorporate in their housing and used to reduce their dependence on natural gas in their household. Hydroelectric is good system, using water behind a dam to produce electricity, although some environmental problems, it can be used to supply a good natural gas.

In conclusion if the United States decides to reduce it dependence upon fossil fuels and makes a concentrated effort and commitment to do so then we will see more renewable energy being produced. For National Security it is a must to make renewable energy top priority.

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