history of biodiesel

The history of alternative fuel can be found way back in the 1900’s but as a result of political and economical factors, the development of alternative fuels was short lived. Fossil fuels are still the foundation of the economy but in the 1970’s, there was a extreme fuel shortage in America that led to taking a serious look at alternative fuels.

Due to an over reliance on fossil products, America were at the mercy of foreign countries with oil reserves to run their economy. This led to a paradigm shift when in 1973, OPEC reduced its production, corresponding causing an increase in oil prices. As a result the world has to take a serious view of the reliance and in 1978, diesel engines began regaining popularity as well as other alternative fuel such as biodiesel.

Now, almost 3 decades later, the world is dawn to many other sources of alternative fuels. Ethanol is one of the fuels that is taken its place and is essentially make from grain. Researchers have come up with a certain form of grain alcohol that can power a combustion engine as well as oil-based products but more kind to the environment. In addition, it is much economical to produce too besides creating more jobs for corn farmers.

Other forms of alternative fuels are methane, propane, and hydrogen that can be used to power modern vehicles. But to effectively run such fuels on traditional engines, modifications have to be done. Thus, this led to the development of the modern alternative fuels vehicles.

Technology and environment have much less to do with the development of alternative fuels than mainly politics. To a certain degree, it is true as politicians, being politicians, tend to lean on mass opinions. With global warming becoming hip, politicians lean towards supporting and developing alternative fuels.

Whatever the motive, it has been proven beyond any doubts that alternative fuels contribute effectively to the environment. In retrospect when it comes to the development of alternative fuels, great advancement has been made and the present and near future, new technologies will emerge to make it an exciting technology.

Different types of alternative fuels continue to make big stride and will continue as fossil fuels are limited and will in due course dry up. Being environmental conscious is essential but alternative replacements are necessary and scientists will continue to make alternative fuels technologies more cost effective as well as efficient to use so that the masses will take to it.

About the Author:

Jason is the creator of websites and recycling and composting are his concerns. You can access the website at http://www.lookatcomposting.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Look Into the Past of Alternative Fuels

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