Aug 07
27
As reported in IcelandReview plugin hybrids are arriving in Iceland next month. Plugin hybrids are the next step from the hybrids we’re currently used to. They can be charged directly from household current and driven exclusively by electricity until they run dry which is then powered by the combustion engine. Current hybrids while a great first step toward sustainable alternative energy require charging by the combustion engine (typically gasoline powered) with some help from regenerative braking.
With the typically short driving distances that most suburbanites experience they might run most of their trips by electric alone. Also, the combustion engine onboard might be fueled by whatever locally produced fuel is common. In Iceland’s case that would be methane produced by domestic garbage or hydrogen produced locally using cheap and cleanly produced electricity. In other areas it might be some other fuel (how about we stop flaring gas from oil wells and use it for cars or something more useful?)
Iceland and a few other countries are not fooling around with the future, they are doing something about it now and developing practical solutions and technologies. They aren’t arguing over what single source of energy will power the world or if we’re really at the point that decisions must be made. Let’s try as many ideas as we can that potentially could save us from ourselves. No more excuses.
No single energy source is right for everybody. Let’s get off the idea that only the current crop of energy giants can make those choices as they’ve done for far too long. Think more local and we’ll discover that there are a number of solutions depending on many variables. Hydrogen isn’t the solution for many places but it is certainly a good candidate for Iceland given its resources. Other areas might do well with another solution. It is now the time to develop those solutions and not wait for all the pieces to fall in place just so it is cheap enough for big corp to make billions. The status quo is no longer viable. Thank you Iceland, I like your thinking.
