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Iceland the First Country to Try Abandoning Gasoline
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| jesteraver |
"REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Jan. 18, 2005 Ñ Iceland has energy to spare, and the small country has found a cutting-edge way to reduce its oil dependency. Volcanoes formed the island nation out of ash and lava, and molten rock heats huge underground lakes to the boiling point.
The hot water Ñ energy sizzling beneath the surface Ñ is piped into cities and stored in giant tanks, providing heat for homes, businesses and even swimming pools." (Courtesy of ABC News)
To read more: Click me please! |
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| LuNaSeA |
The volcanoes melted ice, which formed rivers. The water runs through turbines, providing virtually all the country's electricity.
Iceland wants to make a full conversion and plans to modify its cars, buses and trucks to run on renewable energy — with no dependence on oil.
Water Turned Into Fuel
Iceland has already started by turning water into fuel — hydrogen fuel.
Here's how it works: Electrodes split the water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Hydrogen electrons pass through a conductor that creates the current to power an electric engine.
Hydrogen fuel now costs two to three times as much as gasoline, but gets up to three times the mileage of gas, making the overall cost about the same.
As an added benefit, there are no carbon emissions — only water vapor.
In the capital, Reykjavik, they are already testing three hydrogen-powered electric buses. The drivers are impressed.
"I like these buses better because with hydrogen you get no pollution," said bus driver Rognvaldur Jonatanlson.
By the middle of this century, all Icelanders will be required to run their cars only on hydrogen fuel, meaning no more gasoline.
"If we make hydrogen and use that as a fuel for transportation then we can run the whole society on our own local renewable energy sources," said Marie Maack of the Hydrogen Research Project.
Icelanders say they're committed to showing the world that by making fuel from water, it is possible to kick the oil habit.
ABC News' Mike Lee filed this report for "World News Tonight."
very cool news. go iceland! |
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| jesteraver |
Which is interesting seeing them starting to do that slowly. Would be so nice if every country would start adopting that.
Do we really have that many uses still for like oil?
True, planes and boats. If they can do that for cars and like a whole country, they for sure can change the whole thing for planes and boats right?!?! |
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| SuspicionVandit |
| so i guess the next thing is to make in-car saunas |
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| ::TranceVanDyk:: |
| i applaude iceland. i think the western world should follow their example. just might be a bit harder, as most of the western world isnt a small country like iceland. |
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| Nabistai |
| quote: | Originally posted by jesteraver
Which is interesting seeing them starting to do that slowly. Would be so nice if every country would start adopting that.
Do we really have that many uses still for like oil?
True, planes and boats. If they can do that for cars and like a whole country, they for sure can change the whole thing for planes and boats right?!?! |
In Belgium they are currently using 3 busses that also run on hydrogen. It's about time that we start doing this, because it's really necessery. |
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| Marc Summers |
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind  |
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| emc^2 |
The reason why we have to depend on small countries like Iceland for innovations is because a big oil country like US would not be interested in saving some fuel. As a matter of fact, a large portion of US economy is based on Oil.
Oil is not just for fuel - it is used for plastic products, clothing, industrial materials, even food (have you tried a veggie burger lately? tastes like styrofoam, but I digress). However, even if a country like Iceland would be 95% oil free (which is not likely) a country like China would consume whatever Iceland doesn't use. Sadly, I am almost certain that anual consumption of oil in the Iceland is probably less than consumption of the state of New Jersey.
It's great that they are doing this - perhaps one day we will move away from our dependency on oil. How that would impact global economy is a completely different story. |
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| igottaknow |
| iceland is a very unique country. i've always enjoyed reading about maybe some day i'll visit the land of fire and ice |
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| Trancealot |
| quote: | Originally posted by emc^2
The reason why we have to depend on small countries like Iceland for innovations is because a big oil country like US would not be interested in saving some fuel. As a matter of fact, a large portion of US economy is based on Oil.
Oil is not just for fuel - it is used for plastic products, clothing, industrial materials, even food (have you tried a veggie burger lately? tastes like styrofoam, but I digress). However, even if a country like Iceland would be 95% oil free (which is not likely) a country like China would consume whatever Iceland doesn't use. Sadly, I am almost certain that anual consumption of oil in the Iceland is probably less than consumption of the state of New Jersey.
It's great that they are doing this - perhaps one day we will move away from our dependency on oil. How that would impact global economy is a completely different story. |
I just found out today where I work. Every single part of crude oil is used. Oil for heating and plastic then your excess grease but then the grease is used for byproducts also. We exploit that ish to its fulliest extent but another source is a big plus because us humans, we need to suck this planet dry until we out source in outerspace:wtf:
PS. I was thinking of planning a trip to iceland next year. Is skiing big in that place if anyone knows? |
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| Stilez |
yeah.. saw a show about this a few mths back.
They're a very progressive country...and the fact that they're so open and willing to try out these new inventions/ideas makes them such a suitable host. |
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