Written by Alan Parker, an active blogger out of New York City whose writing covers green technology, the environment, and the great outdoors. You can follow him on Twitter @AGreenParker.
It isn't news to anybody that our oil supplies are disappearing rapidly, forcing car companies to develop new technologies that harness the power of alternative energy sources. Although most companies have been working on electric cars, several have also been dabbling in biofuels like ethanol, as a main fuel source for combustion engines. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of biofuels and increase support for them, some independent research teams have succeeded in some exceptional feats with biofuel vehicles of their own. These accomplishments are showing that greener forms of energy can be used in a practical and effective way to eliminate our reliance on oil and make the environment a healthier place.
Cross-Continental Journeys
At the end of 2010, the first ever ground-based trans-Antarctic expedition was completed using only biofuels. The vehicle, called the Bio-inspired Ice Vehicle or BIV, was funded by biofuel advocate Winston Wong and is the world's first vehicle to complete a trans-Antarctic expedition using this type of power. The BIV was engineered to not only display the potential of alternative energy, but also to stand up to some of the harshest conditions on the planet while carrying researchers across an entire continent.
At the end of 2010, the first ever ground-based trans-Antarctic expedition was completed using only biofuels. The vehicle, called the Bio-inspired Ice Vehicle or BIV, was funded by biofuel advocate Winston Wong and is the world's first vehicle to complete a trans-Antarctic expedition using this type of power. The BIV was engineered to not only display the potential of alternative energy, but also to stand up to some of the harshest conditions on the planet while carrying researchers across an entire continent.
Setting Land Speed Records
A man named John Petsche set out to modify a Kawasaki motorcycle, aiming to create a vehicle that ran on an alternative fuel source, wasn't complicated or costly, and was designed for fuel efficiency. His result? A homemade motorcycle powered by biofuel. The bike set a land speed record for the 350cc alternative fuel motorcycles at the Loring Timing Association in Maine. The most astounding thing is that John Petsche's motorcycle was built using parts already in existence. Therefore, it should be a simple task for manufacturers to replicate and possibly improve upon the design for mass manufacture.
Distance Records in the Sky
It isn't only land vehicles that are making use of biofuels. Airlines are now beginning to look for alternative means of powering their planes. In fact, Finnair recently set a record for the longest commercial flight powered by biofuel, over 900 miles. Despite this incredible achievement, the airline openly admits that, since biofuel-powered air travel is still in its infancy, it isn't financially practical to convert biofuel just yet. However, they are continuing to experiment with it in hopes of reducing their impact on the environment.
When speaking of the grounds for creating the BIV to cross Antarctica, Winston Wong said that it was necessary to "do something that people can take notice [of] and say this is the future, the future of human endeavor” in an effort to reduce harm to the planet. The teams involved in the efforts above evidently placed stock in that same way of thinking, selecting rigorous ways to test different forms of alternative power. If we combine each of these cleaner energy forms and forward ideas, it is possible that we could soon see the beneficial impact that biofuels will have on our nation.
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