The recent prediction by the head of Caltex Australia that the price of oil may very well double the already record highs for crude, have only heightened concerns about the security of Australia's future fuel supplies. The Federal Government, for instance, has launched a national energy security assessment.
As oil production in Australian fields declines, the Government has also sought and won approval under the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea, to expand its search for oil offshore by an area equivalent to five times the size of France.
But Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson agrees that unless there is soon a "eureka oil strike", Australia must find a new fuel alternative with sufficient reserves to power a vast and vital national car and transport fleet.
But there are those who say there's an obvious solution to the fuel crisis right under our collective nose, a solution that could cut fuel bills by up to 60 per cent: natural gas.
ABC - The 7.30 Report: Natural gas: the future of fuel?
Mercedes is offering the new Sprinter transporter with natural-gas drive, with operating costs 30 per cent lower than comparable diesel-engined versions.
Drive.com.au: Mercedes van with natural-gas drive
Just realised something about the title of this thread "Natural Gas to replace oil ?"
Natural Gas is Oil.
Sigh
wjp,
ok, but what is CNG?
Ender,
The gas powered CAT is indeed powered by Gas but like all hyrdocarbon engines, oil is needed to provide the thin film of hydrocarbon to lubricate the bearings.
Ender, I wish I could hand you a shovel to help you dig the hole that you are digging.
Yes Russ, when boy scouts in Chicago can make nuclear reactors in tool boxes out of gas mantles and used smoke detectors you'd think Australians could do something with all our thorium and uranium.
Eyrie - "I have a real electric drive application for these batteries plus avionics power supply. Looks like it will be a while yet."
Try these ones. I am considering them for avionics as well.
http://www.valence.com/products/epoch_overview.html
They have the real advantage of charging with a normal battery charger (set to AGM) and are totally safe. You also can connect a monitor that you could mount in the cockpit that would advise you of the state of charge at all times. If this is for a glider then you could run more instruments for longer flights with less weight.
Actually, I thought Australia was a BIG exporter of uranium. Just think if they used some of it to produce electricity. What a concept!
Ender,
I've talked to an engineer at A123 systems and the only way to buy their batteries unless you are GM or other large business is via their R/C model outlet or a demo pack or by replacement packs from DeWalt power tools. That's only for one type of cell also and I don't call this economical buying.
I'll believe they are generally available when suppliers like Digikey and Mouser etc etc stock the cells or packs for anyone to buy, with volume discounts.
I have a real electric drive application for these batteries plus avionics power supply. Looks like it will be a while yet.
Just think! If only we had nuclear power!
Looks like this stuff is still a way off yet - I'm probably safe with my little eurodiesel for a couple of years.
I suppose you could slowly charge an ultracapacitor during the day and use it to fast-charge the vehicle when you get home. When ultracapacitors are available of course.
The ITEEE Spectrum magazine talked about this technology last September or October.