Running buses on poop. Today was a good news day.

bjack on 19/3/2015 at 23:36

UK strikes again. In Bristol, they are using methane gas from human poop to power buses. That should make the AGW crowd a tiny bit happy, because it replaces vented CH4 with CO2 instead, a much less powerful green house gas. But the fact that anything is burned will probably not be received well. It's a start though.

(http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/news/threecol.aspx?id=12018)

I have always supported the idea of co-generation and the use of alternatives ever since I was a little kid. I do not like wasting things. It is nice to see this in practice.

bjack on 20/3/2015 at 19:28

I thought this would get some traffic. I think it is a great thing. Hopefully the cost is not too high that is will require a tax subsidy. We have a few Honda Civics that run on natural gas here in CA and most of our buses and garbage trucks run on it. Using poop gas, and this place is full of it, would be great. :thumb:

They are trying to get a hydrogen infrastructure set up, but they are still too far and few between. Elon Musk is fighting it tooth and nail too. He does not want his electric empire to have competition.

Speaking of Tesla, I see at least 10 a day. They are the status symbol around here. They are exceptionally fast too. Do not take one on, unless you have a super car. I hope he can keep his company together, because I want one, but really do not want to spend $100K for a car. I have test driven the Nissan Leaf and it is bearable as a general transport device, but the short range is too much of a handicap in the OC/LA area.

Something that is becoming more of a hit are electric bicycles. With nice weather, they are fairly practical for short trips locally. The ranges get better every year. Battery technology still has a long way to go, but it is definitely improving. Even Harley is getting into the act with their electric motorcycle.

Pyrian on 20/3/2015 at 19:45

Quote Posted by bjack

I thought this would get some traffic. I think it is a great thing.

It's a great idea. If you want traffic, you have to post a disaster. ;)

Quote Posted by bjack

They are trying to get a hydrogen infrastructure set up, but they are still too far and few between.

At the end of the day, the technology just isn't here yet - not in a way that would make it good, or even "green" - and I'm frankly not convinced it ever will be. Replace a gas car with an hybrid or electric car (or at least some of them), less total fuel per mile. Replace a gas car with a hydrogen fuel cell car, and total emissions are comparable or even worse, not better (although there is something to be said for eliminating emissions at the vehicle). Call me back when - and indeed if - the technology is more mature.

Nicker on 20/3/2015 at 19:51

Quote Posted by bjack

I hope he can keep his company together, because I want one, but really do not want to spend $100K for a car.

Even Harley is getting into the act with their electric motorcycle.

Emergent technologies always cost more at first. Let's be grateful for the people willing to pay such high prices to support them. All the cheap tech we have today was overpriced at one time.

As for electric Harleys, I assume that the hog humpers will be installing after market sound systems so they can still blast the rest of humanity with their faux-penis noise pollution.

faetal on 20/3/2015 at 20:04

The trouble with hydrogen is you have to find a way to attach it to stuff so it isn't quite so explosive. Then it has to be easy to release enough to be useful as a fuel, while not being quite so explosive.

bjack on 20/3/2015 at 20:07

I am one of those anti loud pipe kind of guys. I don't want my neighbors to hate me. I ride and my generic Honda want-to-be Harley twin is quiet as a mouse. I can just see it now. 16" woofers with 1000 watt amps blasting "potato potato potato!"

Splitting H20 into H2 and O2 with electrolysis, then compressing the H2 is supposed to be more efficient than the current loss from charging batteries (from source to car). But that is not how most of the H2 will be made. They will use natural gas instead, so we get that little carbon bug-a-boo again. Flaming Teslas are one thing. No one has died, yet. Mini-Hinderburgs are another. Really bad crashes (think flipping at 75 MPH or going into a wall at 65) are not only going to be likely fatal to the occupants, but possibly to the surrounding cars. Still, Toyota will be offering a fuel cell car in a couple years. We'll see if their special matrix cells or whatever they use for storage will be safe.

faetal on 20/3/2015 at 20:15

Yes, but H2 is quite free-spirited. It just wants to get on down with oxygen with as little delay as possible. But lock it up and it sulks and won't cooperate.

Yakoob on 20/3/2015 at 21:00

I'm down for anything that moves us away from fossil fuels towards a more reusable/cleaner solution. Especially if it means that in a pinch, you can fix being out of gas with a loaded burrito and some coffee :joke:

Relevant: (http://digest.bps.org.uk/2015/03/what-recycled-sewage-water-reveals.html) What recycled sewage water reveals about human psychology

faetal on 20/3/2015 at 21:29

It's like a slightly more high tech Flintstones car.

Medlar on 20/3/2015 at 21:35

Please remember to flush when you leave your seat...