6.5 Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies
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countries that actively research and prototype thorium nuclear reactors are the
United Kingdom (UK), Israel, India, China, Germany as well as India. The objective
of India is to establish a working prototype, whereas China seeks to ensure that it has
a functioning plant online in the next 10 years. Similarly, Norway is testing thorium
use in the current nuclear reactors.
6.5.3 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)
Despite Honda’s FCX Clarity being available commercially since 2008, hydrogen
fuel cells took off in 2016. Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are providing fuel
cell models, and Daimler AG has partnered with Ford and Nissan to develop
fuel cells. Hydrogen fuels are made of fuel cell stacks, and each has an
anode, cathode as well as a proton exchange membrane (Ehsani et al. 2018).
For electricity production, compressed hydrogen is usually pumped through
the anode. When it gets into contact with the proton exchange membrane,
it separates into protons and electrons. Electrons are utilized for powering
the car’s motor as well as several other components. The proton and oxygen
combine to release water, leading to substantially minimized greenhouse gas
emissions.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are one of hydrogen fuel cell’s applications.
Honda built a home energy station that makes use of hydrogen fuel cell technology
for powering both homes and cars (Ehsani et al. 2018). There are various limitations
associated with this, including shorter recharging times and the possibility of it not
being as green as originally thought.
6.5.4 Cellulosic Ethanol
It is a second-generation biofuel manufactured through the conversion of vegetation
that is not suitable for human consumption into ethanol. While first-generation
biofuels often make use of edible feedstock, including corn, cellulosic ethanol can
be produced through the use of raw materials, including grass and wood. Biofuels
are basically renewable, but cellulosic ethanol has a lesser effect on the food chain
compared to first-generation since it can be produced from crops that are marginally
beneficial for the production of food (Hussain et al. 2017). Conversely, the raw
materials’ conversion rate is significantly lower for cellulosic ethanol, and in the
absence of manufacturing technology, cellulosic acid’s future could be used as a
fuel additive instead of a petroleum replacement.
Cellulosic ethanol remains popular in numerous parts of the world, including
the US, Brazil as well as the European Union (EU). It is also touted as a probable
solution for energy independence and a method for the reuse of waste materials.
Some nations like the US have developed legislation that mandates fuel manufac-
145
countries that actively research and prototype thorium nuclear reactors are the
United Kingdom (UK), Israel, India, China, Germany as well as India. The objective
of India is to establish a working prototype, whereas China seeks to ensure that it has
a functioning plant online in the next 10 years. Similarly, Norway is testing thorium
use in the current nuclear reactors.
6.5.3 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)
Despite Honda’s FCX Clarity being available commercially since 2008, hydrogen
fuel cells took off in 2016. Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are providing fuel
cell models, and Daimler AG has partnered with Ford and Nissan to develop
fuel cells. Hydrogen fuels are made of fuel cell stacks, and each has an
anode, cathode as well as a proton exchange membrane (Ehsani et al. 2018).
For electricity production, compressed hydrogen is usually pumped through
the anode. When it gets into contact with the proton exchange membrane,
it separates into protons and electrons. Electrons are utilized for powering
the car’s motor as well as several other components. The proton and oxygen
combine to release water, leading to substantially minimized greenhouse gas
emissions.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are one of hydrogen fuel cell’s applications.
Honda built a home energy station that makes use of hydrogen fuel cell technology
for powering both homes and cars (Ehsani et al. 2018). There are various limitations
associated with this, including shorter recharging times and the possibility of it not
being as green as originally thought.
6.5.4 Cellulosic Ethanol
It is a second-generation biofuel manufactured through the conversion of vegetation
that is not suitable for human consumption into ethanol. While first-generation
biofuels often make use of edible feedstock, including corn, cellulosic ethanol can
be produced through the use of raw materials, including grass and wood. Biofuels
are basically renewable, but cellulosic ethanol has a lesser effect on the food chain
compared to first-generation since it can be produced from crops that are marginally
beneficial for the production of food (Hussain et al. 2017). Conversely, the raw
materials’ conversion rate is significantly lower for cellulosic ethanol, and in the
absence of manufacturing technology, cellulosic acid’s future could be used as a
fuel additive instead of a petroleum replacement.
Cellulosic ethanol remains popular in numerous parts of the world, including
the US, Brazil as well as the European Union (EU). It is also touted as a probable
solution for energy independence and a method for the reuse of waste materials.
Some nations like the US have developed legislation that mandates fuel manufac-