A chemical fuel is required

Laurence O. Williams

Applied Energy, 1994, vol. 47, issue 2-3, 169-182

Abstract: It was shown that fusion energy sources have excellent characteristics for future base load energy needs. However, fusion is limited to the production of heat, and from heat, electricity. This is also a limitation of most of the other alternatives to fossil fuels examined earlier. Solar thermal and geothermal energy sources produce only heat and, from heat, electricity. Power plants using solar photovoltaic, wind, tidal and ocean thermal gradients only produce electricity. Solar energy collected as biomass can yield carbon-based chemical fuels that can be handled in the same manner as fossil fuels, but like fossil fuels they are more valuable for other uses and can cause significant pollution. No matter what future combination of these energy sources is adopted there are many important uses for energy that cannot be satisfied with heat, electricity or biomass fuels. A manufactured chemical fuel is needed. The handling of energy, including transport and storage is examined, and the case is made that a portable, storable energy carrier is required for all users of energy.

Date: 1994
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