What logistical constraints might the switch from fossil fuels bear in today's economy?

Question

This post is for research for a school project.

please see my other polls for the same project, if you would like to help.

Answer 1

Depending on the technology that you're switching to, significant changes in infrastructure might be necessary, not to mention "production" facilities.  For example, I'm not sure if you'd even want to try to convert a coal-burning power plant to anything else, you'd probably just close up shop and start a new one - not an inexpensive endeavor.  

For transportation fuels, anything that isn't liquid storage requires significant rethinking of the delivery and storage systems.  I'll use hydrogen as an example:  first you've got to make the hydrogen, then you've got to get it in a truck (usually in liquid form unless it's being shipped in compressed gas cylinders, impractical for large volumes) and ship it wherever you need it.  When you get it to where you need it, you've got to have a save way to store it (the underground gasoline tanks don't work).  You could produce it on-site, but it's not cheap either, you need an electrolyzer and electricity to do it....

Each new option has it's own trials, and all of them cost money and make lots of people unhappy because they lose it or have to spend a lot of it to keep up.  From a personal perspective, think about the possible financial burden for a suburban homeowner.  If you switched abruptly, he might have to buy a new car, or two, a new lawn mower, a replacement generator, a new leaf or snow blower, a new weed-eater, etc (maybe conversion kits are available, depending on what the new "fuel" is).  Even for a normal person, this isn't a cheap or easy change!  (The list of things we use gasoline for around the home is just another example of what a society of consumption we are)

Answer 2

the constraints would be corporations that are responsible for stockbrokers making money.

since green energy isn't as profitable as other energy sources, corporations will be reluctant to make the switch.

the main reason the aren't as profitable, is the fact they require much more space to produce. (large fermentation operations, solar panels etc.)

Answer 3

It could change everything. Cost of transporting goods trickles down to the consumer. so if it is more expensive you would be paying more for everything from a loaf of bread to a new house.(old house sales would increase at a similar rate because of demand for housing).

Alternative fuels generally don't have as much energy output as fossil fuels so extra cost would be needed in order to transport the same distance. Causing more expensive goods or a decrease in goods available from long distances. I think you would also find it harder for truck drivers hauling goods to make a decent living and a fall in people doing these jobs leading to supply shortage.

My husband drove long haul truck average rate was .40 a mile.At 60 miles an hour assumming no stops or layovers (never happens) the average rate would be about $24 an hour. If an alternative vehicle could not do the 60 miles an hour but say 55 instead on average that knocks you down to $22 an hour. They can only drive 70 hours in 7 days or $1680before taxes(with no stops or layovers just straight open highway with no hills or mountains which causes slow down) with the same exceptions at the 55 miles an hour it would be$1540 before taxes. Then 32 hours off to do it again.

In the real world these drivers can sit hours or days between pick ups so anything that can't keep them running or takes more time would result in less drivers. Which would result in less goods at your local stores.

Answer 4

The cost for the change from Fossil because some people in this conutry might not be able to afford the changes.