ART005

An Alternative to America’s Gasoline Crisis

Erin Young,
Gas storage tanks will have pressure ratings around 5 psig or less. CNG is probably over 100 psig in the car and the refill storage tanks would want to be higher than that. So simply there is no way gasoline storage tanks can be converted to CNG storage.

An Alternative to America’s Gasoline Crisis

Blair,
Very good list of suggestions. People need to realize that solar heat as in hot water is very viable with an annual return of +10% to 15%. Wallstreet can't promise you that! Solar electric on the other hand is still around 0% annual return depending on how you account for subsidies. I have 1 m^2 per person solar water heater. I'd suggest 1.2 m^2 per person for people that like things a little more luxurious. Saves me $25/month. I have no summer hot water bill.

Your comment on the importance and value of energy density is right on. But you missed that different lifestyles require different energy densities in addition to energy quantities. Electricity to battery, or compressed air are two common low density energy options. Currently people driving less than 25 miles/day can utilize low density energy at 25% the cost of high density energy. For some people low density energy will be a windfall i.e. plug in Prius. Those that can't need to look for other improvements.

The world is so big that any viable energy source/utilization can find a market. Everyone maximizing their utility will benefit each other. Don't loose sight that there are many angles to the solution. Similar to your additional list of various improvements.

Everyone should check their solar water heater options and help spread the word!!

An Alternative to America’s Gasoline Crisis

Is CBM a typo for CNG? Otherwise what is CBM?