What Are The Variations of Alternative Fuels?

There are several variations of alternative fuels and several classifications depending on your exact definition. Let’s take a closer look.

A fuel is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as a substance that is used to produce heat or energy by burning and also a substance from which energy can be liberated such as in a nuclear reaction. When you are discussing the variations of alternative fuels these two classifications can be a good starting point. Fossil fuels fit the first definition. They are burned or consumed in some manner to produce heat or energy. Fossil fuels are considered to be the conventional fuel. Anything other than fossil fuels would be considered as an alternative fuel.

There are many variations of alternative fuels that can be burned or are consumed to produce heat or energy. They include such things as biomass, ethanol, butanol, methane, and even peanut oil. The other definition would refer to the concept of a fuel that simply liberates the energy without consuming the fuel. These variations of alternative fuels would be such things as stored electricity in batteries or wind and solar power. These alternative fuels are also called sustainable or renewable fuels.

In the minds of many people, fuel is associated with motors and engines. Alternative fuels are thought of as non-conventional ways to power these engines. Basically, this means alternatives to gasoline for powering an automobile engine. The same ideas apply here. Some variations of alternative fuels would be burned and consumed as they powered the engine. They would function in the same way as gasoline by providing the explosion inside the combustion engine that drives the pistons.

Other variations of alternative fuels would power the automobile by replacing the need for the internal combustion engine altogether. Solar or electric powered automobile would be examples of this. Solar power or electricity would then be thought of as the “fuel” that is powering the vehicle. The other major uses of fuel are to provide heat or the generation of electricity. Once again, fossil fuels such as oil or coal are burned to directly produce heat or indirectly heat water into steam to power electrical generators. The fossil fuels would be called conventional and anything else would be alternative.

A discussion of the variations of alternative fuels is going to depend on which definition of fuel is being used and to some degree on the mindset of the person having the discussion. To an environmentalist, any fuel that is not renewable is considered conventional. If it has a negative environmental impact, it is not a true alternative.

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