Italian (and not only Italian...)tasks
Energy Saving - Reduction of the Greenhouse Effect - Reduction of t he Smog- Reduction of the Stress and more.
Basis of the study:
All of us: we are fascinated by beautiful, shining, speedy cars.
Most of us: we drive 4-5 seat cars normally occupying only the
driver seat. If we proudly use a motorbike, we leave our car parked in the
street thus contributing to the overall chaos and consequent energy
waste
All the car motors have theoretical efficiencies not exceeding 25-28
per cent. The actual efficiency is much lower because of the traffic
congestion
Most of us: we drive less than 20,000 km per year, equivalent to an
average of less than 60 km per day
All of us: we are stressed because of steadily increasing traffic jams,
difficulties in finding a parking place, etc.
All of us: we declare to be concerned with the future of the world,
but we do nothing
All of us: we are cheated by companies and governmental agencies
promising hydrogen propelled cars (please, note that the cheapest
way to produce hydrogen is from hydrocarbons producing carbon dioxide too).
All of us: we should shut-up and think a little more
The study:
According to the most recent data (Energy Information Administration -
2001) the Italian consumption of oil is approximately 2 MM barrels per
day equivalent to 730 MM barrels x year equivalent to 135 - 140 MM ton per
year.
We can assume that 10 percent of this quantity is burnt during the
refining process, with production of large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Another 30 per cent goes to the production of automotive fuels
(gasoline and diesel). This 30 per cent is equivalent to 40 MM ton x year,
equivalent in turn to 420,000,000 MM kcal per year. The aforementioned
quantities generate 180 (or more) MM ton x year carbon dioxide.
A modern electric power plant burns natural gas and has an efficiency
of 50-53 per cent.
A modern electric car has an autonomy in excess of 70 km.
A modern electric car is not more expensive than a hydrocarbon fuelled
one.
The power required to move the approximately 30 million cars, trucks,
bus, motorcycles and motorbikes circulating in Italy, if electric powered,
would be approx. 150,000 MM kWh per year, equivalent to 260,000,000 MM
kcal per year burnt in the power plant (mainly natural gas).
Let's assume that all the trucks plus 20 per cent of the cars keep
being hydrocarbon fuelled and the balance is replaced by 2 seat electric powered
vehicles, the annual savings would be as follows:
Energy saving 160,000,000 MM kcal per year
Carbon dioxide reduction 80 MM ton per year
Obviously, all this requires facilities to be installed.
But just imagine the advantages!
(note: MM means millions)
Franco (tired of smog, noise, chaos...)
