“Rahbord Energy“: Regarding the importance of the “Alternative Fuels”, the term of “Alt-Fuels” describes all kinds of fuels, with the exception of oil products, petrol and diesel that may make a contribution towards reducing emissions of air pollutants, greenhouse gases or the consumption of finite resources. In other word, Alt-Fuel, is a fuel made from a source other than petroleum and is used to power transit vehicles.
Alt-Fuels encompass single fuel sources such as Natural gas, Battery-electric (electrical energy), Hydrogen, Propane, Biofuels (Ethanol and biodiesel), Air-engine, solar and some multiple fuel resources such as Hybrid (gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle) and Flexible fuel.
The main reasons to use Alt-Fuels when compared to fossil fuels are as follow:
1. Conventional fuels are going to run out, 2. To reduce pollution and reduced carbon footprint, 3.To protect against global warming and save the earth, 4.To save money, 5. Reduced dependence on oil, 6.Can reuse waste, 7. Development of Agriculture, 8.Fuel and improve economy, 10. More convenience, 10.Government incentives, 11. Blueprint for sustainability, 12. Universalize transportation.
Alt-Fuels for vehicles are currently a topic of growing interest and importance in developed and industrialized countries. Alt-Fuel has potential to be replaced with conventional fuels. At the present time, Alt-Fuels are faced with fundamental challenges such as: Economic, Technical, Ecological, social and Political challenges. Alternative fuels must be able to prevail in the market against conventional fuels in terms of their availability, manageability, energy density and price. The future of Auto-industry is definitely bright with safer, faster and easier driving and Alt-Fuels for a cleaner environment.
Iran’s advantage on Alt-Fuels is on natural gas fuel and compressed natural gas (CNG) clean fuel could be the major Alt-Fuel. CNG in Iran costs the least compared to the rest of the world. Iranian officials believe that reducing the dependency of vehicles with gasoline, helps to save foreign currency for importing gasoline into the country. At the present, the share of CNG in Iran’s fuel consumption has reached about 25 percent.
Some of the reasons why Iran has pursued the strategy of increasing the use CNG as transportation fuel are as follow: 1. CNG is safer than flammable liquid fuel, 2. CNG is non-toxic, and more environment-friendly, which is vital for Iran, 3. Natural gas, which is 90 percent methane, has a much higher octane rating than gasoline, allowing for higher compression ratios and therefore greater efficiency in the engines that use it, 4. CNG cars are cheaper to run than conventional vehicles and etc. Accordingly, Iran’s development plan for the use of CNG for vehicles should be continued. But, that isn’t the solution. It is important for Iran to have as much diversification of fuel basket as possible in transportation sector, due to high consumption of gasoline, then developing all kinds of Alt-Fuels reduces gasoline imports and consolidates civil fuel security. Iran should not ignore the other types of Alt-Fuels, but ought to use all potentials and capacities of Alt-Fuels according to a comprehensive and long term plan. Consequently, we can envisage a bright prospect for Iran’s Alt-Fuel industry in the future.
