Is it even possible to be energy independent??

[Rosemary2205]

So even if we switch to ethanol, electricity, natural gas etc. Won't the scumbags F'ing us over with oil prices just buy up the resources for ethanol, electricity, natural gas etc and keep up the gouging? Now that "privatize" the the buzzword, who's to stop the Saudis etc from buying American power plants, farmland etc so they can manipulate the supply? Congress or the media sure won't do anything about it.

I just sayin........

[Demeter]

1. It's Hard Work

but there's no free lunch anyway. Where do you want to put your time, money and effort? That's the basic question.

[ThomWV]

2. Its Easy, Use less and what you have will be enough.

What is so tough about that? We waste far more energy than we productively use.

Lights on at night, the military's use of fuel, transportation taking the place of communications. Deal with those three things and we are immediately energy self sufficient.

[hpot]

3. Solar, Hydrogen, NiMH Batteries

Powering your ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)

Hydrogen can be extracted from water and be used as a fuel source to power internal combustion engines. There is a corrosion issue with water in the engine but it can be remedied with a small amount of gasoline.

Currently, the most viable and cheapest method to extract hydrogen from water is solar energy and electrolysis. Conventional electrolysis is not an efficient process so it is an unpopular option unless you have solar energy.

There have been reports of vast improvements with electrolysis using pulsed high voltage electricity and non-magnetic (high grade)stainless steel tubes. If true, the ability to effectively harness water's molecular energy may be available now.

References:

http://www.icubenetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98
http://www.recountflorida.com/files/hpot/energy/myers/MeyerRep.pdf
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.04/hydrogen_pr.html

Power Storage/Electric Motors and NiMH Batteries

High capacity NiMH batteries are capable of powering large electric motors (contained in hybrids) and even homes. NiMH batteries have no memory effect and are rechargeable to last many years. As a solution to energy independence I believe a combination of solar power and NiMH batteries is a great alternative.

Unfortunately there are absurd licensing restrictions regarding propulsion and NiMH battery manufacturing.

References:

http://www.evworld.com/blogs/index.cfm?page=blogentry&authorid=51&blogid=104&archive=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1
http://thejaffes.org/rory/ev1/index.php

[Bandit]

4. Never know if you don't try.

Of course it is possible, probable though I don't know.

[135th]

5. No

Lets face it, most Americans view their way of life as non-negotiable. We will never be energy independent short of some futuristic sci-fi type technology. We can be more energy independent then we currently are. That is what is worth working towards.

[mmonk]

6. We'll always need energy unless you want to go back to caves.

The problem right now is the US wants everybody around the world to pay for their energy needs in US dollars.

I support non polluting renewable energy examination for future needs.

[wuushew]

7. Yes but people need to stop breeding and immigrating

the remaining elderly can be supported by personal savings and increased taxation of the remaining wealthy.

The sun, wind and conservation can only provide so many watts, so that to preserve our current lifestyle or move forward, we need to match reduced renewable resources at a ratio equal or greater than what is provided now by non-renewables. The alternative is a societal backslide that will not appeal to many.