What are some examples of alternative fuel's?

Florencia Manolakis: Solar and wind.

Giovanna Cramblit: It depends upon who you ask and what you are asking about. When you are asking about electrical production we generally refer to "alternative energy" rather than "alternative fuel." "Alternative" simply means different than what is normal. It does not necessarily mean "economical," "renewable" or "sustainable."As this is the alternative Fuel Vehicles section, if you are asking about vehicles then "fuel" probably means some form of energy carrier from another source. Ultimately Nuclear fusion on the sun is the source of all our energy except volcanic geothermal, tidal, and nuclear fission power. Traditional fuels are gasoline and diesel from crude oil. Alternatives would include:There is a process where gasoline or diesel can be made chemically from components in the air. It is only about 5% efficient. Natural gasHydrogen:---burned in a combustion process---used in a fuel cellelectricity: ---transmitted! by grid---stored in batteries, ultracapacitors, and flywheels---made on board in fuel cells, solar panels, series hybrid human/electric poweredbiofuels the plant feed stocks are almost endless but the fuel is:---methanol (alcohol)---ethanol (alcohol)---biodiesel compressed airwater (while not energy positive it could be used for limited distances)human poweredanimal powered (horses, oxen, dogs...)nuclear fission (yes there was a nuclear powered car model: the nucleon in the 50's and the Cadillac WTFas promised this "alternative" is not "economical," "renewable" or "sustainable.")wood (or woodgas)coal (and just about anything you can burn for a steam car)Four principal engine types are:external combustion engine (steam engine, stirling engine)internal combustion engine compressed air engine (in some ways similar to steam)electric motor...Show more

Felicitas Phildor: Biofuels. Fuel made from decomposing garbage or hydrogen fuel cells which would be very unstable.

Nicolas Cooley: biodiesel, bioalcohol, batteries and fuel! cells to chemically store energy, hydrogen, wind, solar are all considered alternative fuels.Conventional fuels (opposite of alternative) include fossil fuels and nuclear, so any source other than those two conventional groups is considered alternative. Non-fossil methane and non-fossil natural gas are also considered alternative fuels....Show more

Marty Tichnell: Have you ever heard of people putting used cooking oil like from McDonald's in there car for alternate fuel