GREEN SPACE: Considering propane

Biofuels…wind…solar…biomass…clean coal…nuclear…hydro.In the arsenal of alternative energy sources, there are many choices. One that doesn’t get a lot of airtime is propane. But it has its uses and its merits. And one Ann Arbor company’s recent work with the fuel netted it a $500,000 prize from the Pentagon.Adaptive Materials is a manufacturer of lightweight solid oxide fuel cells, and their work recently placed second among 47 competitors in the Department of Defense Research & Engineering’s Prize. And it was the only fuel cell in the competition to run off propane.There are some interesting propane qualities highlighted by the competition. The average American has enough propane on their back deck to power up 10 fuel cells of Adaptive’s size, and one standard-sized tank of propane can replace 40 pounds of batteries.While Adaptive’s fuel cells are designed to be used in devices smaller than autos — think cell phones ad GPS systems — there are larger applications possible. Fleet vehicles are one potential customer; the Texas Department of Transportation has 4,400 vehicles powered by propane in its on-road fleet.Pros: It is light, readily available, and domestically produced. According to the EPA, it can lower carbon dioxide as well as other emissions compared to gasoline. There are 5,000 propane fueling stations across the country, so it’s not that hard to find one.Cons: Depending on the vehicle’s calibration, carbon monoxide, nonmethane hydrocarbon or nitrous oxide emissions can go up.Like any alternative energy source, propane is certainly not perfect, but it might be another quill in the quiver.Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh