Sustainable Transport for the Future

As I mentioned a while back, tackling greenhouse gas emissions will involve not only addressing the source and nature of production, but also implementing technological developments and targeting policy interventions to the transport, commercial, residential and industrial sectors.


Since 63.7% of world oil was consumed by the transport sector in 2012 (IEA, 2014), re-designing transportation could make a significant contribution to emission reductions and lead to improvements in urban air quality.


Current ideas for the transport sector: 

- Ultra-Low emission zones e.g. London

Figure 1. Nitrogen Oxide Concentrations, London, England, UK
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/EVCityCasebook.pdf

- Shanghai Electric Vehicle Zone: good for raising consumer awareness
- All-electric bus routes e.g. Rome, Italy
- Lightweight electric vehicles e.g. 2014 BMW i3, Munich, Germany
- Electric Vehicle vending machines, Hangzhou, China
- Electric Vehicle ready buildings, Koto, Japan
- Micromobility e.g. Ultra-compact vehicles Japan


To discover more, here's a great link.


Here are some cool developments for the future of transport:


1. CO2 to hydrocarbon fuel technologies (Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Transport)

I don't know if you feel the same as me, but I would love to go for a ride on one of these.

Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell | Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Or one of these.... awesome!! It looks so chilled.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Scooters in Hawaii

Sustainable hydrocarbon fuels can be created by recycling CO2 and H2O, through the application of hydrogen fuel cells (Graves et al, 2001).

Nguyen et al, 2014 based on Graves et al (2001)

Challenges:

- Finding the right materials that are resistant to corrosion (Steele and Heinzel, 2001).
- Hydrogen storage technologies for fuel cell vehicles (Mori and Hirose, 2009).
- Infrastructure and ensuring competitiveness in the market.
- Making the sustainable transition without significantly affecting driving experience.


2. Toyota i-road

Still a prototype, but is currently being tested. I want one sooo much!!!! :P

3. Bus powered by POO!

The UK unveiled it's first bus between Bristol and Bath, powered by poo! (BBC, 2014). 

I think this is a great idea and will help to make public transport more sustainable, since technologies are integrated into our everyday lives.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/537409/Britain-s-first-bus-powered-by-human-waste

Final Remarks:

Sustainable transport for the future is just around the corner. I think after 2014, the transport sector will pick up pace. It is certainly an attractive option for mitigating emissions and improving urban air quality. Nonetheless, some technology are prototypes and still a long way off commercially. 

http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/EVCityCasebook.pdf

References:

C. Graves, S. D. Ebbesen, M. Mogensen, and K. S. Lackner, ‘Sustainable hydrocarbon fuels by recycling CO₂ and H₂O with renewable or nuclear energy’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(1), pp. 1-23, 2001.

Mori, D., & Hirose, K. (2009). Recent challenges of hydrogen storage technologies for fuel cell vehicles. International journal of hydrogen energy,34(10), 4569-4574.

Nguyen, L. D. L., Diep, L. T. K., Ennis, C., (2014). Converting Co2 Back To Hydrocarbon Fuels: Opportunities And Challenges For Vietnam. Published in the proceedings for the International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in October 2014. 

Steele, B. C., & Heinzel, A. (2001). Materials for fuel-cell technologies. Nature,414(6861), 345-352.