Syntroleum

Syntroleum's hydrate recovery process.

Can we predict what our environment will look like in 20 years?  Will we have found energy producing alternatives to fossil fuels? Will our water be cleaner? There are a few innovations on the horizon that, if their potential is fully realized, may have the ability to change the rules of the game. Scientists and researchers have been searching for alternatives to fossil fuels and methods to keep our water clean for decades. But while this research has identified promising alternative forms of energy, it also has uncovered new obstacles that stand in the way of cleaner, safer energy production.

In this seminar, researchers from RAND and the Department of Energy explore two new possible sources of energy, methane hydrates and hydrogen, both relatively untapped abundant supplies. The seminar examines the research to-date and explains their potential benefits. Pointing out the difficulties in extracting and storing these resources cheaply and safely, the seminar outlines some breakthroughs necessary for these substances to be considered economically viable sources of energy.

RAND researcher Anders Hove then looks at the continually evolving problem of keeping our drinking water clean. Because new technological advances bring about new contaminants, environmental policies must diligently keep up with the changing environment. The researchers discuss past policies whose effects are being felt today, and the need for new decisions that will affect our drinking water in decades to come.

• Explain the relationship between advances in fuel cells and the use of hydrogen fuel.
• Identify companies that are making strides in the development of fuel cell hybrid vehicles.
• Understand the high costs involved in building a hydrogen infrastructure.
• Describe the oceanic regions that hold an immense amount of methane hydrates.
• Explain why methane hydrates might provide a viable alternative to fossil fuels as the main energy source in the US.
• List the potential dangers in extracting methane hydrates.
• List some of the challenges of keeping water supplies clean and safe to drink.
• Recognize the potential dangers of PBDEs.
• List some of the past successful US policies that have helped improve water quality.

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Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56K modem with throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.