What is it?

 

Chemical energy storage involves storing energy in chemical fuels that can later be burned to perform mechanical work and produce electricity. 

 

 

What are some examples?

 

Gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and propane are some common forms of energy stored as chemical fuel. Each of these can be burned to produce heat or perform work. However, these are all fossil fuels so when they are burned they release damaging gases that destroy our environment.  

 

Biodiesel and ethanol are newer forms of chemical fuel that are made from organic matter in place of fossil fuels. Ethanol is an alcohol fuel that is generally made from the sugars in corn and barley and mixed with gasoline in low concentrations. Special engines are required to run on higher concentrations of ethanol. Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oils, fats, and greases and can be used in any standard diesel engine.

 

Hydrogen is a potential fuel source in the future as it is the only chemical fuel that is carbon-free and zero-emission. This is a high cost fuel and requires engines built specifically for its use.

 

 

Advantages:

• long storage periods

• able to be transported long distances

• biodiesel can be used without engine modification

• biodiesel is biodegradeable

• biodiesel produces less air pollutants than fossil fuels

• hydrogen is carbon-free and zero-emission

 

 

Disadvantages:

• fossil fuels damage the environment

• ethanol requires special engines

• hydrogen has high production costs