Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Electrified rail one of best clean transport options

Electrified Rail offers one of the best options to provide transportation powered by renewable energy.  This meets one of the largest challenges to transitioning from fossil fuels, clean mobility.  Following is an excerpt from an upcoming paper on Solutionary Rail, a Backbone Campaign effort to promote renewable-powered electrified rail for freight and passengers. This excerpt explores the tremendous carbon pollution reductions offered by shifting freight from trucks to trains.  Solutionary Rail will be focused in several upcoming events, a teach-in this coming Saturday, Feb. 21 in Seattle, and two Future of Rail conferences cosponsored by Backbone and Railroad Workers United In Olympia, Washington and Richmond, California. 

The world needs to back out of fossil fuels more quickly than is generally acknowledged.  In order to stem global warming and avert climate disruption challenging the stability of civilization and nature, humanity must hold total global warming to the peak seen since the last ice age, just a little over 1°C, rather than the 2°C often cited, with no more than 0.4° C additional warming above what the world has already experienced.

Holding this line entails reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to 350 parts per million or less, the point at which the planet stops accumulating solar heat, by 2100.  This requires annual carbon pollution reductions of just over 6% immediately. Such deep carbon pollution cuts demand transformatory efforts in all areas of energy generation and use. 

Fortunately, the solutions are emerging just in time.  The electrical sector today is experiencing rapid drops in the cost of carbon-free renewable generation.  Solar and Wind Energy Start to Win on Price vs. Conventional Fuels,” the New York Times reported in late 2014. “The cost of providing electricity from wind and solar power plants has plummeted over the last five years, so much so that in some markets renewable generation is now cheaper than coal or natural gas,” the Times noted. Solar energy will be competitive with power-grid-supplied electricity in at least two-thirds of the global market, and up to 80 percent, by 2017, Deutsche Bank projects.

The prospect for an economy substantially or even completely run on renewable energy, a few years ago dismissed as the realm of dreamers, is moving into reality.  The Solutions Project has developed scenarios for a 100% renewables energy supply. It is a fact in many localities already.  Thus most of the carbon pollution depicted on the accompanying U.S. Environmental Protection Administration chart can be eliminated.  The electrical grid, commercial and residential buildings and industrial processes can be transitioned to carbon-free energy sources. Many agricultural processes, such as the manufacturing of nitrogen fertilizer and crop drying, currently mostly done using natural gas, can be performed carbon-free using wind and solar energy.
 U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by source - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The greatest challenge in moving to a fully renewable energy supply is transportation, source of 28 percent of U.S. carbon emissions.  The world’s vehicles run 95 percent on petroleum. This is despite many years of subsidies for biofuels, which have come under scrutiny as competitors for other uses of the land such as food, timber and carbon storage.  Advocates and critics alike have agreed on frameworks in which biofuels can be sustainably produced, such as from waste materials.  At the same time there is growing consensus that sustainable biofuels feedstocks are limited and should be reserved for sectors with no other feasible options such as aviation.  Hydrogen, also posed as an alternative vehicle fuel, has been slow to emerge due to factors such as efficiency of production and difficulties in distribution and storage on board vehicles.

These challenges combined with solar and wind trends point to electrification with renewable energy as the primary low-carbon option to replace oil-powered vehicles.  U.S. electric vehicle sales more than doubled to nearly 120,000 in 2014, from 53,000 in 2012, and 2015 sales continue to outpace 2014 despite low oil prices. Major initiatives by automakers including Tesla and General Motors are anticipated to continue growing the market with lower costs and extended ranges. Other local electrical passenger transport alternatives include electric bikes, electric delivery trucks, trolleybuses, light rail and heavy rail.

However non-petroleum alternatives for long-distance freight transport providing the 500-mile-plus movements upon which our economy relies are far fewer.  Air freight might transition to sustainable biofuels over several decades, while long-haul trucking and barge shipping might be hybridized and also run on sustainable biofuels. But, as mentioned, producing sufficient sustainable feedstocks represents a major challenge.  Due to physical limitations of combustion engines, the efficiency with which these modes of transportation use energy will also be more limited than with electric drive, which is inherently more efficient.
For fully electrified long haul freight transportation the railroad, the oldest form of mechanized mass transportation, stands out as the best option for long-haul freight mobility in the 21st century.  Today, rail locomotives are responsible for two percent of U.S. transportation carbon emissions, while heavy-duty trucks account for another 19 percent.[1]  Shifting a substantial portion of truck freight to rail powered with renewable electricity represents a significant low-carbon transportation solution. 
Conventional diesel powered rail already wins hands down for transport efficiency.  The Federal Railroad Administration finds, “For all movements, rail fuel efficiency is higher than truck fuel efficiency in terms of ton-miles per gallon. The ratio between rail and truck fuel efficiency indicates how much more fuel efficient rail is in comparison to trucks  . . . rail fuel efficiency varies from 156 to 512 ton-miles per gallon, truck fuel efficiency ranges from 68 to 133 ton-miles per gallon.”  At the low end, a unit auto train is 1.9 times more efficient than its truck equivalent, while a double-stack container train can haul freight 5.5 times more efficiently than trucks.[2]

The efficiency advantage rests on basic physics. Steel rolling on steel has about one fifth of the friction of rubber on concrete.  Trains, especially double stack container trains, are more efficient aerodynamically than an equivalent number of trucks since one rail car reduces drag for the following car. In addition, trains expend less energy accelerating and decelerating since they stop less often.  They also use less energy climbing and descending hills due to reduced and more gradual grades.

Such dramatic savings from shifting trucks to electrified rail means that even if electricity is from modern coal plants, the worst environmental option, carbon pollution reductions will still be substantial.  The ability to used renewable energy creates the very real possibility of substantially carbon-free transportation. Electrifying 80 percent of railroad ton-miles and transferring half of current truck freight to rail would take about 1 percent of U.S. electricity.  Renewables in the first half of 2014 already supplied 14.3 percent of the nation’s electricity.  Wind alone provided five percent. Renewable expansion to run electrified rail is well within reach. 
Electrified rail powered by renewables is a low-carbon solution for 21st century freight mobility.  Solutionary Rail provides a framework to make it a reality. 
For more on Solutionary Rail go here.






[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Administration, Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector, March. 2006, p.7
[2] Federal Railroad Administration, Comparative Evaluation of Rail and Truck Fuel Efficiency on Competitive Corridors, Nov. 19, 2009, p. 4, 10

77 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. when I thought about the way things have been recently, i owe my thanks to God for letting me find this amazing personality, i mailed Mr. alex roughly 2 months now, I was actually very uncertain about investing, very scared  because i was also low on cash.I gave it my all, my first investment of $2,000 two weeks ago brought me $ 29,230 last week, and what intrigues me the most is the way him handles he partners, i recommend him too to my friend jeff, after trading with him, his testimonies have let me come here to attest for him. We are happy to meet a professional in you. I am proud to recommend him to any person who has a passion for trading, meet a good mentor and get good fortunes.Contact this veteran at: totalinvestmentcompany@gmail.com 

      Delete
  2. If you are very excellent writer. It is really amazing and brief article to me. good writing service for scholarship essays

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your article is very nice.essay writing is the common for all the students that is school and college students. there are some more online essay writing services to give the best essays for you. if you want to good essay visit here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Its really a good post! The post shared provide a very useful information about electrified rail...a fully renewable energy using transportation.It can work as a nice Container Hire

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's definitely awesome to see the way that something so simple could revolutionize this industry. It would change so much if transport was made easier and cleaner by making this change. Hopefully this, and other similar ideas, will continue to expand over time so that people will be more connected to everything that is happening, and they will be able to find ways to improve all of this.
    http://www.jayde.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's definitely awesome to see the way that something so simple could revolutionize this industry. It would change so much if transport was made easier and cleaner by making this change. Hopefully this, and other similar ideas, will continue to expand over time so that people will be more connected to everything that is happening, and they will be able to find ways to improve all of this.
    http://www.jayde.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great explanation wonderful idea and thanks for your nice post here. I like your information. The writing company of scholarship essay writing service is get more customer's satisfaction. It makes wonderful and certified wriitng papers to the students.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice blog to read you can call us The cargo trailer shipping company is quite an important service which is known to transport all goods from one place

    to another at ease. The role of all best travel trailer shipping is to transport all heavy and highly abled

    equipment from one location to another. It is all important to hire professional services that are related to this business for years.

    ReplyDelete
  10. We are offering for Royal Ride car for rental service in affordable price.If you want to hire best car in affordable price then Contact US Now. Pick and drop service is available
    annapolis limo service

    ReplyDelete
  11. Embed Html Snippet permits you to make shortcodes comparing to html pieces. You can make a shortcode relating to any irregular HTML code, for example, promotion codes (adsense or any adserver), javascript codes (add this), video inserting codes, css codes and so on and utilize the same in your posts, pages or gadgets.
    tag widget snioppet plugin

    ReplyDelete
  12. It help us to full service offered for car radiators online.

    Honda Replacement Fans & Hyundai Replacement Fans

    ReplyDelete
  13. Articles and content in this section of the website are really amazing. Great ideas indeed! I will surely keep this in my mind!

    Primavera P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

    international shipping company & international freight forwarder

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Book on Solutionary Rail out soon. Stay posted at www.solutionaryrail.org

      Delete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wanted to thank you for this great read.Thanks for sharing
    Synergy &Primavera P6 Support

    ReplyDelete
  17. Freight forwarders who have been in the industry for a long time know their job well, which is why they investigate and plan all the transportation modes, routes, legal procedures and everything else.
    Top International Freight Forwarder in India|Best Supplychain Company in India

    ReplyDelete
  18. This blog seems seriously good. Thanks for providing all this information at no cost.
    Dissertation writing service

    ReplyDelete

  19. Please keep sharing more and more information about this.This is a good information of the fashion licensing articles and really like your site.
    Synergy &Primavera P6 Support

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nice article, I think Transportation is the most important thing now a days as people are searching for different transport companies or mostly common people go for public transport. I want to appreciate you for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete

  21. I agree with you. Thank you for sharing the update. It is interesting to have it discussed widely so that we can gain more objective opinions.
    Primavera P6 Training & P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  22. Are you presently searching for ways to get global recognition promptly? You simply will need to Buy Facebook Followers to become renowned online. buy cheap facebook followers

    ReplyDelete
  23. Please keep sharing more and more information about this.This is a good information of the fashion licensing articles and really like your site.
    international freight shipping &container shipping rates

    ReplyDelete
  24. As you said, Electrified rail meets one of bigger challenges and it is the best clean transport options available right now. Essay writing service reviews

    ReplyDelete
  25. Take a deep breath and let the temptation pass. It is never, ever a good plan to do projects for your child. You will fail Parenting 101 with flying colors. There are some things you can do to help this last minute project be successful, like...
    student papers online

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

    Primavera P6 Training & P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
    P6 Training & Primavera P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  28. I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
    Primavera P6 Sales & Primavera P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  29. Book your best movers and packers pune. SCMBazaar Packers and Movers, for all relocation needs, transportation & logistics, Packing and Moving services.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

    Primavera Risk Analysis & Primavera P6 Training

    ReplyDelete
  31. No longer longing to get well known right now. Buy Facebook Followers as a strategy to increase popularity and acceptance on the internet in a small duration.
    buy facebook likes

    ReplyDelete
  32. Superb work you well done on this blog, I am deeply read your blog I got of many information on this, keep sharing like this type of blog, I hope you will be create soon this type of blog and valuable information, I am waiting for your new blog, I hope I will be see you soon, thank you so much for read my comment, I am suggest to you all comment reader please read this blog he will be mention lot of information on this please go and read it, If any one searching Top 5 Website Development Company in delhi in cheap rate please go on my website, we are do for you any think.
    Top 5 Website Development Company in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like to read your article, I got a many useful information on this blog, I think you will be share with us like this type of article, keep share more like this type of topic am happy to see your blog post, thank you so much for share this useful information with us, If any one grow up looks and life style please come on my website.
    Lifestyle Magazine India

    ReplyDelete
  34. I loved the fact that I learned more about this topic. It was well information.

    Now I can implement these tactics on my website: https://www.PitDrives.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. if you had done love marraige and you are facing so much problems in your life so no need to worry i will tell you the best dua for husband and wife and remove all problems in your life forever.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post . نقل عفش

    ReplyDelete
  37. Amazing, this is great as you want to learn more, I invite to This is my page. islamic brokers forex

    ReplyDelete
  38. Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one. Keep posting. Thanks for sharing. lenzuola matrimoniali

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hmm… I interpret blogs on a analogous issue, however i never visited your blog. I added it to populars also i’ll be your faithful primer.Best Air purifier for Car in India

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am grateful for this blog to distribute knowledge about this significant topic. Here I found different segments and now I am going to use these new instructions with new enthusiasm.Sideloader Services Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  41. Looking for a striptease sensation? Do you want to rent a comic strip with class that far surpasses dance, performance and show content in her striptease acts? Then hiring a cartoonist is your best decision and certainly what you are looking for! Our sparkling comic acts exude pure class. They are also not just the best striptease dancers in Belgium. Our dancers are also very successful for topless service & gogo dance! Striptease

    ReplyDelete
  42. During this website, you will see this shape, i highly recommend you learn this review. TRUE COMMERCIAL APPLIANCE REPAIR in Escondido

    ReplyDelete
  43. There you can download for free, see the first of these data. www.rafeeg.ae

    ReplyDelete
  44. Interesting and interesting information can be found on this topic here profile worth to see it. www.rafeeg.ae

    ReplyDelete
  45. I also wrote an article on a similar subject will find it at write what you think. temporary phone number

    ReplyDelete
  46. It is especially decent, though look into the tips during this home address. dm atmak

    ReplyDelete
  47. Bd Railway related all the information you will get here. Train ticket Bd all schedule, train ticket price, train tracking & more information we update for. Online train ticket bd

    ReplyDelete
  48. Amazing post! Your article is very nice. Thanks for sharing.
    ups shipping Calgary

    ReplyDelete
  49. If you want to get to somewhere without using your own car, Uber may be the first service that you may use. However, there are some other options as well. As far as safety goes, we suggest that you should consider some other service, corpclass such as a limo. If you have never heard of this service before, this article may help you. In this article, we are going to shed some light on reasons why a limo service is better than Uber as far as safety is concerned.
    https://mylimos.net/

    ReplyDelete
  50. A portable, powerful speakerphone like the lightweight Jabra SPEAK™ 410 becomes the catalyst for connection. The device is small enough to fit in a briefcase and, with a plug-and-play USB interface that ensures seamless integration, organizing conference calls at a desk, in small groups or on the road is simple and immediate.
    https://www.telegiants.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. KARACHI: Pakistan was on Monday ranked the eleventh largest arms importer in the world, according to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Arch-rival India was second on the list, the Swedish firm claimed.
    http://www.travelco.pk/

    ReplyDelete
  52. The backbeat pro 2 comes along with an extraordinary Bluetooth range as well. You can easily carry on with your calls to a maximum range of 100 meters.
    https://www.headsetzone.com/plantronics-backbeat-pro-2.html

    ReplyDelete
  53. Fintech is a portmanteau of the terms "money" and also "technology" as well as describes any type of organisation that uses technology to improve or automate economic solutions as well as processes. The term is a wide and swiftly growing sector offering both consumers and companies. From mobile financial and also insurance coverage to cryptocurrency as well as financial investment applications, fintech has wide applications. Eyal Nachum is a fintech guru and a director at Bruc Bond. Eyal is the architect of the software that SMEs use to do cross-border payments.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sammy Cahn, when asked that perennial chestnut about whether it was the words or music came first, said it was "the 'phone call".
    https://bestnewlyrics.com/

    ReplyDelete
  55. when I thought about the way things have been recently, i owe my thanks to God for letting me find this amazing personality, i mailed Mr. alex roughly 2 months now, I was actually very uncertain about investing, very scared  because i was also low on cash.I gave it my all, my first investment of $2,000 two weeks ago brought me $ 29,230 last week, and what intrigues me the most is the way him handles he partners, i recommend him too to my friend jeff, after trading with him, his testimonies have let me come here to attest for him. We are happy to meet a professional in you. I am proud to recommend him to any person who has a passion for trading, meet a good mentor and get good fortunes.Contact this veteran at: totalinvestmentcompany@gmail.com 

    ReplyDelete
  56. By wearing a headset, your microphone will stay in the same position. This means that you can move freely without worrying about your microphone. There is no need to set your microphone again and again. In this way, your voice will be consistent all the time.

    https://headsetpoint.com/

    ReplyDelete
  57. If you’re looking for an online test platform, try Schoolzpro. Schoolzpro has gained immense popularity in a short time because of its features. The platform allows teachers to conduct online assessments and track each student’s performance over time. You can create multiple campuses, multiple classes and multiple sections for your school. This online test platform also allows teachers to check exam papers in real-time and send grades instantly.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Get access to global databases with emails and contact details for over 500 business niches, marketing products and SEO and lead generation software to take your online business to new heights. Instant download. Flexible membership plans and low pric Technology

    ReplyDelete
  59. Generate your own targeted business sales leads with laser precision on complete auto pilot with revolutionary CBT Web Scraper and Email Extractor Software. Scrape and extract business data from Google Maps, Google SERPs, Yellow Pages, Yelp, Facebook Business Pages, Twitter, LinkedIn and custom website lists. Download the only lead generation tool you will ever need right now. Technology

    ReplyDelete
  60. Mostly I use to read the blogs and informative article daily, but today i found your blog very unique, providing the information and helpful to others. Keep it up and waiting for your new updates thanks. We offer multiple services in digital marketing, some of our services are:

    Digital marketing Company in Delhi
    SMM Services
    PPC Services in Delhi
    Website Design & Development Packages
    SEO Services Packages
    Local SEO services
    E-mail marketing services
    YouTube plans
    Digital marketing service in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  61. This is my first visit to your web journal! We are a group of volunteers and new activities in the same specialty. Website gave us helpful data to work. Traffic Planner

    ReplyDelete
  62. I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yetI never found any interesting article like yours.It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webowners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before. samtrade

    ReplyDelete
  63. Its a stunning satisfaction pulling back your post. Its stacked with information I am separating for after down after down after down after down and I need to post a comment that "The substance of your post is bewildering" Great work

    Indian Astrologer In Usa,
    Best Psychic In Virginia,

    ReplyDelete
  64. It is actually a great and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Top Best Famous Yoga Instructor in Barmer,
    Top Best Famous Remove Black Magic in Bharatpur,
    Top Best Famous Psychic Reader in Bhilwara,
    Top Best Famous Online Havan Pooja Specialist in Bikaner,

    ReplyDelete
  65. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day! https://www.buyyoutubesubscribers.in/

    ReplyDelete
  66. Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
    In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more very soon!

    Indian astrologer in Connecticut,
    Spiritual Healer in Texas,
    Famous Astrologer in USA,
    Psychic Reader In Texas,

    ReplyDelete
  67. You are my inhalation , I own few web logs and sometimes run out from to brand.I conceive this web site has some real superb information for everyone. “In this world second thoughts, it seems, are best.

    Gemologist,
    Ask Expert Astrologer in Russia,
    Ask Expert Astrologer in Mexico,
    Talk To Astrologer in Ethiopia,
    Expert Astrologer in Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  68. Good information. I would like your article. aximtrade login
    Keep share more articles and pass knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful.
    https://www.astrologerrk.com/

    ReplyDelete
  70. Thank you for sharing such valuable information and knowledge. It is very useful and informative. It would be great to see more updates from you soon.
    https://www.astrologerrk.com/

    ReplyDelete
  71. what do codes mean google assistant amazon alexa smart bulb e26 vs e27 vs e22 It turns out that these codes have been around for decades and have nothing to.

    ReplyDelete