Why if the technology exists for cleaner renewable energies exists do we fail to mass market/endorse its use?

Question

what is it that prevents theses technologies from becoming main stream?

Answer 1

This is an oil driven eceonomy. We are looking.

Answer 2

Sadly many technologies that were originally developed in the 60's & 70's that are now (finally) coming into the mainstream were bought by the big Petrochemical companies and deliberately kept on the back burner. This was a control issue (not to mention $$).
In the USA a patent holder has exclusivity for 20 years. Once the patent expires others may use the same technology to compete on the open market. Now that many of the patents are expiring and anyone with enough $$ can compete with Big Oil. This would mean taking some of BO's revenue away. They won't stand for that and are only now beginning to see the advantage of diversifying. In the next decade you shouldn't be surprised to see "new" technologies that have the environment at their heart. Some of these may be new as scientists are working on the issue even now.
The thing I'd really like to see is cold fusion. With it we can power our homes, cars and factories with small amounts of water (your home - a year on a gallon)! But even today Hydrogen fuel cells are workable and the only emission is clean water.
The biggest set back for any new technology that needs to reach a mass market is infrastructure. California is leading the charge by setting goals for having natural gas at gas stations. The more stations that carry natural gas the more people can use it, and more incentive for the auto makers to produce the vehicles the run on alternative fuels.

Answer 3

All of these new technologies don't work like they are described. Things like cold fusion don't exist at all. People blame the oil companies. If they had a way of producing cheap renewable fuels they would do so and make a fortune doing it. There is nothing sacred about oil with them they would exploit any available fuel source. I know it is fun to blame Bush, but Clinton and all the precedents since the 60s have not done anything to help.

Answer 4

What technologies are you talking about? There aren't any that don't have some sort of major flaw, especially with regard to the automobile. Ethanol is hugely wasteful, and it takes massive energy from coal to create hydrogen fuel. Electricity lacks sufficient power, especially with regard to semi-trucks, and leaves us with a massive battery disposal problem.

The biggest problem with most forms of alternative fuels would be the mass distribution. Even if you came up with a fuel that was "clean" and/or renewable, how would you make it available to the masses? Most nationwide distribution methods would take a decade to set up.

Answer 5

What prevents these technologies from becoming mainstream is that:

1. Oil companies sell oil, nothing else. So why should they spend R&D money to produce alternate fuels? Plus, they have a BIG lobby in the states and DC to make sure your senators and congressmen don't pass anything to lower their profits.

2. Car makers don't care unless it costs them money. But reingeneering gas engines could be expensive.

3. So you have to have car-makers, oil companies, and government on the same page moving in that direction for anything to happen. In other words, companies must make a profit.

3. Nothing will happen unless there is strong leadership in DC to move us all in the direction of alternative fuels. It just won't happen.

Answer 6

I would have to politely disagree with you bcmike222...

When housing subdivisions were being created after WWII, big oil companies, in conjunction with auto manufacturers, did everything in their power to dismantle the opportunities we had in mass transit and alternative energies, allowing them to maximize their profit potential then, and for the future.
This ended up being a problem as we hit peak oil in the '70's. The problem then became exacerbated when we allowed corporations, and government to continue to take advantage of these profits, sticking it to the American people in the process.
The real problem lies within the American people's failure to demand renewable energies, and not allow for big oil, and political corruption.

Answer 7

It gained't ensue! EOM there is not any renewable power source which may be got here upon that immediately. There are nevertheless vehicles round that require leaded gas (1970 and previously) there are substances obtainable for them.

Answer 8

The costs related to the technologies is still prohibitive to the normal user. Some of them also depend on use of products that are also enviromental problems.

Answer 9

Big Business + Congress= failure to endorse and mass market,

Answer 10

Did you watch the DIscovery channel last night, too?

Interesting stuff.

All comes down to market demand. It's really not the company's faults...it's ours. They'll make what we choose to buy.