Local fuel can overcome energy situation

Local fuel can overcome energy situation

New Zealand can make enough renewable fuel to eliminate crude oil imports, according to the author of a new book.

“Sustainable plantation forests can produce more than enough raw material to fully satisfy New Zealand’s liquid fuel demand without significantly affecting agricultural production,” said Kevin Cudby, author of “From Smoke to Mirrors”. “New Zealand scientists have known this since the 1970s. Recent scientific research has confirmed the potential. Overseas and local engineers and scientists have developed the necessary technology, which is now ready for commercial deployment.”

“We can expect new petrol and diesel cars and trucks in 2040 to need only half the fuel required by present-day vehicles, without down-sizing the vehicles. Engineers are developing a lot of promising improvements for engines and transmission systems,” said Mr. Cudby. “Many of these technologies will find their way into cars and trucks in the 2020s and 2030s.

“Renewable fuels will be more expensive than today’s fuels, even allowing for inflation, but we’ll buy less fuel. It will cost less to run our cars and trucks on renewable fuel in 2040, than it is to run today’s vehicles on today’s fuel.”

Hydrogen, ethanol, and battery-powered vehicles will not be necessary. But Mr. Cudby says the transition is designed to accommodate these technologies if people want them.

“Perhaps the best news,” said Mr. Cudby, “is that sustainable forests provide habitat for native birds, insects, and undergrowth. We can grow fuel and help endangered species at the same time.”

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Notes for editors
Kevin Cudby is a former electronics manufacturing engineer, now a freelance writer. He writes for a variety of audiences, and regularly contributes to “Boating New Zealand” and “Engineering Insight” magazines.
“From Smoke to Mirrors” is distributed by David Bateman Ltd, and available at all good bookshops.

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