"We may only succeed by leading with ingenious educative activities and innovative application activities, and not only by following others in acquiring their existing technology." by M. Kostic

 The Freedom Field initiative and activities up to now are invaluable and should be commended. However, since the reality of global energy landscape has changed (from hydrogen to energy conservation and alternative and renewable sources) and is always changing, NIU now could help in further strategic planning and development of major funding for continuation and expansion of this unprecedented initiative. In addition to technological experts involved, there is a need for visionary, comprehensive and integral assessment (and YES, Thermodynamics, a science of energy, and the Mother of All Sciences!), and thus assist in critical decision making and energy development of our region. We have a unique opportunity to rejuvenate the “ailing” Freedom Field energy project – it is a unique initiative and could be much more important than what it appears to be – as one-of-a-kind energy landmark of our region and our nation, it may have enormous potential for economic growth and new jobs in our region, our nation, and globally.

I envision the Freedom Field as a very important energy landmark (of national importance, far beyond the Rockford Time Museum) with a mission of developing an energy vision, renewable and alternative energy resources, and energy efficiency technologies, similar, but scaled-down and uniquely adapted, to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's). The project should be both, educational (to provide public interest and support) and show-case of diverse, existing and future energy technologies (to stimulate existing and new businesses). It should be a unique, contemporary energy theme park/exhibition with up-to-date resources for growth of energy-environment related businesses. I strongly recommend development and implementation of fundamental and comprehensive energy conservation (now marginalized in the project) and other renewable and alternative energy resources, where new jobs and consumer market is and will be. An excellent example: the fast expending hybrid cars (Prius phenomenon!) already ingeniously adapt, enhance and optimize the existing technology to substantially improve energy conservation and efficiency. The project/park should emphasize importance of energy management-and-conservation (improving efficiency) and diversity of energy resources (particularly alternative and renewable energy resources), as well as environmental pollution and safety.

The strategic/educational Energy Freedom Field’s major themes should be developed to provide vision and guidance for future activities, fund-raising and development. We could discuss scope and priorities of eight (8) major energy activities as given in my recent Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering and Technology article Energy: Global and Historical Background, and after thorough discussion and modification, decide on our future vision and main objectives and actions.

A probable scenario … in the wake of a short history of fossil fuels’ abundance and use (a bleep on a human history radar screen), the following energy future activities, in order of practical urgency but all (diversity) are critically important:

1. Creative adaptation and innovations, with change of societal and human habits and expectations (life could be happier after fossil fuels’ era).

2. Intelligent hi-tech, local and global energy management in wide sense (to reduce waste, improve efficiency and quality of environment and life).

3. Energy conservation and regeneration have unforeseen (higher order of magnitude) and large potentials, in industry, transportation, commercial and residential sectors.

4. Nuclear energy and re-electrification for most of stationary energy needs.

5. Cogeneration and integration of power generation and new industry on global scale
(to close the cycles at sources thus protecting environment and increasing efficiency).

6. Renewable biomass and synthetic hydro-carbons for fossil fuel replacement (mobile energy, transportation, and chemicals).

7. Advanced energy storage (synthetic fuels, advanced batteries, hydrogen…).

8. Redistributed solar-related and other renewable energies (to fill in the gap…).

Perhaps our greatest challenges, and thus opportunities, are in promoting and developing a sustainable future related to energy production and consumption. Energy is ultimately the basis for a large part of the global competitiveness, and more of it will be required to raise living standards in the developing world. Because of the fossil fuels’ issues (nonrenewable limited supply, cause of pollution and possible climate change), finding sustainable, renewable alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent. Most probably new ideas and investment in related areas will be the most needed and profitable.

The two things are certain in not distant future: (1) the world population and their living-standard expectations will substantially increase, and (2) fossil fuels’ economical reserves, particularly oil and natural gas, will substantially decrease. The difficulties that will face every nation and the world in meeting energy needs over the next several decades will be more challenging than what we anticipate now. The traditional solutions and approaches will not solve the global energy problem. New knowledge, new technology, and new living habits and expectations must be developed to address both the quantity of energy needed to increase the standard of living world-wide and to preserve and enhance the quality of our environment.

However, regardless of imminent shortages of fossil fuels the outlook for future energy needs is encouraging. There are many diverse and abundant energy sources with promising future potentials, so that mankind should be able to enhance its activities, standard and quality of living, by diversifying energy sources, and by improving energy conversion and utilization efficiencies, while at the same time increasing safety and reducing environmental pollution.

Sincerely,
M. Kostic                                                      
Prof. M. Kostic, Mechanical Engineering, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DeKalb, IL 60115-2854, USA
Web: Google <kostic> or  www.kostic.niu.edu  ; E-mail: kostic@niu.edu ; Phone: (815) 753-9975 or 753-9979; Fax: (815) 753-0416

PS (See attached article):
More at: Energy & Environment: www.kostic.niu.edu/energy
Also: An Energy/Resource Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Initiative