Peak Oil v Alternative Sources of Energy

[air]

Whether we are running out of oil and what might happen if we do- Is there a balance between oil demand and supply? Are we running out of the oil and should we consider asap other sources of energy such as wind, solar .etc...?

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by air

Whether we are running out of oil and what might happen if we do- Is there a balance between oil demand and supply? Are we running out of the oil and should we consider asap other sources of energy such as wind, solar .etc...?

Oil is a non-renewable fuel source and as far as I am aware no one is sure exactly how much is left in the reserves annd how long it will last. I think more passive sources of energy such as those you mentioned is the way forward not only because they are renewable but because of the carbon emissions from usin oil.

[Dark_One]

Finite sources of energy such as oil, gas and coal will ineveitably run out. Before running out, the costs of extraction will cause prices to rocket - much as we're starting to see now. Whether that is a constraint on the resource or just demand outstripping supply .... who knows.

The only sane answer to energy needs is to use renewables - geothermal, wind, hydro and solar.
However current technology will only be able to provide a fraction of our current energy "requirement" in the "modern" world so we'd better learn to reduce our requirement very quickly.

On another note - this winter could see very high electricity prices as about half the UK nuclear power plants are off-line (10% of our generation capacity)

Just hope the Russians don't switch off the gas pipeline again ......

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by air

Whether we are running out of oil and what might happen if we do- Is there a balance between oil demand and supply? Are we running out of the oil and should we consider asap other sources of energy such as wind, solar .etc...?

Curious thing about our running out of oil, is that when I was a mere lad in the late 50's I was taught that we would run out it 20 years - that was also euphoria time about nuclear electricity.

Now we have enough, the pundits claim, for about 40 years, and that is at a massively increased usage that in the 50s.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't try and reduce usage, use renewables etc etc - just this old dog has heard it all before and I still remember the story of red riding hood. I fear for my descendants though.

[Pagan_Dave]

I think the $98 a barrel oil price and the predicted shortfall in oil reserves this winter in the US should tell us something! I would expect a rocky road economically and socially in the future as the gap between supply and demand WILL get bigger; also to note is that the reserves in the giant oil fields in Saudi Arabia are now apparently 43% depleted (news sources).

I think some very harsh lifestyle changes will need to be made by all of us for the future - mainly by our next generations, with adapting to life without oil or the scarcity of it; the survivers won't necessarily be the strongest or the most intelligent - it will be the ones that will be able to adapt to hard lifestyle changes.

Buy a diesel car and get it converted to veggie oil - that would be a good start and save you loads of money too.

Originally Posted by air

Whether we are running out of oil and what might happen if we do- Is there a balance between oil demand and supply? Are we running out of the oil and should we consider asap other sources of energy such as wind, solar .etc...?

[inholms]

I think it is important to understand that Solar and wind in a domestic situation have a very limited role to play. Last year I installed the best solar system there is. Here are the facts; on a hot summers day with clear skys you get unlimited hot water, when you don't need it. In the winter, even on a cloudless day, you don't get hot water (maybe a little warm), when you do need it. The whole thing is round the wrong way!

By promoting domestic solar on sites like this you are helping to support a huge con.

[Dark_One]

Originally Posted by inholms

By promoting domestic solar on sites like this you are helping to support a huge con.

I completely disagree - home solar energy is not a con at all, you just need to understand the limitations.

The bottom line is that the incident energy from the sun where you live is much less in the Winter than in the Summer .... obviously.

It is therefore dificult to supply all your energy needs all year round just by using solar PV and solar water heating - you need energy from the sun which has been stored over Summer periods. A simple way that might work is to use wood from fast growing managed resources like Short Rotation Coppiced woods.

Wind and wave energy as a national resource is much more reliable over the Winter periods, given the right balance of locations, which would also help bridge the winter energy deficit.
Geothermal is another great resource that can be used locally or on a larger scale.

[inholms]

It's a con, your argument is flawed. You are talking about things which may have a role to play in the future. I'm talking about now, reality, and it's a con.


The best thing which needs to be developed is drilling half a kilometer down and make a bore hole. You pump cold water in and hot water out. The problem at present is the cost of the drilling. Anyone want to join me to find a cheaper way?

[Dark_One]

Originally Posted by inholms

It's a con, your argument is flawed. You are talking about things which may have a role to play in the future. I'm talking about now, reality, and it's a con.


The best thing which needs to be developed is drilling half a kilometer down and make a bore hole. You pump cold water in and hot water out. The problem at present is the cost of the drilling. Anyone want to join me to find a cheaper way?

If you are going to make such assertions, you really do need to back them up with some facts or at the very least some sort of argument.

It is a proven fact that Solar PV and Solar Water Heating can reduce your current energy bills and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels - the whole year round.

Please explain how this is a "con".

[inholms]

Oh dear Oh dear, You really have been taken in! As I explained, the problem is that you get the energy when you don't want it. What is needed for such systems is an efficient means of storing that energy for when you do need it. I am speaking from experience and I can confirm that even having the best system, facing east to west, unrestricted, during October to April, this system makes no contribution to my heating bills.
I'm not saying it makes no contribution, as in the summer we in effect get 'free heating' but is it? It cost £9,000 to have it installed. It saves me £200 a year. Therfore the pay back period is 45 years!

I wish it was cheaper, but the problem is 'men in suits' have cashed in on this, supported by people like you and have turned some basic science into........a con.