Thread: Peak oil update

Shell Sugar Cane, Mobil Ethanol, ChevronSunPower and TexacoScrewThemChevron.

> Since energy is never destroyed but takes on different form, there is still an unlimited supply; so we are mainly technologically challenged.

This is a really stupid statement. True, the energy from burning gasoline isn't technically "lost", but it's converted into forms that will never be recoverable. Sure, if you can figure out a way to make an engine that runs off excess heat and exhaust you'll get some of it back, but there'll still be a net loss in the system, because there's energy being transferred from the car to the road, so it can, y'know, move.

Originally Posted by MDofRockyView

The experts can figure that out Govtcheez, but by that time I'll have my pocket loaded with oil revenue.

OK, well when the experts figure out a way to make a car move without energy, give me a call.

edit: I suppose they could hook a huge energy sucking device up to the roads.

Originally Posted by Govtcheez

OK, well when the experts figure out a way to make a car move without energy, give me a call.

edit: I suppose they could hook a huge energy sucking device up to the roads.

*Somebody* hasn't seen that episode of The Simpsons where
Lisa builds a perpetual motion machine for her science fair.

Originally Posted by indigo0086

magnets dude, line the roads with magnets, + magnets...

the wheels will be made with +magnets as well.

get it?

And the (I'm assuming) electromagnets are powered how? No matter how you look at it, if something is moving, there's a loss of energy to your supply system. I don't care how minute it is, you don't have "inifinte" energy to use.

Originally Posted by indigo0086

I was joking.

well you know what

NOTHING that's what

Ethanol is not enough by itself:
http://www.physorg.com/news71833070.html

Important questions to prevent ethanol abuse:
1) What about the possibility of another Dust Bowl from planting the same crop over and over and over...? Remember that we don't have dust bowls because of (petrolium based) fertilizers.
2) What are *we* going to eat? Vehicles "eat" more food than humans (especially SUVs that inspire the phrase "stupid Americans")

If you want a national model for ethanol, check out Brazil:
http://obama.senate.gov/news/050517-...ess/index.html

But keep in mind that America is much bigger than Brazil and has a much larger number of vehicles. Also, Brazil has been working on this for THIRTY YEARS.

If you want an alternative fuel for vehicles, try electric:
http://www.metricmind.com/ac_honda/main.htm

But this is only one problem of Peak Oil. The least important one I should say. Instead of idiotic discussions about alternative fuels, why aren't you people discussing SURVIVAL.

Because petroleum touches EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of our lives:

Food:
1) farming equipment
2) petroleum-based fertilizers
3) petroleum-based pesticides
4) food processing plants

Water:
1) distribution machinery
2) purification machinery

Pharmaceuticals:
1) petroleum-based poisons... uh, I mean *medications*

Everything else:
1) one word: plastic

This simple list doesn't even begin to cover everything.

mw

Cool! We're currently studying some semi-exotic electricity generation. If we get results, I'll inevitably post them.

We're also interested in water extraction (from air, ground, etc). "Air" extraction still seems pretty far-fetched, but it's the 21st century so we're allowed to consider it. Electricity will make things easier.

I think electricity can also be used as a fertilizer, but I have no information on that yet.

I'm not too interested in sustainable transportation at this point. To be honest, I really hate cars. They cost too d*** much.

mw

But they're still driving instead of walking.

mw

Most people that live in major cities take public transportation to work. When I live in New York City, I don't have a car. I take the subway everywhere. Generally, all the cars in the city are from the surrounding area. From where I am in New Jersey, it takes me over an hour to drive into the city. That's going at a good speed, as well, around 60mph(96kph). Walking it would take all day.