Is Peak Oil just a liquid fuel crisis?

NeoPeasant

I don't think so. The scarcity and rising price of liquid petroleum and natural gas will inspire so much effort to substitute other energy sources that their prices will rise in lock-step with those of petroleum.

For instance, generating heat with electricity is a very simple technology. If natural gas rose to the price where it was cheaper to generate the same amount of heat with electricity, Private homeowners and Industry would begin to switch over almost immediately, straining electricity supplies and causing prices to rise. This is why electricity will never be cheaper than natural gas for the same energy content.

Those who imagine themselves post-peak using all the electricity they want at a nickel a kwh to recharge their cars are going to be very disappointed.
_________________
The battle to preserve our lifestyle has already been lost. The battle to preserve our lives is just beginning.

Wildwell · Fission Joined: Feb 03, 2005 Posts: 2080 Location: UK

Having studied the whole subject to a greater extent, Peak oil is a liquid energy crisis BUT it's the tip of the iceberg. What we should be doing is reaching for sustainability and building a quality of life. 99% of what Montequest says I now agree with. Quite clearly China and India copying the current Western model is not going to work.

SHiFTY · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 27, 2005 Posts: 171

I would imagine there will certainly be a lag between different forms of energy prices. People cannot swap their new SUV for an electric car immediately, maybe even over 10 years.

However I also think you underestimate the amount of demand elasticity in all forms of energy there is- a vast, vast number of car journeys are classed as discretionary, and a lot of industrial electricity use will be cut back in the event of recession.

If anything, it will be a long emergency. I am still hopeful that it will be a gradual transition into a more electric future, rather than some sort of collapse.

Odin

Yes, it is mainly a liquid fuel crisis. The main task will be to reorganize our way of life to one that minimizes the need for liquid fuels and move from oil to biodiesel, hydrogen, nuclear, or battery power for things like trucks, ships, farm machinery, dump trucks, construction vehicles, and aircraft. The main victims of PO will be suburbia, car culture and domestic air travel.

EnergySpin · Fission Joined: Jun 25, 2005 Posts: 2381

Ludi

Holy Super Straw Men, EnergySpin!
_________________
"...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow." - jboogy

Richard

elroy

One flaw in your post. Electricity isn't an energy source, it's an energy product, usually generated by coal power plants or other fossile fuel burning plants. You can't mine electricity. Unless someone finds a way to capture lightning, then we're good.
_________________

ubercynicmeister

It is right now, but because of the lack of research nto a non-oil energy source, this Liquid-fuel crisis will become a full-blown Energy Crisis. Indeed, given the almost lotus-eating "who-cares?" attitude of most of our leaders - both in government AND Business - it is gunna do exactly that.

Ayn Rand's Revenge might be a more appropriate name for Peak Oil.
_________________
.
"To Get Rich you have to:

*Get up early;

*Work Hard;

*Strike Oil"

J Paul Getty

thuja

I'm so tired of hearing that this is a peak oil crisis. This is a peak energy crisis. Unless we replace the energy generated by liquid fuels and increase available energy with alternatives (nuke, coal, wind, etc.) than we are seeing "peak energy" around the corner. Fossil fuels aren't just powering cars- they're used to create electricity for industry, heat our homes and run our toaster ovens. Not only do you have to replace the energy lost in folssil fuels for all these functions, you have to offer an alternative that continues to keep up with demand growing year after year after year after...

Get it through your heads! This ain't peak oil...this is peak energy!

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3811

It's kinda funny. When someone says:

Novus · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 21, 2005 Posts: 1750

Uranium will peak too just in case you still think this is not a total energy crisis. Hydro-electric and wind are really are best long term bets but they won't be enough to save our economy in its current form. We are going to have to power down to a non-consumerist steady state economy.

Ludi

deleted

_________________
"...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow." - jboogy

Odin

Daculling · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Apr 12, 2005 Posts: 1361