Richard Heinberg: End Of Cheap Energy Era

7 Comments on "Richard Heinberg: End Of Cheap Energy Era"

MrEnergyCzar on Sat, 26th May 2012 10:45 pm 



Well said..

MrEnergyCzar

John Harby on Sat, 26th May 2012 11:04 pm 



I am very glad people are thinking about this. When I look at long time oil supply forecasts and peak oil by the Dept. of Energy (EIA) and others, I become very concerned about the economy and mankind in general as we travel down the curve. Hopefully there will be more advances in Alternative Energy to save the day.

BillT on Sun, 27th May 2012 2:10 am 



We are living on the heritage of cheap oil that will not be possible with ‘renewables’. For example:

“… To meet these demands, mining OEMs are developing a new generation of supersized machines … weighs 625 tons, has a cab nearly 30 ft off the ground, can reach 62 ft, and dig more than 29 ft deep. Its standard bucket capacity is 45.5 yd3. That translates into a payload of 60 tons, letting it fill widely used 240-ton haul trucks in only four passes … Not one, but dual turbocharged diesel engines generate a combined 3,000 hp to power the machine … Steel plates up to 10-in. thick and castings — some weighing more than 10 tons — are welded together into the structural framework necessary to carry such large loads. Booms and sticks, for instance, have a torsion resistant, welded-box construction using high-tensile steel with large steel castings at pivot areas …”

http://machinedesign.com/article/big-diggers-1011

There is no way that these will be replaced using anything but oil to get a new machine from the ores deep underground to a finished piece of equipment at a mine. None.

Kenz300 on Sun, 27th May 2012 1:23 pm 



Every individual, business and country needs to develop a plan to deal with higher energy costs and reduced supplies.
Our economy and national security will depend on it.

Resources are finite. Demands from an ever growing world population are growing. Over population is the elephant in the room.

BillT on Mon, 28th May 2012 3:20 am 



Kenz, you are wasting your time posting automatic responses. Are you a paid bot of some oil company? Or a Mormon with 6 kids?

luap simpson on Mon, 28th May 2012 3:35 pm 



overpopulation IS the problem….I agree with Kenz..we are running out of cheap oil, fish ,water and top soil due to to ever increasing demands of a growing population

Brian Rose on Mon, 28th May 2012 7:30 pm 



Its OK I have topsoil in my backyard, and a lake stocked with Tilapia and Bass… and Bluegill for the water fowl. I can also capture enough rain to supply my needs.

The planet may be overpopulated, but I can harvest (in a renewable, sustainble fashion) enough resources in my backyard (1/4 acre) to feed me and all my neighbors.

I do still buy dog food though…