Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
When electricity becomes too expensive, unreliable, or rationed, many people will very likely turn to wood to meet their heating and cooking needs. This strategy is valid and sensible for many reasons, and probably necessary in some parts of the country, but I think we should also examine the downside of using wood as a primary fuel source, and examine ways to mitigate the problems associated with burning wood.
Unlike the other post-oil novels published so far, Ill Wind isn’t about peak oil. In those other novels, oil has gradually dribbled away while we’ve steadfastly ignored the warning signs. But in Ill Wind, the world’s oil vanishes suddenly after some bizarre, experimental oil-eating microbe is unleashed on a massive tanker spill, and then runs amok. What Ill Wind and those other novels do have in common, however, is that they imagine a future world without oil.
Green-basher Boris relaunches himself as an eco-warrior
King coal wins battle of Smalley
Power in the desert: solar towers will harness sunshine of southern Spain
The key question is whether we have the time for said gradual energy transition. … Should the analogy be the American entry into World War II which led to a command economy directed by the federal government with the aim of winning the war? One could certainly argue that the United States did not make optimal use of its resources during World War II. But, it did win.
Investigation of coal supplies for Pandemic Planning reveal most utility companies only keep 30 days of coal on hand and are completely dependant on just-in-time supply chain to mine and ship the coal. An interruption such as a pandemic, train wreck or difficulty mining could turn off electricity in the US.
A digest of news and commentary from a UK peak oil perspective
The Last Viridian Note
Finite Resources Explain the Financial Crisis
Moore’s Curse and the Great Energy Delusion
World Willing to Pay More for Green Energy
Britain’s water mills given role in clean energy generation
New System Proposed To Optimize Combined Energy Use
A sea of unwanted auto imports
Moore: Automakers never listened to workers, consumers
Bill Rees blasts auto industry bailout talk
California officials unveil plans to turn San Francisco into electric car capital
Coming to a store near you: chainless bicycles
The last few months have seen a significant stalling in plans and proposals to build new wind-based power generation. These delays and cancellations have significant implications for two important components of American energy.
Transition: gearing up for the great power-down
Fruit and veg boom needed to feed Britain
Strahan: Letter to the Energy Secretary
Homes with no electric shocks from the bills
U.S. 2008 oil demand to drop most since 1980: EIA
Dirty coal to remain world’s top power source: IEA
Study Points to Major Source of Natural Gas in Alaska
