Renewable Energy Pipe Dreams

Mon, 2007-11-12 00:29 — joeraab

The History channel program scheduled for 11/13 at 8:00 P.M. on how wonderful renewable energy is going to be may give viewers a false sense of security that once again, technology is going to rescue us from the threat of the "end of oil". Nothing is further from the truth. There is no form of alternative, or renewable energy that is capable of replacing the oil shortfall that is looming with the oil peak that will be upon us in the near future. You can't power vehicles with solar, nuclear, coal or wind energy. Hydrogen power is an almost insurmountable technical problem that makes it look more like a pipe dream. Ethenol cannot possibly be produced in large enough quantities to make much of a dent.
I hope the program does not blind viewers to the serious challenges that must be met if our way of life is going to have any hope of surviving the serious consequences of oil shortfall.

JOe Raab

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Comments

Sidroney
November 12th, 2007

Renewable energy, etc.

I agree with you. I hope they stay realistic and keep the proper perspective between renewables & oil. We have received too much propaganda about the role renewables can play. There is nothing that can be pursued that is a 1:1 replacement or even close. It is going to take primarily a change of lifestyle and conservation to even give us a shot at the upcoming changes we will face. Everyone is going to have to rethink how we do things. I have an excellent DVD about the Myths of Biofuels. You or anyone are welcome to borrow it. Renewables have a place in this change, although it is not a stand-along solution. We need to stay grounded in facts as we figure out what we can do locally.
We have PV with battery backup & grid tied. We are able to meet a few basic needs with this. Others should be thinking of this as well. I hope the program is realistic and does not give a false sense of security.
There are 2 other programs that follow this one Tues night. They are about Global Warming & Peak Oil. These should be interesting as well. At least there are starting to be programs discussing the issues we face. As long as they stick with the facts, it should be helpful. The vast majority of the world's population don't even know we have a looming crisis on multiple fronts. Governments are not leading & the media is not informing as it should. The only solutions I see start locally.
Sid Maroney

joeraab
November 12th, 2007