The Oil Drum: The Energy Return on Time

Today on theoildrum, Nate Hagens presents a framework for alternative energy supplies and begins a discussion about the tradeoffs between energy and time. Both in energy production, and energy consumption, societies penchant for ‘just-in-time’ results comes at an energy cost. Our modern society optimizes its resources based on what it perceives to be its most limiting input(s). However, in an upcoming world constrained by energy, or any limiting variable other than time/money, we can increase our energy available by reducing the return on other inputs, such as time.
The Oil Drum