[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.

[Wildwell]

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]

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]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Odin', 'Y')es, 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.

[Ludi]

Holy Super Straw Men, EnergySpin!

[Richard]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('elroy', 'Y')ou can't mine electricity. Unless someone finds a way to capture lightning, then we're good.

[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.

[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]

It's kinda funny. When someone says:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eak Oil is just a liquid fuel crisis.

[Novus]

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.

[Odin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Novus', 'U')ranium 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.

[Daculling]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Odin', '
')We only need enough uranium and coal to last until we have fusion power plants.

[GoIllini]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergySpin', 'Y')es, 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.

[MonteQuest]

No, peak oil is an economic crisis.

[Sys1]

Since i heard about breeder reactors, i think there are some chances for mankind not to get necessary back to caves. Breeders could offer us infinite electricity. Doesn't mean everything else will be fine. Peak water, metals, lack of oil/gaz for manufactured goods and agriculture...

[EnergySpin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sys1', 'S')ince i heard about breeder reactors, i think there are some chances for mankind not to get necessary back to caves. Breeders could offer us infinite electricity. Doesn't mean everything else will be fine. Peak water, metals, lack of oil/gaz for manufactured goods and agriculture...