PeakOil is You
Does new fuel cell+Solar technology spell DOOM for peak oil?
Re: Does new fuel cell+Solar technology spell DOOM for peak oil?
by shortonsense » Tue 23 Feb 2010, 15:24:57
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'S')hort has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. He is betting indirectly on alternative tech replacing oil deficits or he would not be betting on the future of the USD$ via T bills. The way he sees it there is plenty of oil left to see the promise of these technologies come to fruition well before the US economy tanks to such an extent that T bills would become worth significantly less. Excuse me putting words in your mouth Shorty, but that is what I am reading here.
I agree that I am betting on BAU and alternatives to crude following an expected path from new, to not so new, to everybody owns one and the world is suddenly different than it was 5 years ago. The very concept that the Volt will be sold to real live people is such an example of this progression, and a structural change which might not seem like much upon introduction, but is like dropping a pebble in a pond, introducing the ripple to places and people far beyond just the point of impact.
As far as plenty of oil left, of course, but I don't believe lack thereof is the driver for change at this point.
And I do have other reasons for not being able to invest wherever I may wish.
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Re: Does new fuel cell+Solar technology spell DOOM for peak oil?
by Homesteader » Fri 26 Feb 2010, 02:23:30
I found this article interesting from a biology standpoint. First I'd heard about these little algaes. Ain't life and evolution amazing? It would be amazing if this led to major breakthroughs and we could capture light from stars to power interstellar space ships! Now, back to reality, perhaps this could lead to breakthroughs in technology here on Earth. Reminds me of what I tell my students all the time: Science is nothing more than our efforts to figure out the laws of nature.
Link: http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/201 ... 573-2.html
Snip:
"The water-dwelling algae are in effect highly miniaturised quantum computers, the study suggests. They have mastered the process of photosynthesis so well that they can convert sunlight into electrical energy with near-perfect efficiency.
They do so by having their light-harvesting proteins "wired" together through a phenomenon known as quantum coherence, enabling them to transfer energy from one protein to another with lightning-fast speed and so reduce energy loss along the energy conversion pathway.
"Photosynthesis makes use of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into useful biomass and is vital for life on Earth," the paper notes. "Crucial components for the photosynthetic process are antenna proteins, which absorb light and transmit the resultant excitation energy between molecules to a reaction centre.
"The efficiency of these electronic energy transfers has inspired much work on antenna proteins isolated from photosynthetic organisms to uncover the basic mechanisms at play."
Link: http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/201 ... 573-2.html
Snip:
"The water-dwelling algae are in effect highly miniaturised quantum computers, the study suggests. They have mastered the process of photosynthesis so well that they can convert sunlight into electrical energy with near-perfect efficiency.
They do so by having their light-harvesting proteins "wired" together through a phenomenon known as quantum coherence, enabling them to transfer energy from one protein to another with lightning-fast speed and so reduce energy loss along the energy conversion pathway.
"Photosynthesis makes use of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into useful biomass and is vital for life on Earth," the paper notes. "Crucial components for the photosynthetic process are antenna proteins, which absorb light and transmit the resultant excitation energy between molecules to a reaction centre.
"The efficiency of these electronic energy transfers has inspired much work on antenna proteins isolated from photosynthetic organisms to uncover the basic mechanisms at play."
"The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences…"
Sir Winston Churchill
Beliefs are what people fall back on when the facts make them uncomfortable.
Sir Winston Churchill
Beliefs are what people fall back on when the facts make them uncomfortable.
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