we have nuclear, wind, solar and other fossil fuels
Petrocollapse is about more than simply energy. Much of modern industry relies on petrochemical feedstock. This includes the production and recycling of the storage batteries which wind/solar enthusiasts rely on. On top of that, do not forget modern agriculture’s non-negotiable dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
Personally I think that the bulk of the coming civilization-demolishing chaos will stem from the inevitable cataclysmic warfare over the last remaining drops of oil, rather than from direct effects of the shortage itself.
You can synthesize petrol from water and CO2 given large energy input. One way to do this is by first turning water into hydrogen, then heat the hydrogen and CO2 to make alkenes, etc. Chemists please feel free to correct.
But I repeat; when do you think the petrocalypse is? How soon? When you say asap for agi we need numbers.
Yes, the US military is extensively researching how to convert nuclear energy + atmospheric CO2 + water (all of which are in no short supply) into traditional fuel. New York Times article about it. The only thing holding it back from use is that it costs more than making the fuel from ordinary fossil fuels, but when you account for existing taxes in my most countries, if this method weren’t taxed while other taxes remained in place, “nuclear octane” would be cost-competitive.
Indeed. It’s a hard resource to exploit, that one, but it has been done. ;)
It’s harder to hitch a ride on a bird than it is to turn plants into car fuel, though, but, on a less silly note, the fact that so much fertilizer comes from petrochemicals and other non-renewable sources seriously limits the long-term potential of biofuels.
Petrocollapse is about more than simply energy. Much of modern industry relies on petrochemical feedstock. This includes the production and recycling of the storage batteries which wind/solar enthusiasts rely on. On top of that, do not forget modern agriculture’s non-negotiable dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
Personally I think that the bulk of the coming civilization-demolishing chaos will stem from the inevitable cataclysmic warfare over the last remaining drops of oil, rather than from direct effects of the shortage itself.
You can synthesize petrol from water and CO2 given large energy input. One way to do this is by first turning water into hydrogen, then heat the hydrogen and CO2 to make alkenes, etc. Chemists please feel free to correct.
But I repeat; when do you think the petrocalypse is? How soon? When you say asap for agi we need numbers.
Yes, the US military is extensively researching how to convert nuclear energy + atmospheric CO2 + water (all of which are in no short supply) into traditional fuel. New York Times article about it. The only thing holding it back from use is that it costs more than making the fuel from ordinary fossil fuels, but when you account for existing taxes in my most countries, if this method weren’t taxed while other taxes remained in place, “nuclear octane” would be cost-competitive.
Well, one way to convert nuclear energy into hydrocarbons is fairly common, if rather inefficient.
Well, one way to exploit the properties of air to fly is fairly common, if rather inefficient ;-)
Indeed. It’s a hard resource to exploit, that one, but it has been done. ;)
It’s harder to hitch a ride on a bird than it is to turn plants into car fuel, though, but, on a less silly note, the fact that so much fertilizer comes from petrochemicals and other non-renewable sources seriously limits the long-term potential of biofuels.
But I repeat; when do you think the petrocalypse is? How soon? When you say asap for agi we need numbers.
I’m not asciilifeform and am not suggesting there will be a petrocalypse.