there's enough expensive oil(sand oil etc) for over 100 years, but it will be many times the current price. we also have enough coal for 400 or so years
Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Despite the original question posed here, I think the more pressing issue is alternate energy sources regardless of the available amount of current sources. Traditional energy sources are proving to have unintended consequences that the world's population must live with.
Oil- Most US power comes from oil. costly due to high demand, efficient energy source, potentially very clean except for CO2 emissions, easy to transport, unburnt oil is an enviromental disaster, harvesting is moderately difficult.
Coal- Not very common for large scale power any more, very dirty, not very efficient, moderately costly to transport, inexpensive, entirely domestic
Nuclear (Fission)- Not very common, very efficient energy source, extremely expensive, long term storage (1000's of years) and safety issues abound, very costly and difficult to harvest and process, mostly imported from central Africa with domestic reserves, no new plants have been ordered since 1973 (Three Mile Island, PA)
Hydroelectric- not common but provides large amounts of power (Niagra Falls, TVA, Hoover), moderate to high cost, non-polluting but altered water flow has many enviromental issues
Solar and Wind- not common, very low energy production, very high cost for power delivered, extremely clean, as reliable as the weather
Liquified/Compressed Natural Gas- not common, very clean except for CO2, decent energy output, easy but dangerous to transport and store, often harvested near oil, can be derived from oil
Liquified/Compressed Petroleum Gas- similar to natural gas
Geothermal- Iceland is the only country I'm aware of that is able to use this with current technology, extremely clean, low to moderate energy output, inexpensive (for Iceland)
Ocean wave power- newcomer to the power game, used to power Johnny Walker distillery in Scotland, enviromental effects seem to be none so far, inexpensive, currently low power output, limited to coastal areas
Hydrogen Fuel Cell- in developement, intended for remote or portable power, it's greatest weakness is that it is not an actual souce of power, merely a medium- it will share strengths and weaknesses of the power's origin
Hydrogen/Helium Fusion- in early developement, potentially a panacea foir mankind, developement is mind-blowingly expensive and very slow (this may be due in part by parties protecting their interests)
Those are our current and future options. If I've missed some, please list em.
Calin, there are currently dozens of coal mine fires in Colorado. The mines were ignited either accidently or naturally. They have proven to be enviromentally disastrous. Due to large amounts of coal left by early mining tech, and a natural chimney effect, they are impossible to put out. Using water creates a steam explosion, using concrete only forces the mine fire to change directions and create a new chimney.
Only if you build your own refineryOriginally posted by: Zebo
Whew at least it's long after I'm gone:thumbsup: I love using gas powered toys and tools.
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
its gonna be a while. the last thread was pretty informative. someone said many reserves we know of arent being drilled yet, and there are tons left to be found researchers say. we havent even hit peak production IIRC, and when that happens, it will be a long time before we actually run out. id give it at least 100 years, maybe more.
Originally posted by: Soviet
Yep we reached peak production in the 1980's and we are currently finding smaller new reserves of oil. The world has around 40 years of oil left, but certain countries will run out before then. Briton has 5 years of its north sea left and the USA's oil in alaska is going to run out rather soon too. So we're gonna have to buy oil in Or yea go invent fusion power. Best idea ever= COAL POWERED CARS!!