There isn't a capitalist reason, just an energy monopoly reason. But the good news is that higher prices make alternatives more attactive. They haven't had a century to reach the economies of scale the oil/gas/coal has and are already rivaling the end user prices for energy. Best case scenario (except for family farms which are being killed by energy prices) is that the prices spike, we get people who've been dumped by their companies back to work, and continue pushing alternatives. In 10 years as those energy sources get online and there are more and more efficient tranport options, people in oil/gas have time to plan for it. If they blew their bonuses on 70k trucks pulling 100k boats, tough ****, it sucks to be hungry. But if they save it and figure out that standing up a wind turbine isn't that different from standing up a rig, the have work until the day they retire.
There is no current or even on the near horizon feasible "alternative" that can begin to approach the energy density of traditional sources. Your assertion of an energy monopoly is correct only in the simple facts of energy density. You are correct that transportation will remain a significant challenge to make a dent in the "ton-mile problem" for bulk goods of every kind. The movement of people in the airborne cigar tubes is unlikely to be solved by alternative energy.
You're 100% right about energy density. What many people don't realize is that electricity is the prime mover of nearly all our industry including heavy transport like trains (which use diesel electric generators). If we could solve the energy density issue, the rest is gravy for transportation. For mass electric generation outside of transport however, alternatives with a mix of well regulated nuclear and NG (is happening today) and means we don't buy another BTU of energy outside of perhaps Canada (close ally and huge uranian producer). And with a competitive energy market even outside of transportation, we aren't subject to the whims of oil/gas cashing in on someone passing gas in the middle east.
How many rigs or turbine towers have you stood up?
Our company went into receivership last month, reason given was uneasiness due to oil prices. I am a former MWD hand and current QHSSE coordinator (quality, healthy safety, security, environmental. Sounds fun, right?!). Last day is the 28th. Have sent out more than twenty resumes, haven't gotten a single eff you email or come on in phone call. Guess local companies are so inundated with resumes right now that they are taking a while to review them...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Last edited:
I've worked with/for companies that do both over the years. Seems that a man trained to put together a rig could be trained to put together a turbine. How about you? Ever stood up both up?
Whatever. Speculate all ya want about energy but in less than 20 years a barrel of drinking water will be worth more than a barrel of oil.
Actually it already is when bought by the bottle.
Water rights are going to be were the money is.
First one to invent a cost effective machine to turn ocean water into drinking water on a single resident scale will be the next Bill Gates.
Actually it already is when bought by the bottle.
Water rights are going to be were the money is.
First one to invent a cost effective machine to turn ocean water into drinking water on a single resident scale will be the next Bill Gates.
