Author Archives: energyskeptic

Peak Rubber

Posted on August 12, 2022 by

Rubber trees can’t be grown anywhere. They require 100 inches (250 cm) of rain year round. Dry seasons not allowed. The average monthly temperature should be 77 to 82 Fahrenheit (25-28 C), with 6 hours a day of bright sunshine, … Continue reading →

Posted in ! PEAK EVERYTHING | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Understanding peak oil theory 2005 U.S. House

Posted on August 5, 2022 by

Preface. With world oil production likely having peaked in 2018 (as documented in chapter 2 of Life After Fossil Fuels: A Reality Check on Alternative Energy), this seemed like a good time to go revisit peak oil history. What follows … Continue reading →

Posted in Peak Oil, Peak Oil History, U.S. Congress Energy Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lithium, an essential net-zero metal for batteries

Posted on July 29, 2022 by

Preface.  Lithium is essential for transportation because it is the third lightest element and has the highest energy potential, yet ever larger amounts are going to energy storage batteries. Barnhart (2013) found that the only utility-scale battery for which there … Continue reading →

Posted in Metals | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Highlights of the Denver Peak Oil 2005 conference

Posted on July 22, 2022 by

Preface. I just added the category “Peak Oil History” because I believe the coming oil crisis will be a complete surprise to the vast majority of the public who are unaware of the role fossil fuels play in our civilization, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Peak Oil History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Why Canadian oilsands will not help solve the energy crisis

Posted on July 16, 2022 by

Preface. I posted this back in 2011, but it is all still true, plus a lot more in my additional posts here. The Canadian oil sands are reputed to be the 3rd largest oil reserve (10%), and have a very … Continue reading →

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World Peak Uranium Production

Posted on July 9, 2022 by

Preface.  The World Nuclear Association estimates 90 years are left.  Today  67,500 tonnes of uranium are consumed a year world-wide and production in 2020 was 47,731 tonnes (WNA 2021). Sounds a bit peakish, thank goodness for stockpiles and the infinite … Continue reading →

Posted in An Index of Best Energyskeptic Posts, Battery - Utility Scale, CAES Compressed Air, Electric Grid & EMP Electromagnetic Pulse, Gen IV SMR reactors, Natural Gas Energy Storage, Nuclear Power Energy, Nuclear spent fuel fire, Nuclear War, Nuclear Waste, Peak Uranium, Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on World Peak Uranium Production

David Fridley, LBNL scientist, on why alternative energy won’t save us

Posted on June 24, 2022 by

Preface.  I’ve sought out David Fridley’s insights since I first met him in the Oakland Peak Oil group that formed in 2004.  That group eventually dissolved, but David’s expertise is still sought out by many of us following energy decline. … Continue reading →

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2008 National Academy of Sciences meeting on America’s Energy Future

Posted on June 17, 2022 by

Preface.  Hundreds of top scientists gathered in 2008 to discuss the future of energy in America at a time when oil prices were reaching record highs. And here we are again with record breaking prices and no reduction of our … Continue reading →

Posted in National Academies of Sciences, Oil Shocks | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Vory. Russia’s Super Mafia

Posted on June 9, 2022 by

Preface. After reading this book about the history of organized crime in Russia, I thought surely Russia must be the most corrupt nation in the world.  But amazingly there are 47 countries that are ranked even lower of the 180 … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption & Finance, Crime, Gangs, Corrupt police, Private security, War Books | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Vory. Russia’s Super Mafia

Dozens of reasons why solar power can’t replace fossil fuels

Posted on June 6, 2022 by

Preface. Last update 2024-6-3. All solar (and wind) do is add to the giant bonfire of burning fossil fuels — which still provide two-thirds of the power for the electric grid. Electricity is just a fraction of how we use … Continue reading →

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