page-loading-spinner
Home Energy

Energy

Image | Installing a Solar Energy System
Installing a Solar Energy System
by rhare

Like many of you reading this article, I am fairly new to the realization that our future may not turn out the way we originally planned.  A little over two years ago, after the financial turmoil set in, I began to wake up from my comfortable, relatively uncomplicated life and take a closer look at what was going on around me. 

I was first introduced to the Crash Course by an attendee at the 2009 CPAC Liberty Forum in Washington, DC where I had gone to hear Ron Paul speak.  Little did I know how dramatic an impact that one conversation would have on my life.  After watching the Crash Course a couple of times, many pieces of the puzzle started to fall together, and I quickly progressed to Stage 4 – Fear.  (See The Six Stages of Awareness for more on that topic).  A few weeks after I attended Dr. Martenson's Lowesville seminar, I decided it was time to take immediate action.  I've also had to deal with the challenges of convincing my partner that these changes were really worthwhile and necessary and that I wasn't a raving lunatic who would soon be wearing a tin foil hat!

I hope reading about the thermal and photovoltaic solar systems we have installed will encourage you to think about actions you can take to prepare for our uncertain future.  Since it would be impossible to even begin to give every detail about how the systems work or how to put one together, my goal is to show what can be done, give you things to consider, suggest rough costs, and provide links for further research.

 

Installing a Solar Energy System
 by rhare

Like many of you reading this article, I am fairly new to the realization that our future may not turn out the way we originally planned.  A little over two years ago, after the financial turmoil set in, I began to wake up from my comfortable, relatively uncomplicated life and take a closer look at what was going on around me. 

I was first introduced to the Crash Course by an attendee at the 2009 CPAC Liberty Forum in Washington, DC where I had gone to hear Ron Paul speak.  Little did I know how dramatic an impact that one conversation would have on my life.  After watching the Crash Course a couple of times, many pieces of the puzzle started to fall together, and I quickly progressed to Stage 4 – Fear.  (See The Six Stages of Awareness for more on that topic).  A few weeks after I attended Dr. Martenson's Lowesville seminar, I decided it was time to take immediate action.  I've also had to deal with the challenges of convincing my partner that these changes were really worthwhile and necessary and that I wasn't a raving lunatic who would soon be wearing a tin foil hat!

I hope reading about the thermal and photovoltaic solar systems we have installed will encourage you to think about actions you can take to prepare for our uncertain future.  Since it would be impossible to even begin to give every detail about how the systems work or how to put one together, my goal is to show what can be done, give you things to consider, suggest rough costs, and provide links for further research.

 

Image | Chris on Talk Radio Europe: “Gigantic Mismatch” Between World Oil Consumption and Future Supply
Chris on Talk Radio Europe: “Gigantic Mismatch” Between World Oil Consumption and Future Supply
by Adam Taggart

Earlier this week, Chris was invited to appear on Talk Radio Europe, the largest English-speaking radio station in continental Europe. A podcast of the interview has just been made available, which you can listen to by clicking here or on the image below:

height=

The discussion focused heavily on the looming Peak Oil crisis, with a particular slant on implications for the European countries. The subject matter resonated with the host, Richie Allen, particularly because he’s now beginning to hear related sentiment echoed by a small but growing number of concerned European economists.

Chris on Talk Radio Europe: “Gigantic Mismatch” Between World Oil Consumption and Future Supply
 by Adam Taggart

Earlier this week, Chris was invited to appear on Talk Radio Europe, the largest English-speaking radio station in continental Europe. A podcast of the interview has just been made available, which you can listen to by clicking here or on the image below:

height=

The discussion focused heavily on the looming Peak Oil crisis, with a particular slant on implications for the European countries. The subject matter resonated with the host, Richie Allen, particularly because he’s now beginning to hear related sentiment echoed by a small but growing number of concerned European economists.

Image | Racing Against Time: Peak Oil = Peak Economy
Racing Against Time: Peak Oil = Peak Economy
by Chris Martenson

This post is a contribution to Honda’s “Racing Against Time” thought leadership series.  Chris Martenson was selected to provide a unique perspective on how we should approach the discussion of oil as a finite energy source.   During the first week of October 2010, five individuals provide their own thoughts on the subject. These independent contributors were not compensated for their participation and as such their views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Honda.  Details and links to what others are saying about “Racing Against Time” can be found at www.facebook.com/Honda.

 

Peak Oil will result in ‘peak economy.’  Once it arrives, nothing will work quite the same way again.

Let me explain.

The concept of “Peak Oil” is simple enough:  Oil is a finite resource.  Someday, no matter how hard we try, we will hit a maximum rate of production.  From that time on, we will see less and less oil coming up out of the ground.  What Peak Oil refers to, then, is not “running out” of oil, but the fact that we are going to hit peak production sooner or later.  All of the data suggests that “sooner” is a better candidate than “later.”

By itself, the concept of having to get by on just a little bit less oil each year seems to be manageable enough.  Perhaps we can develop more hybrid/electric cars, wind/solar farms, and other technologies that can help us use energy more efficiently.  I will applaud these technologies as they become more widely available, but basic math indicates that they cannot possibly bridge the energy gap being left by retreating oil supplies fast enough.  So then what?

My particular concern, and the focus of my writing and speaking, is the role of energy in creating and supporting the economy upon which we all depend.  The short version of the story is this:  Our economy utterly depends on oil to function.  And for the first time ever, oil production is declining.  We are now racing against time.

Racing Against Time: Peak Oil = Peak Economy
 by Chris Martenson

This post is a contribution to Honda’s “Racing Against Time” thought leadership series.  Chris Martenson was selected to provide a unique perspective on how we should approach the discussion of oil as a finite energy source.   During the first week of October 2010, five individuals provide their own thoughts on the subject. These independent contributors were not compensated for their participation and as such their views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Honda.  Details and links to what others are saying about “Racing Against Time” can be found at www.facebook.com/Honda.

 

Peak Oil will result in ‘peak economy.’  Once it arrives, nothing will work quite the same way again.

Let me explain.

The concept of “Peak Oil” is simple enough:  Oil is a finite resource.  Someday, no matter how hard we try, we will hit a maximum rate of production.  From that time on, we will see less and less oil coming up out of the ground.  What Peak Oil refers to, then, is not “running out” of oil, but the fact that we are going to hit peak production sooner or later.  All of the data suggests that “sooner” is a better candidate than “later.”

By itself, the concept of having to get by on just a little bit less oil each year seems to be manageable enough.  Perhaps we can develop more hybrid/electric cars, wind/solar farms, and other technologies that can help us use energy more efficiently.  I will applaud these technologies as they become more widely available, but basic math indicates that they cannot possibly bridge the energy gap being left by retreating oil supplies fast enough.  So then what?

My particular concern, and the focus of my writing and speaking, is the role of energy in creating and supporting the economy upon which we all depend.  The short version of the story is this:  Our economy utterly depends on oil to function.  And for the first time ever, oil production is declining.  We are now racing against time.

Image | Energy Concerns Are Mounting
Energy Concerns Are Mounting
 PREVIEW
by Chris Martenson

Energy Concerns Are Mounting

Monday, September 13, 2010

Executive Summary

  • Many interlocking factors have caused current economic woes.
  • Most of the issues are still almost strictly economically driven; energy’s role is still to come.
  • World energy consumption, at current rates of growth, will double in 35 years.
  • Alternative fuels cannot displace oil use, but they can be helpful in electricity production and other areas.
  • We should be using our highly-concentrated energy sources to capture less-dense alternative energy sources.
  • The next energy shock is closer than most people realize.
  • The perception of scarcity will create scarcity.
  • Now is the time for prudent preparations.

In my last Insider entry, I made a number of claims that sparked a lot of good comments.  I will respond to a sampling of them here.  If I don’t address your comment, please know that I read and considered every one. I value and encourage continued input through comments, forum posts, and email.

There are multiple interlocking topics embedded in the question, “Why is the economy down right now?” I don’t see any one particular cause.  Yes, there was too much debt, but there was also falling net energy from flat petroleum production between 2004 and 2008.  Oil also happened to spike in price.  Which one ’caused’ the economic meltdown and the deep freeze that followed?  All of these factors, and a few others besides.

Energy Concerns Are Mounting
 PREVIEW by Chris Martenson

Energy Concerns Are Mounting

Monday, September 13, 2010

Executive Summary

  • Many interlocking factors have caused current economic woes.
  • Most of the issues are still almost strictly economically driven; energy’s role is still to come.
  • World energy consumption, at current rates of growth, will double in 35 years.
  • Alternative fuels cannot displace oil use, but they can be helpful in electricity production and other areas.
  • We should be using our highly-concentrated energy sources to capture less-dense alternative energy sources.
  • The next energy shock is closer than most people realize.
  • The perception of scarcity will create scarcity.
  • Now is the time for prudent preparations.

In my last Insider entry, I made a number of claims that sparked a lot of good comments.  I will respond to a sampling of them here.  If I don’t address your comment, please know that I read and considered every one. I value and encourage continued input through comments, forum posts, and email.

There are multiple interlocking topics embedded in the question, “Why is the economy down right now?” I don’t see any one particular cause.  Yes, there was too much debt, but there was also falling net energy from flat petroleum production between 2004 and 2008.  Oil also happened to spike in price.  Which one ’caused’ the economic meltdown and the deep freeze that followed?  All of these factors, and a few others besides.

Image | Peak Coal in 2011?
Peak Coal in 2011?
 PREVIEW
by Chris Martenson

It’s a very hot day here in central Massachusetts, which I know because I operate without air conditioning, although my fan is non-negotiable.  My recent experiences with power outages has re-taught me that out of all the energy sources, electricity is just as important to my daily living as is petroleum.  Maybe more so.  By way of irony, my power just went out as I was writing this Insider Report.  It came back on only 45 minutes later, but the point was reinforced; electricity is a non-negotiable element of my modern household.  While I can cut back on driving to preserve gasoline, I cannot figure out how to get my well pump or refrigerator to run on zero electrons.  It seems to be either ‘on’ or ‘off.’

The most important substance to electricity production is coal, bar none.  While we know that China has 49 nuclear plants either under construction or to be started within three years, it is slightly less well-advertised that China is building the equivalent of two 500 MW coal-fired plants each week.

That’s how we got to last week’s somewhat startling pronouncement from the IEA that China had surpassed the US as the number-one energy-consuming nation on the planet.  China is ramping up its electricity production and consumption at double-digit rates.  Which brings us to coal.

Peak Coal in 2011?
 PREVIEW by Chris Martenson

It’s a very hot day here in central Massachusetts, which I know because I operate without air conditioning, although my fan is non-negotiable.  My recent experiences with power outages has re-taught me that out of all the energy sources, electricity is just as important to my daily living as is petroleum.  Maybe more so.  By way of irony, my power just went out as I was writing this Insider Report.  It came back on only 45 minutes later, but the point was reinforced; electricity is a non-negotiable element of my modern household.  While I can cut back on driving to preserve gasoline, I cannot figure out how to get my well pump or refrigerator to run on zero electrons.  It seems to be either ‘on’ or ‘off.’

The most important substance to electricity production is coal, bar none.  While we know that China has 49 nuclear plants either under construction or to be started within three years, it is slightly less well-advertised that China is building the equivalent of two 500 MW coal-fired plants each week.

That’s how we got to last week’s somewhat startling pronouncement from the IEA that China had surpassed the US as the number-one energy-consuming nation on the planet.  China is ramping up its electricity production and consumption at double-digit rates.  Which brings us to coal.

Image | It’s Raining Oil
It’s Raining Oil
 PREVIEW
by Chris Martenson

There’s an interesting video out that purports to show that oil has come down out of the sky during a rainstorm in LA.  The video is too short for me to conclude anything, and it’s always possible that someone spilled a quart on purpose to create a sensation, but it’s possibly a real event.

At this point, I am ready to be surprised by the events in the Gulf.  If something can go wrong down there, it goes disastrously wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un8co1d4zb4&feature=player_embedded
It’s Raining Oil
 PREVIEW by Chris Martenson

There’s an interesting video out that purports to show that oil has come down out of the sky during a rainstorm in LA.  The video is too short for me to conclude anything, and it’s always possible that someone spilled a quart on purpose to create a sensation, but it’s possibly a real event.

At this point, I am ready to be surprised by the events in the Gulf.  If something can go wrong down there, it goes disastrously wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un8co1d4zb4&feature=player_embedded
Image | Deep Impact: Why The Deepwater Disaster Spells Serious Trouble
Deep Impact: Why The Deepwater Disaster Spells Serious Trouble
by Chris Martenson
A new Martenson Report is ready for enrolled members.
Link – Deep Impact: Why The Deepwater Disaster Spells Serious Trouble

Executive Summary

  • We can say with absolute certainty that future oil exploration and development costs are going to rise.
  • Our date with an oil supply shock now seems probable for the 2011 to 2012 timeframe.
  • A new paradigm is emerging, in which downsizing trumps growth.
  • A permanent energy crunch will lead to higher prices for all things connected to energy.
  • It would not be too strong to suggest that our federal commitment to energy efficiency is a farce. 
  • In terms of personal planning, do not take anything for granted.
  • While I am not sure how this will play out yet, I am quite comfortable stating that the age of abundance is drawing to a close.
Deep Impact: Why The Deepwater Disaster Spells Serious Trouble
 by Chris Martenson
A new Martenson Report is ready for enrolled members.
Link – Deep Impact: Why The Deepwater Disaster Spells Serious Trouble

Executive Summary

  • We can say with absolute certainty that future oil exploration and development costs are going to rise.
  • Our date with an oil supply shock now seems probable for the 2011 to 2012 timeframe.
  • A new paradigm is emerging, in which downsizing trumps growth.
  • A permanent energy crunch will lead to higher prices for all things connected to energy.
  • It would not be too strong to suggest that our federal commitment to energy efficiency is a farce. 
  • In terms of personal planning, do not take anything for granted.
  • While I am not sure how this will play out yet, I am quite comfortable stating that the age of abundance is drawing to a close.
Image | Why “Peak Oil” Will Never Lead To $500/bbl Crude Oil
Why “Peak Oil” Will Never Lead To $500/bbl Crude Oil
by Chris Martenson

This guest post by Erik Townsend really elevates the discussion around the issue of investing in oil and energy given the realities involved in what Peak Oil truly implies politically and economically.  Few in the investing community have really fully internalized the magnitude of the predicament, but Erik has.

If we had a post rating system, this would receive the very highest mark.

By Erik Townsend ∙ May 3, 2010

Executive Summary

  • Although there’s more than 100 years’ supply of crude oil left in the ground, the resources that are “cheap and easy” to extract have for the most part already been discovered.
  • By 2012 the decline of production output from conventional sources coupled with much higher extraction cost of unconventional sources will lead to peak cheap oil, a phenomenon that will put extreme upward pressure on oil prices.
  • To a limited extent, a strong case exists for speculation on a moderate increase in petroleum prices.
  • Those who anticipate extraordinarily high prices (upwards of $300/bbl) have failed to consider what George Soros calls reflexivity. The global economy simply cannot afford such prices, and the rules will be changed before they are reached.
  • The future is likely to bring price controls, government intervention in the petroleum supply chain, and nationalization of oil resources.
  • The oil industry will face many unanticipated challenges during this period, capping the price appreciation potential of both commodity and equity plays in the oil industry.
  • Wise investors will focus on the initial price run-up expected to occur before large-scale government intervention ensues.

Why “Peak Oil” Will Never Lead To $500/bbl Crude Oil
 by Chris Martenson

This guest post by Erik Townsend really elevates the discussion around the issue of investing in oil and energy given the realities involved in what Peak Oil truly implies politically and economically.  Few in the investing community have really fully internalized the magnitude of the predicament, but Erik has.

If we had a post rating system, this would receive the very highest mark.

By Erik Townsend ∙ May 3, 2010

Executive Summary

  • Although there’s more than 100 years’ supply of crude oil left in the ground, the resources that are “cheap and easy” to extract have for the most part already been discovered.
  • By 2012 the decline of production output from conventional sources coupled with much higher extraction cost of unconventional sources will lead to peak cheap oil, a phenomenon that will put extreme upward pressure on oil prices.
  • To a limited extent, a strong case exists for speculation on a moderate increase in petroleum prices.
  • Those who anticipate extraordinarily high prices (upwards of $300/bbl) have failed to consider what George Soros calls reflexivity. The global economy simply cannot afford such prices, and the rules will be changed before they are reached.
  • The future is likely to bring price controls, government intervention in the petroleum supply chain, and nationalization of oil resources.
  • The oil industry will face many unanticipated challenges during this period, capping the price appreciation potential of both commodity and equity plays in the oil industry.
  • Wise investors will focus on the initial price run-up expected to occur before large-scale government intervention ensues.

Image | Not Cheap, Not Easy: Getting the Last Oil Out
Not Cheap, Not Easy: Getting the Last Oil Out
 PREVIEW
by Chris Martenson

Last September (2009), a spectacular oil find was trumpeted all over the news.  It was deep and it was audacious, but the technological prowess on display gave some people the ammunition they needed to continue to deny the reality of Peak Oil.  At the time, I received more than a few emails from individuals who used this find as proof that Peak Oil, even if it was real, was still far in the future.  Faith in technology was given a huge boost by this nature of this find.

I countered with my usual mantra of TIME, SCALE, & COST, arguing that there’s a gigantic gap between a brilliant technical demonstration and full-scale production.  I was quite skeptical of this particular find, because it was 35,000 feet under the surface, a full mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall.  I’ve used this specific example in every talk I’ve given since.

To jog your memory, here’s the original news article:

Not Cheap, Not Easy: Getting the Last Oil Out
 PREVIEW by Chris Martenson

Last September (2009), a spectacular oil find was trumpeted all over the news.  It was deep and it was audacious, but the technological prowess on display gave some people the ammunition they needed to continue to deny the reality of Peak Oil.  At the time, I received more than a few emails from individuals who used this find as proof that Peak Oil, even if it was real, was still far in the future.  Faith in technology was given a huge boost by this nature of this find.

I countered with my usual mantra of TIME, SCALE, & COST, arguing that there’s a gigantic gap between a brilliant technical demonstration and full-scale production.  I was quite skeptical of this particular find, because it was 35,000 feet under the surface, a full mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall.  I’ve used this specific example in every talk I’ve given since.

To jog your memory, here’s the original news article:

Image | China Follow-Up, Energy, and the Future
China Follow-Up, Energy, and the Future
 PREVIEW
by Chris Martenson

In the most recent Martenson Report, I laid the foundation for understanding that China may be on an aggressive policy of resource acquisition tuned to the reality of depletion.

Here are a couple of very interesting ideas and news items that have come out.  The first is that the US government is now publicly concerned that China may be trying to “lock up” oil reserves.  I find this somewhat humorous because this message is conveyed without the slightest trace of irony.  This, of course, has been the US’s own policy for a very long time.

China Follow-Up, Energy, and the Future
 PREVIEW by Chris Martenson

In the most recent Martenson Report, I laid the foundation for understanding that China may be on an aggressive policy of resource acquisition tuned to the reality of depletion.

Here are a couple of very interesting ideas and news items that have come out.  The first is that the US government is now publicly concerned that China may be trying to “lock up” oil reserves.  I find this somewhat humorous because this message is conveyed without the slightest trace of irony.  This, of course, has been the US’s own policy for a very long time.

Total 734 items

Community

Top Conversation

 "It's About Control": An Interview with David Icke
Just got my result that I’m C19 positive.
I work at a mining camp in northern BC where I shared a bathroom with a guy (double injected) that was coughing for days and then tested positive. They got me to do a rapid test which was negative but I was feeling OK at that time.
Got home and started feeling...
Image | blaggers by blaggers
57 253
View the conversation
Image | Peak Financial Investing

Peak Financial Investing

Learn more
Image | The Grow Network

The Grow Network

Learn more