There are some important questions that the energy industry is focusing on. What will happen when there will be no more oil. The constant supply of black gold will certainly not be a forever consistency. The repercussions of having no more oil available in our actual economic settings would be catastrophic. The world needs to adapt and establish a strategic development plan. Answers to questions, such as what should we do when electrical power fails, food becomes scarce and climate change alters the world forever should be at the front line of our agenda. The response to these critical questions lies in the development of new technology. More sophisticated means of energy production has to be envisaged now.
Facts Concerning Oil
The world’s energy requirement is heavily dependent on oil. However, our major population is unaware about the seriousness of the oil dilemma and how ineffectively it is being used.
- A car does only convert 30 percent of the energy consumed from gas to mechanical energy. A total of 70 percent is wasted heat energy.
- During a year, an average American citizen consumes approximate 25 barrels of oil. This includes 7 barrels for the household, 9 barrels for cars (autos), and 10 barrels of food oil.
- Petroleum products are used for multiple purposes. They are used in waterproofing, for machinery used in construction, tar for paved roads and even a component of kerosene, which is used in light lamps.
- In the past, whale oil was used in the production of candle wax, but killing whales for commercial purposes has been outlawed since 1986.
- A major component of crude oil is carbon. It accounts for 85 percent. This is why gasoline and other derivates of crude oil release such a huge quantity of carbon.
- Oil has been used for over 5,000 years. The Babylonians and Sumerians were using crude oil at that time. Yet, oil has existed for more than 300 million years.
- Americans consume approximately 25 percent of the global oil production. Yet, America does merely represent 5 percent of the world’s population.
Imagine a World with No Oil
A sudden depletion of the world’s oil supply would stir immense pressure. Global powers would invest heavily in seeking for alternative sources of energy. Many advanced nations are already going for alternative sources of oil such as bio-diesel.
Alternative Fuels
If ever the world’s oil reserve would disappear, alternative sources of energy would have to be envisaged. For instance, extracting oil from plants and vegetables would become a top priority. The extraction of chemicals from plants can successfully generate an oil product known as bio-diesel. In the 20th century, Rudolf Diesel demonstrated the scientific process of how to make an engine operate on peanut oil. This process is nowadays applied to algae and soybeans. Bio-diesel can thus be produced from plants and vegetables.
Sugarcane and corn can be used to create another bio-oil product known as ethanol. This product can be used to replace traditional petroleum. Ethanol can even replace oil in the production of electricity.
New Technology Would Emerge
Fossil fuel is a dominant source used to produce electricity. If oil vanished, a new perception would be given to recycle. The use of solar panels to harness heat energy would become a ruling philosophy for natural heating. We already know that the sun provides in one minute enough energy to supply the earth for a whole year.
Moreover, the engines used in the automobile industry would have to be radically re-engineered. They would rely more on electricity, batteries, solar energy and bio-diesel (already being used).
A world without oil is imaginable. It is expected that the world’s oil reservoir will be drawing close to depletion by year 2050. This is why countries are already investing heavily in developing new sources of energy. The major oil companies are the largest investors in alternative sources for oil.
Source: National Geographic Channel
Secondary Reference: Oil Peak Theory
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