Whether or not it is done deliberately, it seems as though the huge swings in oil costs motivates us to put big quantities of cash right into alternative power when the price of oil is up, just to see all these ventures fail when the rate of oil swings down as well as makes them uneconomic. We saw this occur in 1986 when the price sank to $10 per barrel and ethanol refineries were being distributed by state federal governments that had actually taken them for unpaid tax obligations. This is currently occurring due to the fact that the cost of oil has actually fallen from $150 to $35 in just a couple of months. Thus, the perfect power resource need to have a comparable rate listed below the most affordable possible cost of oil. According to the Financial Times, the Mideast price of oil is about $30 per barrel. Exactly how do the alterative energy resources compare? Coal to liquids as well as oil shale have a price equal to $100 per barrel of oil. Oil sands perhaps $85. United States ethanol sets you back concerning $65. Onshore wind costs $75. We have a massive financial investment in fossil fuel framework. Our challenge now is to transform this infrastructure to a new fuel. According to the IEA, about 80% of our power base is nonrenewable fuel source. Transforming electric nuclear power plant from coal to something else would certainly need years. To switch over from oil, we need to alter the manufacturing system from oil wells and refineries to something else, and also change over many gasoline station and also automobiles. Even if we have the right modern technology, do we have adequate money? We require an energy system with very little capital expense in production that can be implemented by reasonably adjusting conventional shipment systems and also engines - diesel, gasoline, and gas generators.
Finally, even if we have the best system, do we have the time? How long will it require to switch over a considerable amount of our energy system over to a brand-new one? Forecasts are that by 2030, over two decades from now, nonrenewable fuel sources still will certainly be two-thirds of the mix. It appears that we do not expect a genuine remedy to fossil fuels. So the excellent alternative bulk fuel delivery solution, the response to our energy troubles would contend the very least these characteristics: (1) affordable variable cost, below $30 per barrel matching of oil, (2) foreseeable cost, (3) low capital cost for manufacturing centers as well as shipment systems and also other facilities, (4) offer a fuel that can be utilized in existing infrastructure, (5) and a fuel that can with be executed quickly carried out at a low cost. This would certainly be the ideal alternative energy, the ideal alternative fuel, the actual answer to our energy problems.