<Technology moves us forward and should be recognizedThe Oil Drum
<DrumBeat: May 17, 2008DrumBeatDrumBeat: May 19, 2008>

172 comments on DrumBeat: May 18, 2008

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

jografy on May 18, 2008 - 6:05pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Sadly I think you are correct. However the destitute are already resorting to theft of fuel because of their cash shortage. There are no line-ups in suburban driveways at 2AM but we will probable see more shootings there soon. As far as FF shortages go I think we will see diesel (home heating oil) and propane shortages first. My understanding is they are pure distilates from crude and cracking methods are not used to make them so their availability is directly correlated to the volume of crude being processed. Crude availability and refinery utilisation come into play here. Perhaps someone can tell us if heavier crudes have less or more diesel grade and propane than the light stuff. Of course diesel demand seems to be sensitive to economic activity so that a recession may ease the problem.I also agree that once food and fuel stop arriving reliably at the retail outlets things could get ugly very fast.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
WNC Observer on May 18, 2008 - 6:33pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I do worry about propane. Since I've started walking to work, our household is now down to using well under 200 gal of motor fuel per year. But we probably use about five times that much or more in propane, and that's with the programable thermostat set to 66/60F all winter. I'll be chopping a lot more wood for the wood stove this winter, and need to be getting solar hot water and solar space heating on a fast track. With any luck, the next administration will increase the credits for these.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Substrate on May 18, 2008 - 10:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

WNC...If you write that piece, you should submit it to the MountainX as well. Also, check the Iwanna...occasionally I see solar water heaters pop up in there General > Heating and Cooling > Other Heating. Generally dirt cheap.

Solar hot water collectors. 18" x 8', aluminum frame, parabolic, plexiglass face, 1.5" copper piping. Used to heat swimming pool. $40/each.

Crappy insolation where I am and the house isn't mine, so I can only look at them and sigh.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
WNC Observer on May 19, 2008 - 8:34am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Thanks for the tip. Since plumbing and I don't get along very well, I'm inclined to leave the solar H2O to a professional. A homebrew solar air heating panel might be within my DIY capabilities, though.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
DaveMart on May 19, 2008 - 9:08am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I'm not sure where you live, but here in the UK residential solar thermal in contrast to PV power is a very viable alternative - it is good for up to around 55 degrees north at least, and not many people live above that latitude.
You should be able to save around 50% of your hot water bills, and could always take the panels with you.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Substrate on May 19, 2008 - 9:33am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

My lattitude is fantastic, but I'm on the north side of a mountain and surrounded by trees.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
DaveMart on May 19, 2008 - 9:37am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yikes! :-(

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
WNC Observer on May 19, 2008 - 1:41pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

You might want to consider relocation. I'm on a south slope with an E-W roofline, giving me a good southern exposure. That's a big reason why I bought the house - I knew that some day I might need to add solar.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.