Does the Earth contain enough oil to provide energy for the human race
indefinitely? If not, how long will the oil last? What about renewable
energy technologies like wind and solar? Will they be able to supply an
indefinite supply of energy for the human race? If not, how long will it
last? And what role does overpopulation play in our world's energy
supply? Even with multiple forms of energy available, how long will it
last as long as more and more humans, and therefore more industries and
energy consumption, are added? Taking a long-held theory called "Peak
Oil Theory" the authors of this groundbreaking new text examine the
theory of "Peak Energy" to examine all of these questions.
Crude oil and natural gas are the major sources of fuel used to supply
energy for various needs. Users of crude oil and natural gas must take
into account that these energy sources are, without doubt, non-renewable
depleting resources, and the cost of extraction depends not only on the
current rate of production but also on the amount of cumulative
production. In fact, many pundits believe projections that the world is
rapidly approaching a precipice, after which crude oil and natural gas
will no longer be in ready supply.
This phenomenon has given rise to the peak oil theory - peak oil is
the point in time when the maximum rate of petroleum recovery from the
reservoir is reached, after which the rate of petroleum production
enters terminal decline. From this concept has emerged the wider concept
of the peak energy theory which, as it is related to the availability
of all fossil fuels, is also subject to decline with fossil fuel use.
This text, written by two of the world's most well-known, respected, and
prolific writers in the energy industry, is a fascinating study of our
world's energy needs and the future of the multi-source energy supply on
this planet. Whether oil and gas, wind, solar, geothermal, or even
nuclear, all sources of energy have their limits, and we, as scientists,
engineers, and consumers of energy need to be knowledgeable on these
topics. This book is a must-have for any engineer, student, scientist,
or even layperson interested in energy and the idea of energy
sustainability on planet Earth.
