Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with peak

Peak vs Off Peak Electricity Hours

Black_Umbrella — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:10:10 -0800

How much can I save by using off peak electricity in the US? How does this compare to those in Europe? I realize that not many utilities in the states offer off peak hours but i know some do. What percent do some of you save by using this option?

My google fu has failed and i am only getting really skimpy results.

Can anyone find the how much free energy we are loosing (hydro/wind/thermal) because it is being produced but not used?

Prepare for Peak Oil without looking like a nutjob?

UMDirector — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:01:12 -0800

Best way to mitigate effects of potential peak oil and global warming issues without looking like a nutjob? CYOA in a realistic manner? So I am trying to think of ways to cover my butt in case any Peak Oil or rapid Global Warming societal collapse issues come to pass. I tend to think society will figure out ways around much of this but it never hurts to prepare just in case...I wasn't too worried about Y2K but I did have about a weeks supplies just in case.

So what can I do to prepare but also benefit me in case nothing happens (for example I ate the food and drank the Y2K water)?

An example might be: Get one of those instant water heaters to lower your electrical costs in case the price of electricity goes way up...or get solar panels...or get the following camping books that would also serve you in case of complete societal breakdown...make sure your house has a fireplace...etc...

I should maybe note we are in the 'burbs south of Boston and will likely be having a home built in the next year so I will have a lot of options coming up to set up my life in the best way possible for such things....without my wife or friends thinking I am a nutjob!

Peak Oil and Investing

rmhsinc — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:06:21 -0800

Investing to benefit from Peak Oil while entering retirement. I am substantially convinced of the following:
1) We are, and will be, dealing with Peak Oil because of resource depletion and increased global demand—whether Peal Oil is now or in twenty years is somewhat irrelevant for this question
2) Petroleum based products will become more and more expensive
3) Nuclear, renewable and other alternative energy sources will be developed but will not significantly solve the oil problem for 20-50 years. Conservation will also help a bit but not off set increased global demand.
4) There will continue to be substantial political, if not military, instability in the Mid East, Russia will continue shepherding its petroleum resources and more global oil reserves will come under state control.
5) Supply will not meet demand and US and global industrial needs and infrastructure will continue to push oil in to the $100.00 bbl. plus ( and upward) within the next few years.

Assuming the above is true (these are not the questions) do you have any investment advice for me. I am 65, retired and can live reasonably/modestly on Social Security plus interest income based on 7% earning on principal. I have a fairly conservative portfolio with roughly 25% in fixed income, substantial international diversification, investment in US based international companies, several global and US indexes and a smattering of foreign denominated investments. I am generally comfortable with my portfolio but I am wondering how to best position myself to benefit (and not lose principal) based on Peak Oil. Once again, I am not asking to debate peak oil but rather look at it as an investment opportunity for one my age.

Living in a Kevin Costner Sci-Fi Movie

Telf — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 13:42:58 -0800

Where should I move in order to maximize my chances of surviving the apocalypse? Ok, I'm not actually anticipating The Rapture or anything. I've just been reading too much James Howard Kunstler and peak oil stuff.

Based on a few older AskMeFi posts, I spent most of my summer reading old post apocalyptic fiction books and self sufficiency manuals.

I'm not saying that I really buy all these worst case scenarios, but just in case....

I figure that American suburbs with their huge dependence on petroleum products and imported goods will be one of the worst places to reside in.

Let's also assume that global warming is real and that water levels have raised to the most pessimistic projections.

Should I join a commune? Is Europe a better bet? Should I hole up in a third world country? Some place like Brazil that produces its own Ethanol? What are some factors to consider?

I'm mainly interested in environmental scenarios, not so much in being left behind while everyone else is ascending to heaven.

Energy, Lots of Energy

BigBrownBear — Thu, 04 May 2006 07:42:04 -0800

If I wanted to learn all about the energy industy, what would be some good books and resources? From listening to the Watt and reading the Energy Blog, I've gotten very interested in the energy industry, peak oil, and alternative energies. I'd love to read some really good or really important books on the topic. These can be general overviews or technical.

Also, any good free online materials are great, because, well, they're free.