Period petrol - problem solved?

[FamilyWiggs]

Very interesting read in the Morning Star today (well, it's the Independent, but it can't be hard to tell some days).

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-pioneering-scientists-turn-fresh-air-into-petrol-in-massive-boost-in-fight-against-energy-crisis-8217382.html?fb_action_ids=10151082568506017%2C4839565271247%2C4843448608328%2C4843442848184%2C4843442488175&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151082568506017%22%3A394197500651847%2C%224839565271247%22%3A394197500651847%2C%224843448608328%22%3A284211928356285%2C%224843442848184%22%3A327660917331242%2C%224843442488175%22%3A194117734057992%2C%2210151082570966017%22%3A161915590616107%7D#access_token=AAADWQ6323IoBAIXacSMzQcKD9uWItGDD2wx41vrdZBoH09TcZAQg3crA17VCwkOw3qc0qrYasMHQTMYhZChQLKwSSgP4DuadjZBCgb3BlAZDZD&expires_in=5964

I've long advocated that science is the way out of our predicament, as opposed to giving up and living in caves.

This article is the start of something quite interesting .....

 

[plasticpigeon]

There are lots of things like this that don't make any sense unless there is a plentiful source of environmentally sound energy. The process can only yield a fuel that contains at most the same energy that has gone into the process, and because of inefficiencies probably much less. Hydrogen cars, fuel cells, electric cars, I think they're all only viable when someone cracks nuclear fusion and efficiency doesn't matter.

 

[MdB]

It is a energy storage solution not a energy source so no, it isn't a solution to our energy problems. On the BBC last night, the manufacturer very carefully ignored the efficiency question which is likely to be very poor.

 

[Flyfisher]

I've found the reporting of this story rather depressing. Even R4's Today made a mess of explaining the energy side of things.

Yes, they have synthesised petrol, but they have used more energy in doing so than will be returned when the synthesised petrol is burned. As MdB rightly says, it's not a source of energy - which is the real problem we're facing as oil becomes depleted.