When the oil runs out how will transatlantic air travel continue?

Question

Planes can't run on wind turbines or wave power, will they have to be nuclear?

Answer 1

with current technology it wont.
We are heading for big problems!

This guy may have an answer
http://waterpoweredcar.com/stanmeyer.html
but unfortunatly he got poisoned after turning down $1billion offered for his invention by an Arab oil sheik because he wanted his invention to be for all people to use.
Fortunatly there are other people working on similar technology - there was someone on the BBC news the other week with a water heater - based on similar ideas i think - that returned up to 200% efficiency - so hopefully that may provide an answer.

And please dont say biofuel - it currently uses 6 tonnes of fossil fuel to produce 1 tonne of biofuel.
Then there is all the deforestation to create areas to grow plants for biofuel.
It is interesting to look at Indonesia. It is a former O.P.E.C. country that has nearly run out of oil & will do so completely in 5 years. There has been MASSIVE destruction of virgin rain forest - usually by slash & burn - releasing vast quantities of CO2.
Mexico wont be far behind so it will be interesting to see what the Americans do when the Mexican economy starts breaking down as they dont have much land suitable for growing biofuel - & there is mass immigration to the wealthy U.S.......

Hydrogen fuel cells are actually looking a bit doubtfull on their current technological basis as the amount of energy to extract the hydrogen in the first place is huge, so it would be more efficient to store the electricity from your wind turbine in a battery.

Whoever gave the thumbs down - thanks for not taking the time to look into the link above & maybe doing a bit more research on that subject - there are now plenty of seperate scientists that have similar results for it to be believable. I know the story sounds very far fetched, but imagine that you run a middle eastern country that makes billions upon billions of dollars each year from oil - virtually the entire of your countrys income is from oil - & someone comes along with an invention that will completely destroy your countrys economy (& others around you so possibly leading to war etc etc).
How far would you go to safeguard the future of your entire nation?

Answer 2

A few rich people will fly on planes fuelled by biofuel, but it will be expensive and widely despised considering the price of food which rhe use biofuels only increases.

There may be a resurgence in travelling by liner, possibly using hi-tech sails. but most people will not be able to afford it and have no need for it as the lack of oil has brought the global economy to a grinding halt and everything has become localised and decentralised.

Answer 3

worldwide warming isn't a lie, and neither are severe oil expenses. Air return and forth has in basic terms been much less costly for forty 5 years and it will get extra high priced back. which will recommend that human beings will ought to return and forth much less or extra slowly. agency will merely ought to settle for the undeniable fact that sending some consultant for the period of a rustic is a waste of their time and supplies whilst assorted the negotiations must be completed via telecommunications. There are various data that agency has to withstand. so a techniques it is been mendacity to itself and to the favourite public, not something new with reference to the latter of direction.

Answer 4

Some form of transatlantic air travel will continue possibly in the form of airships or maybe rocket power. We will always be able to find lubrication if not power

Answer 5

I think we will eventually be headed for an oil less society but not for a considerable amount of time. If we have electric self contained cars and Hydrogen experimentals then airplanes will follow suite. We are an amazing bunch of creatures that once the demand has become great enough for there to be a large enough profit the government will jump right in with funding for development. but I think this will not happen in our life times.

I do not understand why they are waiting. For a few more bucks? We need development of alternative fuel sources now. I for one would like to see more electric cars, buses and trains but it still are winds back to cost now verses savings in the future and so many people cannot justify in their minds spending a few extra thousand now so they will never have to buy gas again.
We shall see I guess.

Answer 6

Hydrogen is an excellent way forward, fully environmentally friendly as it reverts to water once combusted, it's only down side is the energy required to extract it. I'm sure the future will see large scale wind farms utilised in providing the power for hydrogen extraction from water. It's gotta be the way to go once the powers that be actually devote some resources in setting this up for future generations (and once the "nimby's" stop bleating about wind farms)

Answer 7

Hydrogen can be used in all internal combustion engines, including turbine engines. It burns much more efficiently, increases horse power and it actually cleans the air. You can safely breath the exhaust.

Hydrogen burns more efficiently, so you don't need as much and aircraft are beginning to be built with composite materials that are lighter and stronger than current designs.

Answer 8

This is a GREAT question; not enough people are asking.

Air travel will become a thing for the super rich only.

The better question is: When the oil starts to run out, how will we continue to grow food with a hydrocarbon based agro-business?

Check out http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net

Answer 9

Hydrogen is the next big thing. Hydrogen is a gas that can be extracted from water dont know why government has suppressed this type of fuel for so long.

Answer 10

YES BUT !!!!

Hydrogen as it takes more volume than kerosine will require planes with a tank volume higher...
Globally planes are going to be 14% BIGGER which means it will increase the costs.

In this case, carbonate biofuels, if grown in a sustainable manner might be more efficient.