Correct Steve, energy cannot be neither created or destroyed. (First law of thermodynamics)
NO energy source is a net gain, it is simply not possible due to the second law of thermodynamics (Entropy of an isolated system always increases)
That said there are other fundamentals to consider such as Fusion that if perfected can liberate more energy than is used in the liberation process.
In laymans terms, you simply cannot make something out of nothing.
cheers
Dave
You did what !
I think we're getting mixed up about energy available for use vs. potential energy or stored energy. If the comparison is taking cheap saudi oil out of the ground (back when it was that easy) where it existed in large pores and refining it into gasoline, it is a far less economically involved method of making energy available for use. The idea that there is no net change in energy would allow us to argue that things with no net energy production or negative net energy production are good ideas, and I odn't agree with that.
The problem with biofuels is they are very energy intensive to raise, convert and transport, and the total potential generation of energy from them each year is abysmal. It is probably actually cheaper to make energy from solar panels, it just isn't convenient to put a solar panel on a car and turn the key at midnight and get energy from it. We've already seen that solar doesn't much benefit us locally, either, because it's going to be a long time before it's cheaper to manufacture panels or vacuum heating tubes, etc, here vs. doing so overseas.
The cost of energy is a huge deal in an economy, though, and treading water and raising the price of it is a quick way to become noncompetitive and lower the standard of living for all involved, so having a bias toward locally available energy that generates votes but not much net usable energy is not a good long term plan.
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Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.
hahahah nice one Scotty
You did what !