Peak oil: Gulf Stream may be the answer

I AGREE with Colin Campbell’s view (Irish Examiner, June 20) that a lot can be done to combat the demise of peak oil.

For example, because Ireland is on the westerly edge of Europe, we have a unique potential for maximising electricity production from renewable energy. Winds, particularly offshore, can be stronger and more consistent than elsewhere in Europe and there is also a major role for wave power.

However, our most consistent potential source of renewable electricity is the Gulf Stream.

Researchers at the University of Limerick are working on utilising this tremendous resource.

However, the excellent ‘Future Shock’ documentary shown on RTÉ 1 (June 18) reminded us that electricity cannot supply our demand for consumer products and liquid fuels currently made from oil.

We have been working for some time at the University of Limerick on obtaining oil-type substances, with uses far beyond transport fuels, from lignocellulose in wastes and plant matter.

Much of our needs could be satisfied without utilising any extra land by, for example, converting landfill waste to platform chemicals.

We should exploit the advantages of this island to show the world that peak oil is an opportunity, not a dead end.

Daniel J Hayes

IRCSET Research Student

Chemical and Environmental

Sciences

University of Limerick