Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:44:26 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265284#Comment_265284 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265284#Comment_265284 Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:20:29 +0000 SteamyTea https://www.theengineer.co.uk/solar-heavy-crude-oil/

Seems they are going to use some RE to extract heavy crude. Rather missing the point I think.
But at least the EROEI will be high. Tom will like that.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265286#Comment_265286 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265286#Comment_265286 Thu, 01 Feb 2018 09:47:52 +0000 owlman https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265287#Comment_265287 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15541&Focus=265287#Comment_265287 Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:01:22 +0000 fostertom maybe it's time to redefine EROEI as Environmental Return on Environment Imperiled, or Ecological Result of Ecology Impaired -
because it's a sleight of hand to paint what we do as 'Investment' (implying 'beneficial'), when in a fuller accounting it may be anything but beneficial.

However, use of solar (or other renewable) energy is in principle 'free' as energy (as distinct from capital and operating financial cost). So in the above EROEI calc, the energy invested could be considered zero, thus EROEI would be infinitely excellent.

Leaving aside the fact that the Return in this particular example would be infinitely Harmful (because all fossil fuel to be used as fuel should be left in the ground) (as chemical feedstock may be OK), it's OK to 'squander' renewable energy (because it's 'free' and limitless).]]>