Profit from the Peak contains the information you need to successfully navigate the end of our oil-based economy. It takes a hard look at the future of oil and gas, examines how you can effectively invest in these resources, and profit from energy alternatives that are poised to power the years ahead. Along the way, this book also explores the potential, and possible limitations, of each major energy source, while carefully cover the investing angles of each one.

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Praise for Profit from the Peak

"This book is a clearly written, succinct, and well-referenced summary of information about, and related to, what I believe will be the most important issue to strike Western civilization ever: the end of cheap oil. It is clear to me that how we make investments over the next few decades will determine whether we can survive the end of cheap oil and in what fashion. While I am not nearly as optimistic as the authors that there is a supply-side solution to the issues we will face 'post–peak oil,' they certainly have lots of good ideas as to where we might invest in alternatives. This book is a must-have on the shelf of any savvy investor as we face the second half of the age of oil."
—Charles Hall, ESF Foundation Distinguished Professor, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York

"Profit from the Peak will help you develop and maintain financial security as the price of oil soars and our globalized economy gets into trouble. Hicks and Nelder show how you and your community can tackle the long transition of relocalization. Learn about the power of locally generated energy—and benefit from their practical guide to investing in the most efficientand attractive of today's post-petroleum alternatives."
—Julian Darley, founder of the Post Carbon Institute and author of High Noon for Natural Gas

"Brian and Chris deliver the painful yet potentially profitable truth about peak oil. Not theory anymore, but reality. This book is a must if you want a clear path to profits in the age of peak oil."
—Kevin Kerr, Editor of Dow Jones Global Resources Trader and President of Kerr Trading International

"Profit from the Peak shows not only why investment in alternative energy sources is about to skyrocket, but more importantly, where investment is going to pay off the most, by concisely describing the huge variety of upcoming energy sources and their relevant companies."
—Rembrandt Koppelaar, oil analyst, President of ASPO Netherlands

Introduction.

Quotes.

Part I. The Crisis in a Barrel.

Chapter 1 - December 16, 2005: The Day the Devil Wept a Thousand Tears a Second.

Chapter 2 – What is Peak Oil?

What is Oil?

What Is Peak Oil?

Types of Oil.

Refining.

Oil Prices.

Reserves Revisions.

The Importance of Giant Oil Fields.

When Is the Peak?

Exports.

Reserve Replacement and Deepwater Drilling.

Differing Projections.

Drilling Like Never Before.

Infrastructure Issues.

The Bottom Line on Peak Oil.

The Hard Truth.

Chapter 3 – Wanted: Five New Saudi Arabias.

Global Demand and Population..

China and India.

Making up for Depletion.

U.S. Dependence.

Investment Opportunities.

Chapter 4 - $480 a Barrel: The True Value of Oil.

Cheaper than Water.

Draining the National Coffers.

Costs to the U.S. Military.

The True Cost of Oil: $480 a Barrel.

Government Subsidies.

Environmental Costs.

Climate Change Cost.

Natural Capital Costs.

Chapter 5 - The Pentagon Prepares for Peak Oil.

Reduce Dependence on Oil.

Reduce CO2 Emissions.

Staunch the Bleeding.

Invest Heavily in Renewables.

Other Renewables Close Behind.

Policy Recommendations.

Solar for China?

Part II. Making Money from the Fossil Fuels That Are Left.

Chapter 6 –Twilight for Fossil Fuels.

Natural Gas.

Coal.

Diminishing Returns and Receding Horizons.

EROI.

Global Warming.

Chapter 7 - The Road to El Dorado: The Alberta-Texas Oilsands Pipeline.

Tar Sands.

Oil Shale.

Part III. Energy after Oil.

Chapter 8 - The Renewable Revolution.

Biofuels.

Chapter 9 - Endless Energy: Here Comes the Sun.

A Short History of Solar Technologies.

The Industry Takes Off.

PV Takes Center Stage.

Grassroots Momentum.

Investment Opportunities.

Chapter 10 - Pressure Cooker: Tapping the Earth’s Heat.

What is Geothermal Power?

Benefits of Geothermal Power.

Explosive Growth.

Investment Opportunities.

Chapter 11 –Nuclear's Second Act.

Nuclear Potential.

China and Nuclear Power.

Limits to Nuclear Power.

Investment Opportunities.

Chapter 12 - What's Needed: A Manhattan Project for Energy.

The Importance of Timely Reponse.

Apollo Alliance.

Carbon Taxes and Cap-and-Trade.

Gas Taxes.

Negawatts.

Oil Depletion Protocol.

Replacing the Fleet.

Combined Heat and Power.

Smart Grids.

Wind Energy.

Wave and Tidal Energy.

Relocalization.

The Hydrogen Economy.

Chapter 13 – A Future Electric.

The Rail Revolution.

Electrified Cars.

All-Electric.

Epilogue: Why I'm an Energy Optimist.

A Harsh Reality.

Foresight is 2020.

A True Jeffersonian Agrarian Democracy.

Never Sell Short Humanity.

Appendix A. Energy Units and Equivalences Tables.

Appendix B. Top Oil Producers and Peak Production.

Appendix C. Energy Mix Charts.

Glossary.

Endnotes.