It might sound like complete science fiction, or at least a distant scientific advance, but it is being done now: the production of zero carbon petroleum from nothing more than air and water. What’s more, it’s happening in Britain. Today’s Independent features the news feature, and we could be reading about the green solution to peak oil.
Air Fuel Synthesis is the firm behind the innovation, and they intend to open commercial scale refineries within the next 15 years, which is how long the business predicts it would take to make the process commercially viable.
There is every possibility that the technology will be a flop, the oil giants will buy it out (and its beyond question that they’ve bought out many a decent patent to delay their demise), or it simply fails to become a competitively priced fuel source. But what if we get lucky? The world would finally be free of the corruption, conflict and cartels that surround big oil. As transport costs could be stabilised, food inflation would fall… Energy security for virtually every country becomes a possibility, and the energy markets would be opened to genuine competition.
In fact, Air Fuel Synthesis are very much aware that their invention could create a quantum leap in global economics, and say that they will consider carefully where to begin this revolution. Currently based in Stockton, the business questions if the UK is ready to have its economic shape altered in this way. In the 1970s, such talk would have triggered demands for nationalisation. But if “air petrol” takes off, it is to be questioned if a commercial or national monopoly of the technology is suitable. Should we consider alternative models of ownership, or buying out the patent?
On behalf of the human race, I’d like to warn any vested interests who even consider holding this technology back: back off. Zombie patents have delayed green growth for far too long as it is.
The Political Idealist 
very interesting, any move away from drilling for oil is good in my books, but one can never be sure how well it will work. http://wp.me/p2mS6O-ih
I agree. The technical viability of the proccess is undisputed; I gather the question is if costs will fall enough for it to be financially workable.
I saw this yesterday too. Possibly the most amazing invention since the Internet. A wonderful British invention in the making and like those of centuries past it has the ability to change the world. These people should be given 24 hour protection from any oil company inspired mishaps.
I would propose they be given a hat full of money and they freely give their wonderful invention to the world as did the previous great British Engineer did with the World Wide Web.
I agree. It sounds fair to me: a decent reward for a brilliant scientific discovery that will change our world for the better, but recognising that some innovation is too much of a game changer to be monopolised.
Reblogged this on Stephen Liddell and commented:
I saw this post on the blog of my friend The Political Idealist having read it in newspapers on Friday. It is of such potential importance that I thought everyone should know of it.
Another Great British invention in the making and if I may be a little provincial, specifically from the N.E of England where so many of the best engineers have lived not that I am biased.
My suggestion is that these people be given round the clock protection until they can work on a commercial level, given more cash than anyone knows what to do with and then have them give their possibly world changing invention to the world as did the British engineer did with the World Wide Web.