...If the cost of energy doubles to triples, I plan to move in with my mom, bringing my wife and son with me! :)

Tim

Geothermal.

I didn't know you could just squeeze diesel fuel substitutes out of oil seeds. I thought it required a chemical extraction and distillation process also. But, I've never tried it.

Need, It's called bio-diesel...
Actually, one can run straight veggie oil as a substitute for petro-diesel, as long as it doesn't get too cold...
Check out " biodiesel.org " and the always fantastic infomation source for all things sorta kinda in-a-way energy related in one or some way or form or another, " repp.org " and " greasel.com " " biodieselwarehouse.com " and how could I forget... " journeytoforever.org "

see the link attached for more.... and look for " bio-diesel " too

If one doubts the certainty of such price increases, I would suggest reading The Asia Times Sunday article on the reality of the Saudi situation and its' implications for us all. And don't pass up the "side-bar" on the what-if scenerio that was just recently done by some USA big boys, that'll sober you up!

Here is a link that might be useful: Clusty Biodiesel Search Results

I know about bio-diesel and I used to burn castor oil as a pre-mix in racing motorcycles. I was just trying to figure out the exact extraction process to obtain the oil.

General Definition of Biodiesel:
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil, and which meets the specifications of ASTM D 6751.

Clarifying language to general definition:
Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification. Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced by a chemical process which removes the glycerin from the oil.

Technical Definition for Biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) and Biodiesel Blend:
Biodiesel, na fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751.

Biodiesel Blend, nÂa blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend.

Clarifying language to technical definition:
Biodiesel, as defined in D 6751, is registered with the US EPA as a fuel and a fuel additive under Section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act.

Biodiesel is typically produced by a reaction of a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters and glycerin, which is removed.

---- So I suppose my question still stands --- How do you propose to extract this stuff yourself.

Needs, I think this might be somewhat along the line you mentioned (extraction). It is centered on small scqle/home type production.

Our current house was built during the energy crisis in the early 1980s and is a super insulated home with all the energy saving bells and whistles that were then available. We've had low energy bills, but haven't particularly enjoyed living in the house because it doesn't have enough windows to enoy the view on the north side, we'd like a full basement instead of all that solar mass in the slab floors, etc., and it's too quirky to remodel easily. We're building our current house to be enjoyable to live in. We are using low e windows, zoned heating, and as much insulation as reasonable, but that's about it. If we can't afford to live their because of future energy prices, we'll deal with it then, if we live that long.