That's How It Happened

There is a lot of controversy about when, or even if, we will reach peak oil production. One concern is that we might not even recognise peak oil until after it has passed. My "wisdom of crowds" based proposal for predicting the date of peak oil, would be to monitor the incidence of news reports of research claiming that something outlandish might one day be used for power. Up until the date of peak oil, "blue sky" research into energy saving is clearly a growth industry, but once peak oil passes, we'll all be too busy stockpiling canned foods, and fortifying our homes, to listen to scientists. Some current suggestions for future power sources:

Pulsating gels could power tiny robots
Miniature jet engines could power cellphones
Bacteria could power tiny robots
Solitons Could Power Molecular Electronics
Plankton could power robotic submarines
Bananas could power Aussie homes
Body heat could power pacemaker
Giant propulsion kites could power shipping
Pocket-sized windmills could power wireless networks
Spinach could power future’s technology
Bio fuel cells could power portable gadgets
Wave powered ducks could power desalination
Moon gas could power your home

Assuming for a second that none of these actually turn out to be viable, then I think we'll have to rely on one more, for the long journey to the nearest habitable planet:

Magnetic beams could power swifter spacecraft