That is a good point JAB, however oil does not just come out of the ground. It can be harvested, ie canola, fish and animal fats can be rendered. 1 acre of canola can yield up to 60 gallons. Mixed with the gasification process 1 gallon could produce enough power to charge a battery bank for up to 3 days, Also with the unit in the link, is a wind mill back up. Some cons on the oil side of things is that it's very labor intensive, but what is there to do all winter any how? You don't have to have the genset running constantly, just enough for some lights, refrigeration, tool battery charge up, and pumping water into a holding tank once a week. Even then, these things have alternatives...lights-candles,lamps torches...refrigeration-root cellar, ice hut...tool batteries- use hand tools...water-hand pumps, siphon, gravity feed.
In my humble opinion, the capacity to produce power in a grid down situation would make you a valuable asset in your neighborhood. Just think of the possibilities.
