It would certainly make sense to use up the cheap energy before focusing our resources on a more expensive alternative. Why on earth would you want to use the more expensive alternative? What exactly are we going to do with the oil if we do start using algae?
Are you driving twice as far to get groceries, at twice the cost as needed? Would you do this under the assumption that if you leave them at the close store they will be there in the future when you have been layed off or gas is too expensive to go twice as far for milk and eggs? That friend is stupid, everyone knows it is stupid. The close store will not save them back for you. They will sell the groceries to the next person in line to buy them. You will be broke and will have worn out your car in an attempt to predict the future