Huh, I had to re-read the article.
"But let’s not overlook the key point: continued growth in energy use becomes physically impossible within conceivable timeframes." (conceivable timeframes ~ few 100 years)
As far as I understood, the argument is not "we are doomed" but that there is a natural limit to the growth of energy consumption in the not too distant future using some naive assumptions. In any case, it is implying that 2.9% growth per year is a lot! if it is extrapolated by just a few 100 years. Do I misunderstand something? Why is this controversial?
But I did not yet read all the linked later posts.