[slowhandluke]

As far as alternatives are concerned, solar is definitely better than wind. Still a problem in the cloudy places but we “should” be able to use hydro.

Do you care to expand on hydro?

The book 'Cadillac Desert' proposes that all the good hydro locations are already in use, and a lot of the bad ones too.

[cripplecreek]

I guess it all depends on your definition of good. If you’re looking at major dams as being good, you won’t find them here in the midwest. If you’re looking at using smaller dams to produce in multiple locations its a different matter.

[pingman]

Solar may be marginally better than wind, but they are both VERY low quality energy sources for both physical and environmental reasons.

Next time a greenie says “We can get energy from the sun for FREE!”, ask him/her: Where?

[mission9]

Ocean Current Energy can convert the forces that drive global climate directly into electricity. The Gulf Stream passes by the Miami electricity market. Estimates of recoverable energy range to 10 giga watts. @ 4-5 cents per kilowatt.

http://www.oceanpowermagazine.net/Ocean%20Power/company/statoil-hydro/