Personal observation is that until we start making nuclear energy with advanced reactor designs, the transformation to sustainable future is not possible. Expecting electron bound energy to move tons of materials and bring prosperity to 9 billion people worldwide is not just a pipedream but borders on criminal, especially when foisted by educated people and informed politicians (Markey). The expansion of unconventional oil and gas sector as well as environmental advocacy (which by its efforts keeps us bound to coal ie. witness Germany) will keep nuclear at bay for a time. But when climate change hits in earnest the switch to nuclear will need to be swift otherwise lets look forward to starving in caves.

A lot of great work and big investments have gone in to clean technologies to date. This has impacted the way the energy industry works, at least in terms of planning and investment. This fact may not be obvious to readers of tech blogs.

Cleantech makes complete sense when innovative ideas are supported by the laws of physics. Investment and policy have already moved in this direction and will continue to do so.