Renewable Energy

I just came across this video on the state of renewable energy in Germany.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR8gEMpzos4&feature=player_embedded#!

The Germans have been pushing the sustainability frontier for decades and are actually attempting to put into place a system that relies solely on renewable energy production.  As the video alludes to, much of the problem with renewable energy is in regards to the storage and transmission of the electricity; many of the areas that are great for solar and wind generation are located long distances from metropolitan areas which lack adequate transmission lines.  In addition, storage of the produced energy, especially solar, is difficult as the sun only shines during the day and there are power requirements during the night.  Part of the German's solution is the part about pumping the water up the hill when there is excess and releasing it when there is a need.  While there is some efficiency loss, it appears to be significantly more economical than the production of batteries (not to mention better on the environment).

There is considerable innovative thinking occuring in the renewable energies sector all around the world.  The Germans, however, are implementing these highly innovative technologies.  This is an approach I believe would be in the United States best interests as we as a country have always prided ourselves on being at the technological forefront and clean energy has time and again delivered numerous jobs for both high and low skilled workers.