12-27-2007, 11:15 PM
As others have pointed out, Hawaii sits on an effectively limitless supply of geothermal energy, but is not utilizing it. I could envision all of the BI energy needs being meet with no petroleum products. Geothermal as the basis, with a combination of batteries and hydrogen for non-linked needs such as vehicles. Both electric (battery modes) and hydrogen require energy. Using oil to produce the energy source is always going to be inefficient. However, when you have a continuing source of power (nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar), the batteries can be charged and/or hydrogen produced during either off hours or with surplus not needed for linked (powerlines) demand.