Clean Power Now?

Indonesia is growing acacia and eucalyptus for cellulose for biofuels, which will add a new market to their economy. They are also developing palm oil micro-refineries which will make it much easier to get the fruit to a refinery within 24 hours of harvesting. Palm oil is seen as a biofuel that could be produced that doesn't come from petroleum. Plantations are being grown in S America to produce larger volumes for general consumption.

Germany is a world leader in wind and solar technology, which provides 15% of its energy. They are currently discussing the future of their 17 nuclear power plants, which provides almost 25% of their electricity. The older ones are more prone to breakdowns, and the environmentalists want to phase them out all together over the next decade or so, as clean energy ramps up. Thirty one percent of Germans want the phase-out maintained; 32% want it sped up. Only 17% of Germans in that survey wanted to maintain nuclear power. Half of Germany's power comes from coal. The geography for solar in Germany is not optimal and the only other alternative seems to be to become more dependent on Russia for natural gas, something Germans are rightfully hesitant to do.