Great read. But as we all know, an alternative fuel source, will not take over. Until we run out of oil. Their is just to much money it and the world is run off of oil.

I too like the idea of methane hydrate as a future energy source. It really packs a punch in terms of what you get out compared to what you put in.

I'm no big city scientist but I think the main (and really BIG) problems right now are getting over both the instability problem which of course ties into the harvesting method.

Both are completely intertwined.

So as soon as the big brains can figure out how to remove, store and distibute it without being 'sploded to bits I think it will turn out to be one of many energy sources we will be using in the next twenty to fifty years.

Maybe sooner as the problems sound big they're not it'll be like a domino thing once the main problem of volatility is overcome everything else should click into place.

But then again I'm an optomist.

Let's also not forget that underwater exploration and industry in the end helps us prepare for off planet exploration and colonization which we will have to do eventually if we wish to survive as a species.

Whether or not we deserve to survive remains to be seen.

Garsh I loves me some science.

Spiderj

[edit on 11/4/2009 by Spiderj]