More grand plans, theories, and futurism. I’m full, thanks.
With oil @ $100/bbl, you better get used to it. And there's nothing wrong with all the work going on for oil alternatives. Something viable may come out of it, and we'll all be better off, well, except for the nutjobs in the ME. They can drink their oil.
So let them explore, and study and come up with news things. It's the American way.