The energy problem was solved by Freeman Dyson et. al. in the 50s at Los Alamos [1]. Here are his paraphrased proposals: Kardashev Level I (http://en.wikipedi

The energy problem was solved by Freeman Dyson et. al. in the 50s at Los Alamos [1]. Here are his paraphrased proposals: Kardashev Level I (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale) Dyson fusion engines. He's not talking about unviable Tokamak designs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak), but something much simpler. Basically use H-bombs (which are the only tried and tested fusion technology) to drive a large internal combustion engine. The energy released by each explosion is stored by using it to lift water back into hydraulic dams. Kardashev Level II Dyson rings and shells (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_shell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_shell). Kardashev Level III "Lather, rinse and repeat" with Dyson shells. [1] Just as all problems in computer science were solved (in principle) at Xerox PARC in the 70s, all energy problems were solved (in principle) at Los Alamos in the 50s.