One of the big barriers to intermittently-available renewable energy is energy storage. Here is a NY Times article about using focusing solar array to heat up salts is being implemented by an Arizona utility to facility synchronizing supply and demand.
Also relevant to the storage/intermittency issue is the USB port. Apparently there have been some advances in USB technology that will enable greater wattage in USB connections (see Economist article here). This might facilitate more direct connections via USB ports w/in the home and office. If batteries were to become associated with the new outlets on revamped appliances (e.g., a USB lamp with a battery), this could really facilitate small-scale renewables and w/in home storage.
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