The three crucial pieces of the world’s energy future just fell into place for me.

First, I saw this graphic about the energy density of uranium, which pretty much explains where humanity is going to have to end up:

Then came this graphic from Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills depicting nuclear power’s “capacity factor,” which means a nuclear plant can run virtually 24/7, turning that insanely dense fuel into carbon-free power all night long. So the inevitable nuclear-powered economy will have to find uses for a lot of off-peak electricity.

Then literally five minutes ago, I stumbled onto this:

So here we are — or will be if we’re wise: Nuclear plants power the daytime economy and spend their nights turning water into hydrogen. The hydrogen — excuse me, “processed water” — fills vehicle fuel tanks to power cars, trucks, and buses.

Now, the energy experts out there (of which I am obviously not one) will respond with all kinds of reasons that this is an impractical fantasy. To which the most effective response is: The hydrogen economy won’t require this: