Energy, Many faces of

America is a twenty-fifth of the worlds population and consumes a sixth of all energy. Nowhere is this more apparent than while driving cross country.

While some of the energy comes from renewable sources like wind, and we certainly did a disproportionately enthusiastic job of recording that, the bulk of it comes from hydrocarbons. From twinkling lights on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps refineries or offhsore rigs, to trains laden with coal pulled by five locomotives and stretching 120 wagons into the horizon - there is evidence everywhere on the road, of stuff being pulled out of the ground, burned and then transmitted along wires to light places like Las Vegas up like a Christmas tree.

We passed a few hydro projects too, including the grand-daddy of them all - the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead, the reservoir, is being depleted faster than it can be replenished. The water line is at an all time low. However, there are few manmade structures of greater beauty in the US.

One point of pride were the Suzlon wind-turbines. Suzlon is an Indian company that has quickly grown (and has had its share of controversies), to become a player on the international scene.