Energy: how do we get what we need?

Energy is the "money of nature". To get things done we need to have enough energy available in the right form in the right place at the right time. We currently meet most of our energy needs using coal, oil, natural gas (thanks to fracking), and nuclear power. In the talk I will address questions such as: Why are these energy sources predominant? What is "alternative energy"? Does it offer better ways to meet our needs? How might we generate, store, and use energy differently in the future?