our task is to move the renewable blue boxes upward, using technology and the depleting blue boxes, while gradually moving the red boxes downward

Nate, I think this is the diagram that Cutler said he didn't fully understand at ASPO.  And I'm not sure what it means either - if anything.  I suspect the proximity of spatial area of current fuel sources with our urban / industrial infrastructure may just be a coincidence.  Like wise, is it really a problem that renewable energy sources are spatially "less dense" at point of harvesting?

Having said that, it is worth noting the position of Hydro - is that the size of the lake or the catchment area that is plotted.  One thing for sure, we couldn't power ourselves just on Hydro in the UK - just not enough height and gradient.

WRT to wind (shoot me now) I guess the question is how many turbines do you need - and what area would be required to host these - is there enough space? Certainly should be if the off shore is used.  But I know that there is problem in west Denmark with the intrusion of turbines.

In terms of upgrading wind power (shoot me again) I see that as strategies for delivering a stable grid - balancing and storage - and we need expert electrical engineering input to answer that.