Power

In the interest of finding a back up for the grid power we buy, I've been looking at steam engines. In thinking about it a wood fired steam engine would seem to be a more dependable solution over the long haul than wind or solar. Here's what I've found so far:
flexible steam engine
Reliable
Sustainable ideas
Cool Navy restoration site
Manufacturor's list
Thermal Solar biomass whitepapers

If your into the tinfoil hat thing, I found some cool videos from some folks trying to recreate some of Tesla's work:
Hutchison Effect
Jimmy Sabori's noble gas engine
Tachions?
Telsa Aethers?
Cool wiki with movie of magnet powered wheel

I should make the typical list here too...
A cool solar site with real time monitering online and a cursory look at what it takes to have a functional unit in your home.