The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are quickly coming to a close, and I’ve been watching more than my share. I’m not typically an Olympics enthusiast, but I find myself flipping relentlessly through the NBC family of channels every night, seeking good competition.

My obsession began with the opening ceremony two Fridays ago when I watched the nations file through BC Place in downtown Vancouver, culminating with hockey great Wayne Gretzky lighting the Olympic outdoor cauldron.

Gretzky was a great hockey player — hands down, one of the best. They don’t call just anyone “The Great One.” And while he’s no philosopher, he said something once that’s easy to remember: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Obviously, he was talking about his game, but the phrase can be applied to, well, everything, including renewable energy technologies.

There have been many technologies that have been introduced recently, claiming to be the technology that will help the U.S. gain energy independence. And they may be right. And they might not. Time will tell.

A colleague of mine sent me this slideshow from CNN about hydro-power being used in Hawaii that generates electricity using the ocean’s waves. Who woulda thunk?

And who can escape the anticipated announcement Wednesday from Bloom Energy and its ambitious plan to install their fuel cell technology in every U.S. home by 2020. The technology, they claim, produces clean and cheap energy with no greenhouse gas emissions.  

All of these technologies have the potential to help reduce our dependence on dirty power generation. We applaud these clean energy companies attempts at developing technology that might someday replace the traditional power grid.

And while these technologies might not be viable in the end, these innovators aren’t afraid to take the shot.

The Great One would be proud.