Energy is the key to development and is the basis of modern technological societies. Fossil fuels -- oil, coal, and gas -- provided over 80 percent of the energy in the 20th century and will, most likely, persist well into the 21st century in spite of associated environmental impacts and climate change. The raging question is -- what energy portfolio will provide affordable clean energy to 9 billion people in the coming decades? This talk will examine the current challenges, the technological breakthroughs required and the role of individuals and communities. I will then show how state of the art in information science and technology can be used to create a real time global observatory for energy infrastructure, consumption, and generation. By identifying and correlating changes over time in energy production and infrastructure to drivers, such as economic incentives and taxes, demographics, technology, and the environmental impacts, we hope to acclerate the transition to cheap clean energy for all.