Discovering an S-curve shift

The first question that probably hits you in the back of the head is: what is an S-curve? To cut down a long story, an S-curve is the illustration of how an implemented technology gradually becomes more efficient until it flattens out. Then comes an S-curve shift, where a new technology rises and replaces the old one. One good example is the shift from sail ships to steam ships, and further on to motor shifts. (Thank you Rudolf Diesel!)
So why am I bothered with this during an Shipping, Trade and Finance master's degree? Well, one of the courses I'm attending at the moment is Shipping Innovation. My grade will be given on the base of a coursework, where I brainstorm and find an S-curve improvement or even better a shift. Aha, the plot thickens... My idea is that since the current propulsion system efficiency used in ships are reaching its limit, a shift in the S-curve will occur somewhere in the future. (And yes, I am raving mad)
So what will the shift be? I have of course no answer to that, but my search for alternatives have given me some fantastic new knowledge about previous hoaxes regarding perpetuum mobiles and brilliant solutions to the world's energy problems. For some strange reasons, all attempts have failed the second someone invest money in them...



I DO believe that the next energy source used for propulsion will be environmentally friendly, abundant in nature and cost efficient. Today, solar power, wind power and wave power gives us two out of three. Wallenius Wilhelmsen has developed a ship design called "Orcelle" which combines all three (along with NO ballast tanks).


The E/S Orcelle as designed

So now, the $10,000 question is: Can you beat this, Anders? Of course I can! All I need is 50 more years of research, and commercially available Fusion power will be available. All that needs to be taken care of is the 10,000,000 degree plasma cloud and the trillions of Watts needed to kick it off... :D
When people hear about nuclear fission energy today they think of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and Dr. Strangelove. During the 1990s, CERN scientists created a much safer nuclear fission power, using Thorium instead of Uranium. Toss in a particle accelerator, injection of the nuclear waste back into the process and the fact that one of the countries in the world with the largest amounts of Thorium being NORWAY, and voila! The successor of oil is here...
Maria Ruggero Santilli is another interesting character. His Curriculum Vitae seems impressive at first, and his two babies Magnegas and Hydrogen Technology Applications Inc. (together with Denny Klein)seems very impressive. That is if you don't understand the high tech chemistry mumbo jumbo. If you do, several of his claims are, to say it nicely, dubious. His findings are discussed critically here, here and not to mention here. Especially the last one has some quite obscure comments by a "Joe Kelley". And as a final warning to those of you who STILL want to invest in some magic free energy invention, here is a link to make you think again.
Now to something completely different. Tonight, Harald and myself went to Angel and saw X-Men 3. Just like MI:3 it provided action and costly special effects. Braindead fun for a Sunday evening, just perfect.
Now, after supplying you all with some crazy reading on Bank Holiday, I quietly retire for the night. I of course would like to hear from you different ship propulsion solutions for the future. (And I especially want you, Karl Kristian, to prove you're worthy for CERN... :D )