Oblique angle deposition (OAD) is a technique which allows for fabrication of unique nanostructures, which cannot be grown by advanced lithographic techniques. OAD is simple, fast, cheap, has high mass production capability and can generate unique two- and thee-dimensional nanostructures with large aspect ratio and controllable porosity, shape and symmetry. The fact that these nanostructures can be integrated onto a substrate platform makes them practical for many realistic applications. In this talk I will demonstrate the application of nanorods grown by OAD in various key device applications of today's energy starved society. The first is nanostructured Si anodes for rechargeable Li-ion batteries with higher capacity. The second is the development of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) nanorods by magnetron sputtering at low temperatures and their use as enhanced transparent conducting electrodes for polymeric photovoltaic cells. The third is the use of Pt nanorod based electrode architectures for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and the fourth is the use of Cu nanorods architectures for enhanced nucleate boiling which has strong implications for the management of thermal energy.