Inklings

The automobile sector has pursued the r&d of fuel cells more aggressively than any other sector (see box: Have power, get hot water ). Automakers around the world are showing optimistic signs. Some developed countries in Europe and North America are leading the way: they are already operating fuel cell-powered vehicles on the road. Japan is also a major player.

The crossover

Now or never

Fuel cells have arrived. Or perhaps they haven't. From all appearances it seems these technologies have failed to deliver. Nothing could be further from the truth. Available evidence indicates that renewable and clean energy technologies like fuel cells have lived up to many significant expectations and public policy goals. Are fuel cells the victims of policy and politics? (see p32-39: 2H 2 + O 2 = 2H 2 O + energy).

Green electricity made

a connecticut, us -based company is all set to offer its customers a new power alternative called "green" electricity. This, it says, is not generated from oil or nuclear reactors, but from renewable sources like wind, water and methane gas. Though the electricity would be costlier by us $5-6 a month, the Connecticut Energy Cooperative firmly believes that people would gladly pay more for the green energy for the sake of their own health.

A lot of gas!

For a cleaner world

Power plants

spanish farmers are growing genetically modified ( gm ) artichokes ( Cynara scolymus ) with a height of three metres to produce electricity in special power stations .

Gasping for GAS

Lower sulphur levels soon

Burning ice

unbelievable, but true, ice crystals found inside the seafloor have more energy than all the world's fossil fuels put together. Before the 1970s, scientists did not even know that they existed under the sea. But several expeditions later, some startling findings have come to light about methane hydrate - a white, ice-like, compound made up of molecules of methane gas trapped inside cages of frozen water.