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Alternative energy is playing an increasing role with electric cars.
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The alternative and cleantech industry worked over time this year to make sure it will meet the growing demand the electric drive is heralding.
The gist is that the electric drive push comes from a will and desire to move away from polluting energy sources to more eco-friendlier ones. The alternative energy sector, along with cleantech in general has worked over time to meet the growing demand for tomorrow's cleaner propulsion and energy source. From utilities to university groups, to coalitions, the breakthroughs have happened at breakneck speed.
Utilities, Education Groups And Private Company Research. Utilities have held their part of the bargain this year, with Duke energy, Southern California Edison, PG&E, and more who stepped up to the plate in order to transform the way to not only produce cleaner energy, but also save energy. As Ed Kjaer, at Southern California Edison told me in our interview, saving energy is the real deal here. It is relatively easy to build new energy plants but the real trick is conserving and managing energy. Speaking of managing energy...
The Smart Grid. Making our current electric grid a smart one is another place where the battle is waged. From creating high-capacity hydrogen cooled wires for long distance delivery with little energy loss to mini-local grids, the grid is facing the same changes the telecommunication industry did in the late 80s... upgrade intelligently. The Smart Grid is about intelligently and efficiently transporting energy. One technology to watch out for in 2010 are ocal smart grids.
MIT has also done a fine job at putting its thinking cap on and offering solutuions for tomorrow. We can also commend EPRI for continuous research and world class conferences.
The Privatre Players, IBM And Friends. In the private sector, IBM and Google have contributed to some remarkable achievements. IBM's work on lithium-air batteries is impressive and promises results we can only dream of today. Google research on saving energy for data centers, as well as it develpment in the geo-thermal energy sector.
The lithium battery world is taking off at a steady pace with regular breakthroughs. It might also use ultra-capacitors to shoulder some of the burden. Solar reigns supreme in the alternative energy field, followed by wind energy and geo-thermal. We should see more develoment with hydro energy, especially when it comes to harvesting wave power and rivers.
All in all, 2009 was the confirmation many wanted to see n the alternative energy sector, that which says we are heading towards a cleaner future where pollution will be but a distant nightmare. IN the meantime, there is work to do. We should stop the sterile debate and start acting. And next, the awards...
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