Saturday, December 03, 2005

Alternative energy gains momentum

Beyond Oil
Long addicted to oil, countries are facing growing pressure to move beyond the pricey fossil fuel. One report predicts carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could climb by 52 percent by 2030, with disastrous consequences for the environment and human health. Political problems associated with oil dependence are another reason countries are turning to cleantech to help satisfy growing energy needs. Worldwide, clean energies like solar power and fuel cells are finally gaining traction, with the sector expected to rise to about $100 billion by 2012 from about $25 billion currently. Red Herring looks at some of the tech pioneers inventing new energy infrastructures that could help us move beyond oil. Find out more about InnovaLight’s Conrad Burke, CMR Fuel Cells’ John Halfpenny, and other new energy moguls in our cover story