Alternative Energy
Identifying the Next Major Players
As reserves of hydorocarbons continue to dwindle and global demand for energy grows at unprecedented rates, "alternative" sources of energy will become more commonplace. Alternative energy can mean anything from hydrogen fuel cells to nuclear power to genetically engineered electricity generating colonies of bacteria. For our purposes it simply means "not fossil fuel". There are many brilliant ways to provide this planet with the energy it needs. Some methods will replace hydrocarbons as a primary source, countless others will make up the secondary sources. There is big money to be made in both.
The future will likely see a combination of energy sources to meet demand. Southwest Airlines was the only airline to maintain profitablity in 2005. While everyone else was dealing with 65$ per barrel oil, Southwest had purchased 85% of the volume they needed to operate for the year when oil was $26 per barrel. In the same way Southwest Airlines stayed on top by hedging their fuel, many businesses can hedge thier energy future and ensure their ability to maintain competitiveness by understanding where energy is heading and planning appropriately. Here are some technologies that show a lot of promise.