FIRST HYDROGEN ECONOMY. It hasn't happened yet, but a group of well known international corporations is at least studying the possibility of creating the world's first economy - in Iceland - to be fueled by hydrogen instead of fossil fuels.

DaimlerChrysler, Norsk Hydro, Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Icelandic company Orkis hf. have created the Icelandic Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Company to explore the possibility of this new economy and implement projects toward that end. Ultimately the joint venture aims to convert public and private transportation, including fishing vessels, to fuel cells. Work will also be carried out towards the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen. The first project will bring fuel cell powered bus service to Reykjavik. The other projects will be introduced between 2000 and 2002, according to the new company.

To Icelandic, Hydrogen DaimlerChrysler will bring its research in fuel cell powered vehicles; Norsk Hydro its expertise in hydrogen production and carriers; Royal Dutch/Shell its technology to convert liquid fuels to hydrogen-rich gas. Iceland is well known for its renewable energy sources. Some 67 percent of its energy comes from geothermal and hydro-electric power. Iceland has one of the highest per capita living standards in the world.

WIND ENERGY RISING. The Worldwatch Institute claims that the installed capacity of wind energy worldwide has increased 35 percent each year since 1990. In 1998, alone 2000 megawatts were installed on the planet. The European Wind Energy Association claims 5000 megawatts could be installed per year over the next 15-20 years in Europe alone.

Adding to the world wind capacity will be another 25 megawatts for the American Midwest. Northern Alternative Energy will install small turbines ranging from 0.5 to under 2 megawatts at 17 sites in the wind-rich plains of southwestern Minnesota. When the project is complete the company will have 50 megawatts of capacity in the state. Visit Northern Alternative Energy at http://www.windpower.com.

LOWER COST TURBINES. To insure the growth of wind energy, turbines must be affordable and efficient. Since 1997 The Wind Turbine Company (WTC) of Bellevue, Washington has been working under a $22 million contact with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a state-of-the-art, low-cost utility grade turbine. Now with an additional $950,000 from the California Energy Commission the prototype will be built. The 350 kilowatt turbine will be assembled and tested at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Wind Technology Center this year and permanently installed in California by 2000.

Back Issues ENERGIES...the free weekly e-letter of products, innovation, issues and education in clean, renewable and efficient energy. Visit Green Energy News on the Web at http://www.nrglink.com for past issues. For free subscription contact bmulliken@nrglink.com. Copyright Green Energy News Inc. 2/21/99 vol.3 no.46.