By Michael Kanellos – December 20, 2007 via News.Com

It was another strong year for green transportation, but a lot of potential pitfalls in the industry became more apparent.

Just ask ethanol producers for the evidence. In 2005 and 2006, investors flocked to traditional ethanol makers, allowing companies like VeraSun Energy to go public. The high prices for the fuel, combined with the relatively low price of feedstocks it’s made from, made the industry look attractive.

Then the price of corn shot up, budding profits turned to losses, and ethanol makers started to merge.

continue reading "Growing pains for green transportation"

by Michael Kanellos – December 7, 2007 via News.Com

Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it’s a royal pain to make.

Most industrial hydrogen producers currently make the gas by heating methane and water to 815 degrees Celsius and causing a reaction. Unfortunately, this process generates 9.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every kilo of hydrogen, so it’s not environmentally friendly or cheap.

Other companies like Signa Chemistry have come out with chemical catalysts that can strip hydrogen from water.

continue reading "A new electrode for cutting the price of making hydrogen"