Don't limit your concept of alternative energy to solar and wind power: Batteries, a prosaic technology that's been around since slightly before the invention of dirt, have been undergoing a rebirth. Lithium ion is currently the standard chemistry for high-power, high-energy, rechargeable batteries, but it's morphing into flavors: Lithium ion with a cobalt cathode continues to be standard for such high-energy-storage-density devices as laptops and cell phones, but lithium-ion-iron phosphate has emerged as the chemistry of choice for high-power devices ranging from cars to hand tools. None of these lithium-ion chemistries is ideal, though, and some new technology will come along from some university or research institution to move us closer to the ideal battery chemistry. Hence, the top power story for EDN in 2008 is “MIT researchers use plant-energy-storage system for solar-storage innovation.”

“MIT researchers use plant-energy-storage system for solar-storage innovation.” 

“A solar panel on every building.” 

“Circuit makes simple high-voltage inverter.” 

“Lithium-ion batteries prepare to take a giant leap forward.” 

“Solar-cell, semi-industry investments equal by 2010, iSuppli reports.” 

“High-brightness LEDs usher in newapplications and standards.” 

“Power inverter is bidirectional.” 

“Buck-boost converters change with the times.” 

“How to kill the home-networking industry.”