Thanks once again to all who contributed articles for this months issue. It never ceases to amaze me how things come together with a common theme with absolutely no coaxing from me. The industry really does report on itself and without any influence from opinionated individuals, the topics of the day tend to reveal themselves.

For example ... 2 articles this month about Algae. The first asks the question "WHY AREN'T ALGAE GETTING THE ATTENTION THEY DESERVE? and the second answers with a practical application of the technology CULTURED MICRO-ALGAE PRODUCES OMEGA-3 BIO-LIPID OIL. Could these tiny organisms be one of the solutions we are seeking? Wouldn't that be ironic!

Interested in making some investments in Alternative Energy Companies? In NEXT GENERATION OF PV IS EMERGING NOW!, Peter Lynch is kind enough to share a few companies and technologies worth looking at. And while we're on about PV technology here are a few more to read:

• PHOTOVOLTAIC COST COMPARISONS - Dave P. Buemi blasts those who would try to compare the cost of PV to Oil without taking all of the subsidies available to Oil companies into account.

• And then PV Powered discussed a project that won't need subsidies to be profitable in  SOLAR PROJECT PROFITABLE WITHOUT SUBSIDIES

• There is a SOLAR MARKET BOOM IN CALIFORNIA according to Solar Plaza and we tend to agree.

Ever heard of JPods? It's an interesting transportation concept involving a PV panel covered monorail that carries individuals in small pods from here to there. Bill James of JPods contributed 2 interesting articles for us. CHANGING FROM OIL TO INGENUITY discusses how we can get out of our oil dependent ways while WORRIED ABOUT THE ENERGY CRISIS? is a good comment about how easily we can be diverted from the real problems if not careful.

As you know by now, I like energy technology applications that seem to provide practical solutions. Here's a great one. ELECTRICITY WITH MY HOT WATER? discusses a furnace that not only heats your home but makes electricity too. We need this one to work! And here are some nice energy toys from SmartHome - SOLAR POWER FOR YOUR HOME. And TIRED OF WAITING FOR HOT WATER? discusses "Recirculating" Technology to reduce energy loss in your hot water system.

Speaking of water? THE FUTURE OF WATER RECYCLING is a nice description of how we may be able to cut down on waste water from our homes.

What about Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology? Donald Moore discusses THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY in his article and for a practical application how about Fuel Cell powered Fork Lifts - FUEL CELLS DO SOME HEAVY LIFTING.

How about another new concept? NATURAL GAS HYDRATES FOR FUTURE ENERGY SUPPLY by Biswajit Mandal. This one is over my head ... but then again so are many things that are in use every day.

On the political "big picture" scene we have a few good commentaries worth reading.

• ON ENERGY SUPPLY, POPULATION, CLIMATE AND FINANCIAL PROSPERITY - Gary Hoffman does a good job of bringing all of the elements into the picture.

• CHINA'S SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY discusses some history and future developments that will affect us all (Susan Myers and LY Yuan)

• The purpose of the THE GLOBAL BIOENERGY PARTNERSHIP is to provide a mechanism for Partners to organize, coordinate and implement targeted international research, development, demonstration and commercial activities related to production, delivery, conversion and use of biomass for energy.

• And lastly James Russo contributed this REVIEW - WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? Is there a "big picture" here that we are missing?

Enjoy the issue and please be sure to let us know your thoughts. You can either send us an article for the next issue, participate in our forums or just write an email letter like these LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Bob Hetherington