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Nokia Drops Immediate Plans to Develop Fuel Cells

LONDON – Nokia Corp. has dropped plans to develop mobile phones with fuel cells for at least the next few years, a spokesman for the Finnish company said Thursday. The world’s largest cell-phone maker, which only eight months ago signaled its commitment to fuel cells, said the technology isn’t yet mature. However, Nokia’s Matti Naskali left the door open for future use of the technology. “Fuel-cell technology is promising and Nokia continues to follow it closely,” he said. In a cell phone, a fuel cell would remove the need for a rechargeable battery, instead allowing a user to recharge it the same way a cigarette lighter is refilled when it runs out of butane. A fuel cell would also allow longer talk and standby times and increased stamina for power-hungry applications such as television. In June 2004, Tero Ojanpera, head of Nokia’s research center, showed off a headset that was powered by a small amount of methanol. The fuel cell combined the methanol with air to produce power. At that time, Ojanpera said the technology was “reasonably mature,” and predicted that it would take less than two years to commercialize it. But Naskali said several issues with the technology had […]

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WilderHill Clean Energy Index ETF Begins Trading

On March 3, the first Clean Energy ETF started trading under the name “PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio” (Amex: PBW). This new exchange traded fund (ETF) managed by PowerShares Capital Management LLC, replicates the WilderHill Clean Energy Index, the first index comprised of companies focused on clean energy technologies. The WilderHill Clean Energy Index was developed by Dr. Robert Wilder as a benchmark for the clean and renewable energy sector. According to industry research, the total clean energy market for wind, solar and fuel cells will grow to $92 billion in 2013, roughly seven times its present size. Lower costs from advances in technology are helping fuel the growth in alternative energy investment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of wind and solar technology has declined by 80% over the past two decades. As the prices of crude oil and other petroleum products remain near historic highs, investment in the development and use of alternative sources of energy becomes more attractive and cost effective. Thirteen states now require utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Nonpolluting alternative energy sources including wind, solar, hydroelectric, bio-fuel, geothermal, hybrid automotive and fuel cells have become multi-billion […]

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Timberland Announces Two-for-One Stock Split

The Timberland Company (NYSE: TBL) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 split of its Class A and Class B Common Stock. The additional shares will be distributed on May 2, 2005, to shareholders of record on April 14, 2005. In addition, the Board of Directors approved the retirement of 10.0 million Class A Treasury shares. The Company had approximately 28.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 5.9 million shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2005. The Board also approved a 100% increase in shares remaining under its previously announced repurchase program as of the April 14, 2005 record date to reflect the impact of the stock split. The increase will be effective immediately after the May 2, 2005 distribution date. As of February 28, 2005, the Company had approximately 2.0 million shares remaining, pre-split, under its current share repurchase authorization. Timberland is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories.

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WorldWater & Power Corp. Signs $1.8 Million Contract

WorldWater & Power Corporation (OTC BB:WWAT.OB), a manufacturer of solar water pumping systems, has signed a $1.8 million contract to supply solar-generated electricity for a tree farm in California. Worldwater’s proprietary solar AquaMax(TM) will drive a 200 hp water pump, saving an estimated 70% of the Cocopah tree farm’s electrical bills, according to Quentin T. Kelly, WorldWater’s Chairman and CEO. The company recently completed another AquaMax(TM) system driving a 200 hp pump for Seley Ranches, a citrus farm in California. It also supplied all the solar equipment for a one megawatt solar installation at Cerro Coso College in Ridgecrest, CA, which the college estimates will supply 60% of its electricity and save the college over $300,000 a year. WorldWater also recently signed a contract with the Idyllwild (CA) Water District to operate seven of the utility’s pumps by use of the AquaMax(TM) system. Engineering work has begun on that Project. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Fuel Cell Industry Applauds Transportation and Infrastructure Legislation

The US Fuel Cell Council applauded a House Committee’s decision today to include nearly $65 million for fuel cell buses in the proposed federal transit policy legislation. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or TEA-LU, today. The legislation includes the Fuel Cell Bus Technology Demonstration Program, a $64.8 million, cost-shared, competitively awarded grant with a maximum of four projects to be selected from geographically diverse areas of the country. The initiative covers hydrogen production, energy storage, fuel cell technologies, vehicle systems integration and power electronics technologies. The program focuses on technology integration, testing, demonstration and validation of fuel cell vehicle technologies and supporting infrastructure. “Today’s decision is a wonderful first step in bringing fuel cell technology to America’s transit industry. Having said that, the fuel cell industry believes a more robust program is necessary to accelerate full scale commercialization,” stated Robert Rose, Executive Director of the US Fuel Cell Council. Rose pointed to the 10-city program already under way in Europe, the CUTE program, as a example of the scale of program the Council supports and the industry needs. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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