Each factory and office building had its own generator, and neighborhoods had small power plants that the locals shared. Wall Street's money prevailed, and Edison's decentralized model was abandoned. Just as important as these fuels, however, are such innovative micropower technologies as fuel cells, turbines, and flywheels. Fuel cells, powered by hydrogen, are virtually soundless and can run everything from hospitals to cars to cell phones. The First National Bank of Omaha is a believer in fuel cells, having experienced a costly computer crash at its data processing center in 1997.
Computers require an uninterruptible power supply.
Even a momentary blackout is disastrous, taking days for the computers to get back on line, losing millions in sales, and angering customers. You could have one in your home or small business. Operating on the same principal as a jet engine, these small electric generators use a constant blast of natural gas or biogas to spin a shaft. The flywheel is an old technology that has been dramatically updated and is causing a revolution in how electricity is stored. That's why the flywheel is a gizmo of such genius.