Energy storage. Like clean coal, it's one of the those Google-like opportunities in the greentech market. The company that cracks part of the problem could reap billions. However, it's not easy science. Both Altairnano and A123 Systems have kicked off efforts to determine if lithium ion batteries could do the job, according to Martin LaMonica at News.com. Indianapolis Power & Light just finished a test with two one megawatt, 250 kilowatt hour battery system from Altairnano. The battery packs met the goals set by the test, including one test in which the battery packs were repeatedly charged and discharged in 15 minutes. Think of it--a full megawatt charge and discharge in a quarter of an hour. A123 Systems, meanwhile, is testing its batteries with General Electric. So what's the big deal about storage? Storage devices help grid stabilization, smoothing out the delivery of power. The more constant the delivery of power, the happier the utility is. Storage can also be used, ultimately, to supplement wind, wave and solar systems when the sun or the wind aren't cooperating. Both Altairnano and A123 Systems are trying to sell their batteries into the automotive market as well. Although both specialize in lithium ion batteries, the chemistries inside their batteries differ significantly from what you see in notebook batteries. Notebooks use lithium cobalt batteries. These can short circuit and blow up. Altairnano specializes in lithium titanate batteries while A123 has lithium phosphate batteries. Both are less prone to overheating although there are trade-offs. These alternative chemistry batteries typically cannot hold as much energy as lithium cobalt batteries. But you won't be a charred pile of goods on the side of the freeway either. Other new age lithium ion companies include EnerDel and International Battery. Other devices for power storage include vanadium flow batteries (Deeya Energy), flywheels (Pentadyne), molten salt (for storing heat that can then be used to turn a turbine), and ice. (IceEnergy). May the best novel concept win.