Sunshine forever
Scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Pacific Power, Australia, have produced a synthesis of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by combining methane, carbon dioxide and the sunlight, which makes it possible to store and transport solar energy. When the synthesised gas is changed back into carbon dioxide and methane, it releases the stored energy which can then be turned into electricity. The technology can be used to produce baseload electricity 24 hours a day (Australian Science and Technology Newsletter, January 1996).