Some of the major opportunities lie in the production, storage and consumption of energy. Dr. Steve Millett, manager of Battelle’s forecasts, says "We’re on the cusp of some major, fundamental changes in energy that are already under way." A panel of experts, led by Millett, picked 10 energy innovations that it predicts will have the most economic impact by 2010, including:

• Hybrid vehicles. Gas prices may have come down, but 70 mpg will create a lot of converts. Hybrid vehicles combine small, efficient internal combustion engines with power from batteries for an extra boost during acceleration. The first generation of these vehicles is already here, and Tony Schaffhauser of Oak Ridge National Laboratory says "U.S. automakers have produced a next-generation of hybrid concept cars that will pave the way to 80 mpg five-passenger sedans."
• Fuel cells. As fuel cells become smaller and cheaper, experts expect them to become increasingly popular for transportation and for portable power generation over the next decade. "These systems will provide power at competitive rates while drastically reducing the impact on the environment," says Don McConnell, associate lab director for energy science and technology at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.