This has got to be one of the most amazing gagdets for any computer techie - a fuel cell laptop battery. Powered from methanol this could be one of the first real applications for fuel cell technology aimed at mass market users. Riello UPS is involved in a number of fuel cell projects where it is applying its expertise in inverter and power technologies. Replacements for the traditional sealed lead acid battery could be just round the corner - perhaps within 5 to 10 years we will see easily affordable solutions in the market place.

The threat of grid shutdowns came even closer today with the announcement that we had hit a specific threshold level in gas supply - an amber alert level was reached. For more information click Business Telegraph. Within 20 years we have gone from a country rich in its own natural gas and oil to one that is now an importer with power supply problems. The next 20 years could see our coal fields reopened as the UK struggles for its independence in enery and power generation.

Between March 22nd and 23rd 2006, VoIP for Business is running at the Olympia Conference centre. Technologies such as VoIP and its adoption are helping to drive forward the power protection market. Applications running VoIP require a more sophisticated approach to business continuity - see our Telecoms UPS Guide. I am sure that when we see a £10 handset for VoIP systems there will be a massive adoption of this technology.