[Technology] PEM Fuel Cells

High Gas Alert One of the biggest news these days that everyone talks about and even expreriences it is probably the gas price. As the price of crude oil skyrocketted pass $75 per barrel, people are also beginning to suffer as the inflated gas price at some places are surpassing the $3 mark for the regular unleaded.

Besides people taking energy saving initiatives such as cutting unnecessary road trips or taking public transportations, the government is also beginning to focus more on more on the long term solution - alternative energy sources. Even some people are beginning to drive energy-efficient hybrids or installing solar panels at home to cut energy spendings. In the past, we have talked about alternative energy stocks such as Solar Energy Stocks and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stocks. Let's take a look at companys focusing on another type of fuel cell called PEM(proton exchange membrane) fuel cells:

• Ballard Power Systems Inc. (BLDP): the Burnaby, Canada based company makes proton exchange membrane(PEM) fuel cells which are used to power different types of vehicles such as pickup trucks, buses and airport ground transportation vehicles. The stock price rose along with crude oil price from $4.04 per share in early January to close at $10.26 on Friday, gaining 150% in just three months. The volumn has also surged from 353,250 average shares to 4 million shares on Thursday showing the stock is getting more attention from the investors.
• Plug Power Inc. (PLUG): the Latham, New York based company also makes proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and backup power product for various industries. The stock in early April got a huge lift after a Russian investment firm and nickel producer agreed to invest $217 million cash in the company. The new pushed the stock from $5 per share to $6.17 per share at the close of Friday. The company is expected to annouce first quarter result on Thursday, April 27.
• Hoku Scientific Inc. (HOKU): the Kapolei, Hawaii based company develops membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) used in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The company just went public in early August of 2005 and is now trading around IPO price of $6.33 per share. The company is expected to annouce fourth quarter and annual result on May 4.