ABSTRACT
Energy production is among the top problems that humanity will face over the next century because of growing energy demand, particularly in developing countries. A major part of electric power is currently produced by burning fossil fuels – coal, oil or gas. The increasing energy demand currently as well as in future, however, will possibly not be met by fossil fuels for two reasons: (a) their limited reserves and (b) their significant contribution to greenhouse gases which have adverse effects on the climate (Solomon et al. 2007; Pearce 2008). Consequently, many organizations from around the world have been searching for alternatives to fossil fuels that are low-cost, sustainable and clean.
