Nasdaq listed Beacon Power, earlier this week announced acceptance of its flywheel demonstration by the California Energy Commission. Beacon's stock promptly rallied closing yesterday at 1.77 up from a low of 1.34 the day before. Flywheels are actually kinetic, or mechanical batteries, spinning at very high speeds (>20,000 rpm) to store energy that is instantly available when needed.

The company also makes solar inverter systems.

In alternative energy technology, it's easy to pay attention to the big ticket items like solar panels and wind turbines. But it is energy storage and power conversion devices that will make large scale integration of renewable power possible.

That's why Beacon Power looks to have a very good niche.