Seeing an opportunity to provide this highly valuable utility for emergency and regular power, Mr. Workman and a smart team of engineers launched a new company, GoalZero , to develop portable solar powered electrical units.

FORBES: GoalZero -- How To Create An Industry (And A Profit) By Doing Good

Since the 1920s the emphasis has been on increasing conventional generating unit size up to a now optimal size of 600, 000 kW. These must employ transmission and distribution lines to integrate electrical loads which almost always are much smaller, and also to integrate generating units to permit reserve sharing.

FORBES: Who Sued Bloom Energy?

But other companies, such as units of United Technologies and other vendors, contribute to the plane's extensive electrical system.

CNN: Quick fix for Dreamliner looks less likely, experts say