A Beijing think-tank has placed electricity, solar, wind and geothermal power on a research agenda to ensure clean air, blue sky and clear water during the Games, according to the Friday edition of the China Daily.

Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in the development of an electric vehicle, which will be used to transport athletes inside the Olympic Village and is expected to play a part in public transportation by 2008.

To this end, the national scientific governing division has launched a five-year project with a planned 880 million yuan (US$106 million).

Planners view solar power as a major alternative to electricity. Such power is expected to light most of the street lamps and heat bath water in the Olympic village during the Games, according to the China Daily report.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2002)