Green Tech RSS

Trees, Water & Climate

Ed Ring — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:49:22 -0700

On the U.K. based website The Independent, their science section published a report on March 19th entitled “Dams: Deep Trouble.” Below this ominous title, the tag line read “Are vast dams around the world masking the full extent of sea level rise?”

The story goes on to state “over the past 50 years, new dams and reservoirs have held back some 10,800

[...]

PML Flightlink's Wheelmotors

Ed Ring — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:37:26 -0700

Is an affordable EV mini-roadster almost here? PML Flightlink’s EW Series of roadworthy in-wheel motors includes the EW 30/60. Each of these motors weighs just under 40 pounds, or 18 kilograms, and each motor runs up to 14.4 kilowatts, or 19.3 horsepower.

[...]

Solar Integrated's BIPVs

Ed Ring — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:59:27 -0800

That they are pioneers in ”BIPV” technology (building integrated photovoltaics) makes Los Angeles based Solar Integrated a very interesting company. But the what makes Solar Integrated really, really interesting is they very likely have the most inexpensive photovoltaic solution in the world today.

[...]

Solar Integrated's BIPVs

Ed Ring — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:14:58 -0800

[...]

Life in the Electric Age

Ed Ring — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:23:06 -0800

Innovative business models and innovative technology are both necessary to usher in the electric age. Imagine the gigawatt-hours we’ll need just to power the commuter miles for millions of new electric cars. But along with new sources of electricity, we can increase the supply of electricity from existing sources by retrofitting our grid to the lighter

[...]

Dear John (Edwards)

DavidScottLewis — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:08:15 -0800

Dear Mr. Edwards,

Although I'm a libertarian Republican, you were my preferred candidate during this Presidential election process. The $1,200 haircut, well, maybe not the smartest move. But I do believe that you are man of honor and dignity; and, most importantly, a man of compassion. However, I did not sense that you could win your Party's nomination. As a result, [...]

Photovoltaic Powered Cars

Ed Ring — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:06:23 -0800

In previous posts, “Fisker’s Photovoltaic Cars,” and “Photovoltaic Powered Cars,” we have reported on the potential for commuters to power their vehicles with energy collected from rooftop photovoltaics. But until now we haven’t been able to share some of our spreadsheet analysis with readers. Thanks to a software company from Sweden SpreadsheetConverter, that hurdle has been overcome...

[...]

The Eco-Effective Future (I)

GoingGreen — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:02:39 -0800

At AlwaysOn’s recent GoingGreen conference, visionary architect and designer Wiliam McDonough received a standing ovation for his opening-night keynote presentation, outlining his “strategy of hope” for sustainable design. These words are excerpted from that presentation. We’ve also posted a short excerpt , and the entire speech online.[...]

Unleash the Green Entrepreneur

Ed Ring — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:31:47 -0800

Entrepreneurs will turn us green faster than government mandates.

Whether you think raising the price of fossil fuel will stop climate change, reverse the acidification of the ocean, or help nations achieve energy independence, the political momentum to do so appears unstoppable. With that as a given, then, the current debate should focus on what mechanism should be used, how much the price should[...]

Cleaning Up China

Ed Ring — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:35:16 -0800

China and India, along with much of the rest of Asia, are industrializing at a pace that is astonishing by any historical standard. And with nearly double digit annual economic growth impacting literally 50% of the world's population, roughly 3.0 billion people, comes an insatiable appetite for energy.

[...]

d.light's Kerosene Alternative

Ed Ring — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:38:30 -0800

Last week we reported on a photovoltaic powered car; here's a company that is manufacturing photovoltaic powered lighting. Founded not quite two years ago by Sam Goldman, d.light Designs intends to sell affordable, clean lighting to households that currently rely on kerosene for illumination.

[...]

Fisker's Photovoltaic Cars

Ed Ring — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:51:32 -0800

If you had 100 square feet of photovoltaic panels (PV), at 10 watts per square foot (full sun only), then you would be able to save one kilowatt-hour per hour. For that matter, if you only had 50 square feet of PV, but your panels yielded 20 watts per square foot in full sun, you would also be able to store one kilowatt-hour per hour.

[...]

NREL: Solar Cells for Large-Scale Electricity Generation

DavidScottLewis — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:11:24 -0800

A recent NREL presentation on solar cells for large-scale electricity generation (think CSP, for example) can be found here.

[...]

Gridpoint: The Last Green Mile

Ed Ring — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:53:39 -0800

When we caught up with Gridpoint’s Vice President for Product Strategy, Brian Golden, he wanted to make sure it was clear they offer a lot more than storage. Gridpoint’s “Connect Series” product is a turnkey electricity management system that can be installed in light commercial or multi-unit residential buildings or at a utility substation, in order to

[...]

China's Eco-Challenge

Ed Ring — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:56:51 -0700

Back in early 2001, using 1995 data, we published an analysis of global energy production trends entitled "The Good, the Bad, & the BTUs," where we calculated if everyone on earth were to require 100 million BTUs of energy per year, on average, energy production on earth would have to double to nearly 700 million BTUs. And with global energy production topping 500 BTUs last year, we are well on our way.

[...]

India's Hydro Power

Ed Ring — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:36:50 -0700

In our recent feature "Technology & Sunlight - India's Green Future" we calculated that for India to produce half as much energy per capita as members of the European Community, its overall energy production would need to quadruple. While India has technology and sunlight in abundance, and while these are key ingredients for a green energy future, it is daunting to think solar

[...]

Lower Lumens, Please?

Ed Ring — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:00:56 -0700

There is a group in the USA (and elsewhere) known as the International Dark Sky Association who, since 1988, have been advocating not carbon reduction, but lumen reduction. With over 11,000 members - over 1,500 in California - the International Dark Sky Association has some clout.

Nonetheless, “glare bombs” are still available in bulk and can still be easily and inexpensively

[...]

Where the Green VCs are Betting

GoingGreen — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:39:55 -0700

Four top VCs revealed where they were placing their cleantech bets last month at the GoingGreen event at UC Davis. Topping the list were energy efficiency, utility scale projects, plastics, building materials, carbon reduction, and transport. The panel included Susan MacCormac of Morrison & Foerster, DFJ's Raj Atluru, Samir Kaul of Khosla Ventures, Ray Lane from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Vantage Point's Bill Green.
[...]

The Future of Distributed Power

GoingGreen — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:23:37 -0700

Today's power crisis has given rise to many innovative smart-grid solutions. But do these remedies rely too much on Big Brother for enforcement? Will our energy consumption be rationed, house to house? Check out what our panel of greentech pros had to say about the future of distributed power.

[...]

Aptera's Next Generation Car

Ed Ring — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:10:04 -0700

This is incredible. How could I have been in the dark for so long? This is definitely love at first sight. Introducing the Aptera “Typ-1,” which has quietly taken shape in, once again, you guessed it, sunny California!

Up until late 2005, physicist Steve Fambro was working full time as an electrical engineer for a San Diego biotech company, but meanwhile in his garage

[...]

Biofuels: a Dangerous Bet

GoingGreen — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:11:43 -0700

Many taut corn ethanol as the flagship technology to launch the biofuel industry. But increased production of corn can cause food costs to skyrocket, hurt third-world countries, and cut into the fuel supply. Is corn ethanol worth the risk? Check out the video below to see what our panel of biofuel experts had to say. The panel features:

Peter Hanschen, Partner, Morrison & Foerster

[...]

California Water Facts

Ed Ring — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:47:30 -0700

We’ve just waded through the “California Water Plan,” 2005 update, which is produced by the California Dept. of Water Resources and is the most comprehensive source available on California’s water. Some interesting facts pop out immediately:

[...]

Green Predictions: Next-Gen Autos

GoingGreen — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:25:11 -0700

In the next 12-18 months, electric-vehicle (EV) battery efficiency will increase dramatically and vehicle-to-grid communication technology will be implemented, according to a panel of EV entrepreneurs speaking at the GoingGreen conference last week. The improved battery efficiency and charging convenience will turn the cost-penalty for EVs into a cost-benefit, enabling massive consumer adoption.
[...]

Lower Density, Please?

Ed Ring — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:39:14 -0700

Sacramento, California, is arguably the epicenter of the green policy initiatives that are changing the world. But living here in the center of the storm, watching the impact as these new “enlightened” policies get implemented, is not as blissful an experience as one might think.

[...]

Declaration of Interdependence

GoingGreen — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:33:19 -0700

Cleantech visionary William McDonough received a standing ovation from an audience of hundreds of Silicon Valley CEOs, investors and media at the opening night of the GoingGreen event at UC Davis.

Mr. McDonough painted a picture of future industrial and civil designs that will have net positive impacts on the environment. He described his “cradle to cradle” certification criteria.[...]

Optimistic Outlook for Greentech

GoingGreen — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:34:38 -0700

by Packy Kelly

In advance of this year’s AlwaysOn GoingGreen Conference, we surveyed leaders in the greentech community on some of the critical issues facing the greentech sector and the environment. We are very pleased that the respondents took a few minutes out of their busy schedules to provide their opinions. We’ve taken away some very clear from the responses.

[...]

The GoingGreen 100 Winners

GoingGreen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:47:43 -0800

Welcome to the first annual AlwaysOn GoingGreen 100. With this list of the hottest private companies in greentech, we highlight the game-changing players that are making it possible and profitable for big businesses to go green. These innovators are transforming the global energy, water, agriculture, transportation, construction, manufacturing, and resource recovery establishments – all trillion-dollar industries.
[...]

Emissions Trading Tyranny

Ed Ring — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:51:59 -0700

Unintended consequences are always part of any new scheme, and emissions trading is no exception. The European model ought to provide plenty of cautionary examples. Free market advocates claim emissions trading is preferable to outright taxation, but ignore the fact that in both cases, a huge and mostly arbitrary transfer of wealth is occurring. Emissions trading increases the

[...]

Electric Vehicles Get Bubbly

robday — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:56:47 -0700

Are electric vehicles the next "frothy" cleantech venture subsector?

Looks like we're going to get to figure out the answer to that question over the next few years, as we see just how many EV startups can succeed...

Not sure who posted it first, PE Hub or VWire, but the news came out at the end of last week that Venture

[...]

Rainforests vs. Biofuel

Ed Ring — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:56:52 -0700

In many cases it’s that stark: Either you preserve and expand forests, or you deforest in order to grow biofuel. If you believe, as we do, that tropical forests are far better for the global climate than biofuel plantations - in terms of all three popular measures; global warming, extreme weather, and droughts - then this choice is one with epic consequences. And over the

[...]

Boston Cleantech: CA Dreaming

robday — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:47:18 -0700

Massachusetts cleantech update: Entrepreneurs wanted

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative released a fascinating survey of the local clean energy economy this past week (click here to go to their home page, where you can download a press release and the full report).

The "Clean Energy Census Report 2007" illustrates the importance of the clean energy industry to the local[...]

Wrightspeed's X-1

Ed Ring — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:07:52 -0700

We caught up with Ian Wright last week to ask him about his “X-1″ prototype, an all-electric car that ought to be getting a lot of attention. After all, this car has already been around a few years, long enough, for example, to have beaten the Ferrari 360 Spider and the Porsche Carrera GT in drag races. The X-1 does zero to 60 mph in 3.07 seconds. Only

[...]

Sverdrups & Brine

Ed Ring — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:45:08 -0700

A “Sverdrup,” named after the famed Norwegian geologist who defined this unit of measure, is the largest quantity commonly used to express volumes of water flow. Naturally, the highest volumes of water flowing on this planet are ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, which warms Europe and flows at a rate of of 30 to 150 Sverdrups, depending on latitude.

[...]

Soccer Playing Nanites?

DavidScottLewis — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:43:41 -0700

Not quite, but getting there. Charlie Bess, an EDS Fellow, comments on this in a recent post on their EDS' Next Big Thing Blog (one of my favorite, must read blogs).

"Most of what I hear about nano-tech is based on taking advantage of the different chemical and physical properties, incorporating them in a relatively static fashion in commercial products. This competition[...]

Solaria and LiquidPiston

robday — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:04:56 -0700

The big deal so far this week is Solaria's $50mm Series C, led by Q-Cells and including existing investors Sigma Partners, NGEN and Moser Baer. In the deal, Solaria also gains access to 1.35 gigawatts worth of Q-Cells' PV cells
to be used in Solaria panels over the next ten years. The slowness of high-profile CIGS and other thin film PV startups to get into the market has[...]

Boston Cleantech Heating Up

robday — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:37:59 -0700

We'll have to wait on the deal-tracking numbers to be sure, but it certainly feels like the Boston-area cleantech community is getting a lot more active these days.

Many of the leading local VC firms are taking an interest and getting involved through great efforts like NEEIC, and beyond the VC/ entrepreneur end of the market there's been an increase in regional efforts to build a stronger overall[...]

The Double Standard

Ed Ring — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:36:02 -0700

In the Kittitas Valley, about 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg, Washington, a 65 turbine windfarm is in the final stages of approval. This windfarm will consume 6,000 acres, nearly ten square miles, and given each turbine is atop a 410 foot tower, it is reasonable to assume these are going to be very large generators, with a yield of 2.5 megawatts each. So this $150 million project will produce 165 megawatts of energy, or about 16 megawatt-years per square mile.

[...]

Think, Gevo, and corn-based ethanol under fire

robday — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:31:59 -0700

Think Global AS, the Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer, raised a $60mm Series B round of financing. New investors Element, RockPort, Hazel Capital and CG Holding all participated alongside existing investors Canica, Capricorn Investment Group, Wintergreen Advisors, and individual investors. Venture funding of electric vehicles is really heating up -- how long until

[...]

The Freeway Capable NMG

Ed Ring — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:31:35 -0700

What looks like a giant football helmet, has three wheels, seats one driver (with six cubic feet of cargo space), does 0-60 mph in 12.5 seconds with a top speed of 75 mph, and has a range of 30 miles?

That would be the Myers Motors “NMG,” a nimble electric tricycle that is officially classified as a motorcycle, and costs virtually nothing to drive. There are

[...]

Q & A: The Cleantech Revolution

robday — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:16:27 -0700

[...]

Update on the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

robday — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:41:15 -0700

...It still applies.

With the recent rise in interest in alternative energy technologies and other breakthrough clean technologies has come the inevitable rise in questionable business ideas promising unbelievable benefits: "free" energy, "free" electricity, etc. Let's just call these the "Huh" companies -- they typically invite people to sign up to be an early[...]

MDV's biofuels bets, Heliatek, Mobius Power, and Solaire Direct

robday — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:52:58 -0700

Mohr Davidow took the wrapper off of a couple of biofuels investments yesterday, with initial investments in Catalin (which is developing a "tea bag" catalyst for biodiesel production) and ZeaChem (which is developing waste-heat, biochem-driven approach to cellulosic ethanol).[...]

The ZAP-X Crossover

Ed Ring — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:55:09 -0700

When will the promise of electric cars be realized? As Larry Burns, VP of R&D for General Motors has patiently reminded the auto-bloggers, innovation isn’t sustainable until you can manufacture a vehicle not by the hundreds, but by the hundreds of thousands. So when will GM’s “Volt” hit the showrooms? And

[...]

Recurrent Energy, EPV and other news

robday — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:25:56 -0700

Last week, VentureWire broke the news that solar financing startup Recurrent Energy has raised a $10mm Series A, led by MDV and including JEN Partners. The round was actually closed back in March, but had been only recently publicly confirmed by the company. CEO Arno Harris also wrote about the round on his blog today -- he's been talking about Recurrent there for a while...[...]

The E85 Viper

Ed Ring — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:31:42 -0700

It had to happen. Just as we reported with delight back in 2006 on the imminent arrival of the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric car we estimate can top out somewhere north of 180 mph, last week we learned of a Dodge Viper that’s been modified to run on E85, a fuel blend that is 85% ethanol.

[...]

The challenges of re-inventing the engine

robday — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:22:42 -0700

There continue to be a lot of great ideas out there for re-inventing the internal combustion engine ("ICE"). From small tweaks to major redesigns, engineers have been coming up with innovative approaches that promise efficiency gains and other benefits. And yet, with all these better mousetraps, the world hasn't yet beat a path to their doors.[...]

CleanFish, and Braemar's next fund

robday — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:10:17 -0700

CleanFish, a distributor of sustainably-produced seafood, has raised a $2.1mm Series A, according to PE Week Wire. Mindful Capital Partners led the round.

VentureWire reported this morning that Braemar Energy Ventures has set a target of $200mm for their second fund. Braemar invests across a wide range of energy sectors, including clean energy technologies, and according to the VWire article the firm still owns 10.2% of EnerNOC.

[...]

Envision Solar, Ze-Gen, Verari

robday — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 18:20:41 -0700

Public mentions of planned cleantech financings this morning:

According to VentureWire, Envision Solar has raised $600k of a targeted $2mm Series A round. The company is building "Solar Groves", which are PV-covered parking lots, based on Kyocera solar panels. The initial $600k has been in convertible notes, and current investors were undisclosed.

[...]

Drowning Out Real Science

Ed Ring — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:09:19 -0700

Just over 100 years ago, on May 27th, 1907, Rachel Carson was born. Her book “Silent Spring,” published in 1962, is considered by many to have launched the modern environmental movement. Inspired by concerns over misuse of the chemical DDT, the book had the specific effect of leading to the banning of DDT use in most of the world.

[...]

Is Biofuel Water-Positive?

Ed Ring — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:33:37 -0700

An arcane but instructive way to evaluate corn ethanol, along with all biofuels, may not just be to audit their “net energy balance,” but also their “net water balance.” Evaluating whether or not a biofuel crop could be “water positive” is even more subjective to calculate than whether or not that crop is energy positive, but here goes:

[...]

If at first you don't succeed...

robday — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:41:55 -0700

Jon Shieber at VentureWire had the scoop today about Tioga Energy's $10mm round and launch. Investors in the round included NGEN, DFJ, RockPort, DFJ Frontier, and Kirlan Ventures. Tioga is a solar financing effort akin to SunEdison, but aimed at smaller customers (small commercial and residential). The interesting thing about the Tioga story is that the company was originally known as CerOx, and was developing a waste treatment technology, after having raised $17mm.[...]

John Doerr and KPCB Seek Salvation through Greentech

robday — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:29:10 -0700

When you have 19:43 free, it's well worth checking out this video of John Doerr's powerful speech at TED. (thanks to Dan Primack for the link)

[...]

"Cleantech venture bubble" watch, pt 3: Biofuels

robday — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:08:51 -0700

As we discussed before, it's tough to declare a "bubble" across all cleantech sectors, especially when looking only at venture investments (versus the public markets).

There remains the possibility of small bubbles within certain sub-sectors, however.

One such sub-sector that is frequently called out as potentially seeing overinvestment is biofuels.[...]

Happy Memorial Day

robday — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:21:30 -0700

GE has announced that they plan on doubling their cleantech venture capital investments from $25mm this year to $50mm in 2008. It's yet another sign of the importance of cleantech for such large capital goods providers, who are also likely to be major acquirers of clean technologies as the space continues to mature -- and thus providing exits for many cleantech venture investments.[...]

Cleantech Bubble Watch, Part 2

robday — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:50:19 -0700

Five Questions with Matthew Nordan

Last week we started a series of posts on the subject of investment bubbles in the cleantech sector -- and in the process, we used a recent research report by Lux Research as a centerpiece of the discussion. (We also, admittedly, took a little bit of a swipe at the PR announcing the report's release...[...]

Demand response gets another comp

robday — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:00:09 -0700

It would appear that the cat's out of the bag regarding energy efficiency/ smart grid technology, and particularly its subsector demand response. First, the successful IPO by Comverge (COMV), and now DR rival EnerNOC (ENOC) has made a similarly big splash in the public markets.

[...]

China's Energy Demand

Ed Ring — Fri, 25 May 2007 10:29:57 -0700

China, like India, is a nation of colossal population - well over 1.0 billion people - careening into the modern industrial age. In order to successfully transition to a fully industrialized nation, it is clear the Chinese recognize the need to "leapfrog" the technologies of the west, in order to avoid resource scarcity and hideous pollution. But how feasible is this?

[...]

"Cleantech venture bubble" watch, part 1

robday — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:08:15 -0700

Thanks to some recent research and commentary by Lux and others (such as this article), the potential for a cleantech venture bubble has been getting a lot of attention.

It's always a fascinating media topic: When does an investment sector get "too hot"? So expect even more attention will be paid to this topic in the future.

[...]

Biofuel Certification Criteria

Ed Ring — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:44:53 -0700

On May 9th the BBC ran an online story entitled “UN Warns on Hazards of Biofuels” where they conclude “Current research concludes that using biomass for combined heat and power (CHP), rather than for transport fuels or other uses, is the best option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade - and also one of the cheapest.”

[...]

Tesla Motor's $45mm and other deals

robday — Mon, 14 May 2007 11:19:18 -0700

Cleantech Investing Update: Tesla Motors, MBA Polymers picks up $20 mm from Benchmark, China and Isreal getting into the act, and more.

Tesla Motors today announced a $45mm Series D, led by Technology Partners and Elon Musk. TP's Ira Ehrenpreis will be joining the company's board. Capricorn Investment Group also participated, as did all previous investors (including

[...]

Thermal Voltaic Power

Ed Ring — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:48:17 -0700

We like this characterization of thermal solar concentrators, “thermalvoltaic,” because it calls to mind the fact that thermal energy can be concentrated and turned into electricity just like light can - “photovoltaic.” And as we review solar thermal here, it is important to note that the sun is only one source of thermal voltaic power - geothermal energy is another prime example.

[...]

Silicon Valley Solar

Ed Ring — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:19:55 -0700

Silicon Valley Solar, or SV Solar, is a pretty good name for a company located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, where the latest generation of silicon fueled booms is taking shape in the form of photovoltaic cells being designed and manufactured at dozens if not hundreds of companies, from start-ups to Fortune 500 stalwarts.

[...]

Q1 2007 Cleantech Numbers

robday — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:24:50 -0700

Over the past week or so, many of the various groups who track venture capital investments put out their Q1 numbers. Below is a brief re-cap, for those interested. (For those interested in a discussion of the differences in the various approaches, see this previous posting)

[...]

Cleantech Roundup

robday — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:21:50 -0700

Lamina Ceramics, Power Efficiency Corp, eMeter, Gordon Murray Design, LanzaTech

LED "light engine" developer Lamina Ceramics announced a $7mm round of financing, led by Easton Capital, and including existing investors Morgenthaler Ventures, Granite Global Ventures, RedShift Ventures, and CID Equity Capital.

[...]

Altair Nanotechnologies

Ed Ring — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:52:07 -0700

Today I had the opportunity to catch up with Alan Gotcher, CEO of Altair Nanotechnologies. This Nevada-based company has even begun to excite the competitors. For example, last month at a GM-hosted battery technology briefing for journalists, I asked some of the battery engineers from other manufacturers of lithium ion batteries about Altair Nano, and their design got favorable comments.

[...]

Supply Side Environmentalism

Ed Ring — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:53:13 -0700

Environmentalism today is generating more interest in the world than at any time since the 1970’s, but environmentalism today is very different from the modern movement that began on Earth Day nearly 36 years ago.

When comparing the environmental movement today to environmentalism back then, two things are evident: First, important goals have been accomplished in the last thirty years.

[...]

A123's Lithium Ion Battery

Ed Ring — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:57:52 -0700

If the Tesla Roadster is being powered with 6,831 laptop batteries, the Chevy “Volt” may end up running on Black & Decker power tool batteries. That’s not quite accurate, but in both cases, a lithium ion battery with a proven track record in other consumer applications is finding its way into the next generation of electric cars.

[...]

The E-Flex Auto Revolution

Ed Ring — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:23:09 -0700

Calling an e-flex vehicle a “series hybrid” is not accurate, according to Larry Burns, Vice President of Research and Development for General Motors, and he’s right.

In order to see why GM’s revolutionary new Chevy “Volt” automobile design is different from typical hybrids, the “series” designation is helpful, but that’s all. Hybrids

[...]

Inconvenient Questions & High Stakes

Ed Ring — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:56:21 -0700

In spite of serious debate being over, and only fringe groups, hacks, and the obsolete and defiant holdouts remaining steadfast in their denial, we continue to publish thoughtful essays that question the role of anthropogenic CO2 causing global warming.

With so much at stake and so much still unknown it's not just contrarian, it's vital to maintain a vigorous, intellectually

[...]

IPCC Report & The Role of Deforestation

Ed Ring — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:18:46 -0700

The fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is due in complete form in a few months, but the “Summary for Policymakers” was released in February. The general consensus from environmental activists, along with the media and nearly all politicians can be summed up as this: “The ‘question mark’ has been removed; fossil fuels are causing global warming.”

[...]

Cleantech Venture Stats

robday — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 10:18:59 -0800

Ernst & Young/ Dow Jones VentureOne today released their 2006 totals for cleantech venture investments, and the results (illustrated above) confirm the trend of overall strong growth. They counted $1.3B in investments in the US, Europe, Israel and China, with 140 transactions.

[...]

India's Nuclear Power

Ed Ring — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:00:56 -0800

According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power is now used in 37 countries. As a huge, technologically advanced country, soon to be the most populous nation on Earth, it should be no surprise that India has a long-standing nuclear power industry.

In 1954, India's First Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, said "It is perfectly clear that atomic

[...]

Biofuel is NOT Carbon Neutral

Ed Ring — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:44:52 -0800

Biofuel today is produced, overwhelmingly, from oil palms and sugar cane, and overwhelmingly, these plantations stand where tropical rainforest recently stood. Over a year ago, a well-documented essay entitled “Worse Than Fossil Fuel,” was published in the London Guardian by George Monbiot, an environmental activist and professor at Oxford-Brookes University in the

[...]

Fuel from Animal Waste

Ed Ring — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:51:37 -0800

To our knowledge the biggest operator in the USA of commercial scale plants that create fuel from animal waste is Changing World Technologies, headquartered in West Hempstead, New York. This company has a plant in Carthage, Missouri, that in April 2006 produced 6,000 barrels of diesel fuel. The plant uses turkey offal as the feedstock, in a joint venture with Conagra’s massive Butterball turkey processing plant. [...]