CPST news; Capstone announces 1 megawatt microturbine system

Capstone Announces First Megawatt Microturbine Solution
Wednesday December 12, 5:00 am ET

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST - News), the world’s leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems announced today the C1000, the world’s first megawatt microturbine solution.

The new robust megawatt power systems, based on Capstone’s C200 microturbine product line, can be configured into 1,000 kW, 800 kW and 600 kW solutions in a single 28-foot-long ISO container. Other benefits include:

- Low greenhouse-gas emissions

- Patented air-bearing microturbine technology

- Easy to install and commission -- single fuel and electrical connection

- Minimal scheduled maintenance and downtime

- Low noise and vibration

- One of the industry’s smallest modular footprints

Additional features include Capstone’s remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, and integrated utility synchronization and protection. Comprehensive Factory Protection Plans are available.

“This is another important technical achievement for Capstone as we will be able to effectively compete in megawatt scale projects and therefore double our addressable market,” said Jim Crouse, Capstone Turbine Corporation’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“The C1000 platform applies the same dependable technology found in our proven 30kW and 65kW products,” said Darren Jamison, Capstone’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe the C1000 will be well received in the United States and abroad and reinforce our commitment to provide customers one of the most environmentally friendly distributed generation products available.”

Every installed C1000 Capstone MicroTurbine solution is equivalent to removing up to 700 average U.S. passenger vehicles from the road, based on EPA emissions and efficiency data for the average US power plant and average passenger vehicle, or the equivalent of 730 acres of pine and fir forest, based on CO2 reductions.

About Capstone Turbine

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST - News) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone Turbine has shipped over 4,000 Capstone MicroTurbine® systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone Turbine is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation’s energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2000 certified company; Capstone Turbine is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in New York, Mexico City, Milan, Nottingham, Shanghai and Tokyo.

“Capstone Turbine Corporation” and “Capstone MicroTurbine” are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about the benefits of our new C1000 product and new sales opportunities for Capstone globally for the new C1000 product. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

LDK Solar revenue up 60%, profit up 40%; conference call audio avail til 24dec07

December 19, 2007

LDK Solar Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2007

Xinyu City, China and Sunnyvale, California, December 19, 2007 – LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LDK), a leading manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, today reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007.
All financial results are reported on a U.S. GAAP basis.
Third Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights:

* Revenue of $158.7 million, up 60% quarter-over-quarter
* Gross profit of $48.9 million, up 40% quarter-over-quarter
* Net income of $41.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted ADS, up 45% quarter-over-quarter
* Signed four long-term wafer supply agreements during the third quarter
* Total wafer shipments increased 49% sequentially to 78.9MW in the third quarter

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 were $158.7 million, up 60.2% sequentially from $99.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007, and up 404.7% year-over-year from $31.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was $48.9 million, up 40.2% sequentially from $34.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007, and up 295.1% year-over-year from $12.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was 30.8% compared with 35.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and 39.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was $41.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted ADS, compared to net income of $28.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted ADS for the second quarter of fiscal 2007, and $5.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted ADS for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
The Company ended the third quarter of fiscal 2007 with $125.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.
“We are pleased to report strong results for the third quarter, following a positive outcome of the independent inventory review,” stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK Solar.“With the inventory investigation behind us, we have returned our focus to growing our business.During the third quarter we experienced continued robust demand for our wafers and made great strides in expanding our customer base.We signed four long-term wafer supply contracts during the third quarter and five more since the quarter closed. We view these agreements as a testament to the quality of our products.
“We remain on track to meet our wafer production capacity goal of 400MW by the end of 2007. Additionally, the construction of our polysilicon plant is tracking with our original plan.In addition to the anticipated cost efficiencies we expect to achieve upon completion of our polysilicon plant, we are continuing cost reduction efforts through further advancements of our product processes,” concluded Mr. Peng.
Business Outlook
The following statements are based upon management's current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, LDK estimates revenue to be in the range of $180 to $185 million for wafer shipments of 87 to 92MW.The Company also estimates fully diluted earnings per ADS to be in the range of $0.40 to $0.43.
Conference Call Details
The LDK Third Quarter teleconference and webcast is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. To listen to the live conference call, please dial 800-366-7449 (within U.S.) or 303-262-2193 (outside U.S.) at 5:50 p.m. ET on December 19, 2007. An audio replay of the call will be available to investors through December 24, 2007, by dialing 800-405-2236 (within U.S.) or 303-590-3000 (outside U.S.) and entering the passcode 11104747##.
A live webcast of the call will be available on the company's investor relations website at investor.ldksolar.com.

Lazard likes the big FSLR and the lil CPST

Lazard More Bullish on First Solar & Capstone Turbine (FSLR, CPST)

Analyst Sanjay Shrestha of Lazard Capital Markets is sticking with his Buy ratings this morning on shares of First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and Capstone Turbine (NASDAQ:CPST).

On First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR):

* We maintain our BUY rating on First Solar shares following the company's analyst day and tour of the company's Perrysburg, Ohio, manufacturing facility.... elaborated on its overall strategy to garner leading and defendable market share in the mainstream electric power generating market, without subsidy, while maintaining a superior return on capital through people, processes, technological leadership, scale, strong financial discipline, and risk control..... reiterated its cost-reduction goal of achieving module ASP of $1-$1.25/watt by 2010-2012.
* Shrestha adds, "We believe this strategy will allow First Solar to successfully migrate from subsidized markets, to renewable energy markets, to mainstream electric power markets over the next several years.... We are raising our price target to $250 from $225. Our new target equates to a 40x multiple on our 2010E EPS of $7.25 (up from $6.50), discounted back 15% for one year.

On Capstone Turbine (NASDAQ: CPST):

* Interestingly enough, an approval for microturbine technology to become a standard in New York is the basis for todays call. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a new rule setting the country's first standard for use and installation of microturbine systems in residential and commercial buildings. The rule creates a standard protocol for microturbine installation in NYC...
* Shrestha notes, "Given Capstone's UL certification and strong presence in Northeast market, we would look for increasing order traction; however, we note that sales cycles for distributed generation solutions remain lumpy/lengthy.... We maintain our $2.50 price target, which reflects a 25x multiple on our 2012 EPS estimate of $0.20 discounted back at 25% for three years. We maintain our $2.50 price target, which reflects a 25x multiple on our 2012 EPS estimate of $0.20 discounted back at 25% for three years."

We recently noted in our own "10 Stocks Under $10 Newsletter" how after we reviewed Capstone Turbine (NASDAQ:CPST) that we felt his call for a double in the shares could be greatly understated if you track alternative energy and historical stock prices compared to modern and past valuations.

* Capstone Turbine (NASDAQ: CPST) shares are up 6% at $1.22 today; 52-week trading range is $0.75 to $1.48 (stock was above $5.00 in 2005 and traded well over $50.00 back in 2000); market cap $177.5 million.
* First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) shares are up over 4% more today at $223.85; 52-week trading range is $26.40 to $252.39; market cap now $17.4 Billion.

Jon C. Ogg
December 5, 2007
http://www.247wallst.com/2007/12/lazard-more-bul.html

Global Directory of Sustainable Power / Renewable Energy Sites

Renewable Power and Sustainable Energy Web Links

solar energy / windpower info from http://www.appro.org

• The Canadian Association for Renewable Energies (CARE) an authoritative source of news on the renewable energy industry in Canada
• The US "Interstate Renewable Energy Council"
• The Green Energy Website is a service with information on how to buy green energy services. Alternate link for the Green Energy Website
• World-wide Information System for Renewable Energy (WIRE)
• Ontario Pilot Emission Reduction Trading (PERT) Website
• National Center for Appropriate Technology
• RETSCREEN (TM) Software for assessing feasibility of renewable energy products, distributed by the Government of Canada, free-of-charge.
• CANMET Energy Diversification Research Laboratory R&D includes photovoltaics, remote community energy systems, heat pumps, heat storage, industrial drying as well as energy systems analysis and modelling.
• Ontario Legislative Committee on Ontario Hydro website
• British Columbia's Electricity Task Force
• Natural Life Website's Alternative Energy Resources
• The Macdonald Committee Report on competition in Ontario's electricity sector
• Renewable Electric Plant Information System Information about utility grid-connected bioenergy, geothermal, hydroelectric, photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind energy generation facilities throughout the United States is contained in the DOE Office of Utility Technologies' Renewable Electric Plant Information System (REPiS) database.
• Energy Efficient Housing in Canada
  And, for other links on energy systems in buildings, Click here for "other sources"
  Or, advancedbuildings.org This site is a building professional's guide to over 60 environmentally responsible technologies and materials for use in commercial/industrial buildings. It covers topics such as phot`foltaics, daylighting, water conservation, embodied energy, waste managment, septic treatment, and more. For more information, e-mail: dcarpenter@grandconnections.com
• Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency operates an annual program of Energy Efficiency Awards
• The International Institute for Sustainable Development based in Winnipeg. They provide a Sourcebase, or List of Information Sources on Sustainable Development and a List of WWW sites on Sustainable Development
• CREST's online renewable energy education system
• The US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy efficiency pages at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). A site maintained by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information is found at http://www.doe.gov/.
• The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) Main Pages of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, probably the most comprehensive and up-to-date site of its type.
• You may find it easier to use EREN's alphabetically organized links page
• The Alberta Renewable Energy Test Site based in Calgary.
• The Grassroots Support for Clean Energy Site has loads of information on why we need renewables, and how to make your views known to influential politicians, links to companies and organizations, etc. etc.
• Who's Who in Renewable Energy
• The Sustainability Net run by a Chicago-based NGO called CASX
• EnerNet indexes all kinds of energy business information and has News site devoted to conservation and renewable energy
• Green Power Network is billed as "... a clearinghouse of information on electric power industry green marketing efforts," the Greenpower Network offers general information on the concept, summaries of marketing activities among 23 utility companies, access to a library of literature on the topic, links to other related information sources, market research data, descriptions of international efforts, and a green marketing discussion group.
• The Power Pool of Alberta
• Ontario's Independent Electricity Market Operator
• Energy Probe's Web Site has all sorts of interesting data and links.
• Ontario Power Generation Inc.
• Ontario Hydro Services Company
  (These two links above represent the two primary successor companies to the former Ontario Hydro, which ceased to exist as a single company on April 1, 1999)
• The Electricity Distributors Association
• The Association of Major Power Consumers In Ontario (AMPCO) home page
• The Power Workers Union also has a WWW site
• ONGA, the Ontario Natural Gas Association
• Friends of the Earth (Canada)
• Canadian Electricity Forum Magazine
• European Media Marketing Ltd. is a media marketing company involved in the promotion of renewable energy, and their main business is the organisation of the largest renewable energy event in the World, The World Sustainable Energy Fair. They also publish the sustainable energy industry Journal.
• U.S. EPA web site - renewable energy devoted to examining climate change as it relates to the business/renewable industry sector.
• The Energy Group at Reading University includes details of an M.Sc. course on "Renewable Energy and the Environment" as well as a series of short (two week) courses on Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Micro-Hydro Power and Biomass Energy.
• International Network for Sustainable Energy
• The Earth Council's "Network for Sustainable Development"
• A plethora of online resources are available at Planet-Friendly's Link Pages on "The Blackout, Energy & You"

There is also the: Canada Energy Industry End-Use Data and Analysis Centre, or the Energy Research Group, Simon Fraser University Home Page and their Energy Research Group home page
The Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales is one of the longest established resource centres on alternative power generation.
In addition, Eco Net's Renewable Energy Pagehas some useful resources
The Kortright Centre's Website features a Renewable Energy Information Site
Clean Energy is a world-wide WWW directory of clean energy companies and services
GreenWare Environmental Systems Inc. has a website with related information
For an excellent page of links to environmental, energy, sustainable development and related sites, try ICLEI's links page
Home Power Magazine has a page of renewable energy WWW links
The World Directory of Renewable Energy Suppliers and Services
Summary Table of Public Benefit Programs and Electric Utility Restructuring
The Grid Company of Alberta
The Globe Resource Centre bills itself as "the most complete and up-to-date source for environmental business intelligence on the Internet. "
Delft University's Clean Technology Institute Web Site ("Interduct")
The UN Sustainable Energy and Environment Division has a directory and newsletter on line
Jens Staeck's web site contains many links concerning renewable energy, in several languages, mostly German.
The Sustainability Project has some interesting papers and ideas
Sustainable Minnesota Newsletter
The Canadian Global Change Program
Global Change Global Change - Electronic Edition seeks to educate the Web browsing public on climate change and ozone depletion issues.
Then Environmental Web Directory contains a search engine specific to environmental themes
Engineered Systems Inc.
New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) provides policy advice to the New Zealand Government, contributes to the creation of energy efficiency legislation, gathers statistics, runs seminars, and initiates public education projects and programs. Come to this Web site to learn more about EECA's projects and capabilities and to send e-mail to EECA staff members. See also its newsletter at Energy-Wise News
Hemispheric Experiences in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy The Hemispheric Energy Symposium, held in October 1995, was a follow-up to the Summit of the Americas. During both meetings, the need for participating countries to exchange information on the application of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies was recognized as a way to ensure their continued proliferation.
The Sustainable Communities Network from Nova Scotia
More websites on sustainability
The Union of Concerned Scientists' Energy Pages contain lots of useful information.
Helinet's Canadian Environmental Resource Directory looks promising
Dave Rezachek's Page has a lot of interesting material on renewable energy, utility integration of renewables, energy economics, and other subjects.
Eco Expo produces a three day conference and trade show aimed at marketing environmental products, services and technolgy to government and private companies.
The Envirolink Organization claims to be "the largest online environmental information resource on the planet. "
Sustainable Business.com Sustainable Business.com is a focal point on the Web for all environmental business sectors, from recycling to green building, from renewable energy to organic products, from social investing to certified forestry. Read the "Sustainable Business Insider" magazine, post Business Opportunities, find a Green Dream Job, use the comprehensive Links Library.
The Paperless Environmental Journal, Greendisk hosted by the Institute for Global Communications, allows visitors to browse a review issues of the journal, see sample listings from the Guide to Environmental Computing v1.2 and explore eBase v5.1 (an 8500 page keyword-searchable environmental encyclopedia).
The Conservation Information Co-operative is a focal point of conservation and stewardship information for landowners, university faculty, students, government, non-governmental organizations, and others concerned about environmental issues.
IndEco does all sorts of work on industrial ecology, environmental accounting and strategic management issues. IndEco's links page is also interesting
The Sustainable Development Resources Database
Nordlicht (Northern Lights) is a public campaign for climate protection by energy saving and traffic reduction.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association provides education and demonstration, on the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
The World Bank's site on power projects, rural development and related issues
APP-TECH Inc.APP-TECH's home page features descriptions of it energy consultation, design, and engineering services, includining solar site feasibility assessments.
Iowa Energy CenterThe Iowa Energy Center (IEC) conducts and sponsors research on the use of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies. Consequently, the IEC Web site contains electronic copies of some of its "Home Series" publications for energy conscious consumers; offers information about the Office's mission, staff, and scheduled events; yields descriptions of its research grant initiatives, loan programs, and facilities; and establishes links to other related sites.
Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources Descriptions of grants, legislation filed to deregulate the electric utility industry in Massachusetts, and case studies of wind power and landfill gas installations are included on the Division of Energy Resources (DOER) Web server.
The Canadian Environment Industry Association (Ontario Chapter) website
The Renewable Energy Policy Project at the University of Maryland, seeks to accelerate the use of renewable technology through policy research and advocacy.
The Ontario Round table on Environment and Economy (ORTEE) is set up to foster sustainable development within the province.
The Institute for Research on Environment and Economy's new web site highlights the four research projects at the Institute.
International Economic Platform for Renewable Energies While the content of this site is presented entirely in German, links to the various sections are also available in English. It includes business contacts, resource assessment materials, installation regulations, information source listings, job postings, links to related organizational and institutional Web sites, and guidelines for financing, planning, installing, and operating renewable energy (wind, solar thermal, biomass, and photovoltaic) power plants.
on-line discussions on Science and Technology for Development organized by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and hosted by The World Bank, through its TechNet Initiative, and the Carnegie Corporation. In advance of the in-person conference in Toronto, TechNet is holding four virtual conferences via the Internet -- called Think Tanks. The Think Tanks will focus on the themes of: Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Environment, Health and Agriculture.
"Empowerment Resources for Personal Growth, Social Change, and Ecology"

The Magrath Energy Corporation has a Foundation which encourages the use of alternative energy in a number of ways, including through its web pages on alternative energy

The Common Purpose Institute For Energy And Environmental Solutions Energy And Environmental News

The Common Purpose Website is one of the best-developed renewable energy resources around.

Environmental Networking Facilities is an extremely convenient tool for anyone searching for environmental experts on the www.

Talk Power is a "Power Utility Distribution Message Board, created to exchange questions, answers and help amongst people in the power field

Tennessee Power Company's Green Power Pages

Navitas is a site intended to help consumers in choosing electricity suppliers

www.calpol.com

www.deregulation.com

www.energymarketplace.com

www.energyonthenet.com

www.electricitychoice.com

www.cpuc.ca.gov

puc.paonline.com

The Consumer Energy Council of America's website focuses largley on electricity restructuring issues

President Clinton's Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) website

Helio's website on energy and eco-development

Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2) offers easy access to national and international pollution prevention information through a search service, hard copy distribution, easy-to-use P2 Internet site, on-line forums, current publications, customized training and conference delivery

ENERGYguide says it is " the first site on the Internet to tie together information with tools consumers can use to act on that knowledge."

RAINBOW POWER COMPANY/ RESHAPE PTY LTD issues a free 1-2 page Newsletter once a month with information about Renewable Energy, new products, specials etc.

GEO Index is a search engine for geo-environmental professionals

INIST Free access and consultation of the INIST international collections. Documents from periodicals (serials), theses or congresses, with focus on: energy, environment, ecology and earth sciences.

SEVEn from the Czech Republic compiles a great deal of information on energy efficiency, cogeneration, and renewables, with extensive references to various projects, publications, conferences, contacts and policy papers.

California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources

Energy Alternatives Ltd., billed as "Canada's Sustainable Living Store," offers a variety of resources for people interested in renewable energy with an emphasis on solar, wind and micro hydro. They can also be reached at 8 - 6782 Veyaness Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 2C2, tel. (250) 544-0488 (250) 544-0478 Fax (contact: Kevin Pegg) http://www.EnergyAlts.com and http://www.EnergyAlternatives.WS

"Alternative Energy Industry" a "human edited site of links, news and commentary at About.com" http://altenergy.about.com/

The Source for Renewable Energy is a comprehensive listing of renewable energy companies

The Planetary Systems website features extensive listings of "products and systems promoting renewable energy / sustainable living" including wind & solar power, and energy efficient homes.

Biomass and Geothermal Web links

Biomass / Biofuels

The Biomass Energy Research Association (BERA) supports biofuels research in the public and private sectors and facilitates information exchange, education, and international cooperation. Available here are its 1997 annual report and a summary of its activities this year; news from the Association's Capitol Hill luncheon meetings with Congressional staffers and policy makers; an historic overview of biomass energy use, development, resources, and research areas; a listing of BERA Officers and Directors; guidelines for membership; and an e-mail link for submitting questions on biomass energy research and technologies to the BERA Information Resource Service.

Western Regional Biomass Energy Program s one of five such programs established and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to ensure the commercial adoption of biomass energy technologies.

Hurst Boiler and Welding Co., Inc., is a 32 year old company, that has been engineering, manufacturing and installing biomass fired steam plants for the past 20 years. They are the third largest US manufacturer of packaged (gas/oil fired) boiler systems and claim to be the preeminent sole source provider of biomass fired steam systems in North America.

Sunpower, Inc.

Environmental Effects of Biomass Crop Production

A listing of members and publications of the National BioEnergy Industries Association.

A co m pilation of Biomass information sources on the Internet compiled 8/1/94 by Christopher Gronbeck (ceg@crest.org)

Site for data bases at CREST The Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology.

The US DOE's Regional Biomass Program site

The gopher site at CREST.

For a list of biofuels publications.

Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

Beth Candlish's bio-energy page

another bio-energy page

An active American biomass web site

TREElectric are commercialising energy cropping concepts.

U.S. Department of Energy BioPower Demonstration project summaries, industry photos, technical papers, fact sheets, introductory literature, and publications describing US federal activities are all available from the DOE BioPower Program Web server.

The IEA Bioenergy Site

The B.C. Pellet Fuel Manufacturers Associatiin is a non-profit society promoting the use of densified wood residue and biomass.

The Third Biomass Conference of the Americas

Integrated Energy Agriculture is a research site describing the results of a biomass energy research project with an interest in tobacco and "significant potential for Canadian agriculture."

National Bioenergy Industries Association

Biomass Energy Alliance

Arkenol, Inc. Using a concentrated acid hydrolysis process, Arkenol converts biomass feedstocks into simple sugars to produce chemicals and transportation fuels in the "biorefineries" it constructs and operates worldwide.

Iowa State University IPRT Biomass Energy Program The mission of the Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IPRT) Biomass Energy Program at Iowa State University is to "...develop, demonstrate, and promote better ways to produce, process, and utilize biomass resources as part of a sustainable energy future."

DOE/USDA Biomass Power for Rural Development Initiative
DOE/USDA Biomass Power for Rural Development Initiative. Chariton Valley, Iowa • Switchgrass Biomass Power Cooperative Research and Development Agreement...
http://www.etde.org/html/doe/whatsnew/factshet/fsl96038.html - size 7K - 07-Oct-96

Biomass Enery Project Announcement
U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY O'LEARY ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW YORK-BASED BIOMASS ENERGY PROJECT. Dr. Edwin White joins U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary..
http://149.11 9.1.26/usdoe/usdoesalix.html - size 10K - 23-Sep-96

ACTIVITI ES AND ACTIVITY LEADERS - Task XII - Biomass Production, Harvesting a
ACTIVITIES AND ACTIVITY LEADERS Task XII - Biomass Production, Harvesting and Supply. Operating Agent: L. Zsuffa University of Toronto, Canada. Assistant...
http://syssrv9.nrel.gov/business/international/documents/taskxii.html - size 2K - 11-Dec-95

Biomass-Terminology
Biomass - Terminology. Navigational Help. ANAEROBIC DIGESTION Biological degradaion of organic matter in the absense of oxygen. ARISINGS Quatitity of....
http://nmrc. ucc.ie/rems/biomass/bmterm.htm - size 2K - 02-Jan-96

Centre of Biomass Technology - Literature List
Centre of Biomass Technology publishes its reports and other literature. Some of it is available for free and a small fee is taken for others. For....
http://www.sp.dk/~cb t/literatu.htm - size 13K - 24-Sep-96

Biomass Resources for Energy and Industry
back to renewables | rat haus. Biomass Resources for Energy and Industry. by Lynn and Judy Osburn © 1993. The point where the cost of producing....
http://w ww.ratical.com/renewables/biomass.html - size 48K - 17-Nov-96

Biomass Burning and the Production of Greenhouse Gases
9. BIOMASS BURNING AND THE PRODUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES. Joel S. Levine. Atmospheric Sciences Division NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia.....
http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/biomass_burn/biomass.html - size 52K - 29-Jan-97

Biomass Power Industry
BIOMASS POWER INDUSTRY. ASSESSMENT OF KEY PLAYERS AND APPROACHES FOR DOE AND INDUSTRY INTERACTION. FINAL REPORT. July 1, 1993. Department of Energy Office..
http://w ww.eren.doe.gov/biopower/overview.html - size 12K - 26-Sep-96

Biomass Power Industry
BIOMASS POWER INDUSTRY. ASSESSMENT OF KEY PLAYERS AND APPROACHES FOR DOE AND INDUSTRY INTERACTION. FINAL REPORT. July 1, 1993. Department of Energy Office..
http://www.eren.doe.gov/biopower/acknowledgements.html - size 2K - 26-Sep-96

Public and Private Programs to Increase Biomass and Soil Carbon in the US 5.6.3 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAMS TO INCREASE BIOMASS AND SOIL C u.gv.at/enbu/conf1/evans.htm - size 19K -

Hemp Canada makes biomass for energy information available.

DOE's Bioenergy Initiative

Agrilab is a company which has developed an alternative fuel heating system that uses the energy from biomass decomposition to heat large greenhouse complexes and any other agricultural buildings

Co-generation technology and Geothermal energy

• The International Cogeneration Alliance
• the CHP Web site on EREN
• www.Cogeneration.net
• Power Plus Electric has all kinds of services of interest to cogenerators, including an "auction block" on the net for used and low-cost equipment.
• Caterpillar Power Systems
• The "Cogeneration.com" Pages maintained by Turbine Systems Engineering
• World Cogeneration Magazine
• Sustainable Minnesota's Cogeneration Information Index Page has lots of news.
• Eco-Tec is a company active in co-generation, with a thirty year history in the design/manufacture of integrated water purification systems. Its patented ion exchange process minimizes chemical use and waste in power generation and steam production.
• Cogeneration Association of New Zealand
• The International District Energy Association at the University of Rochester History Department.
• The Canadian Government CADDET cogen analysis reports
• The Busch Cogeneration Facility
• COBRA! The Association of Cogeneration, Boiler and refrigeration Professionals
• The Training Center / Boiler Licenses Unlimited (Vocational school for Cogen and central heating facilities)
• Magrath Cogeneration
• BPS In addition to providing O&M Services BPS consults on construction operation and maintenance of Cogeneration facilites internationally. Website has a summary of cogeneration, and a data entry page for prospective hosts.
• http://www.turbines.com/ and http://www.turboblades.com/ and http://www.usedturbines.com/ are commercial sites for locating cogeneration equipment
• Genergy Power manufactures an extremely efficient (approx. 43% efficient without cogen), low-emission (NOx is 15 ppm and CO is 9.3 ppm) natural gas-fueled generator and/or cogen set for the world market.
• a business opportunity document for members of the Clean Coal Combustion Network and other interested parties to respond to. Generators and prospective generators might be interested in this new technique of converting low-grade waste heat to electricity [pyroelectric process recently patented by NRCan).
• Sunpower, Inc.

Geothermal Power Links:

The Geothermal Resources Association Website

The GeoExchange Information Center site "facilitates outreach, communications, technology transfer, networking, and the exchange af information related to geothermal or ground-source heating and cooling."

Geothermal energy at Sandia National Laboratories in the southwestern USA

International Geothermal Association

U.S. Department of Energy - Geothermal Energy Technical Site. This is a technically oriented web site dealing with Geothermal Energy. Look here for the latest DOE Geothermal Project Research Summaries.

US DOE Geothermal Technologies Pbuildrogram comprise impressively detailed resources on the subject.

Geothermal Information and Technology Transfer Site

The Geothermal Resources Council

Virginia Tech Geothermal Data Through this Web server, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Department of Geological Sciences identifies optimum geothermal development sites, provides resource data for the eastern United States, and facilitate access to other sources of background information about related technologies.

GEOCRACK is a program for the analysis and design of Hot Dry Rock geothermal energy reservoirs.

Small Hydro power companies

The Canadian Hydropower Association

The Ontario Waterpower Association

small-hydro.com The International Small-hydro Atlas: developed by the IEA's Hydropower Programme, a resource for developers to assist with resource, technological and regulatory issues related to small-hydro projects.

Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI)

Dam-Reservoir Impact Info-Archive maintained in Ottawa.

Canadian Hydro Developers

Micro Hydro power station design site has lots of technical data and resources for designers

Solar Plus is a complete Renewable Energy supplier, offering Consulting, Design, Installation and Sales of solar, micro-hydro, wind energy.

Mardon Erbland's small hydro links

National Performance of Dams Program Website maintained gy Dr. Martin McCann of Stanford

PowerTel Utilities is active in the small hydro business in Ontario

The Magrath Energy Corporation small hydro pages

Descriptions of the different types of large hydropower systems, economic data for facilities now in operation, and details on the non-energy benefits of U.S. installations are posted on the DOE's Hydropower Web site EREN's Related Hydropower Sites page found at This site includes a link to the DOE Hydropower Web site and to a wealth of other resources covering this mature technology.

To obtain guidelines on assessing whether or not the installation of your own small-scale hydropower system makes sense, download a copy of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse brief, "Is a Micro-Hydroelectric System Feasible for You?" posted in the Consumer Energy Information section of EREN at This site

Blue Energy Tidal Power Website

Hydro information links suggested by the government of Hawaii

The Underwater Electric Kite is a company with a system for generating power underwater, using natural water flows.

International Centre for Hydropower is an international association of organizations involved in hydropower, based in Norway

Diving Services has 30 years experience working with Ontario Hydro and the private sector on Hydroelectric generation stations

Solar Energy Websites and Blogs

Solar Energy Society of Canada, Inc. (SESCI).

SESCI's new website

"Solar Buzz" Canadian listings

EuroREX, the European Renewable Energy Exchange s the world's first renewable energy commercial World Wide Web (WWW) site devoted exclusively to the commercial promotion of renewable energy in Europe

European Solar Energy Association

Go Solar Power is a directory with hundreds of Solar Power sites

A listing of Solar and Renewable Energy Conferences for the coming months and years.

The International Solar Energy Society headquartered in Freiburg, Germany

Centre for Photovoltaic Devices at the University of New South Wales in Australia

Solar Energy International (SEI) provides "hands-on" education and technical assistance for planning, designing, and building renewable energy systems and environmentally friendly homes.

DEMOSITE of the International centre for the presentation of photovoltaic construction elementsat the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - Lausanne

ISB's Photovoltaic-Laboratory in Switzerland

Material on Solar Energy maintained by Raymond J. Bahm and Associates in Albuquerque, NM USA

A Self-Sufficient Solar House in the City of Freiburg, Germany

A Canadian solar company Sovran Energy Inc. maintains a web site

the Alberta Renewable Energy Test Site

The Zero Energy Building Project.

Solar Evaluation Services has a good www site

3-D Software(tm) Solar Energy & Architecture Index has a number of interesting links.

The Swiss organization LESO-PB maintains a very impressive Page of links to servers with renewable energy information

The PV Power Resource Site is billed as "... a site for the coordination and dissemination of information on global photovoltaic (PV) technologies, applications, history, and resources." Information posted here is categorized according to the following and other headings: industry and technology updates, identification of companies involved with various aspects of the industry, available training and employment opportunities, industry events, and frequently asked questions about PV technologies.

The World Radiation Data Centre is the source for information on how much sunshine falls where.

Specialty Concepts Inc. Manufactures equipment for PV installations, and maintains a website with links to many other PV sites.

International Energy Agency SolarPACES ProgramThe IEA's Program for Solar Thermal Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES) facilitates collaboration between the research and industrial communities to hasten the development and application of concentrating technologies for electric generation and chemical energy systems for production of energy carriers, detoxification of hazardous wastes and chemical processing.

Florida Solar Energy Center

Sunelco

Photovoltaics Program -- U.S. Department of EnergyThis latest site addition to EREN offers a wealth of information about solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) technology. Illustrations, photographs, and text are used to present case studies of terrestrial applications of PV systems, information about the history of the technology, descriptions of the photovoltaic effect and the solar resource, and discussions of cell, array, and system configurations.

National Solar Thermal Test Facility Research performed for the U.S. Department of Energy at Sandia National Laboratories' National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) continues to hasten the development and maturation of concentrating technologies for generating electricity, destroying hazardous wastes, processing materials and a variety of other industrial applications.

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems is a member of the Solar Energy Research Association (Forschungsverbund Sonnenenergie) and the European Renewable Energy Centres (EUREC) Agency. Go to the Institute's Web site to learn about its research, development, and demonstration project activities and facilities.

Solar Electric Specialties Co. Solar Electric Specialties manufactures photovoltaic (PV) system components and distributes integrated power systems. Visit this site and read about SES products and packaged systems, use the glossary provided to look up industry terms, learn more about the many aspects of the technology in SES's Frequently Asked Questions section, and download online versions of the company's newsletter.

Alternative Energy Systems, Inc.Alternative Energy Systems (AES) designs and installs renewable energy and hybrid generating systems, conducts energy conservation assessments, specifies and applies measures for saving energy, manages projects during implementation, and installs advanced control and monitoring systems.

The US National Center for Photovoltaics

Powermat Mfg. Inc. has manufactured Powermat solar heating systems for swimming pools for over 16 years.

Solar Plus is a complete Renewable Energy supplier, offering Consulting, Design, Installation and Sales of solar, micro-hydro, wind energy.

Solar Attic Home Page features solar heating and ventilation technology solutions.

Echo Systeme Echo Systeme provides design, installation, and consultation services for applying solar water and space heating systems, renewable energy generation systems (photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric), solar cookers, and other alternative energy technologies. The content for the Echo Systeme Web site is presented entirely in French and includes educational information and detailed schematics for many of the systems the company services.

Solar Institute Juelich The Fachhochschule Aachen Polytechnic's Solar Institute - Juelich conducts research and development on decentralized electric, hybrid, and thermal energy systems. Also includes information on renewable energy training and coursework.

The El Paso Solar Energy Association seeks to hasten the application of solar technologies in northern and southern New Mexico and western Texas.

Photocomm, Inc. According to its home page, Photocomm is "...the nation's largest publicly-owned manufacturer and marketer of wireless solar electric power systems." Information about the company, its products and services, and a list of its applications/products for stand-alone photovoltaic systems are presented.

Simpler Solar Systems

Conserval Engineering features award-winning technology used to solar heat large buildings and for crop drying.

ConSolar's web site

Go SolarGo Solar specializes in the design and installation of solar pool and watering heating systems and solar electric and wind energy generation systems. The company also distributes solar-powered toys and educational kits from an office showroom that has operated free of utility generated electricity since 1993. Visit Go Solar's Web site to learn more about its products and services and to order a copy of the new "Solar Electric Design Guide and Catalog."

Solar Now is "Dedicated to promoting education about renewable energy and the environment"

ICP Canada Inc. manufactures solar chargers in Montreal.

Georgia Tech University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaics Research and Education

PV Users Mailing List Subscribers to this mailing list are encouraged to share their experiences with solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) systems and gain insight by asking questions of other subscribers. A unique feature of the PV Users Mailing List is that the administrator attempts to locate guest "speakers" who would be willing to post brief messages to share their knowledge about the technology.

ASE Americas, Inc. produces crystalline silicon solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) modules and supplies their PV cells and module laminates to equipment manufacturers.

Keep It Simple Systems

T*SOL software is a tool for designing and simulating solar heating systems.

Australian Solarcar EV event for January 1998

BP Solar

Sunmotor International Ltd. "Specialists in Solar Water Pumps"

"Solar Electricity. Engineering of Photovoltaic Systems" (1995 edition)

Canrom Photovoltaics Inc. (Email Address: ndalacu@canrom.com)

Greenfield Hydroponics Systems Inc. are manufacturers of patented Solar Photo Voltaic powered portable greenhouse to grow different crops.

SolarPACES is the International Energy Agency's Solar Thermal and Chemical Energy Systems Program

Greenpeace's Solar Pioneers Website the goal of which is to inform the public about grid-interactive solar rooftop systems, giving them the knowledge they need to confidently purchase a system.

Northern California Solar Energy Society

SOLTEK Solar Energy Ltd. #2 - 745 Vanalman Ave. Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6

Advanced Glazings Limited says it manufactures the worlds first cost effective transparent insulation for passive solar hot water systems, passive solar heating, Trombe Walls, energy efficient greenhouses and day/sky lighting applications. PO Box 277, 65E Memorial Drive North Sydney NS B2A 3M3 Canada phone: 902-794-2899 fax: 902-794-1869 email: info@advancedglazings.com

SunWind Inc. is an educational service that provides information on a range of solar and wind energy applications.

Generation Solar is an advanced renewable energy company that can supply products and consultation services for residential, commercial, agricultural or home installation of solar, wind, hydroelectric and other types of systems.

Sandia National Laboratories Photovoltaics Program is a non-profit, government organization with the goal of ensuring that photovoltaic systems perform to their potential by conducting photovoltaic research and testing.

The German Aerospace Center website describes the Centre's activities in the area of solar thermal, solar chemistry and the solar furnace. It links to various solar activities worldwide, for example the SolarPACES and AG-SOLAR North-Rhine Westphalia and to the biggest European test center for solar applications. The DLR is a member of the IEA (International Energy Agency) and presently the national coordinators of the SolarPACES. Go to the web site to learn about its research, development, and demonstration project activities and facilities.

Ecolend says it provides funding for the purchase/construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing homes and commercial buildings to use active and passive solar systems and other ecologically friendly building products.

Kyocera Solar Inc. provides engineered solar energy applications including turnkey arrangements and has "thousands" of customers worldwide.

Solardyne.com carries renewable energy products and high-efficiency appliances. It is the creator of the 24-pound Solar Power Pack that provides energy on the go.

Windpower Links, Wind Energy Companies

CREST's list of wind energy associations from around the world

American Wind Energy Association

The Colorado Wind Power Web site is to inform Colorado consumers about their options to buy wind power. The Web site allows consumers to sign up for wind power from any of 18 electric utility companies located throughout the state.

The Canadian Wind Energy Association

A newer site for AWEA, as mentioned in Wind Energy Monthly newsletter

Wind Energy Technology at Sandia National Laboratories in the southwestern USA

You can plan your own wind electric system

Wind Turbine Research Group in the U.K.

The homepage of the Finnish Wind Power Association.

National Wind Technology Center The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) Web site offers information about the potential of wind energy in the marketplace, doing business with the NWTC, wind turbine research, and avian issues. Access to the NWTC's most recent documents and Wind Resource Database, discussions of the current status of wind turbine technologies, and a virtual tour of the NWTC site are also available.

Windpower Monthly

Marlec Engineering Co.Ltd manufactures a range of compact wind power generators for home, marine,business and educational uses.

The IEA Wind Newsletter

The IEA Wind Turbine R&D Website

Solar Plus is a complete Renewable Energy supplier, offering Consulting, Design, Installation and Sales of solar, micro-hydro, wind energy.

TREC, the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op is planing to erect a wind turbine in the Toronto area.

EoleLocated in Quebec, Eole is an initiative of French-speaking countries to promote wind energy technologies. The Eole Web site is entirely in French and offers historical information on and images of windmills and wind energy conversion systems; discussions of the attributes of large- and medium-scale turbines, the issues relating to wind energy as a "green" power source, and how the technology works; a summary of the applications of wind turbines worldwide; details about the largest vertical access turbine installation in the world located in Quebec; an online atlas with links to wind speed data for Canada, the U.S., France, and other locations; economic information about the technology; and a global list of equipment manufacturers.

The British Wind Energy Association features links to many other wind energy sites.

Atlantic Orient Corporation

Communications International, Inc. supplies packaged photovoltaic and wind energy systems and related equipment as well as solar-powered outdoor lights and solar pool heating kits.

The Wind Service Holland server includes recent news about applications of wind technology in the Netherlands, links to wind equipment manufacturers worldwide, tabular data on new system installations, an interactive map of Holland's wind farms, and collections of international links to other wind resource maps, photographic images of working systems, and wind-related Web sites.

Douglas Johnson, Jacobs Authorized Wind Energy Dealer also sells other lines of wind turbines, and provides links to dozens of other sites.

Tacke Wind Power

The Wind Fund is an investment company which finances small-scale wind power and hydro-electric schemes in the UK.

Atlantic Orient Corporation Canada

Solardyne.com carries renewable energy products and high-efficiency appliances. It is the creator of the 24-pound Solar Power Pack that provides energy on the go.

Energy Efficiency Websites and Links

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Centre

The Association of Energy Service Professionals Home Page

National Association of Energy Service Companies

Business Communications Company publishes a great deal in the area of energy and energy conservation (newsletters and magazines).

One of their periodicals is "Energy Conservation News"

Energy Efficient Building Association, Inc. The Energy Efficient Building Association (EEBA) Web site offers online documents describing their mission, history, functions, programs, and membership options. Background information about attending, sponsoring, and participating at their annual conference and exposition; a draft of their "Criteria" for designing, constructing, and rehabilitating residential and small commercial buildings; and ordering information for available EEBA publications can also be obtained here.

The World Energy Efficiency Association Home Page

The Pacific Northwest Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Online Magazine

Int'l Ass'n for Energy Efficent Lighting

Energy Management Ass'n of New Zealand

The Residential Energy Efficiency Database is a useful resource especially for those involved in building science.

Enermodal Engineering Site has information on two sustainable buildings and downloadable software of interest to building designers.

Manitoba EMTF (Energy Management Task Force) is a non-profit, volunteer organization that promotes energy management through education.

The Beijing Energy Efficiency Centre

The National Residential Energy Services Network

New York Energy Efficiency Council A nonprofit organization of businesses which promotes commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential energy efficiency; distributes information promoting energy saving technologies; and researches, evaluates, and informs decision makers about the status and efficacy of demand-side management programs and policies.

Energy Group Limited employs the pooled resources of four companies to provide an integrated energy management consulting service.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes_standards/">US DOE Office of Codes and standards

Russian Centre for Energy Efficiency

Spin-x Spindryer an energy saving clothes dryer, UL approved

Fuel Cells

The Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC)

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

H Power Corporation produces proton-exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell systems.

Alternative Energy Links, Renewable Power websites and blogs, clean energy funds, green power websites and blogs, clean fuel technologies

The California Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA)

The Green Energy Resource Alliance (GreenERA)

Sunpower Inc. Free-piston Stirling engines for electricity production from biomass and solar thermal concentrators, energy-efficient cooling, food refrigeration, water pumping, and domestic cogeneration are the specialty of Sunpower, Inc. A profile of the company, depictions of ongoing projects and business opportunities, a list of publications, descriptions of job openings, photos and schematics of hardware prototypes, product brochures, and technical papers can be downloaded from the Sunpower home page.

WSW Systems

Occidental Power combines solar energy and gas-fired cogeneration system installations.

The Asia Alternative Energy Program (ASTAE) was established in 1992 to work with mainstream alternative energy in the World Bank's power sector lending operations in Asia. ASTAE supports a broad portfolio of alternative energy projects and activities throughout Asia. The website points to more information on existing and proposed World Bank/GEF-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency operations in Asia, best practices and lessons learned for alternative energy development, ASTAE's background and strategies, and recently developed alternative energy products. (Review provided by Claudio Ramirez, Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.)

Delta DC Power offers a range of products and services for those using or developing DC power systems. The site also features an extensive directory of internet links to technical resources of interest to power project developers.

TrueFuel(TM) from Advanced Energy Research Corporation, plans to make a less polluting carbon and hydrogen-based fuel widely available for power generation and other purposes.

Solar Energy Stocks showing extraordinary exuberance

Solar Power Stocks Rise on Earnings

NEW YORK — Solar-product stocks continued to gain Thursday on strong earnings reports from Canadian Solar Inc. and Suntech Power Holdings Co. and an update from LDK Solar Co. on its polysilicon inventories investigation.

Canadian Solar shares led the rally, posting a gain of $1.97, or 13.6 percent, to $16.50 in morning trading. Its shares have risen by 48.4 percent this week, driven by a sharp rise in third-quarter profit reported Wednesday. Analysts had been expecting the company to post a loss.

Suntech shares gained $6.07, or 9.8 percent, to $67.76. The company said "robust demand" caused a 43.8 percent rise in third-quarter profit. Suntech pushed up its 1 gigawatt production capacity target to the end of 2008, two years earlier than it previously targeted.

The company earlier set a production capacity target of 600 megawatts by the end of 2008 and expected to reach the 1 gigawatt target by the end of 2010. A one-megawatt power plant running continuously at full capacity can power 778 households each year, according to the Department of Energy. Solar technologies have lower capacity factors because their availability to generate power is constrained by availability of the sun.

LDK shares also rose sharply after the company said it expects to report in December results from its investigation into whether it misstated polysilicon inventories. The Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange are also investigating its inventories. It will issue its delayed third-quarter earnings "shortly thereafter" and said its business "remains strong" despite the probes.

Among other gainers were JA Solar Holdings Co., which rose $2.57, or 4.9 percent, to $55.28; Trina Solar Ltd., which rose $2.18, or 4.3 percent to $52.90; and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., which rose $1.17, or 3.8 percent, to $31.90.

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Alternative Energy Stocks provide years of upside

The Week in Cleantech (Sep. 2 to Sep. 8) - Is Geothermal Really Alternative Energy's Klondike?

from http://www.altenergystocks.com/


On Wednesday, Energy Tech Stocks gave us the heads up on a recent warning by Raymond James & Associate about declining oil production. Interesting to see a thesis that was derided as pure fantasy as recently as two years ago slowly creeping up into the mainstream.

On Thursday, Sam Abuelsamid at Autoblog Green opined that CO2 regulations in Europe could place the balance of power on the auto parts suppliers' side in the fight for profit margins. We have noted in the past how some of the most interesting (and 'safest') clean car investment opportunities rested with parts manufacturers. Besides CO2 regulations in Europe, tightening fuel efficiency standards the world over should help parts manufacturers do well relative to car makers.

On Thursday, Andrea Quong at Red Herring informed us that VCs were striking out for greener pastures. It is always interesting to know where cleantech venture capitalists are turning their attention to.

On Thursday, Biopact reported on China's latest alternative energy plans. Of course the caveat with this grand scheme is that half of the proposed US$265 billion will go toward large hydro, which tends to receive mixed reviews from just about everyone. Nevertheless, US$133 billion in investments in biofuels, bioenergy, wind and other forms of alternative energy, not to mention pollution control, will create very interesting opportunities for a variety of different companies.
On Friday, Rob Day, formerly of Cleantech Investing and now with Greentech Media, outlined for us the main barriers to adoption of energy efficiency applications in commercial buildings. An interesting piece that partly explains why, despite seemingly compelling economics, energy efficiency technologies such as smart metering aren't taking off as fast as could be expected.
On Friday, Jim Fraser at The Energy Blog reported on a small Icelandic bank's big bet on geothermal. Geothermal tends to fade in and out of the alternative energy newswire, yet it may be one of the most compelling alternative energy investment stories out there. I haven't read the report but I trust that it is packed with very useful information for the would-be geothermal investor.

The Week in Cleantech is a weekly roundup of our favorite cleantech and alt energy blog posts and stories from across the web. If you know of a good piece that you think should be included here, don't hesitate to let us know!

Posted by Charles Morand