Missing GridWeek, But Staying on Top Via Twitter

I'm missing GridWeek in DC this week because of some compelling work with a new VerdeStrategy client that has a big announcement later this week.  But I'm able to catch up and keep tabs on what's happening via friends who are there and the hashtag feature on Twitter: #GridWeek.


Here's a sample screenshot:

Pretty cool that you can almost be there when you can't be there...

My Interview with Sheeraz Haji of Cleantech Group

Sheeraz Haji of Cleantech Group

I sat down the other day with Sheeraz Haji, President of Cleantech Group, which was hosting its Cleantech Forum New York this week.

Haji has been in his position for almost two years after a stint at McKinsey and a few successful software startups. He came to Cleantech Group because he saw an opportunity to "take a great brand and transform it into the leading market research firm on cleantech innovation."

But his interest in the environment goes back to his childhood. His father worked for World Bank in various developing countries, which gave the young Sheeraz some direct, personal experience with environmental issues. Water was a particular concern.

"I went to go swimming in a lagoon in Cote d’Ivoire (Africa)," Sheeraz says. "But my father said to me, 'You don't want to swim in there; that water's dirty, it'll make you sick.' I looked at the other kids, local kids splashing around in the water and responded, 'But there are children swimming in there…' That opened my eyes."

Water is one of the subsectors that Cleantech Group tracks, and the firm has a partnership with the US EPA to map innovation across the water sector. They also have a research partnership with the US Department of Energy on smart grid solutions. In addition, the firm provides data, research, and advisory services to companies and investors to need such information to make business and investment decisions.

What challenges are you seeing for the cleantech sector?

"Financing. Financing is still an issue. We're hearing that throughout the conference."

What about all that government funding? Was the US government's stimulus not successful?

"I think the stimulus package has been successful considering how complicated it is. Matt Rogers had a tough job; the government was in a tough spot. They did it fairly, I think, as fairly as possible. Of course there are critics. And I understand where they are coming from. Government has a big role to play, not just in money, but in providing a policy framework to inspire innovation."

What issues are out there looming?

"Water. Water is a huge global issue, which is why we're focusing on it here. It has been ignored when compared to the scale of the challenge."

Can you share some trends you're seeing?

"In our latest research, transportation received the most investor money. EVs, of course, but also things like the "ZipCar for China" -- eHi Car Service of Shanghai; EcoMotors; and car-sharing in general. ZipCar is a really strong model and brand.

"Resource sharing in general. How can you get more energy efficient than sharing office space or even personal cars. I mean, why shouldn't someone get some use out of my Prius while I'm not using it, as long as it's available the 3 days a year I'm actually home.

"More efficient internal combustion engines are a still in demand; we shouldn't ignore ICEs. Fleet vehicles are a huge opportunity, too. There are still a lot of opportunities to conserve less.

"Control systems; all sorts of controls HVAC, lighting, anything in building operation and performance."

We can't talk about electric vehicles (EVs) without talking about batteries. What are you seeing in terms of batteries, specifically for the EV market?

"No one has figured out the answer to batteries for EVs. We're just not there. I'm skeptical of battery swapping technology; I mean: will the public go for it? And will it help resolve the 'range anxiety' dilemma? People are afraid they'll run out of charge while out driving. I really think charging will have to mimic the gas station-style infrastructure."

That's a very capital intensive proposition.

"It is, but that's not the same in emerging markets, where they don't already have the infrastructure set up and people aren't already tied to their cars. You look at China and India. It's different in emerging markets. Where electric motorcycles might be a good place to start; we looked at electric motorcycles and thought it makes sense in China."

What about China? Any thoughts on the big green push there?

"I've just returned from there. There was a very positive vibe in Tianjin. They are embracing the Eco-City concept there. And you can see why: the demand, the need. It's real. And companies there tell me there are few capital constraints. Really, it is a can do -- and will do -- attitude."

Any thoughts on the cleantech IPO market?

"It's going to be an interesting place to watch. Amyris is performing. Brightsource could be one to watch. Everyone is waiting for Silver Spring Network to go public, of course, but smart grid deployment has been so slow. The IPO market will be pretty interesting. I'm optimistic about it."

What do you say to people (and I've heard a few VCs take this stance) who say that cleantech is too capital intensive to make it worth investing in? That we need more capital efficient opportunities to invest in.

"Cleantech has a host of segments and sub-segments; some are capital intensive; some are more capital efficient. I actually think there are too many people chasing capital efficient plays and that there is real opportunity in bigger, more capital intensive companies, which can still be successful. You can still build a big successful company even if it takes a lot of cash to build it."

What's next for Cleantech Group?

"Three things:

1) Investing in our research in 5 key areas: smart grid, energy efficiency, transportation, waste, and water.
2) Launching our water research series at our 1st ever water event: Nov 3-4 in LA: Water Research Series
3) Continued expansion in Asia (upcoming research projects and events in India, Korea, and China)."

For more on Cleantech Group, their research, and events: cleantech.com


Related articles

• Cleantech Funding Falls (pubs.acs.org)
• Purfresh Named Global Cleantech 100 Company by Guardian and Cleantech Group (eon.businesswire.com)
• Cleantech Group Finds Global Clean Technology Venture Investment on Course, Despite a Decline in 3Q10 Investment (prnewswire.com)
• Karin Kloosterman: 7 Israeli Companies Make "Global Cleantech 100" Guardian List (huffingtonpost.com)
• EnOcean Named a 2010 Global Cleantech 100 Company (eon.businesswire.com)
• Trilliant Inc. Has Been Named a 2010 Global Cleantech 100 Company (prweb.com)

CA Considers Feed-in-Tariff: Green Skeptic on FOX Business

I was on FOX Business with Varney & Co this morning, trying to set the record straight on Feed-in-Tariffs (and why I don't like them: it's NOT about the money). It was a lively discussion -- and Stuart revealed that he has a wind turbine on his farm in New Zealand that is not only generating power, but some NZDollahs too.

Here is a video of the hit:



And for those who can't see the viewer in your browser, a link: GS on FOXBiz

Green Skeptic Friday LinkFest - 10/08/10

John & Yoko @ Cafe LaFortuna 1980 (watercolor by SEA)

It's Friday again.  A busy week for me, which has prevented me from posting as much as I'd like.  (But busy is good.)

Here are the links that caught The Green Skeptic's eye this week:

A Great piece on VC Vinod Khosla in The New York Times on using capitalism to help the poor via investments like SKS Microfinance.

Speaking of VCs, one of our favorite VC-bloggers, Fred Wilson, "On takers and makers."  


Two other fav VC-bloggers, Roger Ehrenberg and Alex Taussig, had their posts repubbed in Fortune Magazine's web site: The Rebirth of VC (Really!) and Will Solar in 2011 Look Like Automobiles in 1911?


Speaking of solar, after much debate and a failed attempt to interest President Obama in Jimmy Carter's old solar panels, the White House says it will Go Solar.

More solar fun this week as SunPower initiated corporate carbon footprint reporting: CO2 Footprint.  A first for a solar power company.


One of our favorite cleantech journalists, Yoni Cohen, writes about "The Lessons Veteran [Cleantech] Investors Have Learned."


And finally, from Business Insider, 19 Facts About The Deindustrialization Of America That Will Make You Weep.

Okay, okay, that's just too depressing to stop there, so on a lighter note, here is poet Paul Muldoon's interview in The Economist: Q&A with Paul Muldoon

Have a great weekend. And happy birthday John Lennon (who would have been 70 tomorrow).

Cleantech Jobs Race is Heating Up Globally

If you had to guess which US cities were among the top metropolitan areas for cleantech jobs, what would you say?

Today, Clean Edge, a leading research organization for the sector, released its second annual look at the state of cleantech jobs in the US and globally.

Among the leaders were California's geographic hubs around the Bay Area (1), Los Angeles (2); Greater San Diego (7), and Sacramento (15). No surprises there, really, as California has led the way in investment in renewable energy for some time. The Greater Boston area bumped up to #3, while New York-New Jersey and the Denver area rounded out the top 5.

Clean Edge also examines China's meteoric rise in the cleantech sector and offers the most comprehensive study of media clean-tech job compensation levels.

“China has risen from clean-energy neophyte to global clean-energy powerhouse over the past five years,” says Ron Pernick, cofounder and managing director of Clean Edge.

“China is now home to six of the top 10 global clean-tech pure-play employers, up from just three a year earlier,” Pernick says.  “China has become the country to watch, analyze, and, at times, emulate. Ignoring China’s clean-tech ambitions and activities puts one’s own clean-tech initiatives at great peril.” 

The full report can be downloaded at CleanEdge.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• China winning race for green jobs (guardian.co.uk)
• California tops latest cleantech jobs outlook (zdnet.com)
• Clean Tech Job Trends 2010 - Interview with Ron Pernick (energypriorities.com)

Green Skeptic Friday LinkFest - 10/01/10

The Cupcake Lady's Truck. (from MessyandPicky.com)

Welcome October -- and the 4th Quarter. Time to get moving and winning. Hope you are.

Here are a few stories that caught The Green Skeptic's eye this week:

According to Earth2Tech cleantech investing is not working for most investors, alas.


The Washington Post shared some lessons from Philadelphia's Cupcake Lady from Cupcake Lady.
 
A123 Systems to be first to prove cleantech can produce billion-dollar corporation's in New England? AONE
 
More on batteries and electric vehicles in particular: Electric vehicle collaboration: Better Place and GE to partner on battery financing, tech development and more.
 
How about wireless charging? WiTricity announces 1st big auto industry partner for wireless car charging and raised $15.5M. WiTricity

Toward Demand Response 2.0 from Greentech Media: DR 2.0

Have a great weekend everybody.