VCs, driven by their appetite for quick results, are missing out on huge opportunities in renewable biofuels and chemicals. That leaves the market wide open to a variety of alternative investors who, if equipped with the patience needed, will realize the substantial returns that await those who can see the industry through a long lens. Only time will tell who will take (more…)

When it comes to evaluating our energy options, policymakers typically perform cost-benefit analyses. That seems pretty uncontroversial, right? Where it gets squirrelly is in the selection of ingredients. What costs to include? Short term costs, or long-term? Include externalities? If a particular technology emits pollutants that threaten life on earth as we know it, (more…)

Whenever I speak to an audience about the burgeoning opportunities in clean energy, I’m careful not to overlook the analytics segment. The global EAUA market (energy analytics and utility analytics market, meaning solar analytics, oil & gas analytics, water analytics, and waste analytics), which, according to Global Energy World, is estimated to (more…)

Granny was thrown out of her wheelchair and off a cliff in one of the most controversial ads of the 2012 US presidential election. Whether you love or hate the clip, which went after Republicans on Medicare, it shows the emotional tenor we bring to the debate over health care costs. (more…)

There are many compelling reasons for actively improving energy efficiency in your business. Not only will you save money and resources, you’ll also have the distinction of promoting your company as environmentally friendly. Whether you’re interested in small changes or sweeping alterations, you’ll find many ways you can make your business more (more…)

Great news from New York. No – it’s not that lawmakers have successfully delivered massive solar legislation to the Governor’s desk (YET!). But almost as great. In anticipation of an explosion of solar growth from Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, the New York Public Service Commission just approved a decision to triple the state’s net metering cap. More details and the decision (more…)

Music fans at the ongoing Isle of Wight Festival (ongoing, to Sunday 16th) are taking part of an experiment, although not of a sonic nature. British cell phone company Vodafone is using the festival to try out the Power Pocket, a wearable gadget designed to power peripherals with body heat and movement. Now, that is some kind of amazing renewable energy! (more…)

Taking a home built prior to energy-efficient developments and turning it into a green home sounds like a huge undertaking and extremely expensive. Instead of doing a complete home makeover, consider making modest upgrades that will put you on the green pathway. (more…)

According to a Harris poll carried out for the European Climate Foundation and the French Economic, Social Affairs and Environment Council (CESE), over 80 percent of French people and business leaders are supporting the energy transition.

This energy transition is due to allow our (more…)

Residential rates always seem to be in the news for one reason or another. These days, residential rates are the subject of pending legislation (AB 327) and an ongoing rulemaking at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (R.12-06-013). To help add some context to the discussion, we will be writing a series of blog posts to address the history of how we (more…)