Abu Dhabi is staged to become one of the leaders in cleantech. With a recent multi-million dollar commitment to the development of renewable energy, this country which provides a large quantity of the world’s oil is poised to be a leader in renewable energy sources.

1 ) General Electric. In 2008, GE donated more than $50 million to the Masdar Cleantech fund to assist in established a center for clean energy technology in Abu Dhabi. The money is to be used through the Masdar Initiative, which is the umbrella group for all the current cleantech projects.

2 ) Masdar Initiative. One of Abu Dhabi’s largest cleantech programs is the Masdar Initiative. This company is dedicated to the development, commercialization, and deployment of clean technologies and renewable energy solutions. Masdar works alongside other global institutions to create new technologies that will increase renewable energy technologies. Its biggest project to date has been Masdar City. It was a city created by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi who wanted to create a viable response for a sustainable future. The city is currently becoming the global hub for clean technology and renewable energy. It is a city where global businesses can showcase, market, fund, research, develop, test, and implement their new technologies. The entire city is also powered through renewable energy and leaves no fossil fuel foot print. It has become the world’s most sustainable urban development.

3 ) Zayed Future Energy Prize. Abu Dhabi aims to inspire innovation as well as the development of solutions to assist with locating sustainable energy alternatives. The Zayad Future Energy Prize recognizes those governments, companies, institutions, NGOs, and even individuals who have developed and implemented sustainable energy solutions. It is a $1.5 million prize to assist in the acceleration of the idea.

4 ) Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. One of the most important things to the Abu Dhabi cleantech program is to foster research and development for the future. Opened in 2009, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology offers a host of MSc and PhD programs that focus on sustainable technologies and renewable energies. This institute was created in cooperation of the United States Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. Masdar Institute is to be the heart of the Masdar City research and development community. Researchers and students will be focused on collaborating on modern technological solutions for the challenges faced by the global community in regards to sustainability and renewable energy.

5 ) International Renewable Energy Agency. Located in Abu Dhabi is the International Renewable Energy Agency, or IRENA, for short. It was established in 2009 and currently has 148 member states. IRENA’s mission is to promote increased adoption of renewable and sustainable energy sources. IRENA is involved in the facilitation of all information regarding relevant renewable strategy techniques, as well as lessons to be learned, policy frameworks, and energy efficiency measures. IRENA maintains that renewable energy is a major solution the world’s current and future energy challenges. IRENA creates comprehensive solutions to problems, such as insufficient renewable energy awareness, technical barriers, insufficient funding for renewable energy projected, and lengthy permitting procedures.

6 ) World Future Energy Summit. Held every year in Abu Dhabi is the World Future Energy Summit. The summit provides an important platform needed to address the current and urgent global need to locate viable energy solutions that are not only secure, but sustainable as well. Policy makers, researchers, specialists, scientists, investors, and political leaders show up for this summit under the belief that an interdisciplinary approach to this challenge is the effective route to take. At the summit, there is the World Future Energy Exhibition, which looks a advanced renewable energy sources, and the World Future Environment Exhibition, which pays special focus to waste, water, and air management solutions and technologies.

7 ) TAQA. In 2005, TAQA was founded with the goal of becoming a leader on the global energy sector platform. Through innovation, integrity, teamwork, and performance, TAQA looks to be one of the premier energy companies. They provide companies on an international level with valuable information they can use to learn how to conserve energy. In the Netherlands, for example, TAQA assists with CO2 storage and energy conservation.

8 ) Abu Dhabi Recycling Initiative. The residents of Abu Dhabi generate more than one and a half kilograms of waste per day. In one year alone, Abu Dhabi will make more than five million tonnes of waste. Abu Dhabi ranks high among the list of cities generating the most amount of waste. To lower these numbers, the Center of Waste Management created an incentive program to be given to Abu Dhabi residents who join the comprehensive recycling scheme. The scheme involves the handing out of two different garbage bins, one for recyclables and one for waste. This is the first eco-friendly recycling program to be launched in Abu Dhabi.

9 ) Intelligent Transportation System. There are many cars on the road in Abu Dhabi and because of this; they have been looking at viable ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Through the use of the Intelligent Transportation System, or ITS, the Department of Transport is hoping to lower their greenhouse emissions. ITS provides information on road congestion, highway advisories, and detour points. The thought is that by allowing individuals access to information about what are the quickest roads to take, the less they will be driving, and the less greenhouse gases to be emitted from the vehicle.

10 ) World’s Largest Solar Power Plant. Abu Dhabi’s Masdar company, along with Total and Abengoa Solar in Europe, are spending more than $600 million on a solar power plant that will put a dent in Abu Dhabi’s every growing energy needs. With this one being made, the expectation is that it will lead to the creation of more. The solar power plant will provide energy to the UAE’s national grid but will be supplied to Abu Dhabi in an effort to cut continually growing energy costs.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

photo: slleong

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Nearly 300 business, government and civil society leaders from around the world gathered at UN Headquarters in New York today for the UN Private Sector Forum on Sustainable Energy for All, hosted by the UN Global Compact in collaboration with UNIDO/UN-Energy.

The three-hour working luncheon focused on ways in which the private sector, in collaboration with governments, the UN and civil society organizations, can help advance the Secretary-General’s new Sustainable Energy for All initiative, a global call for bold action to achieve universal energy access, improve energy efficiency and grow the share of renewable energy – all by 2030.

Opening the Forum, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro delivered remarks on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urging all types of organizations to embark on a clean energy revolution. “These objectives are ambitious. But they are achievable. Together, they can revitalize the global economy, help combat climate change, and go a long way toward ensuring equal opportunity for all.”

Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO and Chair of UN Energy, recognized the General Assembly’s resolution to mark 2012 as the Year of Sustainable Energy for All. He said, “Without energy we cannot achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Without energy we cannot have competitive industries, competitive economies. And more importantly, without an energy revolution, we cannot solve climate change.”

The keynote speech was delivered by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who praised regional governments as leaders in the energy challenge. He said, “When I look back at my time as Governor, I’m most proud that California was one of those regional governments that was part of the solution, instead of standing on the sidelines. It was of course a team effort.”

In addition to California’s initiatives to implement the Hydrogen Highway, add one million solar roofs and increase the state’s share of renewables to 30 percent, Governor Schwarzenegger shared inspirational examples of other cities aiming to reach sustainable energy targets. He noted that New York’s famed Empire State Building had cut its energy use by 40 percent, and also mentioned Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, a new eco-city for 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses that aims to be both sustainable and carbon-neutral.

Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, called on the private sector to engage more fully in transformational partnerships with the UN. “The time is right for greater collaboration between the private sector and the UN,” he said.

In preparation for the Forum, the UN Global Compact launched a number of new deliverables in support of the Secretary-General’s initiative and the UN’s broader sustainability agenda:

• A Global Compact for Sustainable Energy: A Framework for Business Action

• Catalyzing Transformational Partnerships between the United Nations and Business

• Partnership fundamentals: A 10-step guide for creating effective UN-Business partnerships

• Executive Summary

• Advantage Energy: Emerging Economies, Developing Countries and the Private-Public Sector Interface

Further, several businesses and industry groups issued new commitments and calls to action in support of the Secretary-General’s agenda. A selection is provided here:

Acciona (Spain) commits to replicate a multi-stakeholder public-private partnership programme to provide access to renewable sources of energy to communities in emerging economies, currently out of reach of the energy grid.

Aviva Investors (UK) commits to forming a coalition of financial institutions, professional bodies, NGOs and investors that will call on the UN to develop a global policy framework requiring listed and large private companies to integrate sustainability information throughout their Annual Report and Accounts.

Bayer (Germany) commits to improve its energy efficiency by reducing specific greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020 (baseline 2005) per metric ton of products sold.

Deutsche Bank (Germany) commits to facilitate financing structures – including the Global Climate Partnership Fund, European Energy Efficiency Fund and Get Fit – which will expand the financing of energy efficiency projects and enable the deployment of renewable energy in developed and developing countries.

Dow Corning (USA) commits to provide USD 5 million in unrestricted support over five years to the United Nations Foundation-led Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

Eni (Italy) commits to provide access to sustainable energy for communities and companies in the countries where it operates, investing 2 billion euro to support these efforts. Eni commits to implement technologies to ensure the sustainability of energy access in developing countries.

ENEL (Italy) commits to create the “EN-EL, Enabling Electricity” programme to increase access to energy. More than 1 million people across the world are benefiting from Enel’s innovative projects to access energy. The company seeks to double this figure in the next three years.

Grupo Energía de Bogota (Colombia) commits to promote universal energy access for residents in rural areas around its electricity infrastructure. The Group commits to: 1) design, build and distribute power networks and connect surrounding residents; 2) work with local distribution companies to make electricity available to these users; and 3) utilize photovoltaic electricity panels if the users are located in distant and isolated zones.

Infosys Limited (India) commits to action in several areas in order to reduce its direct footprint: 1) Energy efficiency: Reduce per capita energy consumption by 50% over 2007 levels by the year 2017; 2) Renewable energy: Source 100% of all its electricity from renewable resources by the end of 2017; 3) Become carbon neutral across all its emissions by 2017; and 4) Infosys will work with public policy makers to ensure that the right regulatory and fiscal frameworks are in place to move in the right direction.

Nokero International (USA) commits to working in partnership with Navajo tribal leaders and Eagle Energy, a sustainable energy non-profit, to provide universal access to solar energy in the Navajo Nation where 18,000 families live off-the-grid.

Nuru Energy (Netherlands) Nuru Energy’s mission is to provide the more than 2 billion people living off-the-grid with affordable and clean lighting systems by expanding access to its affordable, safe and clean modular LED lights to 1.8M rural households in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Solar Sister (USA) commits to developing a last-mile distribution programme for clean energy products to reach consumers in remote communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Solar Sister will employ 5,000 solar entrepreneurs in 5 countries to reach over 2.5 million beneficiaries over 5 years.

Toyola Energy (Ghana) commits to sell at least 3 million energy-efficient cookstoves and 30,000 solar lanterns and small home systems to poor households in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020. The company will use a tested model involving a combination of mobile marketing, microfinance, microfranchising, carbon finance and small business finance.

Viyellatex Group (Bangladesh) commits to be a carbon neutral company by 2016, and has taken a holistic approach to offset carbon emissions from its operations.

* Read Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Remarks
* Watch the Forum online: Opening and Closing

Article by UN Global Compact, appearing courtesy 3BL Media

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The United Nations has put renewable energy at the top of its agenda in 2012.

“We can create jobs that will stimulate economies and provide universal access to all the people,” said the UN’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “That is why the General Assembly has declared next year as the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All”.

He added that providing renewable energy to the 1.4 billion people living without electricity is a priority of the United Nations.

The announcement was made earlier this week during a meeting with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers.

He emphasized that alternative energy can create jobs, address climate change, empower women and create food security.

The UN hopes that by 2030 every village in the world will have electricity. It wants renewable energy capacity to double by that same year.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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In 2008, the European Union (EU) created its very ambitious 20-20-20 plan. It called for an increase in renewable energy use throughout the EU by 20 percent by the year 2020. Also included in this plan is a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent under 1990 levels and increased energy efficiency by 20 percent. The plans focus on three key areas – buildings, transportation, and industry. To obtain these goals, the EU has made lots of efforts working with countries, businesses and people. Here are some of the highlights of the EU’s cleantech initiatives.

1) EU Looking to Build Greener Technology for Greener Cars. The EDISON Project, short for Electric Vehicles in a Distributed and Integrated Market Using Sustainable Energy and Open Networks, in the EU is targeted at developing a smart infrastructure to alter extensive adoption of EVs powered by sustainable energy. EDISON is being looked at as an instrumental project to assist in the development of the required infrastructure for a large scale roll-out of EVs in Denmark. Denmark is one of the most energy efficient countries in the EU and if it works, the project will be tweaked to spread throughout the EU.

2) EWEA Looking to Reach 2020 Goals with Wind Power Generation. The European Wind Energy Association, or EWEA, said in August 2011 that its energy generated via offshore and onshore wind power installations throughout the EU will triple by the year 2020. According to EWEA the wind power will increase from 182TWh to 581TWh by 2020. It will be enough electricity to power all households in the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, France, and Germany.

3) EU – India Cleantech Initiative. The EU – India Cleantech Initiative looks to work together to create a major initiative to “define and encourage opportunities for businesses and research institusions from the European Union to engage with India across a wide portfolio of clean technologies.” Both sides are hoping for a number of outcomes from this strategic alliance, including providing insight into the convergence of both areas energy and environmental concerns, look at collaborative efforts to address these concerns, share best practices to promote clean technologies, and increase cooperation and knowledge sharing.

4) European Energy Venture Fair. The European Energy Venture Fair is a two day event created in 2007 to promote energy activities and use the assets found to support clean technology ventures. It seeks to provide support to research and development teams looking to carry out clean technology programs throughout the EU as well as the world.

5) Energy Efficiency Directive. The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive was created in June 2011 to provide a new set of measures to increase total energy efficiency throughout the EU. Unfortunately, in the last few years the EU got a bit off track with their energy efficiency guidelines and this new directive is supposed to bring new measures forward to step up the efforts of EU member states to use energy much more efficiently throughout all stages of energy chains, including transformation of energy and distribution to energy consumption.

6) EU Energy Star. Much like the United State’s Energy Star, the EU created its own energy labeling for all domestic appliances. The EU has determined that 35 percent of energy needs come from the households of all member states, mainly for use of household appliances, which see the biggest increase due to high standards of living, multiple appliances and the increased need for HVAC systems. The energy labeling of all appliances, including ovens, HVAC systems, washing machines, dishwashers and so on will create consumer awareness in regards to energy use and will make the conscious effort to be more energy efficient with energy efficient products.

7) Albania – EU Energy Efficiency Center. The Albania – EU Energy Efficiency Center was established in 1995 under the European Commission and Albanian government. The center collaborates with a number of countries to improve and promote energy efficiency throughout the Albanian economy and protection of the Albanian environment. Through the center, technical expertise is provided as well as sources of information necessary to use more renewable energy and become more energy efficiency.

8 ) The Euro-Mediterranean Energy Efficiency Forum. The Euro-Mediterranean Energy Efficiency Forum is “Europe’s premier, invitation-only event that creates an energy ethic to accelerate the adoption of legislation designed to curb climate change.” This forum looks to address a number of emerging trends that will change the way countries utilize their energy resources. The 2011 forum will highlight a number of ways countries intend to capitalize on political momentum for energy efficient and assist in ensuring that business models, policies, communications and technologies related to the field of energy efficiency are stronger and more long lasting.

9) Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign. The Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign displays a number of activities that are dedicated to solutions in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The campaign looks to focus on spreading best practices in sustainable energy technologies as well as inspire new ideas and actions in the field of energy sustainability. Anyone with a projects or event that encourages energy efficient or renewable energy use is welcome to join the campaign.

10) The European Renewable Energy Council. The European Renewable Energy Council was established in 2000 to act as the voice of the renewable energy industry in the EU. It is an umbrella organization active in a number of sectors, including solar thermal, photovoltaics, small hydropower, bio energy, ocean power, geothermal, and wind energy. The main location of the council is the Renewable Energy House in Brussels, which is the capital of the EU. The house creates alliances between renewable energy stakeholders and provides easy flow of information on renewable energy. Some current projects include Renewable Energy Policy Action Paving the Way towards 2020 and common quality certification and accreditation for installers of small scale renewable energy systems.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

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In August of 2007, North Carolina because the first Southeastern state in the United States to adopt the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. In this, all investor- owned North Carolinian utilities are mandated to meet a minimum of 12.5 percent of their energy requirements via renewable energy resources and/or measures of energy efficiency. For rural electrical cooperatives, as well as municipal electric suppliers, the standard is only ten percent. Since the signing of the standard, North Carolina has taken great steps in becoming a leader in the cleantech industry, not just in the South but throughout the entire nation.

1) North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, or NCSEA, is a nonprofit organization consisting of government personnel, businesses, and individuals interested in bolstering the sustainable energy future of the state. It is the only nonprofit throughout the state that is dedicated to leading policy change and driving the development of the market in such a ways that it will produce green jobs in a new, alternative energy economy. The mission of NCSEA is “to ensure a sustainable future by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency through North Carolina through education, public policy, and economic development.”

2) Ability to Apply for Financial Incentives to Switch to Renewable Energy Sources. To further enhance the desire for businesses and homeowners to switch to renewable energy, the state has created a number of financial incentives to assist individuals in making the more toward alternative sources of energy. Some of the incentives offered include corporate tax credits, green building incentives, industry recruitment and support, local loan programs, PACE financing, performance based incentives, personal tax credits,, property and sales tax incentives, state grant, loan and rebate programs, and utility loan, discount, and rebate programs.

3) The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to market a 13-county region and the Research Triangle Park (RTP) for the economic benefit of its communities and to direct strategic and tactical efforts to maintain global competitiveness.
The Research Triangle Regional Partnership recently launched the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster to market and grow the Research Triangle Region’s potential in smart grid, alternative energy and advanced transportation. Cluster members benefit from the triple helix economic development approach by convening partners from academia, industry, and government into a synergistic group, who work together to accelerate market opportunities, advance beneficial policy, provide networking opportunities, and provide a pathway for strategic collaboration to strengthen the cluster and its members. Members draw from the resources within the cluster to create marketing and business opportunities as well as expedient pathways to partner and collaborate.

4) North Carolina State University Solar Center. Through its programs and facilities, the North Carolina Solar Center attracts, trains, and sustains the innovative energy businesses throughout the state. The center provides workforce training, new product demonstration and testing, technical assistance, industrial recruitment services, and financial analysis to assist those in the renewable energy industry. The center’s mission “Is to advance the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, and clean transportation resources to ensure a sustainable economy that protects our natural environment, encourages energy independence, and lower energy costs for consumers.”

5) Duke Energy Research and Development. The increase in renewable energy projects has been what is leading the way for North Carolina. Duke Energy has been responsible for numerous projects within the last few years. Though a majority of its power output has been done with fossil fuel and nuclear plants, they are looking to assist in the renewable energy field. For example, Duke partnered with other organizations to research biomass conversion viability in electricity plants. Another project has Duke partnering with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to research the practicality for renewable energy produced by wind turbines located on the coast of the state’s Outer Banks. Duke Energy also has plans to create efficient charging stations for electric vehicles across both North and South Carolina.

6) Increase in Job Opportunities throughout the Green Sector. Because of the recession, numerous individuals faced increased unemployment. However, in North Carolina, employment opportunities in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors increased by 22 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. By 2011, the 546 renewable energy and energy efficiency companies are expected to further increase employment opportunities by another 20 percent.

7) North Carolina Wind Energy. North Carolina Wind Energy, housed by Appalachian State University, looks to promote the use of wind as a viable source or renewable energy in the state. It has a multitude of programs aimed at providing further understanding into wind energy. One of their largest programs is the North Carolina Small Wind Initiative, which looks to increase awareness about the feasibility and benefits of wind power in the region. Another program is Wind for Schools. It seeks to install small-scale wind turbines for educational use at numerous North Carolinian schools. The program is to encourage incorporation of renewable energy education in K-12 science curriculums. There is also the Wind Working Group which is a group of environmentalists, policymakers, educators, citizen action groups, and industry members who are currently pursuing wind power options by elevating supportive legislation.

8 ) Farm Energy Efficiency Project. The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation joined together based on a vision of assisting farmers in becoming more energy efficient. The Farm Energy Efficiency Project educates farmers about the importance of energy efficient throughout all farming operations and aids them in acquiring necessary tools to make improvements toward energy efficiency. Audits are conduced on-site and farmers use the information to determine where they need to be more energy efficient and how to increase it. FEEP also assists in cost-share grant opportunities. One assists farmers offset any costs incurred through the implementation of energy efficiency improvements, and the second is for farmers interested in the implementation of on-farm renewable energy technologies, such as wind, energy, and biofuel.

9) Charlotte Energy Solutions. Charlotte Energy Solutions is a one-stop-shop for renewable energy and energy efficient products. It is a self-run business that assists individuals in finding energy efficient products, including heaters, stoves, or even car conversion.

10) Jackson County Green Energy Park. The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) is known as a landfill recovery program offering environmental protection, increased community-wide economic development, and educational opportunities through the use of landfill gas as a resource for clean, renewable energy. Visitors are encouraged to visit JCGEP as there are tours where individuals will learn about the park’s mission and what it does, including a visit to the landfill gas system, greenhouses, and glassblowing studios. There are also classes on-site that use the energy produced for art projects, including pottery and glass blowing.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

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The energy cost in the Caribbean is the highest in the Western Hemisphere and amongst the highest in the world. The cost of energy in various islands range from as low as US$0.20/kwh to as high as US$0.37/kWh. Because the area is big in the tourism industry all year round, the Caribbean has been looking for ways to offset the amount of fossil fuels used to run the islands with renewable sources of energy and energy efficient projects.

1) The Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Program. The Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Program (CREDP) was established in an effort to improve the regulatory, legal, and political framework conditions associated with the utilization of renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout the entire Caribbean region. The main objective is to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Projects focus on providing strength to all regional energy sector institutions; work with the government on making renewable energy and energy efficiency policies; preparation of various clean technology projects for investment decisions; and public awareness campaigns.

2) Arch Solar. One of the main solar energy services in the Caribbean is Arch Solar. Arch Solar believes in promoting renewable energy as a practical solution to meet all demand for energy. This company custom designs, supplies, and also installs various renewable energy systems to homes and businesses. The offer some of the highest energy efficiency panels in the world, flexible thin-film technologies, and panels that are architectural building integrated.

3) Caribbean Renewable Energy Technical Assistance Facility. Funded by the Global Environmental Facility, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Technical Assistance Facility (CRETAF) is a $1.3 million initiatives that offers assistance for preparation of renewable energy projects through grant financing for all countries that participate in CREDP. Assistance offered includes pre and full feasibility studies, grid stability studies, environmental impact assessment, and resource assessment.

4) IDB Funds Energy Efficiency in the Caribbean. In 2009, the Inter-American Development Bank approved three energy efficiency projects throughout the Caribbean. $1.45 million was given to the Bahamas to strengthen the Ministry of the Environment’s capacity and assist in supporting the sustainable energy matrix and encourage the use of energy efficient measures in public, residential and commercial buildings. $1 million went to Barbados to develop a Sustainable Energy Framework to assist with the minimization of fossil fuel dependency. Finally, another $1 million went to help start the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Program.

5) Member of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership. The Caribbean partnered with Latin America to create the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEP). The objective of REEP is to decrease the barriers that limit the overall uptake of clean technologies with a specialized focus on developing countries and emerging markets. REEP assists member governments with developing favorable policy and regulatory frameworks and promoting innovative business and finance models in an effort to activate the country’s private sector. REEP has created a number of initiatives, including the Sustainable Regulation Network, the Energy Efficiency Coalition, and the Renewable Energy and International Law sub-networks.

6) Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Program. To become more energy efficient, the Caribbean tourism sector has taken a number of important strides, including the creation of the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Program (CHENACT). CHENACT was created through the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism. It is a $2 million project that is to assist hotels in implementing energy efficiency practices and renewable energy generation. Barbados was used as a case study to look at how to design and prepare energy efficiency program as well as institutional strengthening. CHENACT is looked at as a way to reduce the high energy costs of the region.

7) World Bank Invests in Energy Efficiency Projects in Jamaica. In 2010, the World Bank provided $2.5 million to Jamaica to support the energy efficiency efforts in the private sector. The funds were taken from the bank’s World Energy Security and Efficiency Project and are slated to support a pilot energy efficiency financing mechanism that will enable the private sector to have access to energy efficient and renewable energy equipment. The support mechanism has the ability to introduce energy efficiency and energy saving conditions to home improvement loans.

8 ) Gross Feed-in Tariff Approved in the Cayman Islands. In March of 2011, the Cayman Islands gave approval for a limited pilot program that consists of a gross feed-in tariff for utility-customer sited renewable generation. The program will run through 2012. The feed-in tariff will pay for all generation from customer-sited generators. The program cap is on one megawatt – 70 percent of it is reserved for commercial customers.

9) Incentives for Renewable Energy Investments in Dominican Republic. With the energy consumption in the Dominican Republic quickly rising, it has become imperative to look into renewable energy. Currently there have been a number of joint investments in electricity generation from renewable sources, including solar and wind. Through the Law on Renewable Energy Incentives and Special Regimes, a number of benefits are provided to companies investing in renewable energy in the country, including an exemption on all taxes associated with imported equipment and sales, tax reduction on interest payments of five percent, tax credit of up to 75 percent of all income tax for industrial and commercial auto produces, low interest financing up to 75 percent of full cost of renewable energy projects, and feed-in tariffs.

10) Agreement for Research and Development of Biodiesel in Curacao. The government of Curacao signed a cooperation agreement with Refineria Korsou and Curoil to study the use of biodiesel in the Caribbean island of Curacao in an effort to obtain a new form of renewable energy. The organization Fundashon Antiano pa Energia has been tasked with conducting pre-study projects on sustainable diesel development and crease a road map that would allow for the full development of sustainable diesel on the island. Through the pre-study, it is hoped that there is the creation of the overall possibility to fully replace fossil fuels with biodiesel and eventually biomass as well.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

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Colorado is a great place for solar energy production, so it seems fitting that the state serves a role in developing more advanced solar technologies. The industry took a large step in this direction in early June with the official opening of the Solar Technology Acceleration Center or SolarTAC near the Denver International Airport. The 74-acre tract of land — with its flat topography and 300 days of sunshine a year — is like a giant, outdoor laboratory where the solar industry can research, test, validate and demonstrate solar technologies. The facility’s mission is to increase the efficiency of solar energy products and rapidly deploy them to the commercial market.

SolarTAC is set up to allow members to sponsor a range of projects from proprietary research to shared work. It is also open to research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and by national entities like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Current membership in the facility includes: Abengoa Solar, the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, Amonix, the Electric Power Research Institute, SunEdison and Xcel Energy.

“The facilities and infrastructure at the site allow us to test, then demonstrate key components under development,” said Henry W. Price, Abengoa Solar’s vice president of technology. “SolarTAC is an important part of Abengoa’s U.S. development approach to new technologies.”

“The Alliance for Sustainable Energy is excited to see the SolarTAC vision come to life,” said Dana Christensen, NREL’s deputy lab director for Science & Technology. “This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for evaluation of solar technology performance under real-world conditions and contributes to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s critical role in developing and testing the next generation of solar energy technologies together with its integration onto the electric grid.”

Wouldn’t it be great if we could learn to corral the power of the sun (and wind for that matter) more efficiently? It would go a long way toward increasing our use of renewable energy and reaching our goals.

We look forward to seeing what other innovative solutions come out of the SolarTAC facility in years to come.

Article by Dan Hauser, appearing courtesy Xcel Energy Blog.

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Taiwan is one of the most industrialized countries throughout the world. In the last decade or so, Taiwan is looking to become more energy efficient by utilizing renewable sources of energy. With a carbon dioxide emission level that is extremely high for this island country, it has become important now more than ever to encompass the ways of renewable energy in order to create a viable, sustainable future for the country.

1) 2009 Renewable Energy Bill. In 2009, the Taiwanese parliament passed the Renewable Energy Bill which calls for the installation of between 6,500 and 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity within a 20 year period. The bill is expected to bring in more than $900 million in renewable energy investment to the country. The bill states that the goal in Taiwan is to reduce carbon dioxide levels to its 2008 levels by the year 2016 and to its 2000 levels by 2025. Also in the bill is a number of pricing incentives for renewable energy developers and the loosening of regulations. The investment into renewable energy is said to create over 10,000 renewable energy jobs.

2) 2010 Increasing Renewable Energy Target. In 2010, the government in Taiwan increased its renewable energy target to have 16 percent of all installed power capacity generated from sources of renewable energy. This is in line with the increasing steps the government is taking to cut overall energy intensity by the year 2025. This is after evidence showing that the heavy industrialized country releases approximately three times more heat-trapping gasses per individual that the current world average.

3) Renewable Energy Businesses in Taiwan. As a major international industrial capital, Taiwan is home to numerous companies involved in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector. This includes Ecomaa Lighting Inc., a company involved in the design and marketing of Green LED lighting products. There is also Motech Solar, the first pure-play c-Si solar cell manufacturer worldwide. They focus on research and development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales of top quality mono-crystalline silicon as well as multi-crystalline silicon solar cells. One last company is Sinotech Energy Development Co., Ltd. This company is responsible for the manufacturing of high efficiency wind turbines for global use.

4) Large Growth Planned for Solar Energy Sector. Within the next decade, Taiwan plans to increase the use of solar panels to increase the use of clean energy. Current solar panels generate five megawatts of energy, enough power for 500 buildings. However, by the year 2025, Taiwan wants to increase the megawatts to one-thousand. Wang Yunn-ming, the deputy head of the Taiwan Bureau of Energy said, “We hope to encourage the use of renewable energy with competitive prices.”

5) Investment of $1.74 Billion into Renewable Energy. At the end of 2010, the Taiwanese government made an announcement that they are going to invest $838 million in the promotion of renewable energy as well as another $635 investment into the research and development of renewable energy in the future. On top of this, the government is hoping to receive another $200 billion in private investment into the renewable energy sector. This investment is to assist in hitting the target to increase renewable energy usage by two percent every year until 2020.

6) Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy. The Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy was established in 2007 with the goal to continue the facilitation of research and development into sustainable energy as well as continue the promotion of sustainable energy infrastructure within the country. The institute focuses on four core topics – climate change, global warming, environmental protection, and sustainable energy. The institute continues “to work to raise the awareness of sustainable energy and related issues, establish an exchange platform for academic and technological groups relating to sustainable energy, facilitate publishing of sustainable energy related journals and specialist books, and raise the concern of the domestic industries for sustainable energy related issues.”

7) Better Place and Taiwan to Work together on the Electric Car Front. In January of 2011 Better Place LLC began talks with the Yulon Group in Taiwan to deploy the battery replacement station technology manufactured by Better Place in the country. Yulon Motor Co. Ltd. is the largest vehicle company in Taiwan and the agreement between the two organizations will include the deployment of a number of battery replacement stations as well as replaceable battery technology in the future electric car models being produced by Yulon. This is in line with Taiwan’s plan to have 160,000 electric cars in the country by 2015. Better Place is attracted to Taiwan’s geography because it is an island with a limited amount of area as well as a developed road perfect for energy production infrastructure.

8 ) General Plan for National Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction. In 2010, Taiwan created the ten objectives of the General Plan for National Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction. These objectives are to assist in lowering carbon emissions by 2025 to 2000 levels. The objectives include boosting regulatory framework, development of a low-carbon emission industrial structure, build a low carbon emission community and society, convert the country to a low-carbon emissions energy source system, create more green buildings, promotion of energy saving and carbon-reducing public works projects, and increase carbon reduction and energy conservation education.

9) Number Two Spot for Photovoltaic Cell Output. Taiwan is listed as the second country with the largest photovoltaic cell output. When combined with China, the photovoltaic cell production accounts for 62.2 percent of the entire international market in 2010. Taiwan is the second largest producer of photovoltaic cells around the globe.

10) Taiwan Wind Power Alliance Being Created. In 2013 the Taiwan Wind Power Alliance is to start operation. It was first formed in 2010 with a number of firms looking to increase the use of wind power, including electro-mechanical, parts and components, and maritime engineering sectors. The alliance is said to produce the first offshore wind farm in Taiwan in Changhua Country, and will include 122 wind turbines.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

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Using smart grid technology, the machine allows users to select the most favorable time for using energy.

In cooperation with power company Greenchoice, grid operator Enexis will install over 300 smart devices in sustainably-designed homes in the Dutch city of Breda. If they accept the devices, residents will then participate in a two-year test to see whether people are ready to use smart grid technologies.

One of the most interesting installations will be solar-powered washing machines. In this smart network, the washing machine is logged into an online weather channel so that it knows exactly when the sun shines or when the price of power on the energy exchange APX -ENDEX is most favourable. For example: it could be more efficient to do your laundry at night and not in the evening. Or maybe it’s best to do it during the day, when solar panels produce power.

The project involves 246 apartments with woodstoves and solar panels and 57 houses with heat pumps and solar panels, to be completed in 2012. In each home, smart devices like a smart electricity meter or a smart washing machine will be installed, connected to a smart energy computer. Besides giving residents information about the energy they use and produce, it collects their preferences and controls all devices as efficiently as possible.

Enexis’ main purpose is to explore how much people are willing to use electricity in a flexible way in order to save money and the environment. They hope the outcome will demonstrate ways sustainable energy, like solar panels, can be integrated into the grid and used to meet growing demands.

Article by Beth Buczynski, appearing courtesy Crisp Green.

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• Solarthon_2009

Lots going on in Florida right now with the legislative session approximately half way over. In an effort to bring more stakeholders into the fold and make the case for increased in-state investment in developing the Florida solar market, Vote Solar recently teamed up to bring the Space Coast Energy Consortium to Tallahassee. Susan Glickman, Director of the Florida Business Network for a Clean Energy Economy, contributes a guest post on the field trip:

Florida’s Space Coast is facing the end of NASA’s Shuttle Program later this year. Brevard County leaders are seeking tools to build a clean and sustainable energy economy in their region to help offset some of the dislocation associated with the end of the Shuttle Program.

Leaders from the Space Coast Energy Consortium traveled to Tallahassee to make the case in the State Capitol for a new approach on energy. The group included former Mayors from Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral; Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce leaders and a 22 year NASA employee. They met with a number of legislators, presented at key hearings in both the House and Senate expressing the need for action at the state level including a special Energy District for the Space Coast.

It was a fun 5 hours each way in a large passenger van – but well worth it – to be able to bring these important voices to Tallahassee. Consortium leaders got to town and went immediately to the Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee meeting where former Cape Canaveral Mayor John Porter testified.

We met with Budd Kneipp, Chief of Staff to CFO Jeff Atwater; Senator Jeremy Ring from Margate; State Representative Steve Crisafulli from Brevard; Senators Maria Sachs from Boca Raton and Evelyn Lynn from Volusia and a host of others.

At dinner, we were joined by Senators Maria Sachs and former St. Lucie County Commissioner Doug Coward who spearheaded the Solar & Energy Loan Fund, a nonprofit that grants loans to homeowners and businesses for solar and energy efficiency improvements. The discussion at that meal inspired an effort underway now to bring Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to Florida.

There was an especially great networking opportunity with the Florida Chapters of the US Green Building Council as the visit coincided with their Lobby Days. We attended their reception and their clean energy panel held in the State Capitol.

At the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee meeting Bill Stinson – who has worked at NASA for 22 years – spoke on behalf on The Consortium about the very compelling dynamics in Brevard.

The group was disappointed that Senate President Mike Haridopolos – who represents Brevard County – cancelled his appearance at our luncheon but we made the best of it sharing strategies and information with Florida Retail Federation and Florida Farm Bureau leaders.

This group brought an important perspective to the policymakers but the work has just begun – to overcome entrenched interests and move forward a clean energy economy.

Vote Solar is a non-profit grassroots organization working to fight climate change and foster economic opportunity by bringing solar energy into the mainstream.

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