Attendees of the fifth annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, which starts Tuesday in Indian Wells, Calif., might notice a change in the agenda from previous years. The annual panel on cleantech investment exits –IPOs or acquisitions of venture-backed startups – has disappeared.
It’s a reflection of the economic environment, said Ron Pernick, a principal at research firm [...]

Utilities may soon be helping to bring biofuels to your gas tank in an unexpected way. Montreal-based Enerkem recently announced it has finished building what it’s calling its first commercial-scale plant, one that will make cellulosic ethanol, methanol and various biochemicals from discarded utility poles.
After 14 months of construction, the Westbury, Quebec, factory was “mechanically [...]

Iran is on its way to having nuclear energy, but the United Arab Emirates may get there first. Yesterday, the UAE embassy in Washington announced that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to sign a nuclear cooperation pact with the country.  The UAE agreed to numerous conditions for Rice’s approval, including inspections from the [...]

The venerable Rolls-Royce, maker of some of the finest motorcars, engines and turbines in the world, will be sea-testing tidal power turbines off the coast of the UK beginning this summer.
According to company officials, Rolls-Royce along with a company called Tidal Generation Limited, will begin trials of a half-megawatt (MW) turbine this summer. Rolls has [...]

Finding the space for wind turbines in urban areas is difficult—even for vertical turbines like Mariah Power’s Windspire. But a new design from Sridhar Condoor could reduce the space requirements for wind turbines even further. Condoor’s turbine is hollow, cylindrical, and lacks a central hub. Its hollowness allows it to be placed around existing objects— [...]

Tremont Electric has launched a portable energy generator that allows users to charge handheld electronic devices simply by going for a walk.
The nPower PEG, launched at last week’s 2009 CES event, works on the principle of electromagnetic induction to create a 100% renewable energy source for everything from iPods to mobile phones. To get a [...]

One of the major barriers for anyone looking into a residential solar system is the hefty price tag, but a start-up called Solar Red claims it can halve the cost of residential systems. The company’s major product is a solar panel mounting system that uses brackets to weave in with roof shingles. These can be [...]

Olive branches have traditionally been used as a symbol of peace, but as a symbol of renewable energy? Olivebar, a company based in Israel, is using olive press waste to create a long-term, renewable energy source.
Read more of this story »

For those of you itching to take a look at Husqvarna’s Automower, the sleek robotic solar hybrid lawnmower will be exhibited at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this week. The Automower uses solar and battery power, and is completely emissions-free. During daylight, the 12MW solar panel allows the mower to extend its [...]

Mini turbines will be installed inside the UK’s gas pipeline grid later this year in an attempt to gather energy from pipeline pressure. The set-up will be tested in east London and should produce 20MW by 2010. If successful, future installations across the country could produce up to 1GW. That’s the same amount of power [...]