Vehicles that reduce the need for foreign oil

The "Top 10" low-carbon footprint cars can be found, here.

Clean-tech investing decreases faster than the Dow

According to an Economist article, investments in clean-technology has dropped off faster than the decline in oil prices. This correlates well with my personal experience in working to raise funds for a clean-technology accelerator (NXergy). Looks like everything's going to be pushed out a year or two... depending on when oil prices creep back up around $4 to $5 (or more) a gallon.

Five Major areas to watch

The following five areas will make a significant difference in our ability to become energy-independent: An intense focus on producing (and storing) low/no carbon electricity, using it more efficiently and distributing it more wisely is needed - especially when electric vehicles will likely be the way the United States gets off of foreign oil.

NXergy is focusing on these areas. Links to important organizations and information is provided, below:

Energy Efficiency
IEA, Energy Trust of Oregon, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and PECI.

High-density Energy Storage
Energy Storage Council

Smart-grid
Department of Energy (SmartGrid Info), Duke University's efforts

Distributed generation
International organization, in the United States

Low / no-carbon energy production
World-watch Institute: Low Carbon Roadmap

Smart Grid meets Social Networking

Interesting concept: Whirlpool engineers state that smart appliances could easily be set up to make decisions based on information from the grid without giving control of that device to the utility and without sending information about what decisions were made back upstream. Several companies are exploring how to make energy-efficiency solutions a reality.

Contrarian view about climate actions and jobs

"Saving the planet and creating jobs may be incompatible."

A recent paper from the Peterson Institute of International Economics and the World Resources Institute notes that investment in green-tech may just redirect capital from one use to another, indicating that the number of jobs created might not be so great as being touted.

This needs to be addressed analytically, to determine the true value that green-tech (development & deployment) - to ensure as we move to a sustainable future, we "manage by fact".

Reduction in renewable investments in the UK

Investments fell from £377 million to £79 million in British renewable energy, including wind, solar and wave power (first three months of last year compared with this year). Story, here.

Nissan Electric Vehicle to hit market

Green-energy investments decline significantly in 2009

Information from New Energy Finance indicates that investments into clean energy declined 53% from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009. Read the press release. (Thanks to Michael Rex for this one!)

Clean Tech Open Launching 2009 Pacific Northwest Business Competition

The Clean Tech Open Pacific Northwest Competition is off and running! The official launch event will take place on April 15th in Seattle. Teams with innovative clean tech ideas can enter the business competition now through May 30, 2009. Semi-finalist teams selected in June will be assigned mentors, attend Business Clinics and the three-day Clean Tech Open Accelerator in preparation for the final judging. Three regional winners will each receive $50,000 in cash and services and will then compete in the Clean Tech Open National for $250,000 in cash and services.