Category: Renewables – Business
Talking Up Cleantech Business Concepts at the TechBrew MegaMixer
| February 1, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
I’m speaking at the “TechBrew MegaMixer” this Saturday afternoon at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles. If you happen to live locally and are looking for something to do, please feel free to stop by. There is no charge for admission, and, having attended these events in the past, they’re really pretty cool. The basic concept is getting good entrepreneurial ideas for cleantech products and services in front of potential investors. Sounds like a legitimate concept, doesn’t it?
The event runs from 1 PM – 5 PM; I hope to see you there.
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From Guest-Blogger Joshua Okomo: Global Investment in Renewables Exceeds Non-renewables
| January 24, 2012 | Posted by okomo under Renewables - Business |
Assessment of energy investment in the world shows a clear path to bigger investment in renewable than non renewable. Clean energy technology is making clear progress globally, in some countries current and planned deployment of renewable far outstrip investment in non renewable energy.
More aggressive clean energy policies are required, including the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and implementation of transparent, predictable and adaptive incentives for cleaner, more efficient energy options. Due to government support and investors strategy for capital returns, solar PV and wind power are achieving strong growth. However for many developing countries where the natural potential for solar and wind power is even higher, much effort is needed in solar and wind power deployments.
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Clean Energy – A Solution to a Problem Most People Don’t Believe Exists
| January 23, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
As I do most Sundays, I took a bit of a hike the other day – my normal jog/walk, in this case from my home in Santa Ynez, CA (USA) to neighboring Los Olivos, where I had a beer and caught the last quarter of a football game on TV with a few dozen others. I don’t watch too much football, but after seven miles, a bit of numbing feels legitimate. And I tell you what, the folks in the Los Olivos Café and I became fast friends, as we all screamed out loud watching some terrific action, including one of the most spectacular plays in the history of sport.
On my way up there, however, my heart had not been as light, as my thoughts ran to putting my career in perspective. How is it possible that I was so well-embraced in my “past life” as a marketing consultant for high tech, where now I seem to be challenged to get others to see the importance of my ideas?
Several reasons, I’m sure. Read More
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Auspicious Times for Clean Energy Opportunities in China
| January 22, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
Ken Chan, one of our associates who helps us promote clean energy businesses in China, just wrote me:
Today, January 23, is the 1st day of the Lunar Festival, meaning the Chinese new year, the year of the “Golden Dragon,” with my cell phone buzzing nonstop with messages of Greetings and Good Tidings from Beijing.
In these five days, travelers in China are returning home to celebrate with their families. This once-a-year occasion is most auspicious and important, perhaps like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the United States. Read More
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Meeting Clean Energy Entrepreneurs on the East Coast
| January 19, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
Lining up a trip back east for the week of February 13th that includes Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and potentially Boston. Will be conducting interviews for “Renewable Energy – Following the Money,” but also meeting several clean energy entrepreneurs I’d like to help along their way. Will also stay with an old college buddy – and maybe a second. Should be quite a tour. Renting a car and hoping for good weather.
It’s amazing how certain things are dirt-cheap nowadays, while other prices have skyrocketed. I normally buy one-way plane tickets, since my itineraries are flexible. One-way from Santa Barbara to Dulles International (Washington, DC): $171. Makes me glad I’m not Greyhound, trying to sell a $126 ticket for a bus that takes almost three days to arrive.
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The Water and Energy Industries Are Closely Connected
| January 12, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
Just got back from Los Angeles, have knocked out another interview for my third book (“Renewable Energy – Following the Money”). My conversation today was with David Rose of Wedbush Securities, whom I had met originally through an introduction by a mutual friend.
David is one of the world’s top experts on the water industry, an arena with many obvious ties to energy, e.g., water is a critical ingredient in generating most forms of energy, and it takes energy to pump and purify water. A shortage of one means a shortage of the other. And, of course, they’re both inextricably tied to a third issue of some importance: the world food supply.
Fascinating, yet scary stuff. More later.
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Hike Enables Contemplation of Our Clean Energy Future
| January 8, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
On the hike I’m about to take, I’ll be contemplating the future of renewable energy while walking up the north-facing slope of the Santa Ynez mountains. At the top is a clearing providing this view of the Pacific.
There are a lot worse ways to spend a few hours.
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Writing Routines
| January 6, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
Someone once asked novelist E. L. Doctorow about his routine as a writer, to which he replied: “Here’s how it goes: I’m up at the stroke of 10 or 10:30. I have breakfast and read the papers, and then it’s lunchtime. Then maybe a little nap after lunch and out to the gym, and before I know it, it’s time to have a drink.”
Speaking for most of us mortals who try to crank out a book every year, it doesn’t work exactly like that.
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This Month’s Webinar: Is Renewable Really Doable?
| January 5, 2012 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
I hope you’ll be able to join us for our monthly webinar, in which 2GreenEnergy business manager George Alger interviews me on my new book:
Is Renewable Really Doable? Exploring Clean Energy’s Opportunities and Tough Realities
The traditional energy industry is hell-bent on preserving the status quo as long as possible – and who could possibly wonder why? These are the wealthiest people on Earth. Are we to expect that they miraculously want to cease sitting on top of the world?
But our skies and oceans are filling up with the effluent of their outmoded, damaging practices, and the warming of our planet threatens the health and safety of every living thing on the planet. At the same time, a large and growing number of us non-billionaires are crying foul, and committing ourselves to do something about it. Who will win? Read More
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Some Good News for Us Green Energy People — For a Change
| December 30, 2011 | Posted by Craig Shields under Renewables - Business |
I often consider how most of the content here is essentially bad news: climate change, ocean acidification, empowering terrorists, oil companies’ propaganda, corporatocracy, governmental corruption, and public ignorance and apathy. But here’s some good news: Traffic at 2GreenEnergy in 2011 was up over 51% from 2010. Not too bad! Thanks to all who contributed!
