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Details for the Inside Renewable Energy (mp3) Podcast
Description
The Inside Renewable Energy podcast is a weekly news program that features documentary reporting, interviews and news briefs that give you an insider's look at the latest in technology, policy and finance. If you're looking for an engaging, comprehensive overview of all things renewable energy -- look no further!
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Episodes
1 - Is Wind Noise Pollution?
As more wind turbines are developed closer to communities, a number of homeowners within close range are complaining about noise. Some wind advocates label these people “anti-wind.” At the same time, anti-wind advocates latch onto the sound issues, saying they are a public health problem. Surely, there's a middle ground. Unfortunately, no one has done a comprehensive study on the impact of wind turbine noise on people. Without an objective examination of the issue, miscommunication and mistrust will likely continue. In this podcast, we'll go to the island of Vinalhaven off the coast of Maine to hear about the complaints of a group of homeowners who are aggravated by the noise of three 1.5 MW wind turbines in their backyards. We'll ask, “is it okay to sacrifice a few people for the greater good of the many?” We'll talk with Jim Cummings, founder of the Acoustic Ecology Institute, about how widespread complaints about noise are. He'll also talk about the various trade-offs when making concessions to homeowners. Finally, we'll go to one small town in Texas and hear about the positive economic and cultural impact of the world's largest wind farm. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
2 - How to Exit the Age of Oil: Closing the Renewables Gap
We are living in an unprecedented time in history when the theory of unlimited economic growth is running into the reality of limited energy. Many people think that renewables are simply a drop-in replacement for oil, gas and coal – but it's clear that is not the case. Renewables offer less “net energy” than fossil fuels have historically delivered. We have grown our global economy on the assumption that we'd always have abundant energy. However, with renewables, which are less energy dense and more diffuse, we may have to re-evaluate our vision of growth. In this podcast, we'll look at the “Renewables Gap,” and what it means for the transition away from fossil resources. Author and Activist Bill McKibben talks about what society will look like on this new “Eaarth” being formed by climate changes and limited energy resources. Lionel Badal talks about his adventures as a student uncovering a peak oil conspiracy at the International Energy Agency. Energy expert Vaclav Smil gives some historical context to the current energy transition. Author and speaker Jeff Vail talks about his worries that the “Renewables Gap,” will hinder the transition to cleaner sources of energy. Writer and Financial Analyst Tom Konrad talks about why he's a technological optimist, but a social pessimist. And Jack Oswald, the CEO of Syngest, outlines his scenario of future “Energy Abundance.” Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
3 - Why Investors Like Solar PV
The sluggish economy has hurt renewable energy project developers. In many cases, it's incredibly difficult for companies to sign contacts to sell power. So why is the solar PV market going to grow by 100% globally this year? Solar PV is starting to enter a “sweet spot.” Because the technology is falling so dramatically in cost, is less capital intensive to develop, is more adaptable and requires less permitting, investors are taking a keen interest in solar PV projects. In this podcast, we'll examine the factors that make the market so attractive. Jack Ehnes, the CEO of California's second-largest public pension fund, CalSTRS, talks about the need for fund managers to look at broader sustainability issues in order to limit risk. The interview comes from the Ceres Sustainability Podcast. Then we'll have a roundtable discussion on how solar companies are engaging the financial community. Dan Alcombright, vice president and general manager of Solon North America, talks about the company's vertical strategy to manufacture panels, develop projects and work with financiers to fund the PV plants. Wim Goethals, managing director of Enfinity Americas talks about the “brain damage” involved in financing projects of all sizes. And Marie Schnitzer, director of solar services at AWS Truepower, explains why it's important for the solar community to keep educating investors. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
4 - Will We Find the 'Black Swan' of Energy?
This is a unique time in history for energy inventors and entrepreneurs. As the need for clean, renewable sources of energy becomes more important, investors are looking for unique “Black Swan” technologies that could revolutionize the sector. The trouble is, they're not exactly easy to find or create. In this podcast, we'll talk to a couple inventors who are riding the new wave of innovation and trying to bring their early-stage technologies to scale. We'll also talk with about the need to be realistic in our view of groundbreaking (if not sometimes completely nuts) inventions. David Doty, founder and CEO of Doty Energy, tells us about his production of “WindFuels,” a variety of hydrocarbon fuels made from wind electricity and recycled carbon dioxide. He'll talk about how the fuel is made and how much it will cost to produce. Scott Brusaw, president and CEO of Solar Roadways, talks about why putting solar panels on roads could actually be a good idea. He'll tell us how he first got the idea and why he believes the concept could work on a mass-scale. And Eric Wessoff, an editor and analyst with Greentech Media, describes the fine line that investors and journalists walk when evaluating new technologies. He'll also outline a common mistake that people make when thinking about how to bring new energy technologies to market. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
5 - Will Vertical Axis Wind Ever Scale Up?
Vertical-axis wind turbines have been around for thousands of years, yet we still haven't seen modern turbine producers make a dent in the wind market. Why is that so? In this podcast, we'll find out. Most wind experts say that vertical-axis turbines are simply inferior to traditional three-bladed horizontal-axis turbines. That's why the technologies only make up one percent of the small wind market. The industry has also been dominated by sketchy companies and “inventors” who pushed fraudulent or under-performing technologies to unsuspecting consumers. Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of Urban Green Energy, talks about the reasons why the vertical-axis wind industry has gotten a bad name. Walt Borland, CEO of WindSpire Energy, discusses the need for third-party testing to help investors make good choices. And Wind Expert Ian Woofenden shares his thoughts on why he thinks vertical-axis wind turbines will never compete with traditional horizontal-axis wind technologies. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
6 - CEO Perspectives: A View from the Top
How do you make a renewable energy business work is such a challenging economic environment? In this show, a group of CEOs tells us how. We'll hear from a range of executives in the solar PV, concentrating solar power, wind and biofuels sectors who are making difficult decisions to get their companies through this difficult period. We'll also speak with renowned journalist Vijay Vaitheeswaran about his take on the renewable energy market. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
7 - It's All About the Money
Renewables are big business. Almost every major financial institution and energy company is involved with the industry in some way. And this year's Renewable Energy Finance Forum proves once again that is the case. In this podcast, we're in New York City talking to a number of financial experts on the health of the renewable energy industry. There are many factors working both in favor and against renewables. If you want to get a clear picture of how the industry if fairing today around the world, you have to follow the money. And that's what we're doing at REFF. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
8 - Solving the Water Crisis
The world is running out of water. By 2030, the UN projects that 60 percent of the global population will face water shortages, increasing social unrest and creating additional risk for companies. As demand for water increases, so too will demand on the energy system. Technologies like desalination require enormous amounts of fossil energies to process water. But burning more fossil resources exacerbates climate change, thus making water shortages more severe. And more severe water shortages mean that we'll need yet more fossil energies to process water. In this podcast, we'll look at how companies are implementing new technologies to lower the energy intensity of desalination, monitor water use, and create new ways of generating energy at wastewater treatment facilities and desalination plants. GG Pique, CEO and president of Energy Recovery Inc., describes how his company's pressure exchanger recycles 85% of the energy used by a reverse osmosis desalination plant. Reka Sumangali, a water analyst with Lux Research, talks about how the desalination market has evolved to become less energy intensive. Dallas Kachan, managing partner of Kachan and Co., discusses the potential of Osmotic Power, an up-and-coming form of baseload generation that can be sited alongside desalination facilities. And Peter Williams, the CTO of IBM's Big Green Innovation program, describes how the global water shortage will impact the way multi-national companies like IBM will do business in the future. His interview comes to us from the Ceres Sustainability Podcast. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
9 - Wind R&D: Will it Fire Up or Fade Away?
Faced with such a challenging market for wind, companies are being forced to innovate in order to differentiate themselves and bring the cost of wind down. The problem is, it's difficult to innovate during economically stressful times. In this podcast, we'll look at how the economic environment is impacting R&D efforts in the wind industry. The picture is mixed. Many of the big players are undertaking greater R&D programs; however, some companies trying to bring new technologies to market are finding it very hard. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
10 - Why the Wind Market is Hurting
On the surface, last year's record installation of wind in the U.S. makes it seem like the industry is cruising along. But that is not the case. Due to falling demand for electricity, lower natural gas prices and the lack of a long-term national target, many companies are having trouble making stable investments. In this podcast, we'll look at the economic factors behind the drop in demand for wind electricity. Matt Kaplan, a senior wind analyst with IHS Emerging Energy Research, tells us why utilities and developers are pulling back on projects in the U.S. Mike Revak, head of Siemens U.S. wind division, talks about how increased competition among manufacturers is forcing companies to change their strategies. Sonia Bonfiglioli, CEO of the component manufacturer Bonfiglioli, tells us why the company will continue to invest heavily in wind, despite the short-term problems in the market. And Ron Pernick of CleanEdge gives us his take on President Bush's speech at the recent AWEA WindPower conference. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
11 - Utilities are Warming to Solar Hot Water
Solar hot water systems are much more cost competitive than solar PV. But why do utilities pay more attention to the costlier solution? In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion on how to spread adoption of solar hot water systems on the utility scale. Dell Jones, VP of Renewable Development with Regenesis, talks about the company's solar-as-a-service model for hot water systems. USH20's Chip Bircher talks about the successful utility-scale programs that have been rolled over the years. And ASES Fellow Joe McCabe describes the new business models emerging around large-scale deployment of solar hot water systems. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
12 - Understanding Your Training Options
Want to be a renewable energy installer or technician? First you need to get the proper training. But there are so many options out there – how do you know what the best options are? In this podcast, we'll try to sort through all the different programs out there for training, certification and accreditation. Jane Weissman, Executive Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), talks about the fragmented nature of the training and certification sector. She'll tell us about the importance of a national strategy to bring clarity to the market. Ezra Auerbach, Executive Director of the North American Board of Certified Energy Praticitoners (NABCEP), talks about the need to have on central body controlling certification of installers. And Brad Smock, General Manager of UL University, talks about UL's entrance into the certification space. As the New Kid on the Block, there's some frustration among people in the industry that UL will make things more confusing. Smock will address some of those concerns. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
13 - Bringing Down the Installed Cost of Solar PV
Companies all along the solar supply chain are working hard to reduce the cost of their products. But the buck ultimately stops with the installer, who delivers the product to the consumer. By creating products and building training programs that help the installer do his job more efficiently, the cost of developing a project will inevitably fall. In this podcast, we've got a roundtable discussion from the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Conference on how to reduce the installed cost of solar PV. Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar, talks about the company's push for integrated residential solar systems, which reduce the cost of installation by up to 10 percent. He'll also tell us about the company's decision to merge the Andalay brand with Westinghouse, creating Westinghouse Solar. Tim Polega, VP of engineering and construction for Inovateus Solar, discusses how to more efficiently develop projects in the more complicated commercial PV sector. And Steve Daniel, Chief Sales Officer for CentroSolar, talks about the company's residential and commercial solar packages that reduce installation time. He'll also discuss the importance of the company's effort to train installers about CentroSolar products. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
14 - Turning Toxic Sludge into Energy
Ever wondered what's in the sewer system? Alligators? Monsters? Try something far worse: Grease. Water utilities spend billions of dollars each year to get rid of the grease that clogs the system and erodes the pipes. A number of companies are now trying to turn that environmental and financial liability into a renewable energy asset. We'll speak with Emily Landsburg, CEO of BlackGold Biofuels, about the enormous potential for turning sewer grease into biodiesel. She'll tell us about how her company evolved from being a biofuels company into a water treatment company. Heather Landis, an analyst at Lux Research, joins us to discuss the market for turning toxic sludge into biogas, biofuels and electricity. It's still an early market for slow-moving utilities, but the need for change is imminent. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
15 - Will Your Electric Car Help or Hurt the Grid?
Electric cars are here. We've seen the hype around electric cars rise and fall before – but this time it's different. With almost every major car company developing a plug-in hybrid or all-electric car, regulators are now preparing for a new wave of pressure on the grid. Will we be able to handle it? In this podcast, we'll look at the potential impact that electric cars will have on the distribution system. Bill Reinert, national manager of the Advanced Technology Group at Toyota, describes how the new relationship between customers, car companies and utilities will change the way we think about cars. Matt Nielsen, a senior researcher at GE, talks about the new demands that electric vehicles will put on the distribution system. He'll also talk about the need to couple electric vehicles with on-site renewables. Chris Hartshorn, a senior analyst at Lux Research, talks about how the convergence of Information Technologies and Information Technologies will enable the coming wave of electric vehicles. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
16 - Is Organic PV the Future of Solar? Maybe.
Imagine a world in which your clothes, your electronics and your windows can generate electricity. With all the innovation we're seeing in solar these days, that world does not seem very far away. Just don't expect your next pair of jeans to charge your iphone. Many types of third generation solar PV technologies have moved remarkably fast from the lab to early commercialization. But many experts question how ready these technologies are for prime time. In this podcast, we'll look at one type – organic PV – and assess the performance of the technology. Alan Heeger, Nobel Prize winner and co-founder of the organic PV company Konarka, tells us about how his work with semiconducting polymers has spawned a generation of solar inks and plastics. Peter Fairley, a cleantech journalist and author, provides some context for these next-generation cells. While he feels the technologies offer great potential, he's skeptical about many of the claims that companies are making about production and performance. Finally, Tor Valenza of Unthink Solar joins us to talk about the effort to put solar back on the White House. To learn more about signing the petition, go to SolarOnTheWhiteHouse.com. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
17 - Wind Technologies: Size Matters, But Only So Much
The wind turbine – standing tall, sleek and uniquely modern – is arguably the most powerful symbol of the technological advancement of renewables. And although size is typically the metric for such progress, it's the less visible improvements that have allowed the industry to grow. Wind technologies have come a long way over the last 30 years, starting as custom-made amalgamations of farm machinery in Denmark and lab experiments in the U.S., and evolving to become the giant sentries of today's energy transition. In this podcast, we'll look at what has driven the technological progress in the wind industry. Benjamin Bell, CEO of Garrad Hassan North America, tells us about his unique experience over the last three decades developing one of the most important technologies in the wind industry today. Dutch Wind Journalist Eize de Vries describes the significance of the newer changes in wind technologies, including: direct drive systems, variable-speed systems, permanent magnet generators and lighter materials. Wind Expert Paul Gipe talks about why the Danish wind turbine manufacturers had much better products that the American manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s. And Small Wind Guru Mick Sagrillo discusses how small wind systems have evolved in tandem with industrial wind systems. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
18 - How Do We Define the Green Collar Economy?
The push for more green-collar jobs has been hailed as the New Deal of our time – a revolution. A movement. But amidst all of this talk about the green collar economy, we still haven't defined exactly what it is. Certainly, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are vast and diverse, touching upon every sector imaginable: Construction, manufacturing, project management, sales, design, agriculture and information technology. In this podcast, we'll look at how the green-collar economy is taking shape around the world today and what it will mean for these various industries. Linda Lacey, General Manager of EVS Metal, describes how one small steel fabrication company is becoming part of the green-collar economy. Jill Kubit, assistant director of the Cornell Global Labor Institute, describes the international trends for job growth in clean energy. Cathy Calfo, executive director of the Apollo Alliance, talks about how to help workers in traditional manufacturing industries transition into new types of clean energy equipment manufacturing. And Bracken Hendricks, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, envisions how renewable energy and other clean technologies will transform the way we think about work, prosperity and economic growth. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
19 - The Next Great Global Industry
Developing renewables is no longer just a feel-good exercise – it's about becoming a global leader in the race to realize the Next Great Global Industry. If countries and companies fail to take advantage of the market potential for renewables, they'll risk becoming obsolete as the clean energy economy takes shape. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion on the race to build new manufacturing sectors, create cutting-edge jobs and inspire citizens to make an all-hands-on-deck effort to transition to a new energy future. Lisa Frantzis, managing director for renewable and distributed energy at Navigant Consulting, explains the difference between the first sprint in the 70's to develop renewables and the long-distance race underway today. Michael Northrop, managing director of sustainable development at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, describes the reasons that the U.S. is falling behind other countries in Europe and Asia. Rian Van Staden, principal of Intelligent RE Consulting, talks about the changes taking place in Europe, which are forcing companies to stay nimble. And Christophe Inglin, managing director of Phoenix Solar, discusses the changes he's witnessed in Asia during his 15 years installing solar in the region. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
20 - Small Wind: An Evolution or Revolution?
Inventors all around the world are developing new wind turbine technologies, hoping they can break into the market and "revolutionize" the industry. Some of them are creating entirely new designs or making interesting improvements on existing designs; many of them make claims about performance they can't back up. But they all have a major impact on this still-fragmented market. In this podcast, we'll look at the evolving landscape for small wind technologies in the U.S. and around the world. We'll speak with Dan Parker and his team about a new technology they're developing, called the Spiral Air Foil Turbine. We'll talk about his design, the expensive testing and certification process, and why his team represents the culture of innovation bred in garages and machine shops around the country. Then, we'll talk to Ron Stimmel, the small wind advocate for the American Wind Energy Association, about where these inventors fit into the broader small-wind landscape. While there may be a lot of work being done on new designs, the traditional three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine continues to dominate 99% of the small-wind market. Finally, we'll move from small wind to really, really big wind. Katie Roek, an attorney with Stoel Rives, discusses the likely differences in how the Europeans and Americans develop offshore wind – once the U.S. actually gets a project in the water. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
21 - Is Solar Changing Utilities Or Are Utilities Changing Solar?
Utilities and solar companies haven't historically had a very positive relationship. In the past, people in the utility sector scoffed at the fridge solar industry, certain that it would never have a real impact on their business. People in the solar industry eyed the utilities with distrust, certain they were blocking progress in any way they could. Today, as utilities start to embrace solar – even developing their own projects – that relationship is changing for the better. In this podcast, we'll look at the increasing involvement of utilities in the solar space. There will certainly be more conflicts as the industry scales up, changing the way both parties do business. But it's becoming increasingly clear that utilities see solar as a necessary and lucrative investment option. We'll speak with Denis Dubois of Energy Priorities Magazine, who's been following how businesses are investing in solar under utility-developed projects. He'll give us the scoop on what kind of opportunities are available. We'll also discuss the evolving relationship between utilities and solar companies with Mike Taylor of the Solar Electric Power Association and Paul Alvarez of MetaVu Consulting. They'll tell us about the market drivers that are forcing utilities to change. Finally, Solar Marketing Consultant and RenewableEnergyWorld.com blogger Solar Fred, encourages solar companies to help start a new holiday in April: National Solar Quote Month. He'll talk about the need for solar companies to be innovative in their marketing efforts in order to educate the public about the affordability of solar PV and solar thermal. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
22 - A Salute to a Solar Hero
Last month, solar humanitarian Walt Ratterman's body was found in the rubble of the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He had been installing solar systems on remote medical clinics around the country. Many of his friends in the solar industry call Ratterman a “solar hero,” for his tireless work spreading clean, renewable energy to impoverished communities around the world. After starting a successful electrical contracting business, Ratterman decided not to stay comfortable. Instead, he co-founded SunEnergy Power International and traveled the globe installing solar. Ratterman's work has been recognized in the film, “Beyond the Call,” a documentary on modern humanitarian work. In this week's podcast, we feature a re-broadcast of a story that KDNK's Conrad Wilson produced about Ratterman's life and impact on the solar industry.
23 - The Asia Factor
Asia is increasingly playing a role in the development of renewables world-wide. From solar modules to wind turbines and geothermal projects to next-generation batteries, the region is one of the most important for clean energy. Today, Asian countries are having a major impact on how other markets, like the U.S., grow as well. In this podcast, we'll look at the role of China and Korea in the international market for renewables. Mike Miskovsky, general manager of the U.S. solar division for Canadian Solar, talks about why the company's Chinese-made solar products still represent the highest degree of quality and performance. He'll also discuss the company's continued effort to brand itself inside the U.S. Do Woon Lee, a cleantech journalist with the Seoul Daily News in South Korea, discusses the factors contributing the the country's push to develop clean, domestic sources of energy. He'll also look at what role the Koreans will play in the international community as a bridge between developing and developed countries. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
24 - The Water-Energy Nexus: Trading One Problem for Another?
Renewables are more environmentally benign sources of energy. But when it comes to water use, many question the sustainability of certain technologies. With water shortages looming in countries all over the world, concerns are growing about what our transition to renewables will do to exacerbate those problems. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion on the water-energy nexus and why it's so important for governments and companies to think about as they develop new sources of energy. Bill Hoffman, principal of Hoffman and Associates, talks about how water is used in thermal power plants, why water rights issues are getting more intense and how rainwater and wastewater collection are important pieces of the distributed energy mix. Carey King, an energy and resource analyst for the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Texas, describes which technologies use the most water, the benefits and drawbacks of dry cooling towers for power plants and how U.S. water problems stack up with other countries around the world. And Tom Rooney, CEO of SPG Solar, describes the lack of communication between businesses in the water industry and businesses in the renewable energy industry. He also discusses the benefits of solar PV technologies in helping reduce water use. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
25 - Energy Storage: Will We Find the Holy Grail?
We'd all like to see a world powered mostly by renewables. But is it possible? With the right planning, we can develop a lot of intermittent renewables without storage. At some point, however, we'll need both short-term and long-term storage technologies to help stabilize the grid. Storage is often seen as the “Holy Grail” of technologies for integrating wind and solar. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion on storage and look at emerging applications, market opportunities and ask whether these technologies are ready for large-scale applications. Chris Tomasini, vice president of business development for Ice Energy, talks about the how company's thermal storage unit, the Ice Bear, can smooth out demand on the grid and allow for more wind to be used at night. Charlie Vartanian, director of grid integration for A123 Systems, talks about what the company's advanced lithium ion batteries can do to enable frequency regulation, long-term energy storage and electric vehicles. And Sam Jaffe, a senior research analyst at IDC Energy Insights, talks about the current and potential growth in the storage market today. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
26 - How to Build a Business in Clean Energy
Entrepreneurs around the world see our myriad environmental, social and economic issues related to energy not just as problems, but as opportunities. Indeed, the possibilities for developing businesses in the clean energy industry are endless. Unfortunately, many people have a hard time figuring out where to approach this very competitive, capital-intensive space. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion with a group of entrepreneurs and get some pointers on how to find a core idea, get funding, build a team and grow your business in the face of adversity. Sramana Mitra, entrepreneurial consultant and author of the book series “Entrepreneur Journeys,” details the important process of bootstrapping. She'll also talk about why she's disappointed with the Obama administration's approach to supporting entrepreneurship in the U.S. Wayne Krouse, founder and CEO of Hydro Green Energy, describes his long, hard journey to develop a new hydrokinetic technology. He'll talk about how to secure a patent and get funding for capital intensive projects. Danny Kennedy, co-founder and president of Sungevity, talks about why internet-based commerce is so important for bringing down the installed cost of solar and other renewables. He'll also discuss how he formed his team and how he plans to grow the company in a sustainable way. This podcast is sponsored by groSolar, a provider of solar energy solutions for homes, businesses, dealers and contractors. If you're a clean energy entrepreneur and you're looking at ways to promote your business – check out our Total Access program. It offers a cheap, easy-to-use method of marketing your company or technology to the largest renewable energy audience world-wide! Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
27 - Social Friction: Who Decides What is Beautiful?
Wind might be clean, necessary and economically advantageous, but it's still industrial development. That makes it particularly difficult to develop projects in areas of the Northeast, where the best places to put wind farms are often on mountaintops and ridge lines. And that, of course, increases the likelihood of social friction. In this podcast, we'll look at the myriad challenges in building wind farms in densely populated, mountainous regions like the Northeastern U.S., and talk to some developers about how they manage risk and work with communities to build support. We'll start off by looking at a proposed wind farm in New Hampshire, where some residents are upset about the potential visual impact to the state's heavily forested landscape. Eolian Renewable Energy CEO Jack Kenworthy tells us about how the company is working with citizens to address their concerns. Landowner Michael Ott describes his personal transition from a self-proclaimed “NIMBY” into a supporter of the 16-MW wind farm. Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council (and former New Hampshire resident) discusses the potential impact of wind on the New England energy mix, as well as the difficulties in defining what is “beautiful.” Annie Law, a local resident, talks about why she supports renewable energy, but does not support it on the ridge lines of New Hampshire mountain tops. And Ryan Wiser, a chief scientist with the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, tells us about a new study showing that wind farms do not have a widespread negative impact on property values. We'll wrap up the show with a roundtable discussion with a group of wind professionals who have some advice on how to work with citizens when developing projects that will change the visual character of their communities. Charlie Howland, formerly of the Penn Energy Trust and now with the Environmental Protection Agency, talks about how the “fear of the unknown” can hold up a project. Tom Stebbins, a project manager with Horizon Wind, describes his company's efforts to create citizen action groups in favor of wind farms. And Al Maiorino of the Public Strategy Group, talks about why opponents of projects are more likely to organize than supporters. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
28 - Micro-inverters vs. Central Inverters: Is There a Clear Winner?
In recent years, the solar industry has seen radical change in the inverter space. On the utility side, inverters have been getting bigger in order to accommodate massive, multi-megawatt projects. On the residential side, they've been getting smaller and more adaptable, opening up the market for "plug and play" systems. This has created more choices for consumers and installers. But it also raises the question: Is one technology better than the other? In this podcast, we'll debate that question with a group of engineers who represent different companies in the sector. We'll also look at how these new technologies have changed the way installers design and develop residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. Leo Casey, chief technology officer for Satcon, talks about why the company believes that central inverters are a more bankable, cost-effective approach to developing large-scale solar systems. Michael Lamb, vice president of business development for the start-up eIQ Energy, describes how his company's maximum power point tracking technology will make central inverters more responsive to module-level problems in a solar array and increase the power output of a system. Raghu Belur, vice president of Enphase Energy, tells us why he thinks the micro-inverter – which is installed directly on the back of a panel – is a better choice for both residential and commercial applications. And Chris Edgette, director of Strategen Consulting, discusses why the debate around these technologies can get a bit murky. He'll also talk about what these new advances in technology mean for installers and their customers. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
29 - Can Renewables Really Power our Cities?
Over the course of history, the city has evolved from an "agropolis" based on surrounding resources to a "petropolis" reliant on far-away food and fossil fuels. Now, with those environmentally-dangerous energy needs becoming harder to meet, can we make another transition to the "ecopolis?" In this podcast, we'll look at the economic and logistical challenges in powering our cities with renewable energies. Some say it can be done – but only with a major re-evaluation of our current growth patterns. Herbert Girardet, co-founder of the World Future Council and author of the book “Cities, People, Planet,” talks about the historic transformation the world's cities have undergone. He'll also describe the latest transformation, driven by rapid technological change, environmental concerns and energy supply constraints. We'll also speak with Nate Hagens of the Post Carbon Institute about the uphill battle that renewables face in the transition to a clean energy future. He'll talk about the concept of Net Energy and why it may be more difficult to overtake fossil energies than we'd like to admit. Finally, we'll chat with our contributor Denis Dubois of Energy Priorities Magazine about the sustainable neighborhood at the Vancouver Olympics this year. Dubois had the chance to tour the site, and we'll speak to him about what the project means for the cause of sustainable urban planning. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
30 - Clean Energy Stocks: How Policy Impacts Finance
After a dismal performance at the end of 2008 and into 2009, clean energy stocks faired much better moving into 2010. But the volatility is far from over. Because the cleantech industry is still so new, investors are trying to figure out how to properly value the growing list of public companies. In this podcast, we'll look at how the sector faired financially over the last year. Rob Wilder, founder of WilderShares and a periodic contributor, joins us to talk about the performance of the NEX and ECO indexes. He'll break down each sector, tell us why we need to overcome our instinct to “buy at the top” and give us a bit of advice on investing in penny stocks. Then, we'll have a panel discussion from the Solar Power International conference on the role of Feed-in Tariffs in the U.S. We'll explore how FITs may fit in to the U.S. policy landscape, look at the European and Asian experiences with FITs, and talk about the relationship between consistent policy and stable financial markets. Joining us in the roundtable will be Adel el Gammal, secretary general of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association; Rick Gilliam, director of government affairs for SunEdison; John Geesman, former California energy commissioner and founder of the Green Energy War blog; and Julie Blunden, vice president of public policy and corporate communications for SunPower. Our feed-in tariff theme song this week came from Ed Regan of the Gainesville Regional Utilities. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
31 - The Intersection of Science and Politics in the U.S.
Scientists are telling us that climate change is happening faster than ever thought possible. Meanwhile, fewer Americans believe that climate change is taking place, or that it's caused by human activity. These two factors are working against one another, creating a stalemate in Congress as politicians debate a comprehensive energy bill for 2010. Many advocates watching the politics in Washington, DC are starting to worry that we won't see a climate and energy bill this year. If anything, we might pieces of the bill – like a renewable energy standard – split up and voted on individually. In this podcast, we'll look at the prospects for a federal energy bill in 2010. Jim Rubens of the Clean Energy Works Coalition describes the “must-haves” in an energy bill in order to reduce emissions and create a clean energy economy in the U.S. Scott Sklar, president of the Stella Group Ltd., talks about the effort in Congress to simplify a cap and trade bill. He'll also talk about the key drivers for the advancement of renewables over the next decade. Dr. James Hansen, head of the NASA Goddard Institute and author of the new book, “Storms of My Grandchildren,” talks about the problems with cap and trade, the implications of “climate-gate” and the ongoing politicization of climate science. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
32 - The Real Story of Cap and Trade
In the wake of the Copenhagen talks and the passage of a climate bill in the U.S. House last year, the debate over cap and trade will likely intensify as we move 2010. Unfortunately, the debate in the halls of Congress, on the blogosphere and on the television talk shows is often tainted by bad information and oversimplified characterizations of the policy. So, in the midst of this ever-growing (and sometimes deafening conversation), we decided to dig into the real story of cap and trade ourselves. Oscar Wilde once said: “People know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” In this podcast, we'll examine the societal, environmental and financial value of putting a price on carbon. Join us as we take an hour long journey into the world of carbon cap and trade and explore the history, effectiveness, and cost of the program. Given the inevitable complexity of such a program, we'll also ask if it's the right policy to put in place as we create a carbon-constrained, clean-energy future. Seth Kaplan, vice president for climate advocacy at the Conservation Law Foundation, describes the history of cap and trade as it rapidly evolved from an academic proposal to an international policy for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Phil Adams, president and chief operating officer of World Energy Solutions, talks about the differences between the primary and secondary carbon trading markets. He'll also talk about how his company's carbon exchange, the World Green Exchange, works as a driver for those markets. Tim Healy, CEO and chairman of EnerNOC, tells us how he's built a business around using less energy, not more. He'll also talk about the company's new CarbonTrak software and how it can help businesses realize the financial value in reducing emissions. Milo Sjardin, head of U.S. carbon markets for New Energy Finance, compares the size and scope of the EU and U.S. carbon trading programs. Erin Craig, CEO of TerraPass, describes the make-up of the “pure” voluntary market in the U.S. and how it may blend together with a compliance market in the future. Michelle Chan, senior policy analyst with Friends of the Earth, warns about the potential downside risk in creating new derivative markets based on carbon. She talks about how investors could be creating “subprime carbon,” as they devise new financial products based upon bad offset projects. And Peter Fusaro, chairman and founder of Global Change Associates, talks about how carbon markets will be regulated in the U.S. He'll also discuss how Americans can learn from the European experience with cap and trade. Our music this week came from Stefan Girardet, off his new album, “Are We Here Yet.” Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
33 - Renewable Energy 2.0: The Value of Online Marketing
The internet is a ubiquitous part of our culture. In the last decade, we've gotten comfortable doing almost everything online, from trading stocks to sharing every detail of our personal lives. So why then are many renewable energy companies – some of the most technologically savvy companies in the world – uncomfortable with marketing on the web? Not all companies are created equal. Surely, there are a wide range of progressive renewable energy businesses engaging the online space. But branding online is about much more than simple ad campaigns: It's about creating deeper interactions with your customers. In this podcast, we'll look at a few different ways to create meaningful communication on the web. We'll start off by speaking to RenewableEnergyWorld.com Publisher Oliver Strube about our Total Access Program, which gives companies access to our wide-reaching audience of renewable energy professionals. Denis Dubois, editor of Energy Priorities Magazine and the Energy Priorities Podcast, shares his thoughts on why companies should create a plan when thinking about facebooking, linking-in, and tweeting. REW.com Blogger Solar Fred talks about why solar companies need to find new ways to interact with customers in order to increase their customer base and grow the industry. GoGreenSolar.com Founder Deep Patel describes how he creates business by blogging and speaking with customers on business and social networking sites. Finally, Balu Balagopal, a senior partner with the Boston Consulting Group, talks about how major corporations are marketing their sustainability efforts generally. He'll also talk about the external and internal barriers that prevent companies from undertaking broad sustainability initiatives. Thanks again to all our dedicated listeners for another great year. We've seen excellent growth in 2009, and we're looking forward to providing even more comprehensive coverage of the renewable energy industry in the coming year! Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
34 - Why Solar Works
Whether they like it or not, utilities are starting to deploy more solar. Utility support of solar PV and CSP has been one of the most important developments for the industry. In many cases, utilities are supporting solar because the law requires them to. However, a growing group of power providers are openly embracing solar technologies as an important – and reliable – part of their energy mix. In this podcast, we'll look at the market drivers turning solar from a niche technology with limited applications into a commodity with unlimited technological potential for utilities, businesses and individual consumers. We'll visit the 10-MW El Dorado thin-film solar PV plant – the largest in North America. Michael Gallagher, Sempra Generation's vice president of assets will show us around the power plant and tell us why the company decided to invest in solar. This is just the beginning: Sempra and First Solar plan to expand the project by 48 MW in 2010. Then, we'll feature a panel discussion from the Net Impact Conference at Cornell University called “Making Solar Work.” Tim Derrick of Axio Power, Bill Jordan of Jordan Energy and Food Enterprises, Robb Jetty of Recurrent Energy and Robert Petrina of Yingli Solar discuss the many technological and financial factors moving the solar market forward. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
35 - Transmission: Geothermal's Achilles Heel
Now that geothermal is finally on our energy priority list, the industry is seeing a new influx of public and private capital. After more than a decade of almost no activity in the U.S. geothermal sector, we're finally seeing a lot of new plants being developed. The problem is, many of them may not move forward because of a lack of transmission. But transmission is not the only issue. In this podcast, we'll look at how factors like resource evaluation, lack of government support and industry marketing have held back the industry — and how industry professionals are addressing these factors to make sure geothermal becomes a major piece of our global baseload power mix. Lisa Shevenell, a hydrologist with the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, talks about why the industry is coming out of a dark age of almost no geothermal development. She'll also tell us about a new tool that makes it easier and less costly to examine potential resources. Alison Thompson, executive director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, discusses the reasons why Canada has no geothermal power plants, despite having numerous public companies in the country. She'll also talk about the “brain drain” of Canadian talent down to the U.S. Finally, Erik Swenson, a partner with the international law firm Fulbright and Jaworski, describes the need for a national transmission system for integrating more renewables. He'll tell us why it's not as easy as many proponents make it seem. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
36 - Why Geothermal is Both Hot and Cool
Most geothermal development in the near future will come from conventional, medium-temperature hydrothermal power plants. But beyond the next few years, a large number of projects that utilize temperature extremes, both hot and cool, may come online. In this podcast, we'll look at two pioneer companies developing innovative, unconventional geothermal projects. Michael Hayter, Director of Geothermal Development for Raser Technologies, discusses the company's achievements and setbacks over the last two years as it develops a 10-MW plant in Utah that utilizes low-temperature brine for electricity. If successful, Raser may open the door for more “build as you go” geothermal power plants. Jared Potter, President and CEO of Potter Drilling, talks about the year of testing for the company's new “hydrothermal spallation” drill, which could lower drilling costs by a factor of ten. This year, the heat was on, as the company had to achieve certain milestones in order to get more funding from Google. If Potter can achieve what its goals, the company may hold the key to the cost-effective development of high-temperature Enhanced Geothermal Systems. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
37 - Geothermal: It's Not Just About Drilling Holes
It takes a lot of time and money to build out a geothermal project. Developers can spend millions of dollars and many years just to drill a test well and find a viable resource. Due to the high capital expenditures needed to get a project moving, there are a lot of variables that can impact a project. In this podcast, we'll look at some of the technical, financial and cultural issues that can affect geothermal companies. Frank Monastero, President of Magma Energy Corp. and the Geothermal Resources Council, tells us about how Magma is expanding around the U.S., South America and to Iceland, despite the still-tight financial markets. That expansion has also brought a lot of challenges for Magma, including some resistance to the company's presence in Iceland. Alexander Richter, an analyst with Islandsbanki, describes why some Icelanders have raised concerns about a foreign company like Magma owning Icelandic energy assets. He'll also talk about the need for private investment in the country's geothermal sector in order to help Iceland rebuild its tattered economy. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
38 - CSP: Bringing Solar to the Masses
In order to bring solar to the terawatt scale, we're going to need every solar-electric and solar-thermal technology possible. But the only technology that can deliver large amounts of electricity, heat and hot water at one time is concentrating solar power. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion on the role of CSP in our energy mix. We had a chance to sit down with some executives from leading companies in the CSP space at the Solar Power International conference. This roundtable was part of our video coverage at the event. Fred Morse, Senior Advisor to U.S. Operations for Abengoa Solar, discusses the company's power tower technology and the value of CSP for utilities. Rob Rogan, Senior VP of the Americas for eSolar, talks about his company's unique approach to building cheaper power tower plants. And Arnold Leitner, President and CEO of SkyFuel, talks about the benefits of being a manufacturer of parabolic troughs, not a developer of projects. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
39 - Geothermal for Jailbirds - October 22, 2009
Jails are the perfect place for renewable energy systems. Because they are so energy intensive, administrators and taxpayers are always looking for new ways to reduce energy needs and satisfy electrical, heating and cooling demands on site. In this podcast, we'll visit a LEED-certified correctional facility where a large, ground-source geothermal heat pump will be warming and cooling the building. Cheshire County Administrator Jack Wozmak walks us around the new jail in Keene, New Hampshire and shows us the ins and outs of the geothermal system. We'll also walk around with Arthur Thompson of the architectural firm SMRT, who will tell us why renewables and energy efficiency are so important when building a jails today. In life, every action has a reaction — that's why some people find themselves in jail. But the same is true for energy as well. There are always consequences for the energy choices we make, both clean and dirty. We'll speak with Mike Auerbach of the Desert Research Institute about the environmental impact of developing geothermal and other renewables. And more importantly, he'll highlight the even greater impact from not developing renewables. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
40 - Solar Thermal: Leading by Example - October 15, 2009
Back in 1979, President Jimmy Carter put a large solar thermal system on the White House, calling on American businesses and consumers to make solar the future, not a "curiosity" or an "example of a road not taken." Unfortunately, six years later, the panels were ripped down and government support was scaled back. The market collapsed and the solar thermal industry has been scraping by ever since. Instead of becoming a symbol of the future, those solar thermal panels became a symbol of government inaction and missed opportunity. If you travel over to the Reichstag building in Berlin where the German Parliament sits, you'll find a government building that is almost entirely self-sufficient. The Reichstag building uses passive solar, combined heat and power, a geothermal heat pump, solar PV and solar thermal for almost all its energy needs. Germany also happens to be the world leader in solar PV and one of the leaders in solar thermal. A coincidence? Definitely not. In this podcast, we'll look at how government action can set the national tone and encourage growth of technologies like solar thermal. First, we'll go over the Reichstag building and take a quick tour of the many renewable energy systems being utilized. Then, we'll travel to Munich and speak with Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Head of Energy Policy and Group Leader of Solar Thermal Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute about what Europe can do to continue building its solar thermal industry. Finally, we'll meet up with Les Nelson, Chair of the Solar Thermal Systems Division at the Solar Energy Industries Association, to chat about how we can get the U.S. solar thermal market moving again. Things are coming around, but there is a still a lot of ground to make up after such a long period of inaction. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
41 - Biomass Thermal Heats Up
For a decade, Europe has been supporting biomass thermal energy, creating a large commercial and industrial market for resources like wood pellets. Here in the U.S., support has been absent; therefore, wood pellets play only a niche role in residential applications. In this podcast, we'll look at what the industry is doing to create a market for wood pellets and close the technology gap between Europe and the U.S. We'll take a trip to New England Wood Pellet, where General Manager Charlie Niebling tells us about the company's efforts to create a market for commercial wood pellet boilers. He'll talk about the shifting market conditions for biomass thermal, the advances in boiler technologies and how the Biomass Thermal Energy Council is pushing U.S. policymakers to step up support for this promising resource. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
42 - Making Waste a Part of the Solution - October 1, 2009
Modern society has been built around disposable products. It seems that nothing is made to last anymore. That has made for an unprecedented build up of waste, increasing environmental problems and social friction over where to put our trash. Beyond reducing consumption and recycling more, there is another way to control waste – make it into energy. In this podcast, we'll look at some unique ways of turning waste products into fuels for heating, transportation and electricity generation. First, we'll visit the Turnkey landfill in New Hampshire, where Steve Poggi of Waste Management and Philip Bourne of SCS Energy will show us how landfill gas is collected and processed. Then, we'll travel 12 miles down the road to the University of New Hampshire where Paul Chamberlin, the university's assistant vice president of energy and campus development, will show us how the school is using landfill gas to heat and power 85% of the 5-million square foot campus. Finally, we'll wrap up by speaking with S4 Energy Solutions CEO Jeff Surma about how plasma gasification can be used to create local fuel and electricity sources for companies and communities. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
43 - Making Electric Transportation Work - September 24, 2009
The automobile and electricity industries have avoided dramatic change for decades. Today, because of environmental and geopolitical concerns, auto companies and utilities are re-evaluating the fundamentals of how they do business. However, by working together and embracing change, many of these "legacy" companies could play a major role in ushering in an era of electric transportation. There are many different visions of what what an electric transportation sector will look like. In this podcast, we'll explore a few views on how it may be created. Matt Mattila, a business strategy specialist with the Smart Garage program at the Rocky Mountain Institute, talks about the coming convergence of green buildings, a smarter grid and the roll-out of new electric vehicles. Joe Paluska, vice president of communications for Better Place, describes the company's systems integration approach to building out the vehicle-to-grid infrastructure. He'll talk about why electric transportation will look like today's mobile phone network. Vijay Vaitheeswaran, environment and energy correspondent with the Economist, talks about his newest book, ZOOM: The Global Race to Build the Car of the Future. He'll also tell us why he's so hopeful that the automobile sector will embrace electric transportation and next-generation fuels. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
44 - Eating Cellulose and Sweating fuels: The Next Biofuel Revolution?
The race is on to develop the next generation of biofuels. Biotechnology companies of all kinds have taken up the challenge and are looking in every corner of the globe for organisms that will help us make cheap, abundant, non-food based fuels. In this podcast, we'll talk to a couple companies that believe they've found the "secret sauce" to sustainable, renewable fuels. Bill Simms, president and CEO of Joule Biotechnologies, tells us about his company's secret organism that absorbs sunlight and CO2 and secretes ethanol and other hydrocarbon products. We'll take a look inside the Joule lab and talk to Simms about future plans for this potentially-groundbreaking company. Also, Carlos Riva, president and CEO of Verenium Corporation, describes the company's process for finding enzymes and using them for cellulosic ethanol production. He'll talk about Verenium's partnership with BP and give us his take on the prospects for the biofuels industry. This podcast is sponsored by Solar Power International. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
45 - September 10, 2009 - Surviving the Downturn for Biodiesel
The biodiesel industry has been in rough shape over the last year. With oil prices down, two thirds of American refineries sitting unused and no national target for the fuel, there are many questions about where the industry will go next. In this podcast, we'll look at what companies are doing to survive the market downturn. And as we'll find out, some companies are still thriving. Chris Langille of Batchelder Biodiesel shows us around the company's 300,000 gallon-per-year facility and talks about why relying on waste grease is a much better option than grain. Rick Kment of DTN Research talks about the difference between small biodiesel producers and large-scale ethanol producers, and how those differences have impacted the industry. Wall Street Journal Reporter Ann Davis discusses her latest article titled, “U.S. Biofuel Boom Running on Empty,” in which she writes about the financial problems that biodiesel and ethanol producers are facing. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
46 - September 3, 2009 - Will the Rough Patch Continue for Ethanol?
The last year has been a bad one for the corn ethanol industry. With relatively high grain prices and low oil prices, producers have struggled to stay profitable and many companies have gone bankrupt. In addition, growing consumer backlash has caused a public relations nightmare for the industry. With such a terrible state of affairs, where does the industry stand? In this podcast, we'll look at the state of first-generation ethanol in the U.S. Rick Kment, an analyst with DTN Research, describes how the industry may look differently when it comes out of the current period of stagnant growth and financial turmoil. Jeff Broin, CEO of the nation's largest ethanol producer, Poet, explains why the industry will actually deliver more fuel this year than last. He'll also tell us why he thinks the food versus fuel debate was overblown. Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute and author of Plan B 3.0, talks about why he doesn't believe ethanol producers are serious about next-generation fuels. He'll also explain why he thinks electric transport — not biofuels — are the future of transportation. Finally, Michael Pollan, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma, talks with Yale Environment 360's Kate Cheney Davidson about why our love of corn-based ethanol is a symptom of our larger problems related to food production and consumption. This podcast is sponsored by Solar Power International. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
47 - August 27, 2009 - Ushering in a New Wave of Hydropower Growth
Hydro in the U.S. is poised for another period of major growth. With states recognizing hydro in renewable portfolio standards, companies getting access to stimulus funds and a range of new players getting into the industry, the environment is looking good. In this podcast, we'll look at what type of projects we're likely to see in America and internationally. Rumford Falls Technician Ron Violet will show us around a historic mid-sized hydro plant in Maine. He'll tell us about what it's like operating a run-of-river facility. Fred Ayer, executive director of the Low Impact Hydro Institute, talks about the need to ensure sustainable growth in the industry. Julie Smith-Galvin, director of communications at Brookfield Renewable Power, talks about how the company is working to achieve a higher level environmental protection at its facilities. And Peter Bosshard, policy director for the NGO International Rivers, describes the problems associated with large dams – many of which are being constructed in developing countries. He'll talk about the need to look at more environmentally-sound alternatives. This podcast is sponsored by Solar Power International. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
48 - August 20, 2009 - Vinalhaven: Building Community Support for Renewables
Public opposition is a formidable hurdle for any project developer. Around one quarter of all wind projects in the U.S. are delayed or stopped because concerns over project siting and general distrust of the developer. In this podcast, we'll look at a couple elements for success that companies and communities need to think about when building out a project. Maria Stephanovich, a PhD candidate at Oregon State University, talks about her research examining public opinion of wave energy in Oregon. She'll highlight the importance of economic factors in determining support for a project. Then, we'll visit the island of Vinalhaven 12 miles off the coast of Maine to speak with some people about the ongoing development of a 4.5 MW wind project. Fox Island Wind CEO George Baker talks about the logistics of the project and why it's so important for the island community. Adison Ames, a lobster fisherman and board member of the local electric cooperative, describes the history of the project and the process of community engagement that made the wind farm successful. This podcast is sponsored by Solar Power International. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
49 - August 14, 2009 - Navigating the Rough Waters of Ocean Energy Regulation
Permitting and licensing energy projects isn't exactly the easiest process. But in the marine environment -- both for fossil and renewable energies -- the process can be much more difficult. In this podcast, we'll look at why regulation is so complex and what that complexity is doing to technological progress.
Daron Threet, an attorney with Dickstein Shapiro, talks about his experience licensing liquid natural gas terminals on the outer continental shelf. He'll tell us what the marine renewables industry can learn from that process. Megan Higgins, research council with the Marine Affairs Institute at Roger Williams University, describes the many layers of local, state and federal regulation. She'll also talk about efforts to streamline the regulatory process. And Richard Meyer, president of the Ocean Energy Council, tells us why the lack of regulatory experience of ocean energy companies may be hindering technological progress. He'll also tell us why he's feeling bullish about the industry's latest technological push. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
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50 - August 6, 2009 - Assessing the Progress of Ocean Renewable Energy Technologies
The ocean represents one of the largest energy sources on the planet; yet, we still haven't found reliable, cost-effective ways to harness that resource. The incredible amount of experimentation happening in the industry today will inevitably lead to technology breakthroughs. But when -- if ever -- will we see marine renewables play an important part of the energy mix? In this podcast, we'll look at the state of technological progress in the industry. There are hundreds of technologies and designs competing at this early stage in the game. We'll try to determine when some of these devices will make it to the commercial scale. We start off in Holland, where a housing developer is using the ocean to heat 3,000 homes on the North Sea. As we'll find out, the project isn't perfect, but it is providing heat to residents at a price cheaper than natural gas. Then, Rob Cinq Mars of the engineering services firm Free Flow Energy will give us his take on the competition among early-stage technology companies and developers. John Miller, director of the New England Marine Renewable Energy Center, talks about the need to systematically test new technologies, rather than rush them into the ocean and risk damaging the industry's credibility. Peter Asmus, author and independent researcher, describes some of the international market trends that are driving installation of ocean energy devices. And finally, we'll wrap up on the coast of Maine, where Ocean Renewable Power Company is testing its OCGen cross-flow turbine in the Bay of Fundy. ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer talks about the challenge of testing devices in treacherous ocean waters. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
51 - July 30, 2009 - Are PV Manufacturers Coming Up for Air?
After many months below the murky waters of the global recession, PV manufacturers seem to be getting a bit of breathing room. The capital markets are starting to thaw, silicon and wafer contracts are being renegotiated and some manufacturers are able to sell cheap product and still make a profit. But that doesn't mean the rough waters have calmed yet. In this podcast, we'll talk to some PV manufacturers about their health and about the general state of the market. Ron Kenedi, vice president of the Solar Energy Solutions Group at Sharp, describes the differences between the solar PV market last fall and the market today. Craig Lund, director of business development for 1366 Technologies, talks about the challenges of being a start-up PV 6manufacturer. Shyam Mehta, senior solar analyst at GTM Research, describes what the PV manufacturing landscape may look like in the U.S. By 2012. And Chris O'Brien, head of market development for Oerlikon Solar, speculates on how competition may play out among the various thin film technologies. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
52 - July 24, 2009 - Renewable Energy: A Weapon of Mass Reconstruction
The renewable energy industry has suffered over the last year much worse than previously thought possible. But now the pieces are coming together to make clean energy the centerpiece of an economic recovery. That makes the moment perfect for bootstrapping entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses around the world to seize the opportunity when the financial markets get back to full health. In this podcast, we'll look at what entrepreneurs should be doing now to prepare for the surge in renewable energy deployment in the coming years. Author and Entrepreneurial Consultant Sramana Mitra tells us why early stage companies shouldn't necessarily be looking to venture capital firms for financing. She'll also give us her thoughts on some alternative financing options available. Serial Entrepreneur and SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive describes why he has had so much success in both the software and energy spaces. It's all about finding and addressing the market “pain points,” he says. Finally, Dan Reicher of Google.org talks about how his company is working to take technologies out of the “valley of death” and help early-stage companies find investors. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
53 - July 16, 2009 - Developing Renewables with War-Time Urgency
Governments all around the world are making renewable energy a top priority; finally, the United States has joined the effort. The slew of programs moving through Washington are proof that politicians are starting to recognize the value of clean energy. But are they moving with the level of urgency needed? In this podcast, we'll talk about how the stimulus package, cap and trade, tax credits, feed-in tariffs and the renewable energy standard are coming together to create an ecosystem of support that the U.S. has never seen. Tim Howell of GE Energy Financial Services discusses the importance of the stimulus package guidelines and how they will help his company get back to actively financing projects. Former California Energy Commissioner John Geesman tells us why he thinks the energy bill – even if it is scaled back – will be valuable for the industry. He'll also talk about the value of using a war-time metaphor when describing the need to support renewable energy. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
54 - July 9, 2009 - IEA Responds to the Climate Crisis
The International Energy Agency was formed out of the oil crisis of 1973 as a fossil-energy consumers union for developed countries. Because of its origins, the IEA has not historically been a strong supporter of renewable energy. But that is changing as a new crisis emerges: climate change. In this podcast, we'll look at how the IEA is changing in order to meet the challenges of a carbon-constrained world. Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of the IEA talks to us about the need to encourage member countries to reduce energy consumption and promote renewables. He'll also discuss the importance of the newly-emerging International Renewable Energy Agency. Also, Michael Liebreich, CEO of New Energy Finance describes what the IEA's attitude shift says about the “mainstreaming” of clean energy. He'll also talk about why he doesn't believe that feed-in tariffs are the best promotion policy for renewables. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
55 - July 2, 2009 - The State of Cleantech Venture Capital Investment
Venture Investments in cleantech have dropped 44 percent since their high in the second quarter of 2008. Even though investors are being more cautious, there are still plenty of opportunities out there for early stage companies looking to get funded. In this podcast, we'll hear from some prominent venture capitalists about the state of the industry. Bruce Pasternack, a venture partner with CMEA Capital and Peter Korn, a venture attorney with Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal ask: “Are these are the worst of times for venture capital?” Ira Ehrenpreis, a general partner with Technology Partners, talks about why these are actually the best of times for venture capital as it relates to cleantech. Stephan Dolezalek, managing director at Vantage Point Venture Partners, describes some of the challenges in bringing companies public. And Ethan Zindler, head of North American research for New Energy Finance, explains why the political environment is creating the perfect conditions for the growth of early-stage cleantech companies. This panel was recorded at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
56 - June 26, 2009 - Enabling Community Solar in North America
Because of its distributed nature, solar is an intimate resource. But not everyone has the opportunity to invest in solar due to siting issues and cost. What about individuals who might want to own part of a solar system? Quite often in North America, that is a difficult option. In this podcast, we'll look at how that is changing as new laws are being created to encourage cooperative ownership of solar. Kristopher Stevens, Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association talks about the importance of engaging citizens in the energy debate. Author and Renewable Energy Advocate Paul Gipe outlines the benefits that the new Ontario Feed-in Tariff will bring to local communities. Dana Hall, Energy Policy Coordinator at the Pace Law School describes the potential barriers to enabling larger amounts of community solar. And Rachel Huang, Senior Project Manager at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District tells us about the utility's Solar Shares program. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
57 - Jun 19, 2009 - Can We Meet Our Energy Needs with Solar?
Theoretically, we could get all of our energy from the sun. But is it realistically feasible? And if so, what are the technical, economic and political barriers to reaching that lofty goal? In this podcast, we'll look at the challenges and implications of such a heavy reliance on solar. First, we'll take a brief tour of the new air-cooled solar thermal tower in the Northern German town of Jülich. Then, Michael Webber of the University of Texas at Austin describes the complicated relationship between energy (including solar energy) and water. Finally, Ken Zweibel of the George Washington University Solar Institute talks about the possibility of powering the entire U.S. with solar. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
58 - June 11, 2009 - Applying Bioclimatic Design; Building Solar Cells from the Atom Up
Solar technologies and techniques come in many forms. From passive solar design to designing photovoltaic cells on the atomic level, there are thousands of ways to utilize the sun's energy for our own use. In this podcast, we'll take a look at some simple and complex uses for solar along that spectrum of applications. Victor Olgyay, a Principal Architect with the Built Environment Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute, talks about the rise of the solar movement in architecture and how we can harness the new-found interest in sustainable, integrated design to create meaningful change. Pradeep Haldar, a Professor of Nanoengineering at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University of Albany describes the role that nanotechnology can play in increasing solar cell efficiency and decreasing costs. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
59 - June 4, 2008 - Realizing the Potential of Solar Thermal
People are waking up to the benefits and "sexiness" of solar-electric systems. But in North America, the solar thermal industry still has a lot of work to do to educate people about the myriad water heating, space heating and cooling technologies available. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion about where the U.S. compares with more mature solar thermal markets in Europe and Asia. We'll sit down with Ed Murray of Aztec Solar, Chuck Marken of Home Power Magazine and Bob Fisher of EnerWorks to chat about solar thermal technologies, applications, consumer awareness and much more. Also, Jackie Jones of Renewable Energy World Magazine speaks with Olivier Drüke, President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, about how the rest of Europe can match the impressive growth in the German solar thermal market. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
60 - May 27, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Challenge of Promoting Wind in Developing Countries
Building wind and other renewable energy projects in developed countries is hard enough; in the developing world, the financial and political barriers are often much more pronounced. In this podcast, we'll look at how companies are working to overcome these barriers and make clean energy a reality for up and coming (and increasingly energy intensive) countries in Latin America and Asia. Dana Younger, senior adviser for renewable energy and sustainability at the International Finance Corporation, talks about the benefits and drawbacks of working with private institutions in developing countries to finance projects. Jay Gallegos, CEO of Mesoamerica Energy, discusses the relationships between wind developers and local landowners as well as the ups and downs of political support for renewables. Qin Haiyan, secretary general of the Chinese Wind Energy Association, describes the myriad opportunities for domestic and foreign wind companies in China. Finally, Cliff Etheridge of Roscoe, Texas speaks with Colin and Carrick McCullough of the Our Renewable Nation video series about his role behind the build-out of the world's largest wind farm. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
61 - May 18, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The European Role in U.S. Wind Development
With wind installations growing more slowly in Europe than in the U.S., European companies are coming across the Atlantic to get a piece of the booming American wind market. Because of this, Europeans are playing an increasingly important role in building the U.S. wind industry. In this podcast, we'll look at some developments over in Europe and speak to a few companies that are setting up shop in the U.S. Bruce Douglas, Chief Operating Officer of the European Wind Energy Association, talks about the need for new transmission, the growth in offshore wind and problems with project finance. Steve Trenholm, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Climate and Renewables North America, discusses the German company's entrance into the U.S. and how it is dealing with the financial crisis. Adrian LaTrace, Vice President of North American Manufacturing for ACCIONA, describes the evolution of wind turbines and how those changes impact project development. And Fausto Carboni, General Manager of the Mobile and Wind Power Solutions business at Bonfiglioli, an Italian components supplier, talks about how increased turbine size impacts the way components are developed for the machines. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.
62 - May 10, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Assessing the Financial Health of the Wind Industry
This week, we're at Wind Power 2009 in Chicago looking at the state of the wind industry in the face of a dismal economic climate. As we'll find out, the health of the industry is still remarkably positive, despite the myriad challenges that companies are facing. Joshua Magee, a Senior Analyst with Emerging Energy Research tells us about new entrants into the market and how the slowdown is impacting the supply chain. Tax Lawyer Ed Feo talks about why a feed-in tariff would simplify the very complicated U.S. Incentive structure for wind. And Dennis Moritz of Advantage for Analysts fleshes out some of the changes that will take place in wind project finance as companies figure out ways to use the revised incentives under the recent stimulus plan. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
63 - April 30, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Supply-side Management and Security on the Smart Grid
Smart grid technologies will allow consumers to see how behavioral changes can save them money and reduce their environmental footprint. But the entities managing the grid will have to change as well. In this podcast, we'll look at how utilities and grid operators are breaking tradition and transforming the way they approach control of the grid. Frank Prager, Vice President of Environmental Policy at Xcel Energy, talks about why utilities need to change the way they do business in order to stay relevant. Mark Ahlstrom, President of WindLogics, describes the changing role of grid operators as they manage greater levels of wind and other renewables. Also, James Woolsey, Partner with Vantage Point Venture Partners and Former CIA Director, tells us why electric transport and smart grid technologies are so important for enhancing national security. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
64 - April 23, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Storing Renewable Energy on the Smart Grid
Storage is considered the "holy grail" of clean technologies, especially as it relates to the deployment of renewable energy. If we truly want to clean up the grid and make it smarter, all kinds of storage technologies will need to be considered. In this podcast, we'll take a look at a couple storage methods that will enable the transformation of the electricity delivery system. Bill Capp, President of Beacon Power, describes the importance of flywheels for regulating frequency and storing large amounts of energy on the grid. Also, David Marcus of General Compression and Walter Doyle of Dakota Salts talk about the emerging market for compressed air energy storage and the economic potential for “dispatchable” wind. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
65 - April 16, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - How Will We Manage Demand on the Smart Grid?
Actively managing and reducing demand on the customer side of the meter is an important part of the smart grid. But installing an intelligent metering infrastructure is just the first step. Developing engaging applications, working through changes in the utility-customer relationship and addressing data security issues are all part of the process. In this podcast, we'll address a range of issues that will inevitably come up as we manage demand on the smart grid. EnerNOC CEO Tim Healy describes the potential evolution of smart grid applications that will piggyback on the hardware being rolled out all over the world. Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck talks about the need for openness in order to stimulate maximum innovation in the advanced meter space. eMeter CEO Cree Edwards addresses the ethical and security problems that could grow with an increase in energy information. Fat Spaniel Technologies President Chris Beekhuis outlines the new generation of solar energy monitoring applications, which will more easily integrate into other demand-side management applications for a range of buildings. And GridWise Alliance President Katherine Hamilton talks about the need for constructive debate about the smart grid in order to better educate policymakers about what new technologies can offer consumers. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
66 - April 9, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Smart Grid Explained
The Smart Grid is an intriguing but elusive concept. What exactly do we mean when we talk about the intelligent grid? And where does renewable energy fit into the mix? In this podcast, we'll explore the technological and conceptual basics of the evolving grid. Eric Lightner, Director of the Smart Grid Task Force at the U.S. Department of Energy, outlines the way the grid works today and how that may change with technological progress. Tim Healy, CEO of the intelligent demand response provider EnerNOC, shows us how the company remotely manages the energy use of commercial and industrial customers. And Richard Baxter, Senior Vice President of Ardour Capital Investments, talks about the thorny issues associated the management of data as the grid makes a digital shift. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
67 - April 2, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Is Algae-to-Energy Sustainable?
Algae is one of the hottest sectors of the renewable energy industry. New technologies are emerging rapidly, investors are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into companies all around the world and costs per gallon are steadily coming down. Algae certainly represents a versatile energy option, but is it truly renewable or sustainable? Riggs Eckelberry, President and CEO of Origin Oil joins us this week to talk about why algae represents an important option for CO2 emitters in industrial applications. We'll also discuss the company's Helix BioReactor, which may dramatically boost algae production. To see some clips of the company's product, play the video below. We'll also look at when the stimulus package may stimulate renewable energy companies in the U.S. Graham Jesmer sits down with a John McKinsey of Stoel Rives and Chris Flannery of Piper Jaffray to talk about project finance, turmoil in the capital markets and the positive outlook on the political front. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
68 - March 26, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Australian Greens Push for More Renewables; Financial Importance of Resource Analysis
Since taking office at the end of 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised a swift reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a rapid deployment of renewables. But Senator Christine Milne, head of the Australian Greens, says that action from political leaders hasn't matched up with the rhetoric. The coal lobby has such a tight grip on the government, she says, many policies that offer necessary reform are often squelched before they can get any traction. Senator Milne joins us this week to talk about the need for stricter emissions targets, a national feed-in tariff and stronger political will in Australia. Also, Ken Westrick, CEO of 3TIER tells us about the growing interest in resource evaluation tools, especially as developers look to save money any way they can during these tight economic times. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
69 - March 19, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Next Four Years for Renewable Energy
We've got another panel discussion this week featuring a range of industry representatives sharing their thoughts on the upcoming issues for renewable energy in the U.S. We'll talk about what the next four years may bring, and how they may be influenced by the growing financial problems over the last year. Leaders from the solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydro, utility and financial sectors came together at last week's Renewable Energy World North America Conference and Expo to talk about financial hurdles, technological advancements and the need for cooperation among all players. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
70 - March 12, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Hydropower Perspectives Roundtable
Hydropower is making a big comeback. With a range of incentives in the U.S. created or extended by the recent stimulus package, new marine energy technologies emerging and a recognition that there are still plenty of untapped resources available, the future for hydro is looking good. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable conversation with three industry experts on the coming boom for hydro in the U.S. and beyond. We'll speak with Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director of the National Hydropower Association; Marla Barnes, Chief Editor of Hydro Review Magazine; and Julie Smith-Galvin, Director of Communications for Brookfield Renewable Power. This roundtable conversation is part of our video coverage from the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. For full access to a range of video content from the event, check out our conference blog at http://blogs.renewableenergyworld.com/rewna/
71 - March 5, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Creating an Equitable Green Jobs Movement; Thrifting as Renewable Energy
We've heard a lot about the Green Collar Jobs movement. But as the movement grows, organizations like Green For All will be working to ensure it reaches low-income communities that have traditionally been more adversely affected by an economy based on waste and dirty energy. Melissa Bradley-Burns, a senior strategist with Green for All, joins us to talk about how we can make the next wave of technological and business innovation more equitable. She'll tell us about how we can use the resources available in the recent stimulus package to work toward that vision. Also, Ms. Shopping Golightly of the Thrifty Chicks Blog tells us about the importance of renewing the embodied energy of a product and lowering our carbon footprint by thrift shopping. This week's podcast is supported by Solar Energy International, a non-profit organization offering hands-on workshops and training opportunities in solar, wind, water power and natural building technologies. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
72 - February 26, 2009 - Ontario Considers Green Energy Act; BU Panel Discussion on Market Trends - Inside Renewable Energy
Ontario has had its share of disagreements over the last two years. Ever since the province's Standard Offer Program was implemented, regulators, politicians and renewable energy advocates have been quarreling over both the details of the program and the government's long-term vision for renewables. This week, with the introduction of the Green Energy Act, there seems to be an agreement among stakeholders that Ontario is moving toward a more stable, comprehensive renewable energy future. The next question is: Can these stakeholders agree on the details? We'll speak with the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association's Kristopher Stevens about what the difficulties may be in hashing out the details of this wide-reaching piece of legislation. Also, we'll have some excerpts from a panel discussion held last week at Boston University on how the economic crisis is both hurting and helping renewable energy and energy efficiency. Stephen Lacey joined a group of other panelists to talk about how the industry is fairing in the current environment and what the economic stimulus package may do for the market. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
73 - February 19, 2009 - The Netherlands, Part 2: The Dutch Renewable Energy Economy - Inside Renewable Energy
After five years with scaled-back incentives and a dead market for wind and solar energy, the Dutch government is determined to get things moving again and reach the European 20-percent renewable energy targets. The question is: Will they do it? In this podcast, we're coming to you from the Dutch-German Border, where we'll explore the differences between the two countries' solar markets, speak to the Environment Minister about building the industry back up after a long slowdown, explore some interesting applications for waste-heat in the country's heavy industrial sector and look at the potential for algae as a jet fuel. Also, make sure to listen to Part 1: Exploring the Dutch CO2 Economy. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
74 - February 12, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Exploring the Dutch CO2 Economy
The Netherlands is not a very large country, but as the world's 16th largest economy, it needs to make some big changes to lower emissions and combat climate change. If changes are not made, this low-lying country could face some major flooding problems. In this podcast, we'll explore some of the climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques that the Dutch are undertaking. This week, we'll visit a variety of companies to see how professionals in the Netherlands are working to create a CO2-based economy. Next week, we'll look more specifically at renewable energy projects in the country. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
75 - February 5, 2008 - 2009: The Year of the Shake-out; IEA Underestimates Renewables - Inside Renewable Energy
Everyone in the industry has been preparing for a time of falling renewable energy prices, rapid consolidation, and a quick push-out of weak companies. That time is now. And the economic crisis is only speeding the process up. Angus McCrone, Chief Editor of New Energy Finance joins us for a look at how the dismal economic climate is shaking things up in the wind, solar, geothermal and marine energy industries. Then, Swiss MP Rudolf Reichsteiner talks about his new report, “Wind Power in Context — A Clean Revolution in the Energy Sector,” which criticizes the International Energy Agency for consistently underestimating the role of wind in the global energy mix. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
76 - January 29, 2009 - Learning from Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs - Inside Renewable Energy
The renewable energy industry is being built by risk-taking entrepreneurs who are not afraid to fail. Today, the work of these fearless trailblazers has brought us on the verge of a renewable energy revolution. In this podcast, we'll speak to a few entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences. Author and blogger Sramana Mitra describes the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur; Steve Kropper of Wind Pole Ventures tells us about the importance of flexibility and creativity; and Nancy Hartsoch gives us the update on SolFocus, a former California garage start-up that is looking to take the concentrating PV market by storm. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
77 - January 22, 2009 - Tumultuous Times for State Solar Programs - Inside Renewable Energy
State programs are driving the U.S. solar market. But what happens when most of those states want to restructure their incentives all at once? The result: A period of downright difficult-yet-necessary growth pains for the solar industry. In this podcast, we'll explore the issues that businesses, advocates and regulators in the solar industry are facing as they navigate this rocky transition period on the state-level. It's not going to be easy, but the rapid growth in solar is forcing state governments to re-evaluate current incentive structures and experiment with new types of incentives that may or may not work. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
78 - January 15, 2009 - What Kind of Stimulus Can Renewables Expect? - Inside Renewable Energy
The economic impact of the financial crisis appears to have hurt the renewable energy industries more than previously thought. After further rounds of job losses and project delays, many businesses are looking to the upcoming economic stimulus package for a boost. We'll talk with our man in Washington, Scott Sklar, about what Congress and the incoming president may do to keep industry momentum strong. Also, Chris Stimpson, executive campaigner of Solar Nation comments about the the politics of renewable energy in 2009. Finally, contributor Mark Braly speaks with Tobin Booth of Blue Oak Energy about feed-in tariffs in the U.S., increased PV manufacturing capacity, and the emergence of new solar technologies. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
79 - January 8, 2009 - The Long, Hard Road for Clean Energy Finance (updated) - Inside Renewable Energy
In this podcast, we're (you guessed it) looking back at 2008. In this industry, it often takes a while for the numbers to accumulate. But so far, one thing is for sure: The end of last year was difficult for the renewable energy industries. We'll look at what happened in the public and private markets that made the year so difficult. We'll speak with Rob Wilder, CEO and Founder of WilderShares about the tough ride for cleantech shares in the NEX and ECO indexes in the last quarter of 2008. Then, we'll talk to a group of executives from early-stage renewable energy companies about the issues they're facing in raising venture capital. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
80 - January 1, 2009 - 2008: A Benchmark for Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy
The end of the year offers us an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and setbacks over the previous twelve months. It also gives us the chance to think about what the coming twelve months will bring. In this episode, we're featuring a roundtable conversation on the status of renewables from last month's Power-Gen International Conference. The panel discussion is a good overview of where the wind, solar and hydro industries are today, and serves as an important benchmark as we evaluate the progress of renewables over 2009. Thank you very much to our faithful listeners for giving us so much feedback over the last year. We will continue to bring you the most engaging, comprehensive news and information on renewable energy in the coming year!
81 - December 22, 2008 - Exploring the German Renewable Energy Market - Inside Renewable Energy
This week, we're podcasting from Germany to get a better sense for how one of the world's leading renewable energy markets is fairing during these tough economic times. Despite the projected global slowdown throughout the renewable energy industries next year, Germany is preparing for an increase in installed wind capacity and only a slight drop in solar PV installations. We're traveling throughout Germany to get a sense for how the country is moving forward and remaining a leader in development of renewable energies. We'll talk to investors, manufacturers, scientists and teachers about where the market is today and where it will go tomorrow. Thanks very much to the non-profit organization Inwent for setting up the trip and arranging the interviews. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
82 - December 11, 2008 - Energy Businesses Recognizing the Need to Diversify - Inside Renewable Energy
This week, we're podcasting from the Power-Gen International conference in Orlando, Florida. This event is mostly geared toward traditional power companies; however, renewables are starting to play a bigger role at Power-Gen as businesses and investors in the space recognize the major changes taking place in the energy landscape. We'll speak to some company executives about how this shift is impacting the way companies operate. John Adams, vice president of new projects at Mitsubishi Power Systems describes the company's new 2.4-MW wind turbine as well as the reasons behind Mitsubishi's involvement in a wide range of energy sectors. Perry Fontana, vice president of projects at Ausra explains the elegance and simplicity of concentrating solar power. Alan Champagne, vice president of business development at CH2M HILL tells us about the need for traditional energy companies to diversify in order to succeed. And Joe Treshler of Covanta Energy talks about turning environmental problems into business opportunities. Make sure to check out the video interviews from Power-Gen International at our video section. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
83 - December 4, 2008 - A Rough Patch for the U.S. PV Market; Building Relationships to Build Greener -
With the recent eight-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar, many professionals are predicting rapid growth in the solar industry. However, because of problems in the tax equity market and other issues with state solar programs around the country, those predictions many not bear out in the short-term. In this podcast, we'll look at some trends playing out in the U.S. solar market and how they may impact demand for PV over the coming year. Then, we'll have some interviews from the Greenbuild Conference and Expo on building-integrated wind and PV systems, living roofs, and how renewable energy companies and traditional contractors are working together to increase the deployment of cleaner building materials, sustainable design techniques and renewable energies. Also, be sure to check out the video feature published by RenewableEnergyWorld.com from the Greenbuild Conference and Expo. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
84 - November 20, 2008 - Exploring the Icelandic Geothermal Experience - Inside Renewable Energy
This week, we're podcasting to you from Iceland. The country has been getting a lot of attention lately -- and not just because of its severe economic problems. Iceland gets 78 percent of its primary energy from renewable resources, with 62 percent coming from geothermal. Now that more countries around the world are starting to get serious about deploying renewables on a meaningful scale, policy makers, business leaders and journalists are flocking to the country in greater numbers to learn from the Icelandic experience. In this podcast, we're traveling around the country to speak with some of the leaders in the geothermal industry. Iceland's President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson describes the uniquely intimate relationship that Icelanders have with geothermal energy. Reykjavic Energy's Audur Björg shows us around the Hellsheidi Power Plant and gives us her view on the history of Iceland's use of geothermal. Albert Albertsson of Hitaveita Sudurnesja shows us around the Svartsengi Power Plant and talks about the company's goal of making geothermal projects both a personal and utilitarian experience. Steinar Gudlaugsson of Geysir Green Energy gives us an overview of the intense geologic activity occurring on and around the island. Ingvar Birgir Fridleifsson of the United Nations University Geothermal Training Program talks about the importance of spreading the country's geothermal experience to professionals in developing countries. And Hannes Pálsson gives us a sense for how the average Icelander views the progress that the country has made in renewable energy over the years. Make sure to visit the podcast page at RenewableEnergyWorld.com for pictures and links. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
85 - November 13, 2008 - Gauging the Impact of the Credit Crisis on Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy
The gears of the global economy are moving very slowly these days; yet, the renewable energy industry is still performing better than many other industries. The path out of the global credit crisis will be long and steep, however, making it more difficult for developers and financiers in the renewable energy industry to do business over the next six months to a year. In this podcast, Angus McCrone, chief editor at New Energy Finance talks about the broad global impact in the public and private markets; Gordon Edge, director of economics and finance at the British Wind Energy Association discusses the coming year for wind in the UK; and Louis Schwartz, president of China Strategies, LLC, describes the problems for PV companies in China. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
86 - November 6, 2008 - A Shake-up in Project Finance; Bucking the Downward Housing Trend with BIPV; PV Concentrator Balloons - Inside Renewable Energy
With the credit crisis and resulting economic woes making their way into the renewable energy industry, project financing all over the world is getting more difficult. In the U.S., many people are concerned about the health of the tax equity financing sector, which drives much of the growth in the solar, wind and bioenergy markets. Edwin Feo, a tax lawyer with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McLoy's Global Power, Energy and Utilities Group, joins us to talk about how a shake-up in tax equity financing will impact the industry in the coming years. Then, David Field, president of Open Energy, talks about the company's building-integrated PV products and its relationships with roofers and construction firms. Field discusses the importance of building partnerships between solar companies and traditional contractors to move the residential and small commercial solar markets forward. Finally, Rob Lamkin, CEO of Cool Earth Solar, describes the company's new concentrating PV balloon. We'll talk about Cool Earth's efforts to scale up production in the coming year and make the device a household name in the industry. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
87 - October 30, 2008 - Innovation and Politics in this Hot, Flat and Crowded World - Inside Renewable Energy
New York Times Columnist Thomas Friedman's latest book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded," looks at the imminent need to formulate a national strategy to combat climate change, stimulate technological innovation and grow America's economy. In this program, Tom talks to the New Yorker Magazine's Elizabeth Kolbert about the need to transform America's approach to energy and politics. The interview was initially published at Yale Environment 360. We'll also talk to Dave Unger of the Renewable Energy program at Waste Management about the need to expand landfill gas to energy projects around the U.S. With 1,200 MW of potential electrical generation capacity at landfills nation-wide, the company plans to expand its energy operations dramatically in the coming years. Finally, we'll have a special guest who's celebrating Halloween by educating the neighborhood about renewable energy. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
88 - October 23, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Touring the Steamboat Geothermal Plant
This week, we've got some extras from the Geothermal Conference and Expo held earlier this month. Before leaving Nevada, Stephen Lacey met up with some folks from Ormat Technologies, who gave him a tour of the company's 100-MW capacity Steamboat facility in Reno. We'll speak with Paul Thomsen, Public Policy Manager for Ormat about some broader market trends. Then we'll walk around the grounds with John Bernardi, Environmental Compliance Specialist at the Steamboat facility, who will give us a sense for how the plant operates. Finally, we'll have some more interviews from the conference floor. Kenneth McLeod, President and CEO of Western GeoPower talks about the impact of the credit crunch; and Barry Andrews, Head of Geothermal and Power at Chevron tells us about the company's operations in Indonesia. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
89 - October 16, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Perspectives Roundtable
This week, we're podcasting from Solar Power International in San Diego, California. Stephen Lacey rounded up some influential industry executives who represent different areas of the supply chain and asked them about what they're seeing in the industry today. The conversation provides an inside look at what companies are dealing with during these times of rapid and tumultuous growth. Jonathan Pickering, Vice President of Marketing at Applied Materials talks about the equipment supply side of the industry; Ron Kenedi, Vice President of the Solar Energy Solutions Group at Sharp talks about the manufacturing space; and Aaron Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar, talks about business for installers in the U.S. This roundtable was initially recorded at the REW.com studio on the floor of Solar Power International. Stay tuned for the video version of this roundtable next week. In the meantime, you can watch all kinds of video from the conference at our Solar Power Blog. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
90 - October 9, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Beginning of a Geothermal Renaissance
This week, we're podcasting from the Geothermal Conference and Expo in Reno, Nevada. Most professionals at the conference would say that the geothermal industry is experiencing a renaissance. Indeed, as development of conventional resources has increased over the last few years and new technologies have grabbed the attention of financiers and the mainstream press, the industry is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. We'll talk with Alexander Richter, Director of Global Research at Glitnir Bank, about some development trends in the U.S. and Iceland. Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google.org, tells us about the web-giant's interest in stimulating the market for large-scale Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS). Jared Potter, Co-founder and CEO of Potter Drilling and Mark Hankowski, VP of Business Development at Potter, describe how the company's advanced drilling technology will eventually allow for cost-effective EGS development. And lastly, Mike Hayter, Director of Geothermal Development at Raser Technologies, talks about the company's plan to construct smaller-scale, modular geothermal plants that utilize lower temperature resources. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
91 - October 2, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Rapid Growth in the Algae Market; Managing Risk in the Renewables Space
With over US $180 million in venture capital invested in Algae companies already this year, the market looks ready to explode. That explosion couldn't come soon enough for biodiesel producers who are having trouble getting enough feedstock to meet global demand. Joseph Muscat, Americas Director of Cleantech and Venture Capital at Ernst and Young, tells us about the high amounts of capital that companies have raised so far in 2008. Will Thurmond, Founder of Emerging Markets Online and Director of Research and Development at the National Algae Association, talks about the overwhelming need for algae in the biodiesel market. Finally, Harrison Dillon, President and Chief Technology Officer with the algae company Solazyme, describes the company's method for growing and harvesting algae. Also in the podcast: Richard Homlich, CEO of Advantage for Analysts, highlights the need for good risk management practices in the renewable energy industry. He'll draw some parallels between the ongoing problems in the mortgage industry. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
92 - September 25, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Smarter Grids, Smarter Cities and Common-Sense Planning
Many solutions to the world's problems take nothing more than a common-sense approach. No one pretends that the environmental and social challenges ahead will be easy to solve, but sometimes the solutions simply require a different way of thinking. This week, we've got more interviews from the Cleantech Forum in Washington, DC on some of those common-sense solutions. We'll look at the evolution of electricity demand response with EnerNOC CEO Timothy Healy. There are certainly many technological hurdles in front of the development of a smart grid, but the concept of better electricity management is an easy one for utilities and their customers to understand. Healy will describe how the U.S. smart-grid market may grow and EnerNoc's role in that growth. We'll talk about the aggressive carbon reduction goals of Stockholm, Sweden with the city's CEO Irene Svenonius. She'll describe the role of government and individuals in making common-sense choices to create an environmentally-friendly, economically-vibrant community. Then we'll explore the future role of cities in creating a more sustainable world with Chris Luebkeman, Director of Global Foresight and Innovation at the engineering firm Arup. He'll talk about the importance of looking at sustainability through more than just an economic lens. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
93 - September 18, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Cleantech Forum: An Insider's Look at Cleantech Investing
This week, we're podcasting to you from the Cleantech Forum in Washington, DC. This forum is a gathering place for early-stage investors who are pouring capital into renewable energy, smart-grid technologies and advanced materials. We'll talk with some analysts and investors who will give us an inside look at the evolution and current status of the market. Brian Fan, Senior Director of Research at the Cleantech Network, talks about what makes a sustainable cleantech company and lays out where most investments have taking place so far in 2008. Scott MacDonald, a Partner with Emerald Technology Ventures, tells us about the history of the sector and about how venture capitalists strategically space their investments in this very capital-intensive industry. Scott Faris, CEO of Planar Energy Devices, describes his company's new solid-state lithium-ion battery and talks about how he's using his experience in the venture capital space to grow his company during its early stages. Finally, Ted Howes, leader of the Business and Sustainability Program at IDEO, gives us the broader perspective on what all the growth in the cleantech space means for corporations and their customers. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
94 - September 11, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Energy Equity: Diversifying the Market with New Incentives
The U.S. renewable energy market is growing at an impressive rate. But as more wind, solar and biofuel facilities get developed, there are fewer people or organizations that own those facilities. That is primarily due to the exclusive nature of the federal tax credits. Because of the shrinking diversity in the marketplace, a growing number of people are calling for changes to U.S. renewable energy incentives. In this podcast, we explore the issues with the federal tax credits as they relate to ownership of renewable energy systems. John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance talks about the problems with “diseconomies of scale” in the U.S. wind and solar markets; Wind Expert Paul Gipe describes the ideal incentive framework to diversify energy equity; Dan Juhl, CEO of Juhl Wind, gives us an idea of how small-wind developers navigate the tax credit environment; and Lisa Daniels, Founder of the educational organization Windustry, talks about Minnesota's commitment to community wind. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
95 - September 4, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Crunch Time for Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Congress comes back to Washington next week and in the tradition of election-year politics, there's a good chance that much won't get done before November. That means there are very few chances left to extend the Production and Investment Tax credits before they expire at the end of the year. This week, our Washington Analyst Scott Sklar updates us on the tax credit situation and gives us his take on the presidential candidates. Then, we'll finish up our California ballot initiative series by looking at the arguments in support of Proposition 10. There's a growing debate about whether or not the measure will favor natural gas vehicles over other battery-based options. Proposition 10 supporter Patrick Dorinson tells us why the initiative will benefit all forms of transportation in the state. Finally, we'll have a look at what the city of Greensburg, Kansas is doing to rebuild in a sustainable way. Greensburg was devastated in May of 2007 when a Tornado ripped through the city, demolishing 95% of the buildings. Contributor Mark Braly talks with Tim Schmidt, CEO of Xtreme Homes, a company working to bring green modular homes and a sustainable employment base to Greensburg. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
96 - August 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Questioning America's Most Ambitious Renewable Energy Law
This November, Californians will be voting on a ballot initiative that could require the state's utilities to generate half their power from renewables by 2025. Sounds good, right? Not according to some of nation's most influential renewable energy companies, associations and advocacy groups. This group of opponents says the legal language of the proposed law is so flawed, it could severely hurt the state's renewable energy market. Proponents say the legal language is tight and that opponents are being controlled by the state's utilities, which don't want to meet the targets. As the voting day approaches, the debate over the language in the initiative is heating up and both sides are pushing their messages aggressively. We'll have a feature report on the different interpretations of the proposed law and its potential impact on the industry. Also, we'll explore the reasons for China's emergence as one of the top renewable energy markets for investors. Jonathan Johns, head of renewable energy at the advisory firm Ernst and Young, joins us to discuss the promise of China and the difficulties for renewables in the UK. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
97 - August 21, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Pickens' Plan and California's Proposition 10; Auctioning Environmental Commodities
T. Boone Pickens has a plan -- but is it the correct plan for the nation? This November, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on an initiative that could be the first step down Pickens' path toward greater reliance on natural gas for transportation fuel. But this week's guest says that the initiative, known as Proposition 10, is flawed and could negatively impact renewable energy in California. We'll speak with Tony Rubenstein, a Los Angeles-based consultant on clean technologies and corporate social responsibility, about why Proposition 10 is not good for the state's budget or its burgeoning renewable energy market. Then we'll talk to Phil Adams, CEO of World Energy, about the role of online auctioning of allowances in greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs. He'll tell us why he believes the auctioning platform allows for more efficient and transparent transactions over bid-ask exchanges and broker-based models. Finally, correspondent Mark Braly has some interviews on the promotion of mustard-seed biodiesel for city and regional vehicle fleets in California. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
98 - August 14, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Keeping the Industry in Check
With all the money from investors, attention from the mainstream media and interest from consumers pouring into clean technologies, the situation is looking good for renewable energy. But as the financial opportunities grow, so too does the potential to oversell the benefits of some technologies. In this podcast, we'll explore some problems that over-exuberance and lack of quality information can create for the industry. Sue Kateley of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, tells us about some sketchy solar companies in the Golden State. Small-Wind Expert Mick Sagrillo talks about the sham companies that have emerged over the years in the residential wind market. Brad Smith of Renewzle.com explains the need for online intermediary companies in the solar space to give consumers a simplified and trustworthy experience. Dr. Barry Butler of Butler Sun Solutions warns about the potential for overstating the abilities of Dish/Stirling Systems, potentially creating negative perceptions about the promising technology. Finally, independent environmental reporter Peter Fairley gives us his take on the role of journalism in this increasingly popular-yet-complex energy landscape. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
99 - August 7, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Debating the Brazilian Ethanol Tariff; The Weak Dollar and Foreign Investment
As American politicians try to prove to their constituents that they are addressing high gasoline prices this summer, the debate over increasing Brazilian ethanol imports has gotten more traction in Washington. The Brazilians say that lifting the 54-cent tariff on imported ethanol will help bring down the price of all ethanol, thus bringing down the price of gasoline. The domestic ethanol industry says there's already an oversupply of renewable fuels and that more imported ethanol from Brazil will oversaturate the market. In this podcast, we'll address some of the arguments for and against lifting the tariff on Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. We’ll talk with Joel Velasco, chief U.S. representative of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association about why he believes more Brazilian ethanol will be good for both U.S. ethanol producers and American consumers. Then, we’ll speak with Nathan Schock, director of public relations at POET, the nation’s largest ethanol producer. He’ll talk about why more imported ethanol may flood the market and make it more difficult for cellulosic ethanol to compete down the road. Also in the podcast: Jay Tannon, partner at the law firm DLA Piper, will talk about the impact that the low dollar is having on foreign direct investment in the U.S. and around the world. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
100 - July 31, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Big Developments for U.S. Wind; Enhancing Grid Communication
The last few weeks have been full of positive news for the U.S. wind industry. Former oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens has thrown his support behind a 20% wind penetration target for the U.S. in the next 10 years; former Vice President Al Gore has made wind the centerpiece of his 10-year 100% renewable electricity goal for the U.S.; and the U.S. just passed Germany as the leader in electricity generated from wind. In this program, we'll talk with Randy Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association, about these developments and what they mean for the U.S. wind industry. Also in the podcast: Prakash Chakravarthi, CEO of the smart metering company Eka Systems, talks about the technological requirements for creating a more dynamic next-generation grid. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
101 - July 24, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Web 2.0: Connecting the Renewable Energy Community
The renewable energy industry is leading one of the most important technological shifts in the history of mankind. In many ways the distributed, democratic nature of the envisioned renewable energy infrastructure mimics the internet; however, many businesses within the industry still have not figured out how to effectively use the internet to market their products, craft their message and build their brand. In this podcast, we’re talking with some innovative companies and individuals about “Web 2.0” concepts and how they’re using open-intelligence platforms, social networking sites and new media to create new business opportunities and spread the message about renewable energy. JP Ross of Sungevity.com talks about how the company’s online-only sales model will drive down the installed cost of solar. Chris Beekhuis of Fat Spaniel Technologies tells us how the company’s new open-intelligence data monitoring system will help bring renewables to the masses. Deep Patel of GoGreenSolar.com discusses the importance of blogging and describes how to make business contacts on social networking sites. Joel Bush of RenewablePost.com talks about the best way for companies to approach the multi-media environment enabled by the web. And Joel Makower of Greener World Media tells us about how the evolution of social networking and new media will make for better business networking. Also, thanks very much to Kamla Bhatt and WediaBuzz for the audio clips of Tim O’Reilly talking about Web 2.0 concepts. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
102 - July 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Global Green Job Growth; PPAs Enabling U.S. Community Wind
There are now 2.3 million people working directly or indirectly in the renewable energy industries around the world, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. As job growth in this sector continues, the fossil energy industries are seeing a decline in jobs, despite an increase in production. In this program, we’ll speak with Worldwatch’s Michael Renner about where the most jobs are being created, why the fossil energy industries are seeing a decline in jobs, and what exactly people mean when they talk about green collar jobs. Also in the podcast: How one North Dakota college is trying to meet the demand for wind power in the state. Doug Darling of Lake Region State College tells us about the school’s planned wind technician program and why wind jobs are so important for the community. Finally, MMA Renewable Ventures recently entered the wind market by agreeing to finance, own and operate a 10-megawatt wind farm in Oregon. The deal will help landowners there develop the project and eventually own it. MMA’s Moira Geraghty tells us why the deal is so important for community wind projects in the U.S. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
103 - July 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - RE Mash Up: Electric Cars, Energy Storage, Carbon Trading and Entrepreneurship
In this week's program we feature a series of interviews on a range of topics. We'll speak with a line-up of experts on how to get America off oil, the game changing ability of storage, upcoming trends in emissions trading, and how budding entrepreneurs are learning the difference between invention and innovation. David Sandalow, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, talks about his new book titled, “Freedom From Oil: How the Next American President Can End the United States’ Oil Addiction.” Eric Martinot, senior researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, talks about the prospects for advanced energy storage options and how they’ll impact renewables. Patrick McClosky, managing director of Evolution Markets, describes the business of trading carbon credits in the global market and renewable energy certificates in the U.S. market. And contributor Mark Braly has some interviews from the Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy organized by the University of California, Davis. He’ll speak with an organizer of the Academy and an up-and-coming entrepreneur who’s trying to turn his idea into a business venture. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
104 - July 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Roundtable Discussion: Outlook for Renewable Energy
Last month's Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City brought together some of the most sophisticated investors and analysts in the renewable energy and cleantech space. The end of the conference featured a roundtable discussion about the current status and future prospects for the industry as they relate to developments happening within the conventional energy industry. In this podcast, we're presenting a slightly edited version of this in-depth discussion. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest developments in renewable energy news and information.
105 - June 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Community Wind: Building a Democratic Industry in Canada
This week, we're podcasting from the World Wind Energy Conference in Kingston, Ontario. There is an ongoing movement in Canada to support more community wind projects and create a more distributed, democratic energy economy. We'll take a look at what's happening within Canada to promote awareness about community wind and help this under-developed sector grow. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
106 - June 19, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - An In-Depth Look at Renewable Energy Finance
This week, we're podcasting from the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City. It's a complex industry out there, and this conference is designed to give investors the most in-depth, up-to-date information about the U.S. and global renewable energy markets. We'll have some interviews about industry consolidation, tax equity financing, carbon cap and trade schemes, venture capital, and of course, the impact of the political stalemate in Washington over federal tax incentives. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
107 - June 12, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion; EU-Wide Feed-in Tariff
Few people have given Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) much thought over the last 30 years. But with the rising price and potential supply constraint of fossil energies, technologies that once seemed unfeasible now seem reasonable. OTEC is one such technology. We'll speak with Christopher Barry, a marine engineer who once worked on OTEC devices during the oil embargo of the 1970's. He will tell us how OTEC works and why it could be an important part of our future energy mix. Then we'll speak with Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes, vice-president of the European Renewable Energy Federation, about why the European Commission decided to temporarily drop the debate over Feed-in Tariffs versus certificate trading and instead allow EU member states to meet the region-wide renewable energy target on their own. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
108 - June 5, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Envisioning the Future for U.S. Wind
In this week's program, we've got a selection of interviews from the Wind Power 2008 conference on the technical, political and financial issues facing the U.S. wind industry. Although the industry still has not gotten the production tax credit extended for next year, the mood at the conference was very upbeat. We'll take a look at the vision for the future of American wind. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
109 - May 29, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Verifying Efficiency Claims for Organic PV; Renewable Heating and Cooling in Europe
Organic PV has made a lot of headway in recent years as efficiency levels have climbed higher and higher, grabbing the attention of researchers and investors. However, some reported efficiencies of organic PV cells are being disputed because of inconsistent and unverified testing. We’ll speak with Journalist and Author Peter Fairley about his latest story called, “Solar Cell Squabble,” which outlines the debate over how organic PV should be tested and its implications for the health of the industry. Also in the podcast: Part two of our look at renewable heating and cooling (REHC) policies. We’ll talk to Veit Buerger, a research fellow for the Energy and Climate Division at the Institute for Applied Ecology, about German promotion policies and the need for Europe to more aggressively develop a robust REHC sector. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
110 - May 22, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Staying Positive During Rough Political Times for Renewables
After successive record years for wind and solar in the U.S., no one thought the industry would be facing another potential expiration of key federal tax incentives. But now the industry is scrambling to get the tax credits through Congress before project development starts drying up. The uncertain situation raises the question: Is the industry tipping forward or stepping backward? Despite the debacle in Washington, most analysts are talking positively about the U.S. market. While the political process has been very slow, industry representatives are confident that the tax credits will be passed by mid-summer. Even if something goes wrong, they say, there are still plenty of opportunities to turn things around. We’ll have a feature story on how people are feeling about the future of renewables in the U.S. Also in the podcast: Wilson Rickerson, co-author of a new white paper on the U.S. renewable heating and cooling (REHC) market, talks about why REHC is so often left out of the policy debate. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
111 - May 15, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Utility Profit Decoupling; Building Integrated PV
In service territories across the country, the solar industry is facing an uphill battle. Because rate cases are often structured so that more energy consumption equals more profits, utilities don't have an incentive to encourage energy efficiency or distributed renewables. But there is a solution: Profit decoupling. We’ll talk with Wayne Shirley, principal of the Regulatory Assistance Project, about how profit decoupling works and why it’s so important for distributed generators connecting to the grid. Also in the podcast: We’ll explore some new PV products coming on the market. Stephen Torres, chief operating officer of Lumeta, will tell us about the company’s new “Peel and Stick” panel and its residential solar tiles. Then John Langdon, vice president of marketing for the thin-film manufacturer HelioVolt tells us about the company’s latest venture to make building integrated PV products with its Copper Gallium Indium Selenide (CIGS) cells. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
112 - May 8, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - California Solar Initiative Update; Social Merchant Banking in the Developing World
As the California Solar Initiative approaches its 15-month anniversary, many changes have been made to speed up the adoption of photovoltaics in the state. Before the program began, some people were worried about flaws in the design of the rebate calculator, utility rate structures, and a cumbersome application process. We'll talk with Sue Kateley of the California Solar Energy Industries Association about how those issues have been addressed. Also, Dr. Russell deLucia, Founder and President of the Small Scale Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF), talks about the role of the social merchant bank model in building a clean energy infrastructure in developing countries. Lastly, Solar Nation Executive Campaigner Chris Stimpson comments on the political debate over a gas tax holiday in the U.S. The issue has sparked even more questions about our politicians’ commitment to renewable energy. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
113 - May 1, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Industry Fears 'Gaming' of SREC Markets
Over the last year, as some east coast states have started transitioning into market-based incentive structures for solar, small- and mid-sized businesses are worried about getting pushed out of the market by a few larger businesses. Solar programs based on Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) — as currently designed — are only beneficial to large "Big Box Integrators," say many business owners. There are fears that if changes are not made to the system, there will be unhealthy market concentration in states such as Maryland, New Jersey and Florida. The debate over SREC-only markets highlights a growing divide within the solar industry over how the market should grow: Top down or bottom up? We'll look at what SRECs programs are, where they're in place, and their predicted impact on the industry. For more on this story, see Thursday's print version. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
114 - April 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Full Cost Accounting of Energy; A Detailed Discussion about Future Wind Technologies
We know the market price of fossil energies, but do we know their true cost to society? In this week's program, we'll examine the concept of full cost accounting and how it could dramatically shift the energy landscape in favor of renewables. We’ll speak with Financial Analyst J. Peter Lynch about the importance of quantifying the external costs of energy; Steve Barg of the International Institute for Sustainable Development on the value of “ecological goods and services”; and European Commission DG of Research Domenico Rossetti about ExternE, the European program for full cost accounting. Also, we’ll have a detailed discussion on the wind industry between two experts: Consultant Andrew Garrad of Garrad Hassan and Eize De Vries, wind technology correspondent for Renewable Energy World Magazine. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
115 - April 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Creating Sustainable Cities
The United Nations projects that sometime this year more people will be living in cities than in rural areas. By 2020, it's predicted that 5 billion people will be living in urban environments. While rapid urbanization can cause many social, economic and environmental problems, it can also open up the door for many solutions as well. This week, we'll look at some methods for creating more sustainable cities. Firstly, Richard Levine, co-director of the Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Kentucky, will outline the basic principles behind sustainability. He’ll tell us what the concept means and how it can be applied to urban areas. Then, Michael Kinsley, senior consultant with the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Sustainable Cities program, talks about his work advising big and small cities and the economic opportunities that energy efficiency and renewable energies pose for urban planners. Finally, Herbert Girardet, director of programs at the World Future Council, describes his vision for renewables in the urban and suburban environments as well as his work on the Chinese eco-city of Dongtan in Shanghai province. Wrapping up the show, Jackie Jones of Renewable Energy World Magazine interviews Li Junfeng of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association about the wind market in China. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
116 - April 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - How Photovoltaics Can Copy Photosynthesis; Interviews from World Sustainable Energy Day
We all know how photosynthesis works. Or do we? Researchers at the University of Chicago and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made new discoveries about why photosynthesis is so efficient. Their work may have implications for the efficiency of future solar cells. We’ll talk with Greg Engel, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Chicago about how this research is changing our understanding of solar energy collection. Also, Jackie Jones, editor of Renewable Energy World Magazine, brought back some interviews from the World Sustainable Energy Days in Wels, Austria. We’ll get some perspective on how the International Energy Agency is approaching renewable energy, how the European Commission will ensure the EU meets its renewable energy targets, and how Upper Austria has achieved such a high biomass and solar thermal penetration level. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
117 - March 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - It's Alive! How Living Organisms are Helping Create a Renewable Energy Future
The energies we mostly rely on today were made possible by the death and fossilization of ancient organisms. Unfortunately, our continued reliance on those fossil energies will most certainly cause the future death of many others. So how are we going to change our habits and develop more renewable energy? Well, one way is to use living organisms such as plants, animals, bacteria and fungi to develop next-generation fuels and electricity. In this program, we'll talk with some researchers who are on the cutting-edge of this field. Firstly, Bruce Rittman, director of the Center for Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Arizona, will tell us about microbial fuel cells that use cultures of bacteria to break down wet biomass waste to create electricity. Then, we’ll talk with Bill Baum, general manager of the Specialty Enzymes Business Unit of Verenium and Steve Hutcheson, President and CEO of Zymetis about the best places in nature to find enzymes for breaking down cellulose for ethanol production. Finally, Brian Willson, chief technology officer for Solix Biofuels, describes how to grow algae for fuel. He’ll talk about the differences between open and closed production systems, how Solix’s biophotoreactor works, and when we can expect to see biofuels from algae on the market. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
118 - March 20, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Doing Business in the Hydro Industry; Sponsoring RE Projects; Important Ruling in Nevada
Last week, we covered some of the broad political and regulatory issues facing the hydro industry. This week, we'll have a feature story looking at what some companies are dealing with in the markets they serve. We'll hear from Lori Barg, Chief Executive of Community Hydro, about the complicated permitting process in her home state of Vermont; Dennis Pungitore about his run-of-river hydro system in Colorado; and John Christensen about the potential for upgrading hydroelectric dams in California. Also in the podcast: Sponsorship seems to be everywhere. Now it's hit the renewable energy industry! Ted Rose, Vice President of Business Development for Renewable Choice Energy, tells us about a deal that could mark a new trend for the industry. Finally, we'll have a feature report on the situation in Nevada, where the Public Utilities Commission is deliberating the legality of third-party ownership of renewable energy systems. The decision will determine the fate of businesses renting or leasing systems to customers in the state. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
119 - March 13, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Growing a Sustainable Hydropower Industry
Think the hydropower resource in the U.S. is all dried up? Not even close. According to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), there are still about 100,000 megawatts of run-of-river resources available in this country. That's not even considering the tens of thousands of megawatts available in our oceans and tidal estuaries. Doug Hall, Program Manager for the INL Water Energy Program, tells us about how what types of technologies the industry may use to exploit this resource in a more sustainable way. We'll also speak with Trey Taylor, Co-Founder and President of Verdant Power, a company that is developing kinetic hydropower turbines. Trey will talk about Verdant's technology and about some of the lessons learned during its pilot project in the East River off New York City. Finally, National Hydropower Association Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci talks about the slow regulatory process at FERC and MMS, what kind of national incentives the industry relies on and how perceptions of the industry are changing within the government. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
120 - March 6, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Renewables Front and Center on the International Political Stage
Political actors from all over the world gathered in Washington, DC for the WIREC conference this week to consider the impact that their choices have on the business of renewable energy. While renewables still play a relatively small role compared to fossil energies, the discourse over how to move the industry forward is changing dramatically as more leaders recognize the environmental and geo-political implications for implementing clean energies. This week, we'll examine renewable energy's role in the global political landscape through a series of interviews with politicians, business leaders and analysts attending the conference. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
121 - February 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Conflicting Research on Renewables; Spanish Energy Companies Entering the U.S.
There have been a number of contradictory academic and government studies on photovoltaics and biofuels released over the last two months. Because renewable energy is becoming a hot topic in the press, various media outlets are reporting on the studies without proper comparison and analysis, says industry expert Scott Sklar. We'll talk with Sklar about the negative and positive studies and get his opinion on how the press is covering the issues. He'll also give us a brief update on the latest renewable energy tax title. Also in the podcast: Reese Tisdale, senior analyst for the Renewable Power Generation Advisory at Emerging Energy Research, puts global development figures into perspective and tells us what the hottest markets may be for 2008 and beyond. Finally, Brian Gaylord, a market analyst for the Spanish Trade Commission, talks about the country's renewable energy market dynamics and explains why so many Spanish companies are looking to get into the U.S. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
122 - Inside Renewable Energy- February 21, 2008
This week's podcast comes to you from the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo (formerly Power-Gen Renewable Energy and Fuels). In this show, we'll tell you what the site and conference rebrand says about the changing renewable energy industry. We'll also bring you a roundtable discussion on the financial and political issues facing bioenergy companies today. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
123 - Inside Renewable Energy- February 14, 2008
Chris Anderson, Chief Operations Officer for Borrego Solar just built a new off-grid house in Peterborough, NH. Stephen Lacey recently visited Chris' house to check out his setup and discuss important considerations for homeowners who want to build green. Also, Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, gives us his opinion on the many attempts by Congress to pass meaningful renewable energy legislation; what other possible pieces of legislation may come up in the next few months; and what his action priorities are for 2008. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
124 - Inside Renewable Energy- February 7, 2008
The Nubanusit Neighborhood and Farm is a new 29-unit co-housing development being built in Peterborough, NH. The community features state-of-the-art, energy-efficient homes; a working organic farm; seven wood pellet boilers for electricity and hot water; and “roughed in” plans for photovoltaics and solar hot water systems. Stephen Lacey visited the site and brought back this story. Also in the podcast: Patrice Frey, Director of Sustainability Research at the National Trust for Historic Preservation tells us why preservation is one of the most effective tools for combating climate change and avoiding “green sprawl.” IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is the last week to fill out our podcast listener survey! Please let us know what you think about this show! Just go to renewableenergyworld.com for more details. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
125 - Inside Renewable Energy- January 31, 2008
The race is on to bring the biofuels industry to the next level. As more people question the prudence of food-based fuels, researchers and companies are aggressively looking for commercially viable ways to produce greener alternatives to gasoline. This week, we'll talk with Rob Tripp, CEO of Benefuel, a company that calls itself a “next-generation” biodiesel producer. Rob tells us about Benefuel's proprietary catalyst and how it makes for a more economical and environmentally-sound refining process. Also, University of Nebraska Adjunct Professor Ken Vogel speaks about a five-year study showing that the energy potential of switchgrass-based ethanol is 450 percent higher than the energy put into growing, harvesting and refining the fuel. Finally, Greg Wetstone, Senior Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at the American Wind Energy Association considers the importance of renewable energy development during these rough times for the U.S. and global economies. IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you haven't already done so, please take our podcast listener survey. We want to know what you think. It will only take you a few minutes! Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
126 - Inside Renewable Energy- January 24, 2008
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is emerging as one of the most promising utility-scale renewable energy sources. The launch of Nevada Solar One last June sparked a revival for this so-called “sleeping giant” in the U.S. and marked the first of a series of important developments for the industry. But there is still much uncertainty about the mid-term prospects for CSP, as the possibility of the investment and production tax credits expiring hangs over the industry. Faced with this rocky investment climate, the U.S. is falling behind countries like Spain, which has a generous feed-in tariff for CSP developers. Mike Taylor, Director of Research for the Solar Electric Power Association just got back from a trip to Spain where he toured a few different projects and talked to developers and financiers. Taylor and CSP Today founder Belen Gallego will tell us about how the Spanish industry is benefiting from the country's renewable energy support structure. We'll also speak with Ausra Executive Vice President John O'Donnell about the company's unique parabolic trough collectors and about how uncertainty in the U.S. market may impacting its aggressive business plan. Finally, Darren Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy talks about micro-CSP and how the company's technology can play a major role in the distributed generation sector. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Our listener survey is now posted on the podcast page. We encourage all of our listeners to participate and let us know how we're doing! Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
127 - Inside Renewable Energy- January 17, 2008
Many public opinion polls suggest that Americans strongly support mass adoption of renewable energy; however, when it comes to actually making a purchase from their utility or investing in their own system, people just aren't buying in the same numbers. Why? In this episode, we'll look at how to overcome the barriers in front of mainstream acceptance of renewables.
Secondly, Ron Pernick of the research and publishing firm Clean Edge and Brian Keane of the non-profit clean energy marketing firm SmartPower, outline the most important factors for selling the industry's ideas and products to the broader public. Finally, Michael Shellenberger, co-author of the new book Breakthrough: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility, challenges us to take a more proactive approach to economics and politics in order to tackle the enormous environmental challenges ahead. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
Firstly, we'll talk with Joe Brewer, a Fellow at the Rockridge Institute, about how the renewable energy industry and the broader environmental movement can use the “art of the argument” to weave a convincing story for their cause.
128 - Inside Renewable Energy- January 10, 2008
Things aren't looking great for Wall Street coming into the new year. With a poor housing market, ongoing credit crunch, high energy prices, low employment figures and low consumer spending, the chatter about a recession has been getting louder in recent months. However, clean energy stocks have preformed very well over the last year and many analysts believe that 2008 could bring similar returns for investors. In this week's show, Independent Wall Street analyst J. Peter Lynch gives us his perspective on how investors should approach solar stocks, the possible impact of high oil prices, and how the U.S. market approaches renewable energy compared with the rest of the world. Also in the podcast: The World Future Council just released a new website designed to educate policy makers, regulators and advocates about how best to implement Feed-in Tariffs. Peter Roderick, Co-Director of the Climate Justice Program, talks about the website and how it may promote increased adoption of Feed-in Tariffs around the world. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
129 - Inside Renewable Energy- January 3, 2008
Welcome to the new year! In our first episode for 2008, we're taking a look at some global trends for renewable energy throughout 2007. We'll talk with industry analysts about worldwide development figures, how the markets are approaching clean energy, the emergence of China as a major player in the industry, and the slowly shifting political climate in the U.S. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
130 - Inside Renewable Energy- December 27, 2007
We take our work here at renewableenergyworld.com very seriously. But sometimes you need to step back and have a good laugh. This week, in place of our regular podcast, we present to you an audio christmas card produced by Emcee PV and DJ Silicon (a.k.a. Stephen Lacey).
131 - Inside Renewable Energy- December 20, 2007
European Union officials are currently debating the need for a voluntary renewable energy certificate trading scheme. Some countries that can't meet their renewable energy targets -- namely the UK -- are in favor of such a system, as it would allow them to purchase credits from countries that have excess generation capacity. However, many people are worried that a certificate trading scheme will undermine the feed-in tariffs already in place around Europe, hurting the distributed renewable energy market that is flourishing around the region.
Also in the podcast: Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, comments woefully on the Energy Bill that passed Congress this week. Plus, Hank Green, Editor of the technology blog Ecogeek.org talks about some of his favorite gifts to make the holidays a little less wasteful. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
Dirk Hendricks, Director of the European Union Liason Office at the World Future Council, joins us to talk about how a trading scheme could drastically change the market for renewable energy in Europe. Hendricks has been speaking with EU officials about the proposed trading system, and he'll tell us how the debate is playing out on both sides of the issue.
132 - Inside Renewable Energy- December 13, 2007
The necessity of good net metering laws and interconnection standards can't be understated. In order to grow the market for solar and other distributed forms of energy in the U.S., the appropriate laws must be in place to make installation easy and the investment cost-effective. On Thursday, the Network for New Energy Choices released a report called “Freeing the Grid,” which looks at the best and worst net metering laws and interconnection standards around the country. Adam Browning, Executive Director of the Vote Solar Initiative, joins us to talk about the report and how distributed generators are treated differently from state to state. Also in the podcast: Author and Renewable Energy Analyst Paul Gipe updates us on the increased interest in feed-in tariffs around North America. In the last few months, some Canadian provinces and U.S. states have expressed support for feed-in tariffs. And while this support may not necessarily turn into action, Gipe says that the government recommendations are a positive sign that the feed-in tariff movement is making progress in North America. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
133 - Inside Renewable Energy- December 6, 2007
'Tis the season to consume. This holiday season, Americans will produce 44 million tons of waste -- a 25 percent increase over the rest of the year. But instead of letting this waste pile up in landfills, there are many companies working to make another product that America and the rest of the developed world voraciously consumes: fuel and electricity. In this week's program, we'll take a look at a number of different waste-to-energy technologies. Also in the podcast: we'll have an overview of ACORE's Phase II conference, which brought hundreds of forward-looking thinkers to Washington, D.C. to discuss global renewable energy development trends. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
134 - Inside Renewable Energy- November 29, 2007
The solar industry is itching to bring PV to grid parity with fossil sources of energy, and the burden of this task is carried primarily by manufacturers and politicians. This week, we're talking with two different types of manufacturers about their methods of lowering the cost of PV and how the recent debacle over the energy bill in Washington may impact their business. Firstly, Charlie Gay, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Solar Business Group at Applied Materials talks to us about the company's new SunFab integrated thin film manufacturing line. Charlie has had a long career in the solar industry, and he'll talk about primary trends in the cost reduction of PV. Secondly, Denis Du Bois of Energy Priorities Magazine has an interview with Bob Ford, CEO of Solaicx, a manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers. Bob will tell us about Solaicx's advanced manufacturing technology, how the company plans to scale up operations, and the importance of the investment tax credit for the solar industry. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
135 - Inside Renewable Energy- November 15, 2007
You've probably heard the news by now: There have been numerous reports from Washington, D.C. over the last week that Democratic Congressional leaders may strip out the most important renewable energy provisions from the upcoming energy bill. We'll have a feature report on the status of the energy bill and what may happen to the renewable energy provisions. Also in the podcast: Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, has a piece of commentary on the crazy week for renewable energy. Plus, Denis Du Bois, Editor of Energy Priorities Magazine has an audio tour of the GreenBuild 2007 conference in Chicago. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
136 - Inside Renewable Energy- November 8, 2007
The need to upgrade our outdated grid is getting more important each year. As renewable energy makes up more of the U.S. electricity supply and changes the energy landscape, the old, tired transmission and distribution system will have a hard time keeping up. In this week's podcast, we'll bring you three different stories on the transmission and distribution system as it relates to renewable energy. First, we'll check in with David Meyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the U.S. Department of Energy. He'll tell us about the biggest integration problem for the renewable energy industry today. Second, we'll highlight the financial and environmental complexities of developing more transmission lines with a feature story on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project in Southern California. Even though the line is touted as necessary to bring remote renewable energy to San Diego, many renewable energy supporters are against the project. (Thanks to the Utility Consumer's Action Network for allowing us to use a portion of their video for the story). Finally, Dr. Wade Adams, Director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology joins us to talk about how nanotechnology may transform renewable energy and the entire transmission system in the future. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
137 - Inside Renewable Energy- November 1, 2007
Demand for renewable energy in the U.S. is growing rapidly -- so rapidly, in fact, that supply cannot keep up. Even though renewables only make up around 7 percent of the U.S. electricity supply, growing voluntary markets and new state renewable portfolio standards (RPS) will ensure that clean sources of energy make up a larger part of the nation's energy mix. So, will the industry be able to meet the needs of the market over the next few years?
We'll also talk with Jeff Deyette, Energy Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists about impact of the 26 RPS programs in the U.S. Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
Lori Bird, a Senior Analyst for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory joins us to talk about a report she co-authored on the short-term renewable energy shortfall in the U.S.
