Inside Renewable Energy

January 1, 2009 - 2008: A Benchmark for Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:43:33 -0500

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!

December 22, 2008 - Exploring the German Renewable Energy Market - Inside Renewable Energy

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:54:59 -0500

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.

December 11, 2008 - Energy Businesses Recognizing the Need to Diversify - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:04:17 -0500

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.

December 4, 2008 - A Rough Patch for the U.S. PV Market; Building Relationships to Build Greener -

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:13:34 -0500

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.

November 20, 2008 - Exploring the Icelandic Geothermal Experience - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:48:20 -0500

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.

November 13, 2008 - Gauging the Impact of the Credit Crisis on Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:20:08 -0500

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.

November 6, 2008 - A Shake-up in Project Finance; Bucking the Downward Housing Trend with BIPV; PV Concentrator Balloons - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:09:40 -0500

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.

October 30, 2008 - Innovation and Politics in this Hot, Flat and Crowded World - Inside Renewable Energy

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:06:56 -0400

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.

October 23, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Touring the Steamboat Geothermal Plant

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:49:01 -0400

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.

October 16, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Perspectives Roundtable

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:09:51 -0400

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.

October 9, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Beginning of a Geothermal Renaissance

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:32:46 -0400

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.

October 2, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Rapid Growth in the Algae Market; Managing Risk in the Renewables Space

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:40:02 -0400

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.

September 25, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Smarter Grids, Smarter Cities and Common-Sense Planning

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:27:05 -0400

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.

September 18, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Cleantech Forum: An Insider's Look at Cleantech Investing

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:22:06 -0400

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.

September 11, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Energy Equity: Diversifying the Market with New Incentives

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:33:15 -0400

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.

September 4, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Crunch Time for Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:08:05 -0400

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.

August 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Questioning America's Most Ambitious Renewable Energy Law

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:17:35 -0400

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.

August 21, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Pickens' Plan and California's Proposition 10; Auctioning Environmental Commodities

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:10:17 -0400

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.

August 14, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Keeping the Industry in Check

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:22:03 -0400

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.

August 7, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Debating the Brazilian Ethanol Tariff; The Weak Dollar and Foreign Investment

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:17:40 -0400

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.

July 31, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Big Developments for U.S. Wind; Enhancing Grid Communication

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:58:52 -0400

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.

July 24, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Web 2.0: Connecting the Renewable Energy Community

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:47:13 -0400

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.

July 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Global Green Job Growth; PPAs Enabling U.S. Community Wind

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:35:49 -0400

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.

July 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - RE Mash Up: Electric Cars, Energy Storage, Carbon Trading and Entrepreneurship

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:11:14 -0400

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.

July 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Roundtable Discussion: Outlook for Renewable Energy

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:38:07 -0400

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.

June 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Community Wind: Building a Democratic Industry in Canada

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:35:21 -0400

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.

June 19, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - An In-Depth Look at Renewable Energy Finance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:17:04 -0400

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.

June 12, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion; EU-Wide Feed-in Tariff

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:32:27 -0400

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.

June 5, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Envisioning the Future for U.S. Wind

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:57:30 -0400

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.

May 29, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Verifying Efficiency Claims for Organic PV; Renewable Heating and Cooling in Europe

Wed, 28 May 2008 16:47:27 -0400

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.

May 22, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Staying Positive During Rough Political Times for Renewables

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:41:07 -0400

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.

May 15, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Utility Profit Decoupling; Building Integrated PV

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:24:44 -0400

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.

May 8, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - California Solar Initiative Update; Social Merchant Banking in the Developing World

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:19:19 -0400

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.

May 1, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Industry Fears 'Gaming' of SREC Markets

Thu, 01 May 2008 08:38:57 -0400

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.

April 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Full Cost Accounting of Energy; A Detailed Discussion about Future Wind Technologies

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:57:05 -0400

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.

April 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Creating Sustainable Cities

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:37:28 -0400

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.

April 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - How Photovoltaics Can Copy Photosynthesis; Interviews from World Sustainable Energy Day

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:50:30 -0400

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.

March 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - It's Alive! How Living Organisms are Helping Create a Renewable Energy Future

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:33:54 -0400

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.

March 20, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Doing Business in the Hydro Industry; Sponsoring RE Projects; Important Ruling in Nevada

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:43:39 -0400

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.

March 13, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Growing a Sustainable Hydropower Industry

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:17:52 -0400

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.

March 6, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Renewables Front and Center on the International Political Stage

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:50:55 -0500

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.

February 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Conflicting Research on Renewables; Spanish Energy Companies Entering the U.S.

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:51:05 -0500

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.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 21, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:20:02 -0500

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.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 14, 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:06:47 -0500

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.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 7, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:45:41 -0500

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.