October 30, 2009

The green revolution goes beyond financing research and development. It is also helping to create a robust national market for existing technologies and shovel-ready projects.

Federal stewardship in conjunction with some creative state and local programs are serving to inspire all kinds of renewable energy deals. As the initiatives go forward, private investors, who must ultimately sustain them, will join in increasing numbers.

Solar energy is now the focal point, which the U.S. Department of Energy says that can be applied around the country and through local communities. To that end, the federal agency is establishing programs with some cities to overcome barriers to development and to help create more solar projects. To get there, the department is allocating nearly $100 million to assist localities craft permitting processes, financing programs and training procedures.

Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) and CertainTeed Corp. Wednesday announced the installation of EnerGen, a breakthrough solar roof system, on the official residence of Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

EnerGen is the first product developed through a joint venture announced between the two companies in October 2008, and is slated for official launch to the roofing industry in 2010. EnerGen combines Uni-Solar's industry-leading expertise in photovoltaics with CertainTeed's century-long leadership in residential roofing to create a solar roof system that seamlessly integrates the solar with roofing shingles. To celebrate this achievement, the two companies donated a 3.2-kilowatt EnerGen system for Granholm's official residence in Lansing.

Research leaders from eight Ohio universities joined Gov. Ted Strickland at a news conference today to launch a coordinated effort to make Ohio an international leader in advanced energy research and development.

The "Centers of Excellence" at the eight universities will have distinct missions to provide the innovation that will help strengthen "Ohio's position as a market leader in supplying the world's advanced energy economies," Strickland said. "That is important for a simple reason: when we grow these industries, we create jobs."

October 28, 2009

As global organizations struggle to regain to their footing, they are finding some comfort in the wealth of other, foreign governments -- those willing to invest essential resources in their enterprises. But such capital is a double-edged sword and one that some fear could ultimately harm a nation's economic and political good.

As the prominence of "sovereign wealth funds" grows, they will be required to show increasing levels of transparency. But such oversight should not end up tempering free trade and commerce. Those cash-rich investors are pumping capital into the American economy -- money that will invariably make its way into utility-type enterprises. While real national security concerns exist, foreign direct investment is ushering in new business opportunities and linking global economic interests.

October 26, 2009

Coal is at a fork in the road. If it is to remain relevant, then the industry must work to commercialize advanced technologies that can scrub the carbon and bury the residue.

Progressives, who now dominate the Congress, are more inclined to set limits on emissions and thereby give vendors the assurances they need to take risks and bring critical products to market. That approach, however, runs anathema to conservative thinking that says that industry cannot comply with such laws if the technologies to bring about change do not yet exist.