25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Sustainable Energy

Suite 500, Campana Place
609-14th St NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2A1
Canada

Tel: +1.403.508.7177
Fax: +1.403.205.2509

About
Sustainable Energy is a leading developer and manufacturer of power conversion products for the renewable energy industry. Power conversion is a critical element of clean power integration with electricity grids around the world. Highly intelligent power inverters are needed to efficiently convert the raw power generated by solar modules, small wind turbines, fuel cells, micro-turbines, and battery storage into high quality AC power that is useable in homes and businesses.

Sustainable Energy has developed and patented a unique technology that enables more efficient utilization of renewable energy assets. For Solar applications, the high efficiency at low operating voltages allows arrays to be wired in parallel, resulting in higher power output in real world conditions and substantially greater flexibility in designing building integrated PV systems. For wind power applications, our focus on developing rapid control response makes it possible to capture more power from every gust of wind.

In 2006, the Company launched its first commercial product and captured a large portion of the Spanish market with the Sunergy 5 inverter, setting a solid foundation for growth. Sustainable Energy is currently focused on expanding to new markets, and developing additional products to satisfy the needs of a broader customer base.

The Company is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and was founded in 1999 to develop power conversion products for Fuel Cell applications. The company has since adapted its universal technology platform to higher growth markets, and is committed to bringing efficient, reliable renewable energy to customers around the world.

Sustainable Energy is a publicly traded company with common shares listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol “STG”.

Technology

Solar

SUNERGY 5 Inverters

For long term reliability, SUNERGY^TM inverters use a unique approach to power conversion enabling much simpler power electronics circuits that are inherently more robust. The superior thermal properties of the SUNERGY 5 design also protect the electronics from excessive heat.

No Thermal Rollback
The SUNERGY 5 Inverter sets a new benchmark for reliability and productivity in solar energy systems

The patented approach to power conversion enables the SUNERGY 5 inverter to operate with low voltage inputs which is ideal for parallel solar string layouts.

Current inverter designs demand that identical modules be arranged in long series to match the high voltage requirements of the inverters. These inverters are based on pulse width modulation technology (PWM), which cannot be designed for low voltage inputs without a substantial loss of efficiency.

Sustainable Energy Technologies patented pulse step technology is a breakthrough in the development of low voltage systems

The SUNERGY 5 inverter reduces the operating voltage range for solar arrays from industrial levels to well below utility norms for residential and commercial sites, significantly improving safety

Wind

Inverters are available for packaging with most small wind turbines. OEM applications include 1 to 10 kW turbines with the following base configurations:

• 24 Volt, 1.8 kW inverter
• 48 Volt, 3.6 kW inverter
• 10 kW dual inverter package

The fast control response of Sustainable Energy’s inverters is ideal for capturing full power from every gust of wind

For small wind systems, a high percentage of energy must be collected during a low percentage of the time.

• Every unit increase in wind speed results in an exponential increase in power, making responsive systems critical for optimal power output (P~V³).
• Sustainable’s wind inverters have been designed to respond rapidly to gusts to provide the highest possible efficiencies.

Sustainable Energy’s inverters can be used for hybrid systems incorporating solar panels, wind turbines, and even battery backup systems

Posted in Canada, Solar Techs, Wind Techs | No Comments »

25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Aerotecture International

3035 N. Rockwell
Chicago, IL  60618  USA
Tel: 773.604.4300
Fax: 773.604.4302
e-mail: info@aerotecture.com

About

Aerotecture International seeks to radically transform the dominant paradigm of energy production and consumption around the globe. Blending the concepts of aerodynamics and architecture, Aeroturbines are wind electric turbines designed to be attached to buildings or integrated into the very form of buildings. With Aeroturbines, buildings and other structures will not only consume electricity, but produce it on-site.

Products

Aeroturbines are wind turbines designed for urban settings.  Invented by University of Illinois industrial design professor, Bil Becker, Aeroturbines are a new development in wind turbine technology.  Aeroturbines can be installed on existing rooftops or built into the architecture of new buildings to provide clean renewable electricity at its site of consumption.  Aeroturbines are uniquely suited to urban environments because they are:

• Noise and vibration-free
• Safe for birds
• Able to utilize multi-directional and gusting winds
• Self-regulating (no overspeed protection required)
• Low maintenance
• Made from low-cost and readily available materials

The structural features of the Aeroturbine allow for its easy integration into new or existing buildings: the modular/stackable cages are additive and can be mounted in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation.

There are currently two models of Aeroturbines available, the 510V and the 520H.  Both models of the Aeroturbine may be easily integrated with solar photovoltaic systems.

In order to operate efficiently, Aeroturbines must be installed 40 ft. above the ground, above or away from surrounding trees and other obstruction, and in an area with average wind speeds of at least 10 mph.

Aerotecture is currently developing and testing their final prototype of the Aeroturbine.  Once perfected, which may be as soon as mid 2007, Aeroturbines will be available for limited multifamily residential buildings, institutional buildings and commercial buildings.

They currently do not have an extensive dealer network in place. You would need a dealer in your area to take delivery of the Aeroturbine, install it and possibly maintain it properly. We currently have dealers located in Chicago, Illinois; upstate New York; Paterson, New Jersey; and San Francisco, California. Only projects 100 miles of these dealerships will be considered at this time.

Posted in Illinois, USA, Wind Techs | No Comments »

25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Innovalight, Inc.

965 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4521

t: 408-419-4400
f: 408-419-4758

info@innovalight.com

About

Innovalight is focused on bringing ultra low-cost solar power modules to the marketplace. Innovalight is harnessing a proprietary silicon-ink process, developed by the company to print thin-film solar power modules. Leveraging the advantages of solvent-based processing, Innovalight will help accelerate the promise of more affordable solar power solutions for residential and commercial applications.

The Company was recognized as a 2006 Technology Pioneer winner at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. The Company has been extensively profiled in Time Magazine, The Economist, Red Herring and other major news organizations as a technology leader crusading for new cleaner energy solutions.

Innovalight is an early-stage company and is based in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Technology

Innovalight has developed a technology that has the promise to take current silicon-based solar cells (90 percent of market today) to a completely new level of cost. The high cost of production of solar cells today has been one of the major factors inhibiting the overall growth of solar energy as a market.

Innovalight has developed a silicon nanocrystalline ink that holds the promise to bring flexible solar panels to cost that could be as much as ten times cheaper than current solar cell solutions. Using proprietary methods, Innovalight has developed a solvent-based silicon process that lends itself to a low cost production and high throughput manufacturing.

Products

Innovalight is developing products for grid-connected solar power generation. The products that Innovalight is developing will be for both residential and commercial applications.

Posted in California, Solar Techs, USA | No Comments »

25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

EdeniQ

1520 N. Kelsey St.
Visalia, CA
93291
559-302-1777

About
Peak oil. Inflation. Global warming. Conflict. Today’s headlines make it clear: we need a sustainable, affordable source of energy that protects the environment and meets the needs of nearly 7 billion – and growing – aspiring, remarkable humans.

EdeniQ’s scientists are pursuing solutions that cost-effectively convert abundant, non-food biomass into fuels. Making fuels from agricultural waste such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw and woodchips takes the controversy out of biofuels and puts the green – and the humanity – in.

Their name says a great deal about their mission. EdeniQ is an intentional misspelling of Edenic an adjective meaning “of or pertaining to the Garden of Eden.” The “IQ” ending of EdeniQ connotes intelligence. Together Eden IQ expresses our profound desire to engage in the wise use of all that nature provides.

Most of the energy plants store is not in their seeds, fruits or tubers. Most of the energy they store is in their actual structure, the so-called lignocellulosic parts of the plant. But these stiffer, woodier parts of plants, though rich in complex sugars, are not easily broken down into useable energy. Yet, we all know that given enough time, even the mightiest trees decay. There are animals, plants, bacteria and fungi that make their livings off of plant structure. In nature, nothing is wasted.

Harnessing natural processes that breakdown complex lignocellulosic materials into simpler sugars that can be fermented or otherwise crafted into fuels is just one area where EdeniQ’s team has made significant breakthroughs.

With natural processes as their guide, they give consideration to every aspect of turning biomass into useable energy. This means thinking not only about how to breakdown complex lignocellulosic polymers, but also about the use of water, the generation of waste, and the input of energy. Unlike other cellulosic ethanol processes EdeniQ’s process does not use harsh acids or rely on expensive metal catalysts. And, the heat and electricity needed for production are derived by burning residual lignin (the toughest of all plant matter). The end result is carbon-neutral energy that does not add incremental CO2 to our atmosphere.

By emulating nature, EdeniQ knows that remarkable things happen: processes become cyclical, adaptable and efficient. Costs actually decrease. To thrive in the 21st century it is clear that nations, companies, investors, shareholders and citizens alike must embrace the awesome, ancient lessons of our living world. EdeniQ does exactly that.

Technology

EdeniQ’s technologies help new and existing biofuels producers derive clean, affordable energy from a wide variety of biomass.

Their patented processes can be implemented for a fraction of the $6 to $12 per gallon capital cost it takes to build a cellulosic plant employing today’s acid hydrolosis or syngas technologies. And, by eliminating expensive catalysts and additives, EdeniQ’s solution is not only capital efficient, but also costs far less to operate.

EdeniQ knows that cellulosic ethanol will only enter the mainstream when the following key conditions are met:

• The processes for breaking down complex lignocelluosic materials must be fast and affordable;
• These processes must not produce wastestreams that are expensive to handle and deleterious to the environment;
• The refining processes must not use fossil fuels to generate the required inputs of heat and electricity;
• The plants employing these processes should not be tied to the use of any one type of feedstock, but rather be free to work with a wide variety of feedstocks;
• The processes should cost-effectively yield sugars that can be fermented or otherwise processed into a range of fuels (not just ethanol);
• The processes should be water efficient (meaning that a significant portion of the water required is reused);
• When measured end-to-end, the fuel produced by these processes should be carbon-neutral (i.e., not introduce incremental CO2 into the atmosphere);
• The processes should take advantage of valuable co-products;
• The processes should be able to work with many elements of today’s existing biofuels infrastructure and not require a complete overhaul of the industry;
• Plants should be able to add the processes in an incremental fashion by deploying profitable modules that help manage precious capital;
• The all-in cost of a gallon of fuel produced by these processes must be under $1.50 per gallon;
• The processes need to be available today, not 2-5 years from now.

Posted in California, Biofuel Techs, USA | No Comments »

25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

PrimeStar Solar

13100 W. 43rd Drive
Golden, CO 80403-7232

Phone: 303-278-3180
Fax: 303-736-4224
About
PrimeStar Solar was founded in 2006 to make large scale, clean, renewable, cost competitive solar electric power a reality. PrimeStar Solar has an experienced and dedicated team with core competencies in thin film photovoltaics (PV) and thin film deposition equipment. The company’s proprietary semiconductor technology and equipment have been optimized for automated continuous manufacturing for high throughput and yield that will result in low cost PV modules. The thin film technology requires far less semiconductor material and far less energy to manufacture PV modules than conventional crystalline silicon PV. PrimeStar Solar’s product is designed to enable economically competitive large scale solar PV power plants that will help offset the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel electricity generation.

PrimeStar Solar is scaling up the world record efficiency thin film cadmium telluride PV technology that was developed at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL is the primary national laboratory in the United States for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. It is recognized as the world’s leading thin film PV research institution. PrimeStar is uniquely positioned for ongoing collaboration with NREL by virtue of its corporate development center being located within a 10 minute drive of the lab. To further enhance this interaction, in February 2007, PrimeStar Solar signed a cooperative research and development agreement with NREL.

In June, 2007, PrimeStar Solar was awarded a $3M U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Initiative contract for commercial scale up of the world record cadmium telluride PV technology. The Solar American Initiative is a national program started in 2006 to ensure that solar energy technologies will play a growing role in U.S. energy supplies and the U.S. economy by making the technology cost-competitive in the near future. PrimeStar Solar was chosen as one of ten awardees. The contract is milestone based with stage gate reviews and off ramps for non-performing awardees. PrimeStar Solar is pleased to have successfully met all milestones and passed through all stage gate reviews to date.

PrimeStar Solar is a private company with strategic investment partners. Initial financing of $6.2M was secured in the fall of 2006. In September 2007, GE Energy, one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, took a minority equity position in PrimeStar Solar. In June 2008, GE Energy increased its equity share in PrimeStar Solar becoming a majority shareholder. This solid financial backing is allowing PrimeStar Solar to proceed with confidence in its commercialization effort.

PRODUCTS

PrimeStar Solar is bringing to market the latest thin film PV module technology

PrimeStar Solar’s product will be a 60 cm x 120 cm frameless glass-glass photovoltaic (PV) module that is optimized for use in large scale grid connected installations.

• The modules will undergo rigorous safety and reliability testing to achieve the following certifications:
  • UL 1703
  • IEC 61646
  • TUV Safety Class II
  • CE Mark
• The frameless modules are designed to withstand weather extremes such as snow, hail, and wind while being more cost effective than traditional framed modules
• The modules have a robust glass-glass laminate design that will stand up to climate extremes of temperature, humidity, and UV
• The thin film semiconductor technology performs well in high temperature and low light situations
• The modules will be well suited for both rooftop and ground mounted applications
• The modules have been designed for recyclability at the end of their useful life
• PrimeStar Solar PV modules will be manufactured on highly automated continuous flow lines to achieve high yields while minimizing manufacturing costs

Posted in Colorado, Solar Techs, USA | No Comments »

25. July 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

ECO2 Plastics
680 Second Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-829-6000
info@eco2plastics.com

About

Inspiration

You have to wash plastic to recycle it, but traditional recycling technology uses billions of gallons of water each year in the process. A decade ago, industry veteran, Gary De Laurentiis, set out to change that. He discovered a process developed by Honeywell and the Department of Energy for recycling used HDPE oil bottles. This would be the inspiration for the process Eco2 plastics utilize today.

Vision

Following years of research and development in conjunction with researchers from Honeywell, he expanded the process to clean PET beverage containers by combining a biodegradable solvent and liquid carbon dioxide to replace traditional water-based methods. With this newly patented technique, he gave the world a completely closed-loop plastic recycling system — one that uses no water and continually reuses the cleaning agents.

The company built around that idea is now known as ECO2 Plastics. They’ve assembled the finest, most experienced minds in the plastics and recycling industries to revolutionize the business. Recognizing the benefits of their process, the State of California supported the company with a loan in 2005. Private investors have invested over $20 million. They are now in full-scale production in California, and have plans for 10 plants in the U.S. within five years.
Innovation

But the idea doesn’t stop there. They now see additional applications for this unique process and they are hard at work on next generation technology, such as work currently underway with USCAR.

They’re making plastic recycling more ecological, more economical, and quite simply more logical. A process they call eco.logical.recycling.

Product

PET plastic flakes are a commodity product, processed and delivered to industry for use in hundreds of applications. Our product is virtually identical to traditionally recycled plastic, but produced in a more efficient and earth-friendly way.

Quality Assurance.

Their recycled plastic is of the highest quality. It is odor-free and contaminant-free to 100 parts per million. Every 1,000 pounds is tested for intrinsic viscosity, melt flow, density, moisture content and PVC content. You’re guaranteed a perfect product.

Supply Chain Stability.

Their process enables us to provide high-quality plastic flake at the lowest cost of production. In a commodity business, they are positioned as a company with staying power.

Posted in Bioplastic Techs, California, USA | No Comments »