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Archive for the Massachusetts Category

GreatPoint Energy

GreatPoint Energy

GreatPoint Energy
222 Third Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617.401.8760
Fax: 617.849.5691

GreatPoint Energy
222 S. Riverside Plaza
Suite 2750
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312.564.4485

Pilot Plant
Project and Operations Office
GreatPoint Energy – Brayton Point, LLC.
1547 Fall River Avenue
Building 3 – Suite #3B
Seekonk, MA 02771
774.901.5626 – Main Line
774.901.5815 – Office Administrator,
Kelly Jo, Direct Line
774.901.5814 – Fax

About
GreatPoint Energy is a technology-driven natural resources company and the developer of a proprietary, highly-efficient catalytic process, known as hydromethanation, by which coal, petroleum coke and biomass are converted directly into low-cost, clean, pipeline quality natural gas, while allowing for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2).

GreatPoint Energy plans to build, own and operate large-scale natural gas production facilities strategically located at the intersection of natural gas pipelines and low-cost feedstock, as well as at locations where the CO2 produced and captured in its process can be geologically sequestered. The Company has identified numerous such locations and is in advanced development of its first commercial facility.

The Company’s cost of production is expected to be significantly lower than current prices of new drilled natural gas and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the natural gas it produces, called bluegas™ meets all high-grade natural gas quality specifications. It can be transported through the thousands of miles of pipelines already in place around the world and can be used interchangeably with drilled natural gas for all applications, including power generation, residential and commercial heating, and the production of chemicals.

The Company has raised $140 million to date and is backed by leading strategic investors including The Dow Chemical Company, Suncor Energy, AES Corporation, and Peabody Energy, as well as major financial institutions and venture capital firms, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Khosla Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Advanced Technology Ventures, and Citi’s Sustainable Development Investments.

Technology

Hydromethanation is an elegant and highly efficient process by which natural gas is produced through the reaction of steam and carbonaceous solids in the presence of a catalyst. The process enables the conversion of low-cost feedstock such as coal, petroleum coke and biomass (wood waste, municipal solid waste, and energy crops such as poplar and switchgrass) into clean, high-purity methane.

The chemistry of catalytic hydromethanation involves reacting steam (2H2O) and carbon (2C) to produce methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) according to the following reaction:

Hydromethanation Reaction

The first step in the hydromethantion process is to combine the catalyst with the feedstock in such a way as to ensure that the catalyst disperses throughout the matrix of the feedstock for effective reactivity. The catalyst/feedstock material is then loaded into the hydromethanation reactor. Inside the reactor, pressurized steam is injected to “fluidize” the mixture and ensure constant contact between the catalyst and the carbon particles. In this environment, the catalyst facilitates multiple chemical reactions between the carbon and the steam on the surface of the coal or biomass. These reactions (shown below) catalyzed in a single reactor and at the same low temperature, generate a mixture predominately composed of methane and CO2.

Hydromethanation Reactions

The overall combination of reactions is thermally neutral, requiring no addition or removal of energy, making it highly efficient.

The proprietary catalyst formulation is made up of abundantly available, low-cost metal materials specifically designed to promote gasification at the low temperatures where water gas shift and reactions concurrently take place. The catalyst is continuously recycled and reused within the process shown below.

Hydromethanation Process

By adding this catalyst to the system, GreatPoint Energy is able to reduce the operating temperature in the gasifier while directly promoting the reactions that yield methane. Under these mild “catalytic” conditions, less expensive reactor components can be utilized, pipeline grade methane is produced, and very low-cost carbon sources (such as lignites, sub-bituminous coals, petroleum coke and biomass) can be used as feedstock.

As part of the overall process, the bluegas™ technology enables the recovery of contaminants in coal, petroleum coke and biomass as useful byproducts. In addition, roughly half the carbon in the feedstock is removed and captured as a pure CO2 stream suitable for sequestration.

Hydromethanation yields dramatically improved economics for the production of natural gas and an environmental footprint equivalent to that of the most environmentally-friendly commercial fuel.

GreatPoint Energy

GreatPoint Energy
info@greatpointenergy.com

GreatPoint Energy
222 Third Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617.401.8760
Fax: 617.849.5691

GreatPoint Energy
222 S. Riverside Plaza
Suite 2750
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312.564.4485

About
GreatPoint Energy is a technology-driven natural resources company commercializing catalytic gasification to convert abundant coal, petroleum coke and biomass into low-cost natural gas (methane) while capturing and sequestering CO2.

Utilizing its proprietary conversion and carbon capture technology, GreatPoint Energy develops bluegas™, coal-derived natural gas. bluegas™ is 99.5 percent pure methane and can be transported throughout North America utilizing existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, providing an attractive, cost-effective alternative to drilled and imported natural gas. Its environmental profile is as clean as natural gas; it consists mostly of hydrogen and therefore, has very low carbon emissions. Moreover, bluegas™ can be used in every application that natural gas is currently being used (i.e., power generation, residential and commercial heating, and production of chemicals).

Technology

GreatPoint Energy is following in the footsteps of the petroleum refining industry by implementing a more advanced and lower cost process for refining carbon-based feedstocks. In the early days of petroleum production, oil refineries - like today’s coal gasifiers - relied on intense heat (called thermal cracking) to break down heavy crude oil into light useable petroleum products. In the 1940’s however, scientists discovered that a catalyst could be used to minimize the amount of heat required. This lower cost and higher efficiency approach quickly replaced thermal cracking in oil refineries around the world.

GreatPoint Energy’s technology uses the same basic technique to “refine” coal by employing a novel catalyst to “crack” the carbon bonds and transform the coal into clean burning methane (natural gas). This single stage process is called catalytic coal methanation and forms the basis of the GreatPoint Energy bluegas™ process.

By adding a catalyst to the coal gasification system, GreatPoint Energy is able to reduce the operating temperature in the gasifier, while directly promoting the reactions that yield methane, CH4. Under these mild “catalytic” conditions, less expensive reactor components are required, pipeline grade methane is produced, and very low cost carbon sources (such as lignites, sub-bituminous coals, tar sands, petroleum coke and petroleum resid) can be used as feedstocks.

In addition, GreatPoint Energy’s catalytic coal methanation process eliminates troublesome ash removal and slagging problems; reduces maintenance requirements; increases thermal efficiency; and eliminates the air separation plant (a system which alone accounts for 20 percent of the capital cost of most gasification systems).

Verenium, LLC

Verenium, LLC

Verenium Corporation
55 Cambridge Parkway, 8th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
TEL: 617.674.5300

4955 Directors Place
San Diego, CA 92121
TEL: 858.526.5000

Verenium Biofuels, LLC
PO Box 389
11107 Campbell Wells Road
East Highway 90
Jennings, LA 70546
TEL: 337.824.4180

About
Verenium Corporation is a leader in the development and the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentally-friendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as higher performance specialty enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and animal nutrition and health markets.

Integrated capabilities: our competitive edge

The Company possesses integrated, end-to-end capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development and is moving rapidly to commercialize its proprietary technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol from a wide array of feedstocks, including sugarcane bagasse, dedicated energy crops, agricultural waste, and wood products. In addition to the vast potential for biofuels, a multitude of large-scale industrial opportunities exist for the Company for products derived from the production of low-cost, biomass-derived sugars.

Verenium’s Specialty Enzyme business harnesses the power of enzymes to create a broad range of specialty products to meet high-value commercial needs. Verenium’s world class R&D organization is renowned for its capabilities in the rapid screening, identification, and expression of enzymes that act as the catalysts of biochemical reactions.

Cellulosic ethanol: first mover advantage

Verenium operates one of the nation’s first cellulosic ethanol pilot plants, an R&D facility, in Jennings, Louisiana and has recently entered the start-up phase at its 1.4 million-gallon-per-year demonstration-scale facility. In addition, the Company’s process technology has been licensed by Tokyo-based Marubeni Corp. and Tsukishima Kikai Co., LTD and has been incorporated into BioEthanol Japan’s 1.4 million liter-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant in Osaka, Japan — the world’s first commercial-scale plant to produce cellulosic ethanol from wood construction waste.

Verenium and Marubeni are continuing to advance the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol projects utilizing Verenium’s proprietary technology in Asia with the opening of a three million-liter-per-year plant in Saraburi, Thailand. The cellulosic plant in Thailand is co-located with a facility that will produce ethanol from sugar-cane derived sucrose, which is widely abundant in the region.

The need for alternative fuels

The urgent need for cleaner automotive fuels is pushing the private sector to develop low-carbon alternatives. Cellulosic ethanol is widely recognized as one of the most promising ways to meet our need for clean fuels with dramatically lower energy inputs and net carbon emissions. Verenium is a leader in the development of cellulosic ethanol - a clean-burning fuel derived from canes, grasses, softwoods, and other biomass sources that are readily available and are not utilized for food.

The need for alternative fuels has led to new federal law mandating the production and use of billions of gallons of biofuels within the next decade. The market is vast. The first companies entering the market for next-generation cellulosic ethanol will be tapping into a multi-billion dollar market at the beginning of commercialization.

First Wind, Inc.

First Wind, Inc.
85 Wells Ave., Suite 305
Newton, MA 02459
Tel : 617-964-3340
Fax : 617-964-3342
contact@firstwind.com

About

First Wind is an independent North American wind energy company focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects. The company was founded in 1995 by executives who had previously developed a successful wind company.Working in partnership with communities, First Wind provides revenue to states and towns, building stronger local economies while protecting the environment for future generations. Wind energy isn’t just our business. It’s their passion.

We build primarily in the Northeast, West and Hawaii, and are already producing nearly 100 MW of energy through three operational wind farms.

Environment

The threat of climate change has made the need for clean, renewable energy sources more important than ever. As such, wind power has become a crucial part of the nation’s long-term energy solution. Unlike energy produced from fossil fuels, wind energy does not pollute the air or water and doesn’t produce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

First Wind is skilled at developing, owning and operating wind farms that co-exist in harmony with local communities and the environment. As just one example, our Kaheawa wind farm on the island of Maui is located in a pristine natural habitat that’s home to three endangered birds and one endangered bat, along with abundant native plant species. To the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands, who continue a centuries-old tradition of environmental stewardship and self-reliance, Kaheawa is a symbol of energy independence as well as of nature’s preservation.

AXI

AXI

1 Adams Place
859 Willard Street, Suite 400
Quincy, MA 02169

phone: 781.353.6404

fax: 781.735.0550

email: info@AXILLC.com

About
AXI is a University of Washington spin-out Company created in partnership with the founders, the University and Allied Minds, Inc. Allied Minds is a seed investment company creating partnerships with key Universities to fund corporate spin-offs resulting from successful early stage technology research.

AXI is developing strains of algae that will bridge the gap between the promise of clean energy generation and the reality of economical biofuel production systems. Algae have the potential for producing vast quantities of biostock for conversion into biofuels for transportation and heating. Their proprietary methodology for developing specific growth and productivity traits will help any algae production system improve its output of inexpensive, oil-rich algae as the raw material for the production of biofuel.

The AXI technology is being developed by Professor Rose Ann Cattolico of the University of Washington.

Technology

A number of factors have contributed to the recent global increase in biofuels demand, including national and economic security, crude oil prices, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and global warming concerns. Many countries have instituted economic incentives and mandatory biofuel content requirements to spur development of renewable sources of energy. Various requirements have recently been put in place that seek to ensure that biofuels production will not adversely impact food supply economics or increase green house gas emissions.

Biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol are two types of biofuels that are emerging as promising new technologies for the future. Of the many feedstocks that can be used for biodiesel, algae is emerging as the clear winner because of its promise of extremely high yields per acre, ability to be produced on non-arable lands (i.e., not displacing land for crops), and suitability for carbon dioxide absorption from exhaust flues.

AXI’s technology is derived from more than 25 years of research at one of the world’s preeminent algae research facilities at the University of Washington in Seattle.  The Laboratory, headed by Dr. Rose Ann Cattolico, has an extensive knowledge base on algae physiology, a renowned collection of non-GMO algae species and has developed a unique, patented technology licensed exclusively to AXI that will permit the customization of ours as well as other various algae species to our customer’s growth and production systems.

Mascoma Corporation

Mascoma Corporation

Corporate Office
1380 Soldiers Field Road
Second Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02135
General: 617.234.0099
Fax: 617.868.0408
Email: info@mascoma.com

Research Facility
16 Cavendish Court, Suite 2A
Lebanon, NH 03766
General: 603.676.3320
Fax: 603.676.3321
Email: info@mascoma.com

Mascoma New York
679 Ellsworth Road
Rome, NY 13441
General: 315.356.4780
Fax: 315.356.4787
Email: info@mascoma.comAbout

Mascoma Corporation was founded in late 2005 with initial funding from Khosla Ventures and Flagship Ventures in early 2006. A Series B round of funding was closed in November of 2006 and a Series C round of funding was closed in May of 2008.

Mascoma has subsequently received several state and federal grants, including:

* A $14.8MM grant from the State of New York for the establishment of a demonstration plant.
* A $4.9MM grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for organism development.
* Part of the $125MM U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Science Center Grant led by Oak Ridge National Lab.
* A $26 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the establishment of a demonstration plant.

Mascoma is aggressively pursuing the development of advanced cellulosic ethanol technologies across a range of cellulosic feedstocks. As part of their strategy of technology discovery, development and deployment, they are aggressively patenting numerous technologies and forming a broad set of research and commercial partnerships.

Their corporate and engineering offices are located in Boston, Massachusetts; the R&D labs are headquartered in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and our demonstration plant is in Rome, NY.

Technology

In the current economic and political climate, there has been enormous attention focused on the need to develop sustainable and renewable sources of transportation fuel. Ethanol has a significant and growing role in this development, providing a cleaner, domestically-produced, renewable energy solution.

However, the current generation of ethanol production in the U.S. utilizes corn and other edible feedstocks. Mascoma is committed to developing sustainable, viable, next generation ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks.

Mascoma’s industry leading R&D team is focused on developing biofuels from non-food biomass wood, straws, fuel energy crops, paper pulp and other agricultural waste products. Processing ethanol from cellulosic biomass minimizes the environmental impact of fuel ethanol production.

In nature, no organism is capable of quickly and cost-effectively producing and fermenting sugars from cellulosic biomass. Mascoma’s research laboratories are now developing a new generation of microbes and processes for economical conversion of cellulosic feedstocks into ethanol.

Mascoma’s organisms and processes are designed to:

  • Rapidly break down the components of biomass
  • Convert a range of sugars and polymers of sugars to ethanol
  • Thrive in a manufacturing environment

With Mascoma’s next generation of processing solutions comes a complete rethinking of the way in which we fuel our economy.

Evergreen Solar, Inc.

Evergreen Solar, Inc.

Worldwide Headquarters

Evergreen Solar Inc.
138 Bartlett Street
Marlboro, MA 01752 USA
T: +1 508.357.2221
F: +1 508.229.0747
info@evergreensolar.com

European Headquarters

Evergreen Solar GmbH
Joachimstaler Straße 15
10719 Berlin, Germany
T: +49 30.886.145.20
F: +49 30.883.96.33
infoeurope@evergreensolar.com

About

Evergreen Solar has rapidly become a global technology leader and innovator in the solar industry. And although technology is what Evergreen thrives on, bringing it to practical, commercial scale solutions is what drives each and every one of them. They have been in business for more than 13 years which makes them well established experts in the industry. They are a public company that’s experiencing rapid growth, and can be found under ESLR on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Technology

With innovations like String Ribbon manufacturing, it’s no wonder Evergreen Solar is recognized as the brightest star in the solar industry. But String Ribbon is just the beginning. They have more innovations in the works, including a revolutionary method of producing thinner wafers, and unique ways to boost their manufacturing and product efficiencies even further. Add the fact that they manufacture everything — wafers, cells and panels — all under one roof for ultimate quality control, and it’s clear that Evergreen Solar is committed to being the best in the industry.

Products

Spruce Line™ Photovoltaic Solar Panels

Our Spruce Line™ features high power, state-of-the-art solar panels up to 195W designed specifically for residential or commercial applications. These solar panels offer the end-user superior performance and complete peace of mind while providing the utmost in installation flexibility. Key benefits of our Spruce Line solar panels include:

Spruce Line

  • Best-in-class performance ratings proven by field installations
  • 98% of rated power guaranteed for 180, 190W product; 100% guaranteed for 195W product
  • 5 year workmanship and 25 year power warranty
  • Smallest carbon foot-print leading the fight against global warming
  • Quickest energy payback time for maximum energy conservation

Metabolix, Inc.

Metabolix, Inc.

21 Erie Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-583-1700
617-583-1768 fax

About
Metabolix is a public company, well through its transition from development stage to commercialization stage. Their vision is a sustainable future through biotechnology for bioplastics, fuels, and energy.

“We are creating a compelling, sustainable alternative to petrochemical materials, and have established a technology platform that will enable the widespread adoption of Mirel Bioplastics in the marketplace.”

They are meeting this new future using a business model that:

1. Focuses now on commercializing a broad and versatile range of Mirel bioplastics through the conversion of agricultural products such as sugars and oils using microbial biofactories; and

2. Is developing the ability to produce bioplastics directly in non-food crop plants, with economics that will enable bioplastics to serve as viable, sustainable alternatives to very large volume, general purpose plastics such as polystyrene, polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene, and to a variety of currently important industrial chemicals.

Metabolix Plant Team headed by
Dr. Kristi Snell

Commercializing Metabolix bioplastics products now via fermentation

The manufacture of Metabolix bioplastics using microorganisms to convert agricultural products such as sugars and vegetable oils, provides a very broad range of compositions with an equally broad range of properties. In November 2004, we announced formation of a strategic partnership with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), one of the world’s largest agricultural products processors and industrial fermentors, to produce these bioplastics through fermentation.

Metabolix is taking several different approaches to commercializing its bioplastics, depending on the structure of the specific market. In cases where these materials are used directly and the market is highly concentrated, Metabolix intends to market its bioplastics directly and is building the organizational capability to do so. Where they are used in formulated products, where there is substantial art in their conversion to final form, where the market is highly fragmented, or where intimate familiarity with the technical needs of the marketplace and significant technical support are required, Metabolix will serve the market through specialist distributors or through partnerships with market leaders and specialist formulators/converters. In general, these partners are eager to offer products that provide differentiation from their competitors.

Bioplastics Made Directly in Plants

Global plastics consumption is enormous, with over 350 billion pounds consumed in 2003, and forecast to grow at over 5% annually to reach over 500 billion pounds in 2010. This means that global plastics consumption is growing by over 15 billion pounds per year today! Metabolix bioplastics made directly in plants offer the promise of a naturally produced, cost competitive, sustainable alternative to much of this material. Metabolix is targeting the production of these bioplastics in crops that can also provide energy based on the residual biomass. In this way, bioplastics gain benefit from the economies of scale associated with energy production, and biomass based energy is made economic by the high value bioplastics produced. This concept is the basis of the “Biomass Biorefinery” program, a $15 million program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, now in its fourth year, and Metabolix has also received support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Recently, Metabolix and British Petroleum announced a collaborative agreement to further progress this technology.

GreenFuel Technologies Corporation

GreenFuel Technologies Corporation

735 Concord Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

T: 617.234.0077

History
Founded in 2001, GreenFuel profitably recycles carbon dioxide from flue gases to produce biofuels and feed. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GreenFuel is a privately held venture-backed firm.

Executive Team

  • Bob Metcalfe, Ph.D., Interim CEO
  • Cary Bullock, Vice President, Business Development
  • Holly Flesh, Vice President, Business Operations
  • Wayne Hopkins, Vice President, Engineering & Project Delivery
  • Jonathan Levitt, General Counsel, Outside GC

Board of Directors

  • Jennifer Fonstad, Chair, Board of Directors; Managing Director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
  • Cary Bullock, Vice President, Business Development
  • Bob Metcalfe, Ph.D., Interim CEO; Founder, 3Com; Partner, Polaris Venture Partners
  • Peter L. Thoren, Executive Vice President, Access Industries
  • Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University

Principal Investors

  • Access Private Equity
  • Draper Fisher Jurvetson
  • Polaris Venture Partners

Scientific Advisory Board

  • Isaac Berzin, Ph.D., Founder, GreenFuel

What does GreenFuel do?

GreenFuel uses a portfolio of technologies to profitably recycle CO2 from smokestack, fermentation, and geothermal gases via naturally occurring species of algae. Algae can be converted to transportation fuels and feed ingredients or recycled back to a combustion source as biomass for power generation.

 

Seahorse Power Company

Seahorse Power Company

50 Brook Road
Needham, MA 02494
Telephone: (781) 444-6002
Toll Free: (888) 820-0300
Fax: (781) 444-6004Big Belly

Products

The BigBelly ® System is a patented compacting trash receptacle that is completely self-powered. Instead of requiring a grid connection, BigBelly uses solar power for 100% of its energy needs. The unit takes up as much space as the “footprint” of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Safe, easy to use, and designed to keep out pests, the BigBelly has already proven its worth in urban streets, parks, colleges, arenas—and in all weather conditions.

History

Seahorse Power Company was founded in 2003 with a mission to solve environmental problems through the use of innovative cost-saving devices. We continue that mission today.

Originally, Founder Jim Poss investigated ambitious new approaches to geothermal power plants and offshore wind energy—the nexus of the name Seahorse Power (horsepower from the sea). As he pursued his work, he started to realize that environmental problems everywhere needed solving and he turned his attention to the challenges of waste management.

While doing an independent study in business school, Poss learned that garbage trucks consume over 1 billion gallons of diesel each year in the U.S. alone. The vehicles get only 2.8 mpg on average, and they are one of the most expensive vehicles to operate. Drawing on this insight, as well as his experience in electric vehicle engineering and an enthusiasm for environmental solutions, Poss formed a new company—one that gave birth to the world’s first solar-powered compactor.

To date, over 1,000 BigBellies have been sold across the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. Improvements have been made to the orginal machine and the newest version is 200 lbs lighter with a 33% smaller footprint. The product line has expanded to include BigBelly accessories such as animal latch, advertising panels and companion recycling container. New innovations are being developed including a BigBelly wireless notification system and a larger commercial scale version of BigBelly.

About

Seahorse Power Company was founded in 2003 with a mission to reduce fossil fuel consumption through innovative cost-saving approaches to inefficient, everyday problems.

Our BigBelly product was so successful, we changed our name to BigBelly Solar and refocused the company around a central business proposition: saving fuel is environmentally and fiscally sound.

Today, BigBelly Solar is changing the concept of waste collection by implementing on-site solar compaction systems. Our flagship product, the BigBelly, can be found around the world, reducing pollution by cutting down the frequency of trash collection trips.

At BigBelly Solar, we are committed to improving the environment and economies of the world by utilizing efficient approaches to everyday problems.

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