nuance intelligence

Given current global energy economics and a weak dollar, it’s no surprise that Europeans are investing in US wind, solar and other alternative energy companies. In summary:

E.On, one of Europe’s biggest power companies, said Thursday it will invest the lion’s share of its renewable-energy budget in the U.S. Why is that, given that Germany is the home of fat subsidies for renewables and still the world leader in wind-power capacity? There’s no lebensraum there—wind resources are poor, and offshore wind is still more dream than reality…

And the Germans will have company. Energias de Portugal, Portugal’s biggest utility and the fourth-biggest wind-power operator in the world, told Reuters Friday that it will go ahead with the stock-market listing of its renewable-energy arm this summer despite dismal markets…

What’s telling is that the European interest hasn’t wavered even though U.S. federal subsidies for clean energy are slated to expire this year and have yet to be extended. Historically, the federal tax-credits have been make-or-break for the industry. Now, though, it appears other factors weigh more heavily.

What’s the nuance? This mirrors local activity, including:

1. The $100 million investment led by Passport Capital, Khosla Ventures and others into Broomfield-based Range Fuels. Their technology makes ethanol out of biomass that, according to Range’s website “cannot be used for food, and currently serves to useful purpose.” The plant will be built in Georgia, where there’s higher biomass density than in CO. But with the pine-beetle infestation ravaging mature lodgepole pines across the Rockies, a local plant might not be so ridiculous in a decade.
2. Clean Energy Cluster forms in Fort Collins, and almost no one pays attention. I still don’t understand this disconnect. NREL, CSU, CU and others support it. Senators and Governor promote it. And they can’t even get a story in the Denver Post. Hmmm…..
3. Word amongst the local investerati is that up to five local cleantech funds are out raising capital. It’s doubtful that all five will come to fruition, but good to see the activity coalescing.

So, another boom cycle begins in the Colorado economy, with serious attention from both coasts and beyond. How can the community come together to ensure sustainability for this movement?