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Comment by Michael, Houston on February 1, 2009 at 2:28am

Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 8:34am PST
Study: California green tech investment, patents, jobs jump
Sacramento Business Journal

Despite slowing in overall venture capital investment, clean technology investment in California hit an all-time high in 2008 of $3.3 billion, increasing nearly $1.5 billion over 2007 and over seven times total clean tech investment in 2005, according to a report issued Monday.

The 2009 “California Green Innovation Index” said green tech venture capital investment nearly doubled in one year, capturing 57 percent of the national total. The Bay Area and Los Angeles together accounted for more than 20 percent of the nation’s hybrid vehicle registrations in 2007, the report added.

“As the country moves quickly to put an economic stimulus package in place, California’s experience with energy efficiency and clean technology is instructive,” said F. Noel Perry, venture capitalist and founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Next 10. “If California had not moved as forcefully to decrease energy consumption over the last three decades, we would be in a much more precarious economic position right now. Imagine where the country could be if it were as efficient as California.”

The 2009 California Green Innovation Index, an initiative from Next 10 and authored by Collaborative Economics, is designed to track key economic, energy and environmental indicators.

Other findings in the report:

* From 2002-07, California led all states in patent registrations for green technologies, increasing the state’s total number by 70 percent over a similar period in the early nineties.
* Since 2005, green job growth has grown by 10 percent, while statewide jobs have increased by only 1 percent. By green segment, job growth has been strongest in advanced materials (28 percent) followed by transportation (23 percent), air & environment (22 percent), and green building (20 percent), with 20 percent of those jobs generated in manufacturing.
* More than 1.5 million jobs have been created as a result of energy efficiency policies forged by California over the last 35 years, generating $45 billion in payroll.
* California’s energy productivity is 68 percent higher than that of the rest of the country. Measured as the ratio of energy consumed (inputs) to GDP (economic output), growth in energy productivity equates to more dollars of GDP generated per unit of energy consumed.
* Nationally, California is the top-ranking state in alternative fuel vehicle registrations (excluding flex fuel vehicles) with the number of newly registered AFVs more than four times higher than any other state. However, according to most recent data, the United States as a whole had a higher average fuel economy of passenger vehicles (20.1 mpg) than California (19.9 mpg) in 2006.
* Power generation from renewable sources increased by 19 percent in California from 2002-2007, while total energy generation grew by only 11 percent. Since 2003, the wind power generated for California increased 95 percent.
* Since 2001, vehicle miles traveled per capita in California dropped 2 percent with half of this progress achieved between 2006 and 2007 alone. During this same time period, VMT per capita in the rest of the nation increased 3 percent. Relative to 2002, while gasoline prices in 2008 climbed 92 percent higher, total California sales dropped back to 2002 levels and gasoline sales per capita dropped 10 percent.
* California increased grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity by 41 percent from 2006 to 2007.
* Public transportation expanded 22 percent from 2005-06, adding more than 100.5 million transit service miles.

Trends identified in the 2008 Index that continued in the 2009 Index include:

* Californians, per capita, pay lower utility bills and spend billions less of their state economy as a whole on electricity than the rest of the country due to energy efficiency innovation.
* California’s Carbon Economy continues a gradual downward trend in the direction of a carbon-free economy, delinking economic growth from GHG emissions. While GDP per capita has increased by 28 percent in 16 years (1990-2006) gross emission per capita are 10 percent lower than in 1990.
* The average monthly residential electricity bill in California is less than half of the average monthly bill in Texas, representing a total savings for Californians of nearly $25 billion in 2007. As a fraction of the state economy, Texas’ overall electricity bill is almost double California’s bill.

According to annual Field Poll results included in the Index, despite bleak economic times, seven in ten registered voters believe global warming poses a serious threat to both the economy (69 percent) and overall quality of life (73 percent). In fact, according to California voters, who were polled during the height of September’s bank failures, 74 percent believe it is possible to reduce GHG emissions while creating jobs and building economic prosperity.

Though many of the 2009 Index findings confirm continued progress in economic, energy and environmental indicators, major indices underscore the difficult challenges ahead:

* Even while per capita VMT and emissions have scaled back to 1995 levels, total VMT and total transportation GHG emissions have increased 20 percent since that year.
* While slowing in growth since 2001, total GHG emissions in California continued to rise by 4 percent from 2003-2006.
* Total electricity consumption in California continues to rise, though 2006-2007 represents the smallest annual increase since 2002.
* Commercial electricity consumption continues to rise, increasing overall from 2004-2005 by 3 percent, and per square foot by 1 percent. Large-scale data centers, or server farms, are not included in this number.
* The number of working Californians using alternatives to driving alone has remained fairly static between 26 and 28 percent since 2000.

The Index was produced in partnership with Collaborative Economics, a Mountain View-based research and consulting organization that works with senior executives from business, foundations, government, education and community sectors to identify economic, environmental and social trends and promote regional innovation. For over a decade, Collaborative Economics has prepared the annual Index of Silicon Valley for Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network.


All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

Comment by Michael, Houston on February 1, 2009 at 2:24am

Ford ranks tops for quality, significance of tech patents

Author: RP news wires

A new study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board, found that Ford Motor Company outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents.

“Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors,” says Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally.

Technological innovation is a core value at Ford as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. For example, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan, have 119 patents, a record for Ford.

The Patent Board recently issued its Top 10 Innovators in Automotive & Transportation Patent Scorecard for the fourth quarter of 2008, which ranks Ford above all other automakers in Research Intensity and Industry Impact. Ford’s Research Intensity score, which is more than twice that of the industry average, indicates the extent to which its portfolio includes patents with strong scientific support.


Click here to download related images.

Similarly, The Patent Board’s Industry Impact score measures the broader significance and impact of a company’s patent portfolio across the industry. This indicator analyzes how other patents build on Ford’s innovation by looking at patent-to-patent citations.

“Ford’s overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry,” Wren says.

For the Fusion Hybrid, for example, teams of research scientists and engineers developed Ford-exclusive technologies that helped the vehicle achieve a certified 41 mpg in the city, 8 mpg better than the Toyota Camry hybrid.

“Ford is using technology to remake our lineup with the green, high-tech vehicles customers want,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Fusion Hybrid team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

Patents on the Fusion Hybrid pertain to technologies such as Ford’s new-generation hybrid powertrain and SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster that helps coach drivers to achieve better fuel efficiency.

“We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company,” says Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies.

Specific Fusion and Fusion Hybrid patents include:

* Hybrid technology – The Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. The overall system upgrade allows the hybrid to operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. The city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
* SmartGauge with EcoGuide – This unique instrument cluster helps coach Fusion Hybrid drivers on how to optimize performance of their vehicle for maximum fuel efficiency. It features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant mpg report.
* Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert – Ford’s new Cross Traffic Alert feature will help warn drivers of impending traffic while backing out by using radars to pick up moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. Two warnings are given: an indicator lights up in the corresponding outside mirror and an audible alert is sounded. The feature works in conjunction with Ford’s radar-based Blind Spot Information System, utilizing this system’s two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels – one per side. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding sideview mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching.
* EasyFuel Capless Fuel-Filler System – This industry-exclusive feature eliminates the need to touch dirty gas caps and helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog. When fueling is completed and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies LLC, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide.

Comment by Michael, Houston on February 1, 2009 at 2:04am

Carlisle Energy Services and Energy Conversion Devices to deliver photovoltaic systems for commercial roofs



January 31, 2009

Building Design and Construction

CARLISLE, Pa., January 30, 2009 – Carlisle Energy Services, a newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials and a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient single-ply roofing systems, and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) (ECD), a manufacturer of proprietary, thin-film amorphous silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) laminates announced that they have reached a multi-year agreement for ECD to supply its UNI-SOLAR® laminates to Carlisle Energy Services.

According to John Altmeyer, CEO of Carlisle Construction Materials, “UNI-SOLAR® products are a natural fit for both our EPDM and TPO single-ply roof systems and our extensive network of certified installers, as they can be readily adhered to the rooftop without the need for special equipment. Furthermore, these products contain no glass, operate in low-light situations and offer excellent performance in high temperatures, allowing Carlisle to offer an ideal solution for regions where traditional rooftop PV systems have been prohibited or excluded due to inclement climatic conditions."

“As an expert in rooftops and roofing, Carlisle is an excellent new partner for Uni-Solar in the United States. We believe the United States marketplace has excellent growth potential, and we look forward to growing our US business with Carlisle as we continue to grow our position as the leader in rooftop and building integrated PV products," said Mark Morelli, president and CEO of Energy Conversion Devices.

At less than one pound per square foot, UNI-SOLAR laminates arelightweight and non-intrusive and require no rooftop penetrations or mounting systems, eliminating the negative impact on roof life and performance that is associated with penetrating PV systems. Additionally, these thin-film PV laminates provide a solid return on investment through a low installed cost and low cost-per–kilowatt-hour of energy produced when compared to traditional rigid glass panel PV alternatives.

Carlisle Energy Services will offer a number of services in conjunction with the sales and distribution of its PV products, including: complete system design and monitoring, 20-year single-source warranty on all system components and comprehensive service options throughout the life of the system.


About Carlisle Energy Services
Carlisle Energy Services is a newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials. Headquartered in Carlisle, PA, Carlisle Construction Materials has been manufacturing single-ply membrane roofing systems for more than 45 years. To date, Carlisle has produced more than 15 billion square feet of roofing membrane. Carlisle is a business segment of Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE: CSL) and has twenty-six manufacturing facilities in the United States. For more information, visit www.carlisle-syntec.com.

About United Solar Ovonic LLC
United Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by Energy Conservation Devices (ECD), is the world leader in thin-film amorphous silicon photovoltaics. Because of its unique characteristics, such as light weight, ruggedness and flexibility, United Solar Ovonic’s solar cell technology is ideal for building-integrated photovoltaic roofing systems for both residential and industrial customers. ECD and United Solar Ovonic hold the basic patents covering the continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of thin-film amorphous-silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related products. More information is available at http://www.uni-solar.com.

Contact:
Tony Matter Mark Trinske
Carlisle Energy Services United Solar Ovonic
(717) 960-4415 (248) 299-6063
tony.matter@syntec.carlisle.com mtrinske@uni-solar.com

Comment by Michael on February 1, 2009 at 12:20am

Green Jobs Push KRWG News LAS CRUCES (2009-01-30)
A Las Cruces City Councilman will work with a group trying to bring new jobs to the state.

Fourth District councilman Nathan Small has been appointed to the steering committee for the Green Jobs Partnership in New Mexico.

Small was appointed during a Green Workforce Summit in Santa Fe .held in conjunction with the announcement of the Green Jobs Cabinet by Governor Richardson.

Initial goals of the Green Jobs Partnership are to secure funding for New Mexico from President Obama's stimulus package.

Currently, the package includes more than $50 billion dollars for energy efficiency and $500 million for green jobs training programs.

Opportunities for the state include manufacturing of renewable energy systems, biofuel production, sustainable agriculture, and green building.
© Copyright 2009, krwg

Comment by Christopher and Daniela Rabalais on January 23, 2009 at 2:47pm

(relay of message from Mr. Pickens) - VERY IMPORTANT

Subject: I need you to contact Congress today about the Stimulus Package

From the desk of T. Boone Pickens
Army!

The U.S. House of Representatives is going to vote on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (which we all know as the “Stimulus Package”) next week. Probably Wednesday.

The Bill has a great deal of the Pickens Plan in it. It’s not everything we need, but it’s a strong start in the area of wind energy. Wind energy has been one of the few winners over the past 12 months and it was a record year for installations and for new jobs. The Stimulus Package will build on this success and keep moving wind energy forward in the face of this economic crisis.

The Stimulus Package has to get over the finish line – which means the U.S. Senate must pass a bill and both the House and the Senate have to work out any differences.

I need you to call your Member of Congress, as well as the Leadership in the U.S. House, to tell them this is a good first step, but more needs to be done. Implementing wind and solar aspects of the Pickens Plan will provide significant environmental benefits long term, but if we are to seriously reduce our dependence on foreign oil (and the national and economic threats it poses), then we have to get serious about replacing foreign oil, gasoline and diesel with domestic fuels, particularly natural gas.

We need incentives to promote natural gas trucks if we are to make a real dent in our foreign oil imports. We’ll keep working with them and I need you to tell them how much the New Energy Army supports what they’re doing and hopes they’ll keep doing more.

Please call Congress today. Visit your District Group page to coordinate with others in your Congressional District and to let us know about your efforts to contact your Member of Congress about this important piece of legislation.

-Boone

Comment by Christopher and Daniela Rabalais on January 21, 2009 at 8:50am

I would highly suggest reading:

Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman

This book goes into much greater detail on the
inner mechanics of why the Green Energy Revolution
hasn't already happened, all the "moving parts"
and some ideas on how to realistically move ahead.

Comment by Christopher and Daniela Rabalais on January 19, 2009 at 11:31pm

Good evening, Everyone.

My name is Christopher Rabalais and I’m a Pickens Plan District Leader for the 2nd Congressional District in Texas.

I am the President and C.E.O. of Crystal World Holdings, Inc. and Crystal World Markets, L.L.C. both based in Washington, D.C. Our company designs, develops and markets sports-focused financial products to be traded on global Government-Regulated exchanges. Most days I telecommute from my home office in Houston, Texas with occasional meetings in Washington, Chicago and New York. I am a contributing member of the Democratic National Committee and am passionate about the ideals and causes of the Democratic Party. I was politically dormant since the ending of Ronald Reagan’s second term. I began watching Obama develop over 2 years ago and I am very excited about the promise and potential of the inbound Obama-Biden Administration. I don’t think anything better could have happened for America at such a crucial period in our short history.

I believe that developing a new energy economy based on alternate fuels is not only a clear path out of our critically dangerous dependence on imported petroleum but a solid road to economic recovery and global prosperity. America needs a new exportable industry to rebirth our vibrant entrepreneurial spirit while renewing the environment. While it is true that drastic changes in Washington policy are needed to see this through, each of us must play an important personal role in the process. We need to see the world and our lives through a different lens. Conservation starts in our home with our families and our neighborhoods. It can start with steps as simple as replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents through active home power management and developing a habit of comprehensive recycling. From the food we consume to the gasoline we burn, everything is composed of energy. Saving energy is good for your pocketbook and for the planet.

These goals will be achieved through committed daily steps in each of our lives. Speak to your friends and your neighbors as the occasions arise. This will create an ever-growing web of awareness that will mature into action. Repeated actions become habits and these habits are good for you and everyone around you.

I am also a passionate supporter of reforestation both inside and outside the United States. If you are looking for a place to start, visit ArborDay.ORG. You can replant a tree in a fire-ravaged region for only $1 and even save 2,500 square feet of rainforest for $10. Rebuilding our forests is the other essential piece of the puzzle.

Through developing, integrating and promoting a comprehensive alternative energy plan with the Obama-Biden Administration and active reforestation efforts, we can rebuild the fabric of our Nation with healthy, productive domestic industries and employment and export these technologies and philosophies to the rest of the World. Everyone benefits.

We are approaching the dawn of a new age and I am excited to be part of such a vital movement.

Welcome everyone!

Sincerely,
Christopher Rabalais
Humble (Houston), Texas

Comment by soandso2008 on January 18, 2009 at 8:54pm

Hello all,

Please check out this discussion. "Do we need a Jib-Jab type video or not?"

http://push.pickensplan.com/forum/topic/show?id=2187034%3ATopic%3A538013

Comment by South Dakota Wind Energy on January 18, 2009 at 11:07am

I see a lot of comments from many of the folks on PP, planning and making suggestions for "BAILOUT" money, "STIMULOUS" money, etc, etc, etc.

Whatever you want to call the government HANDOUTS.

I may anger some of you, but I must make this statement.

ALL the bailouts, stimulous moneys will not do a thing for anyone except the BIG PLAYERS and is another way to FLEESE America.

I for one am for Capitalism not Socialism. That is exactly what all this government giveaway is. I for one am upset that not only are we allowing our current resources (money) to be stripped from us in our current energy policies, but there are so many Americans willing to watch their childrens and grandchildren and yes, even their greatgrandchildrens futures be eroded by the socialistic policies of our current government's plans for energy.

I am neither Democrat nor Republican so which party won made no difference to me. What did make a difference to me was the willingness of both parties to reduce the future of our survivor's resources.

I feel that the patriotic Americans need to stand up and ask their leaders WHY?
Our forefathers would roll over in their continental graves if they saw what Americans have let their government become and do. The last time we had paid off the national debt was in Andrew Jackson's second term. (1832?)
That is 177 years ago. I think it would take just as long to pay back only what we owe today. That would put us into 2186 before it was paid.

I may be wrong and I hope for America's sake I am, but I think we need to pool our talents, resources and efforts to stop all this give away.

Monty

Comment by Fred Mars on January 18, 2009 at 10:00am

Energy Bonds is an excellent idea. That to me, seems like an investment in America's future, instead of handing out money to corporations and institutions that are failing because they don't have a clue or a plan.

I do not agree that a reorganization of the Patent and Trademark Office is relevant. There are plenty of patents that can be utilized for making us energy producers instead of just energy consumers. They are held by big oil, big power, and if they were licensed for manufacture, they would solve the energy issue once and for all.

And the is the crux of the problem. Energy freedom means the demise of the power industry as we know it, and a reformation of the petroleum industry, as we would not be dependent on refined petroleum for fuels to power our homes and vehicles.

They push the focus on things like jobs lost, as in the auto industry bailout reasoning, and we are supposed to ignore the jobs created by manufacturing and selling, and maintaining the systems that will free us all. It's an illusion and nothing more.

They cried when the car replaced the horse, and they cried when the computer replaced the adding machine and typewriter. And soon solid state memory will replace spinning disks. So what are we supposed to do, stop progressing until the oil and power industries can figure out how to continue fleecing us?

When there are millions of American homes with solar panels on the roofs of their SEE standardized home, when businesses have solar and wind electric producing systems installed, the businesses that produce and sell all these systems will be great for the economy and employment.

When our highways and bridges are build with energy production and distribution embedded, powering vehicles as they travel and charging stations at rest areas, we will then be truly energy independent.

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