Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq: APPL), the maker of iPods, iPhones and Mac computers, may be considering a move into the residential energy management business. The company filed a patent for a home energy management system, according to a report that first appeared on the website Patently Apple. Competitors Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) already have launched beta versions of home computer applications that are meant to interface with smart meters. But Apple, which has only a small percentage of the home computer market, appears to be considering a different approach. The patent is for an entire system including a touchscreen tablet interface that communicates with separate devices plugged into power outlets. Those devices would operate on the so-called HomePlug standard measuring and managing the electricity flow to appliances and electronics. Considering Apples history in developing transformative devices, its almost certain that the tablet interface would also offer entertainment options like music, video and Internet connectivity as well. Apple did not say whether or not it has plans to develop the device in the near future.
The US Department of Energy announced about $37 million in funding to support the development of
high-efficiency, next-generation lighting. This is what’s known as solid-state lighting. It uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and
organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of incandescent bulbs, and it
has the potential to be ten times more energy-efficient. Lighting accounts for approximately 24% of the total electricity
generated in the United States today. The DOE said by 2030, the use of solid-state lighting could
reduce electricity consumption for lighting by one-third nationally. The 17 projects selected include funding for core
research, product development, and domestic manufacturing.
In a separate story, solid-state lighting developer Bridgelux, Inc. announced that it has
raised an additional $50 million in Series D financing. The Sunnyvale, California-based company intends to use the capital to "aggressively" develop its
manufacturing technologies and expand its global manufacturing
infrastructure.
Bridgelux also announced a new CEO, William D. Watkins.
US lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE) at the end of last week
announced a multi-year battery supply agreement with Fisker Automotive. Fisker is
a new American automaker that received a Department of Energy loan guarantee to build premium plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Fisker’s first vehicle, called the Karma is scheduled for
launch in late 2010. A123 will also collaborate on Fisker’s second, less-expensive vehicle called the Nina. That vehicle is expected to hit the streets in 2012. A123 also announced it would invest $23 million in Fisker. Competitor EnerDel made similar investments in electric car maker Think to assure a customer for its products.
Speaking of EnerDel (Nasdaq: HEV), the company is working with its Japanese distribution partner Itochu Corporation (ITOCF.PK) to build a secondary market for lithium-ion batteries, after they have reached the end of their useful lives in electric vehicles. This week the two companies announced plans to develop a stationary system that would reuse the batteries to store grid-supplied energy and recharge electric vehicles in a major apartment building near Tokyo. The project is similar to one announced last month in collaboration with Mazda Motor
Corporation (MZDAF.PK). The companies say that over time the secondary market opportunity for lithium-ion batteries
could be two to three times the size of the automotive market.
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ: ENER) announced plans to establish 30
megawatts (MW) of solar manufacturing in France. The company makes
thin-film flexible solar products for the building integrated
and commercial rooftop markets. France recently adjusted its solar feed-in tariff to give the highest rates to solar systems that are integrated into buildings in a visually appealing manner. Energy Conversion Devices said it is currently evaluating various sites, particularly in the Alsace region.
In other feed-in tariff news, Germany this week confirmed plans to cut its solar tariff for rooftop installations by 15% beginning in April. The country is trying to wean its solar industry from the generous incentives that made it the largest market for photovoltaics in the world over the last decade. However, industry members are howling in protest, according to a Reuters report. One analyst said he expects the German solar market to shrink by at least 25% in volumes and 40% in revenues in 2010.
Abengoa Bioenergy announced plans for the development of
a hybrid cellulosic ethanol facility that
will also function as a 75 MW power plant. The company said it will be the first commercial-scale plant of this type in the US. The $550 million facility will be located in Kansas and will produce 15 million gallons of ethanol
per year and use corn stover, wheat straw and switchgrass as feedstocks. Part of the 2,500 tons of biomass used daily will be fired to produce about 75 MW of electricity, all of which will be purchased by the utility Mid-Kansas Electric Company. This type of hybrid arrangement–particularly with utility companies–may be the key to funding the first generation of commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants. That’s a topic discussed in a Green Week in Review interview today with Arnold Klann, CEO of the cellulosic company BlueFire Ethanol.
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