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Waste of Energy

July 5 The U.S. Senate last week passed a version of the energy bill that is superior to the House’s, but that is faint praise. Neither version requires improvements in auto fuel efficiency or limits on the greenhouse gases emitted by power companies or manufacturers. They are both head-in-the-sand packages that will leave the United States vulnerable to oil shortages and price spikes while doing little to curb the global threat of climate change. The Senate did approve a requirement that utilities get at least 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. It also passed a nonbinding resolution that calls for mandatory controls on carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. While this is hailed as a break from the Bush administration policy of ignoring the threat of global warming and denying the need for any CO2 limits, it is unclear if the resolution will serve as a strong enough signal to power company executives who are now making decisions on new generating units. These plants will operate for decades and produce CO2that stays in the atmosphere for more than 100 years. With natural gas prices shooting upward, those executives are going to be sorely tempted to build […]

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Green Building – A Growing Trend

A budding development is taking root in Central Florida — a move toward “green building,” or creating structures designed to conserve energy and preserve the environment. Currently, there are three Central Florida green buildings and at least two more green projects on the drawing board for Orlando. “Going green is an exponentially growing trend,” says Mike Hess, managing member of Greentime, an Orlando-based environmental consultancy. “We are working with more than a dozen projects statewide, with several others pending.” ‘Perfect storm’ Propelling the growth of green buildings is a “perfect storm” of factors, including greater environmental awareness and government tax incentives. Energy consumption is another factor behind the green movement. Consider: Commercial buildings consume about 40 percent of the energy used in the nation — more than cars or manufacturing plants — according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The typical green project produces energy savings that range from 40 cents-50 cents per square foot each year, says Hess. And on the residential side, the savings for homeowners who have gone green can be as much as half of their home energy bill, if not more. The rising cost of construction materials also has encouraged builders to go green. “Building […]

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SOLON AG Acquires Hilber Technology GmbH

SOLON AG announced it will acquire 100% of the shares in Hilber Technic Cooperation GmbH, Steinach am Brenner (Austria). The company manufactures the SOLON Mover, a double axial photovoltaic tracking system. The acquisition will give SOLON control over the complete manufacturing chain of the SOLON Mover. The acquisition is being financed by a capital increase in return for a contribution in kind. On July 5, 2005, the Executive Board of SOLON AG fr Solartechnik, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, resolved to tap the Company’s approved capital and increase the share capital by EUR 450,000.00 from currently EUR 8,091,220.00 to EUR 8,541,220.00 in return for a contribution in kind by issuing 450,000 new bearer shares. The new shares in SOLON AG fr Solartechnik will be offered – excluding of subscription rights – to the shareholders of HTC in return for all shares in HTC. Website: http://www.solonag.de     

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SAM Private Equity Awarded Management Contract for Ontario Power's Venture

SAM Private Equity has been awarded the management of the direct venture capital portfolio of Ontario Power Generation. The portfolio, consists of nine direct energy technology investments based in North America and Europe, and is held by OPG Ventures Inc., OPG’s venture capital subsidiary. It has a total volume of about 40 million Canadian Dollars. The private equity arm of Zurich/Switzerland-based SAM Sustainable Asset Management AG has over 120 million Euro under management. This agreement with OPG, will enable SAM to significantly expand its position in North America. Recently, SAM was awarded the management of the direct energy venture portfolio of the Caisse de Dpot et Placement du Qubec (CDP). The OPG portfolio is comprised of nine start-up and expansion stage companies in the emerging energy technology sector: Angstrom Power Inc. (BC, Canada), Encorp Inc. (CO, USA), NxtPhase T&D Corporation (BC, Canada), RuggedCom Inc. (ON, Canada), Smart- Synch Inc. (MS, USA), SoftSwitching Technologies Corporation (WI, USA), Solena (DC, USA), Solicore Inc. (FL, USA) and Enginion AG (Germany). Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Medis Signs Agreement with UK Cellphone Operator

Medis Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:MDTL) announced it has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with a broadly affiliated United Kingdom mobile telephone operator to market test its fuel cell Power Packs as a secondary power source for portable electronic devices offered by the mobile operator. This Agreement is similar to the previously announced Agreement with a major mobile operator in the United States. The UK mobile operator is a recent entrant into the market and has a subscriber base of eight million people. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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