Inside Renewable Energy

July 2, 2009 - The State of Cleantech Venture Capital Investment

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:20:57 -0400

Venture Investments in cleantech have dropped 44 percent since their high in the second quarter of 2008. Even though investors are being more cautious, there are still plenty of opportunities out there for early stage companies looking to get funded. In this podcast, we'll hear from some prominent venture capitalists about the state of the industry. Bruce Pasternack, a venture partner with CMEA Capital and Peter Korn, a venture attorney with Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal ask: “Are these are the worst of times for venture capital?”

Ira Ehrenpreis, a general partner with Technology Partners, talks about why these are actually the best of times for venture capital as it relates to cleantech.

Stephan Dolezalek, managing director at Vantage Point Venture Partners, describes some of the challenges in bringing companies public.

And Ethan Zindler, head of North American research for New Energy Finance, explains why the political environment is creating the perfect conditions for the growth of early-stage cleantech companies.

This panel was recorded at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

June 26, 2009 - Enabling Community Solar in North America

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:53:04 -0400

Because of its distributed nature, solar is an intimate resource. But not everyone has the opportunity to invest in solar due to siting issues and cost. What about individuals who might want to own part of a solar system? Quite often in North America, that is a difficult option. In this podcast, we'll look at how that is changing as new laws are being created to encourage cooperative ownership of solar.

Kristopher Stevens, Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association talks about the importance of engaging citizens in the energy debate.

Author and Renewable Energy Advocate Paul Gipe outlines the benefits that the new Ontario Feed-in Tariff will bring to local communities.

Dana Hall, Energy Policy Coordinator at the Pace Law School describes the potential barriers to enabling larger amounts of community solar.

And Rachel Huang, Senior Project Manager at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District tells us about the utility's Solar Shares program.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

Jun 19, 2009 - Can We Meet Our Energy Needs with Solar?

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:26:04 -0400

Theoretically, we could get all of our energy from the sun. But is it realistically feasible? And if so, what are the technical, economic and political barriers to reaching that lofty goal? In this podcast, we'll look at the challenges and implications of such a heavy reliance on solar.

First, we'll take a brief tour of the new air-cooled solar thermal tower in the Northern German town of Jülich.

Then, Michael Webber of the University of Texas at Austin describes the complicated relationship between energy (including solar energy) and water.

Finally, Ken Zweibel of the George Washington University Solar Institute talks about the possibility of powering the entire U.S. with solar.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

June 11, 2009 - Applying Bioclimatic Design; Building Solar Cells from the Atom Up

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:38:11 -0400

Solar technologies and techniques come in many forms. From passive solar design to designing photovoltaic cells on the atomic level, there are thousands of ways to utilize the sun's energy for our own use. In this podcast, we'll take a look at some simple and complex uses for solar along that spectrum of applications.

Victor Olgyay, a Principal Architect with the Built Environment Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute, talks about the rise of the solar movement in architecture and how we can harness the new-found interest in sustainable, integrated design to create meaningful change.

Pradeep Haldar, a Professor of Nanoengineering at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University of Albany describes the role that nanotechnology can play in increasing solar cell efficiency and decreasing costs.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

June 4, 2008 - Realizing the Potential of Solar Thermal

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:20:20 -0400

People are waking up to the benefits and "sexiness" of solar-electric systems. But in North America, the solar thermal industry still has a lot of work to do to educate people about the myriad water heating, space heating and cooling technologies available. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable discussion about where the U.S. compares with more mature solar thermal markets in Europe and Asia.

We'll sit down with Ed Murray of Aztec Solar, Chuck Marken of Home Power Magazine and Bob Fisher of EnerWorks to chat about solar thermal technologies, applications, consumer awareness and much more.

Also, Jackie Jones of Renewable Energy World Magazine speaks with Olivier Drüke, President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, about how the rest of Europe can match the impressive growth in the German solar thermal market.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

May 27, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Challenge of Promoting Wind in Developing Countries

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:04:41 -0400

Building wind and other renewable energy projects in developed countries is hard enough; in the developing world, the financial and political barriers are often much more pronounced. In this podcast, we'll look at how companies are working to overcome these barriers and make clean energy a reality for up and coming (and increasingly energy intensive) countries in Latin America and Asia.

Dana Younger, senior adviser for renewable energy and sustainability at the International Finance Corporation, talks about the benefits and drawbacks of working with private institutions in developing countries to finance projects.

Jay Gallegos, CEO of Mesoamerica Energy, discusses the relationships between wind developers and local landowners as well as the ups and downs of political support for renewables.

Qin Haiyan, secretary general of the Chinese Wind Energy Association, describes the myriad opportunities for domestic and foreign wind companies in China.

Finally, Cliff Etheridge of Roscoe, Texas speaks with Colin and Carrick McCullough of the Our Renewable Nation video series about his role behind the build-out of the world's largest wind farm.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

May 18, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The European Role in U.S. Wind Development

Mon, 18 May 2009 18:24:48 -0400

With wind installations growing more slowly in Europe than in the U.S., European companies are coming across the Atlantic to get a piece of the booming American wind market. Because of this, Europeans are playing an increasingly important role in building the U.S. wind industry.

In this podcast, we'll look at some developments over in Europe and speak to a few companies that are setting up shop in the U.S.

Bruce Douglas, Chief Operating Officer of the European Wind Energy Association, talks about the need for new transmission, the growth in offshore wind and problems with project finance.

Steve Trenholm, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Climate and Renewables North America, discusses the German company's entrance into the U.S. and how it is dealing with the financial crisis.

Adrian LaTrace, Vice President of North American Manufacturing for ACCIONA, describes the evolution of wind turbines and how those changes impact project development.

And Fausto Carboni, General Manager of the Mobile and Wind Power Solutions business at Bonfiglioli, an Italian components supplier, talks about how increased turbine size impacts the way components are developed for the machines.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

May 10, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Assessing the Financial Health of the Wind Industry

Sun, 10 May 2009 14:36:45 -0400

This week, we're at Wind Power 2009 in Chicago looking at the state of the wind industry in the face of a dismal economic climate. As we'll find out, the health of the industry is still remarkably positive, despite the myriad challenges that companies are facing.

Joshua Magee, a Senior Analyst with Emerging Energy Research tells us about new entrants into the market and how the slowdown is impacting the supply chain.

Tax Lawyer Ed Feo talks about why a feed-in tariff would simplify the very complicated U.S. Incentive structure for wind.

And Dennis Moritz of Advantage for Analysts fleshes out some of the changes that will take place in wind project finance as companies figure out ways to use the revised incentives under the recent stimulus plan.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 30, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Supply-side Management and Security on the Smart Grid

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:02:16 -0400

Smart grid technologies will allow consumers to see how behavioral changes can save them money and reduce their environmental footprint. But the entities managing the grid will have to change as well. In this podcast, we'll look at how utilities and grid operators are breaking tradition and transforming the way they approach control of the grid.

Frank Prager, Vice President of Environmental Policy at Xcel Energy, talks about why utilities need to change the way they do business in order to stay relevant.

Mark Ahlstrom, President of WindLogics, describes the changing role of grid operators as they manage greater levels of wind and other renewables.

Also, James Woolsey, Partner with Vantage Point Venture Partners and Former CIA Director, tells us why electric transport and smart grid technologies are so important for enhancing national security.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 23, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Storing Renewable Energy on the Smart Grid

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:10:10 -0400

Storage is considered the "holy grail" of clean technologies, especially as it relates to the deployment of renewable energy. If we truly want to clean up the grid and make it smarter, all kinds of storage technologies will need to be considered. In this podcast, we'll take a look at a couple storage methods that will enable the transformation of the electricity delivery system.

Bill Capp, President of Beacon Power, describes the importance of flywheels for regulating frequency and storing large amounts of energy on the grid.

Also, David Marcus of General Compression and Walter Doyle of Dakota Salts talk about the emerging market for compressed air energy storage and the economic potential for “dispatchable” wind.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 16, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - How Will We Manage Demand on the Smart Grid?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:56:07 -0400

Actively managing and reducing demand on the customer side of the meter is an important part of the smart grid. But installing an intelligent metering infrastructure is just the first step. Developing engaging applications, working through changes in the utility-customer relationship and addressing data security issues are all part of the process. In this podcast, we'll address a range of issues that will inevitably come up as we manage demand on the smart grid.

EnerNOC CEO Tim Healy describes the potential evolution of smart grid applications that will piggyback on the hardware being rolled out all over the world.

Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck talks about the need for openness in order to stimulate maximum innovation in the advanced meter space.

eMeter CEO Cree Edwards addresses the ethical and security problems that could grow with an increase in energy information.

Fat Spaniel Technologies President Chris Beekhuis outlines the new generation of solar energy monitoring applications, which will more easily integrate into other demand-side management applications for a range of buildings.

And GridWise Alliance President Katherine Hamilton talks about the need for constructive debate about the smart grid in order to better educate policymakers about what new technologies can offer consumers.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 9, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Smart Grid Explained

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:26:37 -0400

The Smart Grid is an intriguing but elusive concept. What exactly do we mean when we talk about the intelligent grid? And where does renewable energy fit into the mix? In this podcast, we'll explore the technological and conceptual basics of the evolving grid.

Eric Lightner, Director of the Smart Grid Task Force at the U.S. Department of Energy, outlines the way the grid works today and how that may change with technological progress.

Tim Healy, CEO of the intelligent demand response provider EnerNOC, shows us how the company remotely manages the energy use of commercial and industrial customers.

And Richard Baxter, Senior Vice President of Ardour Capital Investments, talks about the thorny issues associated the management of data as the grid makes a digital shift.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 2, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Is Algae-to-Energy Sustainable?

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:44:06 -0400

Algae is one of the hottest sectors of the renewable energy industry. New technologies are emerging rapidly, investors are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into companies all around the world and costs per gallon are steadily coming down. Algae certainly represents a versatile energy option, but is it truly renewable or sustainable?

Riggs Eckelberry, President and CEO of Origin Oil joins us this week to talk about why algae represents an important option for CO2 emitters in industrial applications. We'll also discuss the company's Helix BioReactor, which may dramatically boost algae production. To see some clips of the company's product, play the video below.

We'll also look at when the stimulus package may stimulate renewable energy companies in the U.S. Graham Jesmer sits down with a John McKinsey of Stoel Rives and Chris Flannery of Piper Jaffray to talk about project finance, turmoil in the capital markets and the positive outlook on the political front.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 26, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Australian Greens Push for More Renewables; Financial Importance of Resource Analysis

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:52:14 -0400

Since taking office at the end of 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised a swift reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a rapid deployment of renewables. But Senator Christine Milne, head of the Australian Greens, says that action from political leaders hasn't matched up with the rhetoric. The coal lobby has such a tight grip on the government, she says, many policies that offer necessary reform are often squelched before they can get any traction.

Senator Milne joins us this week to talk about the need for stricter emissions targets, a national feed-in tariff and stronger political will in Australia.

Also, Ken Westrick, CEO of 3TIER tells us about the growing interest in resource evaluation tools, especially as developers look to save money any way they can during these tight economic times.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 19, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Next Four Years for Renewable Energy

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:06:21 -0400

We've got another panel discussion this week featuring a range of industry representatives sharing their thoughts on the upcoming issues for renewable energy in the U.S. We'll talk about what the next four years may bring, and how they may be influenced by the growing financial problems over the last year.

Leaders from the solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydro, utility and financial sectors came together at last week's Renewable Energy World North America Conference and Expo to talk about financial hurdles, technological advancements and the need for cooperation among all players.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 12, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Hydropower Perspectives Roundtable

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:56:59 -0400

Hydropower is making a big comeback. With a range of incentives in the U.S. created or extended by the recent stimulus package, new marine energy technologies emerging and a recognition that there are still plenty of untapped resources available, the future for hydro is looking good. In this podcast, we'll have a roundtable conversation with three industry experts on the coming boom for hydro in the U.S. and beyond.

We'll speak with Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director of the National Hydropower Association; Marla Barnes, Chief Editor of Hydro Review Magazine; and Julie Smith-Galvin, Director of Communications for Brookfield Renewable Power.

This roundtable conversation is part of our video coverage from the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. For full access to a range of video content from the event, check out our conference blog at http://blogs.renewableenergyworld.com/rewna/

March 5, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Creating an Equitable Green Jobs Movement; Thrifting as Renewable Energy

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:02:51 -0500

We've heard a lot about the Green Collar Jobs movement. But as the movement grows, organizations like Green For All will be working to ensure it reaches low-income communities that have traditionally been more adversely affected by an economy based on waste and dirty energy.

Melissa Bradley-Burns, a senior strategist with Green for All, joins us to talk about how we can make the next wave of technological and business innovation more equitable. She'll tell us about how we can use the resources available in the recent stimulus package to work toward that vision.

Also, Ms. Shopping Golightly of the Thrifty Chicks Blog tells us about the importance of renewing the embodied energy of a product and lowering our carbon footprint by thrift shopping.

This week's podcast is supported by Solar Energy International, a non-profit organization offering hands-on workshops and training opportunities in solar, wind, water power and natural building technologies.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

February 26, 2009 - Ontario Considers Green Energy Act; BU Panel Discussion on Market Trends - Inside Renewable Energy

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:50:17 -0500

Ontario has had its share of disagreements over the last two years. Ever since the province's Standard Offer Program was implemented, regulators, politicians and renewable energy advocates have been quarreling over both the details of the program and the government's long-term vision for renewables.

This week, with the introduction of the Green Energy Act, there seems to be an agreement among stakeholders that Ontario is moving toward a more stable, comprehensive renewable energy future. The next question is: Can these stakeholders agree on the details?

We'll speak with the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association's Kristopher Stevens about what the difficulties may be in hashing out the details of this wide-reaching piece of legislation.

Also, we'll have some excerpts from a panel discussion held last week at Boston University on how the economic crisis is both hurting and helping renewable energy and energy efficiency. Stephen Lacey joined a group of other panelists to talk about how the industry is fairing in the current environment and what the economic stimulus package may do for the market.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

February 19, 2009 - The Netherlands, Part 2: The Dutch Renewable Energy Economy - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:31:07 -0500

After five years with scaled-back incentives and a dead market for wind and solar energy, the Dutch government is determined to get things moving again and reach the European 20-percent renewable energy targets. The question is: Will they do it?

In this podcast, we're coming to you from the Dutch-German Border, where we'll explore the differences between the two countries' solar markets, speak to the Environment Minister about building the industry back up after a long slowdown, explore some interesting applications for waste-heat in the country's heavy industrial sector and look at the potential for algae as a jet fuel.

Also, make sure to listen to Part 1: Exploring the Dutch CO2 Economy.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

February 12, 2009 - Inside Renewable Energy - Exploring the Dutch CO2 Economy

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:57:27 -0500

The Netherlands is not a very large country, but as the world's 16th largest economy, it needs to make some big changes to lower emissions and combat climate change. If changes are not made, this low-lying country could face some major flooding problems. In this podcast, we'll explore some of the climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques that the Dutch are undertaking.

This week, we'll visit a variety of companies to see how professionals in the Netherlands are working to create a CO2-based economy. Next week, we'll look more specifically at renewable energy projects in the country.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

February 5, 2008 - 2009: The Year of the Shake-out; IEA Underestimates Renewables - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:51:55 -0500

Everyone in the industry has been preparing for a time of falling renewable energy prices, rapid consolidation, and a quick push-out of weak companies. That time is now. And the economic crisis is only speeding the process up.

Angus McCrone, Chief Editor of New Energy Finance joins us for a look at how the dismal economic climate is shaking things up in the wind, solar, geothermal and marine energy industries.

Then, Swiss MP Rudolf Reichsteiner talks about his new report, “Wind Power in Context — A Clean Revolution in the Energy Sector,” which criticizes the International Energy Agency for consistently underestimating the role of wind in the global energy mix.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

January 29, 2009 - Learning from Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs - Inside Renewable Energy

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:45:57 -0500

The renewable energy industry is being built by risk-taking entrepreneurs who are not afraid to fail. Today, the work of these fearless trailblazers has brought us on the verge of a renewable energy revolution. In this podcast, we'll speak to a few entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences.

Author and blogger Sramana Mitra describes the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur; Steve Kropper of Wind Pole Ventures tells us about the importance of flexibility and creativity; and Nancy Hartsoch gives us the update on SolFocus, a former California garage start-up that is looking to take the concentrating PV market by storm.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

January 22, 2009 - Tumultuous Times for State Solar Programs - Inside Renewable Energy

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:25:22 -0500

State programs are driving the U.S. solar market. But what happens when most of those states want to restructure their incentives all at once? The result: A period of downright difficult-yet-necessary growth pains for the solar industry.

In this podcast, we'll explore the issues that businesses, advocates and regulators in the solar industry are facing as they navigate this rocky transition period on the state-level. It's not going to be easy, but the rapid growth in solar is forcing state governments to re-evaluate current incentive structures and experiment with new types of incentives that may or may not work.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

January 15, 2009 - What Kind of Stimulus Can Renewables Expect? - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:03:34 -0500

The economic impact of the financial crisis appears to have hurt the renewable energy industries more than previously thought. After further rounds of job losses and project delays, many businesses are looking to the upcoming economic stimulus package for a boost.

We'll talk with our man in Washington, Scott Sklar, about what Congress and the incoming president may do to keep industry momentum strong.

Also, Chris Stimpson, executive campaigner of Solar Nation comments about the the politics of renewable energy in 2009.

Finally, contributor Mark Braly speaks with Tobin Booth of Blue Oak Energy about feed-in tariffs in the U.S., increased PV manufacturing capacity, and the emergence of new solar technologies.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

January 8, 2009 - The Long, Hard Road for Clean Energy Finance (updated) - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:10:44 -0500

In this podcast, we're (you guessed it) looking back at 2008. In this industry, it often takes a while for the numbers to accumulate. But so far, one thing is for sure: The end of last year was difficult for the renewable energy industries. We'll look at what happened in the public and private markets that made the year so difficult.

We'll speak with Rob Wilder, CEO and Founder of WilderShares about the tough ride for cleantech shares in the NEX and ECO indexes in the last quarter of 2008.

Then, we'll talk to a group of executives from early-stage renewable energy companies about the issues they're facing in raising venture capital.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

January 1, 2009 - 2008: A Benchmark for Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:43:33 -0500

The end of the year offers us an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and setbacks over the previous twelve months. It also gives us the chance to think about what the coming twelve months will bring. In this episode, we're featuring a roundtable conversation on the status of renewables from last month's Power-Gen International Conference. The panel discussion is a good overview of where the wind, solar and hydro industries are today, and serves as an important benchmark as we evaluate the progress of renewables over 2009.

Thank you very much to our faithful listeners for giving us so much feedback over the last year. We will continue to bring you the most engaging, comprehensive news and information on renewable energy in the coming year!

December 22, 2008 - Exploring the German Renewable Energy Market - Inside Renewable Energy

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:54:59 -0500

This week, we're podcasting from Germany to get a better sense for how one of the world's leading renewable energy markets is fairing during these tough economic times. Despite the projected global slowdown throughout the renewable energy industries next year, Germany is preparing for an increase in installed wind capacity and only a slight drop in solar PV installations.

We're traveling throughout Germany to get a sense for how the country is moving forward and remaining a leader in development of renewable energies. We'll talk to investors, manufacturers, scientists and teachers about where the market is today and where it will go tomorrow.

Thanks very much to the non-profit organization Inwent for setting up the trip and arranging the interviews.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

December 11, 2008 - Energy Businesses Recognizing the Need to Diversify - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:04:17 -0500

This week, we're podcasting from the Power-Gen International conference in Orlando, Florida. This event is mostly geared toward traditional power companies; however, renewables are starting to play a bigger role at Power-Gen as businesses and investors in the space recognize the major changes taking place in the energy landscape. We'll speak to some company executives about how this shift is impacting the way companies operate.

John Adams, vice president of new projects at Mitsubishi Power Systems describes the company's new 2.4-MW wind turbine as well as the reasons behind Mitsubishi's involvement in a wide range of energy sectors.

Perry Fontana, vice president of projects at Ausra explains the elegance and simplicity of concentrating solar power.

Alan Champagne, vice president of business development at CH2M HILL tells us about the need for traditional energy companies to diversify in order to succeed.

And Joe Treshler of Covanta Energy talks about turning environmental problems into business opportunities.

Make sure to check out the video interviews from Power-Gen International at our video section.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

December 4, 2008 - A Rough Patch for the U.S. PV Market; Building Relationships to Build Greener -

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:13:34 -0500

With the recent eight-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar, many professionals are predicting rapid growth in the solar industry. However, because of problems in the tax equity market and other issues with state solar programs around the country, those predictions many not bear out in the short-term.

In this podcast, we'll look at some trends playing out in the U.S. solar market and how they may impact demand for PV over the coming year.

Then, we'll have some interviews from the Greenbuild Conference and Expo on building-integrated wind and PV systems, living roofs, and how renewable energy companies and traditional contractors are working together to increase the deployment of cleaner building materials, sustainable design techniques and renewable energies.

Also, be sure to check out the video feature published by RenewableEnergyWorld.com from the Greenbuild Conference and Expo.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

November 20, 2008 - Exploring the Icelandic Geothermal Experience - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:48:20 -0500

This week, we're podcasting to you from Iceland. The country has been getting a lot of attention lately -- and not just because of its severe economic problems. Iceland gets 78 percent of its primary energy from renewable resources, with 62 percent coming from geothermal. Now that more countries around the world are starting to get serious about deploying renewables on a meaningful scale, policy makers, business leaders and journalists are flocking to the country in greater numbers to learn from the Icelandic experience. In this podcast, we're traveling around the country to speak with some of the leaders in the geothermal industry.

Iceland's President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson describes the uniquely intimate relationship that Icelanders have with geothermal energy.

Reykjavic Energy's Audur Björg shows us around the Hellsheidi Power Plant and gives us her view on the history of Iceland's use of geothermal.

Albert Albertsson of Hitaveita Sudurnesja shows us around the Svartsengi Power Plant and talks about the company's goal of making geothermal projects both a personal and utilitarian experience.

Steinar Gudlaugsson of Geysir Green Energy gives us an overview of the intense geologic activity occurring on and around the island.

Ingvar Birgir Fridleifsson of the United Nations University Geothermal Training Program talks about the importance of spreading the country's geothermal experience to professionals in developing countries.

And Hannes Pálsson gives us a sense for how the average Icelander views the progress that the country has made in renewable energy over the years.

Make sure to visit the podcast page at RenewableEnergyWorld.com for pictures and links.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

November 13, 2008 - Gauging the Impact of the Credit Crisis on Renewable Energy - Inside Renewable Energy

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:20:08 -0500

The gears of the global economy are moving very slowly these days; yet, the renewable energy industry is still performing better than many other industries. The path out of the global credit crisis will be long and steep, however, making it more difficult for developers and financiers in the renewable energy industry to do business over the next six months to a year.

In this podcast, Angus McCrone, chief editor at New Energy Finance talks about the broad global impact in the public and private markets; Gordon Edge, director of economics and finance at the British Wind Energy Association discusses the coming year for wind in the UK; and Louis Schwartz, president of China Strategies, LLC, describes the problems for PV companies in China.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

November 6, 2008 - A Shake-up in Project Finance; Bucking the Downward Housing Trend with BIPV; PV Concentrator Balloons - Inside Renewable Energy

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:09:40 -0500

With the credit crisis and resulting economic woes making their way into the renewable energy industry, project financing all over the world is getting more difficult. In the U.S., many people are concerned about the health of the tax equity financing sector, which drives much of the growth in the solar, wind and bioenergy markets.

Edwin Feo, a tax lawyer with Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McLoy's Global Power, Energy and Utilities Group, joins us to talk about how a shake-up in tax equity financing will impact the industry in the coming years.

Then, David Field, president of Open Energy, talks about the company's building-integrated PV products and its relationships with roofers and construction firms. Field discusses the importance of building partnerships between solar companies and traditional contractors to move the residential and small commercial solar markets forward.

Finally, Rob Lamkin, CEO of Cool Earth Solar, describes the company's new concentrating PV balloon. We'll talk about Cool Earth's efforts to scale up production in the coming year and make the device a household name in the industry.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

October 30, 2008 - Innovation and Politics in this Hot, Flat and Crowded World - Inside Renewable Energy

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:06:56 -0400

New York Times Columnist Thomas Friedman's latest book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded," looks at the imminent need to formulate a national strategy to combat climate change, stimulate technological innovation and grow America's economy.

In this program, Tom talks to the New Yorker Magazine's Elizabeth Kolbert about the need to transform America's approach to energy and politics. The interview was initially published at Yale Environment 360.

We'll also talk to Dave Unger of the Renewable Energy program at Waste Management about the need to expand landfill gas to energy projects around the U.S. With 1,200 MW of potential electrical generation capacity at landfills nation-wide, the company plans to expand its energy operations dramatically in the coming years.

Finally, we'll have a special guest who's celebrating Halloween by educating the neighborhood about renewable energy.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

October 23, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Touring the Steamboat Geothermal Plant

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:49:01 -0400

This week, we've got some extras from the Geothermal Conference and Expo held earlier this month. Before leaving Nevada, Stephen Lacey met up with some folks from Ormat Technologies, who gave him a tour of the company's 100-MW capacity Steamboat facility in Reno.

We'll speak with Paul Thomsen, Public Policy Manager for Ormat about some broader market trends. Then we'll walk around the grounds with John Bernardi, Environmental Compliance Specialist at the Steamboat facility, who will give us a sense for how the plant operates.

Finally, we'll have some more interviews from the conference floor. Kenneth McLeod, President and CEO of Western GeoPower talks about the impact of the credit crunch; and Barry Andrews, Head of Geothermal and Power at Chevron tells us about the company's operations in Indonesia.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

October 16, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Perspectives Roundtable

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:09:51 -0400

This week, we're podcasting from Solar Power International in San Diego, California. Stephen Lacey rounded up some influential industry executives who represent different areas of the supply chain and asked them about what they're seeing in the industry today. The conversation provides an inside look at what companies are dealing with during these times of rapid and tumultuous growth.

Jonathan Pickering, Vice President of Marketing at Applied Materials talks about the equipment supply side of the industry; Ron Kenedi, Vice President of the Solar Energy Solutions Group at Sharp talks about the manufacturing space; and Aaron Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar, talks about business for installers in the U.S.

This roundtable was initially recorded at the REW.com studio on the floor of Solar Power International. Stay tuned for the video version of this roundtable next week. In the meantime, you can watch all kinds of video from the conference at our Solar Power Blog.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

October 9, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - The Beginning of a Geothermal Renaissance

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:32:46 -0400

This week, we're podcasting from the Geothermal Conference and Expo in Reno, Nevada. Most professionals at the conference would say that the geothermal industry is experiencing a renaissance. Indeed, as development of conventional resources has increased over the last few years and new technologies have grabbed the attention of financiers and the mainstream press, the industry is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves.

We'll talk with Alexander Richter, Director of Global Research at Glitnir Bank, about some development trends in the U.S. and Iceland.

Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google.org, tells us about the web-giant's interest in stimulating the market for large-scale Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS).

Jared Potter, Co-founder and CEO of Potter Drilling and Mark Hankowski, VP of Business Development at Potter, describe how the company's advanced drilling technology will eventually allow for cost-effective EGS development.

And lastly, Mike Hayter, Director of Geothermal Development at Raser Technologies, talks about the company's plan to construct smaller-scale, modular geothermal plants that utilize lower temperature resources.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

October 2, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Rapid Growth in the Algae Market; Managing Risk in the Renewables Space

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:40:02 -0400

With over US $180 million in venture capital invested in Algae companies already this year, the market looks ready to explode. That explosion couldn't come soon enough for biodiesel producers who are having trouble getting enough feedstock to meet global demand.

Joseph Muscat, Americas Director of Cleantech and Venture Capital at Ernst and Young, tells us about the high amounts of capital that companies have raised so far in 2008.

Will Thurmond, Founder of Emerging Markets Online and Director of Research and Development at the National Algae Association, talks about the overwhelming need for algae in the biodiesel market.

Finally, Harrison Dillon, President and Chief Technology Officer with the algae company Solazyme, describes the company's method for growing and harvesting algae.

Also in the podcast: Richard Homlich, CEO of Advantage for Analysts, highlights the need for good risk management practices in the renewable energy industry. He'll draw some parallels between the ongoing problems in the mortgage industry.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

September 25, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Smarter Grids, Smarter Cities and Common-Sense Planning

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:27:05 -0400

Many solutions to the world's problems take nothing more than a common-sense approach. No one pretends that the environmental and social challenges ahead will be easy to solve, but sometimes the solutions simply require a different way of thinking. This week, we've got more interviews from the Cleantech Forum in Washington, DC on some of those common-sense solutions.

We'll look at the evolution of electricity demand response with EnerNOC CEO Timothy Healy. There are certainly many technological hurdles in front of the development of a smart grid, but the concept of better electricity management is an easy one for utilities and their customers to understand. Healy will describe how the U.S. smart-grid market may grow and EnerNoc's role in that growth.

We'll talk about the aggressive carbon reduction goals of Stockholm, Sweden with the city's CEO Irene Svenonius. She'll describe the role of government and individuals in making common-sense choices to create an environmentally-friendly, economically-vibrant community.

Then we'll explore the future role of cities in creating a more sustainable world with Chris Luebkeman, Director of Global Foresight and Innovation at the engineering firm Arup. He'll talk about the importance of looking at sustainability through more than just an economic lens.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

September 18, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Cleantech Forum: An Insider's Look at Cleantech Investing

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:22:06 -0400

This week, we're podcasting to you from the Cleantech Forum in Washington, DC. This forum is a gathering place for early-stage investors who are pouring capital into renewable energy, smart-grid technologies and advanced materials. We'll talk with some analysts and investors who will give us an inside look at the evolution and current status of the market.

Brian Fan, Senior Director of Research at the Cleantech Network, talks about what makes a sustainable cleantech company and lays out where most investments have taking place so far in 2008.

Scott MacDonald, a Partner with Emerald Technology Ventures, tells us about the history of the sector and about how venture capitalists strategically space their investments in this very capital-intensive industry.

Scott Faris, CEO of Planar Energy Devices, describes his company's new solid-state lithium-ion battery and talks about how he's using his experience in the venture capital space to grow his company during its early stages.

Finally, Ted Howes, leader of the Business and Sustainability Program at IDEO, gives us the broader perspective on what all the growth in the cleantech space means for corporations and their customers.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

September 11, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Energy Equity: Diversifying the Market with New Incentives

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:33:15 -0400

The U.S. renewable energy market is growing at an impressive rate. But as more wind, solar and biofuel facilities get developed, there are fewer people or organizations that own those facilities. That is primarily due to the exclusive nature of the federal tax credits. Because of the shrinking diversity in the marketplace, a growing number of people are calling for changes to U.S. renewable energy incentives. In this podcast, we explore the issues with the federal tax credits as they relate to ownership of renewable energy systems.

John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance talks about the problems with “diseconomies of scale” in the U.S. wind and solar markets; Wind Expert Paul Gipe describes the ideal incentive framework to diversify energy equity; Dan Juhl, CEO of Juhl Wind, gives us an idea of how small-wind developers navigate the tax credit environment; and Lisa Daniels, Founder of the educational organization Windustry, talks about Minnesota's commitment to community wind.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

September 4, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Crunch Time for Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:08:05 -0400

Congress comes back to Washington next week and in the tradition of election-year politics, there's a good chance that much won't get done before November. That means there are very few chances left to extend the Production and Investment Tax credits before they expire at the end of the year. This week, our Washington Analyst Scott Sklar updates us on the tax credit situation and gives us his take on the presidential candidates.

Then, we'll finish up our California ballot initiative series by looking at the arguments in support of Proposition 10. There's a growing debate about whether or not the measure will favor natural gas vehicles over other battery-based options. Proposition 10 supporter Patrick Dorinson tells us why the initiative will benefit all forms of transportation in the state.

Finally, we'll have a look at what the city of Greensburg, Kansas is doing to rebuild in a sustainable way. Greensburg was devastated in May of 2007 when a Tornado ripped through the city, demolishing 95% of the buildings. Contributor Mark Braly talks with Tim Schmidt, CEO of Xtreme Homes, a company working to bring green modular homes and a sustainable employment base to Greensburg.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

August 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Questioning America's Most Ambitious Renewable Energy Law

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:17:35 -0400

This November, Californians will be voting on a ballot initiative that could require the state's utilities to generate half their power from renewables by 2025. Sounds good, right? Not according to some of nation's most influential renewable energy companies, associations and advocacy groups. This group of opponents says the legal language of the proposed law is so flawed, it could severely hurt the state's renewable energy market.

Proponents say the legal language is tight and that opponents are being controlled by the state's utilities, which don't want to meet the targets. As the voting day approaches, the debate over the language in the initiative is heating up and both sides are pushing their messages aggressively. We'll have a feature report on the different interpretations of the proposed law and its potential impact on the industry.

Also, we'll explore the reasons for China's emergence as one of the top renewable energy markets for investors. Jonathan Johns, head of renewable energy at the advisory firm Ernst and Young, joins us to discuss the promise of China and the difficulties for renewables in the UK.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

August 21, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Pickens' Plan and California's Proposition 10; Auctioning Environmental Commodities

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:10:17 -0400

T. Boone Pickens has a plan -- but is it the correct plan for the nation? This November, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on an initiative that could be the first step down Pickens' path toward greater reliance on natural gas for transportation fuel. But this week's guest says that the initiative, known as Proposition 10, is flawed and could negatively impact renewable energy in California.

We'll speak with Tony Rubenstein, a Los Angeles-based consultant on clean technologies and corporate social responsibility, about why Proposition 10 is not good for the state's budget or its burgeoning renewable energy market.

Then we'll talk to Phil Adams, CEO of World Energy, about the role of online auctioning of allowances in greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs. He'll tell us why he believes the auctioning platform allows for more efficient and transparent transactions over bid-ask exchanges and broker-based models.

Finally, correspondent Mark Braly has some interviews on the promotion of mustard-seed biodiesel for city and regional vehicle fleets in California.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

August 14, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Keeping the Industry in Check

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:22:03 -0400

With all the money from investors, attention from the mainstream media and interest from consumers pouring into clean technologies, the situation is looking good for renewable energy. But as the financial opportunities grow, so too does the potential to oversell the benefits of some technologies. In this podcast, we'll explore some problems that over-exuberance and lack of quality information can create for the industry.

Sue Kateley of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, tells us about some sketchy solar companies in the Golden State.

Small-Wind Expert Mick Sagrillo talks about the sham companies that have emerged over the years in the residential wind market.

Brad Smith of Renewzle.com explains the need for online intermediary companies in the solar space to give consumers a simplified and trustworthy experience.

Dr. Barry Butler of Butler Sun Solutions warns about the potential for overstating the abilities of Dish/Stirling Systems, potentially creating negative perceptions about the promising technology.

Finally, independent environmental reporter Peter Fairley gives us his take on the role of journalism in this increasingly popular-yet-complex energy landscape.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

August 7, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Debating the Brazilian Ethanol Tariff; The Weak Dollar and Foreign Investment

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:17:40 -0400

As American politicians try to prove to their constituents that they are addressing high gasoline prices this summer, the debate over increasing Brazilian ethanol imports has gotten more traction in Washington. The Brazilians say that lifting the 54-cent tariff on imported ethanol will help bring down the price of all ethanol, thus bringing down the price of gasoline. The domestic ethanol industry says there's already an oversupply of renewable fuels and that more imported ethanol from Brazil will oversaturate the market. In this podcast, we'll address some of the arguments for and against lifting the tariff on Brazilian sugarcane ethanol.

We’ll talk with Joel Velasco, chief U.S. representative of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association about why he believes more Brazilian ethanol will be good for both U.S. ethanol producers and American consumers.

Then, we’ll speak with Nathan Schock, director of public relations at POET, the nation’s largest ethanol producer. He’ll talk about why more imported ethanol may flood the market and make it more difficult for cellulosic ethanol to compete down the road.

Also in the podcast: Jay Tannon, partner at the law firm DLA Piper, will talk about the impact that the low dollar is having on foreign direct investment in the U.S. and around the world.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

July 31, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Big Developments for U.S. Wind; Enhancing Grid Communication

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:58:52 -0400

The last few weeks have been full of positive news for the U.S. wind industry. Former oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens has thrown his support behind a 20% wind penetration target for the U.S. in the next 10 years; former Vice President Al Gore has made wind the centerpiece of his 10-year 100% renewable electricity goal for the U.S.; and the U.S. just passed Germany as the leader in electricity generated from wind.

In this program, we'll talk with Randy Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association, about these developments and what they mean for the U.S. wind industry.

Also in the podcast: Prakash Chakravarthi, CEO of the smart metering company Eka Systems, talks about the technological requirements for creating a more dynamic next-generation grid.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

July 24, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Web 2.0: Connecting the Renewable Energy Community

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:47:13 -0400

The renewable energy industry is leading one of the most important technological shifts in the history of mankind. In many ways the distributed, democratic nature of the envisioned renewable energy infrastructure mimics the internet; however, many businesses within the industry still have not figured out how to effectively use the internet to market their products, craft their message and build their brand.

In this podcast, we’re talking with some innovative companies and individuals about “Web 2.0” concepts and how they’re using open-intelligence platforms, social networking sites and new media to create new business opportunities and spread the message about renewable energy.

JP Ross of Sungevity.com talks about how the company’s online-only sales model will drive down the installed cost of solar.

Chris Beekhuis of Fat Spaniel Technologies tells us how the company’s new open-intelligence data monitoring system will help bring renewables to the masses.

Deep Patel of GoGreenSolar.com discusses the importance of blogging and describes how to make business contacts on social networking sites.

Joel Bush of RenewablePost.com talks about the best way for companies to approach the multi-media environment enabled by the web.

And Joel Makower of Greener World Media tells us about how the evolution of social networking and new media will make for better business networking.

Also, thanks very much to Kamla Bhatt and WediaBuzz for the audio clips of Tim O’Reilly talking about Web 2.0 concepts.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

July 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Global Green Job Growth; PPAs Enabling U.S. Community Wind

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:35:49 -0400

There are now 2.3 million people working directly or indirectly in the renewable energy industries around the world, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. As job growth in this sector continues, the fossil energy industries are seeing a decline in jobs, despite an increase in production.

In this program, we’ll speak with Worldwatch’s Michael Renner about where the most jobs are being created, why the fossil energy industries are seeing a decline in jobs, and what exactly people mean when they talk about green collar jobs.

Also in the podcast: How one North Dakota college is trying to meet the demand for wind power in the state. Doug Darling of Lake Region State College tells us about the school’s planned wind technician program and why wind jobs are so important for the community.

Finally, MMA Renewable Ventures recently entered the wind market by agreeing to finance, own and operate a 10-megawatt wind farm in Oregon. The deal will help landowners there develop the project and eventually own it. MMA’s Moira Geraghty tells us why the deal is so important for community wind projects in the U.S.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

July 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - RE Mash Up: Electric Cars, Energy Storage, Carbon Trading and Entrepreneurship

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:11:14 -0400

In this week's program we feature a series of interviews on a range of topics. We'll speak with a line-up of experts on how to get America off oil, the game changing ability of storage, upcoming trends in emissions trading, and how budding entrepreneurs are learning the difference between invention and innovation.

David Sandalow, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, talks about his new book titled, “Freedom From Oil: How the Next American President Can End the United States’ Oil Addiction.”

Eric Martinot, senior researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, talks about the prospects for advanced energy storage options and how they’ll impact renewables.

Patrick McClosky, managing director of Evolution Markets, describes the business of trading carbon credits in the global market and renewable energy certificates in the U.S. market.

And contributor Mark Braly has some interviews from the Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy organized by the University of California, Davis. He’ll speak with an organizer of the Academy and an up-and-coming entrepreneur who’s trying to turn his idea into a business venture.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

July 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Roundtable Discussion: Outlook for Renewable Energy

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:38:07 -0400

Last month's Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City brought together some of the most sophisticated investors and analysts in the renewable energy and cleantech space. The end of the conference featured a roundtable discussion about the current status and future prospects for the industry as they relate to developments happening within the conventional energy industry. In this podcast, we're presenting a slightly edited version of this in-depth discussion.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest developments in renewable energy news and information.

June 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Community Wind: Building a Democratic Industry in Canada

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:35:21 -0400

This week, we're podcasting from the World Wind Energy Conference in Kingston, Ontario. There is an ongoing movement in Canada to support more community wind projects and create a more distributed, democratic energy economy. We'll take a look at what's happening within Canada to promote awareness about community wind and help this under-developed sector grow.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

June 19, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - An In-Depth Look at Renewable Energy Finance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:17:04 -0400

This week, we're podcasting from the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City. It's a complex industry out there, and this conference is designed to give investors the most in-depth, up-to-date information about the U.S. and global renewable energy markets. We'll have some interviews about industry consolidation, tax equity financing, carbon cap and trade schemes, venture capital, and of course, the impact of the political stalemate in Washington over federal tax incentives.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

June 12, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion; EU-Wide Feed-in Tariff

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:32:27 -0400

Few people have given Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) much thought over the last 30 years. But with the rising price and potential supply constraint of fossil energies, technologies that once seemed unfeasible now seem reasonable. OTEC is one such technology.

We'll speak with Christopher Barry, a marine engineer who once worked on OTEC devices during the oil embargo of the 1970's. He will tell us how OTEC works and why it could be an important part of our future energy mix.

Then we'll speak with Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes, vice-president of the European Renewable Energy Federation, about why the European Commission decided to temporarily drop the debate over Feed-in Tariffs versus certificate trading and instead allow EU member states to meet the region-wide renewable energy target on their own.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

June 5, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Envisioning the Future for U.S. Wind

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:57:30 -0400

In this week's program, we've got a selection of interviews from the Wind Power 2008 conference on the technical, political and financial issues facing the U.S. wind industry. Although the industry still has not gotten the production tax credit extended for next year, the mood at the conference was very upbeat. We'll take a look at the vision for the future of American wind.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

May 29, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Verifying Efficiency Claims for Organic PV; Renewable Heating and Cooling in Europe

Wed, 28 May 2008 16:47:27 -0400

Organic PV has made a lot of headway in recent years as efficiency levels have climbed higher and higher, grabbing the attention of researchers and investors. However, some reported efficiencies of organic PV cells are being disputed because of inconsistent and unverified testing.

We’ll speak with Journalist and Author Peter Fairley about his latest story called, “Solar Cell Squabble,” which outlines the debate over how organic PV should be tested and its implications for the health of the industry.

Also in the podcast: Part two of our look at renewable heating and cooling (REHC) policies. We’ll talk to Veit Buerger, a research fellow for the Energy and Climate Division at the Institute for Applied Ecology, about German promotion policies and the need for Europe to more aggressively develop a robust REHC sector.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

May 22, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Staying Positive During Rough Political Times for Renewables

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:41:07 -0400

After successive record years for wind and solar in the U.S., no one thought the industry would be facing another potential expiration of key federal tax incentives. But now the industry is scrambling to get the tax credits through Congress before project development starts drying up. The uncertain situation raises the question: Is the industry tipping forward or stepping backward?

Despite the debacle in Washington, most analysts are talking positively about the U.S. market. While the political process has been very slow, industry representatives are confident that the tax credits will be passed by mid-summer. Even if something goes wrong, they say, there are still plenty of opportunities to turn things around. We’ll have a feature story on how people are feeling about the future of renewables in the U.S.

Also in the podcast: Wilson Rickerson, co-author of a new white paper on the U.S. renewable heating and cooling (REHC) market, talks about why REHC is so often left out of the policy debate.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

May 15, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Utility Profit Decoupling; Building Integrated PV

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:24:44 -0400

In service territories across the country, the solar industry is facing an uphill battle. Because rate cases are often structured so that more energy consumption equals more profits, utilities don't have an incentive to encourage energy efficiency or distributed renewables. But there is a solution: Profit decoupling.

We’ll talk with Wayne Shirley, principal of the Regulatory Assistance Project, about how profit decoupling works and why it’s so important for distributed generators connecting to the grid.

Also in the podcast: We’ll explore some new PV products coming on the market. Stephen Torres, chief operating officer of Lumeta, will tell us about the company’s new “Peel and Stick” panel and its residential solar tiles.

Then John Langdon, vice president of marketing for the thin-film manufacturer HelioVolt tells us about the company’s latest venture to make building integrated PV products with its Copper Gallium Indium Selenide (CIGS) cells.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

May 8, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - California Solar Initiative Update; Social Merchant Banking in the Developing World

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:19:19 -0400

As the California Solar Initiative approaches its 15-month anniversary, many changes have been made to speed up the adoption of photovoltaics in the state. Before the program began, some people were worried about flaws in the design of the rebate calculator, utility rate structures, and a cumbersome application process. We'll talk with Sue Kateley of the California Solar Energy Industries Association about how those issues have been addressed.

Also, Dr. Russell deLucia, Founder and President of the Small Scale Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF), talks about the role of the social merchant bank model in building a clean energy infrastructure in developing countries.

Lastly, Solar Nation Executive Campaigner Chris Stimpson comments on the political debate over a gas tax holiday in the U.S. The issue has sparked even more questions about our politicians’ commitment to renewable energy.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

May 1, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Solar Industry Fears 'Gaming' of SREC Markets

Thu, 01 May 2008 08:38:57 -0400

Over the last year, as some east coast states have started transitioning into market-based incentive structures for solar, small- and mid-sized businesses are worried about getting pushed out of the market by a few larger businesses.

Solar programs based on Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) — as currently designed — are only beneficial to large "Big Box Integrators," say many business owners. There are fears that if changes are not made to the system, there will be unhealthy market concentration in states such as Maryland, New Jersey and Florida.

The debate over SREC-only markets highlights a growing divide within the solar industry over how the market should grow: Top down or bottom up? We'll look at what SRECs programs are, where they're in place, and their predicted impact on the industry.

For more on this story, see Thursday's print version.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 17, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Full Cost Accounting of Energy; A Detailed Discussion about Future Wind Technologies

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:57:05 -0400

We know the market price of fossil energies, but do we know their true cost to society? In this week's program, we'll examine the concept of full cost accounting and how it could dramatically shift the energy landscape in favor of renewables.

We’ll speak with Financial Analyst J. Peter Lynch about the importance of quantifying the external costs of energy; Steve Barg of the International Institute for Sustainable Development on the value of “ecological goods and services”; and European Commission DG of Research Domenico Rossetti about ExternE, the European program for full cost accounting.

Also, we’ll have a detailed discussion on the wind industry between two experts: Consultant Andrew Garrad of Garrad Hassan and Eize De Vries, wind technology correspondent for Renewable Energy World Magazine.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 10, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Creating Sustainable Cities

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:37:28 -0400

The United Nations projects that sometime this year more people will be living in cities than in rural areas. By 2020, it's predicted that 5 billion people will be living in urban environments. While rapid urbanization can cause many social, economic and environmental problems, it can also open up the door for many solutions as well. This week, we'll look at some methods for creating more sustainable cities.

Firstly, Richard Levine, co-director of the Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Kentucky, will outline the basic principles behind sustainability. He’ll tell us what the concept means and how it can be applied to urban areas.

Then, Michael Kinsley, senior consultant with the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Sustainable Cities program, talks about his work advising big and small cities and the economic opportunities that energy efficiency and renewable energies pose for urban planners.

Finally, Herbert Girardet, director of programs at the World Future Council, describes his vision for renewables in the urban and suburban environments as well as his work on the Chinese eco-city of Dongtan in Shanghai province.

Wrapping up the show, Jackie Jones of Renewable Energy World Magazine interviews Li Junfeng of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association about the wind market in China.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

April 3, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - How Photovoltaics Can Copy Photosynthesis; Interviews from World Sustainable Energy Day

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:50:30 -0400

We all know how photosynthesis works. Or do we? Researchers at the University of Chicago and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made new discoveries about why photosynthesis is so efficient. Their work may have implications for the efficiency of future solar cells.

We’ll talk with Greg Engel, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Chicago about how this research is changing our understanding of solar energy collection.

Also, Jackie Jones, editor of Renewable Energy World Magazine, brought back some interviews from the World Sustainable Energy Days in Wels, Austria. We’ll get some perspective on how the International Energy Agency is approaching renewable energy, how the European Commission will ensure the EU meets its renewable energy targets, and how Upper Austria has achieved such a high biomass and solar thermal penetration level.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 27, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - It's Alive! How Living Organisms are Helping Create a Renewable Energy Future

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:33:54 -0400

The energies we mostly rely on today were made possible by the death and fossilization of ancient organisms. Unfortunately, our continued reliance on those fossil energies will most certainly cause the future death of many others. So how are we going to change our habits and develop more renewable energy? Well, one way is to use living organisms such as plants, animals, bacteria and fungi to develop next-generation fuels and electricity. In this program, we'll talk with some researchers who are on the cutting-edge of this field.

Firstly, Bruce Rittman, director of the Center for Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Arizona, will tell us about microbial fuel cells that use cultures of bacteria to break down wet biomass waste to create electricity.

Then, we’ll talk with Bill Baum, general manager of the Specialty Enzymes Business Unit of Verenium and Steve Hutcheson, President and CEO of Zymetis about the best places in nature to find enzymes for breaking down cellulose for ethanol production.

Finally, Brian Willson, chief technology officer for Solix Biofuels, describes how to grow algae for fuel. He’ll talk about the differences between open and closed production systems, how Solix’s biophotoreactor works, and when we can expect to see biofuels from algae on the market.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 20, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Doing Business in the Hydro Industry; Sponsoring RE Projects; Important Ruling in Nevada

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:43:39 -0400

Last week, we covered some of the broad political and regulatory issues facing the hydro industry. This week, we'll have a feature story looking at what some companies are dealing with in the markets they serve.

We'll hear from Lori Barg, Chief Executive of Community Hydro, about the complicated permitting process in her home state of Vermont; Dennis Pungitore about his run-of-river hydro system in Colorado; and John Christensen about the potential for upgrading hydroelectric dams in California.

Also in the podcast: Sponsorship seems to be everywhere. Now it's hit the renewable energy industry! Ted Rose, Vice President of Business Development for Renewable Choice Energy, tells us about a deal that could mark a new trend for the industry.

Finally, we'll have a feature report on the situation in Nevada, where the Public Utilities Commission is deliberating the legality of third-party ownership of renewable energy systems. The decision will determine the fate of businesses renting or leasing systems to customers in the state.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 13, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Growing a Sustainable Hydropower Industry

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:17:52 -0400

Think the hydropower resource in the U.S. is all dried up? Not even close. According to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), there are still about 100,000 megawatts of run-of-river resources available in this country. That's not even considering the tens of thousands of megawatts available in our oceans and tidal estuaries.

Doug Hall, Program Manager for the INL Water Energy Program, tells us about how what types of technologies the industry may use to exploit this resource in a more sustainable way.

We'll also speak with Trey Taylor, Co-Founder and President of Verdant Power, a company that is developing kinetic hydropower turbines. Trey will talk about Verdant's technology and about some of the lessons learned during its pilot project in the East River off New York City.

Finally, National Hydropower Association Executive Director Linda Church Ciocci talks about the slow regulatory process at FERC and MMS, what kind of national incentives the industry relies on and how perceptions of the industry are changing within the government.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

March 6, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Renewables Front and Center on the International Political Stage

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:50:55 -0500

Political actors from all over the world gathered in Washington, DC for the WIREC conference this week to consider the impact that their choices have on the business of renewable energy. While renewables still play a relatively small role compared to fossil energies, the discourse over how to move the industry forward is changing dramatically as more leaders recognize the environmental and geo-political implications for implementing clean energies.

This week, we'll examine renewable energy's role in the global political landscape through a series of interviews with politicians, business leaders and analysts attending the conference.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

February 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Conflicting Research on Renewables; Spanish Energy Companies Entering the U.S.

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:51:05 -0500

There have been a number of contradictory academic and government studies on photovoltaics and biofuels released over the last two months. Because renewable energy is becoming a hot topic in the press, various media outlets are reporting on the studies without proper comparison and analysis, says industry expert Scott Sklar. We'll talk with Sklar about the negative and positive studies and get his opinion on how the press is covering the issues. He'll also give us a brief update on the latest renewable energy tax title.

Also in the podcast: Reese Tisdale, senior analyst for the Renewable Power Generation Advisory at Emerging Energy Research, puts global development figures into perspective and tells us what the hottest markets may be for 2008 and beyond.

Finally, Brian Gaylord, a market analyst for the Spanish Trade Commission, talks about the country's renewable energy market dynamics and explains why so many Spanish companies are looking to get into the U.S.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 21, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:20:02 -0500

This week's podcast comes to you from the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo (formerly Power-Gen Renewable Energy and Fuels). In this show, we'll tell you what the site and conference rebrand says about the changing renewable energy industry. We'll also bring you a roundtable discussion on the financial and political issues facing bioenergy companies today.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 14, 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:06:47 -0500

Chris Anderson, Chief Operations Officer for Borrego Solar just built a new off-grid house in Peterborough, NH. Stephen Lacey recently visited Chris' house to check out his setup and discuss important considerations for homeowners who want to build green.

Also, Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, gives us his opinion on the many attempts by Congress to pass meaningful renewable energy legislation; what other possible pieces of legislation may come up in the next few months; and what his action priorities are for 2008.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- February 7, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:45:41 -0500

The Nubanusit Neighborhood and Farm is a new 29-unit co-housing development being built in Peterborough, NH. The community features state-of-the-art, energy-efficient homes; a working organic farm; seven wood pellet boilers for electricity and hot water; and “roughed in” plans for photovoltaics and solar hot water systems. Stephen Lacey visited the site and brought back this story.

Also in the podcast: Patrice Frey, Director of Sustainability Research at the National Trust for Historic Preservation tells us why preservation is one of the most effective tools for combating climate change and avoiding “green sprawl.”

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is the last week to fill out our podcast listener survey! Please let us know what you think about this show! Just go to renewableenergyworld.com for more details.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- January 31, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:46:06 -0500

The race is on to bring the biofuels industry to the next level. As more people question the prudence of food-based fuels, researchers and companies are aggressively looking for commercially viable ways to produce greener alternatives to gasoline.

This week, we'll talk with Rob Tripp, CEO of Benefuel, a company that calls itself a “next-generation” biodiesel producer. Rob tells us about Benefuel's proprietary catalyst and how it makes for a more economical and environmentally-sound refining process.

Also, University of Nebraska Adjunct Professor Ken Vogel speaks about a five-year study showing that the energy potential of switchgrass-based ethanol is 450 percent higher than the energy put into growing, harvesting and refining the fuel.

Finally, Greg Wetstone, Senior Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at the American Wind Energy Association considers the importance of renewable energy development during these rough times for the U.S. and global economies.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you haven't already done so, please take our podcast listener survey. We want to know what you think. It will only take you a few minutes!

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- January 24, 2008

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:14:25 -0500

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is emerging as one of the most promising utility-scale renewable energy sources. The launch of Nevada Solar One last June sparked a revival for this so-called “sleeping giant” in the U.S. and marked the first of a series of important developments for the industry. But there is still much uncertainty about the mid-term prospects for CSP, as the possibility of the investment and production tax credits expiring hangs over the industry.

Faced with this rocky investment climate, the U.S. is falling behind countries like Spain, which has a generous feed-in tariff for CSP developers. Mike Taylor, Director of Research for the Solar Electric Power Association just got back from a trip to Spain where he toured a few different projects and talked to developers and financiers. Taylor and CSP Today founder Belen Gallego will tell us about how the Spanish industry is benefiting from the country's renewable energy support structure.

We'll also speak with Ausra Executive Vice President John O'Donnell about the company's unique parabolic trough collectors and about how uncertainty in the U.S. market may impacting its aggressive business plan.

Finally, Darren Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy talks about micro-CSP and how the company's technology can play a major role in the distributed generation sector.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Our listener survey is now posted on the podcast page. We encourage all of our listeners to participate and let us know how we're doing!

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- January 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:20:20 -0500

Many public opinion polls suggest that Americans strongly support mass adoption of renewable energy; however, when it comes to actually making a purchase from their utility or investing in their own system, people just aren't buying in the same numbers. Why? In this episode, we'll look at how to overcome the barriers in front of mainstream acceptance of renewables.
Firstly, we'll talk with Joe Brewer, a Fellow at the Rockridge Institute, about how the renewable energy industry and the broader environmental movement can use the “art of the argument” to weave a convincing story for their cause.

Secondly, Ron Pernick of the research and publishing firm Clean Edge and Brian Keane of the non-profit clean energy marketing firm SmartPower, outline the most important factors for selling the industry's ideas and products to the broader public.

Finally, Michael Shellenberger, co-author of the new book Breakthrough: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility, challenges us to take a more proactive approach to economics and politics in order to tackle the enormous environmental challenges ahead.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- January 10, 2008

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:42:02 -0500

Things aren't looking great for Wall Street coming into the new year. With a poor housing market, ongoing credit crunch, high energy prices, low employment figures and low consumer spending, the chatter about a recession has been getting louder in recent months. However, clean energy stocks have preformed very well over the last year and many analysts believe that 2008 could bring similar returns for investors.

In this week's show, Independent Wall Street analyst J. Peter Lynch gives us his perspective on how investors should approach solar stocks, the possible impact of high oil prices, and how the U.S. market approaches renewable energy compared with the rest of the world.

Also in the podcast: The World Future Council just released a new website designed to educate policy makers, regulators and advocates about how best to implement Feed-in Tariffs. Peter Roderick, Co-Director of the Climate Justice Program, talks about the website and how it may promote increased adoption of Feed-in Tariffs around the world.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- January 3, 2008

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:30:28 -0500

Welcome to the new year! In our first episode for 2008, we're taking a look at some global trends for renewable energy throughout 2007. We'll talk with industry analysts about worldwide development figures, how the markets are approaching clean energy, the emergence of China as a major player in the industry, and the slowly shifting political climate in the U.S.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- December 27, 2007

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:27:32 -0500

We take our work here at renewableenergyworld.com very seriously. But sometimes you need to step back and have a good laugh. This week, in place of our regular podcast, we present to you an audio christmas card produced by Emcee PV and DJ Silicon (a.k.a. Stephen Lacey).

Inside Renewable Energy- December 20, 2007

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:40:16 -0500

European Union officials are currently debating the need for a voluntary renewable energy certificate trading scheme. Some countries that can't meet their renewable energy targets -- namely the UK -- are in favor of such a system, as it would allow them to purchase credits from countries that have excess generation capacity. However, many people are worried that a certificate trading scheme will undermine the feed-in tariffs already in place around Europe, hurting the distributed renewable energy market that is flourishing around the region.
Dirk Hendricks, Director of the European Union Liason Office at the World Future Council, joins us to talk about how a trading scheme could drastically change the market for renewable energy in Europe. Hendricks has been speaking with EU officials about the proposed trading system, and he'll tell us how the debate is playing out on both sides of the issue.

Also in the podcast: Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, comments woefully on the Energy Bill that passed Congress this week.

Plus, Hank Green, Editor of the technology blog Ecogeek.org talks about some of his favorite gifts to make the holidays a little less wasteful.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- December 13, 2007

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:28:14 -0500

The necessity of good net metering laws and interconnection standards can't be understated. In order to grow the market for solar and other distributed forms of energy in the U.S., the appropriate laws must be in place to make installation easy and the investment cost-effective.

On Thursday, the Network for New Energy Choices released a report called “Freeing the Grid,” which looks at the best and worst net metering laws and interconnection standards around the country. Adam Browning, Executive Director of the Vote Solar Initiative, joins us to talk about the report and how distributed generators are treated differently from state to state.

Also in the podcast: Author and Renewable Energy Analyst Paul Gipe updates us on the increased interest in feed-in tariffs around North America. In the last few months, some Canadian provinces and U.S. states have expressed support for feed-in tariffs. And while this support may not necessarily turn into action, Gipe says that the government recommendations are a positive sign that the feed-in tariff movement is making progress in North America.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- December 6, 2007

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:01:43 -0500

'Tis the season to consume. This holiday season, Americans will produce 44 million tons of waste -- a 25 percent increase over the rest of the year. But instead of letting this waste pile up in landfills, there are many companies working to make another product that America and the rest of the developed world voraciously consumes: fuel and electricity. In this week's program, we'll take a look at a number of different waste-to-energy technologies.

Also in the podcast: we'll have an overview of ACORE's Phase II conference, which brought hundreds of forward-looking thinkers to Washington, D.C. to discuss global renewable energy development trends.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- November 29, 2007

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:54:27 -0500

The solar industry is itching to bring PV to grid parity with fossil sources of energy, and the burden of this task is carried primarily by manufacturers and politicians. This week, we're talking with two different types of manufacturers about their methods of lowering the cost of PV and how the recent debacle over the energy bill in Washington may impact their business.

Firstly, Charlie Gay, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Solar Business Group at Applied Materials talks to us about the company's new SunFab integrated thin film manufacturing line. Charlie has had a long career in the solar industry, and he'll talk about primary trends in the cost reduction of PV.

Secondly, Denis Du Bois of Energy Priorities Magazine has an interview with Bob Ford, CEO of Solaicx, a manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers. Bob will tell us about Solaicx's advanced manufacturing technology, how the company plans to scale up operations, and the importance of the investment tax credit for the solar industry.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- November 15, 2007

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:07:15 -0500

You've probably heard the news by now: There have been numerous reports from Washington, D.C. over the last week that Democratic Congressional leaders may strip out the most important renewable energy provisions from the upcoming energy bill. We'll have a feature report on the status of the energy bill and what may happen to the renewable energy provisions.

Also in the podcast: Chris Stimpson, Executive Campaigner for Solar Nation, has a piece of commentary on the crazy week for renewable energy.

Plus, Denis Du Bois, Editor of Energy Priorities Magazine has an audio tour of the GreenBuild 2007 conference in Chicago.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- November 8, 2007

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:31:02 -0500

The need to upgrade our outdated grid is getting more important each year. As renewable energy makes up more of the U.S. electricity supply and changes the energy landscape, the old, tired transmission and distribution system will have a hard time keeping up. In this week's podcast, we'll bring you three different stories on the transmission and distribution system as it relates to renewable energy.

First, we'll check in with David Meyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the U.S. Department of Energy. He'll tell us about the biggest integration problem for the renewable energy industry today.

Second, we'll highlight the financial and environmental complexities of developing more transmission lines with a feature story on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project in Southern California. Even though the line is touted as necessary to bring remote renewable energy to San Diego, many renewable energy supporters are against the project. (Thanks to the Utility Consumer's Action Network for allowing us to use a portion of their video for the story).

Finally, Dr. Wade Adams, Director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology joins us to talk about how nanotechnology may transform renewable energy and the entire transmission system in the future.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.

Inside Renewable Energy- November 1, 2007

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:18:45 -0400

Demand for renewable energy in the U.S. is growing rapidly -- so rapidly, in fact, that supply cannot keep up. Even though renewables only make up around 7 percent of the U.S. electricity supply, growing voluntary markets and new state renewable portfolio standards (RPS) will ensure that clean sources of energy make up a larger part of the nation's energy mix. So, will the industry be able to meet the needs of the market over the next few years?
Lori Bird, a Senior Analyst for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory joins us to talk about a report she co-authored on the short-term renewable energy shortfall in the U.S.

We'll also talk with Jeff Deyette, Energy Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists about impact of the 26 RPS programs in the U.S.

Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.