Inside Renewable Energy Podcast

Vertical-axis wind turbines have been around for thousands of years, yet we still haven't seen modern turbine producers make a dent in the wind market. Why is that so?

The renewable energy industry likes to point to the consistent rise in the price of fossil energies as a key driver of growth. That is, until fossil energy prices are low. As today's challenging market illustrates, companies should be focusing more on reducing their own costs in order to compete with relatively low oil and gas prices over the next couple of years.

In just one year, the story line for the renewable energy industry has been flipped on its head. Last summer, as investors tried to figure out the stimulus package, there was a lack of capital and a pent up demand for projects. This summer, there are far fewer projects being developed, but more willingness to lend from financiers.

The world is running out of water. By 2030, the UN projects that 60 percent of the global population will face water shortages, increasing social unrest and creating additional risk for companies.

Demand for wind energy is down. Valuations of wind farms are decreasing. And competition is getting more fierce. It's a tough market out there – so what is a wind company to do? Innovate.

At first glance, last year's 10 gigawatts of wind installations in the U.S. make it seem like the market is in good shape. But those numbers don't tell the real story of the difficulties the wind industry is facing.

Solar hot water systems are the most cost-competitive solar technology. But why do utilities pay more attention to the costlier solution, Solar PV?

The growth in the solar market is creating a lot of opportunity in the area of credentialing. It's also creating a lot of confusion for consumers and job-seekers looking for a way into the technical side of the industry.

Companies all along the solar supply chain are working hard to reduce the cost of their products. But the buck ultimately stops with the installer, who delivers the product to the consumer. By creating products and building training programs that help the installer do his job more efficiently, the cost of developing a project will inevitably fall.

Deep down in the sewer system lies a toxic menace that grows larger with each passing day, waiting to rise up and wreak havoc on society. No, it's not some deranged underground monster. It's something far scarier (for utilities anyway) – Grease.