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Green Light Distrikt
Green Light Distrikt is about entrepreneurship focused on the cleantech sector. Edited by Chris Williams with frequent guest posts from friends, experts and industry insiders from clusters across the globe. Our goal is to provide a place where cleantech entrepreneurs in various clusters across the globe can learn from one another. Green Light Distrikt is creating the "Hitchikers Guide to Clentech" to provide a resource for cleantech entrepreneurs. Read more
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Tag Archives: clean tech
March 3rd, 2011
Why should Mass cleantech companies take a vacation to Costa Rica?
TOPICS: BOSTON, Government Policy
I sat in on a webinar recently where the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica spoke at length about the amazing opportunities for US clean-tech companies to exploit. Given how gorgeous Costa Rica is and their ongoing strides to create an eco-tourism economy, why the hell not?! It is the perfect spot for expansion, plus a great employee perk.
Kidding/vacation fun aside, the country is attempting to make itself investment friendly and currently has a lot of backing from the US government. Costa Rica is attempting to double the per-capita income of its citizens and in order to do that, the government needs to create jobs and slash spending.
The country has no fossil fuels of its own, so there has been a large focus on renewables, particularly hydro. The government is looking to add more than 2,000 MGW of energy production over the next ten years. This provides a great opportunity for US companies involved with hydro, geothermal and wind production to tap into a market for which their services are a necessity. Solar is being entertained but is generally considered too expensive. Here to is an opportunity for a US business to experiment with new business models that defray the cost of investment in solar. Similarly, Costa Rica is a good market for those exporting equipment for clean energy projects, involved in construction and installation, and/or engineering services.
Tagged alternative energy, clean tech, Costa Rica, Investment, Sustainable Business
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September 13th, 2010
The Low Profit Limited Liability Company (L3C): A new model for Cleantech?
TOPICS: BOSTON, Government Policy
The L3C or Low Profit Limited Liability Company is a relatively new form of the LLC (Limited Liability Company), that, for now, is only known about and talked about by its advocates, but is quickly spreading across the nation and becoming a revolutionary new way of doing business.
The L3C differs from the LLC in that the primary purpose of the L3C cannot be to make a profit, but rather the purpose of the business must be to achieve a social benefit, with profit as a secondary or ancillary purpose. The name itself, Low Profit Limited Liability Company, is a bit of a misnomer. The business is not restricted in how much profit it can make at all. ‘Show me the Money’ just can’t be the number one goal.
“The L3C must be organized and operated at all times to satisfy the following requirements:
1. The company must “significantly further the accomplishment of one or more charitable or educational purposes,” and would not have been formed but for its relationship to the accomplishment of such purpose(s);
Tagged B Corp, clean tech, cleantech, CSR, L3C, law, legislation, Low Limited Liability Company, Social Entrepreneurship
May 24th, 2010
Last Month at the IERG – International Executive Resources Group
TOPICS: BOSTON, Local Events
Last Month the IERG (International Executive Resources Group) held a panel on International Clean Tech. This was the follow up to their, equally good, presentation on Sustainable Operations practices in an International Business. Normally, I don’t write about panels, but several of the panelists brought up new issues that I wanted to share.
First off, Francesco Fragasso the CFO of Nuvera Fuel Cells, located in Billerica, Mass and Milan, Italy made the business case for sustainability. When asked if there was a market capable of sustaining investment in clean tech (haha, pun totally intended), he responded by saying that there is a “real market because there is a real need.”
He then went on to say that loving mother earth is not the only or predominant reason for making these investments.
He listed three main points:
1. CO2 reduction/operational savings
2. Source Securitization (the big motivator)
3. Competitive advantage held by technology leaders.
So yeah, preaching to the choir, duh, not telling you anything new. Still, it always makes me smile when I hear a seasoned business person talk about sustainability and clean tech, from an ‘it just makes business sense on every level, get with the program perspective,’ as opposed to the sustainability=hippie-tree hugger talk that generally gets thrown around.
Next up was Eva Thorne a professor at Brandeis University. She brought up Brazil as an international super power when it comes to clean tech, a fact of which I had little knowledge. Brazil produces 89% of the world’s ethanol. What’s more, Brazil produces sugar cane ethanol as opposed to the questionable corn variety. Sugar Ethanol is the most advanced biofuel to date (claims the EPA) with a 61% reduction in total life cycle green house gas emissions. One of the cool attributes is that leftover cane waste can be used to power the plant that is creating the ethanol. Woohoo! Brazil is also a leading user of hydro power and has great potential for wind energy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil
The gist of it was, that Brazil has become a global power because of their energy self sufficiency and effective government policy. Their place in the export market has catapulted the country forward. Much of this technology development was due to their Military government seeking fuel sufficiency, ordering the research and allocating the funds accordingly. Dictators don’t have red tape. So there is the silver lining of the military dictatorship—They get shit done. (please hold the hate mail. Yay Democrocy! Happy?)
Finally, there was a lively discussion between the panelists and the audience surrounding hybrid vehicles. The question posed was, if hybrids are so great, then why are they not sweeping the EU market. The panelists focused mostly on the fact that they use Diesel, which can be a very clean fuel. They also brought up that the efficiency of our hybrids is comparable to the efficiency of their diesel vehicles and mentioned that due to government policy their price per gallon has been around $9.00 for years now. The audience seemed to walk away unsatisfied with the general consensus being, ‘why should we bother with a hybrid if the Europeans haven’t gone crazy over them?’
The panel didn’t connect the dots really. The point is that hybrids seem amazing here, but they are still incredibly inefficient. We could do so much better. Most of our hybrids are less efficient on a life cycle basis than a really compact diesel vehicle. Yes, Europe has been living with high taxes, equaling high gas prices for years. As a result, everything including their SUVs and tractor trailers are tiny in comparison to ours. We just can’t beat the efficiency they have had established for years. It is always a little culture shock when I visit France. I feel like a giant for the first few days.
So, that’s all for now. It was really a good conversation and I was happy to have attended. Gotta love it when international executives are having constructive conversations about what they can be doing to develop more clean tech!
Tagged clean tech, ethanol, hybrid, international, international business, Sustainable Business, wind energy
May 14th, 2010
Top 10 Boston Clean Tech Companies Killing It on Twitter
BOSTON -
Recently, I’ve been getting asked more and more who and what companies to follow on twitter. So, I’ve decided to put together some lists.
BEWARE, if you’re not familiar with twitter you may have no idea what I’m talking about.
Today, I did my first #FollowFriday for my favorite green people around Boston. It went something like this:
@GreenLDistrikt: My first #FF for #Boston’s #green scene @hollyfowler @asheen @morganmm @CleanPursuits @goodnaturegirl @mangojess @renewacycle
Those focused on my favorite people but these are the companies that are using twitter the best in and around Boston, and sometimes New England area in no particular order.
@firstwind – Although First Wind does HUGE wind development and thus their customers probably are not on twitter, they provide great news, information and resources to the twitter community interested in wind.
@millvillegreen + @millvillegreen2 : Laura and Helen are doing some great work with green strategic marketing and program implementation and are great at using their twitter feeds to communicate what’s happening in the are and nation.
@greencollarguy – Kevin Gulley has created the largest B2b Green Directory on the web, an impressive feet. The directory will allow companies to research and find the most profitable ways to become green.
@newgenenergy – New Generation Energy kicks butt in the twitterverse, always providing great information. They provide innovative financial tools that help people invest in greening their communities. Keep an eye on these guys, I think they’ll be national one day.
@HarvestPower – Harvest Power’s customers are not twitter per se, but I feel like their presence on twitter is in large demand. Organics recycling is something most Americans don’t have a clue about so any and all education on the subject is much appreciated.
@energycircle – Peter Troast is the energy efficiency man as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never seen a better site that educates homeowners better on energy efficiency, hands down. Also see @energycrclgoods for some deals on good stuff
@Jeff_groSolar – Jeff the CEO of groSolar has had a twitter feed for sometime now. It’s amazing to me that more solar CEOs don’t have twitter accounts especially if they’re selling to residential because homeowners are on twitter. I like hearing Jeff’s tweets, they’re a good mix of business, pleasure, news and life.
@emergentenergy – Emergent Energy Group doesn’t have the most active twitter account at the moment, but usually have some good info on on renewables and community development.
@evcast – Hands down the BEST resource, podcast, blog, news whatever you want for information about electric vehicles. I’d say they’re the Energy Circle of Electric Vehicles, or maybe it’s the other way around? Regardless, if you want to keep up to date on what’s happening with electric vehicles (my vote if on Better Place) follow these guys
@reworld – Like @evcast and @energycirlce, Renewable Energy World, in my opinion, is hands down the best renewable energy news resources that exists on the planet and they are located close by in New Hampshire.
Well, that’s my list. I agree, whether twitter is actually a useful tool or not is arguable and it depends on an organizations business model and who their customers are. I can say without a doubt that twitter has changed my life for the better and I’ve met some amazing people through it.
For those green, renewable energy, clean tech folks. Do you use twitter? Why?
If yes, how do you think we can use twitter to drive the movement forward?
Tagged clean tech, energy circle, ev cast, first wind, green collar economy, GroSolar, harvest power, new generation energy, Renewable Energy World, twitter
March 29th, 2010
Calling all Young Cleantech Professionals in Boston
TOPICS: BOSTON
I started The Green Light Distrikt about 5 months ago as a personal project and it has evolved into something much larger than myself and the vision is becoming mighty clear. To those of you that pushed me to start the blog, you know who you are, I thank you very much. I can honestly say it has had a huge beneficial impact on my life.
A couple weeks ago I was at a Boston Green Drinks event (I help organize them and you should come!) talking with Walter Frick from the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC). He told me about how their organization works with a lot with clean tech executives and provide forums for them to learn and connect with each other but the same venue does not exist for young professionals in the industry.
Boom! It hit me. The Green Light Distrikt will unite the Boston’s young clean tech professionals that are the future leaders of the industry.
We’ll accomplish this goal in 3 simple ways.
Tagged clean tech, cleantech kingpins, green drinks, harvest power, new england clean energy council, new generation energy, Nexamp, wakonda, young
February 10th, 2010
The Winners! Boston’s Top 10 Clean Tech Companies
TOPICS: BOSTON, Interviews
The results are in! Here is the list, according to you, the community, of your top 10 favorite Boston clean tech companies.
For 2010, I decided I wanted to profile some awesome clean tech companies in Boston. As I started to make my list of favorite companies it became really large, 26 to be exact. Also, I realized I knew what companies I loved but I wanted to know what companies you LOVED. The obvious decision was to create a competition. Thus, Boston’s top 26 clean tech company competition was born. We received over 200 votes and I’ve been in contact with many of the companies already.
In 2010 I will be contacting and profiling one company per month. We received tons of votes but not many questions to ask these companies.
So, I still need your help! If you have time, leave a comment answering the question:
What is one thing you want to learn about these companies or ask their CEOs?
Stay tuned as a profile these companies in 2010. It’s going to be really fun.
Without further ado, voted by you here is the top 10 company and the 5 runner ups.
Tagged A123, alt e, alteris, BigBelly, blu homes, clean tech, Emergent Energy Group, EnerNOC, first wind, green tech media, GroSolar, harvest power, vegawatt, Wakonda Technologies, zip car
January 29th, 2010
UPDATE: Vote for your Favorite Boston Clean Tech Company
TOPICS: BOSTON, Interviews
Voting for Bostons top clean tech companies is going well, but I need more questions to ask the companies.
We started this competition 4 weeks ago because we wanted the communities feedback. I know the companies that I LOVE but I wanted to know who everybody else LOVED. So, we decided to create the Bostons Top 26 Clean Tech Company competition out of it. If you haven’t voted, but are interested go to the link and vote for your TOP 3 favorite companies. The companies with the Top 10 votes will be profiled in 2010 started in February.
The feedback has been amazing, we’ve received over 200 votes and I’ve already been in contact with Alteris Inc, Wakonda Technologies, Big Belly and the Vegawatt about profiling them.
Here’s the one problem. I have not received a lot of questions to ask the companies. I have plenty of questions that I want to ask but I really want to answer questions that you’re curious about. So, I need some questions?
Here’s what I would suggest:
1) Take a look at the Top 26 companies, and vote for your 3 favorite.
2) From the 3 your voted for, what do you most want to learn about them? Put these questions in the comment section of this post.
You’re the best 
Tagged clean tech
