January 22nd, 2010

What’s your Opinion? Green Tech VS. Clean Tech VS. ‘EnerTech’?

BOSTON -

A couple weeks ago, I was sent this article by a friend: Metcalfe brings VC perspective to Alternative Energy. Metcalfe is an interesting guy that has a great perspective. I skimmed through it and this part really popped out at me: “Networking isn’t the only goal Metcalfe’s been using to try to change people’s thinking on energy technology. “Green” has been politicized, he says, and its anti-business stigma is an impediment. Rather than “green tech,” or “cleantech,” Metcalfe’s been beating a drum for adoption of the term, “enertech.”

I agree with Metcalfe that “Green” has been politicized and tends to divide people even though everyone agrees with the principles (i.e. no one likes to get cancer and thus dislikes the things that cause it). I’ve tended to use the term “clean Tech” in the past because I feel it frames the issue nicely (something Republicans have long been good at, and no I’m not a Democrat either) in terms of clean versus dirty. If something isn’t clean, it must be dirty and that’s bad. Easy to understand. Metcalfe’s perspective is interesting but I think it misses the point, “green” and “clean” are more than just about energy. It’s about food, building materials, toxins, yadda yadda yadda. It’s also possible that he understands this but simply feels “enerTech” will be a more useful name due to the politicization of the two other words.

But I really think this one is still up for debate and I want to hear what you think. Which terms do you use and why?

Tagged alternative energy, clean tech, enertech, green tech, metcalfe, VC |

January 2nd, 2010

Clean Tech Tuesday: Alteris, A123, EnerNOC Make Moves

Uncategorized -

I know, I know its not Tuesday, its Saturday. But I plan on posting this on Tuesdays from now on.

The Green Light Distrikt is not a news site but I think it’s important to keep up to date on the news. To compensate for this we’ll be posting the top 5 or so most interesting stories with a little blurb about the story, a little bit about the company or why the news is important.

The current stories are for the month of December and November and in the future it will be a weekly or bi-weekly post.

I will keep the briefs focused and based around companies, so we can keep up to date of how the industry is going around Boston.

Here’s the 5 most interest stories and a little blurb about each piece:

Continue Reading >

Tagged A123, alteris, clean tech, EnerNOC, Green Building, Renewable Energy Trust |

December 15th, 2009

Clean Tech Guide 101 – Renewable Energy Part 3: Top Places to Meet Renewable Energy Professionals

CleanTech Guide -

So, you want to work in clean tech but don’t know where to start? I found myself in the same place 3 years ago. I created the Clean Tech Guide to help people learn about the industry. I decided to create the guide after being asked a number of similar questions from friends, recent graduates, and fellow entrepreneurs about clean technology. I love to help people and noticed that my answers were typically similar, so I thought it would be useful to create a guide to refer people to.

The 1st part of the guide, Clean Tech Guide 101 Renewable Energy Part 1 Top 20 Resources to Learn about the Technology provides resource to help beginngers learn about the the fundamentals behind each technology. Part 2 of the Clean Tech Guide is a list of the Top Renewable Energy Industry Reading materials, to give you a full list of places to soak in valuable information.

Part 3 is a list of places where you can meet industry professionals.

Who is the guide for?

Recent graduates, career changers, or entrepreneurs who have little to no knowledge about clean technology but are looking for a some direction to learn about the industry.

What the purpose?

The goal will be to provide you with basic resources that you can use to begin learn about and get involved in the clean technology industry. I can only provide you with the resources that will help you, if you really want to get involved you’ll have to do most of the work, but I think this will be really helpful to start.

Best Places to meet Renewable Energy Professionals

They key to any industry is getting to know current professionals, renewable energy is no different. There are tons of conferences and events. Here are some of the best, that I’ve heard of or been to. If you’re serious about these industry, check these out.

The best part about the renewable energy and the other clean technology industries is that people are open to helping each other. This is partly due to rapid growth, there is plenty of room for everyone. It’s also due to the culture of the industry, people are willing to help and share with each other, much more so then in other industries. We are saving the world after all.

Continue Reading >

Tagged ASES, AWEA, Babson, clean tech, Geothermal, IGSHPA, NESEA, NREA, Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy World, SEIA, Small Hydro, Small Wind, Solar PV, Solar Thermal |