There is an obvious business case for clean tech in the communication industry. Energy cost amounts anywhere between 35-75% of an operating costs for a Telecom operator and hence energy efficiency itself makes clear business sense. In emerging markets, high diesel costs, transport (sometimes via helicopter) and theft of this diesel, brings OPEX for energy close to 75%. India alone uses 2.7 billion litres of diesel to power mobile base stations.
1.6 billion people have no access to electricity and about the same have no access to communications. Thus you truly cannot think of bridging the Digital Divide without tackling Energy Poverty. Thomas Friedman called it “Where ET meets IT” and it is this unique coming together of Green ET (Energy Technology) and IT/ICT (Info-communications technology). There are clear business opportunities for innovation and application in emerging markets, and this is what G-ET-IT focuses on.
While reading “Rising tide: Company unveils plans for cutting-edge turbine to be deployed next spring” it spurred some interest on how tidal power continues to slowly move forward. Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) offered an open house to everyone in the Eastport Maine community(1). ORPC’s open house was on their 35-ton research vessel Energy Tide 2 [...]
In a recent article in EnergyBiz Magazine, Salvatore Salamone pointed out a interesting “energy island” concept promoted by KEMA. The original 2007 proposal would “comprised of a ring of dikes surrounding a 50 meter deep reservoir,” pumping sea water into the reservoir during times of excess power, using that sea water generate power during intervals [...]
Back in August 2008 Digicel Pacific took their first step into hybrid energy solutions. The focus is practical, focusing on “…logistical problems of refueling and maintaining generators ….”. As mentioned in the press release: Douglas Creevey, Chief Technical Officer for Digicel, said: ‘As oil becomes more scarce and expensive, renewable energy will be used more [...]
…..PG&E would like to let you know about a Net Energy Metering (NEM) program enhancement that goes into effect this year. Late in 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger approved a new program feature (Assembly Bill 920 – Huffman – Solar and Wind Generation) that provides a new compensation option to your basic NEM program……
