Many energy executives and investors are concerned about the Government’s new “go local” approach to planning. They believe it could consign many projects to years in the planning wilderness and make Britain’s ambitious renewable-energy targets virtually impossible to achieve.

Despite these apparent obstacles, the Government wants to triple the amount of power produced from wind-power in just a decade. However, by handing so much control over to local authorities, these targets could be compromised.

We will discuss topics including:
* How will these policy changes impact the on the future of the industry? How might they impact on investment?
* Today’s incentives and tax efficiency solutions – are they sufficient?
* Small vs large projects – who could be winners, losers and why?
* How could future UK wind business compare and compete with other countries in the EU? Internationally?

Though our needs are modest, as a growing non-profit, we simply do not have the budget for London offices. While we are prepared to run as a ‘virtual’ business, it would be very difficult without the London base for meetings; lack of a London presence would especially impact on our intern development program.

So we are seeking a benefactor who would be prepared to allow us an area of up to 6-8 desks (most to be used as ‘hot-desks’), access to meeting rooms and the internet.

In exchange we can help your organisational profile in the cleantech space or to fulfil CSR requirements.

If your company or any of your clients might be willing to consider this, please contact CEO Robert Hokin directly at robert.hokin@eco-connect.org

We would greatly appreciate your input; this survey will only take 5+ minutes of your time to complete and the results will be published.

To take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/euetsandrenewables

This is an area the Mexican construction industry is just waking up to, and those UK companies with experience of working to BREEAM and LEED certification will find a lot of interest in their experience. In the housing sector the largest provider of mortgages is now giving a subsidy for houses with an approved green building content.

The mission will include seminars in Mexico City and Monterrey, and an Embassy Reception. For further details please go to http://www.britishexpertise.org/bx/preview/pages/Event.php?id=342

Investment in Cleantech and Green industry businesses is growing fast. In 2004, investment by Venture Capital and Private Equity in clean energy accounted for $1.5B worldwide. Between now and 2030, $2-3 TRILLION of global capital is forecast to be invested.

In today’s economy, investors have dozens of business opportunities pitched at them every month. What are the things you MUST DO that will impress them and make you stand out from the crowd?

In this practical, highly interactive workshop, Irene Walsh, founder &MD of MessageLab and Robert Hokin of ecoConnect, the cleantech coalition, have joined forces to share with you what they have learned within the investment industry over the past decade, helping companies at all stages of the funding cycle to raise money.

This workshop is designed to help cleantech and green businesses save time and money in the quest for capital.

Learn the techniques of successfully pitching for investment. In this practical, highly interactive workshop, Irene Walsh, founder & MD of MessageLab and Robert Hokin of ecoConnect, the cleantech coalition, have joined forces to share with you what they have learned within the investment industry over the past decade, helping companies at all stages of the funding cycle to raise money.

You’ll learn what it is you absolutely need to prepare before you go to investors, where to find the right type of investor and how to present your investment opportunity in the most compelling way.

You will get tools and tips to effectively present your business in a format and language that appeals to investors. Then you’ll practice how to deliver your pitch with confidence.

Participants have the chance to perform and observe pitches hands-on.

The result: a highly realistic simulation of what it looks, sounds and feels like to pitch to a variety of investor and business audiences.

The following topics are covered:

* Finding the right investor for your cleantech business
* When is a business actually “investment ready”
* What “green” investors are really looking for
* Different approaches to raising Angel or Venture capital
* How to get your deal seen by investors
* How to package and position your green credentials in a business context
* Targeting different investor audiences and making the pitch specific to them
* Pitching formats
* The perfect elevator pitch
* Creating rapport and trust with audiences
* Live pitches and feedback

Bonus!
Afterwards, when you are ready to meet investors and pitch, you will have access to Greenbackers, ecoConnect’s own green investment pitch event, which matches qualified early stage entrepreneurs with cleantech interested investors.

To register:

http://guest.cvent.com/d/fdqly7

Every month, Green in the City debates the hottest topics – and addresses the challenges and opportunities involved in the transition to a ‘cleantech economy’. It brings together top funding executives, entrepreneurs, leading innovators and opinion leaders – the very people driving the development and adoption of cleantech products, technologies and brands in this rapidly expanding market.

Uniquely positioned in the industry with top tier speakers and executive networking in an unparalleled atmosphere, Green in the City is a must-attend event for all participants in the UK cleantech space.

Our September event will explore the areas where cleantech ‘meets’ biotech.

Much of the development taking place today in the ‘green biotechnology’ and ‘white biotechnology’ spaces could be described as ‘clean technology’. Green biotechnology is defined as biotech applied to agricultural processes. Typically, this involves biotech developments in fields such as organic pesticides or fertilizers. White biotechnology refers to biotech applied to industrial processes. Examples include the use of enzymes as industrial catalysts – where there are a host of ‘cleantech’ applications ranging from enzymes which can absorb CO2 from power plants to the use of enzymes in the biofuel industry or to produce bioplastics.

We will discuss topics including:

* The future for next generation biofuels (eg. cellulosic ethanol, algae biofuels)
* Converting biomass from a waste product to a valuable commodity – through biotech processes
* Applications for enzymes and other biotech alternatives in the biofuel industry
* Alternative treatments for water and CO2
* Accelerating the development of advanced materials for the energy/cleantech sectors

Panelists to be confirmed shortly.

Attendees include:
INDUSTRY LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS
o Entrepreneurs and Innovators
o Institutional, Private Equity and VC Investors
o Corporate Executives seeking Cleantech Solutions
o Cleantech service providers
o CSR Executives
o Public Officials/Political Leaders
o NGOs and Environmental Trade Associations
o Specialist Media

THESE EVENTS SELL OUT QUICKLY – EARLY BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL!

Recognising the fact that more drivers are likely to be herding children than herding cattle, the new Explorer eschews some of its rugged utility by switching to a car platform to increase fuel economy and ride. While the original Explorer was a gas guzzler, the new version aims to be a fuel sipper. Part of this is due to overall weight reduction (despite an increase in size), but the majority of it comes in the form of a pair of new engines. Gone is the top-of-the-line V8 option, instead replaced with a turbo-charged, direct injected 4-cylinder engine ford calls ecoBoost, also found in the upcoming Mondeo. Interestingly, while the V6 with more horsepower is used as the base engine, the less-powerful but more fuel efficient ecoBoost engine is the premium option. This comes on the heels of the new Lincoln MKZ luxury hybrid being priced the same as it’s gasoline counterpart.

But, the real story here is the way that cleantech is beginning to take a real foothold in the automotive sector. While the ecoBoost engine is a relatively simple example, relying on decades old technologies, newer technologies like hybrids and all-electric vehicles are crossing the line from the periphery to the mainstream.

Ford recently posted a $2.6 billion (£1.8 billion) profit for its second quarter results. This was driven largely by a significantly refreshed lineup. But these profits likely would not have been possible without Ford’s newfound embrace of fuel efficiency. As petro prices peaked, Ford found itself with a truck-heavy lineup of old, inefficient vehicles compared to its competitors. By investing in cleantech, and borrowing a bit from us brits (the Ford Fiesta just launched over there), Ford was able to produce a modern lineup of vehicles, many of which now have best-in-class fuel efficiency. Future products include a new battery-electric Transit Connect and Ford Focus in the next year.

By embracing cleantech, Ford has seen its finances go from red to black. The rebirth of the all-American SUV in a new more efficient format is just further proof that wise investment in cleantech pays off. If you’re interested in learning more about cleantech in the automotive sector, be sure to join us for our Green in the City event in London on Thursday at 4:30pm. More details can be found here.

If you are interested in finding out more, there is more information on the Department of Energy’s blog.

GE has recently supplemented its $10 billion investment in it’s well-regarded ecomagination programme with another $200 million, looking for ideas to help build the next power grid. Teaming with venture capital funds like Emerald Technology Ventures, Foundation Capital, KPCB and Rockport Capital, it has set up a site where individuals, entrepenurs, and start-ups can submit their ideas, with the possibility of being funded. Submissions can be made in the following categories: Renewable Energy, Grid Efficiency, and EcoHomes/EcoBuildings. If you’re interested in the challenge, be sure to check out the video below, or go to the website and submit an idea and vote on those already submitted.

More coverage can be found at Fast Company and on the Ecomagination website.

Is Cleantech Investment Back on Track?

Clean tech VC investment bounces back to record levels

Press release from Deloitte and the Cleantech Group

While cleantech investment is returning globally, cleantech investment in the UK still seems to be lagging. However, as coalition government policy takes shape over the next few months, we may see greater levels of VC funding as firms chart a path for the future.

Cars, Cleantech, and Capital

Tesla Motors’ Stock Soars After IPO

UK Car firms and motorists step up calls for green incentives

The automotive cleantech sector continues its upward climb. The recent Tesla IPO, coupled with potential incentives and more large carmakers releasing clean vehicles presents a great opportunity for a reimagining of transport in the 21^st century. This news is certainly relevant for our Green in the City session on 29 July and we will definitely discuss the implications then.

Complexity Can Be An Impediment

Complexity of offshore wind ‘huge challenge’ for lenders

We discussed some of the complex funding issues of offshore wind at our last Green in the City event on 24 June. If you missed it, we’ll be posting the podcast of the event soon.

Bright Spots of Growth in Biomass

Rapid growth reported in waste wood sent to biomass

Enter an opportunity for plastic board recyclers – check this out:  http://www.eco-sheet.com/