Earlier today I had an opportunity to visit the TechnoSpin R&D facility in Netanya. Natalie Barlev, VP of Business Development, and Daniel Men, CTO, were nice enough to speak with me about the company's wind turbine technology and plans for commercialization.
They also took me up on the roof for a first-hand look at one of TechnoSpin's wind turbines, the PowerSpin TSB3, which has a rotor diameter of 3 meters.
TechnoSpin develops and manufactures small wind turbines for use in residential, small business, and maritime settings. The turbines also have applications for agriculture and irrigation. Natalie tells me that the company hopes to begin selling its wind turbines in the next couple months and is now in talks with potential distributors and customers around the world.
In April, TechnoSpin announced that it had raised $8 million in funding from the U.S. venture capital firm 21 Ventures.
A public demonstration of the company's technology might take place in the near future, and I encourage you to contact the company if you want to learn more.
Natalie Barlev and Maxim Rakov, TechnoSpin's CEO, are also regular participants in the Cleantech Israel meetup group.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Arnold Goldman, Chairman of BrightSource Energy
BrightSource Energy is one of the hottest companies in cleantech. Earlier this month BrightSource raised $115 million in a Series C round of financing from investors including Google.org and VantagePoint Venture Partners. In April, the company entered into a series of contracts with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to build up to 900 MW of solar power in California, at a cost of $2-3 billion.
Arnold Goldman is the Chairman and Founder of both BrightSource Energy, based in Oakland, CA, and Luz II, the company's R&D, production and product engineering subsidiary based in Jerusalem.
In a recent interview with the web site Beyond Zero Emissions, Goldman discusses the origins of the company and its solar thermal technology. He explains why BrightSource has moved away from the parabolic troughs used by companies like Solel, and is instead building power plants based on its "Distributed Power Tower" technology consisting of thousands of relatively small mirrors (called heliostats). If you are interested in learning more about the company and solar thermal power, take a look at the online transcript of the interview.
Luz II is currently building a pilot plant in Israel's Negev Desert to test the company's technologies.
Related posts:
BrightSource Energy raises $115 million in latest round of funding
BrightSource Energy signs large solar deal with PG&E
Arnold Goldman is the Chairman and Founder of both BrightSource Energy, based in Oakland, CA, and Luz II, the company's R&D, production and product engineering subsidiary based in Jerusalem.In a recent interview with the web site Beyond Zero Emissions, Goldman discusses the origins of the company and its solar thermal technology. He explains why BrightSource has moved away from the parabolic troughs used by companies like Solel, and is instead building power plants based on its "Distributed Power Tower" technology consisting of thousands of relatively small mirrors (called heliostats). If you are interested in learning more about the company and solar thermal power, take a look at the online transcript of the interview.
Luz II is currently building a pilot plant in Israel's Negev Desert to test the company's technologies.
Related posts:
BrightSource Energy raises $115 million in latest round of funding
BrightSource Energy signs large solar deal with PG&E
Friday, May 23, 2008
IC Green Energy and Yom-Tov Samia
Yom-Tov Samia, former head of the IDF's Southern Command and now the Director of IC Green Energy, a subsidiary of Israel Corp., gave an interesting, no-nonsense presentation on his company's areas of activity and strategies for cleantech investment at the Renewable Energy and Beyond conference at Tel Aviv University (see this post for more observations from the conference).
According to Samia, the transition to renewable energy is no longer a question of choice, but rather a necessity in order to effectively address: (1) national security through energy independence; and (2) environmental concerns and greenhouse gas emissions.
Samia outlined IC Green Energy's "12-12 Vision" to be one of the 12 leading companies worldwide in the field of renewable energy by 2012. In order to achieve this goal, the company aims to process 4-5% of the global biofuel market (~4 million tons) and construct 2-3 significant renewable energy (biomass or solar) power plants in the next few years.
IC Green Energy's areas of activity are:
IC Green Energy had made 3 undisclosed investments so far, and Samia hinted that a major investment related to cellulosic ethanol is in the works and might be announced soon.
Related posts:
IC Green Energy to enter Negev solar power plant tender
According to Samia, the transition to renewable energy is no longer a question of choice, but rather a necessity in order to effectively address: (1) national security through energy independence; and (2) environmental concerns and greenhouse gas emissions.
Samia outlined IC Green Energy's "12-12 Vision" to be one of the 12 leading companies worldwide in the field of renewable energy by 2012. In order to achieve this goal, the company aims to process 4-5% of the global biofuel market (~4 million tons) and construct 2-3 significant renewable energy (biomass or solar) power plants in the next few years.
IC Green Energy's areas of activity are:
- biofuels – biodiesel and ethanol – based on existing, 1st generation technologies (just for market entry)
- energy from biomass – based on developing, 2nd generation technologies
- solar energy (photovoltaics and concentrating solar power)
- advanced technologies for clean energy
- carbon trading
- be big or go home – size does count; strive for measurable presence
- act with strong, strategic local partners
- vertical integrate, when practical, its supply chain
- plan, organize and produce globally while acting regionally/locally
- gain advantages in:
- cutting edge technologies
- risk management though purchase of raw materials and product sales
- local logistics and cost-effective production
IC Green Energy had made 3 undisclosed investments so far, and Samia hinted that a major investment related to cellulosic ethanol is in the works and might be announced soon.
Related posts:
IC Green Energy to enter Negev solar power plant tender
Observations from the Tel Aviv U. renewable energy conference
Earlier this week I attended the Renewable Energy and Beyond conference at Tel Aviv University (TAU). The conference, which organizers say was attended by over 700 people, featured presentations by influential business leaders, academics, and government officials from Israel, the United States, and around the world. I was pleased to see many participants from the Cleantech Israel meetup group in the crowd.
What follows are some observations from the conference. Ha'aretz published an article today that includes interviews with several of the speakers, and a video of the conference is also available online.
Tel Aviv University to establish "super center" for renewable energy
Robert Goldberg, Chairman of the Board of Governors of TAU, announced that the university will establish Israel's first "super center" for renewable energy. The goals of the center will be to:
U.S. and Israel sign M.O.U. on Renewable Energy Research Collaboration
Steven Chalk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that his office signed an agreement Wednesday with the Infrastructure Ministry outlining areas of possible research collaboration, including biofuels and solar power storage, which enables solar providers to supply energy for a limited time even when the sun is not out. The deal provides for joint funding by U.S., Israel and private-sector partners and could be finalized by Friday, Chalk told Ha'aretz.
This follows the passage of the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act in December 2007.
The Future of Transportation
Prof. Michael B. McElroy of Harvard gave a sobering presentation on climate change and the need to act now to cut down on the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation and to demonstrate to China and India that development and prosperity can be achieved in environmentally sustainable ways.
McElroy also emphasized the need to move away from using (imported) oil for transportation. According to McElroy, the solution is to do away with the internal combustion engine, develop battery technologies, and replace oil with electricity generated by renewable sources. While he did not mention Project Better Place, his lecture seemed like a good pitch for the company.
What follows are some observations from the conference. Ha'aretz published an article today that includes interviews with several of the speakers, and a video of the conference is also available online.
Tel Aviv University to establish "super center" for renewable energy
Robert Goldberg, Chairman of the Board of Governors of TAU, announced that the university will establish Israel's first "super center" for renewable energy. The goals of the center will be to:
- advance multidisciplinary research on viable renewable energy solutions
- promote implementation of these solutions in
- nurture new generations of environmentalists, scientists, and businesspeople
U.S. and Israel sign M.O.U. on Renewable Energy Research Collaboration
Steven Chalk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that his office signed an agreement Wednesday with the Infrastructure Ministry outlining areas of possible research collaboration, including biofuels and solar power storage, which enables solar providers to supply energy for a limited time even when the sun is not out. The deal provides for joint funding by U.S., Israel and private-sector partners and could be finalized by Friday, Chalk told Ha'aretz.
This follows the passage of the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act in December 2007.
The Future of Transportation
Prof. Michael B. McElroy of Harvard gave a sobering presentation on climate change and the need to act now to cut down on the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation and to demonstrate to China and India that development and prosperity can be achieved in environmentally sustainable ways.
McElroy also emphasized the need to move away from using (imported) oil for transportation. According to McElroy, the solution is to do away with the internal combustion engine, develop battery technologies, and replace oil with electricity generated by renewable sources. While he did not mention Project Better Place, his lecture seemed like a good pitch for the company.
IDE to build 3 desalination plants in Asia
Israel Desalination Enterprises (IDE) Technologies won a tender to build three desalination plants in Asia worth of a total of about $80 million, IDE said on Tuesday.
IDE, jointly owned by Israel Chemicals and the Delek Group, did not say where in Asia the plants will be built, but the statement said the projects should be completed by the end of 2009.
Each plant will be able to desalinise up to 24,000 cubic metres of water a day, IDE said.
Avshalom Felber, president and chief executive of IDE, said the project was meant to "widen the company internationally and strengthen IDE's status as a world leader in desalination."
In the past year, IDE has won tenders to build desalination plants in China and Australia.
In related news, the H2ID group, of which IDE is a member, said this week it has completed an agreement to receive 1.5 billion shekels ($450 million) in financing for a desalination plant in Israel from a consortium of foreign banks.
Related posts:
IDE to build desalination plant in Australia
IDE, jointly owned by Israel Chemicals and the Delek Group, did not say where in Asia the plants will be built, but the statement said the projects should be completed by the end of 2009.
Each plant will be able to desalinise up to 24,000 cubic metres of water a day, IDE said.
Avshalom Felber, president and chief executive of IDE, said the project was meant to "widen the company internationally and strengthen IDE's status as a world leader in desalination."
In the past year, IDE has won tenders to build desalination plants in China and Australia.
In related news, the H2ID group, of which IDE is a member, said this week it has completed an agreement to receive 1.5 billion shekels ($450 million) in financing for a desalination plant in Israel from a consortium of foreign banks.
The desalination plant, to be built in the coastal town of Hadera, will provide 100 million cubic metres of drinking water a year at a cost of 2.56 shekels per cubic metre.
Israel already has another two desalination plants which produce a combined 130 million cubic metres.
National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said he will submit a plan to the government on Sunday to increase the annual amount of water desalinated to 750 million cubic metres.
Source: Reuters; ReutersRelated posts:
IDE to build desalination plant in Australia
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Al Gore addresses Tel Aviv U. renewable energy conference
During his keynote address at Tel Aviv University's Renewable Energy Conference, former U.S. vice president Al Gore called on Israel to take the lead in the development of renewable energy.
"The people of Israel stand in my moral imagination as guardians of the proposition that we as human beings are answerable to moral duties, that there are ethical laws that should guide our decisions and choices. At this moment in history, when, for the first time, all the people of this earth have to make a clear, seemingly difficult but simple moral judgment about our future, the people of Israel can lead the way to renewable energy."
A video of the event, including speeches by Al Gore and Israeli President Shimon Peres -- who called oil the "biggest problem of our time" -- is available on Tel Aviv U.'s web site.
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israel's Minister of National Infrastructures, announced his intention to commit Israel to construct an additional solar power station in the Negev every year for the next 20 years, and to construct a 300MW wind power station by 2011. Ben-Eliezer also revealed that in the coming weeks he will introduce a government resolution designating all of the Negev Desert and southern Israel as a national preference zone for renewable energy.
I will be attending the conference on Wednesday. The program focuses on (1) Renewable Energy: R&D Challenges; (2) Sustainable Energy: Opportunities in the Business Sector; (3) Global Warming and Geopolitics: Instability or Peace?; and (4) Israel's Road to Energy Independence.
"The people of Israel stand in my moral imagination as guardians of the proposition that we as human beings are answerable to moral duties, that there are ethical laws that should guide our decisions and choices. At this moment in history, when, for the first time, all the people of this earth have to make a clear, seemingly difficult but simple moral judgment about our future, the people of Israel can lead the way to renewable energy."
A video of the event, including speeches by Al Gore and Israeli President Shimon Peres -- who called oil the "biggest problem of our time" -- is available on Tel Aviv U.'s web site.
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israel's Minister of National Infrastructures, announced his intention to commit Israel to construct an additional solar power station in the Negev every year for the next 20 years, and to construct a 300MW wind power station by 2011. Ben-Eliezer also revealed that in the coming weeks he will introduce a government resolution designating all of the Negev Desert and southern Israel as a national preference zone for renewable energy.
I will be attending the conference on Wednesday. The program focuses on (1) Renewable Energy: R&D Challenges; (2) Sustainable Energy: Opportunities in the Business Sector; (3) Global Warming and Geopolitics: Instability or Peace?; and (4) Israel's Road to Energy Independence.
Michael Granoff speaks at Cleantech Israel event
The third Cleantech Israel "meetup" event took place on May 19 in Ramat HaSharon. Over 80 cleantech industry professionals, and a number of participants from North America and Europe, came to network and hear a presentation by Michael Granoff.
Granoff is President of Maniv Energy Capital and an investor in Project Better Place, and he shared with the group his thoughts on cleantech, Israel, and the future of transportation. If you were not able to attend the event, you can get a sense of his ideas on the subject by reading this blog post.
For "ex-VC" Tali Aben's reaction to the event, check out her blog.
Related posts:
Michael Granoff, leading cleantech investor, interviewed by Ynet
Cleantech Israel group meets in Herzliya
Highlights from the first Cleantech Israel meetup event
Granoff is President of Maniv Energy Capital and an investor in Project Better Place, and he shared with the group his thoughts on cleantech, Israel, and the future of transportation. If you were not able to attend the event, you can get a sense of his ideas on the subject by reading this blog post.
For "ex-VC" Tali Aben's reaction to the event, check out her blog.
Related posts: Michael Granoff, leading cleantech investor, interviewed by Ynet
Cleantech Israel group meets in Herzliya
Highlights from the first Cleantech Israel meetup event
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