On April 8, 2008, The Porter School of Environmental Studies (PSES), together with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University (TAU), will hold a symposium on environmental technology research being carried out at TAU.
I had an opportunity to speak with the chair of the symposium, Dr. Eli Galanti, who is the Research Coordinator at PSES. According to Dr. Galanti, "The symposium will be aimed at giving a platform to the sizable number of studies in this field that have taken place at the university in recent years, and introducing researchers to interested parties from industry, government and the financial sector."
Dr. Galanti "anticipates that the symposium will enable participants to establish contacts in order to facilitate funding opportunities and commercialization options."
The program will include three different sessions, each featuring multiple researchers from TAU and chaired by a leading Israeli cleantech investor.
The first session, "Finding Alternative Energy: From solar and wind power to biofuels and hydrogen", will be chaired by Chen Altshuler, Director of Research at Altshuler Shaham, one of the leading investment houses in Israel. It was the first investment house in the region to establish a "green mutual fund" and is a major shareholder of "Ecocycle", a holding company which owns a green incubator and invests in private and very early stage green companies.
The second session, "Identifying Environmental Stresses: Water, air and soil", will be chaired by Booky Oren, President and CEO of the Arison Water Initiative, a $100m water-focused holding company. Mr. Oren was formerly CEO of the Mekorot, the Israel National Water Company.
The third session, "Improving the Environment: Remediation, rehabilitation, and smart agriculture", will be led by Jack Levy, General Partner at Israel Cleantech Ventures.
A complete program and list of presenters, and information about how to RSVP, is available online at the PSES web site.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Highlights from first Cleantech Israel meetup event
On March 27, Shai Agassi was in Copenhagen to announce a partnership between Project Better Place and DONG Energy to develop a network of electric-car recharging stations in Denmark.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, more than fifty people, including a mix of entrepreneurs, venture investors, government officials and other key stakeholders in the industry, participated in the launch of the new Cleantech Israel meetup group.
The event, held at Max Brenner on Hamenofim St. in Herzliya Pituach, included presentations by Jack Levy, General Partner at Israel Cleantech Ventures, who provided an overview of recent developments in the sector; and Eran Yarkoni, founder and CEO of EnStorage, who gave a start-up's perspective on licensing "clean-tech" technology. EnStorage recently completed a financing round from Greylock Partners, Canaan Partners of the US, and Siemens Venture Capital, and its technology is licensed from Tel Aviv University.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, more than fifty people, including a mix of entrepreneurs, venture investors, government officials and other key stakeholders in the industry, participated in the launch of the new Cleantech Israel meetup group.
The event, held at Max Brenner on Hamenofim St. in Herzliya Pituach, included presentations by Jack Levy, General Partner at Israel Cleantech Ventures, who provided an overview of recent developments in the sector; and Eran Yarkoni, founder and CEO of EnStorage, who gave a start-up's perspective on licensing "clean-tech" technology. EnStorage recently completed a financing round from Greylock Partners, Canaan Partners of the US, and Siemens Venture Capital, and its technology is licensed from Tel Aviv University.
I would like to thank everyone who participated, including individuals from cleantech companies Aqwise, CheckLight, Edig Solar, Emefcy, En Gibton, Phoebus Energy, and TechnoSpin Wind; and from investors such as Genesis Partners, Lab-One Innovations, Magnolia Capital, Moreno Meister, Naiot, and Terra Venture Partners. Also in attendance were Yael Cohen Paran, the Director of the new Israel Energy Forum, and Tsvi Bisk, the creator of the Jewish Energy Project.
A special thanks to Noam Ilan, the Director of Renewable Energy in Eilat-Eilot, and our guest from the California Public Utilities Commission, both of whom traveled a long way to join us.
I would also like to acknowledge my fellow bloggers -- Tali Aben, Lisa Damast, and Kfir Pravda - it was great to meet you in person!
The event was sponsored by Goodwin Procter LLP, a U.S. law firm with an extensive Cleantech Practice.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Developing Story: Shai Agassi to address Copenhagen Climate Council
The Project Better Place press team at Hill & Knowlton just confirmed that Shai Agassi will be speaking at the Copenhagen Climate Council press conference on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
I am told that the conference will be streaming live on projectbetterplace.com for those who would like to hear what he has to say. The webcast will stream live from 7:30-9:00 am ET (1:30-3:00 pm in Israel) and will be available on the site thereafter.
The press conference will, according to its organizers, involve the "presentation of a unique, international climate project created by two members of the Copenhagen Climate Council."
I am told that the conference will be streaming live on projectbetterplace.com for those who would like to hear what he has to say. The webcast will stream live from 7:30-9:00 am ET (1:30-3:00 pm in Israel) and will be available on the site thereafter.
The press conference will, according to its organizers, involve the "presentation of a unique, international climate project created by two members of the Copenhagen Climate Council."
Featured speakers will include:
- Mr. Bendt Bendtsen, Vice Prime Minister & Minister for Economic and Business Affairs
- Mr. Anders Eldrup, CEO, DONG Energy
- Mr. Shai Agassi, CEO,
- Erik Rasmussen, Editor-in-chief and CEO, Monday Morning
- Tim Flannery, Writer and scientist
- Li Xiaolin, Chairwoman and CEO,
- Will Swope, Vice President, Intel Corporation
Project Better Place to launch pilot program in Denmark?
The Danish government will reportedly announce soon that it is bringing Shai Agassi's electric car venture, Project Better Place, to Denmark.
Initially, Denmark will probably launch a pilot program in Copenhagen and other locations to examine the feasibility of the project. It may also be possible to harness the country's wind power infrastructure for Project Better Place's electric car recharge grid.
This according to an article today in "Globes".
Shai Agassi, the Founder and CEO of Project Better Place, is apparently in Denmark on March 26-27 as a member of the Copenhagen Climate Council. This group of world leaders in business, science, and public policy is developing a set of "activities and initiatives that can build support by international business for a new climate treaty, the successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which will be negotiated at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009."
Agassi mentioned the possibility of a demonstration project in Denmark in an interesting essay on his vision for the future of transportation, which was published last month.
According to Agassi, although it is unlikely that the necessary conditions for deployment of a massive electric recharge grid in the United States will be created in next 18 months, "in the mid to long term there is a very strong possibility that with an understanding of the potential stakes, and successful demonstration projects in other countries, such as Israel or Denmark, the US government will spring to action."
In January, Better Place announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Renault-Nissan to build the world's first Electric Recharge Grid Operator (ERGO) model for clean transportation in Israel. In March, the company established Israel as its primary research and development center to help develop the technology roadmap for mass deployment of electric vehicles.
Initially, Denmark will probably launch a pilot program in Copenhagen and other locations to examine the feasibility of the project. It may also be possible to harness the country's wind power infrastructure for Project Better Place's electric car recharge grid.
This according to an article today in "Globes".
Shai Agassi, the Founder and CEO of Project Better Place, is apparently in Denmark on March 26-27 as a member of the Copenhagen Climate Council. This group of world leaders in business, science, and public policy is developing a set of "activities and initiatives that can build support by international business for a new climate treaty, the successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which will be negotiated at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009."
Agassi mentioned the possibility of a demonstration project in Denmark in an interesting essay on his vision for the future of transportation, which was published last month.
According to Agassi, although it is unlikely that the necessary conditions for deployment of a massive electric recharge grid in the United States will be created in next 18 months, "in the mid to long term there is a very strong possibility that with an understanding of the potential stakes, and successful demonstration projects in other countries, such as Israel or Denmark, the US government will spring to action."
In January, Better Place announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Renault-Nissan to build the world's first Electric Recharge Grid Operator (ERGO) model for clean transportation in Israel. In March, the company established Israel as its primary research and development center to help develop the technology roadmap for mass deployment of electric vehicles.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
IAI to enter wind and solar power sectors
Sources inform ''Globes'' that the board of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) has approved the company's entry into the wind and solar energy sectors. The company plans to exploit its turbine technology, wind tunnels, and aerodynamics engineering know-how to improve the turbines now on the market.
One of the most important facilities of IAI's engineering division is its wind tunnel, used to test models of planes and the operation of high-powered engines. The results of the aerodynamic tests of the models are then compared with the flight tests. The facility and know-how will now be used for renewable energy projects.
Israeli companies already active in the wind power sector include Elspec, IQWind, and Coriolis Wind.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Germany and Israel reach bilateral agreements on cleantech cooperation
Germany and Israel have agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, water and waste management, and environmental technology.
This is pursuant to a number of bilateral agreements signed by Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and the Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert, following inter-governmental consultations in Israel.
Highlights of these bilateral agreements include:
Economics
Israeli-German Investment and Venture Capital Events will take place within the next months and illustrate options for upgrading investment, in areas such as environmental technologies and energy. Both sides agreed to initiate joint projects to promote companies from both countries as leaders in energy efficiency.
Environment
This is pursuant to a number of bilateral agreements signed by Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and the Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert, following inter-governmental consultations in Israel.
Highlights of these bilateral agreements include:
Economics
Israeli-German Investment and Venture Capital Events will take place within the next months and illustrate options for upgrading investment, in areas such as environmental technologies and energy. Both sides agreed to initiate joint projects to promote companies from both countries as leaders in energy efficiency.
Environment
Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Sigmar Gabriel and Environment Minister Gideon Ezra agreed to bilateral climate-change cooperation, which will focus on institutional capacity-building, professional training, the establishment of a voluntary greenhouse-gas accounting system and advancing programmatic Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects.
The joint consultations included an environment forum with Federal Minister Gabriel, Minister Ezra and Israeli and German businessmen in order to facilitate a prompt start to this important common effort concerning climate change.
Water Management
In the field of water supply and distribution the two delegations discussed options for cooperation. One important reference point is Israel's experience through Mashav, the Center for International Cooperation within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding water and irrigated agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions and Germany's strong commitment, in particular towards water supply.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Computerized Electricity Systems raises $3.75m from AquAgro Fund
"Globes" reports that AquAgro Fund has made its second investment, investing $3.75 million in Computerized Electricity Systems Ltd. (CES). AquAgro declined to disclose the company value for the investment, but market sources believe that it was more than $10 million, before money.
CES's technology aims to replace the household electricity box, enabling electric utilities to reduce the demand on the grid during peak hours in a uniform and equitable way for all customers, thus avoiding the need for initiated blackouts and brownouts of entire neighborhoods.
AquaAgro made its first investment in January, investing $4 million in Advanced Desalination Technologies Ltd. AquaAgro has also set up Aqua Lab, which will invest in early-stage cleantech start-ups.
CTO Lupu Wittner founded CES in 2002. Based in Netanya and managed by CEO Yaron Sheinman, CES has 15 employees in Israel, mostly R&D staff. A representative in the US handles business development.
South Africa-based "Engineering News" reports that CES's technology has been successfully tested in Israel by the Israel Electric Corporation, in South Africa by state power utility Eskom, and in the US by the Energy Power Research Institute.
In a lengthy interview with Engineering News, CTO Lupu Wittner says that the company plans to install its product in South Africa beginning in March, initially importing systems from Israel, with a long-term plan of creating a manufacturing facility in South Africa.
Homes that consume the highest amount of electricity are the targeted clients for the product, says Wittner.
"If two-million electricity customers with high consumption accept a 20% saving structure through this system, Eskom could potentially save to 4,000 MW."
CES's technology aims to replace the household electricity box, enabling electric utilities to reduce the demand on the grid during peak hours in a uniform and equitable way for all customers, thus avoiding the need for initiated blackouts and brownouts of entire neighborhoods.
AquaAgro made its first investment in January, investing $4 million in Advanced Desalination Technologies Ltd. AquaAgro has also set up Aqua Lab, which will invest in early-stage cleantech start-ups.
CTO Lupu Wittner founded CES in 2002. Based in Netanya and managed by CEO Yaron Sheinman, CES has 15 employees in Israel, mostly R&D staff. A representative in the US handles business development.
South Africa-based "Engineering News" reports that CES's technology has been successfully tested in Israel by the Israel Electric Corporation, in South Africa by state power utility Eskom, and in the US by the Energy Power Research Institute.
In a lengthy interview with Engineering News, CTO Lupu Wittner says that the company plans to install its product in South Africa beginning in March, initially importing systems from Israel, with a long-term plan of creating a manufacturing facility in South Africa.
Homes that consume the highest amount of electricity are the targeted clients for the product, says Wittner.
"If two-million electricity customers with high consumption accept a 20% saving structure through this system, Eskom could potentially save to 4,000 MW."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
