Green investments get sheen

With global warming worrying the world and surging oil prices making carbon-based fossil fuel more expensive, venture capitalists are increasingly eyeing investments in alternative fuels and energy sources, sys Cleantech Group, which brings investors and companies together in environmentally friendly ventures.

Record Quarter

In the April-June quarter of 2008, ‘cleantech’ investments totaled $2 billion in 96 companies, a record for any quarter, surpassing the $1.8 billion garnered in July-September 2007.
The quarterly record marked a 58 per cent increase over the same period a year ago, and 48 per cent over the January-March quarter.

Chindia in the reckoning

Indian firms raised $ 11m, principally driven by a $10 m investment in clean development mechanism consultant Emergent Ventures. The two other investments were in clean water technologies.
Chinese companies raised $ 235 m in venture capital in six rounds, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the total.

What invertors like

Solar thermal energy: Unlike solar photovoltaic technology, which directly converts sunlight into electricity, solar thermal concentrates the sun’s heat to turn water into steam, powering turbines that create electricity.

Second-generation biofuels: The first generation of bio-fuels generated controversy because they could drive up food prices by diverting edible crops to generate energy. Second-generation firms do not rely on food crops as a feedstock.