GREEN SHEET :: MARCH 2010
MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH
We welcome this month’s newest members: Lockton Insurance joins the membership ranks. Lockton is known as the world’s largest, privately owned, independent insurance broker. With more than 3,800 associates, Lockton delivers seamless service to clean technology companies of all sizes as well as to individual clients. Bank of America is renewing its membership commitment to the region by joining the Platinum level membership. As America’s largest retail bank, BoA is pursuing opportunities to lend to and invest in pioneering companies that are developing renewable sources of energy, creating new jobs and generating a profitable return on investment. And finally, our formal alliance with the World Trade Center San Diego begins through its membership addition. WTC-SD positions San Diego regional businesses for international recognition and global market success by facilitating expanded trade for regional and worldwide clients.
ADVOCACY
ALGAE BIOFUELS
The CleanTECH San Diego algae stakeholder’s group continues to mount its strategy in educating local and state policymakers about the opportunities and needs of the greater San Diego algae industry. Opportunities to launch a formal and ongoing dialogue about potential legislative threats or opportunities regarding the regional algae/biofuels businesses are under review. Outreach and education to both Sacramento and regional decision makers will involve hosting targeted events to expose the state legislative and agency officials on issues of importance to our local algae industry. Stay tuned for more coalition developments.
CleanTECH LEADERSHIP SERIES
On March 24, CleanTECH San Diego will host its CleanTECH Leadership Series: A Conversation with Mike Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Peevey will offer his solar market views while evoking a robust panel discussion with CleanTECH member companies PCN Technology, SDG&E and UCSD. Mr. Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission, is a strong supporter of renewable energy and renewable procurement requirements for utilities, and is a leader in implementing California’s Solar and Greenhouse Gas Initiatives. He is widely regarded as a primary architect of California’s many world leading energy policies. This invitation-only event will provide CleanTECH members with a close–up perspective on the challenges and necessity of meeting California’s aggressive renewable goals.
CAPITAL FORMATION
CREBs IMPLEMENTATION
CleanTECH San Diego members Southern Contracting, Siliken Renewable Energy, Stoel Rives and City of Chula Vista have been collaborating in evaluating a hybrid PPA financing model as an additional financing option for Solar PV projects that can be implemented before the end of 2010, taking advantage of the special ARRA 30% federal credit. Upon completion and review of this financing model in the next few weeks we will press forward in mobilizing CREBs project implementation armed with at least two, and possibly three financing options. Empowering municipal coalition members with hybrid financial models is the unique product of the stakeholders’ collaboration.
CleanTECH SHOWCASE
Over 250 stakeholders gathered on February 10 for CleanTECH San Diego’s quarterly Showcase on “Wind Power: Leading the Renewables Renaissance.” This CleanTECH San Diego Showcase featured industry leaders addressing the role of wind generation in powering the nation's economic recovery and meeting renewable energy goals. Jim McDermott of US Renewables, a leading renewable energy-focused investment firm, highlighted the wind market and strategies for buyers, sellers and new market entrants. McDermott’s keynote presentation followed a panel discussion featuring Dr. Jim Walker, Vice Chairman of EnXco, and Ian Gardner, CEO of Helix Wind. The panel delved into the emerging trends, opportunities and challenges surrounding wind power investments. The evening was sponsored by member companies Latham & Watkins and BDO Seidman and moderated by Jim Shahagan, VP of Sempra Generation. The event was generously supported by our pro bono partners at Hutchens PR and Promar Designs. Planning is underway for the third quarter CleanTECH Showcase in the summer of 2010.
SCRUB
On May 12, the Capital Formation Committee will host its second quarterly SCRUB event by receiving executive summary presentations from a diverse group of local cleantech companies. Local and early stage cleantech candidates interested in being considered for SCRUB selection should forward their business summary to hollyl@cleantechsandiego.org
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
CLEAN ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
As the Clean Enterprise Program moves forward delivering energy efficiency to small and medium sized businesses, we have expanded our outreach to include the San Diego Restaurant Association in addition to the Port Tenants Authority and the Business Improvement District Council. 2010 brings new SDGE rebate and incentive program additions. As SDGE begins to deploy smart meters to commercial customers, CleanTECH San Diego will begin assisting educating customers about energy savings potential when energy efficiency measures are combined with real time energy usage accessed through an on-line portal. Businesses will be able to integrate efficient technologies and manage energy usage thereby advancing greater energy savings strategies.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
GREENING SAN DIEGO PROGRAM
An overview on the evolution of the Greening San Diego Program was presented to Mayor Sanders during the special strategy session with the CleanTECH San Diego Board on February 8. This program of sustainability best practice sharing among public agencies continues to move forward with pilot Cities of Santee and Lemon Grove, while establishing a working methodology for broader participation and impact on future regional sustainability initiatives like street lighting. The Cities of Santee and Lemon Grove while proceeding in implementing their EECBG block grant energy efficiency projects are now also strategizing with CleanTECH San Diego, ICLEI and the San Diego Foundation on how best to move forward in establishing their greenhouse gas baselines in 2010.
STREET LIGHTING WORKING GROUP
The Regional Street Lighting Working Group (SLWG) sponsored by the City of San Diego and SDG&E's Peer-to-Peer local government energy efficiency program, and under CleanTECH San Diego’s management is continuing its efforts to provide alternative solid-state lighting offerings and energy efficient retrofits for the regions 100,000 street lights. February marked a key milestone with the completion of final drafts of Regional Specification Guidelines for both Induction and LED Roadway Street Lights. The SLWG will now shift its focus to take advantage of these regional synergies in moving forward with a collaborative Vendor Qualification (RFQ) process and explore the various options for a pooled procurement.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
CleanTECH San Diego Ranks the World’s Best 10 Cluster Organizations
CleanTECH San Diego’s efforts have earned the organization a spot on the “Top 10 Cleantech Cluster Organizations for 2010” list. With an estimated 670 cleantech companies in the region, CleanTECH San Diego ranks #7 in the Atlanta-based Sustainable World Capital’s list of global cleantech organization leaders. Describing CleanTECH San Diego’s ingredients in creating its cluster the report references San Diego Mayor Jerry Sander’s leadership, the development of CleanTECH San Diego’s comprehensive one-stop-shop and vibrant ecosystem for cleantech companies to accelerate growth. The report highlights San Diego’s sunny track record by featuring the fact that having less than a third the population of Los Angeles, San Diego has installed 60 percent more solar roofs than its neighbor to the north. In July 2009, San Diego was recognized as the leading solar city in the No. 1 solar state, with over 2,200 rooftop installations and the most solar capacity in the state.
CleanTECH San Diego shares this world stage as one of only four U.S organizations ranking. Other cleantech organizations on the list are Austria Eco World Styria in Graz, Austria; The New England Clean Energy Council, Cambridge, Mass.; Finnish Cleantech Cluster, Lahti, Finland; MaRS, Toronto; Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, Copenhagen, Denmark; The CleanTech Center, Syracuse, N.Y.; Environmental Business Cluster, San Jose; Stockholms Miljöteknikcenter, Stockholm, Sweden; Ontario Clean Water Initiative, Toronto. Read the full story here: “Top 10 Cleantech Cluster Organizations for 2010”
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UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH EVENTS
Member Event: CleanTECH San Diego Advocacy Committee Meeting
MARCH 1, 2010
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM PST
Location: CleanTECH San Diego - 4510 Executive Drive, Plaza One. McGraw Conference Room
Member Event: CleanTECH San Diego Education and Outreach Committee Meeting
MARCH 3, 2010
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM PST
Location: CleanTECH San Diego - 4510 Executive Drive, Plaza One. McGraw Conference Room
CCSE Introduces Innovative Fuel Cells
MARCH 8, 2010
Free Workshop
Register Here
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Why San Diego?
San Diego is world renowned for
its culture of collaboration and
collegiality and is a natural setting
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Through meaningful partnerships
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champions, CleanTECH San Diego
promotes sustainable best
practices in the San Diego region
and promotes the region’s high
concentration of clean tech activities.
By collaborating with the multitude
of stakeholders, we leverage these
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effectively as a world leader in
the low carbon economy.
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