Feb 11 Program: Biomass to Biofuels

Note: registration closes Feb 8, 2010, at 5 p.m. - registration contact: Shelly@coloradocleantech.com

The next few years will witness the commercialization of “advanced” biofuels. The U.S. government has mandated that 100 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply in 2010 increasing to 16 billion gallons in 2022. Success for cellulosic biofuel producers will depend on many variables including: (1) access to consistent supply of affordable feedstocks, (2) ability to access project finance and/or government loan guarantees (3) improved economies of scale with production methods. (Source: GTM Research)

While second-generation cellulosic ethanol remains a hot topic among policy-makers and venture capitalists, serious attention is being paid to third-generation algae biofuels. Known as a “drop in” fuel, algae can potentially serve the gasoline, diesel, and aviation markets.

Discussions during the February 11th program will include topics such as:

* An examination of the variety of innovative 2nd gen pathways and conversion technologies that are under development and are fast becoming a commercial reality

* The economics, including a discussion of stimulus funding, behind the biofuels market

* Market and policy hurdles and opportunities

* The financing viewpoint

* Lessons learned

This program is free for CCIA Members - RSVPs are required. There is a cost of $50 per person for non-members.

Agenda

7:30 - 8:00 a.m. - Registration, breakfast and networking.

8:15 - 9:45 a.m. - Biofuels: Not Your Grandmother's Corn Ethanol
Moderator: Stacey Simms, Governor's Energy Office
Panelists:
Algae - Solix Biofuels
Retrofitting/Jet Fuel - Gevo
Waste Conversion to Energy - Symbios
Feedstock - Community Power Corporation

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Biofuels Hurdles to Jump Before They Get to the Pump
Moderator: Wayne Greenberg, Architectural Energy and Heartland Renewable
Panelists:
Policy - TBA
Industry - OPX Biotechnologies
Financing - Altira Group
Lessons Learned - Mike Miller, formerly of Blue Sun Biodiesel
Technology - National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Remember to RSVP by 5 p.m., Monday, Feb 11 to Shelly@coloradocleantech.com

Jan 2010 5280 Magazine: Colorado's entrepreneurs go clean and green for the future

The CCIA's Founding Executive Director Chris Shapard is ringing in the New Year in Julie Dugdale's "Tech Savvy - Colorado's entrepreneurs go clean and green for the future" column. Chris' quote:

"The potential is huge," says Christine Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. "And not just for windmills and solar farms. There are so many opportunities here."

Go buy it at the news stand now (Colorado's own Dana Perino and keynoter at the PRSA Colorado member retreat this year or read it online by clicking here.

Recap: 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum November 3-5, 2009

The 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum was an overwhelming success, attracting nearly 600 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers to participate in the three-day event highlighting emerging clean energy technology firms and business developments.

The CCIA was a sponsor.

Link to the overview

Christine Shapard: Climate Change Person Biographical Entry: The Carbon Capture Report

Christine Shapard: Climate Change Person Biographical Entry: The Carbon Capture Report

Ten clean technology predictions for 2010

Continuing an annual tradition, Cleantech Group Executive Chairman Nicholas Parker offers ten trends to watch for in 2010:

1) Private capital growth recovers, record fund year
2) Clean economies become the new space race
3) Electric cars take the back seat to smart mobility
4) Resource constraints beyond carbon rise to the fore
5) Commodity tradeoff debates intensify
6) Energy efficiency, driven by ICT, eclipses solar
7) Marketing suddenly matters
8) Buffett leads the super rich into cleantech
9) Acquisitions and consolidations accelerate
10) The rise of waste-to-energy, geothermal and aquaculture

Link to the full article at the Cleantech Group Web site

CCIA helped host the German wind energy delegation last month

"Colorado caught the attention of several German companies involved in Europe’s wind energy manufacturing industry when their representatives visited the state in a mid-November scouting trip.

The reps spent a day touring the Vestas wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Windsor, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, and the wind energy research lab in Boulder that’s operated by German company Siemans Energy Inc.

The German-American Chamber of Commerce’s Colorado chapter sponsored the group, whose members also spoke at a Nov. 13 networking breakfast. The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade sponsored the breakfast."

Link to the DBJ article: German energy companies tour Colorado

Link to the Nov 6 DBJ announcement

Sunny Skies Ahead For American Solar -- article quoting CCIA's Chris Shapard

CCIA's Executive Director Christine Shapard was quoted in this national article:

“Colorado's solar manufacturers have noted that they benefit from the state's low business costs, availability existing facilities for ramp up of production, and a local workforce familiar with technologies applicable to solar manufacturing,” says Christine Shapard, executive director, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

Link to article posting