News Archive

2010 Conference on Clean Energy

Clean Energy Week 2010 Spotlights Massachusetts as Hotbed of Clean Energy Innovation

 

Hosts Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy as Cornerstone Event and First-Ever Career Growth Panel

 

 

Boston- October 19, 2010 - Massachusetts' Clean Energy Week, to be held November 2-5, 2010 in Boston, will showcase why Massachusetts is now the second-leading clean-energy state in the U.S. according to a recent report commissioned by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The annual Clean Energy Week will include one- and two-day conferences, anchored by the Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy, New England's largest clean energy conference, as well as a bevy of panels, including the first-ever career growth panel.

 

 

A new feature of the week is the Career Growth panel, which will be held on November 4, from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m., and will focus on hiring practices, clean energy job openings, and clean energy career tracks, and is being spearheaded by Jen Boudrie, an Instructional Designer and director of the Massachusetts Green Career Conference.  Panelists for this session include Kevin Doyle, principal, Green Economy; Chris Russell, president, Green Job Spider; and additional panelists from energy efficiency and renewable energy organizations to be announced.

 

 

"Massachusetts has risen to the top of the pack of states leading the clean energy industry in the United States because our state's leadership is devoted to this vital industry," said Patrick Cloney, executive director, MassCEC. "Support from Governor Patrick and the Legislature has been vital in making Massachusetts a state that has everything a clean energy company needs to grow and succeed."

 

 

Clean Energy Week will also host four conferences during the week, including the following:

 

-   New England MREC Technical Conference: This one-day event on November 2 will highlight the latest advances in marine renewable energy technology. Technical presentations will focus on ocean wave, tide, and wind generation technologies. Last year, 35 speakers from all over the globe presented their work.

 

-   Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy: The cornerstone event for Clean Energy Week, the Conference on Clean Energy (November 3-4) will showcase 40 emerging cleantech companies presenting their technology approaches for areas such as BioEnergy, Portable Power, Energy Storage, Solar Energy, Wind Power, Electric Vehicle and Solid State Lighting, among others.  The event will feature investors, late stage companies, market leaders and entrepreneurs in the clean energy community. Keynote speakers include Jim Gordon, president of Cape Wind, and Stan Kowalski, chairman of FloDesign. The MassCEC is a platinum sponsor of this Conference.

 

-   18th Annual U.S.-Canada Energy Trade and Technology Conference: This event - one of the major annual North American energy events - will be held on November 4-5 and will focus on opportunities and challenges facing New England and Eastern Canada.  Topics include clean energy investments, renewable energy, new technologies, energy infrastructure, and trade opportunities.

 

-   CleanTech Venture Day: This one-day event will be held on November 5, and will aim to assist European clean tech companies in exploring opportunities in the U.S. During this event, European clean tech companies will present to American venture capitalists, corporate investors and potential business partners.

 

 

In addition, the Museum of Science will hold a renewable energy fair on November 6 and 7 in their exhibit halls and will have energy-themed shows on November 5 and 8.

 

 

"Clean Energy Week is designed to raise the visibility and illustrate the leadership of Massachusetts in clean technology and energy," said Abigail Barrow, founding director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), which is a co-organizer of the event. "This year's events are bigger, broader and include sessions that focus on the hottest technologies, burning issues, and growth strategies, arming emerging companies in New England with the information, best practices, and insight they need to continue bringing clean technology innovation to fruition."

 

 

 

The conferences will also welcome a number of international visitors during Clean Energy Week including delegations from Canada, Norway, Israel, France and the U.K.

 

 

 

For more information and to view the full agenda, please visit the Clean Energy Week web site.

 

 

Tweet This: @MassCleanEnergy: Clean Energy Week Showcases Mass Innovation http://bit.ly/24MLle

 

Tags/keywords: Clean Energy Week, Conference on Clean Energy, venture capital, cleantech, funding, careers

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

New England's Largest Clean Energy Conference Expands Program Areas

 

Sixth Annual Conference Highlights Massachusetts Clean Energy Week; Program to Showcase Ocean Energy, Energy Storage, Waste to Energy Innovations and Funding Strategies

 

 

Boston, Mass., - September 15, 2010 - The Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy, New England's largest clean energy conference, will be held in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center on November 3 and 4, 2010.  For the first time, the conference will be held in collaboration with both the Boston CleanTech Venture Day, which aims to assist European Cleantech companies in exploring opportunities in the U.S. and the New England MREC Technical Conference, which highlights the latest advances in marine renewable energy technology. These new programs will augment the Conference's overall focus on clean energy innovation, venture capital funding strategies and research and university panels.

 

 

The Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy will showcase 40 emerging cleantech companies presenting their technology approaches for areas such as BioEnergy, Portable Power, Energy Storage, Solar Energy, Wind Power, Electric Vehicle and Solid State Lighting, among others.  The event will feature investors, late stage companies, market leaders and entrepreneurs in the clean energy community. Keynote speakers include Jim Gordon, president of Cape Wind, and Stan Kowalski, chairman of FloDesign.

 

 

The Sixth Annual Conference on Clean Energy will anchor Clean Energy Week in Massachusetts. The week will include a number of activities and events designed to raise the visibility and illustrate the leadership of Massachusetts in clean technology and energy. Last year's conference attracted more than 500 attendees and featured more than two dozen clean energy startup companies. Over the last six years, participating companies have raised more than $100M in venture financing.

 

 

Tweet This: @MassCleanEnergy: CCE 2010 set for November 3, 4 in Boston http://bit.ly/24MLle<!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]-->

 

 

"This year's conference, in tandem with the CleanTech Venture Day and MREC Conference, will give attendees a powerful snapshot into all areas of the clean technology community and growth areas, and will also showcase some groundbreaking technology by local companies in New England," said Abigail Barrow, founding director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), which is a co-organizer of the event. "We are excited to deliver our best and biggest conference yet "

 

 

For more information and to view the full agenda, please visit the Conference on Clean Energy web site.

 

 

Tags/keywords: Clean Energy Week, Conference on Clean Energy, venture capital, cleantech, funding

 

 

Additional Resources:

 

 

2010 Conference on Clean Energy LinkedIn Group

 

 

Conference on Clean Energy Facebook Group

 

 

Follow us on Twitter: @MassCleanEnergy

 

 

 

About the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center

 

The Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center was created in 2004 as a program in the Massachusetts Economic Stimulus Bill. Its goal is to support technology transfer activities from public and private research institutions to companies in Massachusetts. To achieve this goal, the Center works with technology at Massachusetts research institutions; faculty, researchers, and students who have commercially promising ideas; and companies across the Commonwealth.

 

 

About the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition

 

The Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, formed in 2004, is an industry association focused on accelerating the success of Massachusetts companies and organizations developing and deploying hydrogen, fuel cell and related technologies. The Coalition achieves its objectives by pursuing several initiatives, including promoting member companies, representing member companies at conferences, holding educational forums, identifying funding and market opportunities, and promoting industry interests with state and national governments.

 

 

 

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010(202) 225-5931

 

 

FRANK ANNOUNCES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AWARD OF $748,000 FOR UMASS DARTMOUTH RESEARCH IN WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

 

Washington, DC - Congressman Barney Frank today released the following statement in response to the Department of Energy's announcement of $748,000 in research awards to the UMASS Dartmouth Marine Renewable Energy Center for their work to support new wind energy infrastructure in Southeastern Massachusetts:

"I am pleased the Department of Energy has recognized the excellent work being done by the UMASS Dartmouth Marine Renewable Energy Center," said Frank. "The South Coast is quickly becoming one of the leading regions for renewable energy development, which will stimulate economy, create jobs, and help the environment."

The Department of Energy's announcement regarding the award:

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Public Affairs

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 26, 2010

 

DOE News Media Contact: (202) 586-4940

BOEMRE New Media Contact: (202) 208-3985

NOAA News Media Contact: Jana Goldman: 301-734-1123

 

DOE, BOEMRE and NOAA Announce Nearly $5 Million for Joint Environmental Research Projects to Advance Ocean Renewable Energy

 

WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Energy (DOE), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), and the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced eight joint research awards totaling nearly $5 million to support the responsible siting and permitting of offshore wind energy facilities and ocean energy generated from waves, tides, currents and thermal gradients.  This critical research will address key information gaps regarding the potential environmental effects of renewable ocean energy.  This collaborative, interagency effort will help lay the foundation for a clean, renewable offshore energy industry that will diversify our nation's energy mix, enhance our energy security, create American manufacturing jobs, and reduce carbon emissions.

 

"The nation's oceans represent a major potential source of clean renewable energy, and DOE is committed to developing the innovative technologies that will harness that potential," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. "Our partnership with fellow federal agencies will help to streamline the responsible deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies that will create U.S. jobs while improving America's energy security."

 

"We are pleased to join with our partners in announcing these important studies that will give us insight into ocean renewable energy development. Opportunities such as these  allow us to enhance our knowledge of the nation's oceans, advance the work within the scientific community and take important steps on the path toward energy independence," said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich.

 

"There are many new and exciting renewable energy opportunities waiting for us in the ocean," said Commerce Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. "These grants will help realize that potential by understanding environmental impacts and incorporating appropriate mitigation measures from the outset."

 

Research funded under each of the program's eight topic areas will help reduce the environmental risks and regulatory uncertainties associated with offshore renewable energy deployment.  The competitively-selected, peer-reviewed research projects will identify and address information gaps that currently limit the development and deployment of these promising offshore renewable energy sources. Additionally, the research from these projects will help support the activities of the National Ocean Council established by President Obama on July 19, 2010. 

 

The projects were solicited through a competitive joint funding process known as a Broad Agency Announcement, with the support of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program.  This innovative partnership between BOEMRE, DOE and NOAA creates a common research portfolio that meets key industry and regulatory needs.  This significantly magnifies the impact of all three agencies' research funding by eliminating redundancies, supporting complementary work, and sharing the results of research findings.

 

The following awards have been selected to receive funding:

 

Bayesian Integration for Marine Spatial Planning and Renewable Energy Siting

Parametrix (Auburn, Washington) will apply advanced probabilistic statistical methods to integrate oceanographic, ecological, human use data, stakeholder input, and cumulative impacts for the purpose of evaluating ocean renewable energy siting proposals. The project team has experience with two such methods that, when integrated, can support the needs of ocean renewable energy planning in the context of coastal and marine spatial planning and beyond.

Approximate award amount: $499,000 (over two years); Funding agencies: BOEMRE, DOE, NOAA

 

Characterization & Potential Impacts of Noise Producing Construction & Operation Activities on the Outer Continental Shelf

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bioacoustics Research Program (Ithaca, New York) will measure, characterize and evaluate the influences of construction and operation noises from Offshore Alternative Energy (OAE) activities on seasonally resident and migratory, acoustically active marine vertebrates. The three-year project will also evaluate the influences of construction and operation noises from OAE activities on seasonally resident marine organisms that do not make or use sounds to communicate, find food or avoid predators. Approximate award amount: $499,000 (over three years); Funding agencies: BOEMRE, NOAA

 

Developing Environmental Protocols and Modeling Tools to Support Ocean Renewable Energy and Stewardship

The University of Rhode Island (Kingston, Rhode Island) will develop and test standardized protocols for baseline studies and monitoring for the collection and comparison of scientifically valid and comparable data for specific offshore renewable energy issues. The two year project will also develop a conceptual framework and approach for cumulative environmental impact evaluation of offshore renewable energy development. The project, as part of Rhode Island's ongoing effort to develop a comprehensive coastal and marine spatial plan, will provide agencies with a comprehensive, yet flexible means of assessing the impacts of a broad range of offshore renewable energy resources projects on marine ecosystems and human activities. Approximate award amount: $745,000 (over two years); Funding agencies: BOEMRE, DOE, NOAA

 

Evaluating Acoustic Technologies to Monitor Aquatic Organisms at Renewable Sites

The University of Washington - School of Aquatic and Fishery Scientists (Seattle, Washington) will evaluate the ability of three classes of active acoustic technologies (echo sounders, multibeam sonar, and acoustic camera) to characterize and monitor animal densities and distributions at a proposed hydrokinetic site. In this two year study, the University of Washington and its partners will deploy instrument packages in northern Admiralty Inlet, Washington, the site of the Snohomish Public Utility District's proposed tidal energy demonstration project. Approximate award amount: $746,000 (over two years); Funding agencies: DOE, BOEMRE, NOAA

 

Protocols for Baseline Studies and Monitoring for Ocean Renewable Energy

Pacific Energy Ventures (Portland, Oregon) will build a Protocol Framework for identifying, collecting and comparing environmental data relevant to offshore renewable energy projects. Leading scientists and stakeholders will work together during this two year project to develop and evaluate the protocol, which will outline the criteria and thresholds for collecting data for both baseline and operational monitoring studies for wave, tidal, and offshore wind projects on the U.S. West Coast. This tool will be portable to other regions and marine ecosystems, and will be developed for consistency with related European programs. Approximate award amount: $499,000 (over two years); Funding agencies: BOEMRE, DOE, NOAA

 

Renewable Energy Visual Evaluations

The University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (Fayetteville, Arkansas) will develop the Visual Impact Evaluation System for Offshore Renewable Energy. The proposed system will allow a user to design the spatial layout and content of an offshore facility, import and prepare geospatial data that will affect visibility, run a series of sophisticated visual analyses, define atmospheric, lighting and wave conditions and, finally generate one or a series of realistic visualizations from multiple viewpoints. The system will also accept three-dimensional computer models of facilities submitted by project applicants or available from third parties, and will include pre-built models of many facilities. Output during the two year project will be in the form of maps, tabular reports and high-quality rendered images.  Approximate award amount: $497,000

(over three years); Funding agency: BOEMRE

 

Sub-Seabed Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Best Management Practices

The University of Texas at Austin - Bureau of Economic Geology (Austin, Texas) will use existing knowledge and experience with onshore carbon sequestration monitoring and risk assessment, existing and proposed policy (both domestic and international), and international collaboration with groups already conducting offshore carbon dioxide transport and sequestration to compile information needed to establish best management practices for U.S. offshore geologic sequestration. Approximate award amount: $497,000 (over three years); Funding agency: BOEMRE

 

Technology Roadmap for Cost Effective, Spatial Resource Assessments for Offshore Renewable Energy

The University of Massachusetts - Marine Renewable Energy Center (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) will develop a technology roadmap for the application of advanced spatial survey technologies, such as buoy-based LIDAR, to the assessment and post-development monitoring of offshore wind and hydrokinetic renewable energy resources and facilities. The emphasis will be on techniques that provide measurements over space and time.  Most of the evaluations during this two year project will use models and existing data to analyze performance, in addition to field tests intended to evaluate specific approaches.

Approximate award amount: $748,000 (over two years); Funding agencies: BOEMRE, DOE

 

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2009 Conference on Clean Energy

Please see photos from the Conference on Clean Energy 2009

Please see media coverege of the Conference on Clean Energy 2009

2008 Conference on Clean Energy

Podcast

Listen to our podcast in which Wade Roush, Chief Correspondent for Xconomy, interviews members of the Conference's Investor Advisory Board, including:

• Dennis Costello, Braemar Energy, Conference Silver Sponsor
• Jerry Bird, Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation
• Sissi Liu, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust
• Jim Matheson, Flagship Ventures

See Conference on Clean Energy 2008 video by Newfangler Productions  that includes speech of the Deval Patrick, Governor of MA and interviews with Presenters and Sponsors.

Press Releases

Press Release: Boston, Mass., October 21, 2008

Press Contact

Lois Paul & Partners 
Michael Parker
Michael_Parker@lpp.com    
Ph: 781-782-5714       

Experts to Debate State of Solar, Wind and Other Clean Energy Businesses at New England's Fourth Conference on Clean Energy

Leading and Emerging Market Players to Address the Status of New England's Clean Technology Sector

Boston, Mass., - October 21, 2008 - In-depth debate and discussion about the state of the New England Clean Energy Economy will be at the center of the 4th Annual Conference on Clean Energy (CCE08), held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on November 18th and 19th. Conference participants will hear more than 30 leading innovators across the clean technology spectrum discuss the status and future prospects of multiple segments of the market.

With representatives from more than 20 companies presenting at this year's CCE08, attendees will hear panel discussions dedicated to issues relevant to the wind, solar, demand response, energy storage, transportation and bio fuels markets.  During these panels, companies at various stages of execution will debate the state of their own industry examining each topic from the vantage points of innovation, user adoption, costs and practicality. Among the companies participating are: A123, Boston Power, FloDesign, Magnolia Solar, Nxegen and Protonex.

"We have put together an exciting mix of companies and technologies which will be sure to educate and enlighten our audience as to what developments and strides are being made in clean technology," said Abigail Barrow, founding director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), which is a co-organizer of the event. "This conference represents a tremendous opportunity for the developers of technology to meet and exchange ideas with other professionals dedicated to the science of producing cleaner forms of power."
This year's keynote addresses will include: Oliver Morton, chief news and features editor, Nature, and author of the book "Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet," which will be launched on November 18th; and Ian A. Bowles, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts.

There will also be panel discussions addressing the critical finance aspects of clean energy, from seed and equity funding through the financing of major projects.  The equity funding panel is made up exclusively of top venture capitalists investing in clean technology including Atlas Ventures, Fidelity Ventures, Virgin Green Fuel and Flagship Capital.  These panelists will provide the audience with an overview of the health of green technology business opportunities in New England as well as the industry's potential over the next five to ten years.  Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from the firms controlling the investment capital as to what technologies are likely to attract the attention of investors and ultimately the technology market place.

Attendees will have the opportunity to extend these discussions into one-on-one sessions in the Exhibit Hall featuring clean energy entrepreneurs and companies.  In addition, there will be an opportunity to speak with experts at the CCE08 reception on November 18th.

"Forums that encourage healthy debate and intense discussions as to the future of energy production in this country are an extremely positive occurrence.  Renewable is a small fraction of the energy Production today and is expected to grow to over 10-20 percent over the next decade,says Dr. Ashok Sood, president and CEO of Magnolia Solar, one of the many experts that will be featured as a panelist at CCE08.

"Boston has an unparalleled talent pool and with the commitment of investors and the dedication of the regions top engineers and academic institutions, there is ample reason to believe that this region can become the global leader in clean technology."

For more information, visit the CCE08 site at http://www.greenovationconference.com/.

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Press Release: Boston, Mass., - September 17, 2008

Press Contact

Lois Paul & Partners 
Michael Parker
Michael_Parker@lpp.com    
Ph: 781-782-5714                  

Fourth Conference on Clean Energy
To Showcase Future of New England Clean Energy Industry

$65 million Raised by Participants in Previous Years

Boston, Mass., - September 17, 2008 - The current and future leaders of New England's Clean Energy economy will be the focus of the 4th Annual Conference on Clean Energy (CCE), held in Boston on November 18 and 19. The conference, a centerpiece of Massachusetts' Clean Energy Week, brings together entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders in the clean energy startup community.  This year's conference, held at the Hynes Convention Center, will feature presentations by more than 20 recently formed companies seeking their first rounds of venture capital funding. 
The theme of this year's conference is "The Pathway to Greenovation," highlighting the role innovative new companies will play in building the region's clean energy industry. Keynoting the event will be Oliver Morton, chief news and features editor, Nature, and author of the upcoming book "Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet;" and Ian A. Bowles, secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts.

"Environmental and economic drivers have moved clean energy from a nascent to growing market very quickly," said Abigail Barrow, founding director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), which is a co-organizer of the event. "There is an opportunity for Massachusetts and New England to become leaders and drivers of this market. Companies that have participated in previous conferences on Clean Energy have raised more than $65 million in investor funding and have helped to build this region's leadership in the sector."

During the conference, more than 20 innovative clean energy companies will be on display, many revealing themselves for the first time. Each company will have 10 minutes to present to venture capitalists and investors. Established businesses will also be able to recruit key personnel via the conference's job fair.

In addition, targeted panel discussions will provide insights on critical issues in financing and building companies in this growing sector. The global aspects of building a clean energy company will be discussed by speakers from companies in Europe and Asia, as well as speakers from some of New England's pioneering companies such as A123, Nuvera, Konarka and EnerNOC. The conference will also feature tracks on portable power, biofuels, solar, wind, energy efficiency, energy storage, and fuel cells.

"The conference represents an opportunity for emerging clean energy organizations to learn how established companies are facing their strategic business and marketing challenges," said Brad Bradshaw, president of the Mass Hydrogen Coalition, the other co-organizer of the event. "It also provides a much needed forum for these emerging companies to promote the ongoing innovation in clean energy that continues to come from Massachusetts."

For more information, visit the CCE site at http://www.greenovationconference.com/

About the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center

The Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center was created in 2004 as a program in the Massachusetts Economic Stimulus Bill. Its goal is to support technology transfer activities from public and private research institutions to companies in Massachusetts. To achieve this goal, the Center works with technology transfer offices at Massachusetts research institutions; faculty, researchers, and students who have commercially promising ideas; and companies across the Commonwealth.

About the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition

The Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, formed in 2004, is an industry association focused on accelerating the success of Massachusetts companies and organizations developing and deploying hydrogen, fuel cell and related technologies.  The Coalition achieves its objectives by pursuing several initiatives, including promoting member companies, representing member companies at conferences, holding educational forums, identifying funding and market opportunities, and promoting industry interests with state and national governments.

 
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