This quarter’s SCRUB showcased three distinctly different cleantech businesses.  TransPower seeks to become a leading supplier of power generation, energy storage and power control technologies. Principal product areas include an advanced electric propulsion system for heavy-duty vehicles and a modular energy storage system for use with EV technology.  Interra Energy’s core process revolves around using waste biomass to create biochar through pyrolysis for use within sustainable agriculture practices, which can create waste biomass and thus a sustainable loop. NuLEDs aims to be a leader in LED lighting and control for commercial environments. Their primary product is a networked digital controller technology that can provide flexible dimming and tailoring of specific colors, correlated color temperatures (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI).

In the past nine quarterly SCRUB sessions CleanTECH San Diego has provided advice, introductions and critical evaluations to 32 future cleantech stars.  If you have a cleantech enterprise that would benefit from a good SCRUB you should forward your business summary to Jason Anderson at jasona@cleantechsandiego.org  

CleanTECH San Diego SCRUB Graduates 2008-2012
(Click on name to link to website)

TransPower

Interra Energy

NuLEDs, Inc.

MultiSpark LLC.

TourEngine Inc.

Lightwave Photonics LLC.

Home Town Farms

Butler Sun Solutions

350 Green

WaterSmart Software   

Shrink Nanotechnologies  

Eco ReBox   

Vari-Ro

Marine Power Partners 

OnRamp Wireless

New Leaf Biofuel 

TransPacificEnergy, Inc. 

Balboa Pacific 

EcoDog

Malama Composites

Pyron Solar

Kai BioEnergy

Community Fuels

ISE Corporation

Chlorofill

Sustainable Green Technologies

California Wind Systems

ECOR (Noble Environmental Technologies)  

Strategic Enzyme Applications  

SleepServer

This quarter’s SCRUB was hosted by CleanTECH San Diego member, Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP. 

Soitec, a world leader in generating and manufacturing revolutionary semiconductor materials for the electronics and energy industries, dedicated its new North American solar headquarters and manufacturing plant in San Diego at a ceremony held on Friday, December 16.  Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr, provided remarks at the event.  Also participating in the factory dedication were San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Jessie J. Knight, chairman and CEO of San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), California Public Utilities Commissioner (CPUC), Timothy Simon and Jim Waring, CEO of CleanTECH San Diego.  They were joined by governmental officials and over 300 community and business leaders that attended the dedication event.  The factory is located in San Diego to supply more than 300 megawatts (MW) in solar projects to provide electricity to SDG&E.  All Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have been approved by the CPUC.  The new factory will enable a manufacturing capacity of 200 MW of Soitec’s fifth generation of Concentrix concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules, with the opportunity for future expansion to double the capacity to 400 MW per year.

Soitec’s highly efficient, durable CPV systems have enabled the company to plan for more than 300 MW in utility-scale solar power plant projects throughout the Southwest U.S., including 155 MW in PPAs with San Diego Gas & Electric, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last month. Additionally, a power purchase agreement for up to 150 MW for the Imperial Solar Energy Center West project, another project that currently proposes to use Soitec’s CPV technology, was approved by the CPUC on December 15.  Tenaska Solar Ventures, LLC, an affiliate of independent energy company Tenaska, is developing that project.  

Click here for a brochure of the Concentrix concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module.

“SDG&E has signed more contracts using CPV technology than any other utility in the world – a distinction we’re proud of,” said Jessie J. Knight, Jr., chairman and CEO of SDG&E.  ”At the time we began our talks with Soitec, we realized we had a unique opportunity to negotiate not only a good contract for solar energy at prices that competed head-to-head with other technologies, but also to solidify an agreement that would bear fruit for years to come in new local jobs and overall economic benefits.  From a reliability and grid stability perspective, this technology is far superior to other typical ground-mounted arrays.”

Soitec employs a distributed manufacturing model which locates CPV module factories close to its customers to provide the most efficient and environmentally beneficial green power.  The distribution model also calls for a large percentage of local content and local job generation.

“Soitec’s new facility will create hundreds of well-paying jobs and build on San Diego’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading clean-technology clusters,” commented San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.  ”We are so honored and proud to welcome Soitec to the San Diego community, and I know that San Diego’s collaborative business community will continue to work with Soitec to ensure the company’s success and prosperity.”

Governor Brown noted, “I’m glad to be here for the dedication of Soitec’s manufacturing plant. The expansion of clean energy businesses is a direct result of legislation mandating that one-third of California’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2020.  That’s a goal and we’re going to meet it. In fact, we are going to do better.”

Malama Composites, manufacturers of high performance polyurethane foams made from bio-based renewable resources, announced today that it has joined Spain’s Green Comm Racing Team at the America’s Cup, the world’s most prestigious sailing competition, in order to promote environmental innovation and technology within the sailing industry. 

“Our materials enable manufacturers to produce products that are stronger, lighter, faster and far more environmentally responsible than alternative core materials.  Our partnership with the Green Comm Racing Team provides a fantastic venue to premier the next generation of sustainable materials, and we are honored to be a part of it,” said David Saltman, Chairman and CEO of Malama Composites.

Francesco De Leo, Executive Chairman of Green Comm Racing, stated, “This is a unique opportunity to rally some of the best minds in the world behind a very exciting goal: designing and manufacturing the ultimate renewable energy machine – a winning America’s Cup boat.  Our goal is to promote a green agenda by leveraging the media impact of one of pinnacle sport events in the world.”

Malama Composites develops and produces rigid polyurethane foams made from soy polyols and other renewable resources.  The resulting panels serve as a light-weight structural core material in the manufacturing of everything from boat hulls to wind turbine blades, movie sets to surfboards.  While cost and performance competitive with alternative, petroleum-based foams, Malama’s products contain no toxic resins or additives, and can be easily reused or recycled.

Francesco De Leo is a thought leader in the field of communication technology with a particular focus on green IT.  He was the former Managing Director of Telecom Italia and Head of Strategy and International operations at Wind.  The Green Comm Racing Team is made of a group of young sailors and executives who see the America’s Cup as an opportunity to advance green innovation in the sailing industry by leveraging the media impact of one of the most high profile sporting events in the world.

Click here for some amazing photos and here for video. 

Live from San Diego – America’s Cup Webcam

How to follow the America’s Cup World Series in San Diego

What do electric vehicles have to do with winter sports?  Beats me.  But while all of the Shaun White want-to-be’s are checking out snowboards at SnowJam 2011 you can take a run in the new all-electric Nissan Leaf. 

The ‘drive electric tour’ will provide the opportunity to learn all about the Nissan LEAF.  You will be guided through several display areas, have the opportunity to talk with LEAF experts, and explore the many innovations from Nissan including:

· The Nissan LEAF battery system and charging details
· The “sexy science” of the Nissan LEAF and how it compares to other vehicles
· Staying in-touch with your LEAF through your phone or computer
· Fuel efficiency and costs
· Environmental impact
· Meet Nissan LEAF’s helpful accessories
· 100 miles is more than enough!

But the best part of the ‘drive electric tour’ is that you can drive the car for yourself!  You will be able to drive the car on a pre-determined course with a ‘co-pilot’ to answer your questions and show you all of the interior features of the car.

*drive electric tour dates and hours may vary from those of the event/venue dates and hours.

Friday, November 11: 8am-8pm
Saturday, November 12: 9am-6pm
Sunday, November 13: 9am-6pm

Del Mar Fairgrounds, O’Brien Hall
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
Del Mar, CA

Event Entry
Complimentary VIP Entry into the SnowJam San Diego Show is provided to each pre-registered Nissan LEAF guest ($15 admission value, includes free lift ticket to Mountain High Resort; one admission per pre-registered guest). Must register by Wednesday, November 9th, print registration confirmation and turn in at the event ticket counter for entry (must be 18 years of age to test drive).

Parking
Complimentary Parking will be provided to Nissan LEAF pre-registered guests at the Solana Gate entrance to the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Via de la Valle between Jimmy Durante and Hwy 101.  Please print out your test drive reservation to show parking attendant and follow the signs for ‘drive electric tour’ parking.

Here is the link to the Nissan registration site for the event.

In Revenge of the Electric Car, director Chris Paine (Who Killed the Electric Car?) takes his film crew behind the closed doors of Nissan, GM, and the Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors to chronicle the story of the global resurgence of electric cars.  A special screening of the documentary will be held November 11th at 6:00pm at the Landmark, Ken Cinema, 4061 Adams Avenue, San Diego.

Joel Pointon, Electric Transportation Manager of San Diego Gas & Electric, David Almeida, Coordinator for the Caifornia PEV Rebate Program (CCSE), and Greg Newhouse, Chairperson of the local Clean Cities Coalition for San Diego, will appear in person to introduce the film and for Q&A after the 6:00pm show.

Cast: Tim Robbins, Bob Lutz, Carlos Ghosn, Elon Musk, Greg “Gadget” Abbott, Danny DeVito, Jon Favreau, Anthony Kiedis, Stephen Colbert, Talulah Riley.   Run time 90 minutes

Click for a hot trailer of Revenge of the Electric Car

Link to Landmark Ken Cinema

Carl Nettleton, Lee Stein, Elizabeth Dreicer McPhail, Bryce Rhodes

The E2 San Diego Chapter held an EcoSalon on Thursday, October 20, titled, “Energy Security and the Impact on the Economy.”  The event was held at Chapter Co-Director Lee Stein’s home and featured three panelists: Leendert “Len” Hering Sr. RADM, USN (ret.); Stephen Mayfield, UC San Diego Professor of Biology and Director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology; and Marney Cox, Chief Economist for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). E2 San Diego Chapter Co-Director Carl Nettleton moderated the session. 

San Diego is a hub for both the military and alternative fuels development and the panelists discussed the national and local imperatives driving the military’s emphasis on reducing or eliminating fossil fuel use.  According to Chapter Co-Director Elizabeth Dreicer McPhail, the event met the goal of bringing together a small but quality group of business and community leaders to provide visibility for E2 while researching locally important issues and appealing to potential new members.

In August E2 published a 23 page report, Advanced Biofuel Market Report 2011.  Click here for your copy.

Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national community of business leaders who promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity.  E2 has seven chapters: Northern California, New England, New York, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

National Plug-In Day, on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, is a nationwide observance drawing global attention to the environmental, economic and other benefits of plug-in electric vehicles through simultaneous events staged in at least twenty major cities.  In San Diego you can celebrateNational Plug-In Day at CCSE‘s “Tailgate without Tailpipes” party.  Picnic lunch will be provided for all.  Join CCSE and ECOtality to get the latest information on the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) funding and the latest news on the EV Project’s charging stations in the region.  Following lunch there will be presentations with an open discussion and time for questions.

Come to the workshop and learn more about:

• Expected timing for the release of $15 million in FY 2011-2012 CVRP funding and how this affects rebate applicants currently on the CVRP Wait List
• Status update from ECOtality’s San Diego Area Manager on EV Project charger installations in the region 

Following the presentation, all electric vehicle drivers are encouraged to participate in an ad hoc electric vehicle parade down Balboa Avenue in honor of National Plug-In Day.

Click here to REGISTER  Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 (Noon to 2 PM)

Location

California Center for Sustainable Energy
8690 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123

For additional information contact Colin Santulli at colin.santulli@energycenter.org  858-244-1195

Organized by the California Center for Sustainable Energy and the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition.

The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), a San Diego-based non-profit, administers the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. CCSE’s conducts workshops throughout the State in order to promote the Project and to educate consumers on electric vehicle technologies, new electric vehicle charging infrastructure being built across the State, and important consumer information regarding electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Join us on August 23rd, from 9:30 AM to 11 AM (refreshments/registration at 9:15 AM) for this program at our brand new Energy Innovation Center (EIC) at 4760 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.  This will be one of the first public programs to be held at EIC (prior to the official opening), so it gives you the opportunity to learn about the topic and you’ll also get a preview of our brand new EIC.

UCLA’s Luskin Center will be our special guests at this month’s workshop.  As always we invite residents, HOAs, property managers and contractors to share their experiences during the 2nd half of our program devoted to Q&A. We will also discuss the recently approved SB 209 in this session, signed by Governor Brown in July that relates to Multi-unit Dwellings.

Here is the link to the actual bill language:

Click here to link to SDG&E’s Electric Transportation website.

On Thursday, August 11th, award-winning author and filmmaker Josh Tickell will join leading biofuels producers and retailers at “Biodiesel and Flex Fuel for Fleets – Just the Facts” – an interactive workshop for regional businesses to address common misconceptions about domestic biofuels.  During the workshop, hosted by Propel Fuels, New Leaf Biodiesel, CleanTECH San Diego, the San Diego Regional Clean Fuel Coalition, the California Center for Sustainable Energy, and Pearson Fuels, Tickell and other speakers will discuss the performance benefits, cost advantages, incentives and availability of renewable fuels in Southern California with fleet managers, fuel distributors and other decision makers.   

WHO:            

Josh Tickell, Award-Winning Filmmaker of FUEL and FREEDOM
Jake Millan, Fleet Sales Manager, Propel Fuels
Brendan Reed, Environmental Resource Manager, City of Chula Vista
Lisa McGhee, San Diego Airport Parking

WHAT:          

A free, interactive workshop for fleet managers, fuel distributors and other decision makers interested in learning about the performance benefits, cost advantages, incentives and availability of renewable fuels in Southern California.

WHEN:               

Thursday, August 11th, 2011,
Media Availability: 3:00 p.m.
Workshop: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Pearson Fuels
4067 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92105

TO REGISTER:     www.energycenter.org/flexfuel

Last week CleanTECH San Diego hosted the first San Diego Wind Energy Symposium.  The keynote speaker was Michael Picker, Senior Advisor to the Governor for Renewable Energy Facilities.  Picker’s comments included a progress report on California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).  The target is for 33% of electricity sold in the California to come from renewable energy by 2020.  Renewable energy projects require long lead times to grind through the process of permitting, land acquisition, environmental impact studies and financing.  Many projects fall by the wayside.  Picker’s analysis of the project pipeline data from state government agencies including the CPUC suggests that the “queue currently holds more than double the generation capacity needed to achieve a 33% RPS”.  The consensus is for 33% to be likely achieved a few years prior to the 2020 deadline.  In his signing letter to the State Senate for SB2 Governor Brown stated, “I think 40%, at reasonable cost, is well within our grasp in the near future”.  Picker’s presentation supported that projection as realistic.

Government regulations like Califonia’s RPS are effective in the sense that they produced a measurable response.  However, there is a bigger challenge than attaining a 33% RPS.  Efficiently coordinating this new mix of energy production into the grid will in the long run determine the economic feasibility of reaching a RPS far beyond 33%. 

Video of the entire Symposium is available at:

Keynote and Panel 1       

Panel 2

The San Diego Wind Energy Symposium was made possible by the sponsorship of CleanTECH San Diego members Invenergy, Iberdrola Renewables and Enel Green Power.

The following resources provide some background into the challenges and opportunities of wind energy.   Click on each to connect.

California Wind Map and Resource Potential
U.S. Wind Resource Map
How Wind Power Works
Wind Power Glossary