Batteries: The next big green investment?

Who can make the best lithium anode

Interesting article in Technology Review regarding new techniques for developing lithium-ion batteries - breakthroughs that could instantly double the range of battery-powered vehicles. A number of researchers have been working on developing cost-effective ways of creating nanoporous silicon electrodes, with positive results, although many still believe that mass-production of such materials would be too cost-prohibitive for use in autos.

Still, while nanoporous silicon might not be the next big thing in batteries, most researchers believe that there is still a lot of potential to tap into when it comes to lithium batteries. Unlike the NiMH batteries powering today's hybrid cars, the upside potential of lithium batteries is still huge.

Interestingly, another piece of research cited in the report was the "impressive" work that GM demonstrated in September using silicon-coated carbon fibers in their lithium anodes.

When you add in the potential of batteries, the feasibility of the electrification of the automobile seems much more clear. Coupled with Better Place, however, one starts to wonder if battery makers and smart grid providers might make automakers far less relevant.

Black liquor biofuels - Is it really green?

It's not saving any trees

Chemrec, a company specializing in black liquor gasification, has completed $20 million in funding to turn pulp and paper mills into "biorefineries".

According to the company, the waste of pulp and paper mills, aka black liquor, could be turned into enough biofuel to replace 2 percent of global fuel demand.

Of course, how does this fuel get into the pipeline? How much gas will it take to get this bio-gas to gas stations?

Converting waste into energy is always a good practice, but how green is this investment?

Green: Sixth Technology Revolution

Solar has a bright future

"Energy concerns will not disappear despite the falling price of oil, so investors can expect significant long-term opportunities in the cleantech space, according to a new thematic report published by Steven Milunovich, Merrill Lynch cleantech strategist."

Particularly in focus are energy efficiency-increasing technologies, electric cars, solar and wind power, distributed energy and microgrids, as well as biofuels and geothermal power.

Today, many alternative energy stocks have been hammered. However, strong alternative energy companies should rebound if green technology is the future. In fact, green investments might be the only growth story heading into the future, and with stock prices so low, there might never be a better buying opportunity.

Ethanol consolidation coming

Green ethanol plays

Poet LLC, the nation's top ethanol producer, is now in buyout talks with a number of ethanol companies, such as VeraSun, and a number of other ethanol players. With many ethanol players suffering serious economic woes, Poet seems primed to grow with consolidation. And, with an ethanol supporter headed to the White House, it seems ethanol will remain an important part of the Nation's energy paradigm.

While we're not sure that ethanol counts as a green investment, we can only hope than any corn-based ethanol success leads to cellulosic ethanol R&D.

Turning waste heat into cash

At least 50 percent of all energy is wasted

Capturing waste heat could supply up to 19 percent of US power, and a number of companies are trying to turn waste into the next big green investment.

ElectraTherm, Recycled Energy Development (RED), GMZ Energy, and Promethean Power are all up coming players in the heat waste space according to Greentech Media.

Turning waste into cash, now that's a green investment.

WSJ - Obama's alt energy plans face problems

Can the government foot the whole bill?

"Forging a new energy future by creating vast amounts of wind, solar and, possibly, nuclear energy is one of Mr. Obama's highest priorities," reports the Wall Street Journal. "But enacting that policy depends to a large degree on the ability of energy companies and utilities to finance the massive new investments that would be needed. With many of those companies cutting spending, a lot of those investments are being pared back or eliminated."

Ironically, in the last few days, I've heard a number of pundits on Wall Street claiming that the only way that the US can avoid depression was massive spending. What better than a massive spending program on alternative technologies?

2 Obama Energy Plays - Barclays

Despite recent setbacks, solar still a good long term investment

Just caught Vishal Shah of Barclays speaking about alternative energy plays under Barack Obama. According to Shah, alternative energy is still a great investment under an Obama presidency. In particular, he liked SunPower and FirstSolar as long term plays.

Despite oil prices under $50 per barrel, green investing might still make sense, but you have to think long term.

Infrastructure - Cramer's green picks today

Broken stock, but not a broken company

Quanta Services is a company with great fundamentals, but it's a broken stock thanks to hedge fund redemption. Nonetheless, it's a great wind power play, especially with Obama in the White House.

Still, don't rush into this stock, Cramer warns. Hedge funds need to first work through their redemptions. Thus, this is a stock to watch, as it has great potential, but wait until the selling ends.

Shaw Group (SGR) is another Cramer fave - if you consider nuclear green. Still, this play will depend on action outside of the US with Obama in the White House, and Shaw has a lot of projects in China. Likewise, its non-nuclear business is also doing well. Since Shaw's stock price is so low, according to Cramer, it seems a great buy.

Gridpoint lands another smart grid deal

Will manage wind power battery storage

According to GreenTech Media GridPoint will use it's smart grid technology to help a Minnesota wind farm manage it's power storage. Gridpoint "will control the flow of power between an 11-megawatt wind farm in Luverne, Minn. and NGK Insulators' 1-megawatt, sodium-sulfur battery that is capable of holding 7.2 megawatt-hours of energy, the companies announced. The battery storage project is expected to be complete in January 2009."

The alternative energy future, including the electrification of the automobile, is very dependent upon a new smart electrical grid, and GridPoint appears to look more and more like a major player in that new smart grid.

Q Microbe drawing cellulosic ethanol investment

Qteros' microbial hopes

Qteros picked up $25 million Series B funding today, reports CNET, led by investors like BP and George Soros.

The Q Microbe is a naturally occurring micro-organism that, according to Qteros, can efficiently turn cellulosic materials into ethanol - eliminating the need for enzymes which account for 30 percent of production costs.

Now, that's a green investment, literally.

Trash trucks: The economics of Natural Gas

A natural gas trash truck in Los Angeles

Within two years, Los Angeles might convert their entire fleet of trash trucks into natural gas vehicles. Already, LA's Bureau of Sanitation is using 300 such trucks.

These trucks, built by Peterbilt with Cummins Engines, reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent, but they cost $50,000 more per truck. Natural gas is also cheaper than diesel fuel, but it could take as long as 10 years to recover costs.

Still, isn't that investment worth less global warming emissions and less foreign oil dependency? Check out MSNBC for a video.

Cramer blue on green investing

Don't expect a lot of green from your green investments

It's green week on NBC, parent of the CNBC show Mad Money. The last couple of years, Mad Money host Jim Cramer, has created a green portfolio which he covered yesterday. Essentially, green investments have gotten hammered in the last few months, and Cramer doesn't see any green at the end of the alternative technology tunnel any time soon.

While many have hoped that President-elect Obama is the answer to green technology troubles, Cramer appeared far less hopeful. In fact, he claimed that President Jimmy Carter had more ambitious green plans than Obama. In the end, however, the cheap cost of oil made Carter's investments largely worthless.

Cramer seemed to imply that Obama might be willing to spend $150 billion on alternative energy, but if investors aren't willing to match that investment, Obama is just wasting money. And cheap oil, Cramer believes, will keep most investors out of green investments.

Also, Cramer seems to believe that Obama's disinterest in natural gas is a mistake. If, however, Obama would embrace natural gas, then Cramer thinks natural gas players, such as Anadarko Petroleum could be huge winners.

Is carbon capture a green technology?

Or just a front for big oil and coal?

The other day I read an interesting article about a new program that is developing in Europe. Coal-powered utilities, under the plan, would capture their CO2 emissions and pump them deep under ground - virtually eliminating all CO2 emissions.

Some, however, wonder if that carbon will stay underground.

One potential fix is storing that carbon in peridotite, one of the main rocks in the upper mantle of the Earth's crust. Still, even under perfect conditions, peridotite couldn't eat all of the world's CO2 emissions.

Is carbon capture a legitimate, green idea that should be explored, or is it just an excuse to prevent real change for as long as possible.

Solyndra signs new $320 million dollar deal

It's all in the tubes

Solyndra has signed a contract worth up to $320 million with Carlisle Energy Services to supply 100 megawatts worth of panels over a 5-year period.

Solyndra produces tubular copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) thin film that is rolled into tubes - 40 tubes per panel. Thanks to the curvature of the tubes, the panels are able to absorb more indirect light, converting 12 to 14 percent of that sunlight into electricity.

Coupled with Carlisle's white thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane, output could be increased by 20 percent.

It's tubular, dude!

Recession hurting cellulosic ethanol

Ethanol's promise fading?

"Because of the upheaval in the capital markets," CNET is reporting that "Mascoma cannot go public to raise additional funds, and institutional investors are being more cautious now. So the company is positioning itself to hold on to cash as long as possible."

Thus, the company is laying off employees.

Unfortunately, Mascoma is one of the few well-funded cellulosic ethanol companies out there, and if cellulose is the future of biofuels, the future of biofuels isn't looking too promising.

Solar factories in a box. Is it sustainable?

Will turnkey solar fabrication survive

Just finished reading about how Oerlikon Solar raised its Amorph High Performance line's capacity by 50 percent using zinc oxide. According to GreentechMedia that means "along with an improvement in the speed of production, should bring the cost of making solar panels on this fabrication system from about $1.50 per watt to about $1.20 per watt for customers, he said. The company's goal is to get to the magic $1 per watt or less figure in "the next couple of years."

Like Applied Materials, Oerlikon is a turnkey provider of a solar factory in a box, where customers buy everything to produce their own solar cells. Both are a competitor with thin-film leader, First Solar. Yet, First Solar isn't as reliant on others to produce its technology.

While I don't have any answers, the viability of turnkey solar factories is a very interesting phenomenon. Will it be the dominant model in the future?

Regardless, amongst these three players, isn't consolidation inevitable?

Is wave power too green for investing?

An Ocean Power Technologies PowerBuoy

I read a number of stories today about a Navy contract that Ocean Power Technologies received for its PowerBuoy that caused me some pause. At one time it seemed that wave power had a bright future. Lately, however, it seems the only investor is the military, which really isn't interested in mass energy production.

A number of other wave power projects around the country and world have had their strings pulled over costs.

Obviously, it seems to early to call winners in wave power, but the real question is, will there ever be a winner?

SolFocus efficiency on the rise

25 percent efficiency

California startup SolFocus has achieved new efficiencies with their concentrated solar systems. By redesigning many optical components, the new SolFocus system improved its efficiency from 18 percent to 25 percent.

According to GreenTechMedia, "A SolFocus system is composed of a giant panel mounted on a tracker that tilts the panel to follow the sun's movement. On the panel are rows of curved mirrors that can concentrate 500 times the sunlight onto optical rods, which then lead the light into solar cells made with germanium substrate and gallium-arsenide and other compounds in the same class of semiconductors."

Is SolFocus, worth a green investment? SolFocus is picking up contracts. However, the company uses expensive Gallium-arsenide cells. Additionally, tracking systems, some solar experts believe, are a dying solar technology, as new cell technologies make tracking systems irrelevant. Removing tracking systems would make solar power cheaper.

Archer Daniels a good green investment?

If you consider ethanol green?

Jim Cramer picked Archer Daniels Midland as a green investment that will do well under an Obama White House. Like Cramer, however, I'm not sure how green of an investment is ethanol. Still, if you are seeking a biofuel investment, then Cramer says ADM is a huge buy. Because it is large and worldwide, ADM is less affected by volatile corn prices. And, it's bioplastics business has huge potential.

Bloo! It's 3-D solar cells

Can tiny, efficient 3-D solar cells scare solar opponents?

Tiny nano-scale bristles could be the key to efficient, cost-effective solar power, according to Bloo Solar, because these bristles enable better light absorption.

GreenTech reports, "The 3-D nature of the bristles also means that it can harvest light during the early and late hours of the day, something planar solar cells can struggle with. Bloo in some ways is combining a number of trends into a single product: the popularity of cad tel, reducing the cost of thin-film solar cells, using 3D structures to extend the active time of solar cells like Solyndra and better light trapping."

Solix out to prove algae-biofuels work

Biocrude the new oil?

Solix Biofuels has raised $15.5 billion according to the New York Times to prove that a 5 acre algae farm can produce biocrude that can be refined into gasoline at a far cheaper rate than any other biofuel.

Fast regeneration and CO2 consuming qualities make a algae a very compelling prospect for biofuel production, however, "creating the right conditions for algae to serve as a biofuel feed stock at commercial scale remains an expensive proposition".

Solix hopes that its photo-bioreactor can change these cost dynamics, and prove that algae is the next big thing in green investing.

PPG Industries Inc. as a green investment

Although not a pure play

PPG Industries, according to Jim Cramer via Mad Money, is a stock worth investigating. For green investors, PPG Industries is growing its business in solar and wind power. For instance, its fiber glass business is doing really well thanks to large wind turbines, an area of huge upside potential, and Cramer thinks an Obama Presidency will be good for PPG.

Additionally, PPG is a great way to play China. Cramer also notes that PPG is a broken stock, but not a broken company, with a great dividend.

On a side note, during the Lightning Round, Cramer advised against FirstSolar and solar power in general until oil prices start going up.

Looking for green investment ideas?

Looking for green in green?

With the financial crisis in full swing, many have decided that the viability of mutual funds and 401k's might not be as solid as sold for generations. Thus, some investors are avoiding mutual funds and becoming stock pickers, which is no easy task.

However, if it's something you are contemplating, and you want to focus on green investments, then you might want to check the portfolios of Quercus Trust or Khosla Ventures to generate ideas.

Today, Greentech Media has a very interesting article on Quercus Trust, and it's definitely worth a read, especially if you've been bitten by the green investment bug.

Pete Najarian continues to like ECD's solar play

OptionMonster plugging ECD again

I'm a CNBC junkie, and one of my favorite shows on the channel is Fast Money. Dylan Ratigan has done an excellent job of bringing a Mainstreet view and ethos to the Wall Street arena. Pete Najarian, a regular contributor on the show, has been a fan of Electronic Conversion Devices for some time. Today, he again cited the company as a stock he's interested in for its solar division.

Ionic fluid the key to plastic solar cells?

Ready for prime time?

Imagine the ability to print out cheap solar cells. Well, you might not have to imagine much longer according Technology Review.

Dye-sensitized solar cells, or Grätzel cells, have been making huge strides in the latest lab testing thanks to new electrolytes and dyes. In particular, iconic fluid - a non-volatile electrolyte - is achieving efficiencies of 9 - 10 percent in an incredibly flexible cell that could be utilized for cars and even clothing.

GS4 Innovations and Dyesol are already developing commercialized forms of this technology.

Clean technology spending declining

Clean energy projects down 25 percent in third quarter

Cheaper energy prices and the recession are having an effect on alternative energy. Some reports put the decline in spending worldwide down 25 percent in the third quarter, and ready to decline much more in the next quarter.

VeraSun filed for bankruptcy. Utilities have canceled alternative energy projects. Some buyers of wind power have delayed their orders. But there is some hope according to The Economist.

Natural gas boom inevitable under Obama?

Simply cleaner

The election of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency should be a boon to natural gas producers, according to CNBC. If Obama advances a trading system that would set prices for companies to emit carbon dioxide, natural gas would quickly start replacing dirtier fuels according to the piece.

Is natural gas the next big green investment.

Green investments to Barack in 2009?

Good time to get in?

The crew on Fast Money was a little split on the near future of alternative energy stocks today. Despite the strong statements made by President-elect Obama during the campaign, the Fast Money gang isn't buying, at least not yet.

The biggest downside, according to the gang, is cheap gas prices. Overall, the mind of Wall Street doesn't believe in alternative energy without high energy prices.

Nonetheless, there was some dissent on the panel. Pete Najarian, the Option Monster, believes that if Obama addresses energy immediately, then there will be a lot of plays in the green investment arena sooner, rather than later, and he still likes First Solar.

Gridpoint's V2G technology continues to develop business

The leader of V2G technology

One of the keys to the potential success of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles will be vehicle to grid technology, otherwise known as V2G technology.

Currently, there are a number of utilities across the country that have converted hybrid cars into plug-in hybrid cars to fully test the feasibility of these vehicles upon the electric grid. In many of these tests, technology developed by V2Green, now owned by Gridpoint, is being utilized.

Makes me wonder whether V2G will be an especially smart green investment if Barack and Democrats take over the White House and Congress?

Can plasma turn garbage into a positive?

Superheated gas incineration

While CO2 emissions from autos seem to get all the glory in the war on global warming, methane is even bigger problem. To solve this issue, many are looking to plasma as a new way to incinerate garbage, which converts organic garbage into pressured gas that can power a turbine. Additionally, the process also creates steam, which can also be used to further power turbines.

Compared to conventional incineration, SCIAM states that plasma results in far less emissions. More important, it reduces methane emissions from landfills.

Of course, methane can be captured at landfills, and some claim that that is better than any emission-spewing incineration.

Is plasma a legitimate alternative energy, or just the lesser evil? Does it matter?

Cramer - solar stocks are finished right now

Great technology, not-so great stocks

The stock market isn't always fair, and it certainly isn't altruistic. Thus, as America heads deep into recession, solar stocks are losing value, and Jim Cramer was just on CNBC's Street Signs, where he said solar stocks are done for now.

When will cheaper gas threaten alternative energy?

Getting close?

I caught Mario Gabelli on a CNBC special today. Gabelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc made a point of discussing how lower gas prices could have a huge effect on alternative energy stocks. In fact, Gabelli believes that if gas drops below $3.00, it could have a detrimental effect on America's push towards alternative energy policies.

Is green investing headed for trouble?

Solar inefficiency: Just add a little Solar Magic?

Recover up to 50 percent of lost energy?

Figuring out how to make today's solar technology more efficient is the key to creating cost-effective solar power. For this purpose, National Semiconductor is currently developing its SolarMagic Technology, which promises to "increase the effectiveness of solar panels under variable light conditions. National's SolarMagic™ technology recoups up to 50 percent of the lost energy, dramatically improving the economics in shaded and other real-world conditions."

While not yet commercially available, Solar Magic could go on sale in early 2009. If successful and cost-effective, SolarMagic could become a must have for any solar installation. More on green investing.

Do solar towers make sense?

Cheaper, but uglier?

Even the most ardent fans of solar power acknowledge that the technology is still far from cost-effective. While some of these sun-powered advocates believe the high costs of solar power are recovered via environmental gains, such a belief is a hard sell to average Americans.

Solar towers offer a way to make solar power significantly less expensive than traditional solar power. In fact solar towers can be developed at a third of traditional solar power costs. Still, they require a tower twice as tall as the Empire State Building per 1.5 miles of 'solar canopy' to produce 200 megawatts of electricity.

Of course, perhaps such towers could be integrated into buildings surrounded by solar covered parking lots, for example. Still, too ugly or workable?

For more check out MSNBC and Enviromission.

First Wind ETF launched today

Trading now

First Trust has launched the First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund (NYSE Arca: FAN), the very first pure wind ETF. According to a manager of FAN, he believes that wind power has a lot of potential in the next five years, even if oil prices go down. More on green investing.

Cramer done with solar?

Except First Solar?

I only watched a little of Mad Money yesterday, but I did catch Cramer stating that he just can't recommend solar stocks any more, except First Solar. In the past, Cramer has claimed that $120 oil was key to solar investing. Since oil is well above $120, I wonder what Cramer is worried about? A quick drop in oil prices? Irrational exuberance in solar stocks?

Anyway, if you trade solar, which I don't for the record, then you might want to consider your positions. Actually, I don't trade anything, but I think I need to get in this game, now if I can only find some 'mad money' to play!

Fast Money: What's next for alternative energy

Wind is still the best play

The Fast Money guys focused on new ways to play alternative energy yesterday, and they were still focused very much on wind. One of their favorite companies in this space is American Superconductor. Currently, however, American stock has been pretty run up. Thus, the team focused on Hexcel and FPL Group as similar ways to play wind. Nonetheless, American is still a focus, especially since there will be two major announcements upcoming for American, according to Pete Najarian, that will probably drive the stock even higher.

My takeaway was, buy on pullbacks. Good things are still ahead.

Will 2009 be the year of wind power?

Wind power: The green hedge against oil prices?

Earlier I wrote the Jim Cramer sees $120 oil as the threshold for solar investments. As long as oil stays above $120, solar power is a strong investment. As oil drops below $120, however, its time to start taking money off the table, at least according to Cramer.

Now, some don't like Jim Cramer, and I think they are missing the point. Don't think of Cramer as a stock picker, but simply another analyst and source of knowledge.

Anyway, not long ago Cramer called 2009 "the year of wind". Since there will be a big need for wind turbines, Cramer liked Trinity and KDN, which Cramer called a great stealth play on wind, as the they make bearings for wind turbines. Additionally, Cramer really liked Owens Corning as an emerging wind play. And, in previous shows, Jim has also liked GE as a green investment play on wind power.

Oil nearing solar investment threshold?

Time to take some solar profits?

Mad Money's Jim Cramer has been hot at picking a few solar stocks this past year, but it hasn't been hard to win big in solar with oil prices skyrocketing higher. For now, however, it seems the high has been hit, and until a hurricane builds in the Gulf, prices will probably hedge lower. Lately, Cramer has put the solar/oil threshold at $120. With oil above $120, solar will still be a great investment. Below $120, watch out. I'll be talking more about this later, but wind power, Cramer believes, will still be a great green investment, even with oil well below $120.

Green investing: Playing the elections

Green profiting off the next President?

During the week of Earth Day, Jim Cramer offered a number of green investments based on the Presidential elections. If Democrats win, Jim suggested that solar will be up for huge subsidies, such as First Solar. For those finding First Solar to run up, other analysts have picked companies, such as SunPower, Evergreen and Trinity, or ETFs like TAN. Additionally, semiconductor companies are also a good way to play the solar subsidy game.

On the other hand, if Republicans win the Presidency, nuclear power is the way to go, and Cramer liked the Shaw Group and NRG Energy, Inc..

And, to hedge your bets early, Jim believes that smart grid technology will be funded by both parties, and he picked Comverge as his favorite bipartisan green investment.