Alternative Energy/IP Profile of non-profit companies in AE

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Answer the questions:

What are the 5 to 10 biggest non-profit companies in this field?

Non-Profits are divided into Government organizations and non-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations are both producers of technology, and producers of policy research

Government Organizations


Federal energy labs:

Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Project started at Los Alamos National Laboratory and called the “Global Energy Observatory”] or “GEO”
    • a "wikipedia-like mass editable online database of energy sources and energy flows"
    • open but moderated Wiki
      • Access to full content requires registration. Registration requires: First Name, Last Name, Username, Password, Email Address, Highest Degree, Expertise, Country, State, Nearest City.
    • Creative Commons License
      • Global Energy Observatory by New Mexico Consortium is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
    • Requires use of Google Earth
      • Google Earth requires that the free version be for personal or non-commercial use. For business entity end users or government entity end users, the Software may be used for internal use and according to the terms of the license
    • Submissions are subjected to a moderation process
      • This process divides users into groups:
        • "Administrators: They have overall authority and responsibility for protecting the integrity of the data and the site"
        • "Moderators: These are subject matter experts with formal training as moderators"
        • "Editors: This are subject matter experts"
        • "Contributors: Regular users and contributors"
        • "Users: Mostly users of data provided in GEO and occasional contributors"
NREL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

http://www.nrel.gov/

  • The flagship renewable energy lab of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. DOE through its Office of Science for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development (R&D).
  • Managed for the DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
  • Located in Golden, Colorado with prime siting for research in solar technology, wind technology and geothermal technology.
  • The lab focuses on the following R&D competencies: Renewable electricity conversion and delivery systems, renewable fuels formulation and delivery, efficient and integrated energy systems, strategic energy analysis.
  • The lab provides free GIS maps on its website that have the renewable resource measurements for solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass across the US.
    • The maps are used to determine what types of renewable energy are viable options for different areas of the US, and to encourage development of new alternative energy plants.
    • Lab collects the data through national wind speed measurements and categorises the information in a Wind Power Class (WPC) measurement of 1 - 7 from least desirable to most.
    • Lab also collects measurements of solar insolation levels - the amount and intensity of the sun, averaged over a period of years, that is hitting the US in various areas. Data is crucial for determining how much electricity a PV panel is likely to produce over a year or years.
    • Data can be classified as open, but a name and email address are required to download the data files.
  • No research in tidal energy technology.
  • Provides free public access to the Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC) an extensive collection of renewable energy resource data, maps, and tools.
  • The lab holds 105 solar technology patents and 5 wind technology patents, which are available for licensing.
  • Lab offers non-exclusive licenses and exclusive licenses, based on public or private collaboration agreements.
  • Provides free, open access to scientific reports for download on website through the publications website.
  • Reports cover new technology discoveries for solar and wind infrastructure.
  • website includes various data and resource databases for solar
  • National Wind Technology Center tests:
    • equipment for reducing loads on wind turbine components
    • small wind turbine components and subsystems, static and dynamic loads of small wind turbine blades, and blade components.
    • manufacturers prototype turbines on their private test pads
    • lifetime endurance of wind turbine drivetrains
  • Solar technology facilities include:
    • Solar cell, thin film, and nanostructure research
    • Outdoor testing fields on 352 acres
    • Labs for advanced, solid-state materials and devices in PV research

Collaboration

  • The lab sponsors a number of collaborations to help spread knowledge about alternative technologies.

International Collaborations

Domestic Collaborations

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

http://www.lbl.gov/

  • "Berkeley Lab is a national laboratory supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the University of California (UC). The lab is charged with conducting unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines." Sustainable energy is one of their main disciplines.
  • The lab focuses mainly on solar energy used to produce biofuels through a simulated photosynthetic process, and bioenergy and biofuels for transportation.
  • The labs Helios Solar Energy Research Center collects data on solar energy for biofuels production
  • They don't not have programs for wind or tidal research
  • their solar research focuses on PV cells, which collect sunlight and supply electrical currents that are used to drive fuel-forming chemical reactions.
    • the chemical reactors convert water and carbon dioxide into a high-energy-density fuel that can be stored, transported, and used for transportation or other applications.
  • The crucial data is the solar insolation and the PV cells efficiency in converting that sun into energy for the chemical reactions.
  • the work of the lab is to improve the PV cell's efficiency in these chemical reactions.
  • Reports and publications seem to be for lab affiliates and UC Berkeley students only. There is free access to online lab news releases.
  • Lab facilities for chemical and biological research are used to test the Helios research goals.

Collaboration

  • Berkeley Lab works with China through their China Energy Group
    • "We work collaboratively with energy researchers, suppliers, regulators, and consumers in China and elsewhere to better understand the dynamics of energy use in China, to develop and enhance the capabilities of Chinese institutions that promote energy efficiency, and to create links between Chinese and international institutions."
Argonne National Laboratory

http://www.anl.gov/

  • Located 25 miles southwest of Chicago
  • The lab's energy research focuses on energy storage, alternative energy & efficiency and nuclear energy.
    • Energy Storage: energy storage systems for electric-drive vehicles and a green-energy grid.
    • Alternative Energy and Efficiency: promoting energy independence through improved chemical fuels, advanced biofuels, and solar energy systems, as well as through the optimization of fuel and engine dynamics.
    • Nuclear Energy: advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems to enable the safe and sustainable generation of nuclear energy.
Brookhaven National Laboratory

http://www.bnl.gov/world/

  • Located on Long Island in the state of New York.
  • Through the Energy Science & Technology Department, the lab does research on solar energy, efficiency, energy modeling and analyses tools, water/energy issues, and nuclear technologies.
  • Home to the National Photovoltaics (PV) Environmental Research Center.
Idaho National Laboratory

https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=255&mode=2

  • Located in Idaho Falls, ID
  • Lab conducts research in biofuels and renewable energy, energy storage and transportation, energy efficiency and energy resource recovery.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

https://www.llnl.gov/

  • Located in Livermore, CA
  • Conducts a broad range of scientific research in energy including nuclear and renewable energy fields.
National Energy Technology Laboratory

http://www.netl.doe.gov/

  • Two lab locations, one in Pittsburgh, PA, and one in Albany, OR
  • Lab conducts a great deal of research into the reduction of environmental damage from fossil sources of energy:
    • turbines and fuel cell hybrids
    • fuel cells
    • fuel processing for fuel cells
    • gasification
    • carbon dioxide capture for pulverized coal and for integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) systems
    • reciprocating engines
    • sensor/control methods for all these energy systems
    • carbon capture and sequestration
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

http://www.ornl.gov/

  • Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
  • Lab conducts research in bioenergy, energy efficiency, and transportation.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

http://www.pnl.gov/

  • Located in Richland, WA
  • Energy efficiency department conducts research in:
    • advanced fuel-efficient transportation, including vehicle electrification and hydrogen technology
    • processes to convert biomass to fuels and chemicals
    • improving the energy-efficiency of residential and commercial buildings
    • enabling the effective use of renewable resources
Sandia National Laboratories

http://www.sandia.gov/

  • Locations in Albuquerque, NM and Livermore, CA
  • Lab conducts research in:
    • Solar photovoltaics
    • Concentrating solar power
    • Solar thermal
    • Wind energy
    • Fuel cells
    • Geothermal
    • Energy storage
    • Bioenergy
  • Working on a collaboration with the Dutch on wind energy:
    • Dutch Agreement
    • Sandia and Duwind, the wind energy research institute at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands signed an MOU to conduct joint wind researdh. "The MOU will allow Sandia's Wind Energy Technology Dept. 6333 to work closely with the Dutch institution, helping the two entities share knowledge and do joint research."
Savannah River National Laboratory

http://srnl.doe.gov/

  • Located near Savannah, Georgia on the Georgia/South Carolina border.
  • Research areas include:
    • biofuels
    • fuel cells
    • hydrogen
    • nuclear production of hydrogen

Other non-profit organizations


Policy Non-Profits

ACORE, American Council on Renewable Energy

  • http://www.acore.org/front
  • "ACORE is an organization of member companies and institutions that are dedicated to moving renewable energy into the mainstream of America’s economy, ensuring the success of the renewable energy industry while helping to build a sustainable and independent energy future for the nation."[1]
  • ACORE's website provides free information about various renewable technologies: solar, wind, ocean, biomass, geothermal, etc.
  • Is home to the Center for Economic Research, which is: "aimed at communications and data development for policy makers, media and thought leaders to promote all renewable energy options and to talk about their significant role in the U.S. economy."[2]
  • There are a few reports that are free from the website, though much of the organizations output is closed and accessible only to member companies and organizations that pay yearly membership dues.
  • ACORE organizes three major conferences each year that focus on the three major areas that shape and advance renewable energy innovation and development in America: Policy, Markets and Finance.
  • The conferences convene companies, institutions, and individuals who will share information and advances in driving renewable energy forward.
Technology Non-Profits

New Energy Congress

  • http://newenergycongress.org
  • http://peswiki.com/index.php/Main_Page
  • The New Energy Congress (NEC) is a global association of of experts who review the most promising new and emerging energy technologies.
  • Each year they publish a list of the top 100 most promising global alternative energy technologies.
  • The NEC and Pure Energy Systems, a website powered by Media Wiki and published under a GNU Free Doc License, were founded by a scientist named Sterling Allen, and are meant to provide free access to the public on promising alternative energy technologies, and to encourage sharing and collaboration on the technologies, including improvements and upgrades.

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

  • http://www.rmi.org
  • An independent, entrepreneurial, non-profit organization that focuses on consulting for energy efficiency in the built environment, energy resources, mobility & vehicle efficiency and sustainable cities.
  • RMI operates like a for-profit consultancy keeping its research and data closed to the public and open to their clients.
  • Short case studies available on the website
  • Website includes an RMI library that provides free publications from RMI on various topics of research including energy, buildings and land, climate, energy security, and energy efficiency.
  • New research has developed a concept car design for a lightweight fuel efficient car; engineering and architectural techniques that dramatically improve the human, environmental, and financial performance of buildings; and strategies for hastening the shift to a clean energy system based on hydrogen.

U.S. Department of Energy: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

  • http://www.eere.energy.gov/
  • The DOE's main office for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  • Office handles the commercialization and deployment process for all of the DOE energy labs alternative energy technology.
    • Bridges the gap between R&D and venture capital funding and marketing and identifies interested investors using:
      • Entrepreneur in Residence Program
      • License agreements
      • Technology showcases
      • Providing joint funding for projects
Advocacy Groups

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

  • http://www.awea.org/
  • "AWEA is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry - one of the world's fastest growing energy industries. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world."
  • The AWEA provides up to date information on wind projects being constructed, companies that work in the field, technology developments and policy developments.
  • One of the associations main roles is as a policy advocate in the US Government, trying to ensure that wind energy gets fair treatment and equal consideration in renewable energy policy discussions.

California Energy Commission (CEC)

  • http://www.energy.ca.gov/
  • The leader among US states in its adoption of renewable energy generation and policies that set the bar for renewable energy diffusion and action on climate change, the California Energy Commission has become the most sought after organization for information on renewable energies and policies in the US.
  • One of its most important functions is supporting public interest energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development, and demonstration programs.
  • The commission's RD&D Division administers a total of $83.5 million in public interest energy research funds annually - $62.5 million for electricity and $21 million for natural gas. Some portion (un-disclosed) of this money goes toward renewable energies.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

  • http://www.seia.org/
  • The biggest trade organization in the US for solar technologies, located in Washington, DC. Organization works to expand markets, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers and improve education and outreach for solar energy professionals.
  • Their main role is advocacy for solar energy within the US government
  • They coordinate with state and regional chapters and other groups including the American Solar Energy Society, Solar Alliance, Solar Electric Power Association, Solar Nation and Vote Solar as well as numerous renewable energy, business and environmental groups.

How is the market distributed?

coming soon

Where are they located? Are there any incentives for specific locations?

  • Generally, the location of the organizations will depend on whether they are conducting research with the energy technologies.
  • NREL, located in Golden, Colorado, is strategically located in an area with a great wind resource for wind turbine testing, and strong sun insolation with relatively few cloudy days for solar panel testing.
  • Most of the advocacy associations are located in Washington, D.C.
  • Technology non-profits and government labs are often located in close proximity to research universities (Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore Lab, Sandia National Lab), but there is also a tendency for them to be located in rural areas due to their historical focus on nuclear technologies (Los Alamos National Lab), a result of many of the energy labs having a major focus in weapons technologies.


Understand and identify cases where these companies are “experimenting” or “adopting” commons based approaches

  • As mentioned above, their are numerous cases of collaboration at NREL.
    • While these are not strictly commons-based production, they are more open than the private sector technology development.
  • Pure Energy Systems (PESWiki) part of the New Energy Congress, is the best example of a commons-based approach to technology development.

Identify these cases and treat them as entities that will also be placed in our mapping device (the quadrants).

coming soon

Identify what non-profits are the “Microsofts” of the field and what companies are the “IBMs” of the field.(Use the questionnaire to guide your research when appropriate - Carol will select specific relevant and helpful questions)

coming soon

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