Alternative Profits Blog
Synergies between alternative energy and other industries
"Will Solar Cells Have Intel Inside Soon?" - At least that was the intriguing title of the article from here.As you could have guessed, Intel is working quietly, trying to apply its huge mass of knowledge in making world-class semiconductors to solar panels - in this case, organic solar panels. It appears to be facing stiff competition from much smaller companies, but well-funded all the same, but companies that have a dedicated focus on organic solar cells - Konarka, 3G Solar,DyeSol, Heliatek and G24 Innovations.
Now, what is interesting about this is the intersection between the biggies in the IT industry and the alternative energy industry. Another example of such an intersection can be seen in the way Google is moving in to develop software for enabling the smart grid. Cisco is trying to muscle in as well in this domain (well, smart grid is closer to Cisco than it is to Google, for sure - see also Cisco's statement that smart grid will eclipse the Internet). IBM is not exactly wanting to be left behind on the smart grid front, either.
Well, energy is something that touches most every industry, so it is only natural for many other industries to start working on solutions for the energy and sustainability industries. Another interesting example of such an intersection happens in the combination of biofuels and wastewater treatment. Admittedly, this is in the research phase, but some companies are trying this out: Algae grow well in sewage and wastewater and can actually cost-effectively clean the water of its nutrients, so companies are exploring if they could use algae instead of their standard ETP (effluent treatment plants) to cut water treatment costs while at the same time produce algae biomass that can be used to make biofuels.
I can keep telling more and more industries that are getting into the alternative energy industry, but let me not make this too long. I will end with another example - this from the railways; yes, the Indian Railways is getting into biofuels.
These case studies will be interesting and instructive to entrepreneurs who have their eyes on the alternative energy industry. How can entrepreneurs benefit from such synergies between various industries and alternative energy? One obvious answer is to analyse the current industry they are in and evaluate the emerging alt energy business opportunities that are closest to their core competencies. Another is to explore joint venture opportunities (a transport service provider getting into a JV with a biofuel equipment manufacturer to become a biofuel producer). And thirdly, if the entrepreneur is already in the alternative energy industry, consider backward and forward integration possibilities to make the most of the synergies.
We live in exciting times.
posted by Ecacofonix at
6:42 AM
Monday, June 22, 2009
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