CleanTech OC Daily - 10/18/12

US Marine Power Holds Promise, with 80 Projects Planned
According to a report by GlobalData, the US power industry and academic institutions are working together to develop technologies for marine power generation. The report, “Marine Power – Installed Capacity, Levelized Cost of Energy, Profiles of Technology Developers and Key Country Analysis to 2030,” states that 80 marine energy projects are currently in development. California alone has a combined annual average deep water power flux of more than 37,000 MW - at least 20% can be converted into electricity. Wave energy potential could meet at least 20% of the state’s electricity consumption.

Vinod Khosla: Investors Need To Make Smart, Risky Bets On Green Tech

Silicon Valley’s biggest green tech investor, Khosla Ventures, is not letting the current state of the industry phase them. According to Vinod Khosla, their portfolio is doing well and are not “shying away from anything.” Khosla’s sustainability portfolio ranges from energy storage and biofuels to green building and agricultural robots…even some solar.

Moving Microgrids Into the Mainstream
Microgrids, smaller versions of the larger utility grid, are able to disconnect from the macrogrid and can continue to operate in what is known as “island mode.” This feature is appealing to facilities such as military bases, hospitals and data centers, which all have “mission critical” functions that need to continue to operate no matter what. In addition, microgrids also help the larger grid stay in balance. With regard to a solar, A recent report from Pike Research, Microgrid Enabling Technologies, addresses how much solar PV will actually be deployed within microgrids over the next 6 years.