Sunday, November 22, 2009

Water, water everywhere....

This article was first published in the international Cleantech Investor magazine. Email info@auscleantech if you would like a full version of the article.

Australia is blessed with many natural resources to assist the growth of its cleantech sector. Some of the wind resources are exceptional, the wave resources are world leading and the hot rocks are driving big investments into the geothermal sector. Most of all, Australia is synonymous with solar radiation and much of the country has a ridiculous amount of solar resource to play with. There are of course issues with respect to NIMBY complaints for sites near communities and the fact that the best resources are never closest to those population centres – luckily the desert has few back yards to worry about.

Australia has another natural competitive advantage in the cleantech space: one that is not so apparent. The climate is highly variable with respect to its rainfall and as such there can be long periods of drought followed by long ‘wets’. Much of South-Eastern Australia is still suffering from the effects of a drought that started in the first years of decade. This has led to severe water restrictions in many areas, with the banning of sprinklers and specified watering days. This variability is likely to be exacerbated by climate change, but its existence is not new. The natural competitive advantage of having little water has therefore made the Australian water industry innovate to survive.

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Sydney Cleantech Network Event - 19 November


Clayton Utz hosted the Sydney Cleantech Network event on 19 November with over 140 attendees.

The evening featured a presentation from Matthew Warren, CEO of the Clean Energy Council on ‘Whether tax breaks help cleantech companies across the valley of death?’.

This was followed by two minute pitches from the following growth companies:

- BluGlass - Giles Bourne - www.bluglass.com.au (LEDs and Solar)
- NEP Solar - Johan Dreyer - www.nep-solar.com (Solar)
- Elemental Energy Technologies - Michael Urch - www.eettidal.com (Tidal)
- BTOLA - Bevan Dooley - www.btola.com (Biomass)
- Fuel Concepts - Andre Botelho - www.fuelconcepts.com - as I mentioned on night Andre was unfortunately detained and will present at the February event. (Vehicles)


Other links mentioned during the evening were:

- Azo Cleantech - www.azocleantech.com - onlisting of cleantech products and services.
- CleverGreen Conference, Adelaide, 15-16 February - www.southaustralia.biz/Innovation-in-SA /Clever-Green-Conference-2010.aspx
- Cleantech Investor, international cleantech publication - www.cleantechinvestor.com


The next event will be held on 11 February and will be hosted by Macquarie Bank. If you wish to be added to the distribution list for this and future events please email scn@auscleantech.com.au.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Sydney Cleantech Network Event, 19th November - SPEAKER & PICHTING COMPANY DETAILS

You are invited to attend the Sydney Cleantech Network on Thursday 19 November 2009 from 5:30 until 7:00pm

at the offices of Clayton Utz, Level 34, No.1 O'Connell Street

Including:

- a presentation from Matthew Warren, CEO of the Clean Energy Council on ‘Whether tax breaks help cleantech companies across the valley of death?’.

- 2 minute pitches from the following growth companies:

BluGlass - BluGlass (ASX: BLG) is developing innovative semiconductor technology to reduce the cost of producing next generation high efficiency LED and solar cell devices.

BTOLA - A global opportunity to halve the cost of micro-generation, with BTOLA’s patent pending turbines that run on biomass, waste and more

Fuel Concepts - Fuel Concepts is an Australia based company that is the worldwide licensee and distributor for a patented technology (founded by Fuel Concepts of America) that substantially reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions for any gas-electric vehicles.

Elemental Energy Technologies - The SeaUrchin is an elegantly simple and efficient, environmentally-friendly, second generation marine vortex turbine generator offering major cost, performance and deployment advantages over the first generation marine technologies occupying the market place today.

NEP Solar - NEP Solar is a supplier of concentrating solar thermal collectors; its first product the PolyTrough is a parabolic trough collector aimed at the industrial heat market (up to 250°C) focussing on lowest cost per kWh delivered over the life cycle .

There is no charge for attendance but bookings are essential and you will not be able to attend without having pre-registered.

Please RSVP by COB Tuesday 17 November to scn@auscleantech.com.au

Green Bubbles?

This article was originally published in Ethical Investor

For those of you who always see the glass half-empty, there is much to worry about in ‘green’ investments at the moment. If you look a bit deeper however, the fundamentals of cleantech investing are actually becoming even stronger.

So, first for the bad news! The CPRS is still uncertain and appears to be getting weaker by the day. The geothermal industry is progressing slowly but is still suffering the aftershocks of Geodynamics well blow-out. The solar thermal industry was perplexed by the outlined criteria for the Solar Flagships Program, which is currently being rebuilt by the Boston Consulting Group. Furthermore, many see the credibility of solar thermal to be damaged by the collapse of Solar Systems after spending a huge $150m in development capital. The Biofuels industry collapsed in 2006 and, as indicated by the 43% loss in ACT Biofuels Index in the 12 months to 31 August, continues to decline. The plug-in electric vehicles being developed the world over will face little challenge from The Green Car Fund’s support of Holden’s four-cylinder ‘innovation’ and the hybrid Camry.

Wind farms could be seen as the only hope in the energy sub-sectors, but, with the honourable exception of Infigen Energy, little of the consequent investor benefits are held in dedicated listed vehicles.

Institutional investors in Australia, despite the great work of publications such as this, are largely unaware and uneducated on the potential and the practical risk profiles of cleantech investments. This has meant that will not provide funds and mandates to the venture industry to enable the commercialisation and growth of many of the emerging sectors. Some of the venture capital fund managers would love to be provided with more ambitious mandates, but the institutional investors are not yet ready to take that step.

The good news is that all of the above has meant that there has certainly been little irrational exuberance in the Australian cleantech market with the corollary that there was no Australian bubble to burst. The only sub-sector that showed signs overheating here was in the last group of listing geothermal companies.

But there is more good news other than there being no bubble to burst. The growth of cleantech investments is underpinned by four key and strong macro-economic drivers. Firstly, there are many tangible assets being constructed to provide core services such as power, water, waste and recycling. Secondly, the demand for these core services and for a reduced impacts on the natural environment is growing due to both population growth and increasing wealth. Thirdly, as the world continues to use and deplete its natural resources there is increasing pressure on communities to adopt cleantech solutions to increase efficiency and decrease waste. Finally there is the recognition of climate change and consequent regulatory regimes.

There is also increasing activity on a local and global scale that will assist in the growth of Australian cleantech companies and secure returns for their investors. Azo Cleantech, run out of Sydney, is fast becoming one of the world’s leading reference tools for cleantech companies and provides an opportunity to take Australian products to the world. The Adelaide and Sydney Cleantech Network’s offer opportunities for companies to pitch and for all involved in the industry to network and collaborate. My company is working successfully with Australian listed cleantech companies and successfully connecting them with institutional investors in Germany to increase the diversity and strength of their share registries.

Regardless of political decisions, the future for cleantech, both here and abroad, is bright. It has multiple global drivers and government backing which makes it stand out from previous growth industries. As it grows, mainstream corporate Australia will buy in because of supply chain pressures from their customers and also from increased environmental performance reporting by groups such as Reputex.
The glass is definitely half full and the opportunities for good returns from investing in cleantech are plentiful.

Australian politics, wind and batteries….

This article was originally published in the international Cleantech Investor.

The media coverage of the latest round of climate related legislation in Australia has been hysterical to say the least. Emissions intensive industries will emigrate to carbon-friendly countries, coal fired power stations have already stopped long term maintenance causing power cuts in the height of summer, exports will be slashed, jobs will be lost and the country will generally go into a steep and unavoidable economic decline.

The voice of the cleantech industry is not as loud, but is not dissimilar – potential green jobs will be lost, the country will be left behind etc etc. I’m sure there is nothing unique about the Australian debate.

The legislation that has been passed establishes a Renewable Energy Target (RET) of 20% of stationary power to be generated from renewable sources by 2020. This will increase the annual generation from its current 9,500GWh to 45,000GWh. The legislation is enforced through energy retailers having to submit sufficient Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) as compared to their total energy sold. As the RECs can be banked in advance, it is believed that most of the target will be taken up onshore wind farms constructed over the next five years or so. This could lead to over 10,000MW of installed wind capacity being constructed at a cost of over A$20 billion. Forecast forward REC prices vary, but may end up at around A$40 with a REC being roughly equivalent to 1 tonne-CO2e.

Another piece of legislation that was defeated in the Upper House and will be re-introduced into the parliament in November is the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme, which the Government has called the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). This was voted down primarily by conservative politicians worried about impacts on both rural communities and emissions intensive industries. There was also a resurgence of climate scepticism and a view that there is no point making any decisions until after Copenhagen. The scheme, in its current form, is a heavily watered down version of the first draft. It proposes a fixed carbon tax for its first year of operation starting in July 2011 and then a tradeable carbon commodity thereafter. The targets are modest at only a 5% reduction on 2000 levels by 2020 and the carbon price is not expected to exceed A$25/tonne-CO2e during this time. There are aspirational targets that are bigger but the conditions are sufficiently onerous to preclude their consideration. There are carve outs for petrol and for most of the emissions intensive and export industries, so, even if passed, the CPRS will not appear to drive significant behaviour change. The draft allows for unlimited import of credits from CDM projects but no export of credits from Australian projects. This has met with disappointment from investors looking towards developing local projects and seeking to trade credits on other markets with tighter targets and the potential for higher carbon prices.

There has been significant debate here on the impacts of this legislation on the cleantech industry in general and which subsectors will be most impacted. Over the longer term, the technology winners will be those technologies that provide required solutions at the lowest costs. In the short term however, there will be a huge impacts on individuals, companies and investors.

A quick look at which of the sub-sectors of the Australian Cleantech Index have performed well in the last six months demonstrates the correlation between policy and investment returns. The ACT Solar Index has increase by 119% in the 6 months since 31 January, driven entirely by the increased demand for rooftop solar photovoltaic panels resulting from government rebates for small scale pV installations. For instance, investors with $1,000 invested in Quantum Energy on 31 January 2009 could have cashed in $3,750 if they had sold out six months later.
Over the same period, the ACT Wind Index increased by 33.1%, roughly in line with the overall index. The RET legislation had not yet been passed and investors were clearly not yet confident enough in its passage to inflate the share price of the likely beneficiaries. There is a strong expectation that these enhanced returns will now materialise.

Big solar also appears to be set to make significant progress through a A$1.5 billion Government funding program to be rolled out from 2010. Winners from this may include companies such as Wizard Power, Acquasol and Solar Systems.
A valid question is whether the investment in wind will exhaust the investment appetite for cleantech and leave nothing for the other sub-sectors. Will sub-sectors such as water, waste, vehicle technologies, energy efficiency and energy storage simply stagnate in Australia whilst their cleantech cousins in clean energy boom?
Looking at the fundamental drivers of cleantech, the answer is clearly ‘no’. The other sub-sectors may not accelerate as fast in the short term and maybe the investment returns will not be so strong. However, the demand for increased resource efficiency, reduced waste and improved environmental performance will ensure that technologies across the Australian cleantech spectrum will succeed even in the short term.

Given the focus of this edition is on electric vehicles (EVs), it is worth providing an overview of the current activity within this sub-sector in Australia. Better Place has recently announced its first Australian project in the nation’s capital, Canberra, with financial support from Macquarie Bank.

There has however been little progress on the domestic development of electric vehicles, with talk more of trials of imported vehicles from the likes of Mitsubishi and Renault. To demonstrate the status of the Australian car industry, the local GM subsidiary, GM Holden, made a big announcement in late 2008 that, with significant and vocal Government support, it would start to manufacture a four cylinder car within a few years as a significant energy efficiency on its standard six cylinder model!

Battery technologies are however progressing well and some of these may find homes in EVs manufactured elsewhere. technologies such as Cap-XX’s supercapacitors, Cougar Energy’s and V-Fuel’s vanadium based batteries and ZBB’s and RedFlow Energy’s zinc-bromide batteries are all progressing well. There are also some exciting battery technologies coming out of research institutions such as the CSIRO, although many of these struggle to secure sufficient seed funding.

In summary, the Australian legislative agenda is progressing, although more slowly than many had hoped when the current centre-left government was elected in late 2007. The biggest winner from policy settings to date have been household solar and it seems that wind may well be the big winner over the next few years. Australia is a long way behind on EV developments although its battery technologies have significant potential, if they are able to attract sufficient early stage funding.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Sydney Cleantech Network Event on Thursday 19th November 2009




You are invited to attend the next Sydney Cleantech Network event on Thursday 19th November 2009,
5:30 until 7:00pm
at the offices of Clayton Utz at
Level 34, No.1 O'Connell Street, Sydney

Including:
- a presentation from a leading cleantech industry participant – details to be advised before the event.
- 2 minute pitches from growth companies looking for investors, partners or just wanting to announce company developments. Please register in advance if you want to pitch.

There is no charge for attendance but bookings are essential. Please RSVP by COB on Tuesday 17 November to scn@auscleantech.com.au

Who should attend?
The cleantech sector comprises industries with both environmental and economic benefits. Sub-sectors include renewable energy (wind, solar, wave, tidal, hydro and geothermal), water, waste and recycling, energy efficiency, green buildings, biomaterials, energy storage and fuel cells, environmental service providers and carbon traders. The Sydney Cleantech Network aims to provide education, forge links and facilitate collaboration between the cleantech sector, the finance industry, academia and government services.

Interested in Pitching?
There will be a limited number companies invited to pitch at each event. If you are interested in pitching, please email pitching@auscleantech.com.au for more information.

Future Events – diary note
- 11 February hosted by Macquarie
- 25 March hosted by New Energy Finance
- May 2010 hosted by the ASX
- July 2010 hosted by Griffith Hack

Saturday, October 10, 2009

150 People Attend the Sydney Cleantech Network Launch


The Sydney Cleantech Network launched with a packed room of 150 people in attendance. The event was hosted by KPMG at their offices on Sussex Street.

The attendees listened to Roger Price from Innovation Capital talk about their investee company Windlab Systems and how it has changed from a technology provider into an international wind farm developer. Importantly Roger also explained how VCs invest in people and businesses and that technology is just an enabling factor.

Five companies then did 'two minute pitches' explaining their products and services and detailing their upcoming funding requirements. The companies were:

- CMA Corporporation - A leading integrated Australian-based recycling group that provides products and services to customers across three continents.

- Acoustica - Commercialising the world’s best "Green" Noise Barrier - Quietwave® Captive Membrane Technology.

- T3Energy - Developer of both a solar space heating and super-insulated building technologies will reduce energy consumption in homes by up to 80% while offering a competitive and compelling alternative to conventional homes.

- Azure Energy - The Azure Energy ALI system produces seven forms of energy from Solar Energy, in all weather conditions

- Universal Power Storage - Universal Power Storage (UPS) has the only invention in the Massive Electrical Storage (MES) space that can potentially deliver the largest scale electrical storage system in the world: rectifying the largest market failure in the electricity market – base load storage.

Most importantly the attendees networked with people from cleantech companies, the finance sector, academia, professional services and the government.

The next event will be hosted by Clayton Utz on 19 November 2009 commencing at 5:30. Attendess must have registered to attend. Future functions will be hosted by Macquarie Bank, New Energy Finance, Griffith Hack and the ASX.

The Sydney Cleantech Network will hold events every couple of months. If you would like to be informed of future events or are interested in pitching please email scn@auscleantech.com.au.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Will Non-energy Cleantech be Left Behind?

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation has been passed by the Australian legislature but the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) was defeated. What impact will this have on the cleantech sector, both in the short and longer terms?
Let’s start with the longer term and consider the prospects for cleantech companies in, say, five years time. This outcome is reliant on the key drivers behind the adoption of cleantech. In my view there are four unique and significant drivers behind the global move towards clean technologies – and only one of those relies on regulatory measures.

Firstly, cleantech solutions are being integrated into many real assets that provide core services, such as power, water, waste and recycling over the long term. This ensures that any over-exuberance in investments, comparable to the IT bubble of the early 2000s, has a lower bound and tangible level.

Secondly, the demand for these core services of energy, water and resources is growing due to both population growth and increasing wealth and its consequent improved standard of living.

Thirdly, as the world continues to use and deplete its natural resources there is increasing pressure on communities to act sustainably. Not only is the demand increasing but the supply of resources is decreasing, so it is essential to use more innovative technology to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Finally, and certainly not most significantly, there is the recognition of climate change and the consequent regulatory regimes, such as the RET and the CPRS. This is a separate driver from those above and, whilst it will result in additional growth in some cleantech sub-sectors, it does not underpin the cleantech sector as a whole. As a result, the longer term growth of cleantech is assured and will be unstoppable.
So whether the RET and/or the CPRS, and their equivalents in other countries, are passed now, next year or the year after will have little impact on the long term growth of the sector. The long term winners will be those technologies that provide required solutions at the lowest costs. There may be some minor technology variations if the early stage subsidies are not provided, causing some of the individual technologies to fall in the valley of death. In general however, the sectors that could be winners will still be winners and the ‘petty politics’ of 2009 will become a mere detail in a few autobiographies of retiring and elderly ex-ministers.

A valid question is whether this will exhaust the investment appetite for cleantech leaving nothing for all the other sub-sectors. Will sub-sectors such as water, waste, vehicle technologies, energy efficiency and energy storage stagnate whilst their cleantech cousins in clean energy boom?

Will the delay and weakness of what may become the CPRS mean that Australia’s non-energy related clean technologies will remain on the shelf?

Looking back at the fundamental drivers of cleantech, the answer is clearly ‘no’. The other sub-sectors may not accelerate as fast in the short term and maybe the investment returns will not be so strong. However, the demand for increased resource efficiency, reduced waste and improved environmental performance will ensure that technologies across the cleantech spectrum will succeed even in the short term. We may go through a different ‘sliding door’ with respect to the uptake schedule and the exact technology mix and this may have profound impacts on individual companies and investments. From a sector level, however, the industry growth will continue and innovation and adoption will be widespread for all industries.

Cleantech is not reliant on regulatory regimes. Furthermore, for the technologies that improve efficiencies, reduce waste and consequently increase customer profits, investment will always be available.

Politics may influence the short term behaviours, but the long term drivers for cleantech adoption are far bigger than mere national politics.

This is an abridged version of an article that was originally published on Environmental Management News in August 2009. For the full version, please email info@auscleantech.com.au

CleanFutures Secures Grant to Commercialise World Leading Biosensor

An Adelaide company has secured funding to finalise prototypes and complete testing of a biosensor technology that is set to revolutionise the testing of water, wine and food throughout the world.

CleanFutures AquaSens, based in Adelaide, was formed specifically to develop the AquaSens biosensor. The technology is a rapid, highly sensitive sensor probe for the detection of nitrates and phosphates in water, and sulfites in wine and food products.

The technology was developed by Monash University in Victoria and had started its commercialisation process through a Victorian State Government body, Nanotechnology Victoria. When the funding was wound down for this body earlier this year, two South Australian entrepreneurs set about bringing the technology to Adelaide for further commercial development.

Kristin Alford and John O’Brien saw the global opportunity for the technology, secured the exclusive rights to commercialise it and established CleanFutures to bring to it to market.

Bio Innovation SA recognised this potential and has provided funding through its Business Development Initiative(BDI) grant to allow the final testing to be completed.

“We are delighted to support CleanFutures AquaSens and are excited about the potential their technology has for the water, wine and food industries,” said Mr Neil Finlayson, Bio Innovation SA’s Business Development Director.

The funding will enable CleanFutures AquaSens to design and manufacture industrial prototypes of the biosensor and to then conduct customer trials. One of these trials will be completed with the Australian Water Quality Centre, SA Water’s testing laboratory.

The technology allows for tests to be completed immediately and in the field rather than taking samples for further analysis in a laboratory. Results are within minutes rather than having to wait a week or more. Increased phosphates and nitrate levels are key indicators of the likelihood of blue-green algae forming. The use of this biosensor could provide early warning of problems in water bodies such as the River Murray.

“The BDI grant will enable CleanFutures AquaSens to complete critical milestones essential for progress through commercialisation, including designing and manufacturing an industrial prototype and conducting customer trials.”

“We are excited to be able to further the early commercialisation work conducted by Nanotechnology Victoria and Monash University”, said CleanFutures AquaSens’ CEO, Kristin Alford.

The issue of sulfite in wine is currently a major problem for the industry: as it is hard to detect and it is estimated that 1% of the population are sulfite-sensitive. With South Australia’s position as a leader in wine production, the development of the sulfite biosensor here is a natural fit. CleanFutures has arranged for the technology’s inventor, Professor Sam Adeloju from Monash, to work with both Flinders University and The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) to finalise the required research for the sulfite application of the AquaSens technology.

“Once proven the sulfite biosensor will enable all wineries to test every barrel of wine and make sure that sulfite levels are managed effectively. This will provide clearer consumer information for those that are sensitive to sulfite,” said John O’Brien, CleanFutures AquaSens’ CFO.

“The ability to test both water and wine on the spot will enable water companies and wine makers to be able to manage their products better. We believe that this technology will revolutionise testing the world over and further enhance South Australia’s reputation for clean technologies,” Dr Alford added.

Adelaide Cleantech Network Drinks - Tuesday 6 October 5:30

You are invited to attend the Adelaide Cleantech Network drinks on Tuesday 6 October 2009 at 5:30 until 7:00pm at the Historian Hotel, 18 Coromandel Place, Adelaide (between Pirie and Grenfell Streets and close to Gawler Place)

To be added to the distribution list for future events please email acn@auscleantech.com.au

The evening is sponsored by ZeroWaste SA and will include:
- a short presentation on a successful commercial sustainability case study funded in part by ZeroWaste SA.
- 2 minute pitches from growth companies looking for investors. This is your chance to tell the Adelaide Cleantech community what you are looking for or what you have achieved.

Details of the pitching companies will be provided here the week before the event.

There is no charge for attendance but bookings are required. Please RSVP by COB on Friday 2 October to rsvp@auscleantech.com.au


Interested in Pitching?
Companies that are investor ready and actively seeking investment are invited to undertake a two minute pitch. Also companies looking to announce progress or updates. The two minutes will be strictly enforced and you will be able to have a single slide on the screen. There will be a limited number companies invited to pitch at each event. If you are interested in pitching at this event or future events, please email pitching@auscleantech.com.au with your single proposed slide for more information.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Launch of the Sydney Cleantech Network

The Launch of the Sydney Cleantech Network will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2009 from 5:30pm until 7:00pm at the offices of KPMG

at Level 15, 10 Shelley Street, Sydney (entry also via 7 Sussex St)

The evening will include:
- the formal launch and a presentation on the progress of the cleantech sector in NSW by the Hon Carmel Tebbutt, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.
- two minute pitches from companies seeking finance or partners

Further information is available at the Sydney Cleantech Network group on Linked-in at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1928638&trk=hb_side_g

To be added to the distribution list for future events please email scn@auscleantech.com.au

Monday, August 24, 2009

Adelaide CleanTech Network drinks - Tuesday 4 August 2009

5:30 until 7:00pm
at the Thomson Playford Cutlers’ offices at
Level 7, 19 Gouger Street, Adelaide

To be added to the distribution list for future events please email acn@auscleantech.com.au

The August 2009 event included:
- a short presentation on the how the Australian Institute of Commercialisation and the Clean Energy Innovation Centre can help South Australian cleantech companies

- 2 minute pitches from four growth companies looking for investors, partners or just wanting to announce company developments. The companies that pitched at this event were:

- WattWatchers - energy and emissions home monitoring system - www.wattwatchers.com.au

- Lumenite - luminscent lighting equipment - www.lwp-lumenite.com

- COPROH - large scale biosequestration and land rehabilitation

- Cogen Microsystems - small scale distributed solar/gas hybrid cogenration systems - www.cogenmicro.com


The following companies have pitched at previous Adelaide Cleantech Network events:

- Flinders University Materials & BioEnergy Group - Nanomaterials for Stormwater harvesting

- CleanFutures - biosensors for Nitrates, Phosphates and Sulfites - www.cleanfutures.com.au

- Acquasol Infrastructure Ltd - large scale solar thermal/gas hybrid power and water generation project - www.acquasol.com.au

- Open Energy - demand management systems - www.openenergy.com.au

- Seadov - second generation wind turbines - www.seadov.com

Monday, August 3, 2009

Green Benefits for all Business

Many businesses might assume that sustainability, emissions and cleantech are issues for only big corporates and that they do not have time to worry about these ‘nice-to-haves’. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are usually so focussed on ensuring sales, keeping costs down and chasing cash flows that, regardless of personal persuasions, keeping the company afloat rates a long way above saving the environment.

These views are exasperated by two types of media coverage of climate change: the no-hope horror stories inciting paralysing terror; and the ‘happy ever after thanks to science’ approach offering an effortless solution.

The continual coverage of melting ice sheets, sea level rises, droughts, severe storms and crop failures is essential in providing a context for debate on climate change. However, the tone is often so cataclysmic, so intent on relishing predictions of upcoming disasters, that many people are left with the defeatist attitude ‘We have passed the tipping point rendering all action pointless’.

Stories of wonderful ‘silver bullet’ inventions that will ‘solve’ the climate change problem are equally as damaging. Tales of genetically modified carbon-munching trees, or dumping iron filings into the ocean allow the listeners to relax and dismiss cautionary news. To those accepting such stories, the problem appears insignificant in the face of man’s scientific innovation.

However, if done well, ‘green’ activities can save money and increase sales for all companies. It does not need to be an extra task needing more management time but rather an excuse to review the business plan and position the company ahead of its competitors and ready for future growth.

There are many people offering to do ‘emissions audits’ and to provide carbon offsets, and these have their place. Much greater value can be secured however by a business assessing its strategies before adopting the quick fix (and extra costs) of carbon offsets. There are two key aspects of a business, whether it produces goods or services, that will drive the greatest increase in the bottom line.

Firstly, how can processes be changed to reduce waste and therefore increase efficiency? The waste may be measured in terms of input materials, consumables, utilities (power and water) and even human resources. The solutions might involve installing new equipment, streamlining approvals processes or recycling waste back into the start of the process. For all the inputs and outputs of a business, whatever it may produce, a balance can be drawn up to show what creates value and what creates waste. Waste streams can then either be reduced or beneficially used.

Waste is just a resource to which insufficient imagination has been applied. Once the waste streams are understood then some imagination and innovation can be applied to utilise and create value from some of these resources. These solutions often need external technical and business process advice to overcome the problem of managers ‘not knowing what they don’t know’.

Secondly, business must look outwards to see what changes are occurring to their business environment. Most importantly, an understanding of how its clients’ needs are changing. Large corporates are starting to look at the supply chain emissions of multiple inputs, Governments want to be seen to be procuring sustainably, hotels are assessing the environmental footprint of their menus and householders are increasingly buying ‘green’. If a company does not anticipate these changes, it will lose market share. If it continues to ignore them, it will go broke. By moving early, however, it is possible to gain customers and move ahead of competitors.

Over time, sustainability and climate change will change every aspect of how our communities work. This change presents huge opportunities for those willing to grab them. Opportunities to both improve their internal processes and to anticipate the changing needs of their customers. Those that do not evolve and are focussed only on the problems will find themselves left well behind. Which will you choose to be?

Australian CleanTech works with businesses to help them understand their efficiencies and the changing supply chain environment.

Open Letter to Senator Fielding

13 July 2009

Dear Senator

As you would know, the news today widely reported that you have been unable to find coherent answers to your reasonable queries on climate change and have raised this issue with your fellow parliamentarians.

I am by no means a climate scientist, but I have heard some reasonably compelling answers to the points that you have raised. In Australia, Professor Barry Brook at the University of Adelaide is able to provide detailed explanations that may help arrest your concerns. I will be seeing Barry tomorrow and will let him know that you may be in contact.

Through contacts in the US and in Europe, I can also connect you with other leading global climate scientists who will be able to provide you with as much detail as you wish to see. There is of course no absolutes, no absolute proof – science as you know is merely a question of fitting the most likely cause with the most obvious consequence. The evidence appears however to be reasonably conclusive on many of the key points.

I would agree with you that science is not perfect. This is continually demonstrated in scientific fields such as medicine, but we continue to take treatments even when the diagnosis is not perfect. Like the human body, there is undoubtedly far more to learn and far greater understanding of our climate to be gained.

Some might consider the fact that the vast majority of global climate scientists agree in overview (if not in detail) to be merely a conspiracy of self-reinforcement amongst all those ‘white coats’. Others might consider that in fact the weight of probability appears to be strongly in favour of anthropogenic climate change caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

In the unlikely event that all the leading scientists have got it wrong, there is an interesting consideration that I first heard raised by Professor Stephen Schneider of Stanford University. He asked a public meeting in Adelaide Town Hall how many in the audience had house insurance, to which many hands were raised. He then asked how many people have had their house burn down, to which one poor chap at the back raised his hand. To many who have thought seriously about the issue, the insurance of reducing carbon emissions appears to be a sensible precaution just in case the world’s climate scientists happen to be correct.

If you are right, then I will happily applaud you once the scientists are standing with you. That you may be wrong and, through your actions, may even manage to turn global opinion against the climate science community, worries me immensely. I wish to invest in climate insurance for my family.

If there is a hint of uncertainty, then taking the safe route through backing the majority of climate scientists appears to be the only rationale course of action.

Please let me know if you would like to be introduced to any particular climate scientists – I would be more than happy to facilitate this through my contacts.

I apologise for making this an open letter with the media, but it is an issue that is too important to remain in private.

Best regards
John

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

BOOK LAUNCH SEMINARS


Opportunities Beyond Carbon: Looking Forward to a Sustainable World

The book Opportunities Beyond Carbon: Looking Forward to a Sustainable World was launched in June at the Adelaide ‘Economy of the Future’ seminar. The book is published by Melbourne University Press.

The Sydney book launch seminar was held on Friday 10 July at the EBA's offices in Pott's Point. The Melbourne book launch seminar was held on Friday 17 July at Investec's offices on Collins Street.

‘Verily I say unto you: this is a new New Testament, containing hope of a planetary resurrection ... Read this book. Immediately. This book should be set to music and sung aloud by all policy makers.’
Phillip Adams, broadcaster, columnist.


The book aims to recast the debate on climate change from one of fear and problems to one of hope and opportunity. It contains a collection of essays from key politicians, investors, business people, activists and academics on how to make the most of the current predicament. The authors include the Hon Greg Hunt MP, the environment spokesperson for the Federal Opposition, Professor Sir David King of the University of Oxford, Bill Mckibben, the renowned American author, and Tenke Zoltani who works with Lord Nicholas Stern in London.

This fresh, lucid and practical optimism for the future offers a foundation for an entirely new and proactive attitude to climate change.

Opportunities Beyond Carbon presents climate change as potentially the ‘best crisis we ever had’. It maps the many opportunities for communities large and small, local and international, making the transition to a low carbon economy.

At the Adelaide launch, the book’s editor, John O’Brien said that ‘Media stories on climate change either focus on the dire consequences or on the ‘silver bullet’ scientific solutions. The community views the first as a reason not to get involved as the problem is too big and too remote in time and place. The second type of story also provides a reason not to get involved by telling themselves that “those clever scientist will sort it out for us!”'

‘By telling positive stories about beneficial changes made because of climate change, it will be possible to engage all levels of community and change the focus from one of fear to one of opportunity.’

‘The future visions provided in this book give cause for hope, optimism and celebration.’

The seminars feature some of the authors and provide insights into the science and regulatory status, the opportunities and solutions and how to secure the finance needed to pay for the transition.


Endorsements for the book include the following:

Ever since a former Astronomer Royal announced that “space travel is impossible” we have found ways to postpone the future. But there are much better things to do with carbon than setting it alight. This terrific book explores some of the most exciting alternatives—for a future replete with energy, sustainability and choice. Never before have the real possibilities been so interesting.
Robyn Williams, host of The Science Show, ABC Radio

By focussing on the opportunities rather than the challenges of climate change, this book provides an excellent platform to drive changes with tangible benefits for all. The breadth of opportunities covered gives hope that this will indeed be the ‘best crisis we ever had’.
Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet.


The book can be purchased online from Melbourne University Press at www.mup.com.au/page/118

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Can Australasia lead the Cleantech world?

Australia and New Zealand have the opportunity to
leverage our technology innovation and green image to become global Cleantech leaders, driving a new wave of investment and green collar jobs.


The Adelaide Cleantech Network ran a seminar in early April that brought together some of Australasia’s leading Cleantech proponents. This practical discussion was designed to stimulate the relationships and business linkages that drive innovation, connecting attendees with potential clients, technology leaders, investors, researchers and policy leaders.

The event was run in collaboration with the Australia New Zealand Business Council and the Water Industry Alliance.

Speakers at the event included:
- His Excellency John Larkindale, New Zealand High Commissioner
- David Klingberg, Chairman of the Premier's Climate Change Council
- Andrew Dickson, Wind Prospects, on ‘The Growth of the Australasian Wind Industry to 2020’
- Professor Gus Nathan, University of Adelaide on ‘Sustainable utilisation of energy’
- Sean Ebert, Worley Parsons on ‘Australia’s solar thermal potential’
- Helga Brigden, Mercer Investment Consulting on ‘Harnessing superannuation money for cleantech initiatives’
- Kerry Rooney, Austrade on ‘International initiatives to sell Australasian cleantech’
- Vaughan Levitske , ZeroWaste on waste and recycling initiatives

It is hoped to stage this as an annual Australian New Zealand initiative.

The Beauty of Pessimism

I am jealous of pessimists. Life must be so easy when all you can only ever see is the downsides and the reasons why things should not be changed.

I am even more jealous of pessimists who have access to expensive PR firms and lobbyists, who can make sure that a whole country is influenced by their psyche. This week has provided some fine demonstrations of pessimism at work. The federal Government backed down on its proposed CPRS plan under pressure from all sides to help shore up its poll ratings in order not to be remembered as a ‘oncer’ government (one that only lasted a single term). The Government viewed the option of being bold and courageous with pessimism, as it considered whether the voters would come with it. Sadly, it felt like it had more to do with getting ‘one over on Malcolm’ rather than serious policy formulation.

The industry commentators on these changes provided further examples: Mitch Hooke from the Minerals Council of Australia claimed the scheme’s delay ‘amounts to little more than a temporary stay of execution for thousands of mining jobs…’; Charles Burke from the National Farmers’ Federation explained how beef farmers would go broke; and the coal industry are still furious that they only get $750m.

Pessimism works well in driving two outcomes. Firstly it is great for increasing the fear of change – if you only see the negatives then why risk moving forward. Secondly, it encourages incrementalism – like walking down a rocky path on a moonless night, it is OK to shuffle forward slowly but far too risky to take a big step or maybe even a leap. So people continue to see the world through the same lens and just tinker at the margins.

The pessimists are right in that pricing carbon will cause jobs losses in emissions intensive industries. Given the whole point is to reduce consumption of emissions intensive products, job losses will demonstrate the scheme’s success. Viewed in isolation, this is a terrible outcome. Pessimists are good at looking at things in silos. Looking back over the last 30 years, Australia has lost and exported almost all of its jobs as manufacturing shut down and globalisation took hold. Many have deplored this loss.

Pessimists are also right in that some emissions intensive investment may, in the short term, go to countries less advanced on carbon pricing. This ‘carbon leakage’ will not result in increased emissions, as all new plants will be built with an eye on future global carbon schemes, but it may result in job losses here and gains elsewhere.

Sadly I am not a pessimist. I see that the export of Australian manufacturing jobs has helped the Australian workforce increase its skills and increase the country’s financial wealth. I see emissions intensive industries moving offshore as an opportunity for Australia to start focussing on the industries of the future – the cleantech industries – and thereby loosening the shackles to those industries that will inevitably go into decline as carbon is further restricted. I see an opportunity for unions to strongly advocate for the development of the new industries and their associated cleantech skills to secure future employment for their members, rather than seeking to protect jobs in twentieth century industries.

There are, of course, serious transition issues in all of this and there will be difficulties on a local level. Stewart Taggart of Desertec-Australia comments on this transition by stating that as long as governments focus on looking after workers rather than the shareholders, this will be manageable.

Dr Sam Wells from the University of Adelaide speaks brilliantly of how paradigm changes only occur when the change is driven by the attraction to something better rather than moving away from something bad. Through cleantech, Australia will create green jobs, will create more connected communities and in the process increase both wealth and even the happiness of its people. The paradigm shift requires a change of perspective to the positives of a cleantech future rather than all the negatives of the changes to existing industries.

Luckily, the growth of cleantech is not reliant on there being a strong carbon price. Renewable energies will be driven the Renewable Energy Target and other cleantech sub-sectors will be driven by resource depletion, population growth and increasing wealth and life quality expectations. That the CPRS will be weak is irrelevant to cleantech as it will grow and prosper regardless.

Optimists can see a brighter future, but then have the significant challenges of convincing the wider community that the short term pain is worthwhile and then delivering on the vision.

Life would be easy as a pessimist!


This article was originally published in Environment Management News

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Securing Cleantech Benefits for Australia

Australia has the chance to secure its long term economic security from taking a leading role in cleantech. What’s more the current financial downturn presents the perfect opportunity to make a step change to sustainable industries, replacing those emissions-intensive industries that will inevitably decline, and underwriting Australia’s GDP growth for decades. It will however take some bold and confident steps to be taken by Government and companies to fully secure these benefits.

Australia has a choice on whether it wishes to be a future technology taker or to become a global leader in clean technologies. There are many jurisdictions around the world that are seeking to establish themselves as centres of excellence for cleantech. In North America, regions such as Ontario, the North–Western States and Los Angeles have all been pushing hard to create industries of the future. In our region, the Singaporean Government have placed cleantech high on its priority list of industries for which it wants to become the ‘gateway to Asia’. Only this week, the Florida State Government issued a document titled Florida: Building a Foundation for Excellence in Clean Energy in which it considered the State’s strengths in solar, biomass, fuel cells and ocean currents and its strategy to become a global leader in each.

Australia clearly has world class natural resources in solar, wind, wave and geothermal energy. Through its lack of water, it has also been forced to innovate with some clever water management and efficiency technologies. So the question is then how does the country secure the greatest benefits from these natural advantages.
Government’s clearly have a part to play in this through targeted grants and other measures such as renewable energy targets (RET). In Australia, the RET will underwrite the roll out of mature wind technologies developed elsewhere, the Clean Energy Program (CEP) will hopefully drive some Australian innovation in solar and wave technologies and the Geothermal Drilling Program may further Australia’s leading position there. Despite protestations to the contrary, Governments alone will not do enough to guarantee success in any of these fields regardless of the quantum of grant money.

To create the best chance of success requires entrepreneurs and technology developers to collaborate and build companies and solutions that are ready to be sold to the world.

One technique that is being undertaken by a number of companies is to consolidate technology offerings. By pooling a number of similar development technologies, the chances of success for all involved are greatly improved. As part of a consortium, the individual technology developers can leverage off the greater scale to market their technology globally; investors have the opportunity to invest in a diverse portfolio of technologies rather than just backing a single product; and Australia benefits by seeing more of its technology commercialised at home and thereby builds a sustainable future for its communities.

Governments at all levels can assist in this process by providing hubs for this collaboration to occur as well as grants to help things progress, but it is those with the technologies that have the greatest influence on the success of this strategy. By choosing to become part of a group rather than being a stand-alone company changes the route to international commercialisation. Technologies are no longer the ‘babies’ of their inventors but rather become part of wider offering. Inventors must give up the need for total control and become part of a team – a team that has a greatly increased chance of success.

Two companies that I am involved with that are pursuing this strategy are GPAus and CleanFutures. GPAus is building a suite of emerging wind technologies that it can then take to global wind turbine manufacturers to enable them to accelerate their progression towards Gen-2 wind turbines. CleanFutures is assembling diverse nanotechnology-enabled environmental solutions that can be backed and commercialised as a portfolio.

Australia can be a technology exporter of future high value products that will create an advanced and sustainable manufacturing base for the country. This will occur if Governments provide the right environment and technology developers choose to work as a team to the benefit of all. It is the cleantech providers that join forces who will have the greatest chance of succeeding on a global scale and if they succeed then Australia will be the greatest beneficiary.

Companies interested in discussing participation with GPAus or CleanFutures should contact the author on john.obrien@auscleantech.com.au.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Bio-Cleantech Future

In a recent presentation to the SA BioAngels, John O'Brien explained the cross-over points between cleantech and biotech. This included a description of which if the cleantech sub-sectors can be calssed as 'bio-cleantech' and therefore have application potential for biotech companies and techniques.

Examples of both companies and investors that have successfully combined cleantech and biotech were also presented along with thoughts on how greater future benefits can be secured.

For a copy of the slides from this presentation, please email your request to info@auscleantech.com.au

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Launch of CleanFutures


South Australia continues to be a focal point for expertise in clean and sustainable technologies with the launch of new venture CleanFutures.

CleanFutures is a joint venture of NanoVentures Australia, Australian CleanTech and Bridge8 with the goal of successfully commercialising nanotechnologies that enable clean futures.

Our combination of capabilities and connections means we are able to successfully fund and commercialise technologies that enable clean futures.

By combining the IP, technology transfer and commercialisation project management skills of NanoVentures Australia (NVA), with the clean technology and investment market knowledge of Australian CleanTech and the futures work, government networks and marketing capability of Bridge8, CleanFutures plans to establish the template for the commercialisation of enabling technologies.

Dr Kristin Alford, Managing Director of foresight and science communications firm Bridge8 Pty Ltd, said “Technologies that succeed in the future will be ones that serve the community in a sustainable way. These emerging technologies will developed by combining many disciplines. Our combination of skills means we can take an innovative and integrated approach to commercialisation and makes this joint venture an attractive proposition for South Australia.”

Commenting on the launch of CleanFutures, Barry Brook, the Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change at the University of Adelaide, said, “There is an urgent need for innovative solutions and new technologies to address the ever more present problem of climate change. The opportunities for those that provide these solutions are huge.”

CleanFutures has commenced planning for its first three technologies:
• Carbon nanotube composites for wind turbine blades;
• Aquasens, a rapid, highly sensitive sensor probe for the detection of nitrates and phosphates in water, and sulphites in wine and food products; and
• Oxipure, a patented technology for the effective removal of contaminants including arsenic, phosphates and silicates from environmental waters.

It is believed that there are many future applications that will be brought to market through the integrated approach of nanotechnology and cleantech: an approach that appears to be a world first.

John O’Brien, Managing Director of Australian CleanTech, said “Nanotechnology provides many of the enabling mechanisms that allow cleantech companies to deliver both environmental benefits and investment returns. I am very excited about the launch of CleanFutures, as I believe it has the potential to deliver many game changing technologies with benefits for the community, the environment and the economy. These technologies will enable the future to be clean.”

Dr Peter Binks, CEO of NanoVentures Australia, said “NanoVentures Australia has a portfolio of cleantech technologies ready for market. We see great opportunities in South Australia, with its outstanding research base and strong manufacturing industry”.

CleanFutures was initiated through discussions between the partners at two recently launched industry networks: the Adelaide Cleantech Network (led by Australian CleanTech) and the Australian Nano Business Forum.

“The launch of CleanFutures is a tangible outcome of industry networking and demonstrates the benefits of meeting new colleagues and sharing interests”, said Dr Kristin Alford.

Further information about us, our technologies and our capabilities is available at http://www.cleanfutures.com.au or by emailing cleanfutures@auscleantech.com.au.

European Investors Looking for Australian Clean Technologies

Europe is a strange place at the moment. Having managed to escape the heaviest snow London has experienced for many years and come back to another Australian heatwave, and despite the extreme pessimism in the City, I am enthusiastic about the potential for securing European money to invest in Australian cleantech companies.

Whilst I was there, the front page of The Times of London showed a big picture of the Blitz with a headline saying that the economy has not been this bad since then. There are daily and significant job losses being announced, wild cat strikes over the use of Italian and Portuguese construction workers ‘taking British workers jobs’ and many in the finance community both without a job and facing significant community backlash. It makes the Australian version of the financial crisis seem mild.

The investors I met were all focussed on cleantech and were all remarkably positive and looking forward to a year of growth in 2009. Many were increasing staff levels and confident that they would be able to raise new funds during the year. It was a wonderful contrast to the feeling held by the rest of the country. There was a view that the rest of the UK may be a ‘basket case’ but that cleantech was the one area that is set to thrive.

One consequence of the financial crisis is slight change to the investment mandates. There appears to be an increased emphasis on late stage pre-IPO type capital, as opposed to seed investments, and also on sectors less dependent on carbon pricing such as waste, recycling, building materials and energy efficiency. It was felt that the volatile conditions would lead to unpredictability in carbon pricing that may lead to short term revenue issues. There is also a greater desire to see definitive sales strategies in place and to gain an understanding of exactly how and when revenues will be generated.

These investment groups have either previously raised funds that they are looking to invest or have institutional investors ready to provide further capital as required. The one common problem they seemed to face was enough high quality investment targets in which to invest these funds.

There was also a common view that Australia is an excellent source of technology research and development and that there may be many potential products and companies that would be suitable for investment. The bonus with this arrangement would be that through securing a European investment, companies may then be able to more easily access the larger European markets and thereby increase the value of the company and returns to its investors.

Some of the funds seemed keen to co-invest with local investment partners. This also provides the opportunity for Australian based investment funds to mitigate their investment risks and establish ties with European partners.

It seems as though many in Australia have been looking to the big venture capital funds from Silicon Valley to secure international investment and that there have been limited ties to date with European investors. This feels like a big opportunity that we have been ignoring. A number of the European funds are currently actively looking for Australian investments and are keen to hear of any suitable opportunities.

The investment opportunities for Australian cleantech companies have been clear for some time. My recent trip to Europe has not only reinforced this opinion in a global context but also highlighted the potential to secure additional sources of investment and access to new markets. The future for Australian clean technologies seems even brighter than before.


This article was originally published in Environment Management News

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Three Shades of Green

In a recent interview, the Chief Scientist of Great Britain, John Beddington, stated that the biggest obstacle to moving towards a sustainable future was the actions of committed environmentalists. As a committed advocate to creating solutions to climate change, this seems like an interesting position. However, his vision of future driven by technological adaption, by cleantech, stands in contrast to the anti-consumption rhetoric of traditional environmentalists. It also stands against the incremental greening of many large industrial companies who provide token support for environmental issues whilst still operating unsustainable businesses. Cleantech provides a shade of green that is both sustainable and attractive.

In late October, the Queensland Government held its Sustainability Awards on the Gold Coast. That the dinner was held in one of the least sustainable developments in the country was not lost on many of the attendees. There were many awards for good work being undertaken by companies in varied industries. Improved agricultural practices, smart battery technology and the climate change campaign by the Courier Mail were all feted. There were however many examples of heavy industrial companies merely greening around the edges. The evening started with an acknowledgement of Xtrata’s $3m support for hairy nose wombats. In a wonderful display of cognitive dissonance, the company movie showed rescued wombats without any acknowledgement of the damage the company’s coal mining does to the natural environment. One guest commented that it was like celebrating a tobacco company’s donation to lung cancer research!

Following this dinner, I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Byron Bay. On the local radio and in the local rag, we were encouraged to embrace the ‘counter-culture’ of the region and save the world by reducing consumption, eschewing technology and going back to basics. In the profit centre of Byron this felt as much of an oxymoron as sustainability on the Gold Coast. John Beddington would not have felt comfortable sipping his latte on Jonson Street.

Cleantech offers so much more: far more than greening around the edges and so much more attractive than heading into the mountains in rags. Cleantech provides technologies that enable ongoing development in a way that improves the planet’s ecosystems – it does not require sacrifice and it is more forward looking than mere ‘end of the pipe’ or incremental solutions. It does, however, require new ways of thinking, an ability and willingness to view the world through a different lens and a commitment to the making of lateral connections that have not been made before.

An article in the Time magazine of October 2008, Michael Grunwald profiled Arnold Schwartzenegger as one of the world’s Heroes of the Environment. Arnie has been a driving force behind cleantech development adopting the ethos that ‘you don’t have to be a girly-man to help save the planet’. The article tells us that ‘[he] ridicules traditional environmentalists as prohibitionists scolds who want us to drive wimpy cars and live like monks; he’s selling a future of a clean environment and a booming green-tech economy with all the gizmos that anyone could want.’

Incumbent emissions intensive companies, who fear that change and technological innovation will lead to a decrease in profits, are the obvious opponents of cleantech. What many in the cleantech world may not yet have realised is the danger posed by the self proclaimed ‘pure’ greenies of Byron Bay and elsewhere.

In a three way fight for the ascendancy between greening, greenies and cleantech, the smart money can only be on cleantech. In the end, ‘greenwash’ will always be seen as the superficial marketing exercise it truly is. The attraction towards a positive message will always be stronger than negative messages that prohibit what is harmful. To quote Arnie in his drive to cement California as a global cleantech leader ‘guilt doesn’t work’. To develop sustainability does not require counter-cultures or clever marketing: rather than rebelling, we can enable a great future through adopting cleantech solutions.

This article was originally published in Environmental Management News in December 2008

How Nanotech is Driving Cleantech Growth


South Australia Cements Leadership Position in both Cleantech and Nanotechnology

An Adelaide seminar on 8 December heard how nanotechnologies are being harnessed to deliver clean technology solutions for Australia and the world.

The high level seminar, titled ‘How Nanotechnology is Driving CleanTech Growth’ was organised by the Adelaide Cleantech Network, the only organisation of its kind in Australia. The conference brought together 80 representatives of business, finance, government and academia to promote collaboration across these groups and stimulate the growth of cleantech companies.

The Adelaide Cleantech Network is the initiative of Australian CleanTech which provides research services and investment analysis of the cleantech sector.

Commenting on the event, John O’Brien, Managing Director of Australian CleanTech said that Australia will adapt quickly to a future of low emissions by providing an environment for new companies and technologies to flourish. “Maintaining and protecting existing industries is important in the short term, but it does not result in a leadership position in the long run,” he said.

“Adelaide is leading the way in demonstrating how the collaboration between business, finance, government and academia can produce sustainable companies providing investment returns and economic development.”

The seminar was held in conjunction with the Australian Nano Business Forum. The Australian Nano Business Forum is the peak national body representing and promoting Australian industries and companies involved in nanotechnology. The ANBF provides a collective voice for member organisations engaged in this emerging technology, as well as facilitating links between other key stakeholders.

The seminar examined the bridge between nanotechnologies and clean technologies through both overview presentations and specific case studies. The panellists explained the potential that nanotechnology has to deliver environmentally friendly development in many varied ways.

The case studies come from Australian organisations that are leading the world:
• Dyesol Ltd is commercializing thin film solar photovoltaic materials that can be integrated into roof or window materials;
• Flinders University is undertaking ground breaking research into biofuels; and
• NanoVic is developing wind turbine blades from carbon nanotubes.


Professor Tanya Monro from the University of Adelaide started the afternoon with an overview of the potential for nanotechnology to drive cleantech growth.

The growth of nanotechnologies and clean technologies is being driven by much more than just climate change and government emissions trading. “Increasing wealth, increasing populations and decreasing natural resources require the world to adapt to cleaner technologies”, Mr O’Brien said

Australian CleanTech has estimated that, if the Australian growth matches the global forecasts, annual revenue for the Australian cleantech sector could exceed $40Bn within the next 10 years.

This seminar is a first for Australia and cements South Australia’s position as a leader in both cleantech and nanotechnology.

For information on future Adelaide Cleantech Network events please email acn@auscleantech.com.au