Clean Tech – a brief introduction

Hi,

Today I'd like to share with you some basic info regarding what "Clean Tech" is. In the web there are a lot of definitions, which should confuse anyone who doesn't have familiarity with the realm of sustainability, so I thought it would be appropriate to make a brief intro about clean tech.

Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder, authors of the book, The Clean Tech Revolution, the term “clean tech” refers to any product, service, or process that delivers value using limited or zero nonrenewable resources and/or creates significantly less waste than conventional offerings. Clean technology comprises a diverse range of products and services, from solar power systems to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), that:

• Harness renewable materials and energy sources or reduce the use of natural resources by using them more efficiently and productively
• Cut or eliminate pollution and toxic wastes.
• Deliver equal or superior performance compared with conventional offerings.
• Provide investors, companies, and customers with the promise of increased returns, reduced costs, and lower prices.
• Create quality jobs in management, production, and deployment

According the above mentioned authors, Clean tech covers four main sectors: energy, transportation, water, and materials. It includes relatively well-known technologies such as solar photovoltaics, wind power, biofuels, bio-based plastics, advanced lithium-ion batteries, and large-scale reverse-osmosis water desalination. It also includes such emerging technologies as tidal power, silicon-based fuel cells, distributed hydrogen generation, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and nanotechnology-based materials.

The authors also have identified six major forces that are pushing clean tech into the mainstream and driving the rapid growth, expansion, and economic necessity of clean tech across the globe. They are: costs, capital, competition, China, consumers, and climate.

The authors affirm that these six forces are aligning to catalyze the growth and expansion of clean-energy solutions for transportation fuels and electricity generation; clean sources of water for drinking, irrigation, and manufacturing; and clean, environmentally benign materials for buildings and industrial processes. Together they are creating dynamic, lucrative business and investment opportunities for established companies, entrepreneurs, and investors of all types.

Hummmm, pay attention to the last two paragraph. At the time the "Clean Tech" Revolution book's was published the petroleum barrel price was higher than now. Some specialists in oil industry say there is a possibility the oil price down again. So what are the implications of oil prices down to the clean tech industry?

Ranulfo