With the end of the year approaching, we wanted to take the time to reflect on the past few months in clean technology innovation. As reported by Greentech Media, “In 2010, the global greentech market was about $10 billion, and by 2020, it could grow to $80 billion.”  We’re preparing for a great 2011 and we’re looking at upcoming trends in the clean technology industry to identify its hottest sectors and companies. 

Our timing couldn’t be better, as the leading research firm in this industry, the Cleantech Group, has just released its annual Global Cleantech 100. This list of the top 100 clean technology companies is determined from thousands of nominations and evaluated by a panel of 60 industry insiders. Companies that make the cut must be independent, for-profit companies not listed on any stock exchange. The purpose of the list is to provide a snapshot of 100 companies that “are most likely to have a big commercial impact in 5-10 years.” 

The list provides a valuable analysis of clean tech evolution. Taking a look at the list’s key findings, here are a few of the top insights: 

• Only 43 of the top 100 companies on the Global Cleantech 100 list were also on the list in 2009
• High turnover is consistent with volatile financial market sentiment and government decisions that have a quick impact on the success/failure rate of clean technology companies
• 57 companies on the list are based in North America, 7 are in APAC and 37 are in EMEA and Israel 
• North America is led by California, with 33 companies 
• 13 U.S. states and 14 countries are represented on the list, validating the geographic diversity of clean technology innovation
• Energy Efficiency has overtaken Solar as the predominant sector in clean technology, with 15 companies on the list
• Solar and Biofuels each had 14 companies on the list
• Solar was the sector of clean technology that most strongly divided opinion across the expert panel

The Cleantech Group also discovered some interesting trends in the overall clean technology market:

• APAC’s influence in clean technology is growing – China’s share increased from zero companies on the list in 2009 to three this year
• VantagePoint launched a $100M fund in September 2010 for investments solely in Tianjin, China
• Governmental influence is strong in clean technology as it has a large impact on funding 
• Winners in clean technology are those that build a strong network of partnerships in diverse markets – most partnering is still local, but the big opportunity is to partner globally
• Corporations are becoming more active in clean technology innovation, by investing, partnering, licensing, buying from and acquiring clean technology companies

There are also several interesting points to note about the companies:

• The average foundation date for each of the 100 companies was 2003
• 63 of the 100 companies are classified as ‘shipping product,’ and the rest are at the ‘product development’ stage
• On average each company employs 122 people 
• Silver Spring Networks is the highest-ranking 2010 Global Cleantech 100 company
• Bloom Energy is the company that most strongly divided opinion across the expert panel

Also the financials are of interest:

• Over the last two years, the 100 companies have raised a total of nearly $4B
• Over 200 vesting entities from more than 20 countries have a stake in the 100 companies
• VantagePoint Venture Partners has emerged as a clear leader in clean technology investments, with 13 companies on the list
• Kleiner Perkins is the second largest shareholder, with 12 companies on the list

At Horn Group we decided to highlight prominent clean tech companies in California, which are more likely to experience significant growth in the next years. The recent defeat of Proposition 23 -- that would have suspended AB 32, The Global Warming Solutions Act of of 2006 -- further validates the clean tech momentum in California.

Ranked in alphabetical order, these are Horn Group’s top ten most promising California clean tech companies: 

Adura Technologies, San Francisco, CA

• Applies low-power wireless mesh networking technology to building automation
• Provides cost effective lighting solutions for retrofit of commercial buildings so that building owners, tenants, and facility managers can implement energy efficiency and load curtailment strategies in order to reduce their operating cost and their carbon footprint

Coulomb Technologies, Campbell, CA

• Provides the ChargePoint Network, an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that delivers electric fuel to EVs around the globe
• Main target markets are utilities, municipalities, fleet managers, retailers, and corporations

eMeter, San Mateo, CA

• Provides essential software and applications that enable electric, gas and water utilities to realize the full benefits of the smart grid

GreenRoad Technologies, Redwood Shores, CA

• Developers of risk mitigation and efficiency software for drivers
• Empowers drivers and fleets to reduce crashes, improve fuel economy and reduce overall vehicle operating costs
• The company also serves consumers primarily through its partners in the insurance industry.

Grid Net, San Francisco, CA

• Provides policy-based network management software for utilities, partners, and customers
• Grid Net platforms are designed to integrate substation automation, distribution automation, smart meters, demand response, and load management with electric vehicles, buildings, and homes to increase grid reliability, energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and customer satisfaction while reducing capital and operating costs

Hara, San Mateo, CA

• Provides environmental and energy management technology; enabling organizations to manage and optimize their collective resources, across the organization and its value chain – including energy, water, waste and carbon
• Enables organizations to establish an auditable environmental and energy system in order to record, identify, prioritize, and track reduction strategies and projects, and leverage best practices across stakeholders

OPOWER, Arlington, VA and San Francisco, CA

• Develops energy efficiency and Smart Grid software that helps utilities meet their efficiency goals through effective customer engagement
• The OPOWER software platform enables utilities to connect with customers in a highly targeted fashion, motivating reductions in energy use and increasing program participation and overall customer satisfaction

Tigo Energy, Los Gatos, CA

• Delivers active management of energy and enhanced safety for utility, commercial, and residential solar arrays

Trilliant, Redwood City, CA

• Delivers Smart Grid communications, supplying utilities with wireless mesh equipment to enable two-way communication networks throughout an electric grid
• Communications networks span from the head-end operations center to all devices on the grid – not only meters and in-home energy management devices, but also substations and grid devices such as transformers and capacitor banks

What do you think are the most promising California-based clean technology companies? We’d love to hear from you!

* This blog was co-authored by Simone Souza and Mina Manchester.

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Comments

While the geeks try to build wilreless electricity themselves, I am glad this market is getting a lot of attention which is god from the customer's standpoint. Last month PowerMat released its wireless charging pads USA and recently another product called Powerpad announced its release date. It is good to know there are many companies trying to come up with the products.

Posted by: Business Electricity | February 02, 2011 at 11:19 PM