Cleantech 2009 Speaker Profile: Paul Dickerson, Partner, Haynes & Boone

Paul Dickerson
Partner
Haynes & Boone

Paul Dickerson, a recognized leader and sought-after speaker on issues of clean tech and energy efficiency, launched Haynes and Boone’s Clean Tech practice group in 2008. Paul, a partner who offices in the firm’s Houston and D.C. offices, returned to the firm to launch the group, a new concentration for the firm that builds upon the firm's broad experience in intellectual property, litigation, technology, financing and many other legal issues that companies in the nascent industry must face.

Paul served as Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) from 2006 until his return to Haynes and Boone (where he worked as an associate from 2000 to 2005). He oversaw the EERE’s $1.8 billion budget and helped move alternative and renewable energy technologies from the “vision” stage to real-world development.

Don't miss your chance to see Paul Dickerson speak at Cleantech Investment Strategies on October 7-9th in San Francisco, CA. Hope to see you all there!

Cleantech 2009 Speaker Profile: Scott Brown, CEO of New Energy Capital

Scott Brown
CEO
New Energy Capital

Scott Brown founded New Energy Capital in 2004 and has served as its CEO to date, overseeing all aspects of company formation, deal origination, execution and portfolio management. During the past 25 years, Scott was part of the founding management team at First Solar, has served as President and CEO of Glasstech Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of semiconductor equipment for the photovoltaic industry, and has consulted extensively with state agencies and private equity companies on renewable energy. Between 1999 and 2005, Scott served on the National Advisory Board of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

New Energy Capital invests in, owns and operates renewable energy and distributed generation projects. Since 2004, NEC has invested in ethanol, and biodiesel production facilities, on-site cogeneration, and biomass-fired power generation assets.

Don't miss your chance to see Scott Brown speak at Cleantech Investment Strategies on October 7-9th in San Francisco, CA. Hope to see you all there!

Cleantech 2009 Speaker Profile: Tom Amis

Tom Amis
Partner
Alston + Bird

Tom Amis is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Washington office where he heads the firm’s Renewable Energy Group. He has developed and financed projects in a number of industry sectors over the course of his career, with an emphasis on electric power projects. For the past six years, his practice has focused on the renewable energy sector.

Mr. Amis leads an integrated renewable energy practice, incorporating expertise in project development and finance, renewable energy policy, carbon management and renewable energy technology. This synergistic approach positions the group to add significant value to renewable energy transactions.

Acting for both developers and lenders, he has negotiated joint development agreements; joint venture, partnership and other ownership documentation; turbine supply contacts; balance of plant contracts and REC sales agreements; transmission and interconnection agreements; operating agreements; financing documents; and land use agreements. He also is highly experienced in developing projects structured around CERs generated pursuant to the Kyoto protocol.

Tom Amis and his firm was also named one of The Best Lawyers of 2009.

Don't miss your chance to see Tom Amis speak at Cleantech Investment Strategies on October 7-9th in San Francisco, CA. Hope to see you all there!

Renewable Energy Ready for Prime Time?

Renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass could supply up to 10% of the US's energy needs by 2020, and 20% more by 2035, according to a report by the National Research Council cited by the Cleantech Brief.

Despite the ebullient projections, the report indicates that major advances in the way electricity is generated, transmitted and used will be required in order for renewables to meet their full power-producing potential.

What are your thoughts as to the best way to support the development of these new power generation and transmission technologies?

Green Data?

IBM and Syracuse University are teaming up to build a computer data center that is planned to use about 50% less energy than a regular data center, according to this report posted at Cleantechbrief.com. The $12.4 million, 6,000 square-foot center will be located right on the SU campus, and will generate its own electical tri-generation system. The center will feature a liquid cooling system that uses double-effect absorption chillers to convert exhaust heat from microturbines into chilled water that will cool data center servers.

I think this is a good example of how renewable energy can be effectively deployed today to meet both a business need and the needs of the environment.