CleanTech India

Agriculture - A New Frontier with Interesting CleanTech Opportunities

2010-04-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

As I stand in the middle of a farmland somewhere in Baramati with a farmer who owns more than 40 acres of land there and see him smiling as his fortunes are changing, I wonder how much aware we are about this quiet revolution happening in agriculture in India. It is interesting to see that his land is today valued at close to one crore (10 million) rupees, his annual income per acre is more than fifty thousand rupees, his yield has increased by 2-3 times because of better seeds and drip irrigation, and his quality of life is much better than that of those in the so called plush urban dwellings. I have a strong inclination and urge to become a farmer as I stand there under the cool breeze and bright sun. Well, I cannot become a farmer now so I have decided to put more attention to agriculture investing and help the farming ecosystem in India in order that all farmers in India can smile like the one I met in Baramati.

Agriculture can be very distinctly divided into pre and post harvest spaces. The pre-harvest space includes inputs like seed, fertilizer, and pesticide from companies and the post harvest space includes procurement, processing, and marketing of agricultural produce. Both these spaces, especially the pre-harvest one is seeing a lot of activity principally in the seed and drip irrigation spaces. The post harvest space is still evolving but has the highest potential to grow as the warehousing, agriculture-logistics, and food-processing activities pick up. Also players like National Spot Exchange are creating platforms that will enable farmers get better price for agriculture commodities.

Agriculture in India is a more than 100 billion dollar market, which can easily double since our average yields are less than half of global averages. India has the highest arable land area next to the US, and therefore has a huge potential to become a global farm basket. Also with better irrigation and seeds, you can rotate crops multiple times in a year rather than 1-2 times, which can again increase the farm output of India.

But the fact is that agriculture in India is growing at a dismal annual average of 1-2 percent. There is lot of government involvement in agriculture, which hinders the growth of this sector. The farmers in India are among the least educated about different crop technologies and have limited access to capital. The farmer today gets only a minuscule share of the price of the farm produce. The subterranean water table in India is going down every year; 80 percent of the lands in Punjab and Rajasthan are already in a critical condition.

All these problems are also interesting opportunities if you sit down and think. Jain Irrigation captured it in drip irrigation, Monsanto in BT cotton, and players like Sohanlal in post harvest crop management. As a budding cleantech entrepreneur, this may be a space that could yield you more money and more satisfaction in the long run.

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech Mentoring Workshop on 19th March 2010 - Mumbai

2010-03-02T02:19:00.001-08:00

TiE Mumbai in association with New Ventures India (NVI) and CII are pleased to announce a CleanTech Mentoring Workshop aimed at creating robust CleanTech businesses that combine entrepreneurial energy, professional expertise and sagacious advice to have serious growth and revenue potential.

Workshop Objectives
• Mentor CleanTech businesses and enable frank conversations on business
models, risks and collaboration
• Connect CleanTech entrepreneurs with investors and talent

Who is this workshop for?
• CleanTech Entrepreneurs – to engage for your Investment and Talent needs
• Larger CleanTech Companies to engage with Entrepreneurs and Talent
• Seasoned Entrepreneurs & Mentors – to join Advisory Boards
• Experienced Managers – to understand opportunities in this space
• Inventors, Researchers and Incubators – to collaborate with business
professionals

Target Sectors
Renewable Energy, Smart Grid & Energy Efficiency, Water, Waste Management/Recycling, Other Clean Technologies, Sustainable Agriculture and Eco Tourism

Workshop format
Pre – workshop:
CleanTech companies send in a brief profile, that will be vetted by a select group of seasoned entrepreneurs and mentors, by 11th March

At the workshop:
• Each company makes a 5 – 7 minute presentation
• Managers/Consultants/Mentors make 2 – 3 minute presentations on the services
they can provide to companies
• Post lunch, each company spends 30 minutes with a select group of mentors
(of your choice) on a focussed discussion

To Register:

Please drop a mail with a brief profile of your business to:
Shabnam : shabnam@tiemumbai.org
Phone : 022 – 42200106

Last date for registrations: 11th March ‘10

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech Agri - A framework

2010-02-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in how cleantech impacts Agri in India, please see this ppt which I presented at CleanTech Forum in Delhi last year:

http://cleantech.com/documents/forums/2009/xxiv_delhi/presentations/speakers/Manoj_Gupta.pdf

Cheers
Manoj Gupta

City Meet - Bangalore - Manoj Gupta - Nexus Venture Partners

2010-01-11T21:31:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I will be in Bangalore on Friday and would like to meet entrepreneurs and professionals in Agri, Rural, Cleantech and Financial services sector. If you are interested in having coffee with me for half an hour, please drop me an email for a slot.

Date: Jan 15, 2010, Friday
Time: 2PM-5PM
Location: Barista‎ Coffee - Leela Palace Hotel, Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India‎ - 080 41265329‎
RSVP: manoj@nexusvp.com

Let me know as soon as possible as slots fill fast!

Manoj Gupta
Nexus Venture Partners
+91-22-6626-0000
http://www.nexusvp.com

Largest Gathering of Cleantech Companies in India - Notes

2010-01-10T22:57:00.000-08:00

TiE Hyderabad organized the ‘Largest Gathering of Cleantech Companies in India’. The conference was held in partnership with Nexus, SONG and New Ventures India. The event was a focused “no-frills” networking event of investors and entrepreneurs. The day was divided into 4 sections: Smart Grid, Energy Efficiency, Recycling and Renewable Energy. Companies operating in each area presented their business story in a small presentation to the audience and investors also talked about their investing interests.

Acumen Fund, Applied Materials, Atlas Advisory, Breathe Ventures, GEF, IDG, IFC(W), Lightspeed, Mumbai Angels, Nereus Capital, Siemens Venture Capital, SIDBI and YES Bank were the investors who attended apart, of course, from Nexus and SONG. That’s 15 investors all seriously interested in cleantech in India.

The morning sessions on Smart Grid and Energy Efficiency merged into each other as is the nature of business in this end of the Cleantech spectrum. Satyam, CEO of NeoSilica, who also played a key role in organizing the conference in his role as the TiE SIG head, presented the overall picture. The remote data collection and control idea was found in:
• Connect M, a IDG and Sasken company, develops applications that collect data remotely targeted at a broad set of businesses but also to utilities
• Autoboxx provides remote monitoring with respect to energy usage in air conditioned areas.
• Neureol which provides remote monitoring of infrastructure in telecom towers and power utilities.

The smart metering idea found resonance in:
• PowerMax Global which develops communication products that enable smart metering.
• Analogics which focuses on efficient metering and communication solutions.

The energy efficient theme was found in:
• Kakatiya Energy Systems develops lighting controls for energy efficient lighting.
• Unidyne which manufactures energy efficient air conditioning systems.
• NEST which manufacturers efficient solar lanterns.

The recycling section had the following highlights:
• E waste recycling by Ekoreco which has been one of the pioneers in this field and Greenscape. Inspite of the lack of mandatory regulation there is a market for several players in this field.
• Plastic waste to oil up-cycling by Samki Teck

The transportation sector was held up India’s pioneer in the area of electric bikes: Eko Vehicles.

The renewable energy section had several flavors. First among them was Biomass Gasification. The two presenters in this were Ankur Scientific, one of the technology pioneers in India and AllGreen Energy, which is using the technology for rural electrification.

The Biofuels section was led by Nandan, India’s leader in jethropa R&D and Indian Bio- Diesel Corporation, Baramati which is building local communities that will manufacture bio-diesel.

The hydro section had SCG India as the lone participant who is trying to develop micro hydro sites in Himachal Pradesh.

The solar section had representation from Nuetech Solar, the 4th largest player in the solar thermal area, Sharada with a broad range of products in solar and SuRe which is innovating in the solar PV area.

A presentation that was not enterprise or investor related was that of Ashok Das, representing World Bank InfoDev which explored the possibility of setting up a Innovation Center to foster and support the cleantech ecosystem.

We also had an interesting presentation from Higgs Advertising – building cleantech markets is a critical challenge.

The closing presentation of the day was made by Razvan Maximiuc of the Cleantech Group, who made the really sobering point that the pace of Cleantech in India did not match up either to the size of the opportunity or the requirements from a climate change standpoint.

Incidentally, that was probably the only time “Copenhagen” was mentioned in the conference. The challenges to cleantech entrepreneurship are closer to home.

Manoj/Sanjoy/Kartik/Satyam

Download National solar mission plan

2009-12-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

You can download National Solar Mission Plan here

Manoj

Biggest gathering of CleanTech companies in India - Hyderabad - Dec. 17, 2009

2009-12-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

TIE Hyderabad along with New Ventures India, Nexus Venture Partners and SONG Advisors are organizing the biggest gathering of Cleantech companies in India. Here Cleantech companies will get a chance to meet and pitch to leading CleanTech investors and also meet other fellow Cleantech companies. You are cordially invited to attend this. Please register yourself as soon as possible. Also please see attached mailer.

Series: "TIE CleanTech SIG - India"
Event title: "Biggest Gathering of CleanTech Companies in India"
Date: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
Time: 9AM-6PM
Location: Marriot Convention Center
Opposite Hussain Sagar Lake,Tank Bund Road
Hyderabad, 500080 India
Phone: +91 40 27522999
Fees: Rs. 500 (TIE members), Rs. 1000 (Non-TIE members)
Website: http://www.tie-isbconnect.com/cleantech/
Registration: http://www.meraevents.com/event/tie_cleantech_hyderabad

Agenda:
9:00AM-1:00PM :: Renewable Energy Session – Presentation by 20 Renewable energy companies
1:00PM-2:00PM :: Lunch Break
2:00PM-4:00PM :: Energy Efficiency and Services – Presentation by 10 Energy Efficiency companies
4:00PM-5:00PM :: Recycling and Transportation Session – Presentation by 5 Recycling companies
5:00PM-6:00PM :: Smart Grid and M2M Session – Presentation by 5 Smart Grid Companies

National Solar Mission - Key Highlights

2009-11-30T19:02:00.000-08:00

Government of India approved last week National Solar mission under which following targets and policy changes will happen:

• Create an enabling policy framework for the deployment of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.
• Ramp up capacity of grid-connected solar power generation to 1000 MW within three years – by 2013;
• Achieve 15 million sq. meters solar thermal collector area by 2017 and 20 million by 2022 (about 10 GWth).
• Deploy 20 million solar lighting systems for rural areas by 2022. MNRE will give 90% subsidy for solar lights distributed to off grid villages.
• Key thing in this is that NTPC will now be the power trader for solar power projects and sell the aggregated power to utilities. This will help power project developers to deal with only a single entity rather than multiple entities to get feed-in tariff.
• PPA will be 25 years rather than 10 years now.
• Setting up of a National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education at IIT, Mumbai drawing upon its Department of Energy Science and Engineering and its Centre for Excellence in Nano-Electronics.

Manoj

Ajanta eyes China firm for Rs 1lakh electric car

2009-11-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

The $325 million (Rs 1,500-crore) company, which also makes electric bikes, vitrified tiles and CFL lamps, has made a layout of Rs 100 crore to acquire an existing assembly unit of an undisclosed carmaker, which can roll out 5,000 units a year. The deal is likely to be inked within this year as valuations are currently low.

An executive in the company, who did not want to be named, also said that the group would come out with its own brand ‘Oreva’ for the cars and indigenise the design so that it suits the urban population that it intends to target. Oreva, derived from the names of Ajanta’s founder OR Patel and his wife Revaben, is an existing brand for its tiles.

Ajanta group director Jaysukh Patel refused to comment on his plans on the acquisition. He, however, said, “We have not yet decided on it but are seeking government support so that we can develop cheaper vehicles for the Indian market.” VAT and excise duty put together make almost a fourth of the total manufacturing costs of the vehicle. “If the costs are lowered, we are capable of manufacturing batterypowered cars at Rs 1 lakh or less,” he said. The acquisition will help the company acquire technologies for moulding, designs and battery production among others. Also, it would help in creating and establishing a new market for electric cars in India.

Two years ago, the group ventured into two-wheeler electric vehicles two years back with an investment of around Rs 300 crore. It manufactures close to 10,000 bikes every year at its Kutch facility.
Mr Patel, who along with his father and uncle Manubhai Patel (who now runs the Samay group), had launched Ajanta clocks in the early 1980s and stunned the market with sub-Rs 100 clocks, has already designed a prototype of the vehicle and is personally driving it around on his 400-acres manufacturing facility near Morbi, near Rajkot. The prototype runs 120 kms per charge of 7 units of electricity, costing nearly Rs 35 per charge.

“We have designed more than 10 battery powered cars of 4-seater and 6-seater capacity and are testing them now,” Mr Patel said. He also claimed that the 6-seater would cost nearly Rs 1.5 lakh while 4-seater can be available at Rs 1 lakh. Ajanta was planning to set up a battery production unit near Morbi so that it can bring down costs further, but it dropped such plans owing to raw material issues. The group has a strong distribution network already with a diversified product portfolio and claims it can modify some distribution centres across the country into charging-cum-maintenance stations.

Manoj

Northern Lights Energy and REVA to jointly develop electric vehicles market in Iceland

2009-11-15T23:17:00.001-08:00

Northern Lights Energy (NLE), the initiator of the 2012 project and provider of infrastructure and services for Electric Vehicles (EV) based in Iceland has signed an agreement with REVA to jointly develop the electric vehicle market in Iceland.

NLE will have exclusive distribution rights for the NXR, the new model premiered by REVA at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and consequent follow-up models, such as the sports coupé NXG, which will be launched in 2011. The sales and marketing of the car will commence in the second half of 2010 and customer deliveries at the end of 2010.

REVA today has the world’s largest test fleet of electric cars, with more than 3,000 vehicles in 24 countries and more than 85 million kms of on road data. The company recently announced a joint venture with General Motors India to provide the electric powertrain and energy management systems for the new Chevrolet Spark and a new 30,000 unit REVA assembly plant – expected to be one of the greenest in the world – is under construction in India. Iceland is also being considered by REVA as a possible site for a European assembly plant. The REVA NXR is a four-seat, three-door hatchback family car suitable for urban driving. Top speed is 104 kph with a range of 160 km per charge. If using the 90 minute fast charge (normal charging is eight hours), the REVA NXR offers an effective range of 320km a day. A fast charge for 15 minutes will provide a 40 km range.

NLE is working on developing a (re)charging infrastructure system for Electric Vehicles and vehicle exchange service to support the adoption of electric vehicles in Iceland. “Iceland is an island and with its advanced electric grid technology using 100 per cent renewable energy in electricity production is a perfect location for zero emission electric vehicles” says Gisli Gislason, the chairman of NLE. In addition to importing new EV models to Iceland, NLE is also working on developing systems to convert the current internal combustion engine (ICE) car fleet into Electric Cars. “We are working with a number of parties in Denmark and Finland to enable the conversion process of the current cars running in Iceland to support a swift development of the Electric Vehicle market. The mission is to place Iceland in the forefront of countries that uses sustainable energy sources for its personal vehicle fleet, moving away from fossil fuels, saving billions of ISKs for the society and reducing the 680.000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is annually being emitted by the personal vehicle fleet in Iceland. This is what the Project 2012 is all about.” says Sighvatur Lárusson, the chief operating officer of NLE. “

“We are very excited about the partnership with NLE. The 2012 project is one of the most ambitious yet achievable transport electrification projects in the world today and we are pleased to be able to contribute our technologies and products” said Keith Johnston, president, European Operations at REVA.

It is to be mentioned that Northern Lights Energy is an Icelandic investment company, targeting environmental friendly projects, leading in the field of environmental and renewable energy solutions. Project 2012 is an initiative of Northern Lights Energy which has committed to build in Iceland, the first nationwide charging infrastructure in the world, before the yearend 2012.

Manoj

CleanTech news this week

2009-11-15T23:13:00.000-08:00

Biogas plant moves forward in Chennai
November 6, 2009 - Best of the web - Market’s organic waste to be processed for power under new 12-year agreement between local development authority and Ramky Enviro Engineers.

India’s Avesthagen teams with Limagrain on seed tech
November 2, 2009 - by Lisa Sibley - New joint venture is expected to generate modified seeds to help farmers in India and other emerging markets combat drought, salinity and grow better quality produce.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
November 3, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Olympus Capital closes its Asian Environmental Fund, while Ind-Barath Power Infra raises $100 million in private equity funding.

Manoj

CleanTech News This Week

2009-11-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
October 29, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - IPO expected to boost funds for India's planned clean city, while cleantech investments flow into Hyderabad and REVA moves forward with ‘reverse innovation’.

Making money off India's resource scarcity
October 28, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Eleven startups made their pitches to investors at The Cleantech Group's Delhi forum. Here's the cream of the crop.

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech News This Week

2009-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

Indian carmaker Reva to manufacture in NY
October 23, 2009 - by Lisa Sibley - Bangalore-based EV maker to produce more than 20,000 cars a year at new facility, employing 100 people.

Three solar firms picked for Andhra Pradesh development
October 22, 2009 - Best of the web - AES, Lanco and Sunborne are the first to be selected for 5,000 of 20,000 acres deemed suitable for solar power.

Clenergen to launch new biomass power plants in India
October 21, 2009 - News brief - First 1.5 MW plant is back on because of a power purchase agreement with PTC India offering a higher tariff rate.

Manoj Gupta

D.LIGHT LAUNCHES WORLD’S MOST AFFORDABLE QUALITY SOLAR LANTERN

2009-10-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

“Kerosene-Killing” Solar Product Retails at USD10 in Off-Grid Markets Around the World

New Delhi, India, 21 October 2009 – D.light Design today announced the launch of the Kiran, their most innovative and low-cost solar lighting solution to date, designed especially for households without access to electricity. Dubbed the “kerosene killer,” the Kiran retails at USD10, making it the most affordable quality solar lantern in the world.

“D.light continues to be at the forefront of providing innovative and affordable technology solutions for off-grid families around the world,” said D.light CEO Sam Goldman. “We believe the exceptional quality of the Kiran lantern, delivered at a low and affordable price, will make it a serious competitor to kerosene and other fuel-based lighting in every rural market.”

The Kiran is five times brighter than a kerosene lantern and can be fully charged in a day under the sun. It provides bright, 360-degree illumination for working, studying, or traveling. There are two light settings, which offer up to 8 hours of light on a full charge. With an integrated solar panel and a multiple-setting handle, the lantern is extremely flexible and easy to use. For households with access to grid electricity, the Kiran can also be AC-charged with a standard Nokia phone adapter.

“D.light’s latest innovation, the Kiran, is based on hundreds of hours of market research,” said D.light’s Head of Product Design Robin Chilton. “We know what our customers want: An attractive, durable product that provides enough hours of bright light every day at a price point they can afford. This is the solution that will effectively replace the kerosene lantern.”

Recent market tests establish the Kiran as a viable and desirable alternative to kerosene. Customer feedback consistently praised the product’s ease of use, durability, and bright light. According to Niwrtti Jawane, a welder from Miraj Village in India: “The Kiran has benefitted us in several ways: It is portable, has good brightness, and prevents the harmful effects of kerosene fumes. This purchase has been a good one-time investment. As there are no costs for recharging, it will be economical over time. We are happy with our purchase as it is a definite improvement over the emergency lights, kerosene lamps and candles previously used.”
The Kiran is currently available for purchase by end-user customers through D.light dealers and distributors in India and internationally. Distributors may also contact D.light’s Sales offices to place orders.

Additional D.light products available for sale are the Nova Series, premium solar lanterns with features including mobile phone charging capabilities, and the Solata, a high-quality solar task lamp.

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech news this week

2009-10-20T00:39:00.000-07:00

WaterHealth CEO calls for cleantech to meet India's water needs
October 16, 2009 - News brief - India may have to consider developing long supply chains and incentivizing farmers to shift water-intensive grain production activities offshore, Sanjay Bhatnagar says.

Resource scarcity center stage at Cleantech Forum India
October 15, 2009 - News brief - Investment in India is on the rise, driven by its growing economy and dwindling resources, cleantech leaders heard in Delhi today.

Suzlon spends $100M to fix cracked-blade problem
October 12, 2009 - by Emma Ritch - Indian wind turbine supplier announces stringent new testing protocol as it dedicates Arizona's first commercial scale wind farm.

Report: Is CCS an option for India?
October 12, 2009 - News brief - The country’s coal-powered ultra mega power plants could be retrofitted with carbon capture and sequestration tech to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, study suggests.

Plug Power, 3M team on fuel cell tech in India
October 9, 2009 - News brief - Teleservices division of the Tata Group is expected to receive 200 units to provide power at cell towers with no or extremely unreliable electric grid service.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal!
October 7, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - IndiaCo Ventures launches a $500M fund, Grasim invests $210M in a new VSF plant in Gujarat, and TVS forays into cleantech.

New Delhi recycles its roads
October 5, 2009 - News brief - A unit of the Tata Group starts work on project that uses one-third the aggregate and bitumen as typical paving.

CleanTech News this week

2009-10-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

Clean technology venture investment continued recovering in 3Q09 spurred by economic stimulus investment
Landmark IPO and new funds also signal broadening confidence in clean technology, now the leading venture investment category

PepsiCo India turns to biogas to cut costs, carbon emissions
September 29, 2009 - Best of the web - Beverage and snack food giant says new biogas plant, which uses biodegradable waste generated at the Pune-based site, is running at full capacity. Full Story »

GE brings back wind business in India with better subsidies
September 29, 2009 - Best of the web - Connecticut-based power generation equipment maker looks to decrease its dependence on the U.S. market as it revives its Indian wind turbine business. Full Story »

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
September 29, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Argonaut and NEA make Indian cleantech investments, while Suzlon sells another family stake, and PepsiCo embraces biogas.

3Q09 cleantech investment review [webinar/premium]
Cleantech venture investment continued recovering in the third quarter of 2009 spurred by global economic stimulus investment. The sector accumulated $1.59 billion across 134 companies. Join the Cleantech Group & Deloitte Tuesday, October 6th, for an analysis.

NY Times: The New Sputnik By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN : "Red China decided to become Green China" – (I personally think this article is just worth a reading from everybody..)
“If they invest in 21st-century technologies and we invest in 20th-century technologies, they’ll win,” says David Sandalow, the assistant secretar...y of energy for policy. “If we both invest in 21st-century technologies, challenging each other, we all win.” Something has changed. China realized it has no capacity to absorb all this waste. We have to grow without pollution.”

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech news this week

2009-09-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Reva eyes NY for electric vehicle factory
September 18, 2009 - Best of the web - Indian carmaker leaks word of negotiations with an economic development agency for a plant to build the recently unveiled three-door hatchback.

Solar Energy Centre to receive IITB solar thermal project
September 16, 2009 - Best of the web - Mumbai institute looks to develop a solar center and testing ground backed by the government of India and an industry-based consortium. Full Story »

Air Products signs two supply deals for Indian solar factories
September 14, 2009 - News brief - HHV Solar Technologies and Jupiter Solar Power tap Air Products' Indian JV for gases and materials at photovoltaic manufacturing facilities.

IFC eyes minor stake in Auro Mira’s 15 MW biomass facility
September 14, 2009 - Best of the web - The private investment branch of the World Bank has committed a $5.26M loan for the $16M project.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
September 16, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Aavishkaar invests in Zameen Organic, IDFC Private Equity buys out BP’s wind assets in India, and IFC eyes a stake in Auro Mira.

Manoj Gupta

CleanTech news this week

2009-09-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Global Cleantech 100 unveils most promising clean technology companies on the planet
Inaugural list from the Guardian and Cleantech Group showcases 100 clean technology companies aspiring to shape tomorrow’s world

Is India getting serious about cleantech?
September 7, 2009 by Dallas Kachan, Cleantech Group - There’ve been more indications in recent months than all the rhetoric of the last few years about the market for cleantech developing in India. Is the cleantech boom really now on, wonders Dallas Kachan of the Cleantech Group.

Two new electric cars for India this month?
September 8, 2009 - News brief - After initial successes, Reva says it plans to sell a hatchback family car in 2010, and a sporty two-seater in 2011. Full Story »

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
September 9, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Orient Green Power brings wind to the Czech Republic, while Bharat's divisions for heavy electricals and electronics look for overseas JV partners for a massive solar facility.

Manoj Gupta

Cleantech news this week

2009-09-07T04:06:00.000-07:00

Moser Baer, SunEnergy team for 1 MW Chandrapur plant
Indian and German firms win bid for one of the world's largest thin-film amorphous-silicon solar power plants in the world, expected to be completed by January.

Seven solar makers eye Gujarat for new production facilities
Moser Baer, Solar Semiconductor, Lanco Solar and others are in talks with government officials following the recent go-ahead for 716 MW of solar power plants.

NHPC's trading day gets a dampened debut
Indian hydropower producer sees first day of trading backfire because of weak market conditions and the issue's high pricing.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal!
Infinity debuts a platinum LEED-rated green building in Kolkata, while China and India show early signs of collaboration on climate change issues.

Manoj

CleanTech news this week

2009-08-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

BanyanTree takes stake in GEI’s heat transfer tech
Indian company’s air-cooled heat exchangers and steam condensers offer water reduction potential that’s attracting private equity interest.

SPX, Thermax to control power plant emissions in new JV
New collaboration aimed at India and Southeast Asia’s power industry is expected to produce emissions-control equipment for power plants.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal!
Gujarat government approves $2.4 billion in solar projects, while Electrotherm Renewables looks to invest more than $145 million in solar thermal.

CleanTech News this week

2009-08-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

India to go toe-to-toe with cleantech VCs
The government plans to launch a new venture fund focused on research of green technologies, according to a new report.

Will cleantech mobilize to prevent water shortages in India?
Two new reports this week gave urgency to efforts to reduce water use in India’s agriculture sector.

Zebasolar wins 10 MW Gujarat power station bid
The Indian unit of a U.S.-based solar company said it plans to spend €35 million on a new solar PV station, expected to come online in mid-2010.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]

Manoj
Courtesy - CleanTech Forum

Top 5 challenges - top 5 related costs

2009-08-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

What I have experienced is that unless cost of goods is 25% of MRP, it is difficult to build a decent profitable business by selling cleantech products to rural customers. Since 50% of MRP will go in channel and distribution costs which leaves rest 50% for the gross margin and cost of goods. Hence on a Rs. 1000 product in market, you can expect to have a gross margin of Rs. 250 if the cost of product is Rs. 250. If the cost of product goes up, the margin will squeeze accordingly (if Rs. 400 is the cost, Rs. 100 will be margin). Here are top 5 cost items:

1. New category of products : technology and marketing cost - Solar for example have a large technology cost which makes it tougher to build a cheaper product.

2. Ability to pay : cost of financing - MFI will usually charge the company some money to support the product. Also the customer is paying interest on the loan

3. Geographic diversity : Increases logistics and channel cost which becomes a large portion of the cost of the company

4. Cultural diversity : Business development cost increases since it becomes harder to build relationship

5. Product positioning : It is hard for companies to know which price will work for customers and which products will fly. This increases the marketing, R&D and product development costs.

It is important to be aware of magnitude of all these costs and make sure you know these costs before you enter this market.

Manoj

CleanTech products for rural markets - Top five challenges on the field

2009-08-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

Lot of cleantech products companies are targeting rural customers today in India. CleanTech products like solar lights, clean cooking stoves, water filters etc have following challenges:

1. New category of products: Because they are new category of products, their is lot of customer education which needs to be done. This means that these products require "High-touch" marketing which means that there needs to be physical demonstration of the product functioning before these companies can convince the customer to buy. This marketing cost is usually is the least understood but most critical challenge for companies in this space.

2. Product positioning: What I have seen is that only products which enhance income (like BT cotton seeds) or which are critical for income generation (like drip irrigation, pumps etc) will be sold in rural areas or have aspirational value (like phones etc). All the products which claim long term cost savings (with upfront capital investments) and health benefits will have tough time communicating that to the customers. It is important to target income enhancing products/service therefore rather than rely too much on cost savings/health benefit aspect.

3. Wide geographical distribution: A wide geographical distribution setup along with a robust after sales network is the third biggest killer for cleantech products companies targeting rural customers. This increases their distribution cost a lot and makes it very tough to manage it. Therefore important to take a portfolio of products to the rural customers rather than take a single product.

4. Ability to pay: The lack of ability to pay for cleantech products (which usually are not very cheap) is the fourth challenge. Price therefore becomes critical in selling the product. Also how a company can leverage MFI relationship for financing can be important in this context. Relying too much on MFI for selling your products may not be good for the company since MFI have their own set of challenges in marketing and financing such products.

5. Cultural diversity: Managing language barriers and cultural diversity is one of the challenges which one usually understands only once when you are start selling on the field. This increases the complexity since you will need to hire local people and usually the challenge then becomes how to communicate and manage these employees. Also usually these companies need to build local relationships for example with local NGOs, dairy cooperativecs, coop banks, sugar cooperatives etc. Language and cultural barriers effect that too.

Manoj

2nd Algae Biofuel Summit 2009 - 8 September in Delhi

2009-08-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

What is the common among Total, Shell, Indian Oil, Tata Chemicals, NREL, Alexandria Carbon Black Company, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Hi-Tech Carbon, Gridpariti Foundation, Lanka Gasifiers, SDSU, Abellon Clean Energy, Nav Bharat Ventures Limited, K.K.Nag Limited, SJK Biotech Pharma Limited,Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Swinburne University Australia, University of Cambridge, National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Centre for Algal Biotechnology, Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies, University of Madras, Central Institute of Agriculture Engineering, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, The University of Georgia, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology and over 100 other Indian & global organizations? They are all participating at 2nd Algae Biofuel Summit 2009”.

For details about key topics to be covered at 2nd Algae Biofuel Summit 2009 & Confirming your seat, please visit: http://www.algaebiofuelsummit.com or write to the summit secratariat at info@growdieselmail.com or growdieselevents@gmail.com

CleanTech news this week - India

2009-08-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

Acme plans to beat eSolar on cost of solar thermal in India
Indian infrastructure developer is using a license from eSolar to build 1 GW of power plants, with the first slated for March.

Buyers go overboard in NHPC’s oversubscribed IPO
India's largest hydropower producer gets more than it bargained for, with investment demand likely to put the deal at the top of its price band.

India hydropower station hits record electricity targets
Hydroelectric power company’s Himachal Pradesh station benefits India’s northern states suffering from power shortages.

Courtesy: CleanTech Forum

Cleantech Forum XXIV – Delhi India October 15-16th 2009

2009-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

This year the Cleantech Group will hold its 2nd Cleantech Forum® event in India, which will take place from October 15-16th in Delhi at the Taj Palace Hotel. The Cleantech Forum is widely recognized as the most influential gathering of the global cleantech investment and entrepreneurial communities - held over two days, the conference brings together the cleantech ecosystem of investors, entrepreneurial companies, corporate policy makers and economic development agencies to access clean technology, market insights, investment opportunities and high-quality networking.

Nexus India Capital is a member of Cleantech Group and sits on the Cleantech Group India Advisory Board.

The theme of the conference is: Cleantech India: Leveraging entrepreneurial innovation for sustainable solutions. The agenda can be viewed at http://cleantech.com/cleantechforum/newdelhi09/agenda.cfm

Please contact Jaswinder at jaswinder@cleantech.com for more information

Manoj

Reliance Tech, Nexus among Red Herring's Top VCs

2009-07-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

Reliance Tech, Nexus among Red Herring's Top VCs

July 14, 2009 16:20 IST

The country's two venture capital firms, Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Technology Ventures and Nexus India Capital, have been named in the Red Herring Top 100 Global Venture Capitals.

The two firms got a place in the top 100 winner list compiled by Red Herring, a media company in the US, from among more than a thousand known and active venture funds across the globe.

"We are extremely proud of having been named a winner of the Red Herring Top 100 Global VC firms," Reliance Technology Ventures (RTVL) CEO Harshal J Shah said in a statement.

RTVL, which has advised or invested in deals to the tune of over $4 billion, works with and co-invests with leading venture capital firms across the globe while Nexus India Capital is a leading venture fund with over $300 million under management.
Firms to make it to the Red Herring Global VC 100 list largely hailed from the Unites States. Red Herring stated that this reflects the US venture industry that is older and more experienced than its peers in Asia and Europe.

Lets create big cleantech companies in India

2009-06-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

Lets create big cleantech companines in India. In my view capital efficient billion-dollar opportunities in India lie in these types of companies:

1. Distribution and marketing company for cleantech consumer products
2. Software products to track energy consumption in an enterprise
3. Smart grid management BPO based in India for global markets
4. Micro-utility using distributed energy generation model
5. A biomass supply chain company doing agri-waste procurement and processing

Manoj

Two-Day course on Solar PV Technologies

2008-10-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Two-Day course on SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES:

"An Introduction for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Policy makers"

Date: Nov. 3-4, 2008
Venue : Seminar Hall, Institute Guest House, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-76

Organizer:
Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki is currently assistant professor in Department of Energy Science and Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) India.

Fore More information click here

Manoj

CleanTech forum meeting - Lets Meet in Mumbai

2008-09-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I will be at renaissance hotel on Oct 8-9 in Mumbai to attend Cleantech forum event there. If anyone of you like to meet or network, we can do some small selected get together or do personal meetings on fringes of the forum.

Let me know if there is interest.

Email: manoj@nexusindiacap.com

Manoj

Don’t Miss Next Month’s Cleantech Forum in Mumbai

2008-09-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

Cleantech Group LLC is holding an inaugural forum in Mumbai on October 7-9th at the Renaissance Mumbai to help drive India’s rapid business growth in clean technologies. Since 2002, the Cleantech Forums® have brought together active investors and companies to facilitate the financing of emerging clean technology companies and broader market-based solutions. Presenting companies have raised over $1.4 billion through previous Cleantech Forums.

For two full days, an international assembly of investors, technology leaders, scientists and deal-makers will explore ways to shape the future of clean technology in Asia and throughout the world. In the keynote address, Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister of State for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, will outline the governments' strategic approach to shaping the cleantech market.

You will hear from and be able to interact with Pankaj Sehgal of SUN Group, moderating a panel of experts from NEA, GEF and Nomura on India cleantech opportunities from the investor perspective. Ajit Nazre of Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers and Saurabh Srivastava of the Indian Venture Capital Association are among business leaders speaking on developments in software that helps address energy and resource efficiency and pollution abatement. You will also hear from prominent corporate executives from Tata Power, Mahindra & Mahindra, Praj Industries, Greenko Group, Unilever, REVA and BP presenting in sessions on trends, predictions, funding sources, and entrepreneurial success stories.

Other leading organizations participating include Moser Baer Photovoltaic Ltd., Ernst & Young, MPPL Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd., Greenko Group, and Deeya Energy. Top-tier venture capital and investment firms participating include Sequoia Capital India, IDFC Private Equity, Global Environment Fund, Kenda Capital, Nexus Capital India, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Khosla Ventures, and many others.

If you have not registered, or need additional information, please call Jawinder Kaur at +91 98103 59243, or contact india@cleantech.com. More information including the full program is available at www.cleantech.com/indiaforum

Manoj

Nexus India Capital invests in engine efficiency company SEDEMAC

2008-09-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

Nexus India Capital invests in engine efficiency company SEDEMAC

Mumbai, September 9th, 2008: Nexus India Capital announces an investment in SEDEMAC Mechatronics, a company providing energy efficiency solutions for the automotive and renewable energy markets.

SEDEMAC is founded by Prof. Shashikanth Suryanarayanan, a high-energy, entrepreneurial professor from IIT Bombay who obtained his PhD at University of California, Berkeley. The company was incubated at SINE – IIT Bombay’s on-campus incubator. SEDEMAC has developed electronic control modules which increase the fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of small engines. It is working with some of the leading two wheeler companies in India and with global renewable energy firms.

“We were very impressed by the passion of Shashi and the SEDEMAC team to build a global company from India providing state-of-the-art solutions to increase the efficiency of engines across various industries from automotive to alternate energy. The domestic and the global markets are huge and the company is in the process of introducing their solutions across both,” said Sandeep Singhal, Managing Director, Nexus India Capital Advisors. He added that “Nexus is seeing similar cutting edge technology initiatives at IITs and other leading institutes and is looking to build similar partnerships.”

Shashikanth Suryanarayanan, Founder and Director, SEDEMAC, said “We are delighted to partner with Nexus to build a world-class company. We believe Nexus’s pro-active approach in working with a technology-intensive company like ours and their leadership in the CleanTech sector in India will act as key enablers of our growth. The investment will help with market introduction of energy efficient, low-emission products for small engines. ”

About SEDEMAC

SEDEMAC Mechatronics Pvt Ltd develops energy efficiency solutions for automotive and alternate energy businesses. SEDEMAC leverages its core technical strength in control-intensive electronics for the development of these products. For more information, please visit www.sedemac.com

Coffee with Nexus - Mumbai

2008-09-10T02:16:00.000-07:00

Our next coffee with Nexus event will be at:

Date/Time: September 26, Friday, 6-8PM

Location:
Hall of Quest,
Nehru Planetarium,
Worli, Mumbai

Please RSVP to manoj@nexusindiacap.com as soon as possible because of limited seats.

Manoj

My top ten points on CleanTech in India

2008-09-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

Let me share some of my observations on CleanTech in India:

1. CleanTech is in nascent stages in India which gives opportunity to VC firms to nurture early stage companies in India and create long term value. In terms of hype and stage, we are still 5-6 years behind USA. In terms of market opportunity it runs into billions of dollars (DG replacement market itself is more than $10 billion).

2. India is a “CleanTech deployment, delivery and adoption” market rather than “CleanTech IP discovery and development” center. This means the cleantech companies in India will be manufacturing, projects, EPC or services companies rather than strong technology/IP companies.

3. CleanTech is still not that hot among young people leading to shortage of talent and lack of people who have experience in running cleantech companies before.

4. CleanTech in India will revolve more around energy efficiency rather than generation because of lower capital intensity.

5. CleanTech has capital intensity issues which can lead to slower growth initially in India on generation side.

6. CleanTech can solve India’s energy problems especially using distributed energy solutions. Entrepreneurs should look at this very seriously.

7. Massive opportunity for entrepreneurs in industrial captive power generation which are early adopters of CleanTech in India (DGs power most of industrial captive power which is ridiculously costly).

8. Cleantech solutions globally need to be localized to Indian conditions before their adoption here. Entrepreneurs have opportunity here.

9. Lot of global technology companies want to partner with Indian companies for deployment. Indian companies should reach out these companies for technology partnerships rather than re-inventing the wheels. There is a need to build that cross-border platform in India. Nexus is trying to become that bridge.

10. CleanTech has longer gestation period but has very highly non-linear scale opportunities which can potentially make a company big in short span of time.

Manoj

TIE CleanTech SIG Mumbai - Presentations online

2008-08-31T02:14:00.001-07:00

Here are three presentations which were presented at our TIE CleanTech SIG Mumbai event:

1. Mr. Ragupathy talking about Green Building opportunity in India

2. Vivek Mehra talking about Yes Bank's role in CleanTech

3. Prof. Rangan Banerjee giving technology landscape in CleanTech in India

I hope you will enjoy these presentations.

Manoj

Distributed Energy - Solution for India's energy problems

2008-08-31T00:39:00.000-07:00

In my view, renewable energy has the potential to solve power problems of India much more than for the developed world. Because 70% of our population is in 600 thousand villages across India, we need sources of energy which are distributed in nature and can use local resources to generate energy avoiding grid capital costs and distribution losses. Also most of our industries use captive power sources because of unreliable grid availability and these power sources are either Diesel ot coal based.

Fortunately, renewable energy solutions are usually very modular in nature and fit very well in a distributed infrastructure setting, be it solar, wind, biomass or small hydro. If we see from an Indian lens, renewables is more an enabler of distributed energy generation rather than a cleaner energy source (which may matter more for developed world). It being clean is a by-product for us, which is good since then there is no conflict.

India is by and large a sunny country with potential for lot of solar power year round which can be captured using lower technology intensive solutions like micro Solar Thermal. India has large arable land (55% of land is arable which is best in the world) part of which can be used for energy plantation if agriculture yields are increased. Weeds like Babool can be a great source for biomass power because water requirements are very low for Babool and can grow on wastelands (55 million hectares in India is wasteland). India has huge Agri-waste (600 million tonnes) which can be used locally for power generation using either biomass gasification or bio-methanation route. Biomass is a natural solar cell and storage issues, which exist in Solar PV, do not exist because nature stores energy as plant material which can be used for base-load /on-demand power unlike in Solar PV. We do not need West’s complex Solar PV technologies if we can concentrate on growing and efficiently using our biomass resources. The good thing is that economically too, the distributed energy sources like biogas plants are cost competitive to grid electricity if you take into account also the grid cost.

India has about 20 million agriculture pumps which are grossly inefficient. Of these 20 million, 5 million run on diesel which make them very costly to operate (farmers usually pay minimal amount for grid connected electric pumps but they have to pay for diesel). There is an opportunity to create distributed sources of energy which can power these diesel pumps on a standalone basis. The cost of running a diesel pump can be very high (given that it costs close to 30-40 cents/KWh of electricity).

Distributed sources of energy therefore can be very useful in Indian context which may not make sense from developed world perspectives. They usually prefer very high concentrated scale of operation because of good grid connectivity and primary urban power demand. In India, I see first Diesel Generators going out of fashion once the distributed clean energy solutions start coming which are easy to operate, generate power on-demand and are affordable. I think it is time somebody starts thinking replacing DGs given that 25k MW of power is generated by DGs in India. Entrepreneurs are you listening?

Manoj

TIE CleanTech SIG Mumbai launch

2008-08-31T00:28:00.000-07:00

Finally what began as a small gathering of CleanTech enthusiasts at Nexus India Capital's office 5 months ago has now taken a formal shape. Nexus has pioneered formation of a CleanTech SIG (Special Interest Group) under TIE umbrella in Mumbai. I chair the SIG and we have a core team of extremely passionate CleanTechies who are working together to create a platform where people can come together and share knowledge and build passion. We believe this passion will drive a buildup of an active CleanTech ecosystem in India.

If you want to use this platform to speak to an audience, spread the knowledge or can help in core activities of the SIG, please contact me at manoj@nexusindiacap.com

Thanks
Manoj

Coffee with Nexus

2008-08-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Nexus India Capital, a leading venture capital firm in India, wants to make sure that they are accessible to entrepreneurs. This group aims to bring together entrepreneurs who are interested in participating at our monthly event, "Coffee with Nexus", which is a limited seat event held in Mumbai, India every month. If you are an entrepreneur who is struggling with scalability issues or lost in term sheet or thinking of starting a fresh business and need VC validation, come and attend our “Coffee with Nexus” event.

Join “Coffee with Nexus” LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/721417

Next Event: September 24, Wednesday, 3-5PM

Location:
Nexus India Capital Advisors
201 B Phoenix House
462, S. B. Marg, Lower Parel
Mumbai 400013

CleanTech event in Mumbai

2008-08-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Date: Aug. 30, Saturday, 10AM-12:30PM

Venue:                Nehru Planetarium,

                               Hall of Quest,

                               Worli, Dr.A.B.Road,

                               Mumbai – 400018

1. 9:30AM-10AM : Registration

2. 10:00AM-10:15AM : Event introduction - Sandeep Singhal, MD, Nexus India Capital

3. 10:15AM-11AM : “CleanTech Technology Landscape in India” – Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Head of Energy Systems Department, IIT-Mumbai

4. 11AM-11:30AM : “Green Building Opportunity in India” - Mr. S Raghupathy, Head of CII-Green Business Center, Hyderabad

5. 11:30AM-12PM : “Role of banks in CleanTech ecosystem” – Vivek Mehra, Country Head, Sustainable Investment Banking & Private Equity, Yes Bank

Rita Soni, Country Head, Responsible Banking, Yes Bank

6. 12PM-12:30PM : Networking over snacks and coffee

This is a paid event and hence following fees are applicable. The fees can be paid at the event reception.

Per Session Fees

TiE Members – 250

Non-Members – 400

Students – 100

Package Discount for all 3 sessions

TiE Members – 600

Non-Members – 900

Students - 200

Please RSVP as soon as possible as seats are limited. Also please forward this to folks you know who will be interested in this.

RSVP:      manoj@nexusindiacap.com

                 anahita@tiemumbai.org

Other events to follow:

1. CDM workshop - September

2. Building and scaling a CleanTech company in India : A leading CleanTech company CEO – October

3. CleanTech Business Plan competition - October

Energy Recovery: is there a similar company in India?

2008-07-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

An interesting IPO which did very well on first day (in bad times). They recover pressure energy back from waste stream to boost the feed seawater, reducing energy consumption of sea-water desalination. Simple concept but very powerful and useful.

This is a good animation of how it works.

http://www.energyrecovery.com/px_technology/ERIPX3DAnimation.mov

Founded in the early 1990s, Energy Recovery develops systems that capture and recycle energy from desalination. The company says that its main product – PX Pressure Exchanger (PX) – conserves up to 98% of the energy.

And, in terms of market coverage, PX systems are installed in over 300 desalination plants. As a result, Energy Recovery's growth rate has been particularly strong. Revenues have gone from $4 million in 2003 to $35.4 million in 2007.

Manoj

CleanTech event - Lets meet

2008-07-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

I will be at this CleanTech event for two days. If anyone of you is also present there will love to meet. Drop me an email at manoj@nexusindiacap.com

2nd India CleanTech Forum
10th & 11th July 2008
The Taj Mahal Hotel
1, Mansingh Road
New Delhi - 110 011 India.

For more Information, please visit

http://www.cleantechforum.com/

Manoj

Why Water is still not that Hot?

2008-06-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Usually one big crisis draws attention of the world towards a growing problem and that then kickstarts a whole new set of opportunities. Can this California drought event create a bagful of opportunities in water?

Below are my reasons as to why water is still not that hot as energy is:

1. Water is a big problem but which can be tackled easily by smart use of it. The biggest benefit of water is that we can recycle it which unfortunately is not possible in energy space. Expect recycling to reach the European/Isreal levels (upto ten times) in USA and India too. Also the other benefit is that water is actually abundantly present which can be made “available” by desalination technologies or rain water harvesting (only 3% of total water is freshwater) which is unfortunately not the case with energy.

2. It is hard to force consumers to pay more for water since historically water has been seen a very abundant and free commodity unlike energy which needs to be generated at a cost. Water is a low margin business because of inability to pass increased cost to them. The only point which makes water more important than energy is that it is one of the basic needs for human survival.

3. Basic need for water is for drinking and cooking use. The other uses of water people adjust themselves depending on water availability (use less water for bathing, shaving etc as happens in villages). Usually people do not show that flexibility in energy and find it more painful to adjust to lower levels.

4. Energy direct touchpoints are more in our life than water. We get in direct touch with water when we eat or drink which are few in a day. With energy we are in touch at all the times (Air conditioning, TV, Internet, Travel, Mobile phones) and we immediately get uncomfortable when it is switched off. For individuals, therefore energy seems like a bigger problem than water and therefore the hype associated with energy can be easily created.

5. Not a lot of technological innovations that can happen in water industry unlike in energy. At least thats the perception.

6. Typically, water retail consumers spend less than 0.1-0.2% of their income on water and more than 1% on energy (electricity+fuel) making energy a much bigger industry (atleast ten times more, $5 trillion Vs $500 billion).

Any thoughts?

Manoj

CleanTech Networking Event : 3-6PM, 5th July, 2008

2008-06-04T04:36:00.000-07:00

As you may know CleanTech is the buzzword of this decade and is rightly so. With 380 ppm of carbon
dioxide in our atmosphere and $125/barrel of crude oil glaring in our face, CleanTech is the need of the
hour. Whether we are polluters or not, we all will be impacted by the climate change. As part of our
initiative to increase awareness in the society, Nexus India Capital along with Al Gore's Climate
Project Group, Vinod Khosla chaired CleanTech India group and TIE Mumbai have teamed up
to provide a platform for networking and discussion on "CleanTech in India".

We invite you to attend this event and contribute in building awareness on CleanTech in India.

Date: July 5th, Saturday, 3-6PM

Venue:    The Climate Project India,

               2nd Floor, Victoria House,

               Pandurang Budhkar Marg,

               Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013

               Landmark: Bombay Dyeing Showroom

Brief agenda:

1. "The Inconvenient Truth" - Anjuli Pandit & Gaurav Gupta, Climate Project India

2. "CleanTech Landscape in India - A VC perspective" - Manoj Gupta, Nexus India Capital

3. "CleanTech - Global Perspectives" – Jaswinder Kaur, CleanTech India

4. "Carbon Trading landscape in India", Dr Milind Antani, Nishith Desai Associates

5. Q&A, discussions and networking

6. Snacks, Tea and Coffee

RSVP:      manoj@nexusindiacap.com

               anjuli@climateprojectindia.org

Please RSVP as soon as possible as seats are limited.

Some tips if you are looking for VC funding

2008-05-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

This is not related to CleanTech but I thought this may help in general. Here are some tips from me if you are looking for funding from a VC firm.

1. Be very focused: You have an hour or two to prove yourself when you are meeting a VC firm. Do not spend too much time in teaching the VC firm the market landscape. The chances are they have come across ten companies like you before. Come straight to your offering, what differentiates you, your team background, competitive landscape and how big your business can become. Always include how much you are looking to raise and how do you plan to use that capital in the presentation.

2. Show your commitment: VCs like entrepreneurs who show commitment to their venture. That commitment can be in the form that you have put lot of your own capital in the venture, you have left your job and working full time on the venture or it can be that you have worked hard in thinking through all the issues, challenges and risks in executing the business and have a definite game plan.

3. Do not mumble: You should come out very strongly and passionate when you are talking to VCs. Make sure all people can hear you well and you do not eat words in between. More than your venture, VCs are judging you as a person. Can you sell? That is the question on the back of their mind.

4. Never say you do not have a competition: VCs usually will throw you out if that is the case. One thing that can signal is that you do not have a market and other thing it will do is make hard for VCs to benchmark you and also in some cases understand what you are doing and how big you can become.

5. Get yourself referenced: It is very important to get yourself referenced through somebody who knows the VCs. The chances are you will have lesser uphill climb if a strong person who knows the VCs is first introducing you to them than you doing that directly.

Intel Capital warns of 'cleantech' bubble

2008-05-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

The president of Intel Capital, one of the biggest venture capital investors, has warned that his industry is on the brink of another dangerous asset price bubble, particularly in so-called “cleantech” environmentally friendly technologies.

Arvind Sodhani told the Financial Times: “The biggest challenge for venture capital companies is when valuations get out of whack – this always ends in pain, and we’ve started to see a little bit of that in the recent past.

“It is particularly the case in cleantech/greentech. These areas are hugely overvalued for their fundamentals. The credit crunch has made it slightly better but not much.”

Clean technology spans a range of industries including alternative energy, energy storage, recycling and waste management and advanced new “clean” materials.

Total “cleantech” investment by all groups including venture capitalists was estimated at $94bn last year, up from $75bn in 2006, according to New Energy Finance, a consultancy.

Mr Sodhani compared the rush to invest in areas such as solar power and waste management to the overheating of the internet boom, when venture capitalists were burnt by hundreds of failed investments after the dotcom bubble burst.

Clean energy accounted for 7.4 per cent of all US venture capital investment last year, up from 1.1 per cent in 2003, according to the National Venture Capital Association and PwC.

However, Mr Sodhani said cleantech would still be a key focus for Intel Capital, especially in the wake of rising energy costs. “The way energy has been used and consumed has been grossly inefficient because we lived in an era of cheap energy.

“Technology is going to be deployed across the energy consumption food chain to help make it more efficient,” said the boss of Intel Capital, which has invested more than $6bn in over 1,000 companies and 40 countries since it was created in 1991.

Mr Sodhani said Intel Capital’s portfolio, which was valued at $2.6bn in September 2007, had produced its highest returns in recent years from India, followed by China, then the US and finally Europe.

He said this explained why venture capital was dominated by global funds able to straddle the globe. “The venture capital industry has discovered that innovation and entrepreneurship takes place all over the world and not just in Silicon Valley or Route 128 in Boston.”

The main focus for Intel Capital in recent years has been to invest in the high-speed Wimax internet technology to ensure the mobile spectrum is opened up to all users, rather than being dominated by different proprietary technologies.

CleanTech market landscape

2008-05-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

I will recommend people to browse this link to get a broad overview of CleanTech market

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/greentech-market-taxonomy-chart.html

Manoj

CleanTech Top 10 Startups

2008-05-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

I thought worthwhile sharing this list of top 10 CleanTech start-ups (Source: www.greentechmedia.com). Technology landscape cover innovative battery storage, Solar Thermal, lower cost PV cell, electric Car and transportation network, Smart Grid monitoring and metering, fuel cell, LEDs and biofuels through gasification route.

Is anybody aware of similar companies in India, specially in the battery space? Let me know if you have come across interesting companies like these in India.

1. A123 Systems : Fast-charging, high-cycle lithium ion batteries are based on a proprietary nanophosphate electrode technology developed by the founders at MIT.

2. Gridpoint: SmartGrid Platform which acts like a modem, transmitting information about the distributed load from homes and businesses to a centrally located GridPoint Operations Center.

3. Project Better Place: Create an integrated electric vehicle transportation network providing vehicles, charging stations, batteries, and an innovative financing package.

4. BrightSource: Solar Thermal concentrator using flat mirrors

5. Luminus Devices: LED lights

6. Coskata: Biofuel from multiple feedstock using syngas to liquid fuel route.

7. Bloom Energy, Inc.: Solid Oxide fuel cell

8. TH!NK: Electric car

9. Suniva: Higher efficiency PV cell

10. Silver Spring Networks: Smart grid with real-time networking between energy consumers and energy suppliers on open-platform Internet protocols.

Manoj

CleanTech Event: 2nd India CleanTech Forum

2008-04-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

Upcoming CleanTech event:

2nd India CleanTech Forum
10th & 11th July 2008
Uppal Orchid Hotel
New Delhi, India

For more Information, please visit

http://www.cleantechforum.com/

Manoj

Comparison of India and USA energy landscape.

2008-04-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a comparison of India and USA power landscape. We do not consume anything compared to western world. That does not mean we should strive to consume that much. It is important that we strive for efficiency of use. Our GDP is $4 trillion (PPP), China's $10 trillion (PPP) and USA is ~$13 trillion. We are around three times less in GDP compared to USA but consume 8 times less power. Hmm!!

1. US installed power capacity is 1067k MW compared to India which has 132k MW (USA is 8 times more). China has 710k MW (5 times more). China added in 2007 alone 90k MW which is 70% of total installed capacity of India!.

2. USA power comes from Coal (49.7%), Nuclear (19%), Natural gas (19%), Hydro (6.5%), Fuel oil (3%), Biomass (1.6%) and Wind+Solar+Geothermal (1.2%). For India, power comes from Coal 54%, Natural Gas 11%, Hydro 26%, Nuclear 3%, Wind (5%), Biomass (1.0%)

3. Current per capita power consumption comes to around 600 units (KWH) per year for India as against 13k units per year for USA (world average is 2200 units/year). USA consumes 20 times more per capita electricity than India.

4. Wind energy installed capacity (2007): Germany (22300 MW), USA (16800 MW), India (8000 MW), China (6100 MW)

5. Biomass energy installed capacity: USA (11000 MW), India (1250 MW)

6. Globally, wind power has continued to grow at 25-30% per year since 2000, and will reach at least 93k MW cumulative capacity in 2007 (up from just 7.5k MW in 1997). Small hydropower and biomass power reached 73k MW and 44k MW, respectively, in 2006. Geothermal power is another 10k MW. Grid-tied solar PV continues to grow at 50-60% annual rates, and now accounts for almost 8k MW.

7. Coal reserves: USA (~300 billion tonnes), India (92 billion tonnes). USA produces around 990 million tonnes, while India produces around 407 million tonnes (India coal quality is low).

8. Oil reserves: USA proven oil reserves declined to a little less than 21 billion barrels as of 2006. With production of around 5 million barrels per day as of 2006, this represents about an 11 year supply of oil at current rates. With consumption at 21 million barrels per day (7.7 billion barrels per year) (2007), US reserves alone could satisfy US demand for only three years. India consumes 1.1 billion barrels/year which is 1/7^th of USA consumption. India reserves are 5.7 billion barrels.

Powering the Planet

2008-04-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

"Powering the Planet" is an insightful article written by a Caltech professor. I will recommend reading it.

http://authors.library.caltech.edu/9302/01/LEWmrsb07.pdf

Manoj

"The Green Cover" - Weekend Activity Group

2008-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

I have been having this itch to start a group which will strive to increase the green cover of our localities and beyond. The aim will be to make it sustainable in the long run and make it a fun weekend activity.

I will like to brainstorm with folks interested in becoming part of this. Any group you know in India and abroad which is actively doing this? How do we make it economically self sustaining activity? How to make sure plants become trees and there is proper maintenance? Can we bring in some sponsorship element? How to involve the goverment? Where to plant and what? Grow bioenergy crops?

I will be open to discussions on phone on weekend and reachable at this email address: manoj@nexusindiacap.com

Manoj

What is CleanTech - Part 2

2008-04-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

Let me give a shot here on explaining CleanTech in a very simple way as we see it. We have divided cleantech opportunities in three broad buckets:

1. Energy - Thermal, Power and Fuel
2. Water - Water desalination, recycling, drip irrigation
3. Agriculture (Food) - Organic farming, supply chain efficiency, yield improvement

These three buckets also form the basis of our day-to-day basic needs. Energy as a whole is $5.2 trillion market, water $500 billion and Food is close to $3 trillion market. These are big markets but also have bigger problems which translate to bigger opportunities.

Cleantech essentially is using resources more efficiently - getting more by using lesser resources. You can still be using coal, but getting more output. You can still be using gasoline, but getting more mileage out of it.

We, developing nations, can have bigger impact on CleanTech simply because we have choices which developed world did not have when they were expanding their energy infrastructure left and right. We have choices to:

•To burn coal more efficiently

–Coal Gasification

–Carbon sequestration

•To choose renewable energy

–Capex requirement is similar to coal ($1/W)

–Cost/unit is competitive (Rs 2-3/unit)

–PLF can be high (> 80%, Biomass)

•To use resources more efficiently

–Smart monitoring

–Water recycling

Lets choose them as we grow. We can grow faster.

Manoj

Nexus India - Sponsor of Climate Change Event, Pune

2008-04-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

Nexus India Capital is sponsoring the Climate Change 2008 event oragnized by WISE (World Institute of Sustainable Energy) on April 22 and 23 at Le Meridien, Pune. The website of the event is:

http://climatechange08.wisein.org/

If you wish to know more about the event, please send me an email at manoj@nexusindiacap.com

-Manoj

Nexus becomes Founding member of CleanTech India

2008-04-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

Nexus India Capital becomes founding member of India chapter of CleanTech Group, which is a Global group promoting CleanTech worldwide. This group is chaired by Vinod Khosla and Sun Group, IDFC and Nexus are on the advisory board of this group.

http://cleantech.com/India/index.cfm?pageSRC=FoundingMembers

Manoj

Time article on Clean Energy Scam

2008-04-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

Just in case somebody missed this, please do read this article on Clean Energy Scam in Time Magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1725975-1,00.html

Clear Skies Solar to develop $20M India project

2008-04-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

Clear Skies Solar to develop $20M India project

April 8, 2008

The solar installer said the 5 megawatt power plant would be the first of several projects in the country.

Massapequa Park, N.Y.-based solar installer Clear Skies Solar (OTC: CSKH) said today it signed a $20 million letter of agreement with Utter Pradesh, India's Power Cube to develop a solar power system in India.

Clear Skies said the deal, subject to financing, would be the first of several solar photovoltaic projects in the country.

"India represents the first of many untapped markets that Clear Skies Solar plans to enter in 2008 and 2009," said Ezra Green, chairman and CEO of Clear Skies.

"Recognizing the role that solar power will play in the global search for cleaner and more abundant energy sources, Clear Skies Solar has built the infrastructure necessary to support this type of international expansion and to develop large-scale projects at an accelerated pace in order to support global power needs."

Clear Skies said the initial project is for the design and construction of a 5 megawatt solar power system that will supply power to support a steel mill and the community's energy grid system.

"Clear Skies Solar has shown that it has the ability and innovative construction techniques to execute this contract, and we look forward to this project beginning in October of 2008," said Mohan Kejriwal, chairman of Power Cube.

Clear Skies plans to provide technology, engineering and construction services on the project, and said it would also be prepared to provide the operation and maintenance services needed.

Kejriwal said the companies expect the solar power plant to be operational before March 2009.

Source - www.cleantech.com

India's NTPC to work with NGRI on geothermal

2008-04-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

India's NTPC to work with NGRI on geothermal

April 1, 2008

The two groups plan to identify potential sites for setting up geothermal power projects in the country.

New Delhi-based power company NTPC signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the government-backed National Geophysical Research Institute to identify potential sites for geothermal power projects in the country.

State-controlled NTPC, which stands for National Thermal Power Corp., is India's largest power company.

"Both the organizations have agreed to associate for formulating a long term strategy to set up the first geothermal based power project in India," said NTPC in a statement.

The company said Tattapani in the state of Chattisgarh has been identified as the first project site.

India, which is new to the renewable energy market, has yet to establish any geothermal power.

In February, Reykjavik, Iceland-based Glitnir Bank announced a joint venture for geothermal exploration in India (see Glitnir to bring geothermal to India).

Glitnir is partnering with Noida, India-based LNJ Bhilwara Group, a diversified business with operations in power generation.

India's National Geophysical Research Institute, established in 1961 in Hyderabad, has a scientific staff of about 200.

The institute's work includes the exploration of hydrocarbon and coal, mineral exploration and engineering geophysics, and exploration, assessment and management of groundwater resources.

NTPC said it has an installed capacity of 29,144 megawatts through 26 power stations, covering nearly 20 percent of India's installed capacity and contributing 29 percent of the country's power generation.

The company expects to have more than 75,000 MW of capacity by the year 2017.

Food , Food, Food!

2008-03-31T01:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I read a news article on food shortage in India. It seems we are back to 1970s level in terms of per capita food availability.

In 1979 per capita availability of cereals and pulses had gone up to 476.5 grams per day. The corresponding figure in 2006 was 444.5 grams per day, according to provisional government statistics.
In the eight years between 1996 and 2004, when agriculture was growing at a low 2%, there was, in fact, zero growth in foodgrains.
China per capita availability is almost double that of India

The big question is why this is the case when:

• China has lesser arable land (124 million hectares) compared to India 162 million hectares.

• India has the second largest arable land after USA

I think these are some of the major reasons:

In India, net irrigated area has just grown from ~ 50 million hectares in 1990s to ~ 55 million hectares currently.
China’s around 45% land is irrigated while for India that number is 34%.
India’s crop yields are less than half of many regions. India’s wheat yield at 2600 kg / hectare is well below that of china (4100 kg / hectare) and Europe (5000 kg / hectare).
Most of the land holding (more than 60%) is fragmented at 1-2 acres/farmer.
Fertiliser use in China is 279 kg/hectare as against 103 kg/hectare in India.

Using fertilizers to the tune of China’s is not the best solution to increase yield because of externalities like diseases due to use of fertilizers. We should start looking at options like drip irrigation since 90% of the water use in India is in agriculture and we can save water by as much as 100 times by drip irrigation. Also we should look at organic farming to increase yield which is more sustainable in the long run. Other option is to go for GM crops but that becomes controversial in lot of ways.

-Manoj

Conference : Climate Change India 2008 - Pune

2008-03-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Climate Change India 2008
22 and 23 April, 2008
Le Meridien, Pune

For more informtion, please visit:
http://climatechange08.wisein.org

Conference: 2nd India Cleantech Forum - Delhi

2008-03-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

2nd India Cleantech Forum
10th & 11th July 2008
Uppal Orchid Hotel New Delhi, India

The conference will cover:

Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, Biomass, Small Hydro, and other
Energy efficiency and Green building technologies
Advanced materials
Water treatment and sanitation
Distributed generation
Waste management, treatment, and conversion to energy

For more information, please visit:

www.cleantechforum.com

What is CleanTech?

2008-03-29T10:30:00.001-07:00

Before we start discussing CleanTech in India, lets first understand this very basic question - What is CleanTech? In my view, the quest to understand CleanTech will unravel various opportunities in this sector. In the basics lie the opportunities. Therfore, lets first try to define CleanTech.

Cleantech in my view straddles three broad areas - Energy, Water and Food. These are very basic needs of of any human society and different societies are on different ladders wrt the development and consumption in these areas. The developed world had started their greed of more energy, more water and more food way back in early part of last century. In their hunger of these basic needs, they unfortunately created associated devils - Green house gases, polluted and depleted water resources and chemical pesticides/fertilizers which did give them more resources but also gave them more diseases. All these externalities were never accounted for while they were relishing the benefits.

India and China are where the developed world were a century back. They are claiming their right to satisfy their greed. But can this earth afford to feed these two giant babies?

For developed world, CleanTech largely means bringing back the environment to the pollution levels of pre-industrial revolution period. For them it is largely "replacing" their consumption with cleaner alternatives. For example, for them the bigger questions are can we replace our coal plants with clean-coal technologies like coal gasification.

For India and China, CleanTech largely means how can we minimize the damage to the environment while not compromising on growth. For us, it is largely "addition" to our consumption by the alternatives resources which are cleaner. For example, for us the bigger question is that whether we should go with Coal or renewables. If India and China choose to go on renewable rampage, we can just overwhelm the whole renewable market.

For example, China added 90 GW of installed capacity to their grid in 2007 alone. This is around 1/11th of US installed capacity and 70% of India's installed capacity. If China chooses to go on renewable route instead of Coal, they can just dominate the whole renewable market in the world. They have a choice which unfortunately the developed world did not.

India per capita consumption of electrcity is 1/20th of US per capita and 1/4th of World average (Indians consume around 600 units/year). This means that if we started consuming electricity like Americans we will need to improve our power infrastrcuture by 25 times of what we have. Similarly, like China, we have a choice to go for renewables.

Hence, for developing countries like India "CleanTech" means increase in the availability of energy, food and water with no additional impact on environment. For developed world, it means decrease in the green house gases, effluents and chemical fertilizers with no adverse impact on availability of the resources.

The developed world need to internalize their externalities of the past (cleanup the past). We need to make sure we minimize the externalities themselves in the future as we grow (make sure no cleanup required in future). I think this difference is very important as we try to understand the opportunities in CleanTech. The opportunities which developed countries are trying to go after in CleanTech may not necessarily translate directly into the opportunities we may have in India. It is very important for us to understand local needs of India and then try to derive opportunities from them. Localization of opportunities will be very important going forward.

I hope this helped the people in underastanding CleanTech at a very basic level.

-Manoj