Hydro/Marine | CITE Investments

Acquamarine Power gets funding – Atlantis Resources charging ahead?

Posted on November 27, 2010 by S Klamp

Acquamarine Power, an Edinburgh based business, received another £11m in funding. One of its Investors, Scottish and Southern Energy wrote an investment case study that is worth taking a look at. Some details on the technology concept can be found here. Another key investor is Edinburgh based Sigma Capital Group.

The Press release can be found on Clean Edge’s website.

A company to watch is Atlantis Resources, Singapore and London HQs. They are backed by Morgan Stanley. The company is targeting China and India. From an investment perspective it is worth following their progress we think. The firm presented at the Offshore Engineering Society. Earlier in 2010, Atlantis raised $14m with Statkraft leading the round and Morgan Stanley upping on their existing investment. We wrote about Stafkraft’s Osmotic Energy Plant in the past. From where we sit, we believe that Statkraft has the background and capabilities to see through the risks associated with investments in this segment. Thus worth noting what they are up to.

The NY Times Green Blog recently wrote an update blog on the outlook for Tidal Power. Although the author is not making any judgments it follows the European Energy Association suggestion that Tidal Power could yield 5x current global electricity needs.

We think that the concept is intriguing but returns are still a long way off.

Anything is possible (in some places)

Posted on November 4, 2009 by brettalan

The Institute for Local Self Reliance based in Minneapolis, USA has just produced an interesting map of the United States suggesting that 31 of the 50 states can be self sufficient for electricity if using only in state, renewable resources. Only 5 states were at 30% or less. The map makes an interesting point- while not likely, or in some occasions the best, overall economic solution, it is feasible for most US States to be able to adhere to more modest renewable energy portfolio requirements. If technology continues to improve the economics in the future, this percent of renewable requirements could increase to satisfy energy loads.

Non-Americans may find this interesting as the geography of the US is almost as varied as that of the world. The map also suggests that some areas are renewable resource poor, and will need alternative plans if they intend to clean up generation. See the link to read about the study and its assumptions.