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Neah Power Systems to Present at the Growth Capital Expo in Las Vegas

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:21 AM on Thursday, April 9th, 2015

BOTHELL, WA / April 9, 2015 /Neah Power Systems, Inc. (PINKSHEETS:NPWZ) is pleased to announce that the company will be presenting at the 2nd Annual Growth Capital Expo being held on April 12 – 14, 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

Dr. Chris D’Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power Systems, Inc., will be presenting on Track 1 at 12:30pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

The Growth Capital Expo isn’t just another MicroCap investor conference. It is three conferences in one:

-Presentationsby selected MicroCap and pre-IPO growth companymanagement teams showcasing the best opportunities of the year for emerging growth investment. Meet with management directly to build relationships and source new deals.
Two full days of educational panels and presentationsby the leading practitioners of investment in public and late-stage private emerging growth companies. Get concise, actionable advice on legal and market issues and trends.
-Half-day pre-conference Public Company Boot Campdesigned specifically for executive managers of pre-IPO and recently public companies seeking to hone their skills at choosing board members and advisors, negotiating with investors, market messaging and corporate governance.

If you would like to attend the company’s presentation in Las Vegas, registration is still open. Follow this link:REGISTER.

About Neah Power Systems, Inc.

Neah Power Systems, Inc. is an innovator and supplier of cutting-edge power solutions for the military, transportation and portable electronics industries. Neah Power’s long-lasting, efficient, and safe solutions include patented and patent pending PowerChip(R), Formira(R) and the BuzzBar Suite(R) of products. Most recently, Neah Power Systems was a 2012 ZINO Green Finalist, 2010 WTIA Finalist, and 2010 Best of What’s New Popular Science Award. For more information visitwww.neahpower.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future. Please read Neah Power System’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during fiscal 2015 for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

For more information please contact:

Crescendo Communications LLC
Phone: +1 (212) 671-1020 x303
Email:[email protected]

Clean Energy Revolution Is Ahead of Schedule

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:16 AM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

By Noah Smith

The most important piece of news on the energy front isn’t the plunge in oil prices, but the progress that is being made in battery technology. A new study in Nature Climate Change, by Bjorn Nykvist and Mans Nilsson of the Stockholm Environment Institute, shows that electric vehicle batteries have been getting cheaper much faster than expected. From 2007 to 2011, average battery costs for battery-powered electric vehicles fell by about 14 percent a year. For the leading electric vehicle makers, Tesla and Nissan, costs fell by 8 percent a year. This astounding decline puts battery costs right around the level that the International Energy Agency predicted they would reach in 2020. We are six years ahead of the curve. It’s a bit hard to read, but here is the graph from the paper:

battery efficiencyThis puts the electric vehicle industry at a very interesting inflection point. Back in 2011, McKinsey & Co. made a chart showing which kind of vehicle would be the most economical at various prices for gasoline and batteries:

competitive
Looking at this graph, we can see the incredible progress made just since 2011. Battery prices per kilowatt-hour have fallen from about $550 when the graph was made to about $450 now. For Tesla and Nissan, the gray rectangle (which represents current prices) is even farther to the left, to about the $300 range, where the economics really starts to change and battery-powered vehicles become feasible.

QuickTake Batteries

But in the past year, the price of gasoline has fallen as well, and is now in the $2.50 range even in expensive markets. A glut of oil, and a possible thaw in U.S.-Iran relations, have moved the gray rectangle down into the dark blue area where internal combustion engines reign supreme.

Still, if battery prices keep falling, the gray rectangle will keep moving to the left. The Swedish researchers believe that Tesla’s new factories will be able to achieve the 30 percent cost reduction the company promises, simply from economies of scale and incremental improvements in the manufacturing process. That, combined with a rebound in gas prices to the $3 range, would be enough to make battery-powered vehicles an economic alternative to internal combustion vehicles in most regions.

But this isn’t the only piece of good energy news. Investment in renewable energy is powering ahead.

The United Nations Environment Programme recently released a report showing that global investment in renewable energy, which had dipped a bit between 2011 and 2013, rebounded in 2014 to a near all-time high of $270 billion. But the report also notes that since renewable costs — especially solar costs — are falling so fast, the amount of renewable energy capacity added in 2014 was easily an all-time high. China, the U.S. and Japan are leading the way in renewable investment. Renewables went from 8.5 percent to 9.1 percent of global electricity generation just in 2014.

That’s still fairly slow in an absolute sense. Adding 0.6 percentage point a year to the renewable share would mean the point where renewables take half of the electricity market wouldn’t come until after 2080. But as solar costs fall, we can expect that shift to accelerate. In particular, forecasts are for solar to become the cheapest source of energy — at least when the sun is shining — in many parts of the world in the 2020s.

Each of these trends — cheaper batteries and cheaper solar electricity — is good on its own, and on the margin will help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, with all the geopolitical drawbacks and climate harm they entail. But together, the two cost trends will add up to nothing less than a revolution in the way humankind interacts with the planet and powers civilization.

You see, the two trends reinforce each other. Cheaper batteries mean that cars can switch from gasoline to the electrical grid. But currently, much of the grid is powered by coal. With cheap solar replacing coal at a rapid clip, that will be less and less of an issue. As for solar, its main drawback is intermittency. But with battery costs dropping, innovative manufacturers such as Tesla will be able to make cheap batteries for home electricity use, allowing solar power to run your house 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

So instead of thinking of solar and batteries as two independent things, we should think of them as one single unified technology package. Solar-plus-batteries is set to begin a dramatic transformation of human civilization. The transformation has already begun, but will really pick up steam during the next decade. That is great news, because cheap energy powers our economy, and because clean energy will help stop climate change.

Of course, opponents of the renewable revolution continue to downplay these remarkable developments. The takeoff of solar-plus-batteries has only begun to ramp up the exponential curve, and market shares are still small. But it has begun, and it doesn’t look like we’re going back.

To contact the author on this story:
Noah Smith at [email protected]

To contact the editor on this story:
James Greiff at [email protected]

Source: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-08/clean-energy-revolution-is-way-ahead-of-schedule

Irons in the Fire: NEAH Power Signs New Partnership Deal

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:55 PM on Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

WHITEFISH, MT / March 24, 2015 / The global market for fuel cells is expected to grow at a 22.6% clip between 2014 and 2020 to reach 664.5 GW in size, according to Grand View Research, due to an increasing shift toward renewable energies. Portable applications dominated the market for the energy sources, accounting for 71.2% of total unit shipments in 2013, driven by military applications and other markets requiring energy on-the-go.

In this article, we’ll take a look at NEAH Power Systems Inc.’s (OTC: NPWZ) innovative power solutions and some recent deals that could generate significant shareholder value over the short- and long-term.

Formira HOD(TM) Integrates with BANTAM

NEAH Power Systems’ Formira Hydrogen on Demand – Formira HOD(R) is a reformer platform for direct on-site generation of hydrogen gas. Using the platform, customers can carry a liquid with a better safety profile and generate hydrogen gas at the point of use rather than carrying around dangerous high-pressure gas cylinders. The improved safety profile is particularly helpful in military and commercial applications with a lot at stake.

In a recent shareholder letter, President & CEO Chris D’Couto indicated that the company has been in regular discussions with leading unmanned aerial systems (“UAS”), automotive, off-grid power, and medical device companies regarding the integration of the Formira(TM) technology to improve the safety and performance of off-grid power systems across a wide array of applications.

The technology received a more recent vote of confidence on March 17th when the company entered into an international partnership agreement with Tectonica Australia. By integratingFormira(TM) with the company’s BANTAM(R) System and other new products developed using its integration expertise, NEAH Power Systems has created yet another promising channel for its innovative technology.

SECFilings.com Executive Interview Series | Chris D’Couto / CEO of Neah Power Systems, (NPWZ) fromTDM Financial on Vimeo.

PowerChip(R) is Validated by DRDO

NEAH Power Systems’ PowerChip(R) is a silicon-based fuel cell is capable of operate without air, which makes it ideal for applications where the quality of surrounding air is unpredictable or unavailable. In addition to these unique properties, the fuel fells have higher power densities, lower costs, and more compact form factors that make them perfect for underwater or other critical air-less applications.

In November 2013, the company announced initial orders from India’s Department of Defense Organization (“DRDO”) estimated to be worth $172,000. Management shipped and completed the testing of these units in February of 2015, which represents a critical milestone in the licensing agreement. In the release, the company hinted toward a potential “significant contract” in the future.

The completion of the DRDO order also represents a critical validation of the technology. With a commercial proof-of-concept in place, the company can leverage the deal when selling the same type of units to other customers across a wide range of industries, including many different private sectors. The combination of the short-term DRDO contract and long-term adoption yields a great opportunity.

Buzzbar(TM) Moves into Production

NEAH Power Systems’ BuzzBar(TM) technology suite is designed to take power inputs from a variety of source – from wall outlets to solar panels – and use it to charge a convenient fuel cell that’s comparable in size to many smartphones. After launching on IndieGoGo as the only compact off-grid recharging solution for USB devices, the company has shipped most of its initial orders and is iterating on the product.

According to its 10-K SEC filing, the company has already presented the product to “Big Box” retailers that have expressed and interest and sent proposals to move the purchasing process along. No official agreements have been announced so far, but the potential for a large consumer distribution agreement creates a big potential catalyst for potential investors and existing shareholders.

Shorai Acquisition Adds Revenue

NEAH Power Systems signed a definitive agreement to acquire Shorai Inc., a leading provider of lithium-ion power sports and starter battery solutions for the consumer motorsport industry. With over $4 million in unaudited 2014 revenue and cash flow positive operations, the acquisition provides shareholders with immediate and likely accretive revenue, as well as product and operational (manufacturing, shipping, distribution, brand recognition) synergies between the companies.

Shorai plans to introduce an exciting new control technology in 2015 to improve their competitive position within the performance lithium-ion battery space. In addition, the firm is nearing production of an all-new product that addresses wider markets in motorcycle, automotive, and military sales channels, which could significantly expand its top-line performance and unlock even more value.

Finally, there are many potential synergies between the companies given the similarity of their product lines. Management anticipates numerous product, operational, and marketing synergies, including cross-marketing opportunities with its Formira(TM) and BuzzBar(TM) product lines. Investors may want to keep a close eye on these developments given the potential to accelerate organic revenue.

Valuation & Looking Ahead

NEAH currently has 12 patents, 4 patents pending, and 8 patent applications covering the Formira HOD®, PowerChip(R) and BuzzBar(R) products. The Company has a strong differentiation in the space for its unique technology, has won various awards including Best of What’s New 2010 Popular Science award and MIT Magazine of Innovation and it has already received funding from the likes of the US Navy and Intel Capital.

NEAH Power Systems trades with a market capitalization of just $7.8 million, despite its promising products and potential near-term catalysts. Last quarter, the company reported $179,261 in revenue, which could expand to reach a quarterly run rate of over $1 million following the Shorai acquisition alone. The company’s high gross margins mean only its fixed costs remain to be covered before profits.

With advanced battery companies like Ultralife Corp. (NASDAQ: UBLI) trading at 0.6x EV/Revenue, energy storage companies like ZBB Energy Corporation (AMEX: ZBB) trading at 1.0x EV/Revenue, and fuel cell companies like Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) trading at nearly 7x EV/Revenue, the company’s modest $9.8 million EV and at least $4 million in revenue suggest it could be undervalued.

In the end, the company has developed stable revenue streams with large potential upside and a near-term cash flow breakeven point. The high margin business could quickly generate significant shareholder value, with its fully-outsourced manufacturing model and customer-funded development.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.neahpower.com.

Legal Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit:http://secfilings.com/Disclaimer.aspx.

SOURCE: Emerging Growth LLC

NEAH Power and Tectonica Execute Partnership Agreement for International Business and New Product Development

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:24 AM on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

Formira Hydrogen on Demand (HODTM) platform from Neah and BANTAM system from Tectonica form creative platform for differentiated off-the-grid products

BOTHELL, Wash., Mar. 17, 2015 — NEAH Power Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: NPWZ) (OTC: NPWZ) and Tectonica Australia (Tectonica) announced an international partnership agreement to integrate the formic acid reformer (Formira HOD(TM)) with Tectonica’s BANTAM System and into new products developed using Tectonica’s system integration expertise to offer integrated, robust, off-the-grid and on-demand power generation/solutions for a variety of markets. In addition to this product integration, since Neah and Tectonica have marketing presence in different global geographic regions, the agreement allows each company to market their new partners’ products in areas where they already have a strong client base. This joint marketing relationship offers strong economic possibilities to both companies with no capital investment necessary.

“We are thrilled to team with Tectonica for business and product development. Their system integration expertise allows us to integrate the Formira HODTM platform into a seamless, user focused power-on-demand system for defense, commercial and other off-the-grid requirements. Our business relationships in the US and India can further our common business interests to meet the critical power needs of our customers,” said Dr. Chris D’Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power Systems, Inc. “With the user friendly, intuitive design of Tectonica’s BANTAM Power Management System, even in the heat of battle, the powering of mission-critical devices such as night vision goggles or satellite telephones can be managed from a single power source, easily and with confidence.

David Levy, Managing Director of Tectonica said, “The companies’ complementary products and expertise make this an exciting partnership. The Formira HODTM platform’s exceptional energy density and simplicity to use make it a logical choice to add on-demand power to the BANTAM system. Together, Neah and Tectonica will continue to improve the power solutions available to customers unsupported by grid power. Our established relationships in Australia and internationally, including the United Kingdom and South East Asia, are very complementary to Neah’s, and will serve to extend the reach of both companies to deliver real power solutions to our customers and we look forward to continue developing integrated, user-focused power solutions for global distribution.”

About Neah Power Systems, Inc

Neah Power Systems, Inc. is an innovator and supplier of cutting-edge power solutions for the military, transportation and portable electronics industries. Neah Power’s long-lasting, efficient, and safe solutions include patented and patent pending PowerChip, Formira and the BuzzBar Suite of products. Most recently, Neah Power Systems was a 2012 ZINO Green Finalist, 2010 WTIA Finalist, and 2010 Best of What’s New Popular Science Award. For more information visit www.neahpower.com.

About Tectonica

Tectonica Australia is a leading defense and security systems integrator. Since 2002, Tectonica has developed fully integrated systems for armored vehicles, ground stations and soldiers. In partnership with local and international organizations, Tectonica offers a comprehensive range of defense and security solutions in the areas of http://www.tectonica.net/land-systems/tactical-navigation/protected-land-navigation-system Protected Navigation, Portable Power, Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (C4IEW) and Crew Survivability. Tectonica is focused on providing Australian Department of Defense, Defense Industry, Government and Security clients with cutting edge technology to meet the capability challenges of the future. For more information visit www.tectonica.net

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future. Please read Neah Power System’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during fiscal 2015 for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

For more information please contact: Crescendo Communications LLCPhone: +1-(212)671-1020 x303Email: [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neah-power-and-tectonica-execute-partnership-agreement-for-international-business-and-new-product-development-300051586.html

SOURCE Neah Power Systems, Inc.

Neah Power Systems successfully completes PowerChip® testing at DRDO of the Government of India

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 6:00 AM on Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

Licensing opportunities forthcoming

Bothell, WA (January 22, 2015) – Neah Power Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: NPWZ) an emerging leader in fuel cell-based power generation and lithium ion-based storage solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicles (defense and commercial), military, transportation and portable electronics industries, today announced that it had successfully completed testing of the PowerChip® units at a Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Government of India facility and it had received payment of approximately $165,000 for these initial test units. This successful completion of testing is a critical milestone in completing the licensing agreement with the DRDO. The DRDO is an agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military.

Chris D’Couto, Neah Power’s Chief Executive Officer said, “We are pleased to announce the successful testing of the PowerChip® units to the specifications provided, and to have met the needs of a key customer and government entity. This further substantiates the value proposition of the PowerChip fuel cell in terms of differentiated performance from other fuel cell, including non-air operation and semiconductor-based manufacturing, as well as the ability to meet the needs of mission critical applications. We are very excited to have met this critical milestone to completing the licensing agreement which we expect to be a significant contract which the Company will update at the appropriate time. This will enable us to further adoption for a variety of applications in our targeted industries. We are optimistic about the future growth prospects of Neah Power Systems.”

About Neah Power

Neah Power’s core solutions have a small form factor, recharge instantly, and operable in air and non-air environments, providing a longer life with lower total cost of ownership. Neah Power’s Solutions offerings include the patented and patent pending PowerChip®, Formira® and the BuzzBar Suite® of products. For more information please visit www.neahpower.com.

For more information please contact
Crescendo Communications LLC
Phone: +1 (212) 671-1021
Email: [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and Neah Power does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future. Please read Neah Power’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Neah Power Systems Agrees to Acquire Shorai, the Leading High Performance, Lithium-ion Power Starter Battery Company

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 6:09 AM on Thursday, January 8th, 2015

Acquisition Enables Customer Focused Product Offerings

  • Merger is expected to be immediately accretive with Shorai reporting over $4.0 million (unaudited) revenue in for the twelve months ended December 2014 and was cash flow positive for the fourth quarter of 2014

BOTHELL, WA–(Jan 8, 2015) – Neah Power Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: NPWZ), an emerging leader in fuel cell-based power generation and lithium ion-based storage solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicles (defense and commercial), military, transportation and portable electronics industries, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to merge with Shorai, Inc., a leading provider of lithium ion-based power sports and starter battery solutions for the consumer motorsport industry. This merger is expected to be immediately accretive with Shorai reporting over $4.0 million (unaudited) revenue in for the twelve months ended December 2014 and was cash flow positive for the fourth quarter of 2014. The combined organization, which will be called Neah Power Systems, will deliver a comprehensive suite of alternative energy power generation and storage solutions through a diverse portfolio of proprietary technologies, which include 12 patents and 6 patents pending.

Chris D’Couto, Neah Power’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Our customers, whether defense, commercial or consumer, want to see integrated power solutions that uses best of breed technologies in order to meet their mission critical needs. Completing this merger allows us to create product, operational and marketing, synergies to meet these customer needs. With the Formira Hydrogen on Demandâ„¢ and BuzzBar® Suite products generating a lot of commercial and consumer interest, this merger allows us to create compelling total solutions. We intend to update on the various product segments in more detail in the coming weeks.”

David Radford, CEO of Shorai, Inc stated, “Shorai is poised for a leap in growth, and we are thrilled to have the backing and technology of Neah Power Systems to help drive our success. In the very near term, Shorai will introduce exciting new control technology in 2015 to increase our lead in lithium power battery performance. Also near production is an all-new Shorai product that addresses wider markets in motorcycle, automotive and military sales channels. Going forward Shorai manufacturing, distribution, and marketing expertise will complement Neah’s patented fuel cell technologies, and together open a wide range of sales opportunities in the defense, commercial and consumer markets. The match has very clear synergies which will foster products and profitability for both companies, far beyond what either could accomplish alone.”

About Neah Power Systems

Neah Power’s core solutions have a small form factor, recharge instantly, and operable in air and non-air environments, providing a longer life with lower total cost of ownership. Neah Power’s Solutions offerings include the patented and patent pending PowerChip®, Formira® and the BuzzBar Suite® of products. For more information visit www.neahpower.com.

About Shorai

Founded in 2010 and based in Morgan Hill, CA, Shorai, Inc. has quickly become the world’s best-known producer of lithium ion power sports batteries. Shorai is leading the conversion from traditional lead-acid batteries to lighter, more efficient and higher performance lithium starter batteries. For more information visit www.shoraipower.com.

More information will be available in Neah Power’s Current Report on Form 8-K, to be filed with the SEC.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and Neah Power does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future. Please read Neah Power’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

INTERVIEW: Stria Lithium Discusses Revolutionary Lithium Processing Technology

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:06 AM on Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

SRA: TSX-V

WATCH INTERVIEW NOW!

  • Focused on the emerging green energy revolution, with a particular focus on Lithium.
  • Aiming to become one of the lowest cost producers in the world for battery- grade technology lithium through partnerships, licensing and joint ventures which are critical for high-technology green energy industries such as consumer electronics, energy storage and military.
  • Unveiled lithium procession technology that will provide the company with significant advantages.

Hub On AGORACOM / Corporate Website / Watch Interview Now!

Why Elon Musk’s Batteries Scare the Hell Out of the Electric Company

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:57 AM on Friday, December 5th, 2014
Tesla Factory in California
Tesla Motor Inc. associates work on a Model S at the company’s factory in Fremont, California. More than 100,000 plug-ins have been sold in California, according to data from HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates, though electric vehicles make up less than 1 percent of all U.S. car sales. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Here’s why something as basic as a battery both thrills and terrifies the U.S. utility industry.

At a sagebrush-strewn industrial park outside of Reno, Nevada, bulldozers are clearing dirt for Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA:US)’s battery factory, projected to be the world’s largest.

Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, sees the $5 billion facility as a key step toward making electric cars more affordable, while ending reliance on oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At first blush, the push toward more electric cars looks to be positive for utilities struggling with stagnant sales from energy conservation and slow economic growth.

Yet Musk’s so-called gigafactory may soon become an existential threat to the 100-year-old utility business model. The facility will also churn out stationary battery packs that can be paired with rooftop solar panels to store power. Already, a second company led by Musk, SolarCity Corp. (SCTY:US), is packaging solar panels and batteries to power California homes and companies including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT:US)

“The mortal threat that ever cheaper on-site renewables pose” comes from systems that include storage, said Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a Snowmass, Colorado-based energy consultant. “That is an unregulated product you can buy at Home Depot that leaves the old business model with no place to hide.”

J.B. Straubel, chief technology officer for Palo Alto, California-based Tesla, said the company views utilities as partners not adversaries in its effort to build out battery storage. Musk was not available for comment.

The Tesla systems are arriving just as utilities begin to feel increasing pressure worldwide from the disruption posed by renewable energy.

Lima Meeting

In Germany, the rapid rise of tax-subsidized clean energy has undermined wholesale prices and decimated the profitability of coal and natural gas plants. Germany’s largest utility EON SE (EOAN) said this week it will spin off its fossil-fuel plant business to focus on renewables in part because of new clean energy competitors coming onto its turf.

Threats to the traditional utility model come as energy and environment take the world stage at the latest round of United Nations climate talks that began Dec. 1 in Lima. Delegates, backed by global environmental groups, want to leave the conference with a draft agreement to tackle climate change by lowering carbon-dioxide emissions — something that has eluded them for years.

The Rocky Mountain Institute’s Lovins has installed solar on his house in Snowmass and uses it to power his electric car. His monthly electric bill: $25. He has a lot of company.

100,000 Plug-ins

In California, where 40 percent of the nation’s plug-in cars have been sold, about half of electric vehicle owners have solar or want to install it, according to a February survey by the Center for Sustainable Energy, a green-energy advocate. More than 100,000 plug-ins have been sold in California, according to data from HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates, though EVs make up less than 1 percent of all U.S. car sales.

Few homes and businesses use solar and back-up-battery storage, proof for some utilities that the systems remain a hard sell outside of states like California or markets like Hawaii where high power costs make solar competitive.

Still, the Edison Electric Institute, a trade group representing America’s investor-owned utilities, recently announced that its members will help to encourage electric vehicle use by spending $50 million annually to buy plug-in service trucks and invest in car-charging technology.

“Advancing plug-in electric vehicles and technologies is an industry priority,” said EEI President Thomas Kuhn.

Charging Stations

Analysts think the industry has been slow to react. Tesla, SolarCity and green-energy companies are already moving aggressively into unoccupied space. “Some of the more nimble companies that think and move more quickly, they are beating the utilities to the punch,” said Ben Kallo, a San Francisco-based analyst for Robert W. Baird & Co.

Tesla has installed 135 solar-powered fast-charging stations across North America where its Model S drivers can refuel for free. NRG Energy Inc. is building a network of public charging stations in major cities that drivers can access on a per-charge basis or for a flat monthly fee of about $15.

And then there’s the home front. In a July report, Morgan Stanley said Tesla’s home and business energy-storage product could be “disruptive” in the U.S. and in Europe as customers seek to avoid utility fees by going “off-grid.”

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-05/musk-battery-works-fill-utilities-with-fear-and-promise

TRADING ALERT (NPWZ: OTCQB) Up 25.27% on 267K Shares Traded

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:54 AM on Friday, October 24th, 2014

TRADING ALERT!!!

Last: $0.0114 Up: $0.0023

Percent: 25.27% Volume: 267K

———————–

Recent News…

Neah Power Partners With Silent Falcon to Integrate Fuel Cells Into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

$50M+ into Neah Power Systems

  • Intel Corporation, Novellus Systems, Four Tier 1 VCs, US Navy, NIST/ATP
  • Superior, differentiated, award winning technology (Popular Science, WTIA, MIT)
  • 12 patents + pending applications, trade secrets, know-how
  • Begun shipping BuzzBar Suite of products on August 29th, 2014, and has completed CE certification. Neah had previously completed FCC certification. Additionally, Neah had launched a website dedicated to the BuzzBar Suite: www.buzzbarsuite.com.

Neah working with leading defense, commercial and consumer companies

  • Partnering with Silent Falconâ„¢ UAS Technologies to integrate the formic acid reformer (Formiraâ„¢) based fuel cell technology into the Silent Falcon UAV (Read Release)
  • PO from large defense supplier
  • Commercial proposals into commercial aviation, consumer company, telecom company and others
  • Buzzbar targeted at consumer oriented products
  • Company has completed a fuel cell technology asset acquisition that bolsters its current product line up, and opens up new market opportunities in the renewable energy sector

INTERVIEW: Stria Lithium Discusses Revolutionary Lithium Extraction Method

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:07 PM on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

SRA: TSX-V

Welcome to Beyond The Press Release a production of AGORACOM in which we take the time to speak with Small Cap Executives about recent company developments. With us today is Julien Davy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Stria Lithium. The company is aiming to become one of the lowest cost producers in the world for battery- grade technology lithium through partnerships, licensing and joint ventures  which are critical for high-technology green energy industries such as consumer electronics, energy storage and military.

Hub On AGORACOM / Corporate Website / Watch Interview Now!