Smart grid investments on the rise
By SBO staff report
Two interesting reports on investing in the smart grid emerged today, signaling that after much lip service about the need for smarter energy grid, venture capitalists are actually starting to put their money where their mouth is.
Greentech Media graphed what they are calling a Smart Grid Investment Surge (with a question mark), identifying six new smart grid VC bets so far this year to the tune of more than $30 million pumped into the sector just weeks into 2010.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the massive opportunity afforded by the overhaul of the grid will require VCs to be patient as the sector shakes out. With tech giants including Google, Microsoft and Apple entering the energy-management space, alongside decades-old, heavily regulated utilities and myriad startups approaching the smart grid idea from every possible angle it will take some time for the clear winners to emerge.
The smart grid is defined as an energy conduit that will allow two-way communication between utilities and their customers, facilitate the use of renewable energy and provide a way for electric vehicles and other advanced energy storage technologies to plug in without a problem.
What do you see happening in Oregon around the smart grid?
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