Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of USA, Inc. - Clean Tech: A Bright Future for Greener Savings in California

A Bright Future for Greener Savings in California

Swedish-American Entrepreneurial Days, San Diego, CA

Marcus Almen, Currents Magazine

California is the most populous state in the US with 37 million people divided in 58 counties.

The state alone produces more than 60 million dry tons of organic waste per year, with a

potential energy content of more than two gigawatts. There are many sources of waste that

can be converted to various forms of fuels. Sweden has leading technology in this sector

with electricity and district heating production. In California there are several initiatives to

reduce the negative impact waste has on the local, as well as, global environment and harness

the energy waste holds and to convert it to useful energy. According to the documentation

“The One Big Thing” which was launched by Ambassador Michael M. Wood President Bush

has set a national goal of replacing 75 percent of U.S. oil imports from the Middle East by 2025.

The government of Sweden aims to end its use of fossil fuel by 2020. The two nations are

among the leaders in energy research and development and can better achieve their goals

through cooperation in developing renewable energy sources and alternative fuels.

“The problem for us has been marketing the new technologies to companies here in the US,

because in Sweden the mentality of “going green” is very popular, but here the company has

to make more money or be able to save money, to do any changes. That's a big difference.

But today the new technics are smarter and cheaper, which means we are moving in the

right direction.” Theo Russo- Larsson, CEO of US Metadata LLC says. His next step is to

follow up interesting future business partners from the matchmaking program. “I have met

three of four potential partners from who I had very interesting conversations with on how

they can make this new technics profitable” he continues.

California is the nation’s largest generator of solar electric power and the focus of many

solar programs. “30% of the energy consumption in California has a direct connection to water,

either pumping, heating or cooling” says CEO Hans Gullikson at Energikontoret Syd in Växjö.

“With new technics like solar energy, district heating and zero energy homes we can implement

smart and environmental friendly solutions who are cost effective in the long run. It may cost

8-10 % more at startup to construct energy saving buildings, but within a few years you have

saved money through lower operational costs, and over the life of the building it makes a big

difference. Sweden is years ahead in these fields of expertise” he explains.

Kevin Cowen is a project manager at Hewlett Packard and he spoke about specific changes they

have done since 2006. “HP signed a contract with SunPower to install 5,000 solar-power panels

in its San Diego facility. The installations will cover 10 percent of the energy used by the facility

and save HP $750,000 in power costs over 15 years” he said during his commitment as a

panelist at E-days.

“Solar energy is big, but still relatively expensive. Within five years the prices will drop and get

more efficient. That also means it will start competing with water and wind alternatives. Right now

the energy efficiently is around 14%.” Kristina Peterson, Director Structured Finance at Suntech

Power says. “This technic is under rapid expansion throughout the US. Suntech had amazing

success during 2006-2007 when our stock rate growth was 130%”

Optional tours was also offered during this years last day, among them to the

Point Loma Waste Water Treatment Plant which is treats approximately 175 million gallons of

wastewater per day generated in a 450 square mile area by more than 2.2 million residents.

If you went to UCSD you could take a look at their 25-megawatt cogeneration plant they made

in 2001 for providing electrical and steam power to the campus community.

Swedish products that have been brought to the
U.S.

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