Waste as energy - a key trend for the sustainable industry in 2011

Cascadia Capital, an investment bank serving both public and private growth companies around the world, has published its predictions for sustainable industries in 2011. One of the four predictions is that waste-to-energy technologies will grow and become part of mainstream society.

 

Though focused on the corporate end of the renewable energies spectrum, Cascadia Capital's "Top Sustainable Industries Predictions for 2011" are important as they hint at what the future could contain for green products.

Of particular interest to consumers are the "waste as energy" trend and the work of companies such as InEn Tec. InEn Tec, which was recently honored as 2010 Top Innovator by the Wall Street Journal, uses new technologies to transform industrial, household and even medical waste into electricity and fuel for transport; Cascadia Capital predicts that by 2011, continued investment in this area could lead to the widespread commercialization of waste to energy technology and lead the way for cars or houses that are indirectly powered by household waste.

More information and videos about waste to energy technology can be found at: http://www.energyplanet.info/Waste_Energy/, via the US Environmental Protection Agency website and from ESWET in the European Union. Videos providing an overview of waste to energy technology such as An Overview can be found on YouTube courtesy of the Pure Energy Systems Network and other groups.

Published on December 6, the four key predictions for sustainable industry in 2011 according to Cascadia Capital are:

1. Cap and trade discarded by Congress in National Energy Policy (US)
Cascadia Capital predicts that the US Congress will implement a policy that focuses on gas, nuclear and renewable energies, but it will not offer companies economic incentives to lower their carbon footprint (such as cap and trade).

2. Rising oil prices lead to investments in natural gas
Cascadia Capital also predicts that oil will rise to over $100 (€75.12) a barrel, leading companies to expand their operations into the field of natural gas, which will continue to be seen as a viable supply of alternate energy.

3. Waste to energy technology
Technology that converts municipal solid waste into energy will be ready for commercialization in 2011; according to Cascadia Capital's predictions, this drive for commercialization will be led by companies such as InEn Tec and Plasco Energy Group.

4. Traditional energy companies pursue acquisitions in renewable energy
Companies such as BP, Chevron and Shell will acquire renewable energy technology companies; the majority of these mergers and acquisitions will be focused on wind, solar and waste to energy.