Read my comment below………..ps…I use to be involved in alternative energy…

Here is an interesting conglomerate of successful people like Bill Gates, Ray Dalio, George Soros, Jack Ma, and Mark Zuckerberg (just to name a few) that have their eyes on the new energy mix, and want to escalate the speed of this transition.
_________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCING THE BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY COALITION

“THE WORLD NEEDS WIDELY AVAILABLE ENERGY that is reliable, affordable and does not produce carbon. The only way to accomplish that goal is by developing new tools to power the world. That innovation will result from a dramatically scaled up public research pipeline linked to truly patient, flexible investments committed to developing the technologies that will create a new energy mix. The Breakthrough Energy Coalition is working together with a growing group of visionary countries who are significantly increasing their public research pipeline through the Mission Innovation initiative to make that future a reality.”

“The existing system of basic research, clean energy investment, regulatory frameworks, and subsidies fails to sufficiently mobilize investment in truly transformative energy solutions for the future. We can’t wait for the system to change through normal cycles.”

http://www.breakthroughenergycoalition.com/en/index.html

Renewables Take Center Stage In Paris, But How Feasible Are The Plans?
By Robert Rapier – Wed, 02 December 2015

“It is clear given the growth trajectory in the previous graphic that developing countries (like China and India) will be driving emissions for many years to come. To reverse the direction of emissions without crippling development in the developing countries (a non-starter for these countries as India emphasized), we will have to develop solutions that are not only technically viable, but that are cost-competitive with fossil fuels. Further, alternatives must be cumulatively capable of scaling up to displace large amounts of fossil fuels, and they must be convenient if consumers are going to willingly opt for alternatives over fossil fuels.

Is it a tall order? Absolutely. Too often we focus on the technical viability of solutions without proper consideration for economics or scalability. We have had alternatives to fossil fuels for hundreds of years in some cases. We have to recognize that technical viability is only one component of the equation. When economic viability isn’t there, fossil fuels will continue to be used despite alternatives.”

http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Renewables-Take-Center-Stage-In-Paris-But-How-Feasible-Are-The-Plans.html

I completely agree that if the politicians got out of the way it would make things easier in almost every area of life. Maybe we can start up a Green Energy company funded off the wasted salaries of politicians. 🙂 🙂

We would need to be listed under BIO WASTE.

Ha! Yes spending the politicians salaries for fuel would be bio-WASTE. Ha!

*That company Lime Energy has a Bio-waste division where they are pulling power through methane gas off a garbage dump, and powering a small community with it. I thought it was an interesting idea…..

That is another great example , which can be done …

CFS…..should know about it….since he lives up there.

Yes, I drove to Chicago twice in the last 2 years and was amazed at how huge that wind farm is in Indiana. My girl and I got out and took pictures of the fields and fields of windmills like tourist geeks. …. Ha!

I even took an alternate route back due to a whole interstate being closed, and even 20-30 miles away from the interstate the windmills kept going and going….

It seems there will be more of all these kinds of ideas as the energy demand to power everyone’s smart phones, electric cars, tablets, smart fridges, etc…. still continues to grow. There will be an energy grid with power coming from many non -conventional sources.

For now, Oil & Nat Gas are so cheap……. everyone is resting on rear ends. It won’t last forever though….

I was in awe, when I first saw it……….HUGE…….it could BE HUGE……jimmy

FFM…tell OWL to stay away from the wind farm..its a bird killer…..

Gator….I would but he does not read the post according to bird……. 🙂

Huge!

Tilting at Windmills: A closer look at Indiana’s expanding wind power industry
By Michela Tindera and Jimmy Jenkins/Indiana University

http://ijec.org/2013/07/24/tilting-at-windmills-a-closer-look-at-indianas-expanding-wind-power-industry/

thanks for the article……….

I did not say they were idiots………far from it…..

Like you said…..they were early…..and I say they will remain early, until the oil problem is resolved

THIS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY….dates back to the 1970’s…that is how many years? 45 years, and it still is not solved…..just saying.

Agreed. It is still far off, and Oil is the 800 lb gorilla in the room. Until Oil prices go back up, then energy and current infrastructure will stay as it is…..

It won’t last forever, and again the Energy efficiency companies can prosper regardless of what form the energy inputs are, since their mission is to reduce energy use of larger companies. Check out Ameresco (AMRC), Lime Energy (LIME), and Orion Energy Systems (OESX), sometime. I’d be curious to get your thoughts on them since you worked in the energy sector in the past.

They’ve gotten beaten down, but their business models are adjusting and a few more companies like this are starting up. It’s an interesting idea.

Hopefully,,,,,,,,,,alternative energy will prevail……..the country needs it.

The Energy Grid will be much healthier if there are multiple inputs into from many sources. This way one commodity will not make or break a certain country.

The future will have a healthy mix of some clean-coal, Oil, Nat Gas, Nuclear (Uranium and possibly Thorium), Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal, Hydro-electric, and all the batteries (Lithium, Graphite, hydrogen cells, etc…).

It all boils down to EROEI to me — Energy return on energy invested. Virtually no one talks about this.

I agree there will be a mix of energy sources in the future. But I haven’t heard of any with anywhere near the EROEI of 20th century OIL. But I’m all ears.

Great point GH. Nuclear is one of the best all around returns because the plants can be updated to go from 30-40 years to around 60 years.

As for the renewable sector efficiencies, I remember reading about this group that had taken this exact topic into account to figure out the efficiency of each form of energy and actually mapped out all 50 states in the US as to what the efficiency savings would be.

I found this article that goes over the basic premise:
___________________________________________________________________________

June 8, 2015
Stanford engineers develop state-by-state plan to convert U.S. to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050

https://news.stanford.edu/pr/2015/pr-50states-renewable-energy-060815.html

OK – I finally found their website. They have spent a considerable amount of time to go through the efficiency savings in all 50 states in the US. Click on a state on the map and they give you the rationale:
__________________________________________________________________________
THE SOLUTIONS PROJECT

100% Renewable Energy
Hover over the map to see future projected energy mix. Click to launch an interactive experience showcasing the benefits of a transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.

http://thesolutionsproject.org/

Bingo!

Made any money on it……….

WAS a $2 stock , now .32cents………..

sharp as a tack……………lol

I was wondering if anyone had done any research on it is all. There is now doubt the share price has taken a beating. I don’t own any shares but was considering starting to nibble at it.

Alterra seems to be on sale,and I remember Marin Katusa bought millions of shares somewhat recently. I can think of many gold and silver miners that have the exact same type of charts right now. Buy em’ when they’re cheap.

Here are some excerpts from Marin Katusa’s article on renewable energy and he does plug Alterra as his choice at the end. I’ve also heard him recommend the “Global X Yieldco Index” (YLCO), and he gets into that a little bit….
_________________________________________________________________________

Was Obama Right about the Green Dream?
Marin Katusa – Nov 5, 2015

“Technology has allowed us to improve the efficiency of renewable power significantly. Furthermore, with the push towards lower carbon emissions, the cost of electricity generation from coal-fired plants has nearly doubled since 2009. The result is that in many parts of the world, renewable power is as or more competitive than coal fired generation.”

“Solar growth has been exponential in the developing world and most notably in China. The Chinese have grown capacity at a rate of over 4000%; in 2010 they had 788 MWs of PV-generated electricity, in 2014 they had 33GWs, and they are forecast to have over 50GWs by the end of 2015. This will make them the largest solar power producer in the world.”

US: Coal to Gas vs. China: Coal to Green Energy

In the United States the big theme over the last several years was power generation plants substituting natural gas for coal-fired plants. The Chinese, though, look to be jumping straight from coal to renewables, rather than creating an intermediate gas stage. This is a huge win for the international renewable power players.

“The key point to take away from this week’s missive is that when we invest in renewable energy, we have to think long term. We have a tendency to get caught up in analysts’ 12- and 24-month price targets based on short term fluctuations. That’s what is happening to the yield co sector right now. But this lack of a proper perspective begs some questions. Are California and Texas going to stop their solar and wind production? No, they cannot afford to. Is Chinese demand for power slowing? No. If anything it is going to increase more rapidly.

The company I have made my green energy bet on—Alterra Power—doesn’t even fit the true yield co model, since they do not yet pay a dividend. But I believe next year is the year, with a huge new project coming online which will boost EBITDA. There will be ample room to pay a competitive dividend and shareholders will be rewarded handsomely for being in early.”

http://katusaresearch.com/was-obama-right-about-the-green-dream/

Here is one last article where Marin is positive on Alterra as his green energy pick. His endorsement was so strong that I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it?
________________________________________________________________________

K1.15 Magna Carta, Tuum Est, and the First Edition of The Katusa Report
— Marin Katusa, July 6th 2015

“…..Others fared even worse. Ram Power went from CDN$4 per share to CDN$0.01. Magma, which was over CDN$2 per share, merged with Plutonic Power Corp.—now called Alterra Power Corp.—and it went to a low of CDN$0.30.

Those who know it the best, in this case, definitely love it the least, and for good reason; it’s been an awful place for an investor.

Yet, seven years after my first site visit to one of its projects, I have become a major shareholder in Alterra Power Corp. (AXY.TO)!

This investment journey is definitely worth sharing for all the lessons learned.

I have invested over three times more money into Alterra Power than I had in Nevada Geothermal in 2010, and I think I am going to do quite well with this investment.

I first wrote up and recommended the company at CDN$0.30 in October of 2014.

I have bought millions of shares. My average share price is CDN$0.33.
I am not alone.

The largest shareholder, Ross Beaty, who is also the Chairman of the company, has been buying millions of shares in the open market also, as have his close friends.

Fortune favors the bold. But the markets pay the wise.

I believe that by 2017, this share price will be trading at more than a 100% premium to my first recommendation on the company, meaning it will be over CDN$0.60.

I believe the company will trade at a price of at least CDN$0.75 per share by January 1, 2018.

Let me explain why.

Alterra Power Corp.

Ross Beatty is currently the largest shareholder of Alterra Power and is the Executive Chairman. Alterra Power (AXY) is engaged in the operation, development, and acquisition of renewable power plants across the globe. It operates six power plants totaling 568 MW of capacity, with operations in Canada, Iceland, and the United States, and exploration projects in the US, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Italy.

I have gone on record numerous times, explaining how and why we are in a resource deflation. Countries are racing each other to devalue their currencies, while commodities are getting cheaper. Both are serious indications that we are in a deflation. However, even in a deflationary market there is always a way to make money.

Alterra has fixed-rate contracts that protect it from deflation. At the same time there are also inflation buffer rates associated to the long life power rates. So, it’s one of the few resource producers that is both deflation- and inflation-protected.

But there is much more to this speculation than that.

The sum of the parts is worth much more than the market is currently valuing the company.

Not to mention, these are the closest type of assets to what I call “infinite royalties…”

http://katusaresearch.com/magna-carta/

Yes, I am interested both Silver and Lithium explorers and producers. Most people have a good hold on the silver miners, but few follow the Lithium producers/explorers. It is also hard to get a great deal of information on them

My favorite old play was on Talison (4th successful Lithium producer) but it got gobbled up by the big 3 companies that control this sector. There are a few other interesting companies out there that may work out:

– Orocobre LTD (OROCF) – They are the 5th company to get into commercial production, but their stock has been pummeled with most commodity and energy stocks, and very few investors noticed that they turned the page into production. I could see them getting bought out down the road.

– Western Lithium (WLCDF) – They have 2 divisions. 1) Organic clay mine which is now in production for specialty drilling equipment for mining and oil. In an recovering Oil market this division will do well. 2) they have a large lithium asset, and a few smaller ones, and made a wise acquisition this year. They are getting ready to the be the 6th Lithium processor. Again like Talison (who did get acquired), and Orocobre (who may get acquired), I think that they will do well stand alone or if they merge with a bigger company.

– Galaxy Resources (GALXF) – They are an Australian company with assets in South America, and Asia. They had a huge lithium processing plant, and plans for a battery plant, but the debt monster got them and pulled the share price down to pennies. Then right as they commissioned the Asian Lithium plant (one of kind in the world) there was tragic death, and everything got shut down for investigations and major expenses. They could not produce what they expected and they went near bankrupt. They sold this Jiangsu plant to Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries Inc earlier this year in April. Then they restructured and have been in a holding pattern.

I expect them to rollback the stock at one point, and start developing the huge resources they have. I could also see them getting taken out.

I actually made a small fortune this year on two occassions on Galaxy where I bought several hundred thousand shares on extreme weakness and sold them on 2 blips higher. I’d definitely wait until they decide how to roll out the new entity.

– I’m keeping my eye on Pure Energy Minerals (HMGLF) as well. They are building their Lithium Pilot plant right now and seem to be moving forward like Western Lithium.

Here’s a quick Lithium list to check out:

Symbol (US ticker) Company Name
ALB Albemarle Corporation
AMLM AMERICAN LITHIUM MINERALS INC
DJIFF DAJIN RESOURCES CORPORATION
FCSMF FOCUS GRAPHITE INC
FLNTF MOSEDA TECHNOLOGIES INC
GALXF GALAXY RESOURCES LTD
HMGLF PURE ENERGY MINERALS LTD
ILHMF INTERNATIONAL LITHIUM CORP
LEXG LITHIUM EXPLORATION GROUP INC
LIEG LI3 ENERGY INC
LIT GLOBAL X LITHIUM
LMRMF LOMIKO METALS INC
LTUM LITHIUM CORPORATION
MSAJF MESA EXPLORATION COR
NMKEF NEMASKA LITHIUM INC
OROCF OROCOBRE LTD MILTON QLD
PKX POSCO
RBEIF RB ENERGY INC
RDNAF RODINA LITHIUM INC
SQM SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE S.A.
SRCAF STRIA LITHIUM INC
ULTXF ULTRA LITHIUM INC
WLCDF WESTERN LITHIUM USA CORPOARTION
LHMAF LITHIUM AMERICAS CORP

When my California needs re-shingling I will have solar installed plus a battery system and go off grid.

I have friends that have gone off the grid in solar, or some that are getting partial power for their water heater or garage, etc… from Solar. The upfront cost and delayed gratification is what has kept people away, but those costs are starting to come down, and the efficiency of the fuel cells is starting to rise.

I’m thinking of moving within a year, but have considered adding in some solar on the next house.

Excelsior — Among other lithium plays you missed Houston Lake Mining, a fave of mine. HLM on TSXV, and under HLKMF on the OTC market

Thanks Mr. T. – I’m not familiar with them but will check them out. Much appreciated.

Thanks a lot Excesior

Glad to discuss Solar and Lithium, as other components of the Energy sector.

Best of luck in your investing Dragonite.

Correction to Lithium list up above. I should have deleted Lithium Americas Corp (LHMAF) from that list before posting. I used to own shares of both, but sold my Lithium Amercias into the strength when Western Lithium announced they were buying them out.

I already have shares in Western Lithium, but was playing the arbitrage between the two for a while in Oct/Sept, and forgot to drop it from the list before posting.
_____________________________________________________________________

I continue to be very enthusiastic about some of the things Western Lithium has done right over the last 2 years, and believe they are due for a re-rating by the marketplace soon. They were one of the best performing OTC stocks last year and this year.

Here is their latest press release on the completion of their acquisition of Lithium Americas, and their new lineup of directors:
__________________________________________________________________________

Western Lithium Announces Post-Merger Integration and Organization Update – Appoints New Executive Team and New Director
Nov 17, 2015

http://www.westernlithium.com/western-lithium-announces-post-merger-integration-and-organization-update-appoints-new-executive-team-and-new-director/

Korea Leading The Way With Ambitious Fuel Cell Project
By Gaurav Agnihotri
Posted on Sun, 15 November 2015

http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Fuel-Cells/Korea-Leading-The-Way-With-Ambitious-Fuel-Cell-Project.html

I know petrochina and other companies in china are also working on using solar energy to break down water and then using hydrogen to generate electricity at any time. It is mature now I heard.

Yes, I had heard that as well, but haven’t looked into what companies are deploying this method of energy creation.

Really? I don’t know that. They were cursing Russia just a couple of weeks ago.

Russia is desperately trying to raise oil/gas price. They even willing to go to war for it.

My goodness, how can we flush in on this trade….. I want to own the company shares that manufactures toilets.

start a ceramics shop……..some china powder and some clay and we are in business, and hook a wind mill on for the biomess …………….

gross….. 🙂

gross profits…………… 🙂

We should create a slush fund and dump it into our other venture for Precious Metals Depends.

“Whether Gold is explosive, or taking a dump……. You won’t want to look at precious metal charts without wearing Precious Metals Depends”
—- (my preferred spokesperson = Turd Ferguson)

ditto…….or doodoo

Jerry …Go long toilets …You will be flush with successes.

….and come up a with a hot and steamy company name for your IPO like……..

“Mud Dragon Resources”

….Out Of The Box – Into the Bowl……

Yeah, I like the discussion. Energy is a big topic, and we normally just focus on Oil as it is the King of Commodities. Some of these other energy stories are interesting to check in on every so often.

ditto….agree

China Could Become Global Leader In Nuclear Tech
By Charles Kennedy – Thu, 19 November 2015

“Chinese President Xi Jingping wrapped up a state visit to the United Kingdom at the end of October, in which he inked a deal with the UK to help build nuclear reactors in England. The deal will see the China General Nuclear Power Corporation acquire a 33.5 percent stake in the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant. The power plant could be the most expensive reactor ever built and although it will be constructed years behind schedule, it could provide 7 percent of electricity for the UK.”

“Even before that project has received a final investment decision – expected by the end of the year – China is shopping its nuclear technology around the world. Chinese media reported on November 17 that China reached an agreement with Argentina that would lead to the construction of a nuclear reactor in the South American nation. The deal could lead to $4.7 billion in nuclear technology exports for China. A second state-owned firm, China National Nuclear Corp. (a joint venture partner in the UK projects) will build the reactor, Argentina’s fourth. The design is similar to the Canada Deuterium Uranium (often known as Candu) technology.”

“But China and Argentina are mulling a second reactor, and that one would use a Chinese design called Hualong-1. China hopes this design can eventually compete globally with American reactor designs. For now, nuclear reactor designs are dominated by companies like America’s Westinghouse, France’s Areva and EDF, and the American-Japanese alliance GE-Hitachi. But while nuclear reactor construction has almost dried up entirely in the West, China has plans to build 110 nuclear power plants over the next 15 years. That could allow it to transform into a nuclear technology exporter, and these early deals are meant to pave the way towards that dream.”

http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/China-Could-Become-Global-Leader-In-Nuclear-Tech.html

What do you mean “China could”. They have the pebble reactor design, which won’t suffer meltdown.

Yeah, I didn’t write the article, but my thoughts are Charles Kennedy was making a “forward looking statement” and wanted to be cautious.

I think it is clear that China is actively moving towards nuclear construction with a number of countries. However, Westinghouse and GE are the market leaders in reactors that have been built. France is really big on nuclear and that is why Areva is such a global player. Russia is also courting countries, and that is why it was big news about them pulling out of their deal to build Turkey a new reactor. I am guessing China is knocking on their door right now……

I think your last couple of sentences nail it.

I could get cable and watch American TV if I wanted, but I’ve never been much of a TV watcher. The less I watch, the more insulting it feels when I do look at it.

Another aspect, maybe, is that humans are herd animals. When I’m in the US the mass mind consensus of normalcy is so overpowering, I can see how easy it would be to fall into the mass delusion. Even when I lived there, I went against the herd, but it’s much easier to do from outside.

And, of course, the internet has changed everything.

Excellent point GH. That herd behavior and North America day to day are so entirely at odds with how things are in Africa. Back home always seems so rude and judgmental. People are quick to fight and slow to forgive. Over here on the other hand people are generally much more compassionate, tolerant and patient. It is cultural. They are polite with one another and old fashioned values are not old at all because they are the normal way of life. Once you slow down and accept the pace its OK to spend a few minutes greeting people each day as though you had not seen them in a week. It is about a foreign as it gets for anyone more familiar with the usual daily American aggression people back home inflict on one another throughout their lives.

Yes gold will go up as the dollar falls but keep in mind if the fed raises rates the dollar will go up!