Toronto, Canada — The MaRS Cleantech Fund is pleased to announce the completion of a venture deal with Woodland Biofuels, positioned to become North America’s lowest-cost producer of ethanol.

“The MaRS Cleantech fund seeks technologies with the potential to revolutionize the energy sector,” says Tom Rand, co-managing director of the Fund. “Woodland Biofuels is on track to become the first company to profitably make renewable fuels from non-food sources without requiring any form of subsidy. That’s the kind of game-changer we target.”

Woodland Biofuels produces cellulosic ethanol from wood chips and other types of biomass, converting forestry and agricultural waste into fuel using a proprietary gasification and three-step catalytic conversion process. The company recently opened a demonstration plant in Sarnia, Ontario.

“Woodland’s demonstration plant will show that our technology can produce renewable fuels from cellulose, reliably and at low cost,” says Greg Nuttall, CEO of Woodland Biofuels. “We look forward to working with MaRS to bring this important technology into full commercial production.”

Rand notes that liquid fuels – gasoline, diesel and jet fuel – are the most difficult components of the fossil fuel infrastructure to replace with renewables.

“First-generation fuels from food are a non-starter – they can’t scale up,” says Rand. “There were a few early, high-profile failures in cellulosic fuels, which made investors flee the sector. But if you do your homework, it’s clear not all second-generation technologies are equal. With Woodland, we believe we’ve found a technology that can deliver on the promise of renewable fuel.”

Murray McCaig, the Fund’s co-managing partner, says it targets the technology component of a sustainable economy – investing in companies that solve big problems in order to reap big rewards.

“According to Ottawa-based Analytica Advisors, the global cleantech market is expected to reach $3 trillion by 2020,” McCaig says. “If Canada got just two per cent of the cleantech market by 2020, which happens to be our share of carbon emissions, we’d build a $60 billion industry. That’s the market we’re going after.”

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London, U.K. — As The New Economy announces the winners of the Cleantech and New Energy Awards, governments and organisations have made it clear that energy providers’ strategies are still fundamental to the future of business development.

The two-day blackout experienced across two thirds of India in July illustrated that the nation’s power demands rest on a knife edge. In a country whose cities use an estimated 40 percent of electricity on air conditioning to make working life tolerable, intelligent solutions are clearly required to utilise available energy to maximum efficiency. And India is far from the only country in this situation.

With the need for a smarter use of resources to meet ever-growing demands, the Cleantech and New Energy Awards 2012 offer commendation to the companies and projects whose work is pioneering new ways of generating energy and efficiency in energy usage. Their ingenuity in the field offers a brighter prospect for the use.

The award winners represent a large spectrum of intelligent ideas for the creation and saving of energy and resources. From better ways to preserve water to creating power via hydroelectricity, The New Economy has evaluated the projects that will serve and impact on the way of life well into the next century. The winners represent the companies who are delivering progress in this area while considering our relationship with the environment at the same time.

The Clean Tech and New Energy Awards 2012 also celebrate the companies who have pursued new thinking for existing technologies. Focusing on efficiency, these winners have demonstrated their excellence through projects such as achieving greater power generation from wind turbines and developing higher-yielding and less costly solar panels.

The New Economy presents these well-earned accolades and offers its warmest congratulations to all winners and looks forward to a brighter future they offer us.

The full announcement of The Clean Tech and New Energy Awards 2012, along with articles on some of the winning technologies, can be found in the Autumn edition of The New Economy in shops now. To see a full listing of award winners please visit their site.

World News Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, enjoying a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of the most prominent and senior decision-makers around the world, as well as comprehensive airport, hotel and conference site distribution.

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CleanEquity Monaco, 29th & 30th March, the world forum for emerging cleantech companies, hosted by Innovator Capital and the Nobel Sustainability Trust, is pleased to announce the collaboration of the Hinduja Foundation, chaired by Ms. Shanu SP Hinduja.

The aims of the Hinduja Foundation, member of the Hinduja Group and a founding member of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, are embodied in the original Founder’s philosophy and commitment to serve those less privileged than him. This philosophy is simple: “My dharma (duty) is to work so that I can give.”  The Foundation has focused on promoting and improving healthcare, education, the environment, social welfare, arts and culture.

CleanEquity Monaco also welcomes the collaboration of Clark Langdon Partners, a leading retained executive search firm with a focus on CEO, Board of Directors and other senior executive leadership positions. Simon Clark, CEO and founder of Clark Langdon Partners, commented, “Cleantech companies are able to attract top CEO talent. It is rare that a new industry can successfully hire such strong leadership; even with capital available, the rarest commodity is people.”

We are pleased to confirm the participation of the following speakers:

Andrew Gilbert, Executive Vice President of European Innovation Development at Qualcomm Inc. Previously, from May 2002 to January 2006, Andrew served as Vice President and General Manager of Flarion Technologies European, Middle Eastern and African regions.

Gustaf Nobel, great-grandson of Ludvig Nobel, brother of Alfred Nobel, founded, together with 5 other Nobel descendants and on behalf of the Nobel family, the Nobel Sustainability Trust.

The Trust aims to crystallise global awareness and focus on environmental considerations and solutions, which ensure freedom of access to energy for all members of society whilst ensuring the protection of the Earth. Nobel Sustainability Trust seeks to provide cleantech innovation with the optimal environment for finance, expertise and networks to enable market reach.

George Frampton, senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, a leading law firm. He served as Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) from 1998 to 2001 and most recently as Co-Chairman of the Obama transition team for CEQ.

This year’s Presenting Companies will include:

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/nandorfejer/

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