California Scheming

Clean Technology: As Obama prepares to take office, Silicon Valley is sensing a change to land backing for an array of project that us IT to boost green energy and help create jobs.

Barack Obama has expressed support for a 'smart grid' to optimize electricity transmission and save power. It should be capable of carrying power from the place where it can be created - the windy centre of the US, the sunny south-west and the geothermal hot spots in the Rockies - to the coastal cities where it is most needed. I am currently investigating the technology and processes behind 'smart grids' and geothermal power plants, and will hopefully have a synopsis of both up shortly.


California Scheming

By Richard Waters in San Francisco

Published: January 14 2009 19:58 | Last updated: January 14 2009 19:58

A new Silicon Valley is being born. The northern Californian region that brought the world microprocessors, personal computers and Google now has its sights set on another technological revolution: one founded on photovoltaic solar cells, sources of biofuel such as algae and the application of information technology to improve energy efficiency.

Yet this new green technology industry needs help. As Barack Obama prepares to take office as US president next week, Silicon Valley has sensed that a turning point is at hand. It has been working overtime to convince the incoming administration of the strategic importance of these developments – and their need for financial backing.

To hear Valley notables describe it, the answers to some of the biggest issues facing the US can be found there. These range from climate change and America’s lack of energy independence to the need to create jobs and ensure long-term competitiveness in the next big strategic industry, the one geared to weaning the world from its reliance on fossil fuels...MORE