UK Trade Mission Wraps Up Western Tour in Portland
UK renewable energy companies have been meeting with counterparts at Power-Gen RE and at meetings in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Their goal is to establish relationships and build awareness.
March 04, 2005
Fifteen UK companies and organizations have been meeting with counterparts in the western US this week. The goal of the trade mission is to establish relationships and build awareness of UK resources and expertise in commercializing renewable energy technology.
The trade mission had a visible presence at the Power-Gen Renewable Energy Conference in Las Vegas earlier this week with a popular and informative pavilion. The mission began in San Francisco in late February and culminates in Portland, Oregon, today.
Two UK agencies with energy business programs -- UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -- coordinated the trade mission. EP interviewed mission leader Barry Holmes at the Power-Gen Renewable Energy Conference yesterday.
"All of our companies are keen to identify potential partners and strengthen working relationships with companies in the USA to promote renewable energy projects globally," says Dr. Holmes, who is DTI's Renewable Energy Trade Promoter.
The renewable energy sector is experiencing rapid growth in the UK. The country has committed to supply at least ten percent of its electricity from renewables by 2010. That commitment is backed by a strict Renewables Obligation policy, which is somewhat similar to the US Renewable Portfolio Standards passed by many states and proposed nationally.
The companies participating in the trade mission include:
- Bowman Power Group - microturbine power generation systems
- Bronzeoak - biomass developer
- Econnect - consulting
- European Marine Energy Centre - marine energy device test facility
- Euromoney Energy Events - organizer of energy events
- Garrad Hassan and Partners Limited - wind consulting
- IT Power - consulting
- Lunar Energy - tidal power
- Marine Current Turbines Ltd - tidal power
- Ocean Power Delivery Ltd - tidal power
- Powertech Solar Ltd - alternative heating and power systems
- Proven Energy - small-scale wind turbines
- ReCycled Refuse International - waste processing
- Scottish Renewables Forum - renewables trade body
US companies who missed the opportunity to meet with the trade mission can contact DTI, UKTI, the British Embassy Commercial Section or a British Consulate office.
Comments (Moderated)
DTI has a renewable energy web site at http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewables/
Posted by: Denis Du Bois | March 4, 2005 10:04 AM
I attended the event in Portland. My biggest impression of the day is the contrast between the clear European consensus on global warming with policy to encourage renewables and the lack of US action and support. After some nine years away from the UK scene I was surprised how active the scene is there. The US risks being left well behind in these technologies.
Graham Evans
Principal
Aqua Consulting
Posted by: Graham Evans | March 7, 2005 09:10 AM