Customer Reviews

Clean Tech Revolution

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The authors provide an excellent overview of the significant drivers, ongoing developments, and potential breakthroughs in the realm of a multitude of "clean technology" sectors, including solar, wind, grid management, green buildings, biofuels, water filtration, transportation. In each chapter, in addition to the trends and recent developments, the authors identify the key players, key challenges for that technology to become mainstream, and then hypothesises on the potential breakthroughs related to that field, and which companies are in best position to achieve that.

The reader should be cautioned that the authors themselves in their introductory chapter say that they are not going to provide a "buy list" of stocks and that they use the term 'investment' broadly (to cover personal development, careers, etc. also. The reader is well-served by such an approach, since the discussion is dispassionate and devoid of the hype that surrounds the usual books on alternative energy. However, a discerning reader will be able to identify some potential investment themes and develop an excellent watchlist. Recent ETF introductions (such as those by Powershares that have a global focus) should also be on anyone's watchlist, since their portfolios seem to reflect thoughts similar to those in the book. (The authors dont mention these ETFs since they were introduced only around the same time as the book was released). Also, some of the companies mentioned in the book (such as enerNOC and Comverse) have since gone public and that info is not reflected in this book - shows how quickly this domain is changing. Another minor complaint is that while the authors provide an excellent overview of the key players in the frontlines of each of the technology, it does not provide a more detailed look at some of the indirect beneficiaries (for example, Zoltech in windpower). Apart from these minor irritations, the book is a solid addition to anyone's investment library.

The book is written in a very approachable and engaging manner, and each chapter is self-contained. The chapters on solar, wind, grid management, and water filtration stand out. The book concludes with a slightly off-beat transition into topics that an individual investor may not find immediately useful, but nevertheless, a good read. A must-have book, especially for the wealth of information you can gain for the price of a few Starbucks visits....

From my blog "Green is Good":


The Clean Tech Revolution is a book that covers the most dramatic industrial shift in more than a century. This book is authored by members of the clean tech consultancy, Clean Edge, and I highly recommended it to anyone looking to learn about the past, present, and future of clean technology, as well as learning about the companies and cities that are the leaders of this emerging industry.

Here are some of the highlights:

* Audience - The book is great read for anyone who is a potential stakeholder - entrepreneurs, consumers, investors, government officials, and executives will all learn something new after reading this.
* Organized for easy reference - The book was well organized - anyone looking to learn about one or two particular technologies can jump around to a chapter on the technology they are looking for as the book has individual chapters on wind, solar, biofuels, transportation, green building, the grid, and more.
* "Ten to Watch" - Each chapter has a list of the company's that are leading that sector - the company names can be found at the Clean Tech Revolution blog.
* Clean Tech Cities - There is an entire chapter dedicated to developing cities and regions to become clean tech hubs, and like the technology chapters there is a list of the leading clean tech cities. I am hoping we here in Pittsburgh can someday learn how to emulate some of the cities that made the list. Portland and Austin come to mind.
* Marketing Clean Tech - The do's and don't's for marketing these technologies. There are decades worth of case studies of flawed marketing of solar and other environmental friendly technologies.
* Verdict - Definitely a great book for you if you are reading this here blog. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a broad sweeping overview or reference book of the industry. There are several good books available that are more focused on particular industries like oil, electricity, solar, and even green business. I will be reviewing a few of these in the upcoming months.

Some other things to note: It was nice to read that the authors of the book were in agreement with a lot of the things I have posted on here, particularly my position against corn based ethanol. I also agree with the authors that shifting subsidies from "entrenched" conventional energy companies to those producing renewable energies would be the easiest way to support further growth and adaptation of renewables, and I agree with them that sin taxes are another sensible way to fund these initiatives.

Barely 2 years have passed since this book was published and the ideas are already tarnishing. I think the concept is good - introduce the ideas and also the players who might be invested in.

To take one example of this book's failings - biofuels. The corn ethanol issue is reasonably argued - that there is a limit on how much corn can replace gasoline, and it's impact on food prices. Yet already ethanol production has peaked and plants are being shut down as ethanol failed to compete on price with oil. The hope that cellulosic ethanol can fill the potential for this fuel is raised, although no pilot plants have been built as far as I am aware. At the same time, the field of synthetic biology isn't mentioned, nor the use of gene engineered algae to produce fuels.

Perhaps the failings of a book like this should be obvious. Technology changes very rapidly. Early ideas often do no pan out, especially commercially. VC's sink money into lots of companies, only a few of which will bear fruit. Large companies may be "green washing" themselves by promoting their efforts which were never designed or expected to be commercial successes.

Cive it another 5 years and I think this book will be mostly obsolete. Better to read about these technologies on the web.

This collection of information is essential reading for anyone who wants to know the future of our economy and world economic conditions. The book clearly lays out the various scenarios facing clean tech at a time when this entire sector is taking off. The way the info is presented is concise, documented and connected to other useful follow-up links. It strikes the right balance between and investment guide approach and a general assessment of the technology field.

I'm really glad I bought this book and will use it as a tool for gathering more knowledge about these essential industries as well as the challenges facing us resulting from climate change, oil depletion and international resource instability.

J. Marshall Gilmore, energy consultant and attorney

This book is written in accessible language, easy to understand and not too "techy". It clearly lays out the trends and opportunities for investing in clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and biofuels. For those of us who truly care about the environment and also want to have a secure retirement (or even retire early), this book is packed with information that I was able to take action on immediately.

I've been looking into ways to invest my 401k and "The Clean Tech Revolution" has given me some great ideas.

This book takes a common sense approach to investing in clean tech. It makes a clear point that alternative energy, in all of its diverse forms, will one day rule the energy market.

It is an inspirational read in today's world, where the news is dominated by stories about the Iraqi War, and Global Warming.

When I applied for a job at "Rolling Stone" magazine, one of the questions on the application asked what I wish I had written. I wish I had written this book!

I take my hat off to Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder.

I am amazed at the number of 5-star reviews for this book, particularly the one that says there is "no hype". This book is driven by hype. It is shallow cheerleading for alternative energy and related businesses.

If you are looking for an overview of solar, wind, and other alternative energies, you will find much better material on free online sites such as the American Wind Energy Association.

When I buy a book - as opposed to just downloading information from a website - I expect it to rise to a higher level. This book completely fails. It will give you an ok overview if you have zero familiarity with these businesses, but there is an easier way to achieve this. And if you are familiar with this sector, this book is worthless.

There are so many top-notch blogs on energy, there is really no excuse for this fluff. Go read R-Squared or the 1,001 other great energy blogs and you'll be better off.

Oh -- And they not only don't like nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source... they don't even tell you why, cementing this book's place as pure propaganda.

Pernick and Wilder have given everyone involved in clean tech, and those who want to be, an invaluable resource to understand the opportunities, the dynamics, the challenges and the companies that are making it happen. Anyone interested in this huge market opportunity will want to buy and read this book.

A great read for anyone interested in learning about the cleantech industry, even if, like myself, you already work in this rapidly developing industry.

This book had been on my wish list for ages, and I finally rented it on my kindle. It immediately felt dated, but I had read some of the recent reviews which made it still sound somewhat worthwhile. I lost patience when I got to page 8 and read "1 MW of wind electricity, or 1,000 watts (W)". Anyone educated in these matters knows 1 MW is equal to 1,000 kilowatts, not watts. I stopped after that. I forgive it for being dated, but I will not forgive mistakes like that on top.