WRAL Tech Wire

 Sustainable Energy Conference focuses on 'Intelligent Energy Future'

Speakers from across the country and companies representing the spectrum of green energy and cleantech will gather at N.C. State today through Wednesday for the 10th annual Sustainable Energy conference.

 Biofuels Center awards nearly $700K to six fuel projects

 Renewable energy rollback moves forward in NC House

State House lawmakers are moving ahead with a proposal to freeze and repeal the state's renewable energy standards.

 Solar tech firm Semprius aims to raise $4M

Solar technology company Semprius, which has developed a way to make more efficient solar cells about the about the size of a pencil point, raises $2.1 million.

Semprius' solar panel technology

 Debating N.C.'s 'green' future: Which way do we go?

As the N.C. House begins debate over whether to overturn the state's Renewable Energy and Energy Portfolio Standard, WRALTechWire reaches out to both sides of the issue to make their case for keeping or dumping the law. The stakes are high - and expensive.

 Point: N.C. should keep its renewable energy bill

The N.C. General Assembly is scheduled to begin debate on House Bill 298, which would repeal the state's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. The law should not be changed, says the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association.

Clean energy efforts to help drive down electricty costs

 Counterpoint: N.C. renewable energy law should be repealed

The N.C. General Assembly is scheduled to begin debate on House Bill 298, which would repeal the state's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. The law should be changed, says the John Locke Foundation.

Survey: The costs of reneable energy

 Cleantech fund from SJF Ventures grows to $48M

SJF Venture's third fund now stands at $48.8 million; the green venture capital firm plans investments in cleantech companies.

Looking for cash?

 Southern Research Institute lands $925,000 biofuel grant

The U.S. Department of Energy awards a $925,000 research grant to the Southern Research Institute for a liquefaction process to turn biomass into refinery-ready bio-oils.

 Cherokee Challenge offers funding, mentors for greentech startups

 As Cree shares shine at new high, its LED bulb seems bright idea

Even MSNBC's Jim Cramer has kind words for Cree after trashing it last June after Cree unveils its new $10 LED bulb earlier this week. The Skinny and WRAL's Monica Laliberte test it out - and we think its a bright idea, too. So does Wall Street. Now the big test consumers - will consumers buy?

Cree's $10 LED bulb

 PowerSecure CEO: 'I'd be stupid to say yes' to higher prices

Inside PowerSecure earnings report: PowerSecure CEO Sidney Hinton isn't talking about price increases but decreases for distributed power generation systems in 2013 as he seeks to expand market share. He's "praying" for downward pressure on pricing and upward pressure on margin.

How PowerSecure DG system works

 Report: NC ranks no. 2 in the US for clean energy jobs

North Carolina ranks second among all states in clean energy jobs, according to a new report from Environmental Entrepreneurs. The Tar Heel state counted 10,867 clean jobs last year.

 Cree $10 LED bulb 'biggest thing since lightbulb;' lights up shares

Cree Chairman and CEO Chuck Swoboda is in New York City today briefing analysts on what could be the breakthrough event for the Durham company in the consumer lighting market: A long-lasting LED bulb that costs $10. The news excites investors as Cree shares jump 7% in pre-market trading and finished up 14.4 percent for the day in heavy trading.

Cree touts new bulb vs. traditional lightbulb

 NC ranks among nation's 10 best states for green jobs, report says

Environmental Entrepreneurs group says green jobs industry produced more than 110,000 jobs across the country in 2012.

 PowerSecure acquires services unit of another energy firm for $1.9M

PowerSecure is growing its business offerings by acquiring a unit of Lime Energy for $1.9 million in cash. The Wake Forest-based company also is assuming $3.7 million in liabilities for projects in progress.

 Action! Video highlights Organic Transit ELF car ahead of big European trade show

Durham-based Organic Transit continues to generate global headlines about its pedal-electric hybrid ELF car. The latest publicity comes from CODE_E, which touts itself as the "leading startup event" in Europe. The ELF car made its top 50.

 RTI to analyze Triangle 'smart' assets for Cleantech Cluster organization

The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster, am organization created to promote and help grow the region's renewable, "smart" energy and other cleantech industries, has hired RTI to continue a study of the area's "smart" assets.

 Is NC's $72M investment in renewable energy really paying dividends?

Opinion: Dr. Roy Cordato of the John Locke Foundation casts a skeptical eye at the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association-paid for study of the economic impact gained from subsidies granted for renewable energy projects.

Windmills produce renewable energy

 In the news: Chimerix, Centice, ENCO, PowerSecure