THE LAB

by Gabriel Scheer

Partner at Re-Vision Labs

As have many, I’ve been intrigued lately with the idea of distributed generation for energy. In particular, I’ve been giving thought to funding models and distribution mechanisms to enable power production in remote or under-developed areas of the world.

One model that I’ve seen and think is a great model is that of MicroEnergy Credits (full disclosure: we sponsored an event last week, Bloom, at which one of the founders of MEC spoke, and I know both founders). I think MEC is onto a really genius idea: in short, combine the best of microfinance (engage a community of investors, use their pooled assets to create a steady source of funding for individual entrepreneurs) with capital-intensive renewable energy development, and voila! A win/win/win, with investors getting a decent return, renewable energy projects getting built in the developing world, and an overall healthier, more connected planet. In MEC’s own words, they “aggregate carbon offsets, so that when companies and individuals take action to stop climate change, microentrepreneurs in developing countries are able to invest in clean energy as a component of their microfinance loan.” Love it.

Another model I’ve been watching is that of Hydrovolt. This Seattle-based company has invented a “revolutionary in-stream hydrokinetic turbine (system) that generates renewable energy from water currents. ” The thing that’s so cool about this idea is that these turbines aren’t just for massive developments (think Three Gorges…), but will work in any open channel. That means people can drop them into culverts, shipping canals, even streams – and in many cases, that means negligible environmental effect, as well as power generation in previously unused kinetic flow events (aka water sources that are just flowing away, unobstructed; I think I just made that last phrase up, but I like the sound of it). Interestingly, Hydrovolt is currently up for the 2009 Newpreneur of the Year award from Inc Magazine – you can vote until COB Friday, 6 November (and needless to say, I’d encourage you to do so).

I can’t help but wonder whether these innovative models – combining, as does RVL, the social/environmental mission with a bottom-line driven for-profit model aren’t the wave of the future, a model that will help us solve a huge number of the challenges faced globally. I’d love to learn of other great examples.

Similar Posts:

• Crowdsourced Business Models
• Community in Business #3: Patagonia – Success on New Terms
• Green Is Not A Color For Beer… A Stout Rebuke