Oct. 3 Forum Examines Commerical Energy Use

Sustainability Forum Discusses Commercial Energy Use

Featuring Panelists from Cummings Properties & Cleantech Start-up SES

What:         North Shore Technology Council’s Sustainability Forum on Wed., Oct. 5, takes a close look at commercial energy issues. Featuring Sustainability Manager Gary Gresh from the Cummings Properties and President Paul Laskow of Save Energy Systems.

                  (Note: November 7 the Forum looks at Residential energy use)

Focus:        Combined annual energy costs for U.S. commercial buildings and industrial facilities are $202.3 billion. That accounts for 45% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Consider the fact that 30 percent of that energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. (Source: EnergyStar.gov)

                  In light of these facts, we’ll take a close look at the commercial industry and energy use. Our guests include:

Gary Gresh, Sustainability Manager, Cummings Properties. Headquartered in Woburn, Cummings leases nearly 10 million square feet of commercial space, representing 82 buildings in 10 greater Boston communities.

Paul Laskow, Founder and President, cleantech start-up Save Energy Systems (SES). SES is focused on reducing the costs associated with HVAC (heating, ventilation and A/C) -- the number one source of commercial energy use.

When:        Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. Coffee begins at 8 a.m.; presentation at 8:30.

Where:       Cummings Center

                  Suite 221-E, Bldg. 100

                  Rte 62, Beverly, MA 01915

RSVP:        Forum meetings are free to members of the NSTC; $10 for non-members. All are encouraged to register here at NSTC.org.

The Sustainability Forum is a special interest group within the North Shore Technology Council (NSTC).  Its active membership is dedicated to the understanding and promotion of clean-technology and sustainable practices within our region.  Monthly meetings offer lively discussions and special guests. Visit:  http://northshoretechcouncil.blogspot.com/

About the North Shore Technology Council

The North Shore Technology Council (NSTC) is an all-volunteer, non-profit technology trade association with a mission to build a community for collaboration and advancement of technology industries in northeastern Massachusetts.

For more information call NSTC at 978-335-5234.

Quick Reminder...

Why we are working on cleantech and promoting sustainability here on the North Shore.
See you at the next Forum.

Beached on Plum Island

Twilight calm in Ipswich.

Cleantech Job Opportunity

ACTION (Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators in New England) is seeking a flexible and action-oriented team player to join their staff. The selected candidate will effectively multi-task across various programs in support of ACTION’s mission, taking a strong and visible leadership role to varying degrees across ACTION’s activities, events and programs, with volunteer, intern and active member support, in a variety of areas.

The fellowship is expected to be offered as a regular full-time position with an annual base salary that may have some upside flexibility based on performance, contributions and results achieved. The selected candidate will work remotely most of the time, may ‘hotseat’ at a variety of ACTION incubators, and will routinely travel around the region promoting and supporting the ACTIONetwork membership and objectives. Most travel expenses will be reimbursed.

A business or technical graduate degree, technical proficiency, and an interest and some knowledge of the Cleantech industry are expected. A complete mastery of state of the art business management tools (local and web-based) is a strong plus. Consistency, reliability and a ‘get it done’ approach is a must.

While a minimum of 5 years professional experience is required, ideally in roles of increasing responsibility and leadership, ACTION is most interested in engaging with a detail-oriented, energetic, and creative individual who will come up to speed quickly and help scale our ‘start-up’ company and the entire ACTIONetwork.

ACTION has specific interest in hiring a veteran for this position.

Interested candidates should forward their resume, cover letter and references to info@actionnewengland.org ASAP with ACTION Fellow in the subject line.

The Association of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION) is New England’s only network of cleantech incubators sharing the common goals of accelerating the growth and success of early-stage companies, strengthening the regional cleantech cluster, and creating more green jobs in New England.

How do artists make clean technology work?

How do you establish new conversations?

How do you build new connections?

How do you collaborate with opposing parties?

How do you create a laboratory of sustainability as big as a city?

Engage. This Wednesday. All welcome.

Sustainability Forum

with "Green Revolutionary" Ms. Jhana Senxian

Wed., June 6 at 8 a.m.

 

Heads Up! Next Forum Dec. 7

Great Sustainability Forum lined up Wed., December 7, starting at 8 a.m. with coffee and networking.  At 8:30 we'll get into the head of a new clean-tech start-up with special guest Vikram Aggarwal, president of EnergySage.com. 

Inside Look at a New Start-Up: EnergySage.com

After a solid gestation period, EnergySage.com launched this month.  It’s a new approach created to make the financial case in favor of clean energy adoption and assist property owners’ implementation.  Join President Vikram Aggarwal as he walks us through the challenges of entrepreneurship and EnergySage's objectives to shape the clean energy market.

We're also looking to hear from you.  Bring your perspective's from Boston's Clean Energy Week and good ideas.   See you at the Forum!  See our map for directions.  

For more info contact John Coulbourn at John [at] IpswichRiverMedia.com.

Entrepreneur U: Smart Marketing for Emerging Companies

Second Seminar: Building Your Business Brand
You have a sharp team focused on a compelling solution in clean-tech. Now what? Our next seminar addresses the critical marketing considerations for start-ups as they reach out to investors, customers and other important target audiences. The panel presentation offers strategic insights into business development strategies with practical solutions to get started in a Web 2.0 world.

Join us, along with other experienced mentors from other disciplines, at the CleanTech Innoventure Center in Lynn, Wed, August 17, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Presenters:
John Coulbourn, Managing Partner, Ipswich River Media
Beth Zonis, Principal, Eco Marketing
James Waldron, James Waldron Design

About Entrepreneur U
Our objective is to give emerging companies a comprehensive introduction to important issues and functional skills to successfully build a business. Topics run from basic legal issues, to setting up your accounting and IT systems, to building your team, marketing and finding funding. Each month an expert from our outstanding group of sponsors, mentors and advisers will cover a key topic that you need to know.

All current NSIV incubator members, candidate companies, sponsors, mentors and advisers are invited. Seminars are the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Our next will be Sep. 21. Same time, same place.

This event is free but please respond by sending an email to Tom Kinneman at tom.kinneman@nsiv.org. You may also register on-site on Wednesday.

For more info: www.NSIV.org

You'll Want to See This!

From the Financial Times, June 8, 2011, a video report on Massachusetts cleantech efforts:
 

Investing in wind and sun energy

With growing interest in US renewables, Massachusetts finds itself well positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning marketplace. The FT's Christopher Booker looks at how the state is diversifying its energy portfolio by harnessing both solar and wind power  (4m 50sec)

 

Everyone talks about the weather...

It's a swirling debate.  But what can we do about it? See you June 1 for our discussion on climate change.

Where is the Love?

Is there a "LinkedIn" in the clean-tech market? Last week, the social networking site for resume-builders enjoyed one of the biggest IPOs since Google’s seven years ago.  Can we expect the same (irrational) exuberance for emerging new energy and sustainable technologies?  Here’s an interesting look at the issue from GigaOm:  Why the LinkedIn IPO Is Bad for Cleantech

OnPoint on Clean Tech

Terrific overview on the potential technologies that will help us reach Obama's goal to acheive 80% clean energy by 2035.  OnPoint Radio interview with Caltech energy guru Nathan Lewis. 

Listen in here.

Feb 2 Forum Spotlights Smart Grid in Massachusetts

Studies show the public is overwhelmingly unaware of the term “smart grid” – not to mention how it works. Yet, technology experts point to significant advantages of this intelligent approach to energy production and use.

It’s not easy. It holds big implications for the business of energy including: traditional utilities, clean tech and data networking companies, and even your local cable operator. Not to mention, you and your family, of course.

Join us Wed., Feb. 2, for spirited discussion, coffee and networking with Bob Halpin, founder of the Mass. Smart Grid Innovators Collaborative (MASGIC). Bob will give us the real scoop on the state of smart grids in Mass and what’s left to be done. It promises to be a great Forum.

Bob Halpin is a smart grid strategy expert connecting people, ideas and resources to explore intelligent new energy systems. In 2009, he founded MASGIC to promote energy innovation and consumer engagement in the electric system and energy markets. In 2010 created the New England Smart Grid Conference to engage technology, utility and regulatory leaders across New England on a collaborative vision for the modern grid. His extensive experience in local government and economic development in Massachusetts has created a track record of achieving broad, bold visions.

Friends in High Places

Red Herring, the business tech publication, just announced its Finalists for the 2010 Red Herring Global Award. It's a list of top 100 companies, worldwide, evaluated on financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries. 

Seven of these companies are from Mass. But it's particularly heartening to see our friends from Viridity Software on the list. You may recall our Forum in Novemeber in which Mike Rowan, CTO and co-founder of Viridity, gave us special insights into data center energy use. 

It may be a coincidence, but last week our friends at Terra Verdae Bioworks were also recognized.  Mass. High Tech called them out as a "company to watch."

Now, our conclusion is either the Sustainability Forum sure offers companies some powerful visibility; or, we just know a lot of movers and shakers.  Let's keep an eye on that trend.  We welcome you to join us.

Clean-Tech Inspiration

Our next Sustainability Forum kicks off 2011 featuring wetland scientist Jim MacDougall of the Ipswich River Watershed Assoc. The Ipswich watershed provides drinking water to 335,000 people and thousands of businesses on the North Shore. In 2003 this beautiful, vital resource was designated one of the "10 Most Endangered Rivers in America."

If you ever drifted along its 46 meandering miles, you’ll testify to its incredible aesthetic value. If you havent, make sure you add it to the top of your list. The Ipswich River is an important example that justifies the development of clean-tech and sustainable practices. When it comes down to it, the Ipswich River is a local, living symbol of why we work so hard to encourage innovation and better ways to take care of this planet.

Hope to see you at the Forum on January 5 at 8 a.m. at the Cleantech Innoventure in Lynn. It promises to be an illuminating discussion, with hot coffee and some time to share ideas.

Clean-Tech Incubation in Mass.

The Globe's Scott Kirsner today highlights the situation in clean-technology here in Mass. Nice mention of the North Shore Tech Council's Cleantech InnoVenture Center. Addresses city and statewide efforts to harness the manpower we have here toward this critical and burgeoning market. Useful read and good resources listed. See: Can a Cleantech Incubator Grow in Boston?