Texas Renewable Energy Deals

Bernard Chabot wrote a report called the Analysis of Renewable Energy By States in 2013 that included many interesting and useful graphs providing a breakdown of renewable energy production and consumption by state. The number 1 non-hydro renewable energy producer in the US was Texas.

While hydro power is a significant contributor to renewable energy production, much of the growth in renewable energy production will likely come from non-hydro sources. Texas is leading the way in energy production from wind with a small contribution from solar. Wind energy production in Texas will likely continue to lead the country, however, considerable growth is expected in the solar sector as Texas enjoys an abundant solar resource that is underutilized for clean energy production. Solar technologies are evolving rapidly and are coming into affordability for the average home owner.

Texas is not as competitive (middle of the pack) when we look at the per capita production and consumption of renewable energy (see Bernard Chabot's report for further details) so there are ample opportunities to innovate, pioneer, and startup profitable renewable energy businesses in Texas to make Texas more competitive at a per person level.

There is also speculation that hydraulic fractured wells might be a significant source of geothermal energy. Well head temperatures can reach in excess of 300 degrees which constitutes a potential geothermal resource. Hydraulic fracturing is not only used to explore for and recover petroleum products, it is also being tested for use in developing enhanced geothermal systems.

Biomass is another very interesting source of renewable energy production. It includes growing corn for biodiesel to methane production from anaerobic digesters to aquaculture systems growing algae for energy production. There are a wide range of input materials and output energies produced that could be called biomass energy. When biomass energy is produced it often generates heat which, if captured and used, is a valuable byproduct. Also valuable are the residues left when biomass energy is converted into some form of energy. Biomass energy potentially produces multiple benefits en route to becoming some form of renewable energy.

One way for Texas to increase per capita renewable energy consumption is to produce more renewable energy for consumption. Another way is to reduce energy consumption (negawatts) so that collectively more of our energy consumption can come from renewable energy sources. There are many opportunities in the energy efficiency business for energy efficient homes, appliances, transportation systems, commercial buildings, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, and more. Electrical, heating, and cooling systems can also become energy efficient by harvesting solar or wind power to drive them in whole or in part.

Opportunities abound for entrepreneurs and investors in the Texas renewable energy sector which not only aims to increase the supply of Texas renewable energy, but also to increase the per capita use of renewable energy sources by Texans through energy efficient technologies and energy conserving practices.

Entrepreneurs - Register and submit your renewable energy or energy efficiency project for funding.

Investors - Register and find profitable renewable energy and energy efficiency deals.