Cleantech news you might have missed: 17 Feb. 2009
So what else in new in cleantech today? Here are some developments you might have missed:
- Analysts at Gartner predict the global market for virtualisation software will grow to $2.7 billion (US) this year, up 43 percent over 2008 revenues, silicon.com reports. Demand for virtualisation is strong as businesses look to reduce energy costs and boost efficiency;
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters today announced that it will make four grants of $200,000 (US) each to organisations working to combat climate change. The grants will go to winning proposals in four areas: transportation-related emissions, threats to coffee-growing communities, building political will and empowering individual action;
- UK startup Nexeon has raised £10 million in funding to develop an improved silicon-based anode that can extend the life of lithium-ion batteries;
- The city of Atlanta last week unveiled a programme aimed at making its downtown a “Zero Waste Zone.” The effort seeks to divert garbage from landfills by collecting food waste for composting and used cooking grease for conversion to biofuel;
- PC World reports that both LG and Samsung are this week unveiling mobile phones with built-in solar panels for recharging. In addition, Samsung says its green phone — dubbed Blue Earth — is made from recycled plastic;
- Abandoned underground mines across Missouri could one day house data centres, if some of the state’s legislators have their way. The Columbia Missourian reports that lawmakers there have proposed an economic development bill that offers incentives for companies that move their facilities into the old mines.
