Market research company SBI has published a report highlighted 6 green technologies predicted to “dominate” the field over the next five years.

Below are some excerpts from the report:

1. Electric Vehicles: Worldwide hybrid electric vehicle sales predicted to double by 2014.  Exponential growth predicted in Europe, Australia and South Korea.  New market opportunities in India & China.
2. Enhanced Oil Recovery: Practice can improve oil producing methods by 70 – 90%.  Oil viscosity is improved through steam, gas or injection of chemicals.
3. Green Building: Use of recycled materials, sustainable sources, efficient building insulation and improved construction techniques contribute to sector growth.  Predicted to grow to $580bn by 2015, a 21% combined annual growth rate.
4. Offshore Wind: Installations expected at higher rate than land-based turbines.  U.K. in particular may more than double offshore market value to $5bn by 2015.
5. Smart Grid: Growth in grid infrastructure, information and communications technology and software and applications slated to grow as more renewables come online.  Predicted growth to $171bn by 2014.
6. Solar: Concentrated solar power (CSP) market to jumpstart by 2012.  This fastest-growing segment of solar may grow to $3bn by 2014 from $700,000 in 2010, representing a 42% annual growth rate over the time period.

Read more here…

China is taking serious measures to curb its energy usage by investing in energy efficient vehicles and shutting energy-intensive factories across the country.

Over 2,000 steel mill, cement works and other energy-intensive factories have been ordered to close down by the end of September.  This announcement comes on the heels of another made by the powerful National Development and Reform Commission last week, which forced 22 provinces across China to stop providing discounted electricity to energy-intensive industries such as aluminum production.

Energy efficiency has become increasingly important in Chinese economic planning.  The nation’s current five-year plan targets 20% less energy usage per unit of economic output this year compared with 2005.

However, high industry output since last winter has driven China’s energy consumption to sky-high levels, producing the single largest surge ever of greenhouse gases by a single country.  According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China surpassed the United States last year to become the world’s largest consumer of energy after becoming top global carbon emitter in 2006.  These rankings, combined with continued high expectations for economic growth, lead many to doubt China’s ability to meet its stated energy intensity goals.

Nevertheless, China is forging ahead with plans for major new investment in energy efficiency, including $15 billion into energy efficient vehicles.  $8 billion of this proposed funding would be set aside for development into pure energy efficiency techniques.  The remaining funding will be funneled towards infrastructure construction, potentially including electric vehicle charging station.

China is currently pushing to put 4 million eco-friendly vehicles on its roads by 2012.

Read more about energy efficiency here and proposed vehicle investments here

Recent estimates expect the global automobile fleet to double over the next 20 years – growing from 800m today to over 1.6bn in 2030.  This massive growth is occurring as developing powers like China and India increase levels of individual car ownership.  However, the extra emissions resulting from millions upon millions more vehicles on the world’s roadways could be dramatic, and adversely affect global efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Commission has launched a “green transport” initiative in an effort to reach their emissions reductions goals.  By 2050, the EU is aiming for an 80 to 95% decrease in transport-related emissions.  The Commission believes widespread deployment of green transportation options, such as electric vehicles, public transportation and low-carbon and sustainable fuels will go a long way to achieving this goal.

The initiative calls for, among other things, Europe-wide standards for electric vehicle charging by 2011, continued research into low-carbon and energy efficient methods of transportation, financial incentives to encourage consumers and will work with the European Investment Bank to catalyze funding for green vehicle infrastructure and services.

Read the full article here…

China’s largely untapped vehicle market is becoming more and more attractive for electric vehicle manufacturers, service providers and investors.  Newfound economic prosperity has resulted in many first-time vehicle purchases amongst Chinese citizens.  In 2009, 2% of China’s population owned cars, and 80% of new motor vehicle sales went to first-time buyers.

According to HSBC research, China’s share of the world electric vehicle market will jump from 2.7% to 35% in the next ten years.  During this rapid period of growth, HSBC expects China to push past the United States and Japan.

There is a rapidly growing, yet little serviced market here, and many believe this is a perfect opening to jump in.  A recent example is Better Place, the electric vehicle service provider which aims to install vehicle charging networks to support an electric vehicle infrastructure.  Better Place has inked a deal with Chery Automobile, China’s largest independent auto producer and a major exporter of electric vehicle technology, and will bring its business to the Chinese market for the first time.

Read the full article…