THE CAPITAL E ADVANTAGE

Capital E is a premier provider of strategic consulting, technology assessment and deployment, and advisory services to firms and investors in the clean energy industry.

Capital E provides strategic and technical analysis, and hands-on assistance in evaluating and deploying distributed energy technologies and developing integrated clean and reliable energy systems. We work with a range of corporate and public clients to design and implement energy systems that are cost-effective, reliable, and with low pollution.  The technologies in which we have deep expertise include: fuel cells, microturbines, internal combustion engines (e.g. reciprocating engines), gas turbines, solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal systems. On the demand side, we have extensive expertise in lighting, advanced energy management systems, green building design and high performance energy systems integration.

The distributed energy field involves a complex set of regulatory, environmental, financial and security issues shaping a relatively fast-evolving array of technologies in a dynamic market. We are dedicated to helping our clients succeed through the following services:

• Strategic Advisor: Providing technology and strategic advice for large corporations and financial service firms, in designing and implementing corporate-wide energy programs that cut energy costs, increase reliability/security and cut emissions.  We help firms achieve cost-effective, deep reduction in energy use.        
• Technology Evaluation Partner: Helping corporations and investors identify and evaluate clean energy technologies and firms relative to competition and evolving markets for the purposes of investment, acquisition or sale.        
• Technology Deployment Partner: Serving as a partner in accelerated technology deployment for state-of-the-art clean energy technologies, including undertaking corporate wide and facility wide clean energy design. We help clients develop projects that leverage evolving state, federal and utility energy policies, funding and environmental requirements to accelerate technology deployment and market acceptance.

Capital E assignments include:

• Advising Fortune 200 corporations in developing a long-term energy technology strategies.        
• Helping a new cogeneration company structure deals and secure state and federal regulatory support for innovative clean energy technology related to clean air new source review.         
• Undertaking corporate-wide assessment of energy reduction opportunities for Fortune 500 firms.        
• Lead in securing substantial public funding for early stage clean energy clients.        
• Lead in securing publicly funded testing/evaluation of  technologies for clean energy clients.        
• Undertaking technology, competitor and market due diligence of prospective investments for VC firms.        
• Partnering with a 1700 person engineering firm to guide them in developing new clean energy businesses.        
• Providing due diligence service to major Midwest utility on fuel cell technology acquisition.         
• Providing due diligence and investment advisory advice to a fast-growing Texas investment company.        
• Lead Advisor to a REIT on renovating a major urban landmark. Capital E's role is to provide state-of-the-art solutions in the areas of advanced technology, and energy reliability and sustainability.        
• Developing state-wide program for accelerating investment in green buildings and distributed energy.        
• Undertaking emission reductions analysis for range of companies (an integrator of fuel cells, a forest product company) and help them secure state-awarded funds to reduce CO2 emissions for efficiency and on-site generation projects.        
• Undertaking for 40+ agencies the first comprehensive evaluation of the cost and financial benefits of green buildings.        
• Advising US and Canadian investment firms on clean energy investments.        
• Advising the California Energy Commission on distributed energy technology and deployment.

The distributed energy field involves a complex set of regulatory, environmental, financial, and security/reliability issues shaping a relatively young and fast-evolving array of technologies. We are the first firm to build an integrated, comprehensive, and in-depth understanding of these technologies, markets and drivers.

Capital E Green Building Services

Energy design and implementation

• Energy technology selection, integration and implementation, including lighting, efficiency, cogeneration and renewables (PV, fuel cells, etc.)    
• Energy analysis and energy technology design and integration services for full range of buildings    
• Energy efficiency design and implementation for full range of building types or enterprise-wide

Environmental

• Enterprise-wide assessment of emissions reductions opportunities    
• Environmental and emissions impact evaluation and management for large projects or enterprise-wide, including carbon management    
• Facilitation of green design workshops

Financial

• Cost/Benefit analysis of green buildings    
• Assist in large bids in shaping and calculating value added benefits, analysis and presentation for green design    
• Assist or lead in securing utility rebates for energy efficiency or clean generation    
• Arrange third party or lease financing for discrete and substantial clean energy and green design components

See The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, prepared by Capital E for a number of California State Agencies.

Capital E's Technical Expertise in Distributed Energy Technologies and Markets

Capital E concentrates on the high-growth, high-tech distributed energy sector.  On the demand side, we work with owners of commercial buildings, distribution centers, and industrial facilities to adopt best practices in energy efficiency to cut energy costs 25% to 50% with rapid payback and improved productivity (e.g. better quality light, better indoor air quality).  On the supply side, we help companies identify the best distributed generation technologies for high-reliability and clean energy.  We also help clients secure utility, state and federal funding for DG technologies.

Successful implementation of distributed energy systems depends on the ability to assemble components into a system that delivers economics, reliability, low pollution and other key benefits.  In assembling the best systems, expertise in several technology areas is critical.

Key distributed generation technologies include:

• Fuel cells                
• Microturbines                
• Internal combustion engines (e.g. reciprocating engines)                
• Gas Turbines                
• Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Key enablers for high-reliability include:

• Flywheels                
• Advanced batteries                
• Superconducting equipment                
• Power electronics (such as devices that convert DC power to AC)                
• System integrators

Key energy technologies and fuels that are very clean include:

• Fuel cells                 
• Renewables (including PV, wind and biofuels)                
• Hydrogen

Key components, subsystems and materials for distributed energy systems include:

• Power electronics                
• Catalysts                
• Membranes                
• Fuel Reformers               
• Carbon plates, ceramics, and other advanced materials               
• Software               
• Absorption chillers and related cogeneration technologies

We have particular expertise in evaluating opportunities and technologies in the hydrogen and fuel cell area, both stationary and mobile.

In addition to power generation, we believe that there are high-growth technologies, systems, services, and companies on the energy demand (i.e. end-use) side that are critical but generally overlooked parts of the distributed energy equation.  The most cost-effective energy deployment strategies will generally integrate both end use and generation technologies.  These include:

• Software/Hardware for Internet-enabled building energy management               
• Advanced sensors               
• High efficiency technologies (such as the new, advanced fluorescent lamps)               
• Technologies that provide fuel flexibility and load management attributes               
• Energy outsourcing

We believe that most of the winners in the distributed energy space will deliver a “double bottom line” - cutting costs and cutting pollution.  Many new energy technologies deliver purely economic benefits (such as lower-cost or higher reliability), but may be at a competitive disadvantage compared to technologies that deliver the same economic benefits as well as superior environmental performance and greater security/reliability.  The most rapidly growing distributed energy systems today provide superior environmental and reliability/security performance.

THIRD PARTY LEASE FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR MANY TECHNOLOGIES

• Advanced batteries (25 kW nickel metal hydride battery banks) 
• Concentrated solar power electric systems ( 1 MW) substation upgrade or community power fuel cells ( 1 kW and 3 kW) 
• Modular biomass (55 kW heat engines) for biogas or landfill gas 
• Photovoltaics (1 kW to 1.5 MW) 
• Plop and drop photovoltaics wind, batteries and even fuel cells using shipping containers from 1 kW to 20 kW 
• Portable communications and surveillance (small towers on trailers) for cameras, sensors, WIFI and cellular 
• Small wind systems from 300 watts to 10 kW 
• 5-15 year terms 
• Tax exempt interest rates of 5% to 7%

Call us for more information!