• Matt Marshall has the latest news on clean energy investing in the bay area. (And he still thinks I don't believe a cleantech cluster will develop in the bay area -- didn't we agree to agree on that back in May?)
  

• Here's another good overview of the state of cleantech investing right now, this time in Investor's Business Daily.

• And here's another piece that explicitly links the Katrina events to an upsurge in interest in clean energy. [Daily reminder: Give to Katrina relief efforts, such as those being undertaken by the Red Cross here]

• Another neat idea that's been getting a lot of attention (not sure of the VC angle): Making electricity by walking around.
  

• Here's an interesting blog on Responsible Nanotechnology, a topic we've very briefly discussed before. Those interested in a deeper dive in the subject should check it out, as well as this thought piece.

• Are we nearing a new era of building coal-fired power plants? That could have significant implications for a wide range of companies in the cleantech universe: Positive, for those that address coal-fired power technologies specifically; and perhaps Negative, for those in other technology areas who are counting on the cost of wholesale grid electricity rising significantly.
  

• Finally, I stumbled upon the BlogShares site for Cleantech Investing. I have no idea what this is, how blogs are valued, or why anyone would be trading virtual shares of blogs to begin with, but it looks entertaining... If anyone out there is making money off this thing, please donate to the relief effort?
  

Here's an entertaining article from yesterday's Chronicle, regarding local startup Magnetic Power (which, not coincidentally, is currently looking to raise capital).

In case you're interested in learning more about the concept of zero-point energy, here's the Wikipedia entry.

Advanced materials can be an interesting investment area for cleantech investors. Intersecting somewhat with nanotech and other cleantech segments, breakthroughs in advanced materials can yield products that have lower toxicity, lower costs, and/or greater efficiency in usage than existing materials.

One case in point is today's announcement that EnerTech and MILCOM Technologies have invested in a "midsized round" of financing for NanoSteel. NanoSteel's proprietary technology for steel fabrication results in lower weight, stronger steel with less chromium exposure for those that work with the metal.

Here's a great quote from Vincenzo LaRuffa of EnerTech:

"I think a really interesting application in particular is reducing the amount of steel in an automobile, and the massive fuel savings that could lead to. While a bit on the horizon, it was very core to our investment thesis. In many ways it’s a far more compelling solution than hybrids or fuel cells."

• Reminder: You can donate to the Red Cross in support of those affected by Katrina here.
  

Dow Jones' Venture Reporter is reporting that Powerlight, the bay area solar installation company, has raised $3M from investors including JP Morgan's Bay Area Equity Fund. We'll provide more information on this round as we get it...

Here is a DealFlow column in Business Week that reports that Kleiner Perkins invested in a ceramic battery/ ultracapacitor company, EEStor, back in July, leading a $3M round. There appears to be very little information available on the web about the company, beyond what Business Week's Justin Hibbard has been able to dig up, but there's enough there to be pretty intriguing...

• First of all, if you haven't read today's PE Week Wire, do so. Amen, Dan.
  

• Q-Cells, a German solar PV manufacturer and a partner of US PV manufacturer Evergreen, is reportedly considering an IPO -- part of a broader trend of solar manufacturers looking to take advantage of the industry's recent strong growth and even stronger investor interest.

• New Energy Capital, backed by Vantage Point and CalSTRS, announced the close of funding for the Iroquois Bio-Energy Company, an Indiana ethanol plant. The total project is $70M to build a 40m gpy capacity, and is being managed by New Energy Capital. A pdf of the press release is here.

• Again, you can donate to the relief efforts here.