September 19th, 2008
Video: The week in Green tech
At the AlwaysOn GoingGreen conference in Sausalito, Calif., Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson describes the acceleration of computer and genetic technology through Moore’s law, and then outlines nature-inspired methods for building nanotech. He also explains why decoding DNA from the ocean is important to green tech’s future.
That talk was just one of many at the AlwaysOn GoingGreen conference. Here are some of the other highlights:
Biotech for food, fuel
Craig Venter says going from food to fuel–corn to ethanol–is taking resources in the wrong direction. He discusses oil palm and the jatropha genome as future fuel possibilities, and talks about algae as a way to convert carbon back into a useful chemical.
Can coal be clean?
Tim Vail of Synthesis Energy says a mix of solutions is needed to solve our energy problems. Erik Straser of Mohr Davidow Ventures adds that although we do have natural resources still available to us, new technologies are needed to extract them in a cleaner, greener way.
Is nuclear a good carbonless solution?
Paul Deninger of Jefferies and Company moderates a panel discussion about whether nuclear technology will be a viable solution in the future. Elise Zoli of Goodwin Procter adds that nuclear is a cost-efficient energy alternative to coal.
Biofuel cheaper than $50-a-barrel oil?
Susan Mac Cormac of Morrison & Foerster moderates a panel discussion about the benefits and risks of biofuel. Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures says that biofuel solutions could be cheaper than $50-a-barrel oil in 10 years if the venture capital community backs emerging technologies and starts funding new green start-ups.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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