Comments on: The energy innovations of the future need today’s machines http://gigaom.com/2013/03/01/the-energy-innovations-of-the-future-need-todays-machines/ Wed, 22 May 2013 22:56:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Rich Hilt http://gigaom.com/2013/03/01/the-energy-innovations-of-the-future-need-todays-machines/#comment-1317105 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:41:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=616033#comment-1317105 Absolutely correct.

In fact if you take it a step further, get the parts from already existing supplies.

Marty Lagod and his group at Solo Energy tried that in the 90s (yes there was clean tech before John Doerr invented it). They built a pretty good version of a microturbine from parts from the Grainger catalogue (this was at the heart of their business model). Unfortunately they ran out of runway before they could get the units into demonstration.

Still, there’s a lot of room for creativity out there in clean tech, even for the asset heavy ideas.

Rich Hilt

]]> By: devin-mackenzie http://gigaom.com/2013/03/01/the-energy-innovations-of-the-future-need-todays-machines/#comment-1317087 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:49:34 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=616033#comment-1317087 At Imprint Energy, we are focusing on protecting materials and cell structure IP as that is where we see the most value generation. In terms of detecting infringement of patents, materials and structure are easier to detect in a finished product, but to really prove how someone manufactured something, you may have to know what happens inside the company, which can be difficult.

]]> By: John http://gigaom.com/2013/03/01/the-energy-innovations-of-the-future-need-todays-machines/#comment-1317011 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 03:52:59 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=616033#comment-1317011 @sve you’re missing the point! early stage companies can’t afford that. sure, when you’re apple, anything goes. obviously barriers are not set by custom tooling… just look at solar.

]]> By: sve http://gigaom.com/2013/03/01/the-energy-innovations-of-the-future-need-todays-machines/#comment-1316999 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 02:20:39 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=616033#comment-1316999 Reusing capital eqp from earlier cos is great cost reducer. But offers no barrier to competition. When specialty products can only be made with custom eqp, then those cos who invest will enjoy monopolies. Imagine how much crappier Apple’s products would be without their custom machining stations.

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