NEW MEMBERS: Cleantech San Diego welcomes the following new member companies: Aquacycl, Chilldyne, Grid.Tech, KIGT, NeoCharge, S Curve Strategies, and Uprise Energy.

RENEWALS: Cleantech San Diego welcomes membership renewals from our partners at CollectiveSun, Nuvve, Primo Energy, TDG Technologies, and Site 1001.

Cleantech San Diego Joins Inland Empire Regional Mobility Dialogue

On June 25, Cleantech San Diego’s Jason Anderson and Michael Ford participated in CSU San Bernardino's Leonard Transportation Center’s (LTC) Inland Empire Regional Mobility Dialogue. A major goal of the LTC is to provide educational events for CSUSB students and the community as a whole on critical transportation issues that impact our region. Jason presented on the Smart Cities San Diego initiative and regional efforts to deploy smart cities technologies. 

Cleantech San Diego Roundtable with BIRD Foundation Executive Director

On June 24, Cleantech San Diego hosted a leadership breakfast with BIRD Foundation Executive Director Eitan Yudelevich, who discussed an exciting new grant funding opportunity being made possible through the BIRD Foundation's Energy Center for Excellence. The Energy Center is a new grant program funded jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy and Israel's Ministry of Energy and Israel Innovation Authority. Consortia of at least two U.S. entities and two Israeli entities may apply for grants in the topics of Energy Storage, Cyber and Physical Security for Critical Infrastructure, and Water-Energy Nexus. One five-year, $10 million grant will be awarded per topic.

SANDAG Presents 2021 Regional Plan at Cleanteach San Diego Member Breakfast

On June 5, Cleantech San Diego members attended a breakfast presentation by Antoinette Meier of SANDAG to learn more about San Diego Forward: The 2021 Regional Plan. This vision for the future of the San DIego region’s transportation system will be delivered through 5 Big Moves – key strategies that will enhance connectivity, increase safety and sustainability, and improve quality of life. View Presentation

Southern California Energy Innovation Network Update

On June 4, the Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN) conducted its 22nd Entrepreneur Intake Session, where CalSEED awardee Ocean Motion was accepted as a member and Kineticurrents was accepted as a provisional member. Both Ocean Motion and Kineticurrents have hydropower generation technologies that they are looking to commercialize.

CalSEED grantee Correlate graduated from SCEIN last month, bringing current membership to 20 startups and six provisionally accepted companies that are working on validating their technology claims or market opportunity. Correlate has a subscription service called FacilityBid that identifies, develops, implements, and manages an onsite energy program that creates positive cash flow. With a growing customer base, Correlate is generating cash flow while making investments to scale the business and is planning for a $5 million capital raise.

Apply: Energy startups that could benefit from the services of SCEIN are encouraged to apply. If you would like to join the Technical Advisory Committee or be a mentor, apply here.

Energy Scene: View past issues of SCEIN's newsletter for energy entrepreneurs.

Oberon Fuels Secures $2.9 Million Grant from State of California to Produce Renewable DME

Cleantech San Diego member Oberon Fuels, a producer of clean-burning dimethyl ether transportation fuel, has been awarded a grant from the California Energy Commission for a first-of-its-kind, multi-phase project to produce the first renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), a clean-burning, ultra-low-carbon transportation fuel, in the U.S. This project unlocks the near- and medium-term decarbonization benefits of rDME, an economical fuel and key step in the development of a California-based, renewable hydrogen pathway to zero-emission mobility. Read More

San Diego Airport and ENGIE Storage Further Airport’s Strategic Energy Initiative

San Diego International Airport is the first airport in the United States to install an ENGIE Storage battery energy storage system. The 2 MW/4 MWh GridSynergy energy storage system furthers the airport’s long-term commitment to efficiency and sustainability. Paired with the airport’s existing photovoltaic solar system, the new energy storage system will reduce energy charges during peak demand which equate to approximately 40 percent of the airport’s monthly electricity costs. The system is expected to begin operation in early 2020. Read More

Chula Vista Partners with Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative

As a founding member of the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative, the City of Chula Vista announced that it has purchased 26 EVs and is on track to purchase eight more by the end of 2020 — helping to improve citywide air quality and public health. By transitioning to EVs, Chula Vista is leading by example: helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet, saving taxpayer money, improving public health, and reducing our nation’s dependency on oil. Read More

Cleantech San Diego Members Site 1001 and Conectric Partner on Smart Building Solutions

Cleantech San Diego members Site 1001 and Conectric have announced a strategic partnership for smart building solutions. Wireless sensor developer Conectric will be a preferred IoT partner for Site 1001’s Skylight Building Performance and Operations Platform, which helps building owners and operators improve and maintain building efficiency, operational performance, and occupant comfort. Together, the companies will offer hardware and software solution sets tailored for specific types of commercial real estate. Read More

Procopio Outlines Changes in Convertible Instruments for Early Stage Financings

There are currently two main types of convertible instruments that are in widespread use for pre-Series A and other “bridge” financings: convertible promissory notes and SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity). While the standard terms of convertible notes have remained fairly constant over the years, in this article, Procopio law firm explains that Y-Combinator has recently made significant changes to their standard form of SAFE, recasting it as a “Post-Money SAFE.” Read More

July 31: EV Test Drive Event and Drive Electric Green Megaphone Award Reception

Join us July 31, 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the Hillcrest DMV for an EV test drive event supporting the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center. A reception will follow at Hillcrest Brewing from 6:30 - 7:30 pm, where Assemblymember Todd Gloria will announce the winner of the California Electric Transportation Coalition "Drive Electric Green Megaphone Award." Both Assemblymember Gloria and Senator Toni Atkins were previous recipients. This event is hosted by Electric Transportation Community Development Corporation, California Electric Transportation Coalition, Cleantech San Diego, San Diego LGBT Pride, and SDG&E.

September 14: Electric Vehicle Day - San Diego

On  September 14, Cleantech San Diego, SDG&E, and the Center for Sustainable Energy will host the seventh annual Electric Vehicle Day - San Diego, a free test-drive event taking place at Liberty Station as part of National Drive Electric Week. San Diego’s EV Day attracts thousands of attendees interested in exploring different models of EVs, vehicle incentives they can qualify for, and a hassle-free opportunity to learn more about the perks of driving electric. Already own an EV? Come put your car on display and talk to attendees about why you love driving electric. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Learn More