Clean Technology Panel
Lessons from the China Cleantech Model: Policy, Financing, Innovation
China has emerged as the cost leader in the rapidly expanding cleantech industry. The question remains, however, in where the market is heading long-term - geographically, technologically, and financially.
Two economic giants - the US and China - are engaged in a competitive dialogue in an increasingly populated clean energy market. In order to accelerate its market leadership, the US needs to learn from China's successes and failures, and China, likewise, needs to evaluate the sustainability of its practices.
Taking into consideration the idiosyncrasies inherent in China's policy, financing, and innovation model, this panel brings together a diverse group of experts who have contributed to this dialogue, so that we can identify key growth strategies moving forward.
The panel will explore the following questions:
- What are the elements in the Chinese model for the cleantech industry that we should learn from or avoid? (Unlimited bank subsidization; Strong focus on manufacturing, driving down the cost, at the opportunity cost of compromising quality and consistency, R&D?)
- How should or can the employment for cleantech be kept in the US? What kinds of cleantech jobs are sustainable in the US? What does this mean for US dependence on foreign energy sources?
- Should cleantech companies work more closely with their overseas partners/competitors? Vertically integrate (like Trina/First Solar) or specialize in one part of the supply chain?
- Is cleantech ultimately a commodity market (once we find the right technology at the right cost), and if so, can we agree that Asia will be the center of manufacturing, but tech innovation still comes from the US or somewhere else?
- What are the lessons we can learn from how the tech industry is playing out, US vs. China?
See video of the Clean Technology Panel.
Panelists
Dirk Morbitzer, Managing Director, Renewable Analytics
Dirk Morbitzer is currently the Managing Director at Renewable Analytics. Since joining the firm in June of 2008 he focuses on the development of the international solar market, particularly in China, Europe and the US. Previously, Mr. Morbitzer was the Director of Global Procurement at Trina Solar, based in Frankfurt, Germany. For four years prior to Trina, Mr. Morbitzer was Head of Solar PV Procurement and Materials Management at SAG Solarstrom and manager of supply chain at Accenture. He holds a BS in Marketing from Passau University and C.P.M. professional certification from the Institute of Supply Management.
Andy Tang, Managing Director, ABB Technology Ventures
Mr. Tang is the managing director for ABB Technology Ventures. His current investment areas include clean technology and industrial applications. His board roles include Ecotality(ECTY), Trilliant, and PowerAssure. Prior to ATV, he was a founding managing director at DFJ DragonFund. He has extensive experience in both operation and investment in high-tech companies in a wide variety of sectors, especially in TMT hardware/software, clean technology, and Internet. Mr. Tang has led and serves on the board of Miartech, Mobim, Alto Beam, Yeepay, Broadbus (MOT), Imago Scientific, Zettacom (IDTI), Packet Video (DoCoMo), NuTool (ASMI), and Santur. Mr. Tang started his venture career over ten years ago at a partner and member of the investment committee at Infineon/Siemens Ventures. Prior to that, he was an investment banker with Credit Suisse First Boston's technology group in Palo Alto. He worked on the Magma IPO (LAVA), as well as numerous M&A transactions. Before CSFB, Mr. Tang was a senior engineer and marketing manager at Intel Corporation. Mr. Tang holds an MBA from the Wharton School, MSEE and BSEE from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Texas at Austin respectively.
Ryan Lysne, Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company
Ryan Lysne is one of the co-leaders of McKinsey & Company's Smart Grid service line and has been serving clients in this space for the past five years. Ryan has had the opportunity to help utilities think through their technology selection, Smart Grid technology companies address partnering and technology strategies, and governments optimize social benefits by deploying Smart Grid resources. For example, Ryan last year helped the Australian government think through its approach for its AUS $100M Smart Grid Smart City program. Ryan currently lives in San Francisco and holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an MSE and BSE in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Moderator
Matt Lecar, Principal, GE Energy
A veteran utility industry expert with an 18 year track record in venture capital, new product development, international business development, and management consulting for utilities, investors, and start-ups. Matt recently joined GE Energy as part of the new Smart Grid Strategy team within Energy Consulting, focusing on demand side technology (AMI, Demand Response, Home Area Networking, Business/Industrial Automation, Energy Efficiency, distributed renewables, plug-in vehicles, etc.)