Oregon Governor Advances Oregon Clean Technology Industry While in Europe and Israel

Business development mission pursues business leads around renewable energy and electric cars that will drive green collar jobs back home to Oregon

April 3, 2008 -- (Jerusalem, Israel) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski continued his business development mission in Israel today where he met with officials from ORMAT Technologies, Solel Solar Systems and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Solar cell in Pummer circuit: Photo by Greg Borenstein (CC)

The Governor has focused the mission on industries that are bringing renewable energy technologies to market. Oregon has been the location of choice for new business recruitments like SolarWorld, Solaicx and Peak Sun in the solar energy industry. The Governor spoke with Solel about operating in Oregon and discussed its business model.

“Oregon’s experienced semiconductor workforce, low energy costs and renewable energy tax credits make us a global competitor when it comes to solar manufacturing,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Oregon is on track to become the largest photovoltaic-producing state in North America next year.”

Solel specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of solar fields and critical solar field components for large-scale power generation. Solel is the world’s largest solar thermal company with more than 20 years’ experience in the sector.

Similar discussions are on the slate with ORMAT Technologies, a global leader in geothermal power equipment and development. The company has more than four decades of experience in the development of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound power solutions, primarily in geothermal and recovered energy generation.

“Oregon is rich in geothermal resources,” Governor Kulongoski observed. “I am interested in learning more about harnessing this natural power resource to increase our renewable energy options.”

The Governor and state economic development staff also met with Israeli representatives to discuss Israel’s efforts to develop a nationwide electric car network to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The Israeli government has announced a plan to install the world's first electric car network in Israel by 2011. The U.S.-based company “Project Better Place,” owned by Israeli-American entrepreneur Shai Agassi, will provide lithium-ion batteries to power the cars and the infrastructure to refresh or replace them. One battery will enable the cars to travel 124 miles per charge.

Project Better Place will install parking meter-like plugs on city streets and construct service stations along highways to replace the batteries. Renault-Nissan will build the new cars and will offer a small number of their existing electric models at prices roughly comparable to gasoline models.

Governor Kulongoski is interested in the incentives, policies, construction needs and timeline of the project and if a similar idea would be feasible in Oregon.

“Oregon has established itself as a leader in renewable energy and clean technology industries,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Electric vehicles are a logical complement to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and advance our sustainable development strategies.”

The Governor started his trip in Amsterdam before traveling to Israel this week.

Source: Oregon Governor

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