When we talk about new energy, what immediately comes to our mind is big wind power plants and maybe massive solar panel factories. What about its vast potential in transforming traditional businesses? Very much like Information Technology (IT) 20 years ago, new energy now presents an emerging opportunity to shape the landscape of many traditional industries. I am introducing two startup companies below, which I am not personally affiliated with in any capacity.

GridPoint (http://www.gridpoint.com/) is a startup recognized by World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer earlier this year. GridPoint’s Platform operates very similar to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The GridPoint Energy Manager acts like a modem, transmitting information about the distributed load from homes and businesses to a central Operation Center. Energy control applications for both consumers and utilities provide real-time information, helping utilities smooth out surges and outages in the grid. These scalable systems are capable of incorporating emerging technologies like advanced distributed storage and plug-in hybrids.

Skysails (http://www.skysails.info/index.php), based in Hamburg, Germany, is developing a large kite that can propel cargo ships using wind. This system, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies. The company estimates the kites will be able to reduce the amount of fuel cargo ships use by an estimated 10 to 35 percent on annual average, bringing a return on investment in three to five years.

IT has not only enabled massive efficiency improvement and cost reduction, but also revolutionized the way business is conducted in many industries. Think about the sophisticated IT capabilities in financial and retail industries today versus 20 years ago. New energy is another such opportunity for tremendous growth and value creation across a variety of sectors – I am throwing out a minnow hopefully to catch a whale here.