Information technology

Pike Research, a global consulting firm, has issued a new report noting that global revenues from building energy management systems are expected to rise almost 14 percent, year over year, through the end of the decade.

Electric vehicle production capacity is increasing across the board globally, but is that what the market needs? A new report holds results that indicate new growth in demand from China and a bright future for electric vehicle component suppliers.

Japan-based Mitsui & Co., Ltd (MITSY.PK), one of the largest global “sogo shoshas (general trading companies)” in the world, has bought a $12-million stake in Tres Amigas, a continental grid interconnection which eventually aims to tie together the nation’s three major electricity networks, the Western Interconnection, the Eastern Interconnection, and the Texas Interconnection. It will do this while simultaneously integrating a wide array of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. 

It’s being billed as the nation’s first and most extensive citywide effort to increase energy efficiency, according to New York City Planning Commission Chairwoman Amanda Burden.

The results from the fifth global Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE.JCI) Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) are in, and the clear winner is improved lighting, which most of those surveyed viewed as the fastest and most financially effective path toward improving building energy efficiency.

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Thirty-five U.S. venture capital funds raised nearly $3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a survey released this week by Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). This level marks a six percent decrease, by dollar commitments, compared to the third quarter of 2010. 

For full year 2010, 157 venture capital funds raised $12.3 billion, the fourth consecutive year of declines and the slowest annual period for venture capital fundraising since 2003.

U.S. venture capitalists will favor investments in information technology, consumer internet/digital media and cloud computing over cleantech and alternative energy in 2011, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Dow Jones VentureSource.

Samsung Group, the Korea-based family-controlled conglomerate with tentacles that reach into electronics, financial services, information technology and shipbuilding, plans to invest heavily in renewable technology.