Biofuels Going High-Tech

San Francisco, CA—(Renewable Energy Access)—April 10, 2006— The attendees of the recent Cleantech Venture Forum IX in San Francisco named ethanol startup ClearFuels Technology the "Most Promising Presenter." The Cleantech Venture Forum brings promising clean technology companies together with venture capitalists. ClearFuels emerged from the field of 18 presenting companies, who were chosen from over 100 entrepreneurs to present at this prestigious event. The award included a prize of technical consulting services from GreenMountain Engineering, the leading design engineering firm serving renewable energy and other clean technology companies.

ClearFuels and their technology partner Pearson Technologies provide a new approach to ethanol production using thermochemical methods instead of traditional fermentation. With their technology ethanol can be produced cheaper and more efficiently than through fermentation using a wider variety of feedstocks including woodwaste, rice hulls, sugar cane fiber or other green waste.

GreenMountain sees ClearFuels' success as part of an inevitable high-tech shift in biofuel. "While there are many proven biofuel production technologies, there is lots of room for innovation. As demand for cheaper fuels continues to grow, we expect there to be growing interest and investment in advanced techniques and technologies-including ones borrowed from biotechnology," said Jon Guice, Vice President of Business Development at GreenMountain. Venture capital backing of companies like ClearFuels and GreenFuel Technologies, a recent client of GreenMountain, is a prime example of this trend.


About ClearFuels Technology
ClearFuels Technology develops cellulosic biomass to fuel-ethanol refineries to serve the ethanol market. Their core technology, based on the Pearson process, has the potential to reduce costs for the production of fuel ethanol in an established $8 billion market by up to 30%. Currently planned projects include facilities in Hawaii, Tennessee, Alabama, and other selected locations in the US and abroad. Current principal investors in ClearFuels include Hawaiian Electric Industries, Pacificap, and Garage Ventures.

About GreenMountain Engineering
GreenMountain Engineering, LLC is the leading design engineering consulting firm serving clean technology companies. GreenMountain designs and develops electromechanical devices, instruments and manufacturing equipment-from the concept stage through commercial production. The firm's clientele ranges from venture-funded startups such as Southwest Windpower to industry leaders such as KLA-Tencor. GreenMountain's solar power practice-with clients such as Evergreen Solar and Daystar Technologies-leads the industry in scope and innovation. Other industries in which GreenMountain works include water purification, medical devices, hydrogen, environmental nanotechnology and energy efficiency. For more information visit www.GreenMountainEngineering.com.

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