Week in Renewables: Changes Afoot, Solar Growth, Electric Cars and Nukes

The International Energy Agency may not have ever stirred up as much attention as it received this week for its latest World Energy Outlook, a yearly report that attempts a snapshot of the sprawling energy industry — at least partly because of accusations from former staffers that the IEA has been lying about energy reserves for years.

Honest or not, the IEA is rapidly changing its tune from one of oil-centricity to a new song that harps more on natural gas and renewables.The trick in reading the news about the IEA’s reports (or this interview with chief economist Fatih Birol) is remembering that it is, as the accusations suggest, in thrall to the major nations that fund it.

The evolution of the IEA’s party line is thus worth paying close attention to, as a proxy indicator of the new international climate, in which momentous changes are afoot. Fulfilling energy needs alone is a formidable challenge, and atop it fear of climate change looms over an ongoing international dialogue.

So much for the change in energy data; but what about energy policy? The Copenhagen summit is causing plenty of problems, with leaders around the world up in arms about how to proceed. Originally intended to set up a new world climate treaty this year, now some nations want to push Copenhagen back.

That idea doesn’t sit well with poor nations, who want a deal right away. A deal may emerge this week – Denmark is suggesting a legally binding document with a firm date for completing a treaty. The calls are certainly becoming more urgent. Usually staunchly against the idea of climate change, even Russia is becoming agitated about potential catastrophe.

A little closer to ground-level for renewable energy, there was good news this week from the Department of Energy. Secretary Steven Chu hired a former venture capitalist, Jonathan Silver, to run the DOE’s renewable energy loan guarantee program. Silver should be able to help with the “Valley of Death” that traps many growing energy companies when they’re trying to transition out of the startup stage.

The thin-film solar panel market will double by 2013, according to iSuppli, generally one of the more accurate tech research firms. And while the market is still struggling as a whole, some companies are setting the stage for higher growth; Suntech, one of China’s biggest solar companies, chose a location in Arizona for its first U.S. manufacturing plant.

PG&E’s smart grid program has hit a bumpy spot. Some of the first customers to have a smart meter installed are complaining that the meters raise their bills significantly. Aptera, an electric car startup, is also in trouble, with rumors afloat that the company has laid off 30 percent of its staff, including the founders.

Meanwhile, the NYTimes revealed that the nuclear industry may be in trouble if it can’t secure more old Russian nukes to power reactors.

Finally, one more spot of good news: Metabolix, a startup that makes bioplastics from plants, is preparing for a $27 million initial public offering. Earlier this week, I wrote about why companies like Metabolix should get more attention.