Energy Industry Data
The following Web sites provide a range of offerings, but are most useful for identifying and researching competitive companies.
U.S Department of Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Though not focused specifically on market research, this Department of Energy portal site is a useful directory to background and technical information on efficient and renewable energy technologies.
Energy SourceGuides
This portal to manufacturers, retailers, and advocacy organizations in the alternative energy industry is aimed at consumers but is also quite useful for conducting competitive research. Searchable by region, industry, or name. (This site also includes regular news on alternative energy.)
CleanEnergy: Worldwide Renewable Energies Portal
A portal similar to the Energy SourceGuides, also quite thorough, though not quite as well organized. There may be value in spending time in both.
PowerTechnology
A portal site focusing on all power technologies, not just alternative energy companies. In researching competitive companies, the drawback of this site is the sheer number of likely irrelevant companies. However, for products intended to compete directly with conventional energy technologies, it is a comprehensive resource.
Utility Connection
A portal site indexing about 4,000 U.S. public utility companies. In addition to an overview of public utilities, this page provides good leads for personal interviews at regional utilities.
Energy and Environment
An interdisciplinary academic journal aimed at natural scientists and technologists working on energy alternatives and conservation. This site charges for reprints of back issues.
United States Association for Energy Economics
An affiliation of academics and professionals working on economic issues related to energy economics. In addition to its newsletter, which might provide useful information, this association is probably a good source for personal interview leads.
James and James Renewable Energy On-Line Database
One more database of renewable energy companies and organizations. This database can be ordered in book form or on a CD-ROM and includes about 32,000 different entities.
Green Pages: Global Directory for Environmental Technology
This directory emphasizes sustainable energy product and service providers and is somewhat smaller than the others on this page. It does include a useful editorial section, which must be accessed from the main page.