Alternative energy: John Doerr calls it the largest economic opportunity of the 21st century

Michael Giberson

The WSJ's Environmental Capital blog reports that venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (early backers of companies like Sun Microsystems, Amazon.com and Google), has become excited by clean technology. Kleiner partner John Doerr said the company hoped to cash in on what it believes will be a multi-trillion-dollar market for alternative energy over the next few decades. Doerr said, "This is the largest economic opportunity of the 21st century."

But when pressed on what new investment possibilities he found enticing, Mr. Doerr said making power from the methane produced by livestock would be a good opportunity. "It's on my list," Mr. Doerr said. However, when asked if he was looking at specific animal-methane startup, he turned coy. "In the Central Valley of California, there are big pig farms," he said. "And I'll let it lay there."

Just methane from animal waste? There is so much more than can be done in the way of generating energy from animal waste, as a post here yesterday described. Maybe Doerr should get in touch with Professor Clifford Fedler.