Townsend Capital
Townsend Ventures, LLC was formed in 2007 to serve as the primary vehicle for Townsend’s energy related investments. With the belief that conserving, storing, and locating new energy sources will be the newest wave of growth over the next decade, Townsend Ventures focuses on three specific markets -- Energy Efficiency, Battery Technology and Oil and Gas Drilling.
With the passage of legislation such as the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. government has funded billions of dollars targeting energy efficiency and conservation practices. This unprecedented level of funding is designed not only to stimulate the economy, but also to raise America’s energy efficiency standards and give rise to an energy revolution. This fundamental shift in the way we view energy is not just specific to the U.S.; it has also become a global phenomenon, which has created a substantial number of investment opportunities around the world.
The strategy of Townsend Ventures is to assemble a portfolio of companies to create synergies among its investments. The focused selection of complementary technologies and sales channels enhances the value of the individual companies, as well as the overall investments of Townsend Ventures. Townsend Ventures has already made several strategic investments and is currently seeking additional opportunities.
Current investments include:
Encelium Technologies
www.encelium.com
Encelium is a technology development company specializing in integrated lighting control systems for commercial buildings. Encelium manufactures the Energy Control System (ECS), the most advanced lighting control solution for commercial buildings on the market. This solution offers the world’s first addressable lighting control system that can reduce a commercial building’s lighting energy costs by 50%-75% and yields a typical payback period of less than four years. With operations in the United States, Canada and Europe, Encelium’s proven solutions have been utilized in hundreds of new and retrofitted buildings around the globe.
Kokam Co., Ltd.
www.kokam.com
Kokam Co., Ltd. (KCL) headquartered in South Korea, was established in 1989 to develop new battery technologies and to manufacture new processing equipment for the lithium polymer battery industry. KCL has become a highly successful developer of new technologies with numerous patents. The company’s core competencies extend from being the world’s largest manufacturer of large capacity cells over 30 Ahs to being a leader in the design and development of automated equipment for mass production.
Dow Kokam LLC
www.dowkokam.com
Dow Kokam LLC was formed in 2009 for the purpose of developing and manufacturing technologically advanced and economically viable battery solutions for the transportation, defense, industrial, and medical industries. This joint venture was initially established between The Dow Chemical Company and TK Advanced Battery LLC (a subsidiary of Townsend Ventures) to bring Kokam Co., Ltd. technologies to the American market. In January 2010, Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault, headquartered in France, joined the venture and added its battery pack subsidiary, Societe de Vehicules Electriques (SVE) to the Dow Kokam brand. SVE designs, develops and markets the Cleanova ™ brand of high performance Lithium battery pack and energy management systems for electric vehicles. With the addition of SVE technology, Dow Kokam is the first battery and energy management systems manufacturer to combine the viable, scalable, large-format battery technology with the market franchise, manufacturing expertise and market knowledge necessary to become the clear partner of choice across multiple industries.
In 2009, Dow Kokam was awarded a $161 million grant through Dow Kokam MI, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary) by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative. Dow Kokam MI was awarded another $142 million in tax credits from the State of Michigan for various battery manufacturing/job creation initiatives. These awards will assist Dow Kokam in the construction of a 600 MWh plant on the Dow Operations campus in Midland, Michigan. Dow Kokam broke ground for the Midland Battery Plant in June, 2010 and production is scheduled to start in early 2012. Plans for phase two are already underway which will double this facility’s production capacity. Additionally, the State of Missouri and the City of Lee’s Summit have granted similar incentives to Dow Kokam MO, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary) to encourage the construction of a plant in that area. Dow Kokam is currently looking to expand its operations internationally.
LUMEnergi
www.lumenergi.com
LUMEnergi is a U.S. based company that has developed intelligent lighting technology that reduces lighting energy costs 50% - 70%, while typically delivering return on investment in one to three years. This unique technology incorporates advanced networked control systems with smooth dimming to lead buildings into the Smart Grid world. Lumenergi focuses on seven strategies for successful energy conservation: day lighting, task tuning, scheduling, lumen maintenance, occupancy sensing, personal control, and load shedding/demand response. This combination provides the complete lighting control package for a variety of industries, including the U.S. Federal and State governments and an ever-expanding commercial portfolio.
Xtreme Power
www.xtremepower.com
Xtreme Power provides the industry’s first large-scale solid-state power management system through the manufacture of integrated power management, smart control, and storage systems ranging from 500 kW to 100 MW. This technology provides large power management, control and storage systems that deliver extremely high amounts of stored power at affordable costs through a detailed focus on innovations in efficiency. The Xtreme Power solution comprises four components integrated into a comprehensive system: (1) PowerCell technology, (2) proprietary power electronics, (3) smart control system of specialized hardware and software, and (4) factory integration.