Energy Industry Support
-
Upload
jeff-champagne -
Category
Documents
-
view
125 -
download
1
description
Transcript of Energy Industry Support
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Nerac
Research & Advisory Services
For the Alternative Energy & Storage Industries
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Agenda
Introduction to Nerac, Inc.
Nerac Service Offerings
The Nerac Difference
Engaging Nerac
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Who Is Nerac?
Global research and advisory firm
for companies developing innovative
products and technologies
COMPANY TYPE: PRIVATELY HELD ESOP
Founded 1966
Employees 65 / National & International
Analysts 40 Ph.D.s, Masters, MBAs, Attorneys
Clients ~1000 Worldwide
Areas of Concentration
Energy
Pharmaceutical
Medical Device
Specialty Chemical
Other
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
How We Serve Our Clients
Unique provider
of rapid-response research
for smaller, mission- critical
engagements that require
highly experienced
expert advisors.
R&D Process
Business Development
Technical Product &
Service Marketing
Intellectual Property
Management
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
What We Do Expert Research & Advisory Services
Research and Product Development Process
— Accelerate critical go/no-go decisions
— Expedite regulatory filings and vigilance requirements
Business Development Process
— Identify portfolio and alliance opportunities
Technical Products & Services Marketing Process
— Understand the size and financial potential of market opportunities
Intellectual Property Management Process
— Protect and leverage IP assets through portfolio management
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Research & Development Process Accelerate Critical Go/No-Go Decisions
PROCESS STAGE
DE
PA
RT
ME
NT
OR
F
UN
CT
ION
OPPORTUNITY
IDENTIFICATION
CONCEPT & FEASIBILITY
EVALUATION PLAN PRODUCT LAUNCH
TECHNICAL &
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Technical due diligence
& viability assessment
• Technical literature review
• Regulatory issues review
• Intellectual property review
• Identify research partners
• Match resources
(internal and external)
to needs
• Grant development
and review
• Procurement
• Technical problem
solving
• Conduct research,
collect and evaluate
data
• Monitor new
opportunities
BUSINESS &
MARKETING
• New market identification
• Competitive tracking
• Whitespace analysis
• Technology scouting
• Market assessment
• Determine company synergies (core competencies
and technologies)
• Tax credits and subsidies
• Identify cross-market
applications
• Monitor future growth
opportunities
LEGAL • Clearance research
• Patentability research
• IP valuation • Patent filing support
• Monitor post-patent
filings for infringement
protection
• Monitor licensing
opportunities
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Research & Development Process Examples of Recently Completed Projects
Performed state of the art assessment in thermophotovoltaic
(TPV) technology for vehicles
— Nerac identified the research laboratories that were the furthest along in their
development of this nascent technology, and the key improvements needed for
commercial implementation. Most importantly, a competing technology was
identified which has the potential to displace TPVs in the future.
Identified key suppliers for critical elements of client’s new product
— Nerac identified battery chemistries which were most appropriate for the application
and reliable vendors who could supply the client with a custom battery to fit its
unique needs, saving its engineering staff valuable time on a time-critical project.
Regulatory overview regarding individual state requirements for the reduction of
a specific coal-fired power plant pollutant
— Nerac provided the client with a complete map of the various state regulations that
allowed them to focus sales efforts for an emissions reduction product where
utilities were most likely to buy, thus maximizing their sales impact to the bottom
line.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Issue: The CEO of a large manufacturing company asked Nerac to provide an opinion
on the advisability of engaging in a joint venture with a company in the field of
concentrated photovoltaics (CPV). One of the key issues for the client was the
technical feasibility and market outlook for the underlying CPV technology being
given consideration.
Analyst Approach: Based on Nerac’s analysis of the technology and market factors,
the client chose to avoid an engagement in this technology. The technical application
being considered was not sufficiently proven to warrant investment at
the time. Furthermore, the market for this application was unformed and highly
speculative.
Client Benefit: Based in part on Nerac’s advice, the client declined to take part
in this joint venture and avoid a potentially costly failure. The technology being
advocated has not sufficiently matured in the year that has elapsed since the time
of the proposed partnership and no significant market for its use has developed.
Research and Development Process Client Impact Case Study
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Business Development Process Identify Portfolio And Alliance Opportunities
PIPELINE & SCREENING DUE DILIGENCE ANALYSES FINAL DEAL
NEGOTIATION
POST-
ACQUISITION
INTEGRATION
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
• Business opportunity vetting
and identification
• Assess patent landscape
• Market and competitive
assessment
• Monitor
- Competition
- Changes in market
or regulatory
environment
OPERATIONS • Support informed investment
decisions with CI
• Analyze technical viability
• Develop tax, subsidy and
regulatory strategy
• Support revised
business
strategies
LEGAL • Provide patent protection
opinion/advice
• Provide patent landscaping
services, early-stage
clearance research, risk
assessment
• Analyze licensing and
acquisition opportunities
• Research negotiation positions
• Monitor patent
activity
• Support revised IP
portfolio
management
strategies
PROCESS STAGE
DE
PA
RT
ME
NT
OR
F
UN
CT
ION
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Business Development Process Examples of Recently Completed Projects
Assessment and review of client’s financial position,
business strategies and customer relationships based on strengths
and weaknesses in the heat recovery market
― Nerac found the client to be in a position in which it has the technical and
financial flexibility and capacity to enter this specific market.
Assess market potential of a fullerene material for batteries and fuel-cells
― Nerac identified a specific battery segment as being the most appropriate for this
technology but recommended avoiding the medical, electronic and automotive
segments.
Identify potential partner for a joint venture to facilitate entry into the
renewable energy market
― Nerac identified a potential partner with experience and flexibility in
manufacturing methods requiring extensive equipment and capital, thereby
serving as a partial barrier to other companies entering the market, and giving
the client significant competitive advantage.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Business Development Process Client Impact Case Study
Issue: Nerac was engaged by a senior business development
executive from a medium-sized energy manufacturing company to investigate
options for entry into the biofuels market through a strategic acquisition. The client
needed a full understanding of the market landscape including major competitors and
their relative positions, size and forecast for the market, market entry points, and
government incentives and regulations.
Analyst Approach: Based on Nerac’s analysis of the biofuels market, Nerac Analysts
determined that the key to a successful acquisition in this market was the geographic
location of the production facility in relation to both the raw material supply and the
customer. Nerac advised that the market was attractive and could generate
significant top line revenue impact for the client.
Client Benefit: Based on Nerac’s recommendations, the client proceeded with a
strategic acquisition in the biofuels market which will be accretive in 2010.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Technical Products Marketing Process Accelerate Critical Go/No-Go Decisions
OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFICATION CONCEPT & FEASIBILITY EVALUATION
MARKETING • Market and competitive assessment • Locate sources of funding
• Identify potential partners
TECHNICAL &
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
• New market identification
• Technical due diligence &
viability assessment
• Technical literature review
• IP review of competitor filings
• Identify suppliers and enabling technologies
LEGAL • Identify regulatory opportunities
• Locate government incentives
• Develop environmental compliance strategies
• Prepare filings for conformity and industry standards
bodies
PROCESS STAGE
DE
PA
RT
ME
NT
OR
FU
NC
TIO
N
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Technical Products Marketing Process Examples of Recently Completed Projects
Market assessment for a potentially disruptive fuel
for use in fuel cells
― Nerac analysis found that while the novel fuel was promising, the market
potential for it was small and continued investment and development should be
at a measured pace.
Competitive analysis of several Chinese competitors for a multi-
national client in the turbo-machinery market
― Nerac analysts located hard-to-find information about recent activities
of the Chinese companies including power plant installations and upgrades,
thus allowing the client to better understand its competitive situation.
Market assessment for wind turbine blade construction adhesive
— Nerac analysts identified key market attributes and analyzed their importance to
assist the client in deciding whether to enter this market.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Issue: A C-level executive at a biofuels developer engaged
Nerac to help it secure funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
One of the key elements to obtaining the funding was the comparison
of the financial and technical strength of the client’s production process
compared to that of competitors’ processes.
Analyst Approach: Based on Nerac’s analysis of the competitive landscape
of the biofuel production process, Nerac determined the client’s process
provided substantial technical and economic advantages over the
competition.
Client Benefit: Nerac’s assessment was comprehensive, saving the client
considerable manpower and expense so that they could more effectively
present to the DOE.
Technical Products Marketing Process Client Impact Case Study
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
OPPORTUNITY &
RISK ASSESSMENT
IP PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT
PATENT FILING
AND/ OR LICENSING
NEGOTIATION
IP RIGHTS
ENFORCEMENT
LEGAL • Patent landscaping services by
technical experts
• Early-stage clearance research
to identify competition and risks
• Leverage regulatory issues
• Patentability research by technical experts
• Prepare Petition to Make Special and support
with detailed prior art research
• Filing requirements for participation in USPTO
Pilot Program
• Electronic patent portfolio creation for case and
asset management
• Due diligence support for in-licensing
• Provide objective analysis of out-licensing
opportunities
• Identify enforcement
targets based on products
and technologies
• Provide objective support
for assertion positioning
TECHNICAL &
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Professional opinion on availability
of patent protection for new ideas
• Inform investment decisions with CI
• Help identify developments with most promise
for patent protection
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT • Help identify space for technical
development within the patent
landscape
• Provide CI support for new
market entry
• Identify latent opportunities for IP
commercialization
• Provide objective research in support of
negotiation positions
• Help identify new commercialization partners
• Inform decisions to
assert patents from a
business/revenue
standpoint
MARKETING • Guide marketing efforts with understanding
of commercial scope of IP
Intellectual Property Process Enable Effective IP Portfolio Management
PROCESS STAGE
DE
PA
RT
ME
NT
OR
F
UN
CT
ION
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Intellectual Property Process Examples of Recently Completed Projects
Determine if a competitor's patent for a heat exchanger
could be invalidated.
― Nerac determined that prior art exists which pre-dates this patent
and is appropriate for invalidating several key claims.
Determine the patentability of seven photovoltaic cell manufacturing
tools.
― Identified that several of the designs were appropriate to invest further time and
effort into patenting.
Procure patent protection for converting current combustion engine
technology over to a radically different fuel source and then license
the rights to manufacturers.
— Nothing was identified which would preclude patentability of this technology.
Further, nothing was found to preclude the technical feasibility of using this
technology in existing engines and pursuing commercial applications.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Issue: A Project Manager at a large petroleum company needed to understand the
Intellectual Property relating to the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) in chemical
processing. The specific technology they wished to patent was of high importance
to the company’s future, and the Project Manager needed confidence that they
completely understood this space before investing significant time and money.
Analyst Approach: Nerac analysts skilled in chemical research advised the client of
the high concentrations of patents as well as several opportunities which existed in the
use of SCFs. The Nerac team also identified several competitor’s whose patenting
strategies were intentionally obscuring their holdings from ready identification. Not
recognizing the tactics and patenting trends could have caused significant problems
for our client as they attempted to expand their own IP holdings in the future.
Client Benefit: A client was able to develop a patenting strategy which would ensure
that their competition would not be able to block further development of this technology.
Through the Nerac analysis, they are now prepared to defend any attempts to
invalidate their patents, also, giving them a strong position as they develop this highly-
critical SCF method.
Intellectual Property Due Diligence Client Impact Case Study
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
The Nerac Experience
In Just Days
Nerac can move from
scoping client need to
project execution
A Turn-Key Research Operation
Confidential Collaboration
with highly skilled research
staff as an extension
of your team
High Impact Results
tailored to client scope,
timing and budget
Seamless
Partnership.
Rapid
Progress.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
The Nerac Difference Rapid Response, Highly-Skilled Expert Advisors
• Seamless teaming with client staff to form a trusted partnership
• Flexible engagements which offer rapid, impactful results
• Custom research services tailored to client scope, timing and budget
• Unique blend of Nerac Analysts’ keen insights and industry experience
• Unwavering integrity and relentless protection of client information
• Nerac researchers, analysts and IP advisors bring four decades experience
serving thousands of energy companies
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Engaging Nerac Simple & Flexible Agreements
EXPERT RESEARCH REQUEST SERVICES
Source and synthesize relevant information
from many sources
Administer and manage alerts
Research key resources, including scientific,
technical, medical and patent sources
Contact industry, commercial, academic,
or government facilities
Discuss research or business challenges
and needs
Designed for individuals who prefer to
conduct their own synthesis and analysis
RESEARCH & ADVISORY
SERVICES
Expert analysis of businesses and
technical information to produce
actionable insights
Data-driven evaluation of technical,
business and intellectual property
trends
Designed for individuals who want
expert analysis and opinion in
addition to sourcing and synthesis
SPECIAL PROJECT SERVICES
Scope of work to be defined under a
specific agreement
Designed for large engagements
executed for a fixed price
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Next Steps
Define Need
Assign and Introduce Analyst or Team of Analysts
Schedule Scoping Meeting
Distribute Agreement for Review and Sign-off
Project Launch Meeting/Discussion
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Detailed Case Study Examples
1. Jatropha Oil Market Opportunities
2. Turbo Expander for Natural Gas Letdown Stations
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Case Study Example Jatropha Oil Market Opportunities
A client which utilizes a large number of diesel engines
wanted to explore the use of Jatropha oil in place of diesel fuel.
Their intent was to reduce energy costs and realize a competitive
advantage through increased efficiency. Also, this initiative could also provide
environmental benefits which could translate into positive public relations.
Nerac was engaged to evaluate the various key drivers of this initiative
including:
a. Financial risks and opportunities
b. Competitive landscape
c. Partnership opportunities
d. Agricultural implications
e. Energy balance
f. Governmental funding opportunities
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Case Study Example (continued)
Jatropha Oil Market Opportunities
Approach: Nerac’s analysis of the various market aspects
of Jatropha including agricultural and bioengineering, intellectual property,
recent research advancements as well as an evaluation of key business
and financial drivers related to the agricultural and refining requirements
of Jatropha resulted in four strategic options for the client, with several
implementation steps for each option.
Result: ― Based on Nerac’s research and analysis,
the Client decided to proceed in developing
this energy source.
― Nerac provided a forecasted ROI and timeline
for development, including specific opportunities
and potential hurdles.
― Nerac also provided agricultural recommendations
and identified potential partners.
Biofuels and Cost
Per Barrel of Biodiesel
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Case Study Example Turbo Expander for Natural Gas Letdown Stations
Client engaged Nerac for an independent, third party
assessment of their turbo expander in place of throttle valves
at letdown stations for natural gas distribution systems. The
overall intent was to understand the future opportunities in a
market which transcends traditional and alternative energy.
Nerac was engaged to evaluate the following:
a. Identify the international market sizes and trends
b. Estimate payback periods
c. Develop customer lists
d. Determine if any Intellectual property would impede the
commercialization of this product or potential partners
e. Access the client's solution against competitive products to
determine strengths and weaknesses
f. Analysis performed by Nerac demonstrated the viability of the
Clients product against current competition and market trends.
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Approach: The client’s design was evaluated
first for technical suitability in a gas letdown
station by developing the appropriate energy
analysis model. Subsequent analysis would
then determine where this design fit into the
current market and which competitors were
already producing products there.
Key Results
• Nerac discovered that the energy model of the
turbo expander revealed that it was undersized
for use in the client’s originally intended
application of a letdown station.
• Nerac recommended against entering this market
,and instead to look for alternative opportunities
which were more suitable for this design.
• At the client’s request, Nerac moved forward with
identifying an appropriate market for their design.
• The final results, reviewed with the client,
were used to establish the appropriate product/
marketing roadmap.
• This new direction saved the client significant
capital investment by avoiding entry into the
wrong market.
Case Study Example (continued)
Turbo Expander for Natural Gas Letdown Stations
Pressure – Enthalpy Diagram Illustrating
the Work Capability of the Turbo Expander
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nerac Inc. | 1 Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084
Case Study Example Nerac Analyst Bios
J.T. Kraska
B.S., Chemical Engineering,
Manhattan College
Emma Palmacci, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S, Chemistry with a concentration in Medicinal
Chemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Kevin Closson
M.S., Mechanical Engineering,
University of Maryland
M.B.A., University of Baltimore
B.S., Mechanical Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University
Alan Kendrick
J.D.,University of San Francisco
B.S. Magna Cum Laude, Aerospace
Engineering, San Jose State University
Steven Sparkowich
Graduate Certificate, Welding Engineering,
Ohio State University
B.S., Metallurgical & Materials Engineering,
Colorado School of Mines