On September 26, an overflow crowd gathered at San Francisco City Hall to honor the five winners of the inaugural California Clean Tech Open (e-Newswire, 4/05/06). More than 155 companies and individuals entered the competition, which offered winners $50,000 in cash, plus accounting, legal and executive search services, public relations consulting and a yearlong office space lease.

At the ceremony, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom cited the competition as “a perfect example of the practical initiatives that will make the city of San Francisco and the state of California epicenters for innovation in environmentally conscious technology.”

A panel composed of leading California venture capitalists, university and laboratory researchers, and clean tech industry veterans selected winners in five categories:

Energy Efficiency: Berkeley-based Adura Technologies produces wireless lighting management technology that uses sensors and software to turn off lights in commercial buildings when they are not needed. The system, which can be installed in as little as five minutes per fixture, can save companies up to 50% on lighting costs, estimates Adura.

Smart Power: The hot water controller manufactured by EDC Technologies Inc. (EDC) of Ladera Ranch reduces natural gas consumption in apartments, condominiums, dorms and hotels by 15% to 40%. EDC intends to install the energy-management systems at no cost and recoup the investment with a monthly fee based on the utility bill savings.

Transportation: The helium-filled wind sail developed by Palo Alto-based KiteShip can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of tanker and container ships by up to 25%. Already being used by 75 sailboat customers, KiteShip plans to release a large-scale version for ocean vessels in 2007.

Water Management: Portland, Oregon-based Crystal Clear Technologies (CCT) uses nano-coating technology to manufacture a water purification system with higher absorption capacity than currently available products — and at a fraction of the cost. CCT says it can deliver potable water at $1.50 per 100 gallons, an amount 10 to 30 times cheaper than its competitors.

Renewable Energy: According to GreenVolts, based in Berekeley, its High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) technology produces power at half the cost of traditional solar panels. The company says that at times of peak demand its HCPV panels can produce power at costs competitive with natural gas.