Investing In Sustainable Technologies In 2014

© Guerito 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2013 was a good year for companies in sustainable technologies. Investors took to the risk and put up their finance portfolios on green investment opportunities. The trend is expected to continue even further in 2014. Investment forecasts predict that investors are going to double their investment portfolios in sustainable technologies in 2014.

Growing trends in Sustainable Technologies

Over the last couple of years, sustainable technologies have generated a lot of interest. Sustainable technologies promise to bring down the cost of production and at the same time conserve the environment. Advancement in technology has seen a number of technologies deliver on this promise. This is why many companies are interested in implementing one form or another of sustainable technologies.

Qualified engineers leaning towards sustainable technologies are also graduating from universities. This means the sectors are not short on manpower. From the current going-ons, ambitious engineers are expected to drive inventions and innovations in sustainable technology to push it to greater heights.

Investing in Sustainable Technologies

The demand for sustainable technologies has been on the rise over the last five years. On the other hand, supply is working to satisfy this demand. If you are a keen investor, 2014 should be the year you put your money in sustainable technologies. Below are some of the areas of sustainable technologies that hold a lot of promise:

Solar Energy

Solar energy has been around for a while and has always been a good sector for high net-worth, low risk investors. The good news is that solar energy is not about to slow down anytime soon. On the contrary, this sector will see tremendous growth in 2014.

Technology advancement has increased efficiency in harvesting and storage of solar energy. This means consumers of solar energy are getting satisfied. Moreover, more homes and industries are expected to take to solar energy. Several solar energy companies are coming up to satisfy this demand. Now is the opportune time to invest in such companies.

Water and Waste Management

Demand for water is at its peak in the United States. A number of companies centered on waste management to reclaim water have been set up. These companies are riding on the water demand wave. The wave is going to get even bigger as households and industries compete for the scarce water resources. When demand outstrips supply, the country will turn to sustainable technologies in water and waste management to solve this equation.

Water and waste management is an area which will see a lot of innovation in 2014. You can invest in companies specializing in sustainable technology in water and waste management as they are about to see immense growth.

Large-Scale Energy Storage

To encourage the move to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, there is a need to fill the vacuum on how the energies are stored. 2014 is the year when we will see innovations to address this problem. Solar and wind energy uptake is on the rise and innovations to enhance storage will only see the graph climb higher. Both households and industries are turning to renewable energy to cut on costs associated with fossil fuel.

Lots of innovations on energy storage are on the offing. This can only mean one thing; a breakthrough is imminent. Energy storage will prove to be profitable sector to have in your portfolio for 2014.

The whole world has shifted focus to sustainable technology to solve problems and increase productivity. In 2013, we saw sustainable technologies prove they can solve global problems. In 2014, companies in sustainable technology will seek to take their efforts a notch higher and provide practical solutions. The demand for such solutions is at an all time high. This means 2014 is the right time to put part of your finance portfolio in sustainable technologies.

Author Bio
Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he explains new green technologies and aims to encourage further study with a Marylhurst University Sustainability Degree.

Investment Opportunities In Civil Engineering

Abu Dhabi by SPOT Satellite (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The world of finance takes investors to some intriguing areas of opportunity. Some of the most exciting opportunities for investing come in the form of civil engineering projects. The need to upgrade infrastructure or initiate new projects is ongoing in society, creating favorable circumstances for investments in those efforts. Five areas in particular currently present interesting ventures to finance. 

High Speed Rail 

Interest is growing in private investments in high speed rail. Routes that are expected to handle a lot of traffic will be lucrative, drawing the interesting of investors. New York and California, for instance, both offer potential investment opportunities. California in particular has a clear vision for private investment opportunities in high speed rail. The U.S. has fallen behind other countries in private investment in high speed rail, but recent successes and growing plans could change that. A planned rail between Dallas and Houston combines with the success of a new route between Boston and Washington to create a positive outlook. 

Alternative Energy 

Offshore wind offers an intriguing opportunity for investing. The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Interior believe there is enough wind potential in close range of shore to equal the amount of energy in the country's electrical system as it is now. There are high initial costs to finance offshore wind, but the potential to harness even more energy from further offshore could mean significant returns on investments. Timing and a keen eye on prices can help an investor to make a choice at the opportune moment. 

Solar Energy 

Investments in solar power continue to represent a great deal of potential. These solar projects culminate in physical products as well as energy production, which make them an investment that finance professionals can envision bringing in high returns. Solar energy also offers any number of models for investment, creating versatility and choices in surveying opportunities. 

Solar projects are expected to continue growth, larger projects in particular presenting the best chances for returns, as they tend to be more viable economically. Additionally, municipalities, state and federal projects offer some incentives for investment in solar projects. The increasing diversity of choices and the growing interest in clean energy make solar energy attractive to investors. 

Inland Waterways 

Underinvestment from public funds has created opportunities for private investment in inland waterways. Global investments present a variety of options for those ready to finance a project that promises returns. Projects planned in India, for instance, are open to private investment. Projects in the U.S. also offer promise, given the successes seen in public-private joint funding. Partnerships between public interests and private investments are likely to be explored in the U.S. in the wake of public budget obstacles and a complicated political atmosphere. 

UAE Investing 

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing continued growth and urban development, Dubai in particular attracting a great deal of interest. Dubai tops many lists of the best places in which to invest, and the large number of opportunities give investors a number of options. Likewise, Abu Dhabi represents opportunities for investors to explore. The leadership in alternative energy in the region provides additional investment options to consider and makes the area even more enticing when contemplating choices. 

Choosing a project to finance as an investment can be a difficult undertaking. There are no certainties in the world of investing, and many factors must be weighed. The first thing to do is study the investment products under consideration. It is also crucial to understand the risks of options being considered. A careful review of the various options from which to choose can also help investors decide what suits them best. Only the investor planning to finance a project can determine what to do once all of the information is analyzed. 

Author Bio 

William Stevens is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to technology. In this article, he describes investment opportunities in civil engineering and aims to encourage further study with an online masters degree in civil engineering.