Few industries have an impact on global economic livelihood, societal functioning and quality of life as significantly as the energy industry, and few industries face as many challenges. A number of daunting factors are leading many inside and outside the energy industry to embrace alternative energy as a solution. 

Some skeptics may ask what, if anything, makes this latest enthusiasm for alternative energy more sustainable than previous campaigning. The answer may be that there has never been such a confluence of disheartening and pervasive challenges. A sampling of trends and challenges affecting U.S. alternative energy companies includes:

• Growing interest in alternative energy
• Need for investments in affordable technology
• Competing technologies
• "Not in my back yard" syndrome
• Regulatory uncertainty
• Emissions allowances, renewable energy credits and trading

For the industry to overcome these challenges and remain profitable, technological innovation is the key; innovation that must be coupled with business rigor, strategic ingenuity and exacting execution to realize achievement. The alternative energy industry needs experienced teams backed by advisers who can provide the full range of service capabilities.

Additional Resources
The Energy & Resources industry group of Deloitte LLP regularly publishes research and analysis that help our clients understand the ever-changing energy industry. Our insightful materials provide a framework for both practical and visionary solutions. Recent pieces include:

• Capabilities: Serving the Growing U.S. Alternative Energy Market
• Presentations: Deloitte's 2008 Alternative Energy Seminar
• White Paper: A Five-Point Plan to Power and Empower America 
• White Paper: Power from Perspective 
• Article: Waning Tax Credits: Managing Renewable Energy Projects 
• White Paper: Power Play: Resource Nationalism, Global Scramble for Energy and the Need for Mutual Interdependence 
• White Paper: Climate Changes Everything – The Dawn of the Green Economy
• White Paper: Climate Change and Energy Security – The Future Is Now 
• White Paper: Ethanol – An Opportunity for the Oil and Gas Industry
• Survey: Consumer and Regulator Survey Results
• Survey: 2007 Deloitte Survey of Electric Consumer Opinion on Alternative Energy 
• Overview: Sustainability – Going "Green"
• Industry: Oil & Gas 
• Industry: Power & Utilities 

Upcoming Events
Deloitte LLP practitioners understand that leadership demands active participation across the industry’s diverse community. Deloitte LLP's U.S. Firms stay involved in the industry and host several valuable conferences per year that serve as an open forum for addressing challenges and trends facing the U.S. alternative energy markets. Industry meetings include:

• Alternative Energy Seminar 
• Deloitte Energy Conference: Two-day conference in Washington, D.C.
• Deloitte Oil & Gas Conference: One-day conference in Houston, TX
• Deloitte Energy Accounting, Financial Reporting and Tax Update Conference: Annual one-day conference in Chicago, IL
• Energy Transacting – Accounting and Risk Management: One-day conference in Chicago, IL