Alliant Energy Resources Inc. has dropped a $10 millioninvestment into Nth Power Technologies Fund II, LP, a venturecapital fund that invests in emerging opportunities fromrestructuring in the energy industry both domestically andinternationally.

Nth’s portfolio carries companies involved in distributedresource technologies that allow electric power to be generated anddelivered by energy service providers, utilities and end-usersclose to the point where it will be used. Nth also carriescompanies involved in energy storage and power quality, e-commerceand business outsourcing.

In June, Nth obtained a holding in Capstone Turbine Corp., whichmanufacturers microturbines for the distributed generation market,for its Power Technologies Fund I. Alliant Energy Resources,headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA, in March had made an independent$10 million investment in Capstone as well, and set up adistribution agreement for Capstone’s microturbine products, for atotal investment of $90 million as of Aug. 18.

As the parent company of Madison, WI-based Alliant EnergyCorp.’s non-utility holdings, Alliant Energy Resources said it madethe Nth Power investment following an “outgrowth of its continued,strategic engagement of the evolving distributed sources segment”of the energy industry.”

“We are expecting to add shareholder value via positive returnsfrom Nth Power’s Fund II,” said Eliot Protsch, executive vicepresident of energy delivery for Alliant Energy. “Just asimportant, our participation in the fund affords us unique insightsand connections to some of the emerging energy technologies thatwill be an important part of our future business and portfolio ofcustomer solutions.”

In June, Alliant Energy Resources announced its plans to partnerwith Corn Products International Inc., a major corn refiner, to builda 750 MW co-generation facility near Chicago. The plant, to be calledArgo Power LLC, will produce enough energy to serve about 225,000homes when it is completed in three years (see Daily GPI, June 6).

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