North Carolina is considered a leader in the Southeast on emerging energy issues with more than 100 companies that manufacture or develop green energy technology, according to the Appalachian State University Energy Center. Here's a sampling of businesses, organizations and programs in the Triangle: ABB (Raleigh): Designs equipment and technologies that connect utility power grids to electricity generated from wind power, solar energy and other renewable resources.

Advanced Energy (Raleigh): A 28-year old nonprofit that evaluates industrial heating and energy use, tests motors and drives, provides energy training nationwide and subsidizes renewable energy in North Carolina through NC GreenPower.

Advanced Transportation Energy Center: Announced this month, a research project at N.C. State University to develop an affordable electric car battery with increased driving range.

Carolina Solar Energy (Durham): Installs commercial-scale solar power modules. Cree (Durham): Makes semiconductors for light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, that illuminate mobile phones, street lamps and indoor lights.

INI Power Systems (Morrisville): Develops methanol-based fuel cells to power electronics for industrial and military applications.

Itron (Raleigh): Designs and manufactures advanced, automated utility meters and data analysis.

MegaWatt Solar (Hillsborough): Develops curved mirror technology to concentrate sun's rays and increase efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels.

Microcell (Raleigh): Develops hydrogen fuel cells to power cars, homes and consumer electronics.

N.C. Green Business Fund (Raleigh): Created last year by the General Assembly, the fund will invest in clean-energy companies in the state to spur biofuels, green buildings and other efforts.

N.C. Solar Center (Raleigh): Operated by the College of Engineering at N.C. State University, the 20-year-old center promotes and develops solar power and renewable energy.

Optimal Technologies (Raleigh): Manages electricity flow over power grids to maximize efficiency and reduce need for new power plants.

Orbit Energy (Raleigh): Develops technologies for converting municipal and industrial waste into a renewable fuel.

PetroBeam (coming to Raleigh in March): Develops technology to refine inferior grade crude oil into transportation fuels.

Piedmont Biofuels (Pittsboro): Co-op that produces and sells biodiesel fuel. PowerSecure International (Wake Forest): Installs and operates emergency backup diesel generators for grocery stores and other energy-intensive businesses.

Research Triangle Energy Consortium (Research Triangle Park): A collaboration between RTI International, Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University to tap federal research grants and private venture capital for energy research and development.

Research Triangle Institute International (Research Triangle Park): Has been studying underground storage of carbon dioxide for about 15 years as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's goal to create a clean coal-burning power plant. Sensus Metering Systems (Raleigh): Designs and manufactures advanced, automated utility meters and data analysis.

SJF Ventures (Durham): Venture capital fund that invests in clean energy and green technology companies.

Solargenix Energy (Sanford): Designs and installs solar thermal systems for producing heat or steam on a commercial scale.

SolarH2Ot (Cary): Installs solar thermal water heaters, space heaters and pool heaters.

Southern Energy Management (Raleigh): Conducts home energy audits, installs solar panels and provides other energy solutions.

Southern Research Institute's Carbon to Liquids Development Center (Durham): Develops agricultural waste and crops into diesel fuel, jet fuel, methanol and ethanol.

Truveon Corp. (Durham): Installs residential climate-control systems to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.

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