Green news harvest: Stanford backs energy research

Here's a sampling of green-tech news, with quick commentary:

• Stanford launches $100 million initiative to tackle energy issues - Press release
  Famed venture capitalist John Doerr and Google CEO Eric Schmidt make the case for more research in clean energy.
• Stanford's $100M Energy Initiative Event - Greentech Media
  A live blog from the Stanford launch, with John Doerr decrying the state of clean tech in the United States, particularly regarding battery technology.
• Why A123Systems Lost the Volt Battery Deal - Earth2Tech
  The debate between flat and cylindrical lithium cells is shaping up to be a classic technology battle with--so far, anyway--some real business consequences.
• Road to Fuel Efficiency Is Lined With Orange Cones - The Washington Post
  This article does a good job describing the "chicken and egg" problems of making and marketing electric cars.
• POET plant produces cellulosic ethanol - Press release
  A company specializing in corn ethanol is branching out, making ethanol from corn cobs. Having an established business appears to give it an advantage over start-ups.
• BYD Plans Electric Car - The Wall Street Journal
  Good profile of BYD (Build Your Dream) of China, which has gotten an early jump on manufacturing a plug-in electric passenger car.
• Gulf Oil States Seeking a Lead in Clean Energy - The New York Times
  A visit to the planned sustainable city in Abu Dhabi. The article notes that both cultural changes and new technology are needed.
• Alternative-Energy Companies Grow - The Wall Street Journal
  Despite optimism among many clean-tech companies, "the policy side is critical" for start-ups to stay alive, an analyst says.
• Energy-guzzling plasma TVs will be banned in Brussels eco blitz - The Daily Mail
  Actually, it's unlikely that the plasma screen technology will be banned, but there will be energy consumption limits, the article says. Energy-efficient LCDs should come out well.