Energy expert Dr. Steve Fawkes analyses start-up energy companies. The home heating control firm Nest is a good example of a small start-up company that produced smart thermostats, and was recently bought by Google for just over three billion US dollars.

Dr. Fawkes explains that a revolution seems to be starting in energy efficient financing, making this emerging sector an attractive investment.  One US company to consider having on your investment radar is US firm ’Viewglass’, which makes ‘intelligent ‘glass; able to adjust transparency at the touch of a button. The technology promises increased energy conservation and, therefore, lower utility bills.

Dr. Fawkes also suggests that companies developing ‘self-healing’ materials – materials that fix themselves – are worth watching. The new materials have huge potential for many industries and it’s a sector where you can spot many start-ups with exciting products.