Everybody and his uncle wants to be part of the massive "green" tsunami sweeping the United States as energy costs rise and businesses strive to reduce their carbon footprint. As one of the early players in the field, Richmond-based Intrinergy Inc. has a big head start.

Founded in 2005, the company has developed an expertise in producing clean-burning gas from biomass, anything from wood chips, forest residue and yard clippings. Intrinergy's technology is particularly suited to clients who can use the gas for cogeneration: generating electricity and using the waste steam for industrial processes.

The company buys its feedstock from pulp and paper mills, sawmills and facilities and companies that produce a great deal of organic waste each year, according to a recent profile in Virginia Business magazine.

At present, Intrinergy buys about 7,000 tons of waste byproducts a month for its European and domestic operations, reports Garry Kranz. The company also provides the financing for the projects, funding the full cost of constructing the energy generation facilities, allowing the client to share in the cost savings without committing its own capital. The company has built plants in Mississippi, Ohio and Germany, and it has another 35 facilities in the pipeline in North America and Europe.

Says President John Keppler: "We believe realistically that we could invest $2 billion to $3 billion in renewable energy over the next five years."