Thirty-four clean energy companies will present their business cases to a panel of investors and industry experts in Denver Nov. 3-5 as the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosts the 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum.

The 34 companies were selected through an application and review process and will compete for the 2009 NREL-Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors Clean Energy Venture Awards. NREL’s Industry Growth Forum is one of the nation’s premier clean energy investment forums. Since 2003, presenting companies have raised more than $2.5 billion in investment.

In addition to the business case presentations, NREL’s three-day forum will highlight clean energy industry technology and business developments with a comprehensive agenda of speakers and in-depth panels that will address the most important topics in the industry today.

NREL is introducing its first NREL Opportunity Forum on Thursday, Nov. 5, which will showcase the latest clean energy opportunities in Colorado and across the country and will feature remarks by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. The NREL Opportunity Forum also will feature organized networking opportunities for industry professionals.

“It’s critical to create a platform to connect key players in the clean energy community.” said L. Marty Murphy, Forum chairman and NREL’s manager of enterprise development. “We are bringing entrepreneurs directly together with financiers, policymakers and technology experts. We’re laying the seeds for future conversations, future partnerships and eventual business decisions that strengthen the clean energy industry.”

For more information, including the agenda, list of companies, list of sponsors and information on registration see the 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum website at http://www.cleanenergyforum.com/.