Photos: Clean-tech start-ups swing for the fences

It looks like gerbil food, but it heats your house. American Biomass Distribution started last year to distribute wood pellets, which are compressed sawdust that are burned in pellet stoves.

These stoves are becoming more popular, but consistent availability of pellets has been a problem over the last few years, at least regionally, according to CEO Jon Strimling. Shortages have led to price gouging and frustrated consumers, he said. His company has developed a software system and logistics network that can help connect consumers with available pellets, he said.

Pellet stoves are getting more notice by environmentally oriented consumers because they are a renewable source of energy and are more convenient than chord wood, Strimling said.