Profile: DTE Energy Ventures shows regulatory impetus requires one of the US's largest and most influential energy companies to use venturing as a tool to meet its renewable power goals.

Regulation spurred the decision by Detroit-based and New York-listed diversified power company DTE Energy effectively to restart its corporate venturing programme nearly three years ago.

Michigan, the US state where DTE is based, requires 10% of its power to come from renewable sources by 2015 (see illustration). DTE responded to the requirement, passed two years ago, by saying it would invest $15m to $20m a year, about 1% to 2% of its annual capital expenditure, in minority stakes…