The idea of supporting the “green” movement just got easier. While environmentally-conscious ETFs like solar and wind already exist in today’s market, Global X Fund has just launched the first ever lithium ETF which is a main resource to renewable energy.

Global X Lithium ETF (LIT: Profile, Quote, Advanced Chart, News) will invest in large lithium battery manufacturers, as well as lithium mining and refining companies, according to the press release. LIT will track the Solactive Global Lithium Index on the NYSE Arca. Two of the largest holdings from the US are FMC Corporation and Rockwood Holdings.

Jose C. Gonzalez, COO of Global X Funds, states, “Lithium is the lightest metal. When processed it has the capacity to store electric energy more efficiently than any other material. Efficient electric energy storage is necessary for all green energy products and the computer systems that control them " like electric cars, solar, wind and water power.”

The first six months of 2010 have not been kind to the First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index ETF (FAN: Profile, Quote, Advanced Chart, News). The ETF has gradually lost value throughout the year; however, the winds have changed direction in the past couple of days.

A Forbes article points out the alternative energy fund lead other ETFs during the latest daily performance. With a gain of nearly 2% on the day, FAN received some positive attention.

Two companies were identified as a major reason for the increase. Zoltec Companies and Federal Mogul were both up on the day by more than 2%. The gains were 2.6% and 2.3%, respectively.

FAN just celebrated its second anniversary in June. The chart below takes a look at how the alternative energy fund has performed since its inception.

As oil prices carve out new 2009 highs, clean energy ETFs are also grabbing their share of a solid bull run. Although clean energy producers dived during the credit crunch, they’re back with vengeance, moving up more than 70% since March.

The iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index Fund (ICLN: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) has been one of the biggest movers, helped in part by its exposure to a variety of components. The fund allocates 45% to solar, 33% to energy producers and transmitters, and 15% to wind power investments. A handful of batter makers and geothermic energy producers round out the well balanced portfolio, TheStreet.com reports.

Clean energy isn’t without its downsides, however. Due to a whipsaw commodities market and the complications of a newly developing industry, the iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index Fund has a beta of 2.01, making it twice as volatile as the S&P 500. The following chart illustrates the weekly performance of ICLN over the past year.

The push to develop a national “smart-grid,” which will more effectively transfer energy around the country, is setting up an opportunity for quick ETF profits. The project, which could cost as much as $2 trillion, will be a boon for many energy service corporations.

The movement’s goal is to reduce the amount of energy used, as well as find new ways to produce energy efficiently and inexpensively, according to NASDAQ. Many new upgrades, including improved home metering technology and enhanced electric lines across the country, will stimulate the energy sector with billions in fresh stimulus cash.

NASDAQ names two exchange-traded funds that are set to profit from the new electric grid. Claymore Global Solar Energy ETF (TAN: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) and First Trust ISE Wind Energy Index Fund (FAN: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) are two funds that are expected to be electrified in the coming energy revolution.

The wind power industry is set to balloon 143% in the next six years, with the amount of electricity to be produced by wind to grow from 121,000 megawatts in 2008 to 294,000 in 2015. However, the tremendous growth will not be derived through personal wind power installations, but in well placed wind power ETFs.

Analysis from The Examiner shows continued growth in wind power, with the industry as a whole projected to grow to $300 billion by 2015. Although many of the biggest wind power companies are traded overseas, domestic exchange-traded funds offer an excellent gateway into the industry.

First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) and PowerShares Global Wind Energy ETF (PWND: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) are popular options that can be used to diversify into the wind energy sector.