Energy company probing alternative technology's virtue (5)
I believe the answer is:
asset
'probing alternative technology's virtue' is the definition.
'asset' can be an answer for 'virtue' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'probing alternative technology's' bit.
'energy company' is the wordplay.
'energy' becomes 'as' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'company' becomes 'set' (I've seen this in other clues).
'as'+'set'='ASSET'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asset that I've seen before include "One bringing benefit" , "Something useful" , "Item well worth having" , "It's an advantage to declare" , "good point" .)