California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership
Date: 2021-09-13
In the Golden State -- where heavy-duty diesel trucks are the largest single combined source of smog-forming NOx, diesel particulate matter and other climate-altering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions -- the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership (CNGVP) reports fleets are increasingly turning to near-zero emission (NZE) natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG).

According to the CNGVP, investment in NZE NGVs is even more effective as fleets utilize carbon negative RNG. In Q1 2021, California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program revealed that the average annual carbon intensity of compressed natural gas from renewable feedstocks was -16.57gCO2e/MJ, the lowest average of any currently available vehicle fuel. This means that fleet vehicles fueled by RNG in California are helping to remove more greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere than any other alternative fuel available, and ultimately help eliminate the climate impact of these heavy-duty vehicles. (Source: California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership, Tom Swenson, Bus. Dev, Mgr Cummins, 909-396-2647, www.cngvp.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership,  CNG,  NGV,  

Porsche, Siemens
Date: 2021-09-13
Stuttgart, Germany-headquartered automaker Porsche and Siemens are reporting construction is underway on the Haru Oni manufacturing plant near Punta Arenas in Chile.

When fully operational in 2022, the facility is expected to produce 34,000 gpy of synthetic fuel before scaling up to 14.5 million gpy by 2024 and 145 million gpy by 2026, at an expected cost of roughly $7.6 per gallon. Electrolyzed hydrogen is combined with CO2 to make methanol, then gasoline.

Porsche notes its developing a synthetic fuel that emits 90 percent less CO2 than gasoline derived from fossil fuels. (Source: Porsche, Sept., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Porsche,  Siemens,  Alternative Fuel,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  Synthetic Fuel ,  

United Airlines, Honeywell,Alder Energy
Date: 2021-09-10
United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. are reporting a multi-million dollar investment in Alder Energy LLC, a clean-technology company to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at scale.

Alder's technology converts woody biomass, forest and agricultural waste to produce SAF while using the same refineries, pipelines and engines as traditional fuel. United, which began using biofuels in 2009, has also pledged to buy 1.5 billion gallons of SAF over the next 20 years.

The company in 2015 made a similar commitment with alternative fuels developer Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc., agreeing to buy up to 900 million gallons of low-cost sustainable biofuels from waste, particularly woody biomass from the paper and pulp industry, the food industry and others.

The companies hope to commercialize the technology by 2025. (Source: United Airlines, PR, 8 Sept., 2021) Contact: United Airlines, Scott Kirby, CEO, www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/contact/headquarters.html; Alder Energy/Investment, Bryan Sherbacow, CEO, info@alderinvestment.com, www.alderinvestment.com; Honeywell UOP, www.uop.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alder Energy,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  Honeywell,  United Airlines,  

NGVAmerica
Date: 2021-08-23
In Washington, DC, NGVAmerica, the national organization representing the natural gas in transportation industry, reports that in 2020 renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, commercial food waste facilities, and agricultural digesters displaced fossil fuel derived conventional natural gas as the dominant on-road NGV fuel source nationwide. Moreover, the carbon intensity of RNG biofuel continues to drop. California fleets that fueled with bio-CNG in 2020 achieved carbon negativity for the year, with an annual average carbon intensity score of -5.845 gCO2e/MJ. Latest data puts the carbon intensity of bio-CNG in California's system at -16.57 gCO2e/MJ (Q1, 2021).

NGVAmerica has commited to:

Further accelerate the use of ultra-low to negative carbon natural gas in our fleets and as part of the supply provided to our transportation customers, marking 80 pct by 2030 and 100 pct by 2050;

Support the procurement of natural gas from energy production and distribution companies that undertake responsible best practices to effectively minimize fugitive methane emissions and flaring; and

Support continued advancements in the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel by working with other stakeholders including government authorities to improve the efficiency of future natural gas engine technology and further control emissions from natural gas engines.

There are currently 190 RNG production facilities in operation in North America with an additional 232 facilities under construction or under substantial development (e.g., permitting).

NGVAmerica is a national organization of roughly 200 companies, environmental groups, and government organizations dedicated to the development of a growing, profitable, and sustainable market for vehicles powered by natural gas or biomethane. NGVAmerica member companies produce, distribute, and market natural gas and biomethane across North America, manufacture and service natural gas vehicles, engines, and equipment, and operate fleets powered by clean-burning gaseous fuels. (Source: NGV America, PR, 17 Aug., 2021) Contact: NGV America, Dan Gage, Pres., (202) 824-7360, www.ngvamerica.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News NGVAmerica,  NGV,  RNG,  Alternative Fuel,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  

Global Energy Group, Proman
Date: 2021-08-23
Inverness, Scotland-based Global Energy Group Ltd. (GEG) is reporting an agreement with Swiss methanol producer Proman to develop a commercial-scale renewable-power-to-methanol plant utilizing locally sourced captured CO2 to be located at the GEG-owned Nigg Oil Terminal in Scotland. Subject to ongoing technical feasibility studies, financing and development, Proman will become the owner, operator and off taker of the “Cromarty Clean Fuels Project“ green methanol production facility.

Green methanol is a renewable, liquid used as a transportation fuel or chemical industry feedstock produced from recycled carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced from renewable electricity using proven technologies such as electrolysis. As a transportation fuel, green methanol drastically cuts greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating sulphur oxide and particulate matter, and significantly reducing nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. (Source: Global Energy Group Ltd., Chem. Eng., 18 Aug., 2021) Contact: Global Energy Group Ltd., Tim Cornelius, CEO, www.gegroup.com; Proman, David Cassidy, CEO, +41 43 888 29 99 , Switzerland@proman.org, www.proman.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Global Energy Group news,  Proman news,  Methanol news,  Green Methanol news,  Alternative Fuel news,  

Avfuel
Date: 2021-08-18
Chicago-headquartered Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) reports it is joining the industry push toward a more sustainable future by enabling clients to evaluate and reduce net carbon emissions by providing an online CO2 calculator to estimate emissions and facilitating an option to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions, and boost the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through Ann Arbor, Michigan-based aviation fuels and services provider Avfuel Corporation.

Each carbon credit purchased will offset one metric ton of CO2 emissions through direct investment in a selection of carbon offset projects that meet the requirements of either the United Nations or the Gold Standard.

Avfuel calculates carbon credits based on an industry-standardized formula, measured in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the ISO 14064 Standard, and utilizes CO2 emission coefficients as assigned by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (Source: JSSI, PR, Aviation Pros, 16 Aug., 2021) Contact: Avfuel Corp., Keith Sawyer, Manager of Alternative Fuels, 734-663-6466, ksawyer@avfuel.com, www.avfuel.com; JSSI, Neil Book, CEO , www.jetsupport.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Avfuel,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuels,  Carbon Offset,  Carbon Credit,  

Cornell
Date: 2021-08-16
Blue hydrogen, an energy source that involves obtaining hydrogen by using methane in natural gas, is usually described as a "low-carbon option for generating electricity, powering vehicles, and even heating buildings." But researchers from Stanford and Cornell universities found that blue hydrogen's carbon footprint is more than 20 pct greater than that generated by natural gas or coal and around 60 pct higher than burning diesel oil for heat and causes more harm to the climate than conventional fossil fuels

"Blue hydrogen provides no benefit. We suggest that blue hydrogen is best viewed as a distraction, something than may delay needed action to truly decarbonize the global energy economy, in the same way that has been described for shale gas as a bridge fuel and for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in general."

"In the past, no effort was made to capture the carbon dioxide byproduct of gray hydrogen, and the greenhouse gas emissions have been huge. Now the industry promotes blue hydrogen as a solution, an approach that still uses the methane from natural gas, while attempting to capture the byproduct CO2", study co-author Robert Howarth noted.

The vast majority of hydrogen (96 pct) is generated from fossil fuels, particularly from steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas, but also from coal gasification. In SMR, heat, and pressure are used to convert the methane in natural gas to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen so produced is often referred to as "gray hydrogen" -- this type is responsible for 6 pct of all-natural gas consumption globally, the study notes.

Blue hydrogen is produced using the same reforming process that is used to create other types of hydrogen, but the CO2 that would ordinarily be released is captured and stored underground. As of 2021, there were only two blue-hydrogen facilities globally that used natural gas to produce hydrogen on a commercial scale, according to the study.

The full study is available HERE. (Source: Cornell University, PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: Cornell University, Robert Howarth, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, (607) 255-6175, howarth@cornell.edu, www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth

More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel. Climate Change,  

US DOE EERE
Date: 2021-08-11
In Washington, the U.S. DOE has announced nearly $34 million in funding for 11 projects that will support high-impact research and development to improve and produce biofuels, biopower and bioproducts from municipal solid waste (MSW) streams and algae for conversion into low-carbon transportation fuels.

Selected projects will both research and develop waste for energy conversion, improve algae farming practices to increase production, and further understanding of MSW potential as a fuel and energy source.

Awardees across six projects will investigate various strains and farming practices of algae and explore new ways to improve their growth.

Recipent list and details HERE. (Source: US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy , PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE EERE,  Algae Biofuel,  Municipal Solid Waste,  Alternative Fuel,  

Eni, BASF
Date: 2021-07-30
Italian energy giant Eni SpA and German industrial conglomerate BASF SE are reporting a joint initiative to develop a new technology to produce bio-propanol as a drop-in transportation fuel that could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 65 pct to 75 pct compared to fossil fuels.

The joint initiative aims to develop bio-propanol from glycerin, a side product in the production of industrial biodiesel that Eni would buy from European producers, with a BASF catalyst. Bio-propanol produced in this way has better chemical properties than bioethanol and is therefore a valuable component for the preparation of premium gasoline, according to the release. (Source: Eni SpA, BASF, PR Market Watch, 29 July, 2021) Contact: Eni SpA, www.eni.com; BASF Dr. Detlef Kratz, Pres. Process Research & Chemical Engineering, +49 (0)621 60-0, www.basf.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni SpA,  BASF ,  Ethanol,  Bio-propanol,  Alternative Fuel,  

Hoplcim
Date: 2021-07-28
Zub, Switzerland-headquartered cement maker Holcim Group Services Ltd is reporting the launch of its global range of green cement it ECOPlanet, which delivers at least 30 pct lower carbon footprint.

ECOPlanet's sustainability profile is driven by innovative low-emission raw materials, including calcined clay and recycled construction and demolition waste. Its lower carbon footprint is further enhanced by decarbonizing its production process led by the use of alternative fuels.

ECOPlanet is available in Germany, Romania, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, France, and Italy and will be distributed across 15 countries in 2021, with the objective of doubling its market presence by the end of 2022 to enable low-carbon construction at scale. (Source: Holcim Group, PR, 27 July, 2021) Contact: Holcim Group, ECOPlanet, Jan Jenisch, CEO, Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer, +41 58 858 58 58, www.holcim.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Holcim,  Carbon Footprinf Cement,  Low-Carbon Cement,  

Shell, Aker Clean Hydrogen
Date: 2021-07-21
Royal Dutch Shell plc is reporting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lysaker, Norway-based Aker Clean Hydrogen and CapeOmega to explore the development of a large-scale blue hydrogen at Aukra on the west coast of Norway.

The facility will use the steam methane reforming method to break natural gas into hydrogen and carbon dioxide which will be captured and stored permanently. Notably, hydrogen is considered clean when produced from natural gas.

The facility, which is expected to become a major supplier of alternative fuels for the marine shipping industry, fits with the Norwegian government's strategy to develop hydrogen and create long-term value from the country's energy resources.

"Hydrogen will play a vital role to accelerate decarbonisation. It has the potential to close as much as 50 percent of the gap in CO2 emissions required to achieve the 2-degree scenario, by replacing fossil feed-stock and fuel through clean hydrogen and ammonia production and thus reducing the carbon footprint of industrial companies and in the shipping sector", according to the Aker Clean Hysdrogen website.

Shell aims to become a net-zero emission business by 2050. (Source: Aker Clean Hydeogen, PR, Website, July, 2021) Contact: Royal Dutch Shell, Aker Clean Hydrogen, post@akercleanhydrogen.com,www.akercleanhydrogen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Shell,  Aker Clean Hydrogen,  Blue Hydrogen,  Hydrogen,  

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company,Shell
Date: 2021-07-19
Swiss-headquartered MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) reports it is partnering with Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd to develop and deploy "net-zero solutions" such as zero-emission alternative fuels and the technologies that will enable them with the ambition of contributing towards a "zero-carbon flexi-fuel concept vessel" to help the shipping sector's energy transition towards decarbonization.

As previously reported, the two firms have worked together over the last 10 years on projects, including bunkering biofuels and ultra-low sulfur fuels, and envisage a range of net-zero fuel solutions such as hydrogen-derived fuels and the use of methanol as a marine fuel. The companies have also been exploring the potential benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bio-LNG or synthetic variants. (Source: Shell Marine, PR, gCaptain. 16 July, 2021) Contact: Shell Marine, Melissa Williams, President, www.shell.com/business-customers/marine.html; MCG Group, Bud Darr, EVP Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, +41 79 885 76 70, www.mcggroup.ch

More Low-Carbon Energy News MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company,  Shell,  CCS,  

European Green Deal
Date: 2021-07-16
On Wednesday the 14th, the European Commission (EC) announced the adoption of a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 pct by 2030 (Fit for 55), compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. With today's proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform our economy and society for a fair, green and prosperous future. The following proposals will enable the necessary acceleration of greenhouse gas emission reductions in the next decade:

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) puts a price on carbon and lowers the cap on emissions from certain economic sectors every year. It has successfully brought down emissions from power generation and energy-intensive industries by 42.8 pct in the past 16 years. The EC is proposing to lower the overall emission cap even further and increase its annual rate of reduction and to phase out free emission allowances for aviation and align with the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and to include shipping emissions for the first time in the EU ETS.

To complement the substantial spending on climate in the EU budget, Member States should spend the entirety of their emissions trading revenues on climate and energy-related projects. A dedicated part of the revenues from the new system for road transport and buildings should address the possible social impact on vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users.

The Effort Sharing Regulation assigns strengthened emissions reduction targets to each Member State for buildings, road and domestic maritime transport, agriculture, waste and small industries. Recognizing the different starting points and capacities of each Member State, these targets are based on their GDP per capita, with adjustments made to take cost efficiency into account.

Member States also share responsibility for removing carbon from the atmosphere, so the Regulation on Land Use, Forestry and Agriculture sets an overall EU target for carbon removals by natural sinks, equivalent to 310 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030. National targets will require Member States to care for and expand their carbon sinks to meet this target. By 2035, the EU should aim to reach climate neutrality in the land use, forestry and agriculture sectors, including also agricultural non-CO2 emissions, such as those from fertilizer use and livestock. The EU Forest Strategy aims to improve the quality, quantity and resilience of EU forests. It supports foresters and the forest-based bioeconomy while keeping harvesting and biomass use sustainable, preserving biodiversity, and setting out a plan to plant three billion trees across Europe by 2030.

Energy production and use accounts for 75 pct of EU emissions, so accelerating the transition to a greener energy system is crucial. The Renewable Energy Directive will set an increased target to produce 40 pct of our energy from renewable sources by 2030. All Member States will contribute to this goal, and specific targets are proposed for renewable energy use in transport, heating and cooling, buildings and industry. To meet both our climate and environmental goals, sustainability criteria for the use of bioenergy are strengthened and Member States must design any support schemes for bioenergy in a way that respects the cascading principle of uses for woody biomass.

To reduce overall energy use, cut emissions and tackle energy poverty, the Energy Efficiency Directive will set a more ambitious binding annual target for reducing energy use at EU level. It will guide how national contributions are established and almost double the annual energy saving obligation for Member States. The public sector will be required to renovate 3 pct of its buildings each year to drive the renovation wave, create jobs and bring down energy use and costs to the taxpayer.

A combination of measures is required to tackle rising emissions in road transport to complement emissions trading. Stronger CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans will accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility by requiring average emissions of new cars to come down by 55 pct from 2030 and 100 pct from 2035 compared to 2021 levels. As a result, all new cars registered as of 2035 will be zero-emission. To ensure that drivers are able to charge or fuel their vehicles at a reliable network across Europe, the revised Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation will require Member States to expand charging capacity in line with zero-emission car sales, and to install charging and fuelling points at regular intervals on major highways: every 60 kilometres for electric charging and every 150 kilometres for hydrogen refuelling.

Aviation and maritime fuels cause significant pollution and also require dedicated action to complement emissions trading. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation requires that aircraft and ships have access to clean electricity supply in major ports and airports. The ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative will oblige fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of sustainable aviation fuels in jet fuel taken on-board at EU airports, including synthetic low carbon fuels, known as e-fuels. Similarly, the FuelEU Maritime Initiative will stimulate the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies by setting a maximum limit on the greenhouse gas content of energy used by ships calling at European ports.

The tax system for energy products must safeguard and improve the Single Market and support the green transition by setting the right incentives. A revision of the Energy Taxation Directive proposes to align the taxation of energy products with EU energy and climate policies, promoting clean technologies and removing outdated exemptions and reduced rates that currently encourage the use of fossil fuels. The new rules aim at reducing the harmful effects of energy tax competition, helping secure revenues for Member States from green taxes, which are less detrimental to growth than taxes on labour.

Finally, a new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Tax) will put a carbon price on imports of a targeted selection of products to ensure that ambitious climate action in Europe does not lead to 'carbon leakage.' This will ensure that European emission reductions contribute to a global emissions decline, instead of pushing carbon-intensive production outside Europe. It also aims to encourage industry outside the EU and our international partners to take steps in the same direction.

European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal,  

European Green Deal
Date: 2021-07-16
On Wednesday the 14th, the European Commission (ED) adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 pct by 2030 (Fit for 55), compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. With today's proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law.

The EU Forest Strategy supports the forest-based bioeconomy while keeping harvesting and biomass use sustainable, preserving biodiversity, and setting out a plan to plant three billion trees across Europe by 2030. To meet both our climate and environmental goals, sustainability criteria for the use of bioenergy are strengthened and EU Member States must design any support schemes for bioenergy in a way that respects the cascading principle of uses for woody biomass.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative will oblige fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in jet fuel taken on-board at EU airports, including synthetic low carbon fuels. Similarly, the FuelEU Maritime Initiative will stimulate the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies by setting a maximum limit on the greenhouse gas content of energy used by ships calling at European ports.

European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fit for 55,  Bioeconomy,  European Green Deal,  SAF,  Biofuel,  Biomass,  GHG,  

Q Power,Keravan
Date: 2021-07-14
Finland-headquartered Keravan Energia Oy and Q Power have joined forces to produce carbon-neutral synthetic methane at the Kerava biopower plant in Finland. Synthetic methane fuel, which can be used as a transportation fuel and for energy production, is produced from CO2 recovered from the biogas plant's flue gases and hydrogen produced with carbon-neutral electricity.

A feasibility study for an industrial-scale production plant will also be launched to investigate the various technical and economic implementation of the proposed plant. Subject to a final investment decision, the plant is expected to begin production by 2024. (Source: Keravan Energia Oy, PR, 13 July, 2021) Contact: Keravan Energia Oy, Jussi Lehto, CEO, +358 9 5849550, www.kervanenergia.fi; Q Power, Eero Paunonen, CEO, www/qpower.fi

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Alternative Fuel,  

British Columbia
Date: 2021-07-12
In Victoria, the British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation reports it has amended the province's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation (GGR) to allow utilities to increase the production and use of renewable natural gas (RNG), as well as green and waste hydrogen in the province. Under the amendment, utilities can:

Increase the amount of renewable natural gas utilities can acquire and supply from 5 pct to 15 pct of their total annual supply of natural gas;

Broaden the methods by which utilities can obtain hydrogen, RNG, and other renewable gases to include producing it or upgrading it themselves for injection into the pipeline, or paying a third party to do so, or purchasing hydrogen, synthesis gas, or lignin to displace the use of natural gas at customers' facilities;

Allow the current price cap of $30 per gigajoule that utilities can pay to acquire any of these fuels to increase with inflation and enabling utilities to acquire and supply green and waste hydrogen, synthesis gas, and lignin.

The changes to the GGRR will help the province meet its CleanBC objectives and to increase the use of renewable natural gas in its system by 2030. (Source: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, PR, July, 2021) Contact: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, 604-660-2421, www2.gov.bc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  

Avfuel
Date: 2021-07-09
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based aviation fuels and services provider Avfuel Corporation reports it is collaborating with Million Air Burbank (KBUR) -- an Avfuel-branded FBO -- to supply Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Avfuel's first truckload of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) arrived at the FBO on June 24, this year.

As previously reported ,Neste will supply Avfuel with SAF in sufficient volumes to meet the growing demands of Avfuel's customers, including fixed base airport operators, flight departments, original equipment manufacturers and commercial operators. Avfuel will be a branded SAF distributor for Neste and will sell the fuel under the brand name Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. (Source: Avfuel Corp., PR, 8 July, 2021) Contact: Avfuel Corp., Keith Sawyer, Manager of Alternative Fuels, 734-663-6466,ksawyer@avfuel.com, www.avfuel.com; Million Air Burbank, Priscilla Howden, GM, 818-843-8311, www.millionair.com; Neste, www.neste.com/products/all-products/aviation

More Low-Carbon Energy News Avfuel,  SAF,  Neste MY,  

GE Aviation, Safran
Date: 2021-06-28
Cincinnati-based GE Aviation and Paris-headquartered Safran report they are developing a new aircraft engine aimed at reducing emissions by more than 20 pct of today's levels and work on technologies compatible with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and hydrogen.

The CFM joint venture, which manufactures engines for Boeing and Airbus, plans to design an open-fan engine, unlike a jet engine with a cover on a commercial aircraft. (Source: GE Aviation, Contact: GE Aviation, www.geaviation.com; Safran, +33 1 40 60 80 80, fax-- +33 1 40 60 81 02, www.safran-group.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Hydrogen,  SAF,  Safran,  Aviation Fuel,  

Ocean Conservancy
Date: 2021-06-11
"By 2030, we want ships capable of running on well-to-wake zero-emission fuels -- such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol, and advanced biofuels -- to make up at least 5 pct of the global deep-sea fleet measured by fuel consumption." -- US DOE

"We're going to look to the ocean to continue to help reduce pollution." -- U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, Apr., 2021

"We can decarbonize the sector by using zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, instead of dirty fuel oil, to power transoceanic vessels, but the shipping industry has been slow to make to the switch." -- John Lewis, Clean Air Task Force

In April, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry announced the U.S. will join an international effort to achieve zero emissions by 2050 in the global shipping industry -- which emits 1 billion metric tpy of CO2, according to the Ocean Conservancy. Roughly 90 pct of world trade is transported by sea and accounts for nearly 3 pct of the world's CO2 emissions. (Source: Ocean Conservancy, Various Media, June, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Maritime Fuel,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  

Air Liquide
Date: 2021-06-09
French industrial gas giant Air Liquide Engineering & Construction reports it and Seoul, South Korea-headquartered Samsung Engineering are planning construction of a 5,000 tpd methanol production facility in Bintulu, Sarawak State, Eastern Malaysia.

The methanol plant will utilise Air Liquide Engineering & Construction's proprietary process technology, Lurgu MegaMethanol, to convert natural gas into methanol. Air Liquide will license the technology required, as well as providing an Air Separation Unit (ASU) with a production capacity of 2,200 tpd of oxygen.(Source: Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, PR, Website, 5 June, 2021) Contact: Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, +33 1 49 83 55 55, www.airliquide.com/engineering-construction; Samsung Engineering, www.samsungengineering.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Liquide,  Methanol,  Alternative Fuel,  

Everfuel
Date: 2021-05-21
Herning, Denmark-based transportation fuels distributor Everfuel A/S is reporting an agreement with Cabonline, the Nordic region's largest taxi fleet operator, to jointly develop the market for taxis fueled by green hydrogen for zero emission mobility.

Under the agreement, Cabonline will provide its participating taxi license holders with incentives to use new Toyota supplied Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The participating license holders will benefit from discounted hydrogen fuel prices at Everfuel's stations. The initiative will initially be offered only in Helsinki then expanded to Norwegian cities where Everfuel's hydrogen station network is established. (Source: Everfuel, PR, May, 2021) Contact: Everfuel, Jacob Krogsgaard, CEO,+45 2871 8945, jk@everfuel.com, www.everfuel.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  Everfuel,  

VW, Bosch, Shell
Date: 2021-05-10
Stuttgart-based German technology provider Bosch, automaker Volkswagen and energy and petrochemical multinational Shell are touting the development of Blue Gasoline, which will be available at Bosch service stations this year.

According to Bosch, this new fuel contains the equivalent of 33 pct renewable energy which reduces its CO2 emissions by 20 pct per kilometer traveled compared to gasoline. "On the path to environmentally friendly mobility we must ensure that we leave no technical opportunity untapped, starting with electromobility and ending with renewable fuels", claimed the president of Bosch's Propulsion Systems Solutions division, Uwe Gackstatter.

VW's director of Development of Internal Combustion Engines, Sebastian Willmann, stresses that Blue Gasoline is another "critical component in reducing vehicle emissions, as it is particularly suitable for use in plug-in hybrid models."

Technically, blue gas is gasoline or diesel that is a hydrocarbon fuel manufactured from hydrogen and carbon feedstocks instead of being refined from petroleum. Hydrogen comes in several colors. Black hydrogen comes from coal gasification and has 20X the mass of CO2 as of produced hydrogen. (Source: Bosch, Shell, Volkswagen, Europe Press, Explica, 9 May, 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News VW,  Bosch,  Shell,  Alternative Fuel,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  

U.S. Energy Information Administration
Date: 2021-05-07
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel grew 12 pct to more than 31,000 bpd in 2020 due to the growing demand to meet government programs. This was the second consecutive year that the U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel increased.

EIA notes nearly 60 pct of the U.S. biomass-based diesel imports in 2020 was renewable diesel, primarily from Singapore since 2015. Renewable diesel imports increased to a record-high level of more than 18,000 bpd in 2020 and biodiesel jumped to more than 12,800 bpd. Imports from Canada accounted for the majority of the U.S. biodiesel imports in 2020 at 7,500 bpd -- up 47 pct from 2019. (Source: US EIA, May, 2021)Contact: EIA, www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Biofuel,  Alternative Fuel,  U.S. Energy Information Administration,  Renewable Diesel,  

University of California Institute of Transportation Studies
Date: 2021-04-23
The attached just released University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS) report aims to provide a research-driven analysis of options that can put California on a pathway to achieve carbon-neutral transportation by 2045.

The report identifies scenarios, assumptions, and related strategies -- including transitioning to zero emission vehicles, accelerating the use of alternative fuel sources, and reducing vehicle miles traveled -- tools, options, tradeoffs and benefits for areas where action can be taken now, as well as where additional actions, targets, policies, research and technology development are needed in the medium and longer term. The policy options outlined in the study, when combined, could lead to a zero-carbon transportation system by 2045, while also improving equity, health, and the economy.

Download the Driving California's Transportation Emissions to Zero report HERE. (Source: University of California Institute of Transportation Studies, Apr., 2021) Contact: University of California Institute of Transportation Studies, www.ucits.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Transportation Emissions,  

OMNI Conversion Technologies
Date: 2021-04-23
Ottawa, Ontario-based OMNI Conversion Technologies Inc. is reporting the sale of its first unsorted non-recyclable Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)-to-hydrogen production unit to produce negative carbon hydrogen in California by the end of 2023.

OMNI's patented process converts any solid energetic material into OmniSyngas™ to produce clean green hydrogen, biofuels, synthetic natural gas, chemicals or electricity. The OMNI process can produce roughly 5000 tpy of negative carbon hydrogen from 200 tpd of unsorted non-recyclable garbage, plastics woody biomass and other waste with no air emissions. Energy in the garbage replaces electricity otherwise required to make green hydrogen. The circular hydrogen produced could operate some 550 city buses running on hydrogen at a cost less than the current cost of using gasoline or diesel, according to the release. (Source: OMNI Conversion Technologies Inc., Website, 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: OMNI Conversion Technologies, Rod Bryden, CEO, Randy Bennett, 613-287-3127, www.onmict.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  Syngas,  

Compagnie Maritime Belge
Date: 2021-04-23
In Antwerp, Belgian shipowner Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) and Tsuneishi Facilities & Craft, a business unit of Japanese ship builder Tsuneishi Group have launched a hydrogen joint venture to develop hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) technology for the Japanese industrial and marine market.

To that end, the two firms will further invest in the Bingo Research Institute and change the name to JPN H2YDRO, which will establish a H2ICE Application Center in Japan. The companies will also focus on the development of hydrogen-powered equipment for the land-based port industry and ships of different categories, such as support ships for offshore wind farms, and others. (Source: CMB, Website PR, 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: Compagnie Maritime Belge, +32 3 2475 911, info@cmb.be, www.cmb.be; Tsuneishi Group, www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  

Mitsui
Date: 2021-04-07
Japanese maritime shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. is reporting a plan to invest $1.8 billion over the next three years to achieve zero emissions from its fleet by 2050 and to develop new carbon-neutral businesses.

To that end, the company is looking at initiatives and technologies designed to improve the performance of its shipping fleet and cut emissions. Mitsui is also investigating new business lines tied to the emerging technologies including offshore wind, wave energy, alternative fuels, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), LNG bunkering and liquefied CO2 ocean transport, according to a release. (Source: Mitsui, PR, Nikkei Asia, Apr., 2021) Contact: Mitsui, www.mitsui.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mitsui,  Carbon Emissions,  

World Energy, Community Fuels
Date: 2021-04-07
Boston-based World Energy, a low-carbon fuel provider for the transportation sector, and Stockton-based biofuel producer and distributor Community Fuels are reporting a partnership to enhance access to low-carbon fuels throughout the Golden State.

World Energy, which owns and operates California's only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel fuel production and distribution hub in Los Angeles County, will provide feedstock for production and other advanced biofuels for blending and distribution to service Northern California customers.

Community Fuels, which produces 22 million gpy of biodiesel, terminal operations will allow for the annual distribution of 85 million gpy of renewable diesel and biodiesel blends upon work scheduled for completion later this year. The company plans to further expand the site's terminal capacity to 200 million gpy in 2022. (Source: World Energy, PR, 6 Apr., 2021) Contact: World Energy, Gene Gobolys, Pres., 617-889-7300, Fax - 617-887-2411, info@worldenergy.net, www.worldenergy.net; Community Fuels, 760-942-9306, www.communityfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Energy,  Community Fuels ,  SAF,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  Alternative Fuel,  

ExxonMobil
Date: 2021-04-02
Irving, Texas-based oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. and German auto-maker Porsche report they are jointly testing advanced biofuels and renewable, lower-carbon eFuels -- fuels made from hydrogen and captured CO2.

The first iteration involves Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, a blend of primarily advanced biofuels formulated by ExxonMobil in-house scientists and engineers. As early as 2022, the companies plan to test the second iteration of Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, which will contain eFuel components and is anticipated to achieve an up-to 85 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when blended to current market fuel standards for passenger vehicles.

The eFuel will be sourced from the Haru Oni pilot plant based in Chile that generates hydrogen, which is then combined with captured CO2 drawn from the atmosphere to produce methanol. ExxonMobil is providing a license and support for the proprietary technology to convert the methanol to gasoline, which will result in a lower-carbon fuel.

In the pilot phase, around 35,000 gallons of eFuels will be produced in 2022. As the fuel's primary user, Porsche will use the eFuels in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup starting in the season of 2022. The first on-track testing of Esso Renewable Racing Fuel occurred March 30, 2021 in Zandvoort, Netherlands, and will continue throughout the 2021 and 2022 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race series. (Source: ExxonMobil, PR, 31 Mar., 2021) Contact: ExonMobil, Andy Madden, VP Strategy and Planning , ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, www. corporate.exxonmobil.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ExxonMobil,  Alternative Fuel,  Biofuel,  

Haldor Topsoe
Date: 2021-03-19
Danish clean fuels provider Haldor Topsoe and private equity firm Aquamarine have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a green ammonia facility in northern Germany close to existing offshore wind farms.

The facility is planned to include a 100 MW solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) electrolysis unit to produce green hydrogen to be converted into green ammonia for use as a green marine fuel or fertilizer. The plant is expected to be operational by 2024. (Source: Haldor Topsoe, PR, Splash247, 18 Mar., 2021) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Roeland Baan, CEO, Ulrik Frohlke, Media, +45 27 77 99 68, ulfr@topsoe.com, www.topsoe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe,  Green Amonia,  Alternative Fuel,  

Sinopec
Date: 2021-03-12
In Beijing, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have proposed the acceleration of the hydrogen energy industry in China.

According to the China Hydrogen Energy Alliance, by 2050, China's annual hydrogen demand will be close to 60 million tpy, which would help the country cut 700 million tpy from its carbon dioxide emissions.

Sinopec currently produces 3.5 million tpy of hydrogen. In 2020, the company began construction of an integrated hydrogen energy industry chain including hydrogen refueling stations and 10 oil-hydrogen blending stations and plans to establish 1,000 addition hydrogen refueling stations over the next 5 years.

As of the end of 2020, China had 128 hydrogen refueling stations ranking second worldwide only to Japan. (Source: Sinopec, PR, 11 Mar., 2021) Contact: Sinopec, www.sinopecgroup.com; China Hydrogen Energy Alliance, www.h2cn.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sinopec,  Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  

FuelEU Maritime Initiative
Date: 2021-03-08
According to a just published letter from Transport & Environment (T&E) and marine shipping companies DFDS, CMB, Viking Cruises and ommodities trader Trafigura, "biofuels do not offer a sustainable alternative for shipping as crop-based biofuels emit more emissions than the fossil fuels they replace and there will not be enough advanced biofuels to meet demand. On the other hand, green hydrogen and ammonia are sustainable and can be produced in sufficient quantities to decarbonise the shipping industry." Accordingly, "Lawmakers must send a clear signal to potential investors to focus on renewable electricity-based hydrogen and ammonia when the EU proposes its maritime fuel policy next month", the letter states.

Globally, €1.4 trillion in capital investments will be required to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for the shipping industry. The EU should seize this opportunity to create new jobs and support sustainable economic growth in line with the EU Green Deal when it propose its FuelEU Maritime Initiative in April, the letter states.

Not-for-Profit and politically independent shipping industry organization Transport & Environment's vision is for an affordable science-based zero-emission mobility system with climate and environment impacts. (Source: Transport & Environment, PR, Website 3 Mar., 2021) Contact: Transport & Environment, Faig Abbasov, Shipping Program Director, +32 (0)487 717296, www.transportenvironment.org; FuelEU Maritime Initiative, www.safety4sea.com/eus-fueleu-maritime-initiative-to-drive-decarbonization

More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Fuel,  Maritime Fuel,  Green Hydrogen,  Ammonia,  Alternative Fuel,  Biofuel,  

University of Birmingham,Automotive Research Association of India
Date: 2021-03-08
The UK's University of Birmingham Vehicle and Engine Technology Research Centre and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) are reporting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify joint research interests in the fields of air quality and emissions management, alternative fuels and related clean transportation concerns.

The University of Birmingham Centre works closely with UK industry in engine architecture and advanced engine technologies, helping to design the engines and fuels for the future. ARAI is India's premier automotive research and development institute set up by the automotive industry with the government of India.

As part of the cooperation, the partners will work to develop and deliver hi-tech and environment-friendly vehicle systems, alternative fuels, and create a blueprint to tackle the challenge of particulate emissions in India. The partners also plan to support the development of transportation-related education programmes that will help produce future transportation researchers and industry leaders. (Source: ARAI, University of Birmingham, Autocar Pro News Desk , 8 Mar., 2021) Contact: University of Birmingham, Prof. Tim Jones, +44 (0)121 414 5936, t.s.jones@bham.ac.uk www.birmingham.ac.uk; ARAI, N. B. Dhande, Business Development and Corporate Planning, www.araiindia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel news,  Clean Fuel news,  Clean Transportation news,  

Maryland Energy Administration
Date: 2021-02-26
In Baltimore, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is touting its Clean Fuels Incentive Program's (CFIP) support for both the purchase of fleet alternative fuel vehicles and funding to expand the state's alternative fueling infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via proven technology. The CFIP is designed to permanently "green" the state's transportation profile and improve air quality by reducing fossil fuels consumption.

The fiscal year 2021 (FY21) CFIP awards of $1.3M will fund an array of clean fuel projects across the state, including one of the largest electric school bus deployments in the country, electric vehile charging stations and emission-reduced propane autogas vehicles.

The MEA notes the transportation sector is responsible for the majority of Maryland's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Maryland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act Plan. The law requires the State to reduce GHG emissions 25 pct from a 2006 baseline by 2020, in a way that ensures a positive impact on Maryland's economy, protects existing manufacturing jobs and creates new jobs in the State. (Source: Maryland Energy Administration, PR, Feb., 2021)Contact: Maryland Energy Administration, Mary Beth Tung, Exec. Dir., Kaymie Owen, CMP 443-694-3651, kaymie.owen@maryland.gov, www.Energy.Maryland.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Transportation Emissions,  GHGs Electric Vehicle,  

Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Date: 2021-02-12
In Nevada, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County reports it will add 19 new alternative fuel and hybrid buses to its fleet of 68 aging diesel buses during the month of February, as part of an effort to have an all-alternative-fuel fleet by 2035.

When all of the new buses are deployed, 80 pct -- 55 units -- of the fleet will be hybrid or electric alternative-fuel vehicles. The RTC is using federal funds to purchase the buses.

Since 2010, the RTC has reduced total facility energy use by 25 pct, reduced criteria air pollutants per un-linked passenger trip by 13.1 pct and increased the recycling rate to approximately 33 pct, acording to the release. (Source: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, PR, Mass Transit, 10 Feb., 2021) Contact: Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, 775-384-0400, www.rtcwashoe.com/home

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternatice Fuel,  

Winnipeg Infrastructure and Public Works
Date: 2021-02-10
On the Canadian prairies, the city of Winnipeg Infrastructure and Public Works committee is considering converting methane gas from the Brady Road landfill into renewable natural gas (RNG) for use as an alternative fuel for its 700-strong fleet of buses. The target would have 40 pct of the 700 bus fleet converted by 2032, and 100 pct by 2047.

The proposal recommends the city develop a business case to build a facility to convert the landfill gas into saleable renewable natural gas. The review notes this could be done through a city-owned facility, through a public-private partnership or the city simply become a raw supplier of the landfill gas to a third-party operator. (Source: Winnipeg Infrastructure and Public Works, CBC News, 8 Feb., 2021) Contact: Winnipeg Infrastructure and Public Works, www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  RNG,  

UGI, Ekobenz
Date: 2021-02-05
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based LPG distributor UGI Corp. European subsidiaty UGI Internationa is reporting a new supply and development partnership with Lubin, Poland-based Ekobenz, a specialist in catalytic conversion of bioethanol to bio-gasoline and bioLPG.

Under the agreement, UGI International has secured the exclusive rights to Ekobenz'supply of bioLPG, a renewable form of propane-butane produced from advanced bioethanol. The primary raw material to produce bioLPG is the conversion of organic material derived from industrial waste.

Ekobenz is the first and currently only company in Europe that has succeeded in commercialising bioLPG production based on advanced bioethanol produced from waste. The first shipment of bioLPG from Ekobenz is expected to arrive in Sweden this spring. (Source: UGI, PR, 2 Feb., 2021) Contact: Global LPG, Roger Perrault, Exec. VP, www.glpgp.org; UGI, Pamela Witmer, (610) 373-7999 ext. 1202, pwitmer@ugies.com, www.ugicorp.com; Ekobenz, +48 81 745 19 28, www.ekobenz.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UGI,  Ekobenz,  bioLPG,  Alternative fuel,  bioethanol,  bio-gasoline,  

Navistar, OneH2, GM
Date: 2021-02-01
Lisle, Illinois-headquartered heavy truck maker Navistar reports plans to start selling low-emission hydrogen-electric powered heavy trucks equipped with GM "power cubes" within three years under a partnership with GM and Hickory, N.C.-based distributor OneH2.

According to Navistar, its trucks will have a range of 500 miles or more on a single charge and can be refueled in less than 15 minutes. OneH2 will set up fueling stations either by trucking hydrogen to terminals or through small hydrogen generation units, the companies said in a statement. The ost of running Navistar's International RH fuel cell electric vehicles is expected to be comparable to diesel in certain markets. They are expected to be commercially available sometime in 2024 to run routes with OneH2 refueling stations. (Source: Navistar, PR, 28 Jan., 2021) Contact: Navistar, 331-332-5000,www.navistar.com/navistar; OneH2, 844-996-6342, www.oneh2.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  Navistar,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2021-01-27
Appleton, Wisconsin-based renewable natural gas (RNG), alternative fuel and renewable thermal energy specialist U.S. Gain® reports it will now offer Credit Generation to electric fleets and forklifts in California, opening a completely new revenue stream for customers at no additional cost. (Source: U.S. Gain, Website, PR, Jan., 2021) Contact: U.S. Gain, Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation U.S. Gain , 920-381-2190 slowney@usgain.com, Jon Summersett, Product Management, jsummersett@usgain.com, www.usgain.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Gain,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Date: 2021-01-27
In Salem, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is touting its Clean Fuels Program that aims to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of transportation fuels that are used in the state.

The program measures the total emissions per unit of energy for many different fuels, using the framework created by the Oregon GREET model. Each individual transportation fuel has a "fuel pathway" assigned to its own unique carbon intensity value.

Download Oregon Clean Fuels Program details HERE . (Source: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Jan., 2021) Contact: Department of Environmental Quality, Clean Fuels Program, 503-229-5388, OregonCleanFuels@deq.state.or.us, www.deq.or.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ,  Alternative Fuel,  Clean Fuel,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  

Enviva Biomass
Date: 2021-01-25

Together renewable fuels will further displace coal and natural gas -- As countries take aggressive action on climate change to decarbonize their respective economies by 2050, the direction is clear -- all carbon-neutral and carbon-negative renewable fuels will need to work together if we want to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. As the global energy demand for alternative fuels increase, 2021 will mark a turning point for the industry as wind, solar, geothermal, woody biomass, hydrogen, and lithium-ion battery energy providers (among others) make a collective and coordinated effort to combat the global climate crisis.

The aftermath of COVID-19 will push economies into a renewable future -- The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed how societies, businesses, and governments view the world. As various industries saw a decline in the demand for products and/or services throughout the pandemic, the energy industry witnessed the opposite. Energy production and distribution remained essential regardless of the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic we've seen an increased global interest in reducing carbon emissions. Looking ahead, we expect renewable fuels will continue to play a crucial role in power generation for decades to come. For this reason, we don't foresee a job loss, rather a job transfer -- or perhaps a job boom - in renewables in 2021. For those currently working in fossil fuels, this shift will present a great opportunity to transition skills as the energy sector continues to evolve into a clean energy future.

Europe will continue to be the "Poster Child" for renewable energy implementation, but there will be some regulatory uncertainty. -- Delivering Europe's long-term ambition to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 requires an extensive set of urgent measures to scale up action. At the very least, the world-leading sustainability criteria established by the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII) will need to be fully implemented by all member states if Europe plans to meet their 2030 and 2050 emission reduction goals. At best, member states will need to further amend the directive if they wish to succeed in cutting carbon emissions by 55 pct in the next decade from 1990 levels.

Bioenergy is the largest renewable energy source in the EU and will be critical to increased deployment of wind and solar -- The use of bioenergy has more than doubled since 2000 as a result of its end-use as heat, transportation, and electricity. In fact, biomass is the only renewable fuel on the market that is readily available today and can replace fossil fuels for heat generation. In heavy industries such as steel, aluminum and cement, sustainably sourced wood-based biomass offers a carbon-neutral fuel replacement for coal and gas-fired furnaces (and combined heat and power plants). As a dependable and dispatchable renewable fuel, sustainably-sourced biomass represents a prime solution to complement the intermittency of wind and solar (among other renewables) that will reduce carbon emissions by more than 85% on a lifecycle basis.

Biomass to assist the development and deployment of a hydrogen economy -- Looking ahead to more future-oriented solutions, such as the development of the hydrogen economy, biomass is projected to play an important role. The most obvious is to use biomass directly to create hydrogen through gasification and thereby avoid carbon emissions that are associated with natural gas. Even further down the road, when surplus solar and wind could potentially be used to create hydrogen at scale, there will be an exciting opportunity to produce aviation and other fuels with carbon capture of biomass that could result in even fewer net greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, as decarbonization efforts in the steel and cement industry rapidly increase, they too will look to bioenergy solutions for support.

BECCS on the short rise -- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one of the very few options on the table that can remove carbon from the atmosphere. Once matured, BECCS could mark the beginning of a new era for low-carbon fuel applications that will enable us to meet and/or exceed international net zero targets while still enjoying air travel and heavy goods transport, which is difficult and very expensive to decarbonize. We expect 2021 will be the year that we see true progress in climate change mitigation, as a result of new initiatives/policies, new innovations, and new collaborations that are already taking shape.

ENVIVA Holdings, LP is the world's largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source used to generate electricity and heat. Through its subsidiaries, ENVIVA owns and operates wood pellet processing plants and deep-water export terminals in the Southeastern United States and exports pellets primarily to power plants in the UK, Europe and Japan that previously were fueled by coal, enabling them to reduce their lifetime carbon footprint by up to 85 pct. We make our pellets using sustainable practices that protect Southern forests. ENVIVA Holdings, LP conducts its activities primarily through two entities: ENVIVA Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership (NYSE: EVA), and ENVIVA Development Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned private company. (Source: Enviva Holdings, LP, Jan., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Holdings, LP., www.envivabiomass.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enviv news,  Woody Biomass Wood Pellet news,  CCS news,  Renewable Fuel news,  

ENVIVA
Date: 2021-01-25
The following has been submitted by ENVIVA Holdings, LP, the world's largest industrial wood pellets producer:

Together renewable fuels will further displace coal and natural gas -- As countries take aggressive action on climate change to decarbonize their respective economies by 2050, the direction is clear -- all carbon-neutral and carbon-negative renewable fuels will need to work together if we want to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. As the global energy demand for alternative fuels increase, 2021 will mark a turning point for the industry as wind, solar, geothermal, woody biomass, hydrogen, and lithium-ion battery energy providers (among others) make a collective and coordinated effort to combat the global climate crisis.

Europe will continue to be the "Poster Child" for renewable energy implementation, but there will be some regulatory uncertainty. -- Delivering Europe's long-term ambition to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 requires an extensive set of urgent measures to scale up action. At the very least, the world-leading sustainability criteria established by the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII) will need to be fully implemented by all member states if Europe plans to meet their 2030 and 2050 emission reduction goals. At best, member states will need to further amend the directive if they wish to succeed in cutting carbon emissions by 55 pct in the next decade from 1990 levels.

Bioenergy is the largest renewable energy source in the EU and will be critical to increased deployment of wind and solar -- The use of bioenergy has more than doubled since 2000 as a result of its end-use as heat, transportation, and electricity. In fact, biomass is the only renewable fuel on the market that is readily available today and can replace fossil fuels for heat generation. In heavy industries such as steel, aluminum, and cement, sustainably sourced wood-based biomass offers a carbon-neutral fuel replacement for coal and gas-fired furnaces (and combined heat and power plants). As a dependable and dispatchable renewable fuel, sustainably-sourced biomass represents a prime solution to complement the intermittency of wind and solar (among other renewables) that will reduce carbon emissions by more than 85 pct on a lifecycle basis.

Biomass to assist the development and deployment of a hydrogen economy -- Looking ahead to more future-oriented solutions, such as the development of the hydrogen economy, biomass is projected to play an important role. The most obvious is to use biomass directly to create hydrogen through gasification and thereby avoid carbon emissions that are associated with natural gas. Even further down the road, when surplus solar and wind could potentially be used to create hydrogen at scale, there will be an exciting opportunity to produce aviation and other fuels with carbon capture of biomass that could result in even fewer net greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, as decarbonization efforts in the steel and cement industry rapidly increase, they too will look to bioenergy solutions for support.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) -- is one of the very few options on the table that can remove carbon from the atmosphere. Once matured, BECCS could mark the beginning of a new era for low-carbon fuel applications that will enable us to meet and/or exceed international net zero targets while still enjoying air travel and heavy goods transport, which is difficult and very expensive to decarbonize. We expect 2021 will be the year that we see true progress in climate change mitigation, as a result of new initiatives/policies, new innovations, and new collaborations that are already taking shape.

COVID 19 Pandemic aftermath -- Throughout the pandemic we've seen an increased global interest in reducing carbon emissions. Looking ahead, we expect renewable fuels and energy will continue to play a crucial role in power generation for decades to come.

ENVIVA Holdings, LP is the world's largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source used to generate electricity and heat. Through its subsidiaries, ENVIV Holdings owns and operates wood pellet processing plants and deep-water terminals in the Southeastern U.S. and exports pellets primarily to formerly coal-fired power plants in the U.K, Europe and Japan. ENVIVA makes pellets using sustainable practices that protect Southern forests and employ about 1,100 people and support many other businesses in the U.S. South. ENVIVA Holdings, LP conducts its activities primarily through two entities: Enviva Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership (NYSE: EVA), and ENVIVA Development Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned private company. (Source: ENVIVA Holdings, LP, Jan., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Holdings, LP, www.envivabiomass.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENVIVA,  Renewable Energy,  Woody Biomass,  Wood Pellet,  

GEVO,Gevo
Date: 2021-01-13
Englewood, Colorado-based biobutanol and ethanol producer GEVO Inc. is touting the concept of Net-Zero (carbon emissions) Projects for the production of energy dense liquid hydrocarbons using renewable energy and the company's proprietary technology.

A Net-Zero Project aims to convert renewable energy such as photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas (RNG), biogas, from various sources into energy dense liquid hydrocarbons that achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the fuel's whole lifecycle -- from the way carbon is captured from the atmosphere, and processed to make liquid transportation fuel products.

Net-Zero 1 to be constructed at Lake Preston, South Dakota is expected to have a capacity of 45 MMgy of hydrocarbons (for gasoline and jet fuel, based on current take-or-pay contracts) and to produce more than 350 million ppy per year of high protein feed products as well as produce sufficient renewable natural gas (RNG) to meet production process needs.

Net-Zero 1 is projected to come in at roughly $700 million including the hydrocarbon production and related renewable energy infrastructure which includes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas to run the plant and generate electricity on-site. (Source; GEVO, PR, 11 Jan., 2021.

In other GEVO news as of December 31, 2020, the company paid off the outstanding balance of $12.7 million in 12 pct convertible senior secured notes and reduced the group's general corporate secured debt balance to zero, according to a GEVO release.

As reported on 8 Jan., GEVO Inc. has contracted with Koch Industries' Houston-headquartered subsidiary Koch Project Solutions, LLC to provide front-end engineering, design and project execution management services for the expansion projects that GEVO is in the process of financing with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Source: GEVO Inc., Jan, 2021) Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Gevo,  Net Zero Emissions,  RNG,  Alternative Fuel,  

Date: 2021-01-11
In London, UK Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled his 10-point plan for a "green"--low-carbon industrial revolution. The plan focus on the following industries and initiatives:

Offshore wind -- The government has already announced an ambition to have every home in the UK powered by offshore wind in an effort to cut the emissions from electricity.

Hydrogen -- The gov. plans to have 5GW -- sufficient power for roughly 1.5 million UK homes -- of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

Nuclear -- The plan calls for renewed support for small modular nuclear reactors that can be largely built in factories and other small applications.

Electric vehicles -- The plan calls for increased support for electric vehicles, recharging infrastructure and the previously announced ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

Public transport, cycling and walking -- Calls for increased clean public transport options including electric, alternative fuel and hydrogen powered buses as well as encourages cycling and walking.

Jet zero and greener fuel transportation -- Calls for zero-emission alternative fuel and electric power long-haul mass transportation including passenger rail, electric airplanes and maritime ferries.

Energy efficiency -- The plan calls for a major effort to increase residential and public building energy efficiency.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) -- Focuses on "clusters" where groups of power stations, factories or industrial plants could be linked to CCUS infrastructure for greater efficiency and cost savings.

Nature and the ecosystem -- Seeks to end the loss of wild life habitats, increase funding for tree planting, peatland restoration and other programs to store carbon, protect habitat and curb flooding.

10. Innovation and finance -- for the wholesale, economy-wide shift away from fossil fuels to a low-carbon energy clean future. (Source: Office of UK PM Boris Johnson, Jan., 2021) Contact:Office of UK PM Boris Johnson, www.email.number10.gov.uk

ZeroAvia
Date: 2021-01-11
Holistar, California-headquartered Hydrogen plane startup ZeroAvia reports raising $21.4 million in a funding round led by Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures to develop zero-emission commercial aircraft to accelerate the transition to Sustainable Aviation.

ZeroAvia has completed 10 test flights with a six-seater propeller plane powered by hydrogen. Investors included Amazon and energy giant Royal Dutch Shell.

ZeroAvia -- "the first practical true zero emissions aviation powertrain" -- enables zero emission air travel at scale, starting with 500 mile short-haul trips, at half of today's cost. The company's novel approach removes many limitations of the current zero emission programs, according to the company website (Source: ZeroAvia, PR, Website, Jan., 2021) Contact: ZeroAvia, Valery Miftakhov, CEO, info@zeroavia.com, www.zeroavia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen news,  Alternative Fuel news,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2021-01-11
In London, UK Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled his 10-point plan for a "green"--low-carbon industrial revolution. The PM's plan calls for "a major effort to increase residential and public building energy efficiency".

The plan also calls for: a concerted development and deployment of: offshore wind; small-scale nuclear; electric vehicles and alternative fuels; increased use of public mass transit; hydrogen; carbon capture and storage (CCS) "clusters" where groups of power stations, factories or industrial plants could be linked to CCUS infrastructure for greater efficiency and cost savings; ecosystem funding for tree planting, peatland restoration and similar programs to store carbon; and a wholesale, economy-wide shift away from fossil fuels to a low-carbon energy clean future. (Source: Office of UK PM Boris Johnson, Jan., 2021) Contact:Office of UK PM Boris Johnson, www.email.number10.gov.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

NEDO, IHI Corporation
Date: 2021-01-06
Tokyo-headquartered IHI Corporation, f.k.a. Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.,reports it has developed technology for the co-firing of natural gas and ammonia for thermal power generation. Ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt and could potentially slash CO2 emissions by more than half.

According to Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which commissioned IHI to develop the technology, the development marks the first time a 60 pct ammonia fuel has been used in a large power-generating facility.

As previously reported, the Japanese government is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and considers ammonia as a fuel to help achieve that goal. (Source: IHI, NHK World News, 28 Dec., 2020) Contact: IHI, +81-3-6204-7800, www.ihi.co.jp/en; NEDOO, www.nedo.go.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News NEDO,  CO2 Emissions,  Amonia,  Alternative Fuel,  Green Fuel,  

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Date: 2021-01-04
In an open-access paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Molecular Foundry report they have designed and synthesized ultrasmall nickel nanoclusters deposited on defect-rich BN nanosheet (Ni/BN) catalysts that can cleanly and efficiently accelerate the reaction that removes hydrogen atoms from a liquid chemical carrier such as methanol and could help make hydrogen a viable energy source for a wide range of applications, including alternative transportation fuels.

The research is part of the Hydrogen Materials Advanced Research Consortium (HyMARC), a consortium funded by the US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE EERE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.

For the chemical reaction that produces hydrogen from liquid carriers, the most effective catalysts are made from precious metals. However, those catalysts are associated with high costs and low abundance and are susceptible to contamination. Other less expensive catalysts, made from more common metals, tend to be less effective and less stable, which limits their activity and their practical deployment into hydrogen production industries. LBNL will hone the strategy of modifying 2D substrates in ways that support tiny metal clusters, to develop even more efficient catalysts. The technique could help optimize the process of extracting hydrogen from liquid chemical carriers.

The research was supported by the DOE Office of Science and EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. (Source: LBNL, PR, Website, Green Car Congress, 3 Jan., 2021) Contact: LBNL, Molecular Foundry, Jeff Urban, Inorganic Nanostructures Facility Director, Laurel Kellner, Media, 510-590-8034, LKellner@lbl.gov, www.lbl.gov; Hydrogen Materials Advanced Research Consortium, www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hymarc-hydrogen-materials-advanced-research-consortium

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Hydrogen,  Methanol,  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ,  

International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2020-12-18
According to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen produced with renewable electricity could compete on costs with fossil fuel alternatives by 2030. A combination of falling costs for solar and wind power, improved performance as well as economies of scale for electrolysers could make it possible.

The report notes green hydrogen could play a critical role in decarbonisation strategies, particularly so where direct electrification is challenging in harder-to-abate sectors, such as steel, chemicals, long-haul transport, shipping and aviation. However, regulations, market design and the costs of power and electrolyser production are still major barrier to the uptake of green hydrogen.

The study identifies key strategies and policies to reduce costs for electrolysers through innovation and improved performance aiming to scale up electrolysers from today's megawatt to multi-gigawatt (GW) levels. Standardization and mass-manufacturing of the electrolyser stacks, efficiency in operation as well as the optimisation of material procurement and supply chains will be equally important to bring down costs. For that, today's manufacturing capacity of less than 1 GW would have to massively grow beyond 100 GW in the next 10 to 15 years.

Read the full Green Hydrogen Cost Reduction: Scaling up Electrolysers to Meet the 1.5C Climate Goal report HERE. (Source: IRENA, PR, 17 Dec., 2020) Contact: IRENA, +971 241 79000, info@irena.org, www.irena.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News IRENA,  Green Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  International Renewable Energy Agency ,  

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Date: 2020-12-07
In Lansing, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) reports the availability of $322,800 in funding for clean diesel and alternative fuel engine and equipment replacement projects under a competitive grant request for proposals.

The 2020-22 Michigan Clean Diesel Program RFP targets efforts to replace old diesel equipment, vehicles and engines with cleaner alternative fuel, electric or hybrid versions. Cities, townships, villages, county governmental agencies, public school districts, private schools, public transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, nonprofit organizations or private businesses can apply for the grants.

Download Michigan Clean Diesel Program details HERE. (Source: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, www.michigan.gov/egle

More Low-Carbon Energy News ALternative Fuel,