Will County Commissioners,
Date: 2021-02-19
In Illinois, regulators in Will County are reporting approval for the construction of a $45 million renewable natural gas (RNG) plant at the county-owned Prairie View landfill.

The new facility will produce roughly 7.7 million diesel gpy equivalents of renewable fuel that will injected into a nearby RNG pipeline grid for use as a transportation fuel. The facility will potentially cut CO2 emissions by approximately 60,000 tpy, according to the county release. (Source: Will County Commissioners, PR, Contact: Will County Commissioners, 815-740-4602, www.willcountyillinois.com › Boards-And-Commissions

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Renewable Fuel,  

IBM
Date: 2021-02-19
IBM is reporting it aims to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2030 and will have reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 65 pct by 2025 compared to its 2010 emission levels. IBM notes its net-zero target is "based on the energy the company can actually consume, not on the purchase of unrelated, un-bundled renewable energy certificates."

The company also notes it will procure 75 pct of its worldwide electric power from renewable energy sources by 2025, and hit 90 pct renewable consumption by 2030. The company also plans to use carbon capture by 2030 to remove emissions in "an amount which equals or exceeds the level of IBM's residual emissions" or those emissions IBM still produces after exhausting all avenues to reduce is greenhouse emissions.

As we reported on 15 July, 2020, IBM, a Founding Member of the Climate Leadership Council, reduced its operational CO2 emissions by 39.7 pct since 2005, well ahead of its goal of a 40 pct reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025. The company also noted 47 pct of the electricity it consumed in 2019 came from renewable sources, keeping the company on track to get 55 pct of its electricity from renewables by 2025. (Source: IBM, PR, ZD Net, 17 Feb., 2021)Contact: IBM, www.ibm.com/us-en

More Low-Carbon Energy News IBM,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  Net-Zero Emissions,  

Summit Agricultural Group
Date: 2021-02-19
Alden, Iowa-headquartered Summit Agricultural Group (Summit AG), a diverse farming, agricultural investment, and farm management firm, is reporting the creation of Summit Carbon Solutions -- a new business platform that will address the global challenge of decarbonisation by developing the world's largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

When fully developed, Summit Carbon Solutions will dramatically lower the carbon footprint of biorefineries and other carbon dioxide emission sources throughout the U.S. Midwest and have an infrastructure network capable of capturing and permanently storing more than 10 million tpy of CO2.

Summit Carbon Solutions has partnered with leading biorefiners in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota to execute the first phase of the project, which will put them on the path of delivering net-zero carbon fuel. (Source: Summit Agricultural Group, PR, 17 Feb., 2021) Contact: Summit Agricultural Group, Justin Kirchhoff, Pres., (515) 854-9820, www.summitag.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biorefining,  Carbon Emissions,  CCS,  Carbon Footprint,  

NY Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program
Date: 2021-02-19
In Albany, the New York State Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program has awarded $4 million in funding to help 80 farms throughout the Empire State focus on best management practices to reduce greenhouse emissions, enhance soil health, promote energy savings, reduce their environmental footprints, prepare for extreme weather events resulting from climate change, and reduce CO2 greenhouse gases by an estimated 90,000 metric tpy.

"Extreme weather caused by climate change is becoming the new normal, and the results can be devastating to New York's farmers and the entire agriculture industry. Farmers need the resources to adapt to this new normal while continuing to make a living, and the Climate Resilient Farming Program is an important piece of that puzzle. This funding will help our farmers continue to care for their land, implement measures to reduce their carbon footprints and protect crops and livestock from extreme weather damage, while furthering our strongest-in-the-nation program to combat climate change," Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) noted in announcing the funding. (Source: NY Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, 17 Feb., 2021) Contact: NY Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, www.agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/climate-resilient-farming

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change Impact,  Climate Change Mitigation,  

CEMEX
Date: 2021-02-19
Houston-headquartered CEMEX USA is reporting receipt of an undisclosed amount of grant funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a pilot carbon capture unit at its Victorville, California, cement plant.

The project is a collaboration with Carbon Clean, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and RTI international which will lead the initiative. The project aims to develop and scaling-up specific CO2 capture process components and incorporate next-generation non-aqueous solvents. The collaboration will assess the integration of modular carbon capture technology with the cement plant as well as evaluate the cost and technical considerations of using the captured CO2 as a feedstock for new products.

As previously reported, in 2020 CEMEX announced its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 35 pct of cementitious products by 2030 as part of a longer-term goal of producing net-zero CO2 concrete by 2050. (Source: CEMEX, The Chemical Engineer, 18 Feb., 2021) Contact: CEMEX USA, Jaime Muguiro, Pres., 713-650-6200, www.cemexusa.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CEMEX,  Cement,  Carbon Emissions,  CCS,  

Siemens Energy AG
Date: 2021-02-17
Munich, Germany-based Siemens Energy AG is reporting an agreement with Calgary, Alberta-based TC Energy Corp. to commission a novel waste heat-to-power pilot installation in Alberta. The facility will capture waste heat from a gas-fired turbine operating at a pipeline compression station and convert it into emissions-free power. The power will be fed into the grid for an estimated greenhouse gas reduction 44,000 tpy -- equivalent to taking more than 9,000 vehicles off the road.

Siemens Energy will build, own, and operate the facility, with the option for ownership to be transferred back to TC Energy at a later date. The new facility is expected to be commissioned toward the end of 2022 and could generate sufficient power for 10,000 homes or more. The facility will incorporate a patented heat recovery process designed by Siemens Energy licensed under Echogen Intellectual Property. The technology is based on an advanced Rankine Cycle and uses supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as the working fluid to convert waste heat into power.

The project scored $8 million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta's (ERA) Industrial Efficiency Challenge. (Source: Siemens Energy AG, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Siemens Energy AG, www.siemens-energy.com/global/en.html; TC Energy, 403-920-2000, www.tcenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Siemens Energy AG,  TC Energy,  

American Petroleum Institute
Date: 2021-02-17
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is reporting receipt of $100 million funding under the US DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy programme. The program aims to identify and develop innovative technologies to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and tackle climate change.

According to API, over the past decade, the oil and gas industry has provided low-cost natural gas, while reducing CO2 emissions in the electric power sector and addressing methane emissions. Methane emissions have declined by nearly 70 pct between 2011 and 2019 in five of the largest US oil and gas producing regions, according to the EPA's new Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data.

API notes its members are already investing in direct air carbon capture, carbon capture use astorage, CCS, decarbonisation infrastructure such as CO2 pipelines, sustainable and efficient fuels, and lower cost, low-carbon hydrogen. (Source: API. PR, Website, 16 Feb., 2021) Contact: API, Mike Sommers, CEO, (202) 682-8114, www.api.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Petroleum Institute,  GHG,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  Methane,  

TECO 2030 ASA,Slattland
Date: 2021-02-15
In Norway, Oslo headquartered-based TECO 2030 ASA reports it is partnering with the Rakkestad, Ostfold-based mechanical engineering group Slattland to explore possible cooperation within a range of emission-reducing projects, including hydrogen fuel cells, energy storage, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen competence development and other opportunities.

TECO 2030 is an innovative engineering and equipment development company aiming to significantly increase the use of renewable energy, specifically in the form of hydrogen fuel. cells, and reduce the environmental footprint of the shipping industry. TECO 2030 recently announced a partnership with Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in Holland to develop zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell propulsion on all types of river vessels, such as push tugs, dredgers, passenger and cargo ships and low-profile coasters, according to the company website.

Slattland operates in offshore and marine, hydrogen and wind power, carbon capture and energy sectors. (Source: TECO 2030, PR, Green Car Congress, 13 Feb., 2021) Contact: TECO 2030 ASA, +47 67 200 300 -- Oslo HQ, (305) 833 6510 -- Miami Office, www.teco2030.no; Slattland, 47 69 22 73 73, www.slattlend.no

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fuel Cell,  Hydrogen,  Renewable Energy,  CCS,  ,  

Iberdrola,European Innovation Council
Date: 2021-02-15
Iberdrola Group, in collaboration with the European Innovation Council's Energy4Planet initiative, has launched a new Startup Challenge through its International Startup Programme (PERSEO) which aims to discover innovative solutions to decarbonize industrial processes, through the automatisation of the design and the further integration of clean technologies and energy efficiency measures.

Iberdrola is looking to help these industries on their energy transition, searching for ad-hoc solutions for factories to improve the efficiency of the energy used while reducing CO2 emissions in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. The solutions submitted must meet the following needs:

Automation project design for decarbonisation of industrial processes using software tools;

Hybridisation of clean technologies, for example: heat pumps, electric furnaces, energy efficiency measures, green hydrogen or self-consumption by distributed renewable energy;

Energy Consumption and Savings simulations; and

Project finance calculations based on project.

CAPEX and OPEX inputs: Investment Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Periods (PB).

The proposals will be analysed based on criteria of scalability, replicability, ease of implementation and integration of ad-hoc decarbonisation solutions for industrial plants.

The selected project will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from the Iberdrola Industrial Heating and Cooling area. Iberdrola will collaboration on the development of a proof-of-concept and may offer the winner the opportunity to scale up the solution by means of commercial agreements. Additionally, PERSEO may consider investing in the participant.

Download Industrial Heat Challenge details HERE. (Source: Iberdrola, Pei, 14 Feb., 2021) Contact: European Innovation Council, ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/european-innovation-council-eic-pilot; Iberdrola, +34 91 784 32 32, comunicacioncorporativa@iberdrola.es, www.iberdrola.es

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iberdrola,  

India Climate Change
Date: 2021-02-12
Addressing the World Sustainable Development Summit this week in New Delhi, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reported his country was on track to meet its climate change mitigation commitments.

The Minister noted India increased renewable energy capacity by 162 pct over the past five years, expanded access to clean cooking fuel to cover over 80 million households for energy savings of about 47 billion kWh per year and a 38 million tpy reduction in CO2 emissions.

The summit was attended by Mohammed Nasheed, Speaker of the People's Majlis, Maldives; John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate; Wera Mori, minister for environment, conservation and climate change, Papua New Guinea; and Lord Goldsmith, minister for pacific and the environment at the FCDO, UK. (Source: India External Affairs Ministry, PTI, 12 Feb., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News India Climate Change,  Climate Change Mitigation,  

Windship Technology
Date: 2021-02-12
In the UK, London-headquartered Windship Technology is touting its patented high performance triple-wing wind auxiliary power system for ships.

The company also announced the launch of its emissions-free bulk carrier and tanker designs alongside an investment partnership with classification society DNV, which will assess Windship Technology's whole-ship design with a view to classifying emission reductions, safety and operability.

Each Windship rig is a three-wing foil set of 36 to 48 metres in height, depending on the size of the ship. The Windship wind power system provides significant thrust, material fuel and emissions savings and exceeds the 80 pct CO2 reduction that will be required by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) by 2050, according to the company website. (Source: Windship Technology, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Windship Technology, Lars Carlsson, Director of Windship Technology, +44 (0) 1590 672000 info@windshiptechnology.com, www.windshiptechnology.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Windship Technology ,  Wind,  

Ammonia
Date: 2021-02-10
In Tokyo, Japan's government and corporate sector have reported drawn up plans to use ammonia, which doesn't emit carbon dioxide when burned, as a fuel for thermal power plants. The government considers ammonia a next-generation fuel, along with hydrogen, in its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

The use of ammonia plan as devised by officials of the industry ministry, electric power companies and machinery makers, calls for using 3 million tpy of ammonia mixed with coal in 2030, rising to to 30 million tpy by 2050. (Source: NHK World, 8 Feb., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cabon Emissions,  Ammonia,  Coal,  

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2021-02-08
Following up on our 3 Jan coverage -- Guilty as Charged! -- €1 Fine for Climate Inaction, the French Environment Ministry has acknowledged France failed to meet its target for reducing carbon emissions in 2019 with the caveat that the country's climate change progress has been "underestimated."

"In 2019, France kept its climate commitments and that's excellent news," the Ministry said announcing that emissions fell by 1.7 pct that year, exceeding the target of 1.5 pct.

In June 2020, the national emissions inventory agency CITEPA estimated that France produced 437 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, which represented a drop of only 1 pct from the previous year. But the environment ministry noted CITEPA has since revised its estimate to 441 million tonnes, a fall of 1.7 pct.

Under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, France pledged to cut emissions by 40 pct by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, and aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. (Source: French Environment Ministry, AFP, Space Daily, 7 Jan., 2021) Contact: French Environment Ministry, +33 140812122, www.ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap/etv/ministry-ecology-sustainable-development-and-energy_en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Agreement,  Carbon Emissions,  

China Carbon Market
Date: 2021-02-05
In Beijing, a set of interim rules for carbon emissions trading management in China came into effect on Monday, marking a key step in the establishment of a unified national emissions trading system (ETS). A total of 2,225 power firms across the country assigned with CO2 emission caps can now trade their emission quotas via the system whereby firms that exceed their caps can purchase unused quotas from those with low emissions. A stable carbon trading among power generators will pave the way for the gradual expansion of the national ETS to include more industries, trading varieties and trading modes, thus promoting the system's healthy and sustainable development.

In an effort to build a national ETS, the country has been piloting emissions trading at the regional level since 2011, covering seven provinces and cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. As previously reported, China aims to bring its carbon emissions to a peak before 2030 and become carbon neutral before 2060. (Source: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China Daily Global, Xinhua, 3 Feb., 2021) Contact: China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, english.mee.gov.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News China Carbon Markets,  China ETS,  

Rolls Royce,World Energy
Date: 2021-02-03
Aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is reporting completion of tests on a business jet engine fueled with 100 pct sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which is claimed to dramatically reduce lifecycle fuel emissions compared to petroleum-derived jet fuel.

This latest test took place at Rolls-Royce's facility in Dahlewitz, Germany, near Berlin, and featured a Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 operating on a 100 pct SAF produced by low-carbon specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.

According to Rolls-Royce, this un-blended fuel can reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by over 75 pct compared to conventional jet fuel. (Source: Rolls Royce, PR, The Engineer, 2 Feb., 2021) Contact: Rolls Royce, www. rolls-royce.com/germany/professionals/engineering-and-manufacturing/spotlight-on-dahlewitz; World Energy, Gene Gobolys, Pres., 617-889-7300, Fax -- 617-887-2411, info@worldenergy.net, www.worldenergy.net; SkyNRG, +31 20 470 70 20, info@skynrg.com, www.skynrg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rolls Royce,  World Energy,  SAF,  SkyNRG,  Aviation Biofuel,  sustainable aviation fuel,  

Lundin Energy
Date: 2021-02-03
Stockholm-headquartered oil and gas major Lundin Energy AB reports it is accelerating its Decarbonisation Strategy to target carbon neutrality for operational emissions from 2025, from the original target of 2030.

According to a release, this change is underpinned by good progress on the electrification of the Company's main assets, investments in renewable energy to replace electricity usage and now a commitment to invest in proprietary natural carbon capture projects to offset any residual, hard to abate emissions.

To offset any residual emissions, the company is partnering with Land Life Company BV to plant approximately 8 million trees between 2021 and 2025, capturing approximately 2.6 million tonnes of CO2. (Source: Ludin Energy, Website PR, Contact: Lundin Energy, +46 8 440 54, info@lundin-energy.com, www.lundin-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  Carbon Emissions,  

Repsol
Date: 2021-02-01
Madrid-based integrated energy company Repsol SA is reporting production of the first 10,000 tonnes of aviation biofuel from biomass at its industrial complex in Tarragona, Spain. The company plans to produce additional aviation biofuel at the group's other industrial complexes in Spain.

Use of the fuel is projected to avoid 630 tonnes of CO2 -- equivalent of 55 flights between Madrid and Barcelona. Last August the company reported production of its first batch of biofuel at the Puertollano Industrial Complex.

According to Spain's Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate, biofuels currently represent the most widely available and used renewable technology in transportation. In certain sectors, such as aviation, biojet fuel produced from biomass or waste is the only existing alternative to fossil fuels and is included in the list of sustainable fuels, according to the Plan. (Source: Repsol, PR 21 Jan., 2021) Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Repsol,  SAF,  

Enel Green Power
Date: 2021-02-01
Enel Green Power (EGP) reports it constructed 3,106 MW of renewable capacity worldwide in 2020, beating its 2019 record of 3,029 MW. The new renewable capacity includes around 46 facilities, mainly wind (2,284 MW) and solar (803 MW). EGP also refurbished and repowered about 1.2 GW of plants in operation (250 MW wind, 847 MW hydro and 73 -- roughly 508 MW in Europe, 879 MW in Latin America, 1,386 MW in North America, mainly in the United States; and 333 MW in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The new capacity is expected to generate around 11.3 TWh per year, while avoiding 6.86 million tpy of CO2 emisssions.

EGP presently has around 49 GW capacity across a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower and aims to generate 145 GW of renewable power by 2030 and to fully decarbonize its generation mix by 2050. (Source: EGP, PR, 30 Jan., 2021) Contact: EGP, Salvatore Bernabei, CEO, www.enelgreenpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power,  Enel Group. Renewable Energy,  

UPM
Date: 2021-01-29
Helsinki-headquartered UPM reports it is advancing its biofuels growth plans and has begun engineering work on 500,000 tpy renewable transportation and sustainable jet fuel in Kotka, Finland and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. UPM will now proceed with a detailed commercial and basic engineering study to define the business case, select the most innovative technology option and estimate the investment need.

The technology concept includes the use of green hydrogen in the production process.

"The planned biorefinery would scale up UPM's biofuels business to a new level. At the same time, it would further improve long term competitiveness and sustainability performance of UPM Biofuels by introducing several sustainable feedstocks and achieving uniquely high CO2 emission reduction compared to biofuels currently in the market," according to UPM, CTO Jyrki Ovaska. (Source: UPM-Kymmene Corp., PR, Website, 28 Jan., 2021) Contact: UPM, Jyrki Ovaska, CTO, +358 204 150 564, www.upm.com, www.upmbiofuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM,  Biofuel,  

Alfa Laval, IMO
Date: 2021-01-29
Lund, Sweden-headquartered fluid handling specialist Alfa Laval reports it has joined the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping advisory board to accelerate the development of low- and zero carbon technologies for the marine industry.

The collaboration will focus on accelerating the development of low- and zero carbon technologies through joint projects and activities such as the recently announced "SOFC4Maritime" initiative which targets solutions for green marine fuels.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets a 50 pct reduction of vessel-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. (Source: Alfa Laval, PR, 27 Jan., 2021) Contact: Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center, Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, info@zerocarbonshipping.com, www.zerocarbonshipping.com; Alfa Laval, +46 46 36 65 10, www.alfalaval.com: IMO, Stefan Micallef, Director of Marine Environment Division, +44 (0) 20 7735 7611, www.imo.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News IMO,  Alfa Lava,  Zero-Carbon,  Maritime Emissions,  Shipping Emissions,  CO2,  

Equinor, CCS
Date: 2021-01-29
In Oslo, Equinor is reporting the issuance of $74 million in contracts for its Northern Lights project, the world's first carbon capture project to pump Norwegian industrial emissions into an offshore reservoir.

Equinor awarded a $57.5 million EPCI contract to Subsea 7 for fabrication, pipe laying and subsea installations to be completed during 2022-2023. Equinor also awarded a $16.1 million EPCI contract to Stavenger-based oil and gas service provider Aibel for the Northern Lights subsea control system.

According to the company most contracts for Northern Lights are now in place, including Aker Solutions ‘ $28 million deal for the CO2 receiving facilities outside Bergen and subsea equipment for injecting captured CO2 into a reservoir for permanent storage. Aker's work is expected to be completed in 2023.

The Norwegian government-funded Northern Lights project will transport, inject and store up to 1.5 million tpy of CO2 and is slated to be operational in 2024. (Source: Equinor, PR, 27 Jan., 2021) Contact: Northern Lights Project, Sverre Overaa, Director, sjov@equinor.com, Per Sandberg, Bus. Dev, prsa@equinor.com, www.northernlightsccs.com; Aibel, +47) 85 27 00 00, www.aibel.com; Equinor, www.equinor.com; Aker Solutions, Kjetel Digre, CEO, Fredrik Berge, Inv. Relations, +47 22 94 62 19, fredrik.berge@akersolutions.com, www.akersolutions.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Equinor,  CCS,  Aker Solutions,  

Clearway Energy,Bechtel
Date: 2021-01-27
Bechtel is reporting San Francisco-based Clearway Energy Group selected Bechtel-Reed & Reed Joint Venture to engineer, procure and construct its Black Rock wind farm in Grant and Mineral Counties, West Virginia.

The project will incorporate 23 Siemens-Gamesa SG 5.0-145 wind turbines on 107.5-meter tall towers and generate sufficient green energy for 34,000 homes while saving 298,500 metric tpy of CO2 emissions. (Source: Bechtel, PR, 25 Jan., 2021) Contact: Bechtel, Whitney Winn, 703.826.6439, wnwinn@bechtol.com, www.bechtel.com; Reed & Reed, 207.443.9747, www.reed-reed.com; Clearway Energy Group, Chris Fox, VP, 415-627-1600, www.clearwayenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clearway Energy ,  Wind,  

US DOE Office of Fossil Energy
Date: 2021-01-25
The US DOE Office of Fossil Energy has announced plans to make $8 million in Federal funding available for cost-shared research, development, and testing of technologies that can utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from power systems or other industrial sources for bio-mediated uptake by algal systems to create valuable products and services.

Funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002403, Engineering-Scale Testing and Validation of Algae-Based Technologies and Bioproducts, will support the goals of DOE's Carbon Utilization Program. The primary objective of carbon utilization technology development is to lower the near-term cost of carbon capture through the creation of value-added products from the conversion of CO2.

The intent of the FOA is to seek applications that aim to perform engineering-scale testing and validation of algae-based technologies and bioproducts. Technologies that convert CO2 must show a net decrease in CO2 emissions through life cycle analysis, display a potential to generate a marketable product and show that the product displays beneficial aspects when compared to commercially available products produced with existing state-of-the-art technology.

Information on this notice of intent can be found HERE.

The Office of Fossil Energy funds R&D projects to reduce the cost of advanced fossil energy technologies and further the sustainable use of the nation's fossil resources. (Source: DOE Office of Fossil Energy,, PR, 20 Jan., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-6660, www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energy; National Energy Technology Laboratory, www.doe.netl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News NETL,  US DOE Office of Fossil EnergyCO2,  Algae,  

US DOE Office of Fossil Energy
Date: 2021-01-25
The US DOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) has announced up to $15 million in federally funded financial assistance for cost-shared research and development projects under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002402, Carbon Capture R&D: Bench-Scale Testing of Direct Air Capture Components (TRL 3) and Initial Engineering Design for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Systems from Air (TRL 6).

Since 2001, DOE-FE's Carbon Capture Program has been identifying and advancing technologies with the goal of removing CO2 from point sources such as fossil fuel-based power plants and industrial processes or directly from the atmosphere. The technologies should incur minimum costs and minimum energy penalties.

The Carbon Capture Program aims to develop efficient processes and components utilizing transformational materials to lower the cost of DAC systems. Project researchers should achieve a better understanding of system costs, performance, and other factors to accelerate development of this climate-critical technology. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the projects, which will develop lower-cost, scalable technologies for CO2 capture from air and support DOE's Carbon Capture Program. The FOA focuses on two areas of interest:

Bench-Scale Testing of Structured Material Systems or Component Designs for Optimized Direct Air Capture -- Projects will support testing and validation of advanced carbon capture structured material systems (e.g., monoliths, laminate structures, membrane bundles or electrodes) or component designs (e.g., air contactors, desorbers or electrochemical cells) under environmentally relevant conditions for DAC. The objective of this bench-scale R&D effort is to advance promising structured material systems or component designs for DAC to a sufficient maturity level that can justify their scale-up in a subsequent program.

Initial Engineering Design of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Systems for Direct Air Capture -- Projects will support the completion of an initial design of a commercial-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)- DAC system that separates, stores, or utilizes a minimum of 100,000 tpy net CO2 from air. Chosen projects will enable a better understanding of CCUS-DAC system costs, performance and business case options and facilitate a better focus on DAC R&D needs. Applicants are encouraged to propose teams that consist of both the carbon capture technology developer and partnering organization(s) with demonstrated experience in engineering, procurement, construction, and managing projects of similar size, scope, and complexity.

DOE anticipates selecting up to 8 projects for this FOA. (Source: US DOE Office of Fossil Energy 25 Jan., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-6660, www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE Office of Fossil Energy,  Direct Air Carbon Capture,  

En+ Group
Date: 2021-01-22
London and Moscow-based Russian energy and aluminum company En+ Group, the world's largest aluminium maker, is reporting it aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 35 pct by 2030 and achieve carbon net-zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal and supportive of the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

The company plan covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions across the group's entire operations, including aluminum production, heat and electricity generation. To that end, the company will convene a En+ Climate Change Taskforce and publish its final net-zero strategy in September 2021 ahead of the UN COP26 in Glasgow.

The company notes its target of emitting less than 2.7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminum (scope 1 and scope 2 from electrolysis) by 2025, was met in 2017. (Source: En+ Group, PR, Website, Platts, 18 Jan., 2021) Contact: En+ Group (London), +44 207 747 4900, Fax: +44 207 747 4910, Sustainable Dev . (Moscow), +7 495 642 7937, csr@enplus.ru, www.enplusgroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Caebon Neutral,  Carbon Emissions,  

POSCO
Date: 2021-01-22
Korea is facing a similar situation. In Korea, steel makers POSCO (81.48 million tpy) and Hyundai Steel (22.24 million tpy) -- the country's largest CO2 emitters -- are reported to be investigating the use of hydrogen to replace coal in the steel making process.

According to the Korea lron & Steel Association, making one ton of steel. Steel companies account for 25 pct of global industrial carbon dioxide emissions.

In Dec, 2020, POSCO announced that it will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by drastically reducing carbon emissions through a hydrogen reduction steelmaking method. Steel makers ArcelorMittal and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are also planning to adopt a hydrogen reduction steelmaking method. China, the world's largest steel producer, is avoiding the hydrogen reduction steelmaking method, according to the release. (Source: Korea lron & Steel Association, POSCO, PR, Business Korea, 18 Jan., 2021) Contact: Korea lron & Steel Association, www.kosa.or.kr

More Low-Carbon Energy News POSCO,  CO2 Emissions,  

Preem, Vattenfall
Date: 2021-01-22
In Sweden, a Stockholm-based collaboration between electric power utility Vattenfall AB and Sweden's major renewable fuel producer Preem AB reports it is considering construction of a 200-500 MW green hydrogen for transportation biofuel production facility at Preem's renewable fuels refinery in Lysekil. As reported on 11 Nov., 2020, the Lysekil facility is being converted to produce 950,000 cubic meters of renewable fuel by 2024.

Preem's target of producing 5 million cubic meters of biofuel by 2030 could deliver a reduction of transport emissions of up to 12.5 million tpy of CO2 -- equivalent to about 20 pct of Sweden's total emissions. (Source: Preem, PR, Website, ChemEngineering, 21 Jan., 2021) Contact: Preem, Peter Abrahamsson, Sustainable Development, Petter Holland, CEO, Pres., +46 (0) 10 459 1000, www.preem.se/en/in-english; Vattenfall, Magnus Kryssare, +46 (0)76-769 56 07, magnus.kryssare@vattenfall.com, www.vattenfall.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Preem,  Vattenfall,  Green Hydrogen,  Renewable Fuel,  

Ameresco, US Gain, epublic Services
Date: 2021-01-22
Framingham, Mass.-headquartered energy efficiency and renewable energy firm Ameresco is reporting completion of its work on the Republic Services-owned and operated McCarty Road landfill gas-to-RNG plant in Houston, Texas.

Developed with Republic Services and U.S. Gain, the facility has a gross installed capacity of more than 1.1 million Dekatherms (1.099 BTU) per year and the capacity of processing 4,500 standard cubic feet per metre of raw landfill gas while eliminating more than 61,000 tpy of CO2 emissions -- equivalent to removing 103,000 passenger cars from the roads. (Source: Ameresco, PR, US Gain Website News Release, 19 Jan., 2021) Contact: US Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, 920.381.2190, slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Ameresco, David J. Anderson, EVP, (508) 661-2264, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Landfill Gas,  Ameresco,  US Gain,  epublic Services,  

TC Energy
Date: 2021-01-20
Houston-headquartered TC Energy Corporation, developer of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project from Alberta to the Texas Gulf coast, is reporting the operation will be fully powered by renewable energy sources no later than 2030. The company will also achieve net-zero emissions across the project operations when it is placed into service in 2023.

The implementation of this initiative is expected to eliminate more than 3 million tpy of CO2 emissions -- equivalent of removing approximately 650,000 cars from the road.

As part of this announcement, TC Energy is expected to spur an investment of over $1.7 billion in communities along the Keystone XL footprint creating approximately 1.6 gigawatts of renewable electric capacity. (Source: Keystone XL, PR, 17 Jan., 2021) Contact: KeystoneXL, Richard Prior,, Pres., CEO, 866-717-7473, keystone@tcenergy.com, www.keystonexl.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Keystone XL,  TC Energy,  Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  

Date: 2021-01-20
Houston-headquartered TC Energy Corporation is reporting a new sustainable energy initiative for the Keystone XL Project. The company will achieve net zero emissions across the project operations when it is placed into service in 2023 and has committed the operations will be fully powered by renewable energy sources no later than 2030. This announcement comes after an extensive period of study and analysis, and as part of the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability, thoughtfully finding innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while providing communities with reliable energy needed today.

Implementation of the initiative is expected to eliminate more than 3 million tpy of CO2 from the pipeline project's operations -- equivalent of removing approximately 650,000 cars from the highway. TC Energy is expected to spur an investment of over $1.7 billion in communities along the Keystone XL footprint creating approximately 1.6 GW of renewable electric capacity, according to the release.

By implementing this initiative, Keystone XL will allow responsibly produced Canadian oil to be safely transported into the United States from many producers who have set their own net zero emissions goals. Canadian Oil Sands producers have cut emissions intensity by 21 pct in recent years and they are expected to fall another 27 pct by 2030.

Net zero emissions will be achieved when the pipeline is placed into service by purchasing renewable energy from electricity providers the purchase of renewable energy credits (REC) or carbon offsets.

The pipeline would carry heavy Canadian tar-sands oil from Alberta to refineries and ports on the Texas Gulf of Mexico via connections in the U.S. Midwest. Former President Barack Obama had killed the $8 billion Keystone XL project saying that it would cause emissions linked to climate change and do little for U.S. drivers. President Donald Trump resurrected the 830,000 barrels-per-day project two months after taking office in 2017. Incoming Pres. Jor Biden has indicated he will kill the project almost immediately upon entering the White House. (Source: Keystone XL, PR, 17 Jan., 2021) Contact: KeystoneXL, Richard Prior,, Pres., CEO, 866-717-7473, keystone@tcenergy.com, www.keystonexl.com

Repsol S A, Ibereolica Renovables
Date: 2021-01-18
Repsol and Grupo Ibereolica Renovables in Santiago, Chile, report their first joint wind farm in the Chilean province of Huasco is underway. The 189-MW Cabo Leones III wind farm is being developed in two phases.

The first phase with 79 MW and 22 SG 132 wind turbines, entered into commercial operation in December 2020. It will produce 280 GWh of clean energy per year, thereby avoiding 94,000 tpy of CO2 emissions. The second phase broke ground in July 2020 and is slated to enter into commercial operation in Q2, 2021.

The Repsol and Grupo Ibereolica Renovables joint venture has a portfolio of assets in operation, construction, and advanced development of more than 1,600 MW, with commercial operation dates up until 2023, and the possibility of surpassing 2,600 MW by 2030.

Repsol currently has nearly 3,000 MW of low-emissions generation capacity installed. It has six renewables projects under development in Spain and holds a stake in one of the world's largest semi-submersible floating wind farms, Windfloat Atlantic, off the coast of Portugal, which is now in operation.

Grupo Ibereolica Renovables currently operates 12 wind farms with an installed capacity of 205 MW in Spain and 444 MW in Chile. Additionally, it has approximately 10 GW of wind and solar projects under development in Spain, Chile, Peru, and Brazil. (Source: Grupo Ibereolica Renovables, Repsol Joint PR, 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: Grupo Ibereolica Renovables, +56 2 333 35 40, www.grupoibereolica.es; Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Repsol ,  Ibereolica Renovables,  Wind,  Chile Wind,  

Indian Oil Corp
Date: 2021-01-18
On Jan 14, Austin, Texas-based engineering design services company Dastur Energy reported it will lead a consortium to determine the feasibility and possible desin for the development of India's largest industrial carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS) project at the Indian Oil Corporation's 13.7 million tpy Koyali refinery near Vadodara. The refinery reportedly has the potential to capture over 5000 tpd or more than 1.5 mtpa of CO2 for large scale enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations.

Air Liquide and the Univ. of Texas Austin Bureau of Economic Geology are also participating in the project which is funded by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), as part of its mission to promote the development of sustainable infrastructure projects and foster economic growth in partner countries like India. (Source: Dastur Energy, Indian Oil Corp.,, PR, GasWorld, 14 Jan., 2021) Contact: Dastur Energy, (512) 823-0398, info@dasturenergy.com, www.dasturenergy.com; Indian Oil Corporation, www.iocl.com; Air Liquide, Corporate Communications, +33 (0)1 40 62 58 49, media@airliquide.com, www.airliquide.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Liquide,  Indian Oil Corp,  CCS,  CCUS,  

Ameresco, U.S. Gain
Date: 2021-01-15
Framingham, Mass.-based renewable energy and energy efficiency specialist Ameresco, Inc. reports completion of mechanical work at the McCarty Road landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) plant in Houston, Texas. This facility has a gross nameplate in excess of 1.1 million Dekatherms per year and is capable of processing 4,500 scfm of raw landfill gas.

The project will result in a reduction of more than 61,000 tons of CO2 -- equivalent to 103,000 passenger cars removed from the roads, 58 million gallons of gasoline not combusted or 146,000 acres of pine forest conserved every year over the project life, according to the release. The project is expected to begin commercial operations early next year. (Source: US Gain, PR, Website, 12 Jan., 2021) Contact: US Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, 920.381.2190, slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Ameresco, David J. Anderson, EVP, (508) 661-2264, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Landfill Gas,  RNG,  U.S. Gain,  ,  

City of Houston
Date: 2021-01-15
In the Lone Star State, Houston Mayor Mayor Sylvester Turner and city council yesterday approved a lease agreement with Sunnyside Energy, LLC to advance the Sunnyside Solar Project -- a public-private partnership to convert the 240-acre closed landfill into the largest brownfield solar installation in the nation.

The project, a product of the City's Climate Action Plan and Complete Communities Initiative, will be anchored by a 50 MW ballasted solar array that will generate enough renewable energy to power 5,000 homes and offset 120 million ppy of CO2 . The array is expected to come online by the end of 2022 -- at no cost to the City.

Under the terms of the lease agreement the City will retain ownership of the land but the tenant will be responsible for the permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project at an estimated $70 million private investment cost.

Sunnyside Energy is a partnership among EDF Renewables, MP2 Energy and Wolfe Energy to supply electricity to the Houston-area power grid through MP2 Energy and CenterPoint, meaning the solar-generated power would be distributed across the metropolitan region. Contact: City of Houston, Mayors Office, 713.837.0311, mayor@houstontx.gov, www.houstontx.gov/mayor; Houston Climate Action Plan, www.greenhoustontx.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Houston news,  Solar news,  

Chevron Corp., Blue Planet Systems
Date: 2021-01-15
In Houston, U.S. oil major Chevron Corp reports it's Future Energy Fund has invested in San Jose, California-based carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) tech start-up Blue Planet Systems Corp. The two firms intent to collaborate on potential carbon capture pilot projects and commercial development.

Blue Planet's technology uses CO2 as a raw material for making carbonate rocks. The carbonate rocks produced are used in place of natural limestone rock mined from quarries, which is the principal component of concrete. CO2 from flue gas is converted to carbonate (or CO3=) by contacting CO2 containing gas with a water-based capture solutions. This differentiates Blue Planet from most CO2 capture methods because the captured CO2 does not require a purification step, which is an energy and capital intensive process. As a result Blue Planet's capture method is extremely efficient, and results in a lower cost than traditional methods of CO2 capture, according to the company website. (Source: Chevron, PR, Reuters, Jan., 2021) Contact: Blue Planet Systems Corp., 408.458 3900, info@blueplanet-ltd.com, www.blueplanet-ltd.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Chevron Corp.,  CCUS,  Carbon Capture,  Blue Planet Systems ,  

ENCAVIS
Date: 2021-01-13
Neubiberg, Germany-headquartered ENCAVIS AG subsidiary Encavis Asset Management AG (Encavis AM) is reporting acquisition of a German wind farm portfolio totaling 53 MW for the Luxembourg-based special fund Encavis Infrastructure II (EIF II).

The four wind facilities in Northrhine-Westfalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, together generate sufficient electric power for 41,000 households annually and save 51,000 tpy of CO2. The wind farms were developed and realised by the renewable energy company BayWa r.e. (Source: Encavis, Website PR, 12 Jan., 2021) Contact: Encavis, Dr. Dierk Paskert, CEO, +49 40 3785 620, +49 40 3785 62 129 -- fax, info@encavis.com, www.encavis.com; BayWa r.e., www.baywa-re.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENCAVIS,  Wind,  BayWa r.e.,  

Boston Metal
Date: 2021-01-13
In the Bay State, Woburn-based Boston Metal reports it raised $50 million from new and existing investors in Series B funding, positioning the company to accelerate industrial-scale deployments of its molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) technology towards emissions-free steel.

Boston Metal's MOE technology uses electricity to transform metals from a raw oxide form into high-purity molten metal products, facilitating CO2 emissions-free steel production from a wide array of iron ores in a potentially more efficient, less costly and more sustainable approach, according to the release.

Investors included Piva Capital, BHP Ventures Devonshire Investors, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Prelude Ventures, OGCI Climate Investments, and The Engine. (Source: Boston Metal, PR, 11 Jan., 2021) Contact: Boston Metal, www.bostonmetal.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low-Carbon Steel,  

Orsted, ITM Power,
Date: 2021-01-13
A consortium of London-headquartered ITM Power plc, Orsted A/S, Siemens Gamesa and Cambridge, UK-based Element Energy is reporting receipt of €5 million in funding from the EC Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH2-JU) for the OYSTER project to investigate the feasibility and potential of combining a single offshore wind turbine directly with an electrolyzer and transporting renewable hydrogen to shore. The consortium will develop and test a megawatt-scale fully marinized electrolyzer in a shoreside pilot trial coordinated by Element Energy.

The OYSTER project aims to produce hydrogen from offshore wind at a cost that is competitive with natural gas (with a realistic carbon tax), thus unlocking bulk markets for green hydrogen making a meaningful impact on CO2 emissions, and facilitating the transition to a fully renewable energy system in Europe. The project is expected to run from 2021 through 2024 and is a key first step on the path to developing a commercial offshore hydrogen production industry and will demonstrate innovative solutions with significant potential in Europe and beyond.

For the project, ITM Power is responsible for the development of the electrolyzer system and electrolyzer trials, while Orsted will lead the offshore deployment analysis and feasibility study of future physical offshore electrolyzer deployments, and support ITM Power in the design of the electrolyzer system for marinization and testing. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Element Energy are providing technical and project expertise. (Source: ITM, Orsted, PR, Chem Engineering, 11 Jan., 2021) Contact: ITM Power, www.itm-power.com; Element Energy, www.element-energy.co.uk; EC Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, www.fch.europa.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen news,  Offshore Wind news,  

Fortistar, TruStar Energy
Date: 2021-01-13
In the Empire State, White Plains-based RNG/CNG fuel supplier TruStar Energy, a Fortistar portfolio company, reports in 2020 it grew its nationwide natural gas fueling station network to 380, inked long term RNG fuel supply contracts totaling 175 million GGE and is set to deliver more than 30 million GGE of renewable natural gas (RNG) in 2021.

In December, the company's parent, Fortistar, in tandem with the TruStar Energy's distribution efforts, announced the fifth of 12 new RNG projects, together requiring nearly $500 million of new capital investment. These new projects will produce over 100 million GGE per year of RNG, reducing annual U.S. transportation emissions by 2 million metric tons of CO2 -- the equivalent of taking approximately 434,782 passenger cars off the road, according to the release. (Source: TruStar Energy, PR, Website, 7 Jan., 2021) Contact: TruStar Energy, Scott Edelbach, COO, www.trustarenergy.com; Forttistar, Mark Comora, CEO, (914) 421-4937, MComora@fortistar.com, www.fortistar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Fortistar,  TruStar Energy,  

NOrway, Carbon Tax
Date: 2021-01-11
In Oslo, the Norwegian Environment Ministry's recently released Climate plan 2021-30 plan is aiming to more than triple the country's national tax on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the present 590 crowns to 2,000 Norwegian crowns ($237) per tonne by 2030.

As previously noted, Norway -- western Europe's largest oil and gas producer -- aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 pct or more by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. (Source: Gov. of Norway, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Jan., 2020) Contact: Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, Sveinung Rotevatn, Minister, +47 22 24 57 11, postmottak@kld.dep.no, www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kld/id668

More Low-Carbon Energy News Norway Carbon Tax,  Carbon Tax,  GHGs,  

United Airlines
Date: 2021-01-08
Further to our 14th Dec, 2020 coverage, US air carrier United Airlines notes it recognizes the role it plays as an airline in contributing to climate change, its responsibility in solving it and has accordingly set a goal of going 100 pct green by reducing 100 pct of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To that end, United notes "true sustainability is about taking on the biggest culprit in our industry -- the emissions generated by our aircraft." Accordingly, the company notes it is looking beyond using carbon offsets which "simply don't go far enough to address the emissions caused by our operations."

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, United aims to tackle its emissions from their source by continuing and accelerating development and investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). United well also make a multimillion-dollar investment to help fund start-up company 1Point Five's planned Direct Air Capture plant to capture, remove and store 1 million metric tpy of CO2 -- equivalent to the work of 40 million trees. (Source: United Airlines, PR, 6 Jan., 2021)Contact: United Airlines, www.corporate-office-headquarters.com/united-airlines 1Point Five, www.1pointfive.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  CCS,  SAF,  Direct Air Carbon Capture,  United Airline,  Carbon Neutral,  ,  

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,  

Lenovo
Date: 2021-01-06
As part of its ongoing CO2 Offset Services initiative, computer manufacturer Lenovo is touting its recent carbon offsetting scheme for customer purchases of its Think-branded products worldwide. The offset scheme accounts for emissions produced from the manufacture and shipping of each individual product and up to five years of consumer use. Offsets are delivered through projects overseen by the UN and ClimeCo, -- one of the largest producers of US-based carbon credits.

The programme was initially launched as a pilot in the Nordics in February. During the first nine months, customers helped offset 26,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, the equivalent to almost 1,800 European flights.

. Lenovo is focusing on long-term decarbonisation. Last year, the company set science-based targets to halve emissions from its operations and reduce value chain impacts by 25 pct by 2030, with a view to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The new targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and are aligned to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, as envisioned by the Paris Agreement. (Source: Lenovo, PR, edie 6 Jan., 2020) Contact: Lenovo, www.lenovo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offset news,  Carbon Emissions news,  

Orsted,Hornsea
Date: 2021-01-06
Orsted reports its 2,400MW Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm project off the East Coast of England has won development consent by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

When fully operational, Hornsea Three could generate sufficient power for more than 2,000,000 UK homes and offset over 128.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over its operational lifetime. (Source: Orsted, insider media, Jan., 2020) Contact: Orsted, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orsted,  Hornsea,  Offshore Wind,  

Enel Green Power
Date: 2021-01-06
Italian renewable energy developer Enel Green Power (EGP) reports construction is underway on its 7 turbine, 29.4-MW Castelmauro wind park in Molise, Southern Italy.

When fully online the wind farm will generate sufficient power for roughly 29,000 local homes and offset more then 36,000 tpy of CO2 emissions . (Source: Enel S.p.A., Enel Green Power, Jan., 2021) Contact: Enel Green Power, www.enelgreenpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power,  Enel S.p.A.,  Wind ,  

Veolia
Date: 2021-01-06
In the UK, Veolia reports it is expanding its present 410,000 tpy waste wood recycling and processing capacity by 50,000 tpy in keeping with its commitment to recycling and renewable biomass energy.

To that end, the company's new Runcorn Wood Recycling Facility is designed to support the treatment of wood waste from the Merseyside area for use as flooring, furniture, worktops, and other particle board applications. Lower-grade material will be used for power generation.

In the UK, Veolia's renewable biomass energy operations have saved more than 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the last four years, according to the company. (Source: Veolia, Website, PR, 5 Jan., 2021) Contact: Veolia UK,www.veolia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Veolia ,  Woody Biomass,  

Voltalia
Date: 2021-01-06
The Paris-headquartered international renewable energy company Voltalia is reporting its Cacao forestry wood waste/woody biomass plant in Roura, French Guiana has begun operation. The €75 million plant has an installed capacity of 5.1 MW and 550 kW/250 Kwh storage capacity and is expected to prevent 28,500 tpy of CO2-equivalent emissions.

The company operates three solar, two biomass, and one hydroelectric, as well as battery storage units with a total installed capacity of 30 MW renewable energy facilities in French Guiana. (Source: Voltalia, PR, Website, Bioenergy Insights, 5 Jan., 2020) Contact: Voltalia, Sebastien Clerc, CEO, +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00, www.voltalia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Voltalia,  Woody Biomass,  

Tata Steel
Date: 2021-01-06
India's Tata Steel is reporting a collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Green Business Centre and relevant steel sector stakeholders to develop the GreenPro Label framework for steel rebars with the lowest environment impact. GreenPro Ecolabeled products are guaranteed to be made to the highest sustainability and quality standards and are recognized in Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green building rating system.

To date, more than 125 building products and materials manufacturing companies have adopted GreenPro Ecolabel for more than 1,800 products for Green Building construction.

Buildings and construction together account for nearly 36 pct of global energy use and 39 pct of energy related CO2 emissions. Embodied carbon accounts for 11 pct of the building’s emissions and is primarily from materials like steel, cement, concrete, glass, according to CII. (Source: Tata Steel, CII Green Business Centre, Jan., 2021) Contact: CII Green Business Centre, +91 40 4418 5111, www.greenbusinesscentre.com; Tata Steel, www.tatasteel.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tata ,  

Caribbean Clean Energy
Date: 2021-01-04
Barbados-based MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Ltd is reporting the purchase of the 6.4 MW San Isidro solar park in San Isidro, El Salvador for an undisclosed price. The acquisition is subject to customary conditions and is expected to be closed in Q1 2021.

The solar park is expected to begin commercial operations later this month and will help eliminate an estimated 36,000 tpy of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions throughout its lifetime. (Source: MPC Caribbean Clean Energy, PR, Jamaica Observer, Jan., 2021) Contact: MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Ltd., info@mpc-cleanenergy.com, www.mpc-cleanenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Caribbean Clean Energy,  Solar ,  

Neccus
Date: 2021-01-04
In Scotland , Aberdeen-based Neccus reports it is one of six projects across the uk that will share £8 million in government funding to develop a net-zero road map to enable a sustainable reduction in large-scale industrial CO2 emissions.

The six projects will receive a share of the multi-million-pound funding as part of a drive to create the world's first net-zero emissions industrial zone by 2040. All six areas receiving funding have high concentrations of industrial activity. The "industrial clusters mission" aims to support the delivery of four low-carbon regional zones by 2030 and at least one net-zero "green hotspot" by 2040, kick-started by the government's £170 million industrial decarbonisation challenge.

The six winners will produce detailed plans for reducing emissions across major areas of industrial activity, where related industries have congregated and can benefit from utilising shared clean energy infrastructure such as carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS).

NECCUS is an alliance of industry, government and experts, united by their determination to drive the changes and support the programmes needed to reduce carbon emissions from industrial sources in Scotland and beyond. At the heart of the NECCUS Alliance is a project known as Acorn which is set to deliver a carbon capture and storage programme for Scotland by 2024 and which can be scaled-up to support other carbon reduction projects across the UK and Europe in the 2020s. The project will also enable hydrogen to be used more widely as a source of clean energy. Both these technologies will be crucial if Scotland is to meet its carbon net zero target by 2045 and the UK by 2050, according to the Neccus website. (Source: Neccus, The Scotsman, 2 Jan., 2021) Contact: Neccus, www.neccus.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCUS,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,