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

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,  

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,  ,  

SK Group, Plug Power
Date: 2021-01-08
In Seoul, South Korea's third-largest conglomerate SK Group is reporting a $1.5 billion strategic investment through a US subsidiary to acquire a 9.9 pct stake in Letham, NY-based hydrogen fuel cell specialist Plug Power. The two companies will set up a joint venture targeting Asia's hydrogen market. As previously reported, SK launched a task force to establish a hydrogen value chain covering production, transportation and charging.

SK would build a plant capable of producing 30,000 tpy of liquefied hydrogen from 2023. SK E&S, which imports more than three million tons of liquefied natural gas per year, will also produce 250,000 tpy of blue hydrogen derived from natural gas with carbon capture technology from 2025.

Plug Power is the leading provider of comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell turnkey solutions and operates a hydrogen highway across North America. "SK Group has an established strategy for building out the hydrogen economy in South Korea and beyond," according to Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh.(Source: SK Group, PR, Jan., 2020) Contact: Plug Power, Andy Marsh, CEO, 518-782-7700, www.plugpower.com; SK Group, www.skgroupinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Plug Power,  Fuel Cell,  

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,  

University of Wyoming
Date: 2020-12-30
The University of Wyoming, in partnership with West Virginia University of Law and the U.S. Energy Association (USEA) has released a comparative study for the U.S. DOE identifying the regulatory shortcomings slowing the deployment of carbon dioxide utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. The study findings could help eliminate regulatory blindspots that pop up when projects are proposed with federal or private surface and subsurface interests.

Scientists are working to find commercial ways to capture and store CO2 underground. But CO2 can also be used at oil fields, by injecting it into reservoirs to remove residual oil that traditional drilling processes could not extract. Researchers note policy makers need to know both the legal and regulatory obstacles facing energy developers trying to advance these technologies. For examples, developers hoping to establish these technologies on federal, state or private lands can run into issues involving land, mineral, pore space or water rights, pipeline regulations, eminent domain or limits to CO2 storage regulation, among others, according to the report.

Recent federal incentives could accelerate the advancement of CO2 storage and utilization across the 12 states studied. For one, in 2018 Congress revised Section 45Q of the tax code to provide more favorable tax incentives to companies engaged in carbon capture and sequestration. The 45Q federal tax credit is given to companies for each ton of CO2 they sequester in the ground. Since then, the program has received feedback from potential claimants, and the Internal Revenue Service recently proposed rules to regulate the program. (Source: University of Wyoming, PR, US Energy Association, Dec., 2020) Contact: US Energy Association, (202) 312-1230, www.usea.org; University of Wyoming, School of Energy Resources, Holly Krutka, Exec. Dir., (307) 766-1121, hkrutka@uwyo.edu, www.uwyo.edu/ser

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Wyoming,  CCS,  CCUS,  U.S. Energy Association ,  

Japan
Date: 2020-12-28
Last week in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga confirmed his government's goal of goal of generating more than half of the country's electricity primarily from offshore wind and other renewable energy resources and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Japan also aims to use nuclear and thermal power plants with carbon capture technology (CCS) to cover 30 to 40 pct of the nations electricity demand. Ammonia and hydrogen technologies are expected to supply roughly 10 pct of the country's power needs.

Japan was the world's sixth-largest greenhouse gas emitter in 2017. (Source: ADP, Manila Times, Various Media, 27 Dec., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan,  Renewable Energy,  Offshore Wind,  Carbon Neutral,  

US DOE
Date: 2020-12-28
The U.S. DOE reports the selection of 29 R&D projects to receive nearly $7.6 million in cost-shared federal funding to advance fossil fuel -- energy storage technologies. The R&D will accelerate the development of technology options to manage the energy transition underway to decarbonise and increase the flexibility of fossil power generation and support the grid of the future with increasing variable renewable generation.

The selected projects include thermal, chemical, mechanical, and other innovative energy storage technologies integrated with a range of fossil assets -- 16 of which will focus on hydrogen and ammonia, which are key low-carbon energy carriers with the potential to enable long-duration energy storage and decarbonise the industrial and power generation sectors.

Nine projects will focus on thermal energy storage, including mature options such as molten salt that can offer near-term deployment opportunities.

Energy storage technologies will be integrated with a range of fossil assets, including coal power plants, natural gas combined cycles, and combustion turbines. Applications include power generation utilities, petrochemical complexes, microgrids, university campuses, and repowering retired coal power plants. Many of the applications are envisioned to include fuel switching (hydrogen or ammonia) or carbon capture and storage to mitigate carbon emissions and leverage the energy storage technology to increase flexibility, reduce cycling damage, and time-shift energy to enhance grid support and asset utilisation.

Anticipated host sites for the near-term projects will be distributed across at least 11 states and many regulated markets including the California Independent System Operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Southwest Power Pool Inc., Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and New York Independent System Operator. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the projects. (Source: US DOE, World Coal, 28 Dec., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage,  Hydrogen,  

Aker Solutions
Date: 2020-12-23
Aker Solutions reports receipt of a roughly $57.6 million contract from its spin-off Aker Carbon Capture for engineering, procurement, and management assistance for a CO2 capture plant at Heidelberg Cement-owned Norcem's cement plant in Brevik, Norway.

The project, part of Norway's Longship project, will start in January 2021 for completion in 2024 and will capture roughly 400,000 metric tpy of CO2.

For the project, Aker Carbon Capture is responsible for the delivery of a complete new facility for capture, intermittent storage, and offloading of CO2, with integrated waste-heat recovery. Aker Solutions' scope includes engineering, procurement, and management assistance for the new installation. (Source: Aker Solutions, PR, Offshore Eng., 21 Dec., 20200 Contact: Aker Solutions, Kjetel Digre, CEO, Fredrik Berge, Inv. Relations, +47 22 94 62 19, fredrik.berge@akersolutions.com, www.akersolutions.com; Norcem, www.norcen.no

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

European Commission
Date: 2020-12-16
The European Commission (EC) reports it has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €30 billion scheme to support projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands while contributing to the EU environmental objectives and supporting the EU Green Deal.

The €30 billion scheme, which will run until 2025, will support cost effective renewable energy, use of waste heat, hydrogen production, carbon capture and storage(CCS) and other environmentally-friendly projects in line with EU rules.

Scheme beneficiaries will receive support via a variable premium contract of up to 15 years, according to the EC release. (Source: European Commission, EU Reporter, 15 Dec., 2020)Contact: EU Green Deal, ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission ,  European Green Deal,  Carbon Emissions,  GHGs,  

CCS,International CCS Knowledge Centre
Date: 2020-12-16
Incentivizing Large-Scale CCS in Canada, a joint White Paper by the tax consulting firm RSM Canada and the Regina, Sask.-based International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre), identifies venues within the Canadian tax and grant systems to incentivize large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in its pivotal role to create an economically sustainable route to deep emissions cuts.

The White Paper examines Canada's climate commitments, its current status in CCS, explores deployment-enabling policy options based on jurisdictional review, and recommends the ideal incentive scenarios for Canada. The White Paper notes that the construction and development of three CCS projects over four years would generate $2.7 billion in GDP across Canada and support over 6,100 jobs.

Download the Incentivizing Large-Scale CCS in Canada white paper HERE. (Source: International CCS Knowledge Center, PR, Oct., 2020) Contact: International CCS Knowledge Center, 306-565-5660, info@ccsknowledge.com , www.ccsknowledge.com; RSM Canada, 855-420-8473, www.rsmcanada.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS news,  International CCS Knowledge Centre news,  

United Airlines
Date: 2020-12-14
United Airlines is reporting a multi-million-dollar investment in direct air carbon capture specialist 1PointFive -- a partnership between Oxy Low Carbon Ventures and Rusheen Capital Management -- to construct the first US industrial-sized direct air capture plant to permanently sequester one million tpy of CO2. United's participation is part of its previously reported plan to be 100 pct "green" by 2050. The carbon capture project is expected offset nearly 10 pct of the air carrier's annual emissions.

United notes it is also investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which has up to 80 pct less carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel.(Source: United Airline, Hospitality Ireland, Reuters, 13 Dec., 2020) Contact: 1Point Five, www.1pointfive.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News United Airlines,  Aviation Biofuel,  CCS,  

Basin Electric Power
Date: 2020-12-11
In North Dakota, Bismark-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative reports its subsidiary Dakota Gasification Company owned and operated Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah has captured 40 million metric tons of CO2, a milestone in the synthetic natural gas production facilities' 20-year effort to lower the impacts of energy production.

As one of the world's largest carbon capture facilities, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant captures roughly 2 million metric tpy of CO2 using coal gasification and produces synthetic natural gas and other useful chemicals and fertilizers.

Basin Electric, a consumer-owned, regional cooperative that generates and transmits electricity to 140 member rural electric systems in nine states -- Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming -- serving about 3 million consumers. (Source: Basin Electric, PR, KX Net, 9 Dec., 2020) Contact: Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Paul Sukut, CEO and GM, www.basinelectric.com; Dakota Gasification, Dale Johnson, VP, COO, 701-223-0441, www.dakotagas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Basin Electric Power,  

Global CCS Institute
Date: 2020-12-07
The Melbourne, Australia-headquartered Global CCS Institute's recently released 2020 Global Status on CCS report notes the total capacity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities operating and under development grew by 33 pct world-wide over 2019. The report notes:

The CCS facility pipeline continued to grow three years in a row, with global capture and storage capacity nearly doubling within three years and increasing by one-third since 2019;

Almost 40 million tpy of CO2 are being captured from 26 commercial CCS facilities currently in operation;

Presently 65 commercial CCS facilities are in various stages of development globally;

The U.S. presently hosts the highest number of operational CCS facilities globally as well as 12 of the 17 new commercial CCS facilities added to the project pipeline in 2020;

The US has some of the most advanced supportive policies for CCS of any country in the world, including the enhanced 45Q tax credit and the California Low-Carbon Fuel Standard;

2020 saw increased ambition and support for CCS in Europe as well. The Norwegian Government announced its green light for the Langskip project.

Funding for CCS infrastructure was earmarked in the UK's Spring Budget with the goal of developing several hub and clusters during the decade. Elsewhere in Europe, the first call of EU's €10 billion Innovation Fund for CCS projects, was launched in July, this year;

In Asia Pacific, regional collaboration between countries and businesses continued to gather pace in 2020 in order to advance technical understanding and develop regulatory frameworks, with notably Australia and Japan making progress in terms of domestic policies and CCS investments;

In a move that will reduce both cost and risks to government and industry, CCS hubs and clusters -- the shared use of CO2 transport and storage infrastructure among companies -- is predicted to support a boom in the adoption of CCS in the coming years;

The report echoes findings by the IPCC, which shows that CCS is vital to meet net-zero Paris climate targets.

Download the Global Status of CCS 2020 report HERE. (Source: Global CCS Institute, Dec., 2020) Contact: Global CCS Institute, Guloren Turan, GM, Brad Page, CEO, +61 3 8620 7300, info@globalccsinstitute.com, www.globalccsinstitute.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Global CCS Institute,  CCS,  

Glencore
Date: 2020-12-07
Following up on our June 1st report, Swiss-headquartered and London listed coal mining giant Glencore has raised its pledge to reduce its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions footprint by 40 pct compared to 2019 levels by 2035, before reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

To that end, Glencore noted it would: be "investing in the commodities the world needs" such as copper, cobalt, and nickel which are all essential for battery technologies and renewable energy infrastructure ; curbing coal production; supporting the deployment of low emission and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and "engaging with its customers and supply chain partners." (Source: Glencore, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: Glencore, Ivan Glasenberg, CEO, www.glencore.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Glencore,  Coal,  Carbon Emissions,  Net-Zero Emissions,  

Climeworks, Carbfix
Date: 2020-12-04
Following up on our 28th August report, construction of the world's first large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant in Iceland is now underway. The facility, called "Orca", uses fans to suck in air and filter out some 90 pct of its CO2, which is turned into carbonate minerals for storage underground. The facility is expected to remove 4,000 tpy of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Project participant include Switzerland-based Climeworks, which makes the CO2 collectors, Carbfix, which owns the CO2 "mineralising" technology and Iceland's ON Power, which will power the plant with geothermal energy. Construction began in November for completion and commissioning in spring, 2021. (Source: Climeworks, Global Const. Review, Dec., 2020) Contact: Climeworks, Christoph Gebald, CEO, +41 44 533 2999, www.climeworks.com; ON Power, Berglind Ran Olafsdottir, CEO, www.on.is; Carbfix, www.carbfix.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climeworks ,  CCS,  Geothermal,  Cabfix,  ON Power,  

Santos
Date: 2020-12-02
Under pressure from more than 43 pct of its shareholders, Santos, one of Australia's largest oil and gas companies, has announced it will become a "net-zero" emitter by 2040. To that end, the company aims to cut its direct emissions 26-30 pct on 2020 levels by 2030, purchase nature-based offsets such as tree-planting programs, accelerate the deployment of more renewable energy and utilize carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Santos' strengthened targets come as it nears a final investment decision for one of the world's cheapest CCS projects at its Moomba gas plant in South Australia. After completing the final field trial, successfully injecting 100 tonnes of CO2 into a depleted gas reservoir in the Cooper Basin, Santos is now waiting for the Clean Energy Regulator to finalize the methodology for CCS to qualify for federal carbon credits. (Source: Santos, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 Dec., 2020) Contact: Santos, Kevin Gallagher, CEO, Brett Woods, Exec. VP, Low Carbon Operations, +61 8 8116 5000, www.santos.com

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

Cambridge Carbon Capture
Date: 2020-11-27
In the UK, Government-backed research run by Cambridge Carbon Capture Ltd.(CCC) will use its patented CO2LOC technology to capture CO2 and NOx emissions from a clay roof tile kiln then converted into a solid mineral by-product made into concrete blocks. The CO2LOC technology also produces silica and metals such as Nickel and Cobalt to be used in batteries and other applications.

CCC's "patented CO2LOC technology offers a realistic solution to climate change by enabling industry to profitably sequester CO2 through a two-stage mineralization process. The mineralization process permanently locks the sequestered CO2 in rock form and due to its flexibility, can be utilized across a range of industries. CO2LOC is unique in that it approaches the planet's dependency on fossil fuels by introducing a profit motive to industry to invest in emission-reduction. Our advanced mineralisation processes combine low cost inputs to de-carbonise the emissions, whilst simultaneously producing valuable by-products," accoring to the company website. (Source: Cambridge Carbon Capture, Express & Star, 26 Nov., 2020) Contact: Cambridge Carbon Capture, Michael Evans, CEO, michael.evans@cacaca.co.uk, +44 (0) 7795 025550, www.cacaca.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cambridge Carbon Capture ,  

Monash University ,CSIRO
Date: 2020-11-18
In the Land Down Under, Monash University is touting Airthena™ technology which it describes as "the most cost-effective method of capturing CO2 yet devised." A two metres square solar cell powered Airthena unit can capture six kilograms of CO2 per day, according to the Monash release.

The Airthena device, which uses a metal organic framework (MOF) that acts like a sponge to soak up CO2, could be adapted so that greenhouses capture their own CO2, or the CO2 could be used to feed algae for biofuel production or to make sustainable cement, according to the developers website.

The developers are in discussions with industry partners and investors, and hope to finalize plans to scale up the technology in the near future. (Source: Monash University, Website PR, 17 Nov., 2020) Contact: Airthena - CSIRO, www.csiro.au/en/Do-business/Commercialisation/Marketplace/CO2Gen; Monash University, www.monash.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSIRO,  Carbon Capture,  CO2,  

TOTAL, ADNOC
Date: 2020-11-16
In Abu Dhabi, the UAE state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) reports it is joining forces with the Paris-headquartered energy giant TOTAL to investigate joint R&D and deployment opportunities in CO2 emission reductions and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

The framework agreement expands on the two companies' long-standing partnership and collaboration. Agreed upon targets include improved energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for oil and gas operations as well as assessing the potential for enhanced oil recovery projects based on CO2 usage. (Source: ADNOC, TOTAL, Offshore, 13 Nov., 2020)Contact: ADNOC, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, +971 2 7070000. +971 2 6023389--fax, www.adnoc.ae; TOTAL, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  ADNOC,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  CCS ,  

Sempra Energy, Salk Institute
Date: 2020-11-13
In the Golden State, San Diego-based Sempra Energy is donating $2 million to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI) to help fund a five-year study to advance plant-based carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies.

The institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative aims to fight climate change by optimizing a plant's natural ability to capture and store carbon and adapt to diverse climate conditions.

With the Sempra Energy funding, Salk researchers will develop a drought-tolerant, carbon-sequestering grass (sorghum) variety designed to grow on land in Southern California and store carbon in the soil for use with grain production, grazing or bio-energy feed stocks.

HPI aims to develop crop plants that have significant global acreages to store long-lasting carbon in the soil. Crop plants that are engineered to store more carbon in the soil for longer can lead to a potentially enormous reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).

HPI estimates that if, worldwide, 70 pct of the target crops are converted into carbon-sequestration-enhanced crop plants, 1.5 to 6 gigatons of CO2 can be sequestered per year, the equivalent of up to as much as one-third of human-caused CO2 emissions that accumulate in the atmosphere each year. (Source: Sempra Energy, PR, Power Engineering, 13 Nov., 2020) Contact: Salk Institute, Professor Wolfgang Busch, Pres., Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI), 858-453-4100, www.salk.edu; Contact: Sempra Energy, Kevin Sagara, HPI Committee, Dennis V. Arriola, VP, Chief Sustainability Officer, (619) 696-2901, www.sempra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sempra Energy,  CCS,  Carbon Capture & Sequestration,  

Toshiba
Date: 2020-11-13
Japanese conglomerate Toshiba reports it will no longer accept orders for the construction of coal-fired thermal power facilities.

The announcement is in keeping with the company's goal of cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 pct by 2030 from its base level of 2019 and the commencement of operations of a large-scale carbon capture facility in Fukuoka, Japan. The company also plans to expand its solar renewable energy business to ¥650 billion ($6.17 billion) by 2030, from ¥190 billion yen ($1.80 billion) in 2019.

Toshiba's announcement comes as coal continues losing ground as Germany's Siemens Energy, U.S. multinational conglomerate General Electric (GE), India's largest coal-fired power generator, NTPC Ltd, and other energy sector majors increasingly abandon Old King Coal. (Source: Toshiba, Mercom India, Nov., 2020) Contact: Toshiba, www.toshiba.co.jp/worldwide/index.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Toshiba news,  Coal news,  

Cemx,Membrane Technology & Research
Date: 2020-11-11
San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico-based cement giant Cemex reports receipt of grant funding for an 18-month carbon capture technology research and develop project at its Balcones cement plant in Texas, USA.

Houston-headquartered Cemex USA is partnering with Newark, California-based Membrane Technology & Research Inc to study and trial trial a new membrane technology to capture CO2. (Source: Cemex, PR, Cemnet , 10 Nov., 2020) Contact: Cemex USA,Jaime Muguiro, Pres., 713-650-6200, www.cemexusa.com; Membrane Technology & Research Inc., 650.328.2228, www.mtrinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cemex,  CCS,  

TOTAL,Stanford University,LLNL
Date: 2020-11-10
Paris-headquartered energy major Total , US DOE Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Stanford University have released GEOSX, an open source simulator for large-scale geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage.

GEOSX was developed using advanced new technologies in high-performance computing and applied mathematics and aims to improve the management and safety of geological CO2 repositories. Its computing performance is unmatched to date. The open-source nature of GEOSX aims to ensure a high level of transparency, sharing and community support to pave the way for the large-scale development of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies.

GEOSX is the first major outcome of the five-year FC-MAELSTROM research project launched in 2018 by Total, Stanford University School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, and LLNL. It draws on each partner's 20-plus years of expertise in simulation and high-performance computing research. GEOSX, www.geosx.org. (Source: TOTAL, PR, 10 Nov., 2020) Total Marie-Noelle Semeria, Total's Chief Technology Officer Media Relations: +33 1 47 44 46 99 l presse@total.com l @TotalPress Investor Relations: +44 (0)207 719 7962 l ir@total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Stanford University news,  TOTAL news,  LLNL news,  CCS news,  Carbon Emissions news,  Carbon Storage news,  

Petronas
Date: 2020-11-04
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian oil and gas giant Petronas is reporting plans to be the first state-owned Asian energy company to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

To that end, Petronas reports it will optimize hydrocarbon efficiency and carbon capture, employ more low-carbon and renewables-based solutions, and advance emission reduction technologies as part of its strategy to achieve its carbon neutrality goal.

Petronas produces roughly 1.8 million bpd of oil equivalent (boe/d), is a major LNG exporter and operates about 400,000 bpd of refining capacity. (Source: Petronas, PR, 3 Nov., 2020) Contact: Petronas, www.petronas,com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

Baker Hughes, Compact Carbon Capture
Date: 2020-11-04
Houston-headquartered energy technology company Baker Hughes is reporting an agreement to acquire Compact Carbon Capture (3C), a Norwegian technology development company specializing in carbon capture solutions. The deal includes all intellectual property, personnel and commercial agreements. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Compact Carbon Capture's technology uses rotating beds instead of static columns, effectively distributing solvents in a compact and modularized format enhancing the carbon capture process, resulting in up to 75 pct smaller footprint and lower capital expenditures. 3C's modular and scalable configuration can be easily deployed into existing brownfield applications and also be optimized for a wide range of capacity and applications, including offshore and industrial emitters. (Source: Baker Hughes, Website News Release, Nov., 2020) Contact: Baker Hughes, www.bakerhughes.com; Compact Carbon Capture, www.compactcarbon.no

More Low-Carbon Energy News Baker Hughes ,  Compact Carbon Capture ,  CCS,  

CF Industries Holdings
Date: 2020-10-30
Deerfield, Illinois-based hydrogen and nitrogen products specialist CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has announced steps to support a global hydrogen and clean fuel economy through the carbon-free production of green and low-carbon ammonia.

To that end, the company Board of Directors has authorized carbon capture and storage and other carbon abatement projects across its production facilities. The company is aiming for a 25 pct reduction in CO2e emissions intensity by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Additionally, the company has signed low-carbon and CCS Memorandums of Understanding with ThyssenKrupp and Haldor Topsoe. (Source: CF Industries Holdings, PR, Contact: CF Industries Holdings, Tony Will, CEO, www.cfindustries.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Hydrogen,  CCS,  

International CCS Knowledge Center
Date: 2020-10-30
Incentivizing Large-Scale CCS in Canada, a joint White Paper by the tax consulting firm RSM Canada and the Regina, Sask.-based International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre), identifies venues within the Canadian tax and grant systems to incentivize large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in its pivotal role to create an economically sustainable route to deep emissions cuts.

The White Paper examines Canada's climate commitments, its current status in CCS, explores deployment-enabling policy options based on jurisdictional review, and recommends the ideal incentive scenarios for Canada.

The White Paper notes that the construction and development of three CCS projects over four years would generate $2.7 billion in GDP across Canada and support over 6,100 jobs.

Download the Incentivizing Large-Scale CCS in Canada white paper HERE. (Source: International CCS Knowledge Center, PR, Oct., 2020) Contact: International CCS Knowledge Center, 306-565-5660, info@ccsknowledge.com , www.ccsknowledge.com; RSM Canada, 855-420-8473, www.rsmcanada.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  International CCS Knowledge Center,  

Singapore
Date: 2020-10-28
In his opening remarks at the Singapore International Energy Week on Monday (Oct 26), Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing announced the government has set aside S$49 million to fund low-carbon energy R&D and test-bedding efforts in hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and storage. The Minister also noted the government "hopes its green initiatives and energy management system can be an inspiration to the urban societies across the world." (Source: Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry, PR, 27 Oct., 2020) Contact: Singapore Ministry for Trade and Industry, +65 6225 9911, www.mti.gov.sg

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low-Carbon Energy,  CCS,  CCUS,  

University of Connecticut
Date: 2020-10-28
University of Connecticut is reporting professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering George Bollas has patented a reverse-flow fixed-bed reactor for power generation and carbon dioxide (CO2) recapture.

Bollas' invention works with chemical-looping combustion (CLC) technology wherein hydrocarbon fuel is oxidized by a metal oxygen carrier and then regenerated by air oxidation. The metal carrier provides a bed for the combustion of fuel and hence generation of energy. This reaction reduces the oxide which is then re-oxidized through exposure to air and looped back into the system.

Bollas' invention utilizes intensified fixed-bed reactor configurations in which direction of the fuel and air flows are reversed. By periodically switching flow direction inside the CLC reactor, the oxygen carrier conversion is uniform at both ends of the reactor, rather than piling up on one end. This process produces two reaction fronts rather than one, improving the overall thermal management of the reactor and reducing hot and cold spots and significant temperature gradients. Bollas' reactor also provides for better contact between the fuel and the unconverted oxygen carrier, which reduces carbon formation and allows for higher CO2 selectivity. CO2 can be separated out after condensing the water vapor created during the oxygen carrier reduction step and captured, preventing it from being emitted into the air.

Existing CO2 capture technologies rely on physical and chemical separation of CO2. These processes selectively absorb CO2 using a great deal of energy. Bollas' invention makes the process 10 pct to 20 pct more efficient at CO2 capture and provides resistance to solid carbon formation. It also mitigates the temperature drop from the reaction, addressing the most significant challenges with CLC. It is a form of process intensification and enables modularization of the CLC reactor. The latter is enabled by the unique simple design in Bollas' invention where the reactor is a fixed bed loaded with the oxygen carrier and the flow regime and temperature management is controlled via valves outside the reactor. (Source: Univ. Connecticut, PR, UConn Today, 28 Oct., 2020) Contact: UConn Technology Commercialization Services Donna Cyr, PhD , (860) 486-3013, donna.cyr@uconn.edu, www.uconn.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Connecticut,  CCS,  Carbon Capture ,  

Blue Planet Systems
Date: 2020-10-26
Hanover, Maryland-based Blue Planet Systems Corp. reports it has raised $10 million for the commercialization of its carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) system. The system converts diluted CO2 from fossil fuel-fired electric generating stations, cement or steel mills and petroleum refineries to carbonate for mineralization into calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) -- coarse, concrete-grade synthetic limestone. The company contends their solution is scalable, economically viable and more than compensates for Portland cement's carbon footprint.

Blue Planet directly converts CO2 diluted in flue gas to carbonate, avoiding the costs and parasitic loads of purifying the greenhouse gas from a dilute stream in order to liquify it for underground disposal. Instead, the synthetic limestone is used in concrete where the CO2 is stored permanently.

The company's first commercial plant is now under construction in Pittsburg, California. (Source: Blue Planet Systems Corp., PR Concrete News, Oct., 2020) Contact: Blue Planet Systems Corp., 800-921-1144, www.blueplanet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  CCUS,  Carbon Capture,  Cement,  

WaysH
Date: 2020-10-26
In the Golden State, waste-to-hydrogen specialist Ways2H reports closure on a $2.5 million investment from Long Beach-based social benefit investment firm Pacific6 Enterprises. Led by founding partner John C. Molina, Pacific6 Enterprises supports projects and companies that have the potential to make a significant positive social, environmental and economic impact.

Ways2H's patented thermochemical process produces clean hydrogen fuel from municipal solid waste, wastewater sludge, plastics and/or other waste biomass without incineration. The process is net-zero carbon by itself and carbon-negative when paired with carbon capture and storage (CCS), according to the company website. (Source: Ways2H, Website News, 21 Oct., 2020) Contact: Ways2H, Jean-Louis Kindler, CEO, 562-414-4150 , www.Ways2H.com: Pacific6 Enterprises, www.pacific6.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ways2H,  Hydrogen,  Renewable Hydrogen,  

Microsoft,Equinor,Northern Lights
Date: 2020-10-23
Redmond, Washington-headquartered software giant Microsoft is reporting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Equinor -- fka Statoil -- concerning development of a digital platform covering the transportation, receipt and permanent storage of liquefied CO2 for the North Sea, Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

Under the MoU, MoU stipulates the two sides would work on a model for a conventional investment. Namely, Microsoft has earmarked $1 billion for technology that prevents CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere. The two firms will also jointly explore and establish advocacy of policies that accelerate CCS's contribution to Europe's meeting its climate goals.

The Northern Lights initiative, which is equally owned by Equinor, Royal Dutch Shell and Total, is expected to begin operations in 2024 with a first-phase capacity of 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2. (Source: Microsoft, Balkan Green Energy News, 21 Oct., 2020) Contact: Northern Lights Project, Sverre Overaa, Director, sjov@equinor.com, Per Sandberg, Bus. Dev, prsa@equinor.com, www.northernlightsccs.com; TOTAL, www.total.com; Equinor, www.equinor.com; SHELL, www.shell.com; Microsoft Corporate Offices, www.headquartersinfo.com/microsoft-headquarters-information

More Low-Carbon Energy News Microsoft,  Equinor,  Northern Lights,  CCS,  

Gulf Coast Sequestration
Date: 2020-10-23
Louisiana-based Gulf Coast Sequestration LLC is reporting plans to create a 10,000 foot deep carbon sequestration project to store up to 80 million tons of CO2 between the Sabine River and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The company, which has applied for the necessary EPA Class VI UIC permits , believes the project will be "the largest geologic carbon capture sequestration project in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world", according to the release. (Source: Gulf Coast Sequestration LLC , Website PR, 20 Oct., 2020) Contact: Gulf Coast Sequestration LLC, Colin Williams, Bus. Dev., info@gcscarbon.com, www.gcscarbon.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gulf Coast Sequestration ,  CCS,  

Zero Carbon Humber
Date: 2020-10-23
In the UK, Zero Carbon Humber has sent an open letter to energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, calling on the government to back a major funding bid. This follows on from the 12 organisations behind the project submitting a bid to the second phase of the government's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund for £75 million of funding.

The Zero Carbon Humber letter argues that if the bid was successful it would help unlock a potentially multi-billion pound project, reduce the UK's annual emissions by 15 pct and help the UK meet its international legally binding climate target.

The Zero Carbon Humber partnership, which was first announced in May 2019, members include: Drax, National Grid Ventures , Equinor, international trade bodies, business and investment groups, local authorities , academic institutions and others.

According to Zero Carbon Humber's website, "Industrial powerhouses like the Yorkshire and the Humber region are an essential and valued part of the UK's economy but produce high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: the Humber is the most carbon intensive industrial cluster in the country, emitting 12.4 million tpy. Developing carbon capture usage and storage (CCS or CCUS) technology and hydrogen (H2) starting in Yorkshire and the Humber would preserve jobs by enabling energy intensive industries to continue to operate and thrive even against a backdrop of ever tighter emissions targets linked to the UK's carbon budgets. Without CCUS, the Humber will face perhaps insurmountable challenges. By drawing on the existing skills and infrastructure in it and the wider region, the Humber can become the base for the UK's first zero carbon industrial cluster, helping to create a cleaner environment for future generations whilst delivering new jobs and export opportunities for British businesses." 2021. (Source: Zero Carbon Humber, Current News, 23 Oct., 2020) Contact: Zero Carbon Humber, www.zerocarbonhumber.co.uk

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

LafargeHolcim
Date: 2020-10-21
Swiss cement and building materials giant LafargeHolcim reports receipt of $1.5 million in US DOE grant funding to research and develop a system to capture and sequester CO2 emissions on a commercial scale at its cement plant in Florence, Colorado.

When completed in 2024, the facility will be the first in the U.S. to use carbon-capture technology on a commercial scale. As previously reported, LafargeHolcim worked with carbon capture technology provider Svante to build a pilot carbon-capture unit at a plant in British Columbia, Canada.

The cement sector is widely reported as the the world's third-largest industrial energy consumer and is the second-largest industrial emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 7 pct of the global emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. (Source: LafargeHolcim, PR, Denver Post, 20 Oct., 2020) Contact: LafargeHolcim Ltd, Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Stephanie Sulcer, Communications, 847 716 0368, stephanie.sulcer@lafargeholcim.com, www.lafargeholcim.com

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

Equinor, SHELL, Total
Date: 2020-10-16
The Northern Lights project -- a collaboration between energy giants Equinor, SHELL and TOTAL -- is part of the Norwegian full-scale CCS project aiming to capture CO2 from industrial sources in the Oslo-fjord region. The CO2 will shipped from the CO2 capture sites to the Northern Lights onshore location, liquefied then piped to a North Sea sub-sea location for permanent sequestration.

The project is expected to handle large volumes of CO2 from across Europe.

The full-scale project is a result of The Norwegian government's ambition to develop a full-scale CCS value chain in Norway by 2024. The government's plan is based on its 2016 carbon capture, transport and storage solutions studies confirming the feasibility of the project.

Download Northern Lights Project details HERE. (Source: Northern Lights, Website, Sept., Oct., 2020) Contact: Northern Lights Project, Sverre Overaa, Director, sjov@equinor.com, Per Sandberg, Bus. Dev, prsa@equinor.com, www.northernlightsccs.com; TOTAL, www.total.com; Equinor, www.equinor.com; SHELL, www.shell.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  Equinor,  SHELL ,  Carbon Capture,  CCS,  

Blue Flint Ethanol.Midwest AgEnergy,CCS
Date: 2020-10-16
Following up on our June 22nd coverage, Blue Flint Ethanol, part of Midwest AgEnergy , reports test well drilling for its previously announced "Carbon Zero" carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative at its corn-ethanol plant in Underwood, McLean County, Wyoming is underway. The roughly $35 million test well is expected to be complete within 6 weeks.

The Blue Flint ethanol plant's roughly 200,000 tpy of carbon emissions are the result of its corn fermentation process which uses enzymes to break down the starch into glucose. Yeast then converts the glucose to ethanol, and C02 is released in the process. (Source: Blue Flint Ethanol, Bismark Tribune, 14 Oct., 2020) Contact: Blue Flint Ethanol, Midwest AgEnergy, Jeff Zuger, CEO, (701) 442-7500, www.midwestagenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Flint Ethanol,  COs,  CCS,  

Green Hydrogen
Date: 2020-10-12
A recent low-emissions technology statement from Asian Renewable Energy (ARE) Hub suggests "green" hydrogen is likely to leapfrog ahead of hydrogen made with gas and coal as the most cost-effective form of the energy before the end of the decade, and by the time an industry could be developed at scale.

The ARE statement forecast the cheapest way to produce hydrogen in the short-term might be to use gas or "coal gasification" with carbon capture and storage (CCS). The statement added that production methods using renewable energy would become cheaper as demand grew.

Bloomberg NEF has projected that green hydrogen would cost $1.33 a kilogram by 2030, falling to about $0.76 per kg by 2050. By comparison, it suggested hydrogen created using gas with CCS was likely to cost about $1.92 a kg at both dates assuming gas prices stayed cheaper than it had been in recent years, and using coal with CCS would cost $2.51 per kg, according to the HUB statement. (Source: Asian Renewable Energy Hub, Technology Times, Guardian, Oct., 2020) Contact: Asian Renewable Energy Hub, Alex Hewitt,Exec. Dir., info@asianrehub.com, www.asianrehub.com

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

CSIRO
Date: 2020-10-09
In the Land Down Under, CSIRO, Australia's Commonwealth science agency, reports it joined researchers across the globe to produce a 1km resolution map of carbon accumulation potential from forest regrowth. Published in Nature, the study is the first of its kind wall-to-wall global map that highlights forested areas with greatest carbon returns if allowed to regrow naturally.

The researchers found that average default forest regrowth rates used by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) may have been underestimated by 32 pct.

Led by the Nature Conservancy, the study redefined international estimates and highlighted the role of natural forest regrowth in carbon accumulation, according to Report co-author and CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Dr. Stephen Roxburgh. "The global study complemented recent Australian work on carbon accumulation rates for planted and naturally regenerating stands of woody biomass across Australia," Roxburgh noted and added climate, rather than past land use, was the most important driver of potential carbon accumulation.

The study provides an important benchmark to assess the global potential of forest regrowth as a climate mitigation strategy. (Source: CSIRO, Spatial Source, October, 2020) Contact: CSIRO, +61 3 9545 2176, enquiries@csiro.au, www.csiro.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSIRO,  Carbon Capture,  

DNV GL,Technology Centre Mongstad
Date: 2020-10-09
in Oslo, Norwegian risk and verification consultancy DNV GL has forged a collaboration with the Sintef research institute and Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) to accelerate development, upscaling and commercialization of technologies for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects worldwide.

CCUS is expected to contribute to a reduction of more than 2 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions by mid-century but scaling of such technology is seen as critical to achieving national and international targets for emissions cuts in line with the Paris Climate Agreement's goals.

However, scaling of technology for carbon capture is currently not expected to start before 2030 and will not achieve a significant level until 2040 without government incentives and cost-reduction initiatives by the energy industry, according to DNV GL.

The three collaborating parties provided input to Norway's proposed Longship CCUS project that will entail a full-scale chain for carbon capture, backed by state funding of up to $1.8 billion. The project incorporates innovative elements including capture of CO2 emissions from the cement industry, transport of CO2 by ship, and temporary storage of CO2 prior to pipeline transportation and storage, according to DNV GL. (Source: DNV GL, PR, Oct., 2020) Contact: DNV GL, www.dnvgl.com; SINTEF, www.sintef.no; Technology Centre Mongstad, www.tcmda.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DNV GL,  CCS,  CCUS,  CO2 Emissions,  Sintef,  Technology Centre Mongstad,  

UK Concrete
Date: 2020-10-07
UK Concrete, the London-headquartered trade body representing the UK's concrete and cement industry, is reporting CCS can tackle 61 pct of the industry's annual emissions by 2050, if the Government and industry collaborate to ensure that investment in arrays and related transport and carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure is scaled up. The remainder of the emissions reductions needed for the sector to reach net-zero can be achieved through decarbonising transport; switching to biomass and hydrogen for heat; using lower-carbon materials and transitioning to renewable electricity. A smaller proportion of reductions can also be achieved by rolling out automated technologies in manufacturing facilities, according to UK Concrete.

To go beyond net-zero, the sector will need to develop innovative concrete blends which absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through a process called carbonation. Concrete produced in the UK is currently not performing in line with the global average carbonation rate -- but if it was, an amount of CO2e equivalent to 12 pct of the sector's footprint in mid-century could be captured, according to the trade group's UK Concrete and Cement Sector Roadmap for Beyond Net Zero report.

According to the International Energy Agency , CCS is "virtually the only technology solution for deep emissions reductions from cement production."

Download UK Concrete's UK Concrete and Cement Sector Roadmap for Beyond Net Zero report HERE. (Source: UK Concrete, PR,edie, 6 Oct., 2020) Contact: UK Concrete, +44 (0) 207 963 8000, info@thisisukconcrete.co.uk, www.thisisukconcrete.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Concrete news,  Carbon Emissions news,  Cement news,  

Enchant Energy, Public Service Co. of New Mexico
Date: 2020-10-07
In New Mexico, Enchant Energy is proposing to acquire Public Service Co. of New Mexico's coal-fired San Juan Generating Station, which is slated for closure in 2022.

Under Enchant's proposal, the plant would undergo a $1.4 billion overhaul that would allow it to continue producing power for at least another decade while meeting stricter environmental requirements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Under Enchant Energy's proposal, 90 pct of the CO2 could be stripped from the plant's emissions, with some being sold for enhanced oil production operations some being injected into the ground as part of a research project.

If the project proceeds, the San Juan Generating Station would be the largest carbon capture project and the lowest carbon-emitting, large-scale fossil fuel power plant in the world. (Source: Enchant Energy, ManufacturingNet, AP, 6 Oct., 2020) Contact: Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Pat O'Connell, Dir. Resource Planning, (505) 241-2700, www.pnm.com; Enchant Energy, Cindy Crane, CEO, (505) 436-1828, info@enchantenergy.com, www.enchantenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enchant Energy,  CCS,  Public Service Co. of New Mexico,  Enhanced Oil Recovery,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  

BP
Date: 2020-10-05
In response to growing public concern over sustainability and climate change, global energy giant British Petroleum (BP) recently announced it plans to reduce its oil and gas outputin the next 10 years by 40 pct from the present levels, with an emphasis on low carbon technologies especially on renewables, bioenergy, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCS). Similarly, global oil major Shell has announced similar moves to a zero carbon future.

Sustainability and climate change has become an integral strategy of all the global firms, especially in the energy and downstream area, thanks to public pressure as well as due to the sustained efforts of think tanks and activist organizations like Greenpeace, according to the BP release. (Source: BP, Sept., 2020)Contact: BP, www.bp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BP,  Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  

AFL-CIO,Energy Futures Initiative
Date: 2020-09-30
The Washington, DC-based-based Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) this week released Energy Transitions: The Framework for Good Jobs in a Low-Carbon Future detailing their ten-point plan for a U.S. energy jobs recovery.

The report identifies the following priority areas for new job creation and the advancement of social equity in a "deeply decarbonized" economy:

a national action plan for deployment of carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technology

an analysis of existing energy infrastructure analysis to identify key energy infrastructure needs

new policies for siting and permitting of new electricity transmission projects

nuclear energy initiatives, including safe and affordable preservation of the existing fleet and deployment of next-generation technologies

the development of technology and policy pathways for natural gas and development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for transportation, power and industry

expanded finance mechanisms for energy efficiency

a comprehensive assessment of U.S. capacity to produce industrial metals, including rare earths, lithium, cobalt, copper and palladium, an analysis of the offshore wind supply chain

and a roadmap for implementing natural and engineered carbon dioxide removal at scale. (Source: Energy Futures Initiative, AFL-CIO, Investable Universe, 29 Sept., 2020) Contact: AFL-CIO, www.aflcio.org; Energy Futures Initiative, www.energyfuturesinitiative.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News AFL-CIO,  Energy Futures Initiative,  

AFL-CIO, Energy Futures Initiative
Date: 2020-09-30
The Washington, DC-based Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) this week released Energy Transitions: The Framework for Good Jobs in a Low-Carbon Future detailing their ten-point plan for a U.S. energy jobs recovery.

The report identifies the following priority areas for new job creation and the advancement of social equity in a "deeply decarbonized" economy:

a national action plan for deployment of carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technology

an analysis of existing energy infrastructure to identify key energy infrastructure needs

new policies for siting and permitting of new electricity transmission projects

nuclear energy initiatives, including safe and affordable preservation of the existing fleet and deployment of next-generation technologies

the development of technology and policy pathways for natural gas and development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for transportation, power and industry

expanded finance mechanisms for energy efficiency

a comprehensive assessment of U.S. capacity to produce industrial metals, including rare earths, lithium, cobalt, copper and palladium, an analysis of the offshore wind supply chain

and a roadmap for implementing natural and engineered carbon dioxide removal at scale. (Source: Energy Futures Initiative, AFL-CIO, Investable Universe, 29 Sept., 2020) Contact: AFL-CIO, www.aflcio.org; Energy Futures Initiative, www. energyfuturesinitiative.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Futures Initiative,  Low-Carbon Energy,  Renewable Energy ,  

ARENA,Australia
Date: 2020-09-28
In the Land Down Under, Ministry for Energy and Emissions Reduction reports the Australian government expects to invest $18 billion in new low emission technologies over the next ten years to reduce carbon emissions. The ministry also released the government's first Low Emission Technology Statement aimed at making new technologies cost-competitive with existing technologies.

To that end, the new plan aims to: reduce the production cost of hydrogen; lower the cost of long duration battery storage systems; reduce the price of soil carbon measurement; decrease the cost of carbon capture storage (CCS) to under $20/ton; cut the production cost of low emission aluminum and for low emission steel; and others.

Accordingly, the government will establish a Technology Investment Framework and invest around $1.9 billion in a new energy technology package and complete its Long Term Emission Reduction Strategy before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

As previously reported, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) recently received $1.62 billion in government funding to enhance the utilization of low emission technologies to cut emissions across the chain. (Source: Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, ARENA, Mercom India, 27 Sept., 2020) Contact: Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hon Angus Taylor, +02 6277 7120, angus.taylor.mp@aph.gov.au www.minister.industry.gov.au; ARENA, Ivor Frischknecht, CEO, +61 2 6243 7773, arena@arena.gov.au, www.arena.gov.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News ARENA,  Corbon Emissions,  

DRAX,Worley
Date: 2020-09-23

University of Houston ,Southern States Energy Board
Date: 2020-09-21
In the Lone Star State, the University of Houston Center for Carbon Management in Energy reports it is collaborating with the Southern States Energy Board -- a non-profit interstate compact of 16 southern states -- to promote the rapid deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies.

The collaborative work will be funded by a five-year, $3.5 million grant to the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) from the U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy. The board is including Texas, and two territories, focused on energy and environmental issues.

The Center for Carbon Management in Energy was launched as a University research center in 2019 to help industry reduce its carbon footprint and to find new business opportunities for carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. SSEB's Carbon Management Program was created in 2003.

SSEB's previous work in carbon management, including the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership program and the regional CCUS as well workforce development focused on public, industry and education. (Source: Univ. of Houston, PR, 17 Sept., 2020) Contact: Univ. of Houston, Charles McConnell, Exec. Dir. Carbon Management and Energy Sustainability, 832-922-5799, www.uh.edu; Southern States Energy Board, Kenneth J. Nemeth, Exec. Dir., 770-242-7712, www.sseb.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Houston ,  CCUS,  Southern States Energy Board,  

Australia, Zero Emissions
Date: 2020-09-21
Further to our Jan 15, 2020 coverage when Australian Prime Minster Hon. Scott Morrison (Lib) claimed Australia's carbon emissions will be slashed by 42 pct within this decade -- a far greater reduction than the Australian Department of Environment's latest projection of just 4 pct by 2030 -- the PM now says Australia can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 but won't commit to making that an explicit target.

Morrison notes reaching the goal will require more lower emissions technologies and energy sources such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen and to that end his government has pledged to put $1.9 billion into the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFE) while allowing them to back CCS projects which they are presently prohibited from making. (Source: Office of Australian Prime Minster Hon. Scott Morrison, PR, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 Sept., 2020) Contact: Office of Australian Prime Minster Hon. Scott Morrison, www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm; Australian Renewable Energy Agency, www.arena.gov; Clean Energy Finance Corporation, www.cefc.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News AREA,  Australia Climate Change,  Zero Emissions,  Scott Morrison,