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,
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,
To that end, the Finnair--Fintraffic partnership will share and analyze fuel types and fuel consumption data, flight route optimization, continuous descent approach and related strategies and information as well as cooperate with other air carriers and nations to further minimize aviation industry emissions. (Source: Finnair, PR,
18 Feb., 2021) Contact: Fintraffic ANS, www.fintraffic.fi/en; Finnair, Topi Manner, CEO, Arja Suominen, SVP, Communications, Kati Ihamaki, Director Corporate Sustainability, www.finnair.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Finnair, Carbon Emissions, Aviation Emissions,
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,
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,
This commitment to climate action reinforces ENVIVA's core purpose to displace coal, grow more trees, and fight climate change. It sets forth an ambitious plan for eliminating GHG emissions from its operations in keeping with international climate goals, including the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree C. To that end, ENVIVA will:
ENVIVA's sustainably sourced wood is used to manufacture wood pellets as a drop-in alternative to fossil fuels. ENVIVA exports its sustainable wood pellets primarily to the U.K., Europe, the Caribbean and Japan, enabling its customers to reduce their carbon emissions by more than 85 pct on a lifecycle basis, helping them reach their greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets with renewable energy, according to the ENVIVA release.
(Source: ENVIVA, PR, 17 Feb., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Partners, LP, (301) 657-5560, www.envivabiomass.com; Carbon Disclosure Project, CDP, Lance Pierce, Pres. North America, (212) 378 2086, info.northamerica@cdp.net, www.cdp.net
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Disclosure Project, ENVIVA, Enviva, Net-Zero Emissions, Wood Pellet, Woody Biomass,
To that end, Bank of America will need to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations as well as engage with its borrowers in order to "help accelerate their own transitions to net zero." The bank notes it plans to establish interim science-based emissions targets for "high-emitting portfolios, including energy and power."
In the announcement, Bank of America laid out initial steps to cut its operational emissions by 2030, which include purchasing 100 pct zero carbon electricity and reducing energy use and potable water use by 55 pct, among other initiatives.
The bank is also set to disclose its financed emissions by 2023 through the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials. (Source: Bank of America, PR, Feb., 2021)
Contact: Bank of America, www.bankofamerica.com; Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, www.carbonaccountingfinancials.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenhouse Gas, GHGs, Bank of America, Carbon Emissions, Net-Zero Emissions,
"I talked to the Biden administration, and they were like 'Well, this seems too politically difficult' and I was like, 'Well, this is obviously a thing that should happen', and by the way, SpaceX would be paying a carbon tax too. So I'm like, you know, I'm like, I think we should pay it too. It's not like we shouldn't have carbon generating things. It's just that there's got to be a price on this stuff," Musk said.
"If we just put a price on carbon emissions, the market will react in a sensible way. But because we don`t have a price on it, it is behaving badly," Musk noted.
"It's either we have sustainable energy or civilization collapses. And so if civilization doesn't collapse we will have sustainable energy, it's just a question of how soon does that happen. Sooner is better," Musk elaborated. (Source: Elon Musk, DNA, 13 Feb., 2021)
Contact: Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Elon Musk, Carbon Tax,
XPRIZE aims to help scale efficient solutions to achieve the 10-gigaton-per-year carbon removal target by 2050.
The nonprofit organization announced the launch for Earth Day, April 22, and added the winner would be picked four years after that. In the first stage of the XPRIZE Carbon Removal, top 15 teams will be selected within 18 months and receive $1 million each. An additional 25 student scholarships of $200,000 each will also be awarded.
Milestone Awards will kick-start team fundraising for their operating budgets to achieve full-scale demonstrations. The grand prize winner gets $50 million, leaving $20 million and $10 million for the two runnerups. (Source: Elon Musk, Balkan Green Energy News, 15 Feb., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News XPRIZE news, Carbon Emissions news, Elon Musk news,
The company estimates 31 pct or more of its nameplate energy capacity will come from wind by the end of this year.
Xcel Energy is the first major U.S. power provider to commit to reducing carbon emissions by 80 pct from 2005 levels by 2030, rising to 100 pct carbon-free electricity by 2050. (Source: Xcel Energy, PR, Website, 10 Feb., 2021) Contact:
Xcel Energy Media Relations, (612) 215-5300, www.xcelenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy , Wind,
To that end Nordea aims to reduce carbon emissions from its lending and investment portfolios by 40-50 pct by 2030, as well as reduce its internal carbon emissions by at least 50 pct and achieve net-positive carbon contribution by 2030. The baseline measurement for the objectives is 2019.
Nordea , with €401.80 billion in assets, is Finland's largest bank. (Source: Source: Nordea, PR, 10 Feb. 2021) Contact: Nordea, Frank Vang-Jensen, CEO, www.nordea.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions,
"ICE was founded in 2000 to digitize the energy markets and provide greater price transparency. We've been transforming markets, products and processes ever since. By combining our world class technology with our leading data services and operating expertise, we add transparency and enable customer efficiency gains that advance both our networks and solutions for our customers. It is this consistent and strategic approach that has propelled our expansion from a small technology network serving the U.S. power industry just over two decades ago, into a global enterprise that operates networks across the major asset classes", according to the ICE website. (Source: Intercontinental Exchange, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Intercontinental Exchange, +44 20 7825 8000, www.intercontinentalexchange.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emisions, Carbon Credit,
Suncor reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $168 million on revenue of $6.6 billion, compared with a net loss of $2.34 billion on revenue of $9.6 billion in the same period of 2019, with both sets of numbers heavily influenced by asset writedowns.
The company says the current loss includes a $142-million after tax transportation provision related to the recently cancelled Keystone XL oil export pipeline project, offset by a $539-million unrealized after-tax foreign exchange gain on U.S. dollar denominated debt. (Source: Suncor Energy, Canada Press, Feb., 2021) Contact: Suncor Energy, www.suncor.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Suncor , Carbon Emissions,
The court ruled "Federal agencies cannot ignore more accurate scientific information when it is available and The agencies) failed to fully consider the social cost of carbon on every ton of greenhouse gasses emitted." In 2017, then President Trump ordered agencies not to use social cost of carbon estimates developed at the end of the Obama administration.
On his first day in office, Biden ordered government agencies to account for damages caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions. "An accurate social cost is essential for agencies to accurately determine the social benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions when conducting cost-benefit analyses," President Biden's order noted. (Source: Rocket Miner, Various Media, AP 6 Jan., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal, Carbon Emissions, Social Cost of Coal,
According to the Net Zero Economy Index, South Africa recorded a 1.3 pct increase in carbon intensity for the second consecutive year compared to a 2.4 pct fall globally in 2019.
The index compares the amount of CO related emissions from a country to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country for the year.
South Africa saw the lowest economic output in terms of GDP per ton of CO that it emits, across the economy.
Currently, over 90 pct of South Africa's energy is generated by relatively low quality coal. The country's Integrated Resource Plan 2019 commits to cutting coal fired power generation by 43 pct of the total energy supply by 2030.
(Source: PWC, IOL, 7 Feb., 2021) Contact: PWC South Africa, www.pwc.co.za
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pricewaterhousecoopers, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Intensity,
"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,
A 6.8 pct rise on Wednesday, February 4th followed a 6.5 pct jump in the previous session. The price of carbon has risen by 66 pct since early November, 2020. (Source: Various Media, FT, 3 Feb., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU ETS, Carbon Emissions, arbon Price,
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,
Eileen Claussen is a former U.S. diplomat and senior climate and energy policy advisor to U.S. Department of State, Environmental Protection Agency, National Security Council, Pew Center on Global Climate Change and its successor, the Center for Climate Change and Energy Solutions.
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Energy news, Carbon Emissions news,
Responsible for developing the electricity distribution networks vital to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, SSEN Distribution has signed a commitment letter to set science-based reduction targets for its own operations, which will see the network operator strive to cut emissions further and faster.
A science-based target is a target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions that is set based on the level of reduction that science says is required to prevent the worst impacts of climate change in line with the Paris Agreement -- to limit global warming to well-below 2 degree C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degree C. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wild Fund for Nature. (Source: SSE plc, Website, Jan., 2021) Contact: SSE, Shirley Robertson, ED2 Sustainability Strategy Lead, www.sse.com; Science Based Targets,
www.sciencebasedtargets.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Science Based Targets, Scottish and Southern Electricity , SSE, Net-Zero, Carbon Emissions,
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,
Gas continues to be the leading – and fastest growing -- source of climate pollution in the Evergreen State with offices, homes and buildings causing 27 pct of the state's climate pollution and are also the single fastest growing source.
The legislation would reduce Seattle's total building emissions by 12 pct by 2050.
Read More
(Source: City of Seattle, Seattle PI, 1 Feb., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,
The two companies will cooperate on the development and implementation of innovative compression and power generation technology solutions from Baker Hughes for NOVATEK's LNG projects, supporting NOVATEK's emissions reduction, raising efficiency and supporting long-term sustainability.
The agreement will begin with a pilot program to introduce hydrogen blends into the main process for natural gas liquefaction to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from LNG facilities, including NOVATEK's Yamal LNG complex.
Baker Hughes will provide engineering and turbomachinery equipment to convert existing natural gas liquefaction trains at Yamal LNG to run on hydrogen blends rather than solely run with methane from feed gas. (Source: Baker Hughes, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Baker Huighes,
Jud Bailey, 281-809-9088,
investor.relations@bakerhughes.com, www. bakerhughes.com; NOVATEK, www.novatek.ru
More Low-Carbon Energy News NOVATEK, Baker Hughes, LNG, , Carbon Emissions, LNG,
The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. The FCPF works with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling $1.3 billion. The FCPF supports REDD+ efforts through its Readiness and Carbon Funds.
Fijian Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum noted
"The emission reduction program area includes forest protection, planting and ustainable management of over 37,000 hectares spread over 20 districts on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, with the potential to expand to other areas that express interest. The contracted volume of greenhouse gases that Fiji is expected to sequester from these forest activities in the next five years is 2.5 million tonnes, for which a result-based payment of $12.5 million will be paid upon verification by the World Bank."(Source: FBN News, 27 Jan., 2021)
Contact: Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, www.forestcarbonpartnership.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News World Bank, REDD+, Forest Carbon Partnership, Fiji, Carbon Trading, Reforestation, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change ,
Throughout the pandemic we've seen an increased global interest in reducing carbon emissions. Looking ahead, we expect renewable fuels will continue to play a crucial role in power generation for decades to come. For this reason, we don't foresee a job loss, rather a job transfer -- or perhaps a job boom - in renewables in 2021. For those currently working in fossil fuels, this shift will present a great opportunity to transition skills as the energy sector continues to evolve into a clean energy future.
ENVIVA Holdings, LP is the world's largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source used to generate electricity and heat. Through its subsidiaries, ENVIVA owns and operates wood pellet processing plants and deep-water export terminals in the Southeastern United States and exports pellets primarily to power plants in the UK, Europe and Japan that previously were fueled by coal, enabling them to reduce their lifetime carbon footprint by up to 85 pct. We make our pellets using sustainable practices that protect Southern forests. ENVIVA Holdings, LP conducts its activities primarily through two entities: ENVIVA Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership (NYSE: EVA), and ENVIVA Development Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned private company. (Source: Enviva Holdings, LP, Jan., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Holdings, LP., www.envivabiomass.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enviv news, Woody Biomass Wood Pellet news, CCS news, Renewable Fuel news,
ENVIVA is the world's largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source used to generate electricity and heat. Through its subsidiaries, ENVIVA Holdings, LP owns and operates wood pellet processing plants and deep-water export terminals in the Southeastern U.S. and exports primarily to previously coal-fired power plants in the U.K., Europe and Japan. We make our pellets using sustainable practices that protect Southern forests and employ about 1,100 people and support many other businesses in the U.S. South. ENVIVA Holdings, LP conducts its activities primarily through two entities: ENVIVA Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership (NYSE: EVA), and ENVIVA Development Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned private company. (Source: ENVIVA Holdings, LP, Jan., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Holdings, LP. ENVIVA Biomass, Enviva Partners, LP, (301) 657-5560, www.envivabiomass.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enviva, Woody Biomass, Wood Pellet, Renewable Fuel, CCS,
In order for buildings constructed today to reach the 2030 or 2050 targets the updated code may include:
The code is intended to regulate the design and construction of buildings for the maximum energy efficiency and conservation as well carbon emissions reduction over the life of each building. Download code summary details HERE
(Source: 2030 Districts, City of Seattle, PR, Jan., 2021) Contact: City of Seattle, 2030 District, Matthew Combe, matthewcombe@2030districts.org, www.2030districts.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Seattle, Energy Efficiency, Energy Consumptio,
ENVIVA Holdings, LP is the world's largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source used to generate electricity and heat. Through its subsidiaries, ENVIV Holdings owns and operates wood pellet processing plants and deep-water terminals in the Southeastern U.S. and exports pellets primarily to formerly coal-fired power plants in the U.K, Europe and Japan. ENVIVA makes pellets using sustainable practices that protect Southern forests and employ about 1,100 people and support many other businesses in the U.S. South. ENVIVA Holdings, LP conducts its activities primarily through two entities: Enviva Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership (NYSE: EVA), and ENVIVA Development Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned private company. (Source: ENVIVA Holdings, LP, Jan., 2021) Contact: ENVIVA Holdings, LP, www.envivabiomass.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ENVIVA, Renewable Energy, Woody Biomass, Wood Pellet,
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,
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,
Aries' gasification solutions divert biosolids and biomass from landfills and convert them into clean energy and useful byproducts -- Bio-Fly-Ash™ for use in concrete production and Aries GREEN™ Biochar for carbon filtration and as a soil amendment.
Aries Clean Technologies develops, designs, and builds innovative proprietary fluidized bed and downdraft gasification systems and projects using its eight patents granted to date. The company's projects provide the sustainable conversion of biosolids and biomass, reduction of carbon emissions, and the production of clean thermal and electrical energy. (Source: Aries Clean Technologies, PR, Website, Jan., 2021) Contact: Aries Clean Technologies, Nancy Cooper, 615-616-8235, nancy.cooper@ariescleantech.com, www.ariescleantech.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aries Clean Energy, Biomass Gasification,
Specifically, new homes are expected to produce 75-80 pct lower carbon emissions compared to current builds. An additional requirement is for new homes to have a reduced carbon footprint of 31 pct by 2021 compared to current levels.
Additionally, all existing homes and home extensions will be subject to new energy efficiency standards focused on energy consumption, such as windows, lighting and HVAC systems. A consultation on higher energy performance targets for non-domestic buildings, was also announced. (Source: UK Housing Minister, edie, 21 Jan., 2021)
In a following tweet, Musk noted details of the $100 million prize would be released next week. (Source: Elon Musk, 21 Jan., 2021)
Contact: Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture, CCS, Tesla, Elon Musk, Carbon Emissions,
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,
The Filing represents a shift from prior planning models. While the Company will continue to add customers within its existing footprint, this plan considers decreasing natural gas loads and strategies under which VGS can promote such further reductions through efficiency and weatherizations, as well as meeting the needs of customers through expanded energy services.
VGS serves over 54,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties. The company plays an important role in Vermont's clean energy future by displacing higher-emitting fuels, offering renewable natural gas service, and delivering award-winning energy efficiency programs. VGS is leading the country in the development of local renewable energy generation and has targeted a 30 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and full elimination by 2050. (Source: Vermont Gas, PR, 18 Jan., 2021) Contact: Vermont Gas, Neale Lunderville, CEO, Beth Parent, Brand Manager, (802) 865-1460 / (802) 578-2776, bparent@vermontgas.com, www.vgsvt.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions, Carbon Emissions,
The Atchison center is Ameren Missouri's second wind energy facility purchase after the High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in Schuyler and Adair Counties in December. The facilities are expected to add a combined 700 MW of wind generation to the state. Ameren Missouri is aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. (Source: Ameren Missouri, PR, St. Louis Public Radio, 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: Ameren Missouri, Ajay Arora, Renewable Energy Dev., Michael Moehn, Pres., Andrew Kirk, 314.554.4859, akirk@ameren.com, www.ameren.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameren Missouri, Wind,
Fossil fuels currently provide the lowest cost pathway for producing hydrogen, according to cost data in a recent DOE/FE Hydrogen Strategy Document. The U.S. will authorize advanced and novel technologies capable of improving the performance, reliability, and flexibility of methods to produce, transport, store, and use hydrogen. When coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS), low-cost hydrogen sourced from fossil energy feedstocks and processes will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of these processes and enable progress toward hydrogen production with net-zero carbon emissions.
Funding is available for significant advancements in the following program areas:
li> Hydrogen Pipeline Infrastructure -- The objective is to develop technologies that improve the cost and performance (e.g., resiliency, reliability, safety, integrity) of hydrogen transportation infrastructure, including pipelines and compression stations.
The FOA will be used to solicit R&D for specific areas of interest aligned with the above seven program areas. Successful applications will be of different monetary values and project durations. Projects will be managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NRTL).
Download the HYDROGEN STRATEGY -- Enabling A Low-Carbon Economy document HERE. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy DOE, PR, 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-6660, www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogem, DOE Office of Fossil Energy ,
Fossil fuels currently provide the lowest cost pathway for producing hydrogen, according to cost data in a recent DOE/FE Hydrogen Strategy Document. The U.S. will authorize advanced and novel technologies capable of improving the performance, reliability, and flexibility of methods to produce, transport, store, and use hydrogen. When coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS), low-cost hydrogen sourced from fossil energy feedstocks and processes will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of these processes and enable progress toward hydrogen production with net-zero carbon emissions. Funding is available for significant advancements in carbon capture as follows:
Carbon Capture -- The objective is to complete the initial design of a commercial scale carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCUS) system that separates and stores more than 100,000 tpy net carbon dioxide of 95 pct purity, with 90 pct+ carbon capture efficiency, from a steam methane reforming (SMR) or autothermal reforming (ATR) plant producing 99.97 pct H2 from natural gas.
The FOA will be used to solicit R&D for specific areas of interest aligned with the above seven program areas. Successful applications will be of different monetary values and project durations. Projects will be managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NRTL).
Download the HYDROGEN STRATEGY -- Enabling A Low-Carbon Economy document HERE. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy DOE, PR, 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-6660, www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture, Hydrogen,
The proposed city will be a half-trillion dollar green energy business zone created to help end Saudi Arabia's economic reliance on oil exports, according to Reuters. Construction is slated to begin in early 2021 and is expected to contribute $48 billion to the local economy. (Source: NEOM, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman, PR, Reuters, Jan., 2021) Contact: NEOM, www.neom.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Zero Carbon,
PepsiCo's climate goals were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, a collaboration of leading nonprofits that helps companies ensure their strategies match scientific need. The company has also signed on to the Business Ambition for 1.5 degree C pledge. (Source: PepsiCo Inc., Website PR, Jan., 2021) Contact: PepsiCo, www.pepsico.com/contact; Science Based Targets Initiative
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions news, Carbon Emissions news, Science Based Targets Initiative news,
Continuing the planet's long-term warming trend, the year's globally averaged temperature was 1.84 degrees F (1.02 degrees C) warmer than the baseline 1951-1980 mean, according to scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York. (Source: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, PR, 14 Jan., 2020) Contact: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, www.giss.nasa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News NASA news, Climate Change news, Carbon Emissions news, GHGs news,
A Net-Zero Project aims to convert renewable energy such as photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas (RNG), biogas, from various sources into energy dense liquid hydrocarbons that achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the fuel's whole lifecycle -- from the way carbon is captured from the atmosphere, and processed to make liquid transportation fuel products.
Net-Zero 1 to be constructed at Lake Preston, South Dakota is expected to have a capacity of 45 MMgy of hydrocarbons (for gasoline and jet fuel, based on current take-or-pay contracts) and to produce more than 350 million ppy per year of high protein feed products as well as produce sufficient renewable natural gas (RNG) to meet production process needs.
Net-Zero 1 is projected to come in at roughly $700 million including the hydrocarbon production and related renewable energy infrastructure which includes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas to run the plant and generate electricity on-site. (Source; GEVO, PR, 11 Jan., 2021.
In other GEVO news as of December 31, 2020, the company paid off the outstanding balance of $12.7 million in 12 pct convertible senior secured notes and reduced the group's general corporate secured debt balance to zero, according to a GEVO release.
As reported on 8 Jan., GEVO Inc. has contracted with Koch Industries' Houston-headquartered subsidiary Koch Project Solutions, LLC to provide front-end engineering, design and project execution management services for the expansion projects that GEVO is in the process of financing with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Source: GEVO Inc., Jan, 2021)
Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO, Gevo, Net Zero Emissions, RNG, Alternative Fuel,
"What's remarkable is not how much emissions will go down because of the pandemic, but how little. The relatively small decline in emissions this year makes one thing clear: We cannot get to zero emissions simply -- or even mostly -- by flying and driving less. That's not to say that reducing consumption of fuel that emits carbon gas emissions is not a worthy goal, just that it is not enough." -- Bill Gates, Jan 2021 Contact: Gates Notes, www.gatesnotes.com
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The measures include: the planting of 2,000 new trees in public spaces in the next three years; creation of a green investment reserve to support energy efficient and energy generating projects including solar energy; encouraging and increasing the use of electric vehicles and installation of EV charging points;
retro-fitting council homes (subsidized low-income housing) for increased energy efficiency; a further £300,000 investment in city-owned property carbon-reduction initiatives; creation of a Climate Change Officer role within city government, and others. (Source: Cambridge City, Varsity, Jan., 2021) Contact: City of Cambridge, www.cambridge.gov.uk
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The analysis is intended to help port management understand both current and future energy requirements in line with Tyne's roadmap to net-zero emissions -- carbon neutrality by 2030 and an all-electric port by 2040.
In reaching its goal, the Port of Tyne recently invested in a fleet of electric vehicles, LED lighting and smart energy monitoring meters in every building and asset, and is presently evaluating the potential for installing solar panels on warehouse buildings. Port of Tyne has also launched Tyne Clean Energy Park as a strategic base for the region's rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
Port of Tyne is one of the UK's largest Trust Ports and is entirely self-financing with no government support. (Source: Port of Tyne, SmartCitiesWorldNews, 5 Jan., 2021) Contact: Port of Tyne Authority, Matt Beeton, CEO , +44 191 257 1373, www.portoftyne.co.uk
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On December 23 and December 29, the holders of the notes converted the remaining $12.7 million into an aggregate of 5.6 million shares of Gevo common stock. The conversion saved GEVO $12.7 million in cash and reduced the group's general corporate secured debt balance to zero, according to the release.
GEVO is commercializing the next generation of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives, according to its website. (Source: GEVO Inc., PR 6 Jan., 2021) Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
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According to the USDA Climate Change Resource Center, grasslands cover approximately 25 pct of the earth's surface, contain nearly 12 pct of the land-based carbon stocks and are essential in supporting food and livestock production. Yet, citing the expansion of pasture lands and higher livestock numbers, researchers warn current management of grasslands is accelerating climate change.
Until recently, natural and managed grasslands emitted and removed an equal amount of greenhouse gases, canceling each other out. Researchers from the Austria-based International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) investigated how these fluctuations in greenhouse gases have contributed to climate change in both managed pastures and natural grasslands, between the years of 1750 and 2012. The IIASA researchers found that the ability for natural and sparsely grazed grasslands to absorb more carbon has intensified while grasslands heavily managed by humans became a source of greenhouse gases, emitting similar quantities of greenhouse gases to that of croplands.
While nearly half of all temperate grasslands and 16 pct of tropical grasslands have been transformed for agricultural or industrial use and conserving grasslands to preserve soil health and reduce emissions from managed grasslands could deliver a significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the study.
Download the Climate Warming from Managed Grasslands Cancels Cooling Effect of Carbon Sinks in Sparsely Grazed and Natural Grasslands report HERE. (Source: Nature Communications, EcoWatch, 6 Jan., 2020) Contact: USDA Climate Change Resource Center, www.fs.usda.gov/ccrc; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, www.iiasa.ac.at
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Interested parties should submit their offers by February 2, 2021. Bid evaluation and selection is scheduled for February 22, while the negotiation of contracts is due to be completed by March 15. The new solar parks should come online not later than December 31, 2023.
In keeping with its planned shutdown of all its mid-western coal fire power plants, Xcel is aiming to cut its regional carbon emissions by 80 pct by 2022 and to add 1,850 MW of wind power along with 3,000 MW of solar that will become operational by 2030. (Source: Xcel Energy, 4 Jan., 2020)
Contact: Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com
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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.
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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
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