Peoples Bank of China,Climate Bonds Initiative
Date: 2020-09-11
According to China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, a proposal to stop recognizing clean coal as projects qualified for green bonds could attract more interest from foreign investors, as the policy change brings domestic standards closer to the more stringent international definition of green projects. Clean coal projects have always been excluded in green bonds that are certified by international standards.

In Q1 this year, China's issuance of green bonds that only met domestic definitions totaled US$7.97 billion, well above $4.37 billion for the globally aligned bonds, according to the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). For the second quarter through June alone, green bonds issued on the Chinese standards more than doubled to $5.92 billion from the previous quarter, while the globally aligned green bonds also nearly doubled to $2.82 billion, CBI added.

In 2019, locally aligned green debt in China totaled US$24.5 billion, less than $31.3 billion for the bonds aligned with the global standards, according to the CBI.

On the definition of projects, the international guidelines pay more attention to climate change mitigation and adaptation, while China's domestic rules emphasize environmental benefits such as pollution reduction, resource conservation and ecological protection in addition to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2019 CBI report. (Source: CBI, People's Bank of China, Hellenic Shipping News, Sept., 2020) Contact: People's Bank of China, www.pbc.gov.cn; Climate Bonds Initiative, www.climatebonds.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Bonds Initiative,  Clean Coal,  Carbon Emissions,  Green Bond,  

Atlantic Power Corporation
Date: 2020-09-04
Dedham, Mass.-headquartered Atlantic Power Corporation is reporting reconstruction of its 2019 fire-damaged 40-MW woody-biomass plant in Cadillac, Michigan, has been completed and the plant re-commissioned and returned to service in Aug.

Atlantic Power Corporation is a power generation and infrastructure company with a portfolio of assets in the United States and Canada. The company is engaged in power generation through hydro, natural gas, biomass, and coal fired power plants, according to Wikipedia. (Source: Atlantic Power Corp., PR, Sept., 2020) Contact: Atlantic Power Corp., James J. Moore, Pres., CEO, (617) 977-2400, www.atlanticpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Atlantic Power Corporation news,  Woody Biomass news,  Biomass news,  

U.S. Department of Energy
Date: 2020-09-04
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports the awarding of $72 million for the development and advancement of carbon capture technologies.

Of the total, $51 million will go to nine new projects for coal and natural gas power and industrial sources. These efforts seek to design initial engineering studies to develop technologies to capture CO2 generated as a by-product of manufacturing at industrial sites. The remaining $21 million will support 18 projects for "direct air carbon capture' technologies and the development and field testing of new materials for use in direct air capture.

"The primary mission of our office is to ensure that the United States can continue to rely on its fossil fuel resources for clean and secure energy. The advancement of carbon capture technologies, including direct air capture, contributes to that mission. Our ultimate goal is to mature these technologies so that they can be commercialized and brought to market", according to Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg. (Source: US DOE, 3 Sept., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Department of Energy,  Carbon Capture,  CCS,  Direst Air Carbon Capture,  

Science Advisory Council of the European Academies
Date: 2020-09-02
"We have repeatedly pointed out that the large-scale substitution of coal by forest biomass [to produce electricity] will accelerate climate warming and will increase the risks of overshooting Paris Climate Agreement targets.

"The reason is simple: when the forest is harvested and used for bioenergy, all the carbon in the biomass enters the atmosphere very quickly, but it will not be reabsorbed by new trees for decades. This is not compatible with the need to tackle the climate crisis urgently." -- Michael Norton, Environmental Director, Science Advisory Council of the European Academies www.easac.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Forest Biomass,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  Paris Climate Agreement,  

Engie
Date: 2020-09-02
French energy major ENGIE is reporting the immediate shut-down of its 1951-vintage Engie Electrabel biomass plant in Les Awirs, Belgium.

Originally commissioned to burn coal, the 75MW plant began burning biomass in 2005. The closure coincides with the ending of the period for the granting of green certificates. (Source: ENGIE, PR, renews. 28 Aug., 2020) Contact: ENGIE, Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, VP Renewables, +33 (0)1 44 22 66 29, ir@engie.com, www.engie.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Engie,  Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  

US Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-08-28
According to the just released US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Electric Power Monthly Report for the period January -- June 2020, solar-generated electricity -- including distributed solar -- jumped by 22 pct year-on-year and provided nearly 3.4 pct of the U.S. total. Wind was up 14.5 pct and accounted for more than 9.1 pct of total generation. Combined, net wind and solar power generation is 16.4 pct more than a year ago and generated 12.5 pct of total US electrical production during the first six months of 2020.

Together with hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewables provided 22.3 pct of total electrical output -- a 19.9 pct increase over the previous year. Renewables produced close to one-third more electricity than coal through June 2020.

Total electrical generation by all renewable energy sources combined rose by 16.3 pct, driven primarily by a 31.4 pct expansion by wind and an 18.1 pct increase in solar generation while biomass fell by 10 pct and geothermal power dipped by 1.5 pct. (Source: US EIA, Aug., 2020) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_es1a

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Energy Information Administration ,  EIA,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

BHP
Date: 2020-08-28
In the Land Down Under, Melbourne-based mining giant BHP reports the revamping of its strategy to reduce the company's operational emissions and set concrete targets to be reached by 2030 and its ultimate goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050.

The company noted that carbon capture and storage (CCS), an increased reliance on renewable energy and other initiatives will be funded through a $400 million climate investment program announced in 2019. The company also plans to update its portfolio assessment to take into account its Paris Climate Agrement agreement goals, and will sell or demerge some of its coal mines to help meet those goals. Additionally, future executive remuneration will include an element tied to climate change actions. (Source: BHP Billiton, mining.com, 27 Aug., 2020) Contact: BHP Billiton, Dr. Fiona Wild, VP Sustainability and Climate Change, +61 3 9609 3333, www.bhpbilliton.com, www.bhp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BHP,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  CCS,  

Offshore Wind
Date: 2020-08-24
New England for Offshore Wind, a regional coalition that supports the development of offshore wind power, reports it expects to announce its official launch this week. According to the group, which includes environmental advocacy organizations, educational institutions, justice and health organizations, and business alliances, offshore wind power is necessary to address growing energy demands as more power plants go off line in the coming years.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is currently weighing concerns from commercial fishermen, environmentalists, coastal communities and other stakeholders before deciding where leases on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Maine might be allocated and where they wouldn't be allowed. The first offshore wind farm is still six to 10 years from operation, according to the New England for Offshore Wind release. (Source: New England for Offshore Wind, PR, reve, 22 Aug., 2020) Contact: New England for Offshore Wind, www.newenglandforoffshorewind.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Offshore Wind,  

Goldwind
Date: 2020-08-21
In the Land Down Under, Sydney-headquartered Goldwind Australia reports it is considering the use of renewable hydrogen or biofuels to power a proposed new gas-battery hybrid project near the Gullen Range wind and solar complex.The project includes a 12MW/4MWh battery system and six 12MW gas reciprocating engines.

The project has received $10 million funding from the NSW government Emerging Energy Program, which is targeting new projects that can provide firming support to the NSW energy system, as it transitions away from coal and towards wind and solar for its electricity supplies. (Source: Goldwind Australia, ReNew Economy, 15 Aug., 2020) Contact: GoldWind Australia, +61 (2) 9008 1715, info@goldwindaustralia.com, www.goldwindaustralia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Goldwind,  

Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Date: 2020-08-21
The Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel has published a new guide on how to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into operations from the perspective of the business aviation community. According to the coalition, the free online guide was designed to serve as a resource on topics such as the practicalities of SAF development, industry adoption and pending expansion of supply and use. Fueling the Future is an updated edition of a SAF guide published by the coalition in 2018.

In addition to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the SAF Coalition is made up of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA). The coalition is supported by a steering committee, whose participants include Air BP, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer Executive Aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace and Phillips 66.

Download the guide details HERE. (Source: Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, PR, AVweb, 19 Aug., 2020) Contact: Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, www.futureofsustainablefuel.com

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

Urban Air Initiative,American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2020-08-17
In Washington, the Urban Air Initiative (UAI) -- a coalition of state corn grower organizations -- along with the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition last Friday filed comments asking the EPA not to penalize ethanol's ability to reduce carbon emissions.

The EPA is proposing to penalize the current Tier 3 test fuel that all automakers will use to meet CO2 emission standards because it contains 10 pct ethanol. This Tier 3 test fuel lowers CO2 emissions compared to the prior E0 test fuel from 1975. The EPA is creating this new penalty against ethanol by manipulating test procedures to inflate the tailpipe CO2 emissions of vehicles certified as using E10. Since the penalty would presumably increase with higher ethanol volumes, this rule would be a major disincentive for automakers to transition to higher ethanol blends.

"Basically ethanol can't win. First EPA ignores ethanol's ability to reduce toxic aromatics, and now it wants to penalize ethanol for being a more efficient, lower-carbon fuel additive. The EPA is making this more complicated than it needs to be. It's creating rules based on older, non-representative fuels in its testing. Plus, EPA has no authority to penalize a particular fuel. Automakers can take advantage of high octane ethanol but not if they are penalized before they even start. In short, let the market work," Urban Air President Dave VanderGriend commented.

"EPA's anti-ethanol bias is not limited to how it has badly mismanaged the Renewable Fuel Standard, it extends to the Agency's proposal to artificially inflate CO2 emissions from vehicles being tested on E10 blends for Tier 3 Test Fuel Procedures," ACE CEO Brian Jennings commented. (Source: Urban Air Initiative, PR, 17 Aug., 2020) Contact: Urban Air Initiative, Dave VanderGriend, Pres., www. fixourfuel.com; Clean Fuels Development Coalition, 301-718-0077, www.cleanfuelsdc.org; American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  American Coalition for Ethanol,  ACE,  Urban Air Initiative,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  

EMBER
Date: 2020-08-17
According to London, UK-headquartered independent climate and "coal to clean energy" think tank EMBER's recently released Global Electricity Review 2020, power generation from wind turbines and solar panels generated 10 pct of the world's electricity in the first half of this year as coal-powered generation declined to the lowest half-year level since at least 1990.

During the same period, coal-fired generation dropped by 8.3 pct but still accounted for 33 pct of global production -- too high to meet global climate change targets of keeping global temperatures from increasing by more than 2.7 F which, the report claims, needs coal power generation to fall by 13 pct per year for a decade, according to the report.

The EMBER -- fka "Sandbag" -- report collected data from 48 countries which make up 83 pct of global electricity production. Download the Global Electricity Review 2020 report HERE. (Source: Ember, Aug., 2020) Contact: Ember, (+44) 020 8144 8663, ember-climate.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Solar,  Coal,  

Waste Knot Energy
Date: 2020-08-17
In the UK, London-headquartered Waste Knot Energy has secured funding from Gresham House's British Strategic Investment Fund (BSIF) for construction of its first fuel pelleting plant at distribution logistics firm AV Dawson's port facility in Teesside, Middlesbrough.

The plant will produce Waste Knot's "Green Knot" branded pellets using non-recyclable waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill. The high-calorific value of the pellets makes them a reliable, low-emission bulk alternative to coal and pet-coke for energy-intensive industries such as cement and steel.

When fully operational,the Waste Knot plant is expected to produce more than 240,000 tpy of fuel pellets. (Source: AV Dawson, BDaily, Aug., 2020) Contact: BSIF Greshham House, Ed Simpson, Fund Manager, Waste Knot Energy, +44 0 7808 964640, info@wasteknotenergy.com, www. wasteknotenergy.com; Gresham House, +44 20 3837 6270, www.greshamhouse.com; AV Dawson, +44 1642 219271, www.av-dawson.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Waste Knot Energy,  Pellet Fuel ,  

Vectren,CenterPoint Energy
Date: 2020-08-14
Vectren's CenterPoint Energy reports Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co (SIGECO) is issuing an RfP for 700 to 1,000 MW of solar and solar + storage as well as 300 MW of wind resources to replace 730 MW of coal-fired generation slated to be scuttled in 2024.

The last date for submission of proposals in response to the RfP is September 23, 2020, and the initial review will begin on the same date. The shortlisted candidates will be revealed on November 5, 2020. Only resources capable of firm deliverability to MISO Local Resource Zone 6 will be considered.

RFP details are HERE. (Source: Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co./, 12 Aug., 2020) Contact: Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co., Vectren, www.vectren.com; Center Point Energy, www.centerpointenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CenterPoint Energy,  Vectren,  Wind,  Solar,  Solar+Storage,  

Pakistan Renewable Energy
Date: 2020-08-10
In Islamabad, the Pakistan Alternative Energy Development Board has announced plans to boost the share of its electric power from from today's 4 pct to 20 pct by 2025 and up to 30 pct by 2030. The increase is expected to come primarily from wind and solar power along with increased hydro-power and geothermal, tidal, wave and biomass energy.

New investment in renewable energy is expected to come from private investors, with potential suppliers bidding in annual auctions and low-tariff proposals.

To the detriment of the planned push to renewables, One big potential roadblock to scaling renewables is the focus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridoe (CPEC) project to construct new coal-fired power plants, seven of which are slated for completion in Pakistan by by 2024. (Source: Pakistan Alternative Energy Development Board, MENAFN, Gulf Times, Aug., 2020) Contact: Pakistan Alternative Energy Development Board, Aqeel Hussain Jafry, Director, Nadeem Babar, Energy Reform Task Force Leader,www.aedb.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pakistan Renewable Energy,  Coal,  Renewables,  

Fonterra
Date: 2020-08-10
Fonterra is one step away from pushing the go button on its first factory to convert from coal to wood pellet energy. The dairy company’s Te Awamutu plant in the Waikato is putting the finishing touches on the $11 million power source conversion which could be used as a blueprint for its other factories around the country. It was part of the company’s move to renewable energy and to reduce emissions as it worked towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. When fully operational the new wood pellet burner will eliminate 84,000tpy of carbon emissions and reduce Fonterra’s coal energy consumption in New Zealand by 10 per cent. (Source: Fonterra Stuff NZ, 9 Aug., 2020) Contact: Fonterra, www.fonterra.com.nz

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fonterra news,  Wood Pellet news,  

Midwest Energy Emissions ,Vistra
Date: 2020-08-05
Corsicana, Texas-headquartered Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. (ME2C) and Irving, Texas-based electric power generator and provider Vistra Energy Corp. report the signing of a multi-year, fleet-wide license and supply agreement to provide Vistra a non-exclusive license to certain ME2C patents for use in connection with Vistra's coal-fired power plants.

Patents licensed to Vistra relate to ME2C's two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA®) process for mercury removal from coal-fired power plants. (Source: Midwest Energy Emissions Corp, PR, 4 Aug., 2020) Contact: ME2C, Richard MacPherson, CEO, 614-505-6115 rmacpherson@midwestemissions.com, www.midwestemissions.com; Vistra Energy Corp., Barry Boswell, www.vistracorp.com/sustainability

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Vistra,  Midwest Energy Emissions,  

Blue Flint Ethanol.Midwest AgEnergy
Date: 2020-08-03
Midwest AgEnergy-owned Blue Flint Ethanol reports it is using $155,000 in recent funding from the state Agricultural Products Utilization Commission to conduct research and a feasibility study on the use of locally sourced wheat straw, corn stover and other biomass as a fuel source for its ethanol plant co-located with Great River Energy's Coal Creek power plant, near Underwood.

Blue Flint uses waste steam from the Coal Creek facility as the energy for the refining process, but the power plant is slated for closure in 2022. (Source: Midwest AgEnergy, Prairies Public Radio, 3 Aug., 2020) Contact: Blue Flint Ethanol, Midwest AgEnergy, Jeff Zuger, CEO, (701) 442-7500, www.midwestagenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Midwest AgEnergy,  Ethanol,  

New Mexico, Renewable Energy
Date: 2020-07-31
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) reports it has voted to end coal-fired power generation in San Juan County inthe state's Four Corners region. Accordingly, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) utility is slated to exit the San Juan Generating Station in 2022 in favor of 100 pct renewable energy power generation with battery energy storage capacity as mandated by the state. New Mexico has mandated the state move to 100 pct carbon-free electricity generation by 2050.

The proposed switch from coal to renewables includes 650 MW of solar resources and 300 MW of battery storage resources, with 430 MW of solar and $447 million worth of capital investments located within the Central Consolidated School District in San Juan County. Another 520 MW of renewable energy and roughly $500 million of capital investment would be located in McKinley County and the Jicarilla Apache reservation in Rio Arriba County. (Source: New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, NM Political Report, 30 July, 2020) Contact: New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, 888-427-5772, www.nmprc.state.nm.us; PNM, www.pnm.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Coal,  PNM,  Solar,  

Petro Nova, NRG Energy
Date: 2020-07-31
Houston-headquartered power utility NRG Energy confirmed to the Australian Financial Review that it has mothballed its Petra Nova carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility in Texas due to its poor financial performance.

Since coming online in Jan., 2017, Petra Nova, the world's largest coal-fired power plant post-combustion CO2 capture system, captured over 3.9 million short (US) tons of CO2 which was used to produce over 4.2 million barrels of oil through enhanced oil recovery (EOR). (Source: US DOE Office of Fossil Energy, NRG Energy, Australia Financial Review, 30 July, 2020)Contact: US DOE Office of Fossil Energy, www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energy; NRG Energy, Mauricio Gutierrez, CEO, (609) 524-4500, www.nrgenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  Enhanced Oil Recovery,  Petro Nova,  NRG Energy,  CCS,  

Climate Change
Date: 2020-07-31
The 2020 US Democratic presidential presumptive candidate Joe Biden's campaign has released the following position on clean energy and climate change:

Democrats commit to eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035.

Wind and solar energy will be increased dramatically through the installation of 500 million solar panels and 60,000 made-in-America wind turbines.

Any clean energy infrastructure financed with federal support "through the tax code" should include robust wage and labor requirements.

Fossil fuel subsidies will be repealed.

California's primacy in Clean Air Act regulation of cars and trucks will be recognized and protected.

Oil and gas methane pollution will be reduced by the application of "robust" federal standards and targeted support for repairing and replacing aging distribution systems.

By 2030, all new buildings will achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Within five years, the Democrats will "incentivize" tens of billions of dollars in private-sector investments to retrofit the energy efficiency of four million buildings.

The country's entire fleet of school buses will transition to zero-emission buses to reduce harmful air pollution within five years.

The US will rejoin the the Paris Climate Agreement. A new Executive Order should be issued on climate and environmental Justice. There will be a strong emphasis on building environmental justice governmental institutions and practices. An environmental justice fund will be created to make "historic investments" in low-income communities, and remediating Superfund and other contaminated sites will address other issues afflicting these communities. Democrats will employ screening and mapping tools to ensure racial and socio-economic equity in federal climate, energy and infrastructure programs.

Fossil fuel companies will be held accountable for cleaning up abandoned mine lands ,oil and gas wells and industrial facilities so they can be safely "repurposed," especially in the coal country.

Innovative technologies will be advanced that create cost-effective pathways for industries to decarbonize, including carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and "advanced nuclear" that eliminates risks associated with conventional nuclear technology.

America's natural carbon sinks on public lands will be increased by ensuring 30 percent of our lands and waters are conserved by 2030.

A new "climate test" will be applied to ensure that all major domestic and international infrastructure projects that require federal approval will avoid or minimize climate impacts, including impacts from export terminals.

The Federal Government should be reorganized by transforming the CEQ into a Council on Climate Change; establish a new office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice; create an Office of Climate Mobilization in the White House; establish a White House Council on frontline Environmental Justice where community and national leaders would inform the design and execution of climate change laws, policies and programs.

Editor's Note: To ensure unbiased and equal coverage to all candidates , this publication will provide detailed coverage of the incumbent Republican Donald Trump's position on clean energy and climate change if and when his position paper is released.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Clean Energy,  

American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2020-07-29
Late yesterday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled his coronavirus economic relief package including $20 billion in relief to be used by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in addition to the $14 billion in funding the previously enacted CARES Act provides USDA via the Commodity Credit Corporation account. This marks the next step toward supplying much needed assistance to the renewable fuels sector. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings believes ethanol producers, considered 'processors' under any commonsense definition of the term, would be prime candidates to receive a portion of USDA's increased discretionary funds in this proposal. While Jennings welcomed the inclusion of the assistance, he urged for more specific language in the following reaction:

"We are grateful Senate leaders have responded to our request for economic relief to biofuel producers in the phase four stimulus, however, Congress gave USDA the flexibility to provide relief for renewable fuel producers in the last package and USDA declined to exercise it. While Senator McConnell's bill is more specific about processors of ag commodities, it still leaves discretion to USDA which has so far failed to use the authority to support our industry.

"As I stated in my recent letter to Senators McConnell and Schumer, direct aid for biofuel producers is long overdue. That is why we support and urged inclusion of the Grassley-Klobuchar bill which makes direct assistance certain. Ethanol producers have acted as an economic bridge for U.S. farmers when they purchased corn before the extent of the pandemic was known. It is only fair to aid the ethanol industry which has fronted cash to farm economies.

"We will continue to urge for more specific language in the final bill. Fortunately, momentum appears to be in our favor since both the House-passed Heroes Act and Senate proposal contain relief provisions. Now we need to ensure the legislative details are correct as there should be no reason direct assistance for ethanol producers doesn't make it in the final phase four bill. ACE urges grassroots advocates to contact their lawmakers and ask them to include biofuel producer relief in the final coronavirus relief package and to get it done before the August recess." (Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, 29 July, 2020) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol,  Ethanol Biofuel,  

American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2020-07-29
"The important context here is that a lot of the ethanol industry was hanging on by a string before the coronavirus hit. And we're seeing unprecedented demand destruction right now, so undoubtedly, 2020 is going to be a bloodbath for the industry." -- Brian Jennings, CEO, American Coalition for Ethanol , April, 2020. Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, (605) 334-3381 ext. 3389, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol news,  

UCLA,CO2Concrete
Date: 2020-07-27
UCLA is reporting receipt of US DOE grant funding for the development of concrete from carbon dioxide emissions. The project is one of 11 sharing funding of $17 million from the US DOE's carbon utilization programme. A further $905,000 has been raised from industry partners and the UCLA discretionary funds.

CO2Concrete has a carbon footprint 50-70 pct lower than traditional concrete, and captures carbon dioxide from raw flue gas emitted by cement plants and other sources. One particular attraction of the process is that it does not need a conventional carbon capture system. Cement production reportedly accounts for 8 pct of man-made carbon dioxide emissions.

A test centre to demonstrate the process is located at Dry Fork Station, a coal-based power plant near Gillette, Wyoming. (Source: UCLA, Global Construction Review, 27 July, 2020) Contact: UCLA, Civil Engineering Prof. Gaurav Sant, www. samueli.ucla.edu/gaurav-sant

More Low-Carbon Energy News UCLA,  CO2,  Cement,  Concrete,  CO2Concrete,  

Clean Coal
Date: 2020-07-24
"Coal is one of our nation's most abundant natural resources and has been providing well-paying jobs and powering the US for decades. That's why, as the global energy mix evolves, we're investing in the next-generation of coal technologies that will lay the groundwork for clean, reliable 21st century coal-to-energy plants.

"The Trump Administration sees a bright future for the new, next stage of coal."-- Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, July, 2020)

Brouillette was commenting on the Trump Administration's $118 million Coal FIRST commitment to develop technologies to generate carbon-neutral electricity and hydrogen using coal.

Coal FIRST (Flexible, Innovative, Resilient, Small, Transformative) plants will incorporate carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies and be capable of flexible operations to meet the needs of the grid, use innovative components that improve efficiency and reduce emission and will be small compared to the current conventional utility-scale coal-fired plants. Contact: Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette www.energy.gov/contributors/dan-brouillette

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal,  Clean Coal,  

Alliant Energy
Date: 2020-07-24
According to Madison, Wisconsin-based Alliant Energy's 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report, the company plans to eliminate all coal from its electric power generation by 2040 -- about 10 years sooner than its previous goal -- to speed up its carbon reduction goals by cutting emissions 50 pct from 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

As previously reported, Alliant plans to invest $900 million to add 675 mw of solar across six counties as part of its goal to add 1,000 mw of solar power by the end of 2023. Alliant subsidiary Wisconsin Power and Light anticipated its roadmap for retiring the use of coal and accelerating the company's transition to renewable energy would save customers between $2 billion and $6.5 billion over the next 35 years.

Download Alliant's 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report . (Source: Alliant Energy, Website, Wisc.NPR, 23 July, 2020) Contact: Alliant, Jeff Hanson, Environmental Serv. And Sustainability Director, (608) 458-3956, www.alliantenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliant Energy,  Coal,  Carbon Neutral,  

Simec Atlantis
Date: 2020-07-20
UK-based Simec Atlantis reports it is in talks with data center developer TechRE to re-purpose a coal-fired power station in Uskmouth, Wales to burn 50 pct woody biomass and un-recyclable plastic waste-derived fuel pellets. The Uskmouth power station is expected to generate 220MW of base-load electricity from this sustainable fuel source when fully converted.

The project will be developed in two phases -- conversion of the first 110 MW generation unit at the power station and upon commissioning a second unit will be converted to increase the station's total net output to 220MW. (Source: SIMEC Atlantis Energy, Website, 16 July, 2020) Contact: SIMEC Atlantis Energy, Tim Cornelius, CEO, +44 1633 292700, www.simecatlantis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Simec Atlantis,  Biomass,  

Vietnam
Date: 2020-07-20
Vietnam posted the highest growth in coal consumption among the top 10 global consumers last year, when the country consumed 2.07 exajoules of electricity from coal-- up 30.2 pct year-on-year, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, This makes Vietnam the 10th largest consumer of coal in the world behind China, India and the U.S.

Although Vietnam's coal imports surged to a record high in the first half of the year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has ruled out construction of new coal-fired power plants after 2030, when it will prioritize the use of renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG). (Source: VNExpress, 20 July, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal news,  

Japan Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-07-15
In Tokyo, the Japan Ministry of the Environment is reporting the country's the electric power industry, which accounts for 40 pct of Japan's carbon emissions, will miss its target for cutting CO2 emissions by 2030.

The announcement noted the industry's CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants would likely exceed the 2030 emissions target by 50 million tonnes, equivalent to 5 pct of the country's emission goal in 2030, (Source: Japan Ministry of Environment, Reuters, 14 July, 2020) Contact: Japan Ministry of Environment, Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_the_Environment_(Japan)

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

American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2020-07-08
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) reports it is concerned that the EPA has missed important deadlines dealing with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The EPA normally issues the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) petroleum companies must meet under the RFS by July 4, but have missed that deadline for 2021 and there's no indication when they may be released, according to ACE CEO Brian Jennings.

EPA also has not responded to an April ACE request for an emergency interim final rule on RVOs to restore RFS volumes to help ethanol producers hurt by the pandemic. The EPA is also being inactive on dealing with small refinery waiver requests which they need to deny in accordance with a January court ruling that will likely will take Congressional intervention to enforce, Jennings added. (Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, July, 2020) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol ,  Ethanol. RFS,  Renewable Fuels Standard,  

Midwest AgEnergy
Date: 2020-07-01
Midwest AgEnergy Group (MAG), the parent company to ethanol biorefinery, Blue Flint, near Underwood, ND and Dakota Spirit, a 75 million gpy biorefinery near Spiritwood, ND, is reporting receipt of $3.4 million in grant funding from the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The funding will be used advance the development of a potential carbon storage (CCS) system at the Blue Flint facility located next to Coal Creek Station near Underwood, ND.

The research will involve drilling a stratigraphic test well to examine the geology near the Blue Flint facility to determine the potential and viability of permanently storing CO2 in a deep saline formation. If the sequestration project is successfully completed, the Blue Flint facility anticipates sequestering approximately 200,000 tpy of CO2. The result of the sequestration will be a lower carbon footprint for the facility and the ability to participate in the IRS 45Q tax credit program, incenting such activities. (Source: Midwest AgEnergy, Daily News, 29 June, 2020) Contact: Midwest AgEnergy, Jeff Zueger, CEO, (701) 442-7500/(701) 251-3900, www.midwestagenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Midwest AgEnergy,  Ethanol,  Blue Flint Ethanol,  CCS,  

Tucson Electric Power
Date: 2020-06-29
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is reporting plans to provide more than 70 pct of its power from wind and solar resources as part of a cleaner energy portfolio that will reduce carbon emissions 80 pct by 2035.

The 15-year 2020 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) calls for a dramatic expansion of wind and solar power resources, supported by efficient natural gas fired generators and energy storage systems the retirement of TEP's remaining coal-fired power plants over the next 12 years. Key IRP elements include:

2,457 MW of new wind and solar power systems, including 457 MW that will be coming online over the next year.

1,400 MW of new energy storage systems.

A proposal to ramp down and ultimately retire two units at the coal fired Springerville Generating Station in 2027 and 2032.

Eliminating the use of surface water for power generation and a 70 pc treduction in groundwater use.

Continued support for energy efficiency programs to reduce usage and peak power demands.

TEP's CO2 emission reduction goal was developed in partnership with the University of Arizona's Institute of the Environment with input from a diverse group of customers, community leaders, local government representatives and environmental advocates. The target represents TEP's fair share of worldwide efforts to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius under the 2015 Paris Agreement. TEP's plan would reduce its CO2 emissions by 80 pct, according to the release.

Download the TEP 2020 Integrated Resource Plan, HERE. (Source: TEP, PR, 26 June, 2020) Contact: TEP, Joseph Barrios , (520) 884-3725, jbarrios@tep.com, www.tep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tucson Electric Power,  Renewable Energ,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

Tucson Electric Power
Date: 2020-06-29
In Arizona, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is reporting plans to provide more than 70 pct of its power from wind and solar resources as part of a cleaner energy portfolio that will reduce carbon emissions 80 pct by 2035. The utility's 15-year 2020 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) calls for a dramatic expansion of wind and solar power resources, increased energy storage systems and energy efficiency and the retirement of TEP's remaining two coal-fired power plants in 2027 and 2032. The changes are expected to avoid more than 50 million tons of CO2 emissions over the next 15 years.

TEP's CO2 emission reduction goal was developed in partnership with the University of Arizona's Institute of the Environment with input from a diverse group of customers, community leaders, local government representatives and environmental advocates. The target represents TEP's fair share of worldwide efforts to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius under the 2015 Paris Agreement. TEP's plan would reduce its CO2 emissions by 80 pct, according to the release. (Source: TEP, PR, 26 June, 2020) Contact: TEP, Joseph Barrios , (520) 884-3725, jbarrios@tep.com, www.tep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tucson Electric Power,  Paris Climate Agreement,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Northern Ireland
Date: 2020-06-24
In the UK, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) recently released statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland (NI) outlines slight decreases for period 1990-2018.

In 2018, Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 19.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent -- a decrease of 2 pct compared to 2017. The longer term trend showed a decrease of 20 pct compared to the base year 1990.

The largest sectors in terms of emissions in 2018 were agriculture at 27 pct, transportation with 23 pct, and power generation at 15 pct. The largest decreases, in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), were in the energy supply, waste management and residential sectors.

The decreases were driven by improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching from coal to natural gas, which became available in the late 1990s, and the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management. Northern Ireland accounted for 4 pct of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.

Details are HERE. (Source: DAERA, Farming Life,23 June, 2020) Contact: DAERA, www.dera-ni.gov.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Greenhouse Gas,  Climate Change,  

Blue Flint Ethanol
Date: 2020-06-22
The North Dakota Industrial Commission reports it will invest $3.4 million on a project to investigate the suitability of the geology around the Coal Creek Power Plant in Underwood, North Dakota for underground CO2 storage. The Lignite Energy Council also approved the investment. The Coal Creek plant is slated for closure in 2022.

The $7 million project was proposed by Blue Flint Ethanol, also of Underwood. The ethanol plant uses the CO2 in its processing of corn. (Source: Prairie Public Broadcasting News, 22 June, 2020) Contact: Lignite Energy Council, Jason Bohrer, Exec. Dir., 701-258-7117, www.lignite.com; Blue Flint Ethanol -- MidWest Ag Energy, 701-442-7500, 701-442-7514, www.midwestagenergy.com/fccp-blue-flint-19634; Blue Flint Ethanol, Midwest AgEnergy, Jeff Zueger, CEO, (701) 442-7500/(7010 251-3900, www.midwestagenergygroup.com

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

Xcel Energy
Date: 2020-06-19
Xcel Energy is proposing to accelerate nearly $3 billion in spending on new large renewable-energy projects, including a new solar plant in Becker that would be at least four times larger than Minnesota's current largest solar array.

Xcel would also speed up the planned repowering of four older wind farms with new turbines and other new equipment at a projected cost of $1 billion to $1.4 billion. The wind farm repowering, which hed been previously scheduled for the late 2020s, would allow Xcel to take advantage of federal tax credits.

Xcel would also be able to use federal tax credits for a 450-MW solar plant, which would cost up to $650 million and be located next to the company's coal-fired plant in Becker. Xcel had been planning to add 3,000 MW of new solar power on line 2026 through 2030 as its coal plants are shutdown.

Xcels' push to advance its renewables projects is in response to the Minnesota PUC's call for the state's electric and gas utilities to "assist in Minnesota's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic." (Source: Xcel Energy, Star Tribune, June, 2020) Contact: Xcel Energy, Christopher Clark, Pres. for Minnesota and the Dakotas, www.xcelenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy,  Wind,  Renewable Energy,  solar,  

Platte River
Date: 2020-06-19
In Fort Collins, Colorado, not-for-profit wholesale electricity generation and transmission provider The Platte River Power Authority today announced that its 280-MW coal fired Rawhide Unit 1 generating resource will cease producing electricity by 2030, 16 years before its planned retirement date.

The upcoming shut-down of the 1984-vintage unit is in line with Platte River's 2018 Resource Diversification Policy calling for a 100 pct non-carbon energy mix by 2030. It also supports Colorado's regulatory timelines for a non-carbon future. (Source: Platte River Power Authority, Website,16 June, 2020) Contact: Platte River Power Authority, www.prpa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Platte River,  Coal,  Carbon Emissions,  

UK National Grid
Date: 2020-06-15
In the UK, National Grid is reporting Britain has completed two months without burning coal to generate electricity. The last time coal was burned at any of Britain's four coal-fired power stations was April 10, 2020, according to the National Grid, the utility company.

The UK government has pledged to close all coal-powered energy generation sites by 2024. (Source: National Grid, UK Business Insider, 12 June, 2020) Contact: UK National Grid, www.nationalgrid.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal news,  UK National Grid news,  

Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Date: 2020-06-15
The state of Wyoming, Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are reporting an agreement to jointly advance a carbon capture test project to be conducted at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center at the Dry Fork Station power plant. The tests will cover JCOAL and Kawasaki's novel amines -- chemical compounds that naturally attract carbon dioxide -- use in carbon capture. The project is now under construction.

JCOAL operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and is supported by more than 120 member coal-related businesses, including Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Nippon Steel and Toshiba. The organization works to promote overall coal activities, from coal mining to the field of coal utilization, toward a stable energy supply, sustainable economic growth and the reduction of the global environment emissions. (Source: Wyoming News Exchange, Laramie Boomerang, 12 June, 2020) Contact: Wyoming Integrated Test Center, 307-635-3573, info@wyomingitc.org, www.wyomingitc.org; JCOAL, www.jcoal.or.jp › eng; Kawasaki Heavy Industries, www.global.kawaski.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kawasaki Heavy Industries,  JCOAL,  CCS,  Carbon Capture,  ,  

Poland Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-06-15
U.S.-based global management consultancy McKinsey & Company is reporting Poland is able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 91 pct and increase carbon uptake just enough to compensate for the remaining 9 pct of 2017 levels at a cost of roughly €380 billion.

Poland's emissions arise mainly from: industry --22 pct; transportation --15 pct; buildings -- 11 pct; agriculture -- 11 percent; and power production 38 pct. Approx. 77 pct of the county's electric power is from coal fired stations. To achieve climate neutrality, the share of coal in Poland's energy mix must be reduced by almost 95 pct. and the share of renewable energy would have to be increased by 80 pct, according to the report. (Source: McKinsey & Company, Warsaw Business Journal, 14 June, 2020) Contact: McKinsey & Company, www.mckinsey.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition
Date: 2020-06-12
The attached report from the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition's (OREAC) Ocean Panel has found that ocean-based renewable energy, such as offshore wind, floating solar, tidal and wave power, could meet nearly 10 pct of the global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions needed to remain on a Paris-compliant 1.5 degrees C pathway in 2050.

The report estimates that up to 85 pct of this decarbonization potential will come from offshore wind. 1,400 GW of offshore wind would power one-tenth of global electricity demand while saving over 3 billion tpy of CO2 -- equal to taking 800 million cars off the road.

OREAC is spearheaded by Orsted and Equinor, and includes other major players in the global offshore wind industry: CWind, Global Marine Group, JERA, MHI Vestas, MingYang Smart Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, Shell, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, TenneT, and GE Renewable Energy. Additional partner organisations include Global Wind Energy Council, World Resources Institute, UN Global Compact, the Chinese Wind Energy Association and Ocean Energy Systems.

Download the OREAC The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change report HERE. (Source: OREAC, PR, reve, June, 2020) Contact: OREAC, www.oceanrenewable.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition,  Ocean Energy,  Renewable Energy,  Wave Energy,  Tidal EnergyCarbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  

Aviva Investors
Date: 2020-06-12
In the UK, London-based Aviva Investors has launched the Climate Transition Global Equity fund.

The Aviva Investors Climate Transition fund will take a long-term, high conviction investment approach, targeting global companies that derive material revenues from goods and services addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as investing in those companies aligning their business models for a warmer, low-carbon world. The fund will not invest in stocks exposed to coal, unconventional fossil fuels, Arctic oil and gas production or thermal coal electricity generation, and limits exposure to those producing oil and gas or gas-fired power generation.

The Fund aims to support the transition to a low carbon economy as global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change and outperform global equity markets. (Source: Aviva Investors, PR, What Investment Co, 10 June, 2020) Contact: Aviva Investors, David Cumming, Chief Investment Officer, www.avivainvestors.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviva Investors,  Low Carbon,  

Rolls-Royce
Date: 2020-06-08
In the UK, London-headquartered Rolls-Royce reports it has joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in the run up to COP26 slated for Glasgow in Nov., 2021, and reiterates its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To that end, Rolls Royce reports it will:

Align its business to the Paris Agreement goals, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C;

Use its technological capabilities to play a leading role in enabling vital parts of the economy to get to net zero carbon by 2050, including aviation, shipping, rail, and power generation;

Continue and accelerate accelerate its R&D and investment in efficient products and novel solutions to the climate change challenge;

Drive changes in the efficiency of engines and work together with the fuels industry to significantly ramp up the availability of lower carbon alternative fuels.

Accelerate the development of new technologies and capabilities for future low emission products, including pioneering the electrification of flight;

Achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from operations and facilities by 2030, by using 100 pct renewable energy, closed loop manufacturing techniques on high value metals, and deploy our cutting-edge microgrid capabilities.

The global Race To Zero campaign mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 449 cities, 21 regions, 992 businesses, 38 of the biggest investors, and 505 universities. These "real economy" actors join 120 countries in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. Collectively these actors now cover nearly 25 pct of global CO2 emissions and over 50 pct GDP, according to the campaign website. (Source: Rolls Royce, Arabian Aeorspace News, 5 June, 2020) Contact: Rolls Royce, Warren East, CEO, www.rolls-royce.com: UN Race to Zero Campaign, www.unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign

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

Clean Air Act
Date: 2020-06-03
In Sacramento, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, leading a multistate coalition, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's disastrous final rule rolling back the nation's Clean Car Standards requiring appropriate and feasible improvements in fuel economy and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and light trucks.

The Trump Administration's "misguided" Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles (SAFE) rule stops Clean Car Standards progress in its tracks, despite the fact that the auto industry was currently on track to meet or exceed the Clean Car Standards, according to the release.

The coalition will argue the Trump administration's rule unlawfully violates the Clean Air Act, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and that the Trump Administration's rollback of the nation's Clean Cars Standards is unlawful because, among other things, the EPA and NHTSA's rollbacks violate the statutory text and congressional mandates they are bound by; and the EPA and NHTSA improperly and unlawfully relied on an analysis riddled with errors, omissions, and unfounded assumptions in an attempt to justify their desired result.

In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Becerra is joined by the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The California Air Resources Board, the Cities of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Denver, and the Counties of San Francisco and Denver also joined the coalition in filing the lawsuit. (Source: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, PR, 27 May, 2020) Contact: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Vehicle Enissions,  Mibile Emissions,  Clean Air Act,  

DRAX
Date: 2020-06-01
Situated in Yorkshire, northern England, the Drax Group power plant will complete its switch next year after embarking on a journey almost a decade ago to use organic matter alongside the fossil fuel to slash carbon emissions. The Drax operation, providing four million households with electricity, sees CO2 emitted from burnt wood captured by newly planted trees.

Four of the plant's six reactors use wood pellets and a carbon-capture system, while Drax intends on becoming carbon negative by 2030, by removing more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits. Drax adds that the switch, in line with UK government policy to ban the use of coal by 2025, allows it to keep the plant running and maintain 900 jobs. (Source: DRAX, France24, 30 May, 2020) Contact: DRAX, Will Gardiner, CEO, +44 0 1757 618381, www.draxpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DRAX,  Woody Biomass,  

Glencore
Date: 2020-06-01
In its February 2020 climate change position paper, Barr, Switzerland-headquartered mining and metals giant Glencore Plc committed to supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and to reducing its scope 3 emissions -- included the natural depletion of the its oil and coal resource base over time.

The company notes it stands by its target of a 30 pct cut in scope 3 emissions by 2035 and expects to achieve a 10 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to a 2016 base line. The company is expected to announce new longer-term scope 1 and 2 targets that support the Paris Climate Agreement goals during the course of the year. (Source: Glencore, The Independent, 29 May, 2020) Contact: Glencore, www.glencore.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

Sustainable Aviation
Date: 2020-06-01
In the UK, the Sustainable Aviation coalition is calling for the Government to support emerging sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) sector by committing £500 million to early stage projects. When combined with action on aircraft and engine technology R&D, airspace modernization and carbon offset and removal, the UK could build a world leading green aviation sector, the coalition claims.

The coalition also called for Government to work with industry to: develop aircraft and engine technology R&D capabilities, ensuring the UK is among the first in the world to develop hybrid and electric aircraft; accelerate UK airspace modernization, to make use of new aircraft performance capability and reduce emissions and noise; and progress robust carbon offset measures and carbon removal technologies.

The Coalition's call to action follows previously reported news that Europe's first municipal waste-to-jet fuel facility -- Altalto Immingham -- was granted planning permission in North East Lincolnshire.

Sustainable Aviation is the coalition of UK airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers committed to cutting aviation's environmental impact and building a world leading aviation sector, according to its website. (Source: Sustainable Aviation Website, 1 June, 2020) Contact: Sustainable Aviation, Adam Morton, Chair, info@sustainableaviation.co.uk, www.sustainableaviation.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF,  ,  Aviation Biofuel,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-05-29
In Washington, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting U.S. consumption of renewable energy surpassed coal in 2019 for the first time since woody biomass was the top fuel source more than 130 years ago, According to EIA data, electricity generated by renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro exceeded coal-fired power in the U.S. for a record 40 straight days

U.S. coal consumption, primarily for electric power generation, fell 15 pct in 2019 to the lowest level since 1964, while the use of energy from sources like wind and solar notched slightly higher, according to the EIA .

Total renewable energy consumption in the U.S. grew for the fourth year to a record-high 11.5 quadrillion Btu in 2019. Since 2015, the growth in U.S. renewable energy is almost entirely attributable to the use of wind and solar in the electric power sector. In 2019, electricity generation from wind surpassed hydro for the first time and is now the most-used source of renewable energy for electricity generation in the United States on an annual basis. (Source: BIC, US EIA, May, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration news,  

DOE Office of Fossil Energy
Date: 2020-05-29
A federally-funded carbon capture facility is planned for a site adjacent to Mississippi Power's Kemper County Energy Facility. The facility will be managed by the Southern States Energy Board and will receive $17.4 million in federal grants and $6.1 million in non-DOE funds for a total of $23.59 million. Up to 900 million metric tpy of CO2 emissions from three Southern Company power which will be stored underground.

On April 24, the U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy announced $131 million in grants for carbon capture, utilization and storage research and development. Five projects, including the one in Kemper County, were selected for funding. The other carbon capture projects receiving DOE grants include:

The Illinois Storage Corridor will construct two capture facilities and receive $25 million.

The San Juan Basin in New Mexico will store carbon emissions from a nearby power plant, with some of the carbon dioxide to be stored at a site in northwest New Mexico and the rest sent via pipeline for enhanced oil recovery in the Permian Basin. The project will receive $21.9 million.

The North Dakota project will store carbon emissions from a nearby coal-fired power plant and receive $24.9 million in federal funds.

Wyoming will build three storage sites to handle carbon emissions from a coal-fired power plant and will receive federal grants totally $19.1 million.

The projects will assess safe and cost-effective commercial scale geologic storage sites and examine the technological and economic viability of carbon capture or purification technologies and the National Energy Technology Laboratory will manage the selected projects.

The $7.5 billion Kemper County plant was originally intended to be fueled by synthesis gas produced from lignite coal and was to have to have removed 65 pct of the carbon emissions and other byproducts from the gas stream for sale to industrial customers. The plant was supposed to cost $2.4 billion, but the cost ballooned by 212.5 percent to $7.5 billion. (Source: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy, Northside Sun, 27 May, (2020) Contact: U.S. DOE Office of Fossil Energy, www.energy.gov › office-fossil-energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE Office of Fossil Energy news,  

Australia
Date: 2020-05-22
Australia's conservative government on Thursday released a fresh technology roadmap to tackle climate change, targeting the use of natural gas, hydrogen, batteries and carbon capture, while avoiding the contentious issue of setting a carbon price.

The latest proposal, which the government aims to turn into formal policy by September, is based on driving down energy storage costs to back up wind and solar power, electrifying industrial processes and scaling up hydrogen production. . Green groups, mining, energy and other big corporations oppose the plan for its continued reliance on fossil fuels, like gas and coal, and are calling for the imposition of a carbon tax to drive green investment.

The technology roadmap is designed to help Australia meet its Paris Climate Accord commitment to cut carbon emissions by between 26 pct and 28 pct from 2005 levels by 2030.

Although Australia is one of the world's biggest carbon emitters per capita Angus Taylor, the Minister of Energy and Emissions recently said it is not Australian government policy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. (Source: Australia Ministry of Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hindustan Times, Reuters, 21 May, 2020) Contact: Australia Ministry of Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hon. Angus Taylor, Minister, www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/taylor

More Low-Carbon Energy News Australia Climate Change news,  Carbon Emissions news,