Under the agreement, Ameresco will install, maintain and own 4.5MW of solar PV and 15 MWh battery energy storage and sell the generated output to HCE under a long-term PPA.
The project's avoided annual greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be 6,853 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which equates to the emissions benefit of removing 1,481 passenger vehicles from the road, or not burning 7,551,050 pounds of coal.
Holy Cross Energy aims to source 100 pct of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030. (Source: Colorado Mountain College, PR. 6 Apr., 2021) Contact: Colorado Mountain College, www.coloradomtn.edu; Ameresco, David J. Anderson, EVP , (508) 661-2264, www.ameresco.com;
Holy Cross Energy, Bryan Hannegan, CEO, (970) 945-5491, www.holycross.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Holy Cross Energy, Solar+Storage, Battery, Energy Storage, Amerseco,
Okinawa Electric Power also uses woody biomass at its 312MW Gushikawa coal-fired power plant and forecasts using a total 30,000 tpy of wood pellets for both plants and cutting its CO2 emissions by around 40,000 tpy.
The move to woody biomass pellet fuel is in line with the utility's plan cut greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (Source: Okinawa Electric Power, Korea Herald,
Mar 29, 2021) Contact: Okinawa Electric Power, www.okiden.co.jp/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Okinawa Electric Power, Woody Biomass, Wood Pellet, Carbon Emission,
EDP Renewables is the largest wind farm operator in the state with 1,001 MW of operational capacity. The Indiana Crossroads II Wind Farm and Indiana Crossroads Solar Park add to 11 renewable energy projects previously announced as part of NIPSCO parent company NiSource's customer-centric "Your Energy, Your Future" initiative, which includes the generation transition plan at NIPSCO.
NIPSCO plans to be coal-free by 2028. (Source: EDP Renewables, NIPSCO, PR, 27 Mar., 2021)
Contact: NIPSCO, www.NIPSCO.com/future; EDP Renewables North America, Miguel Prado, CEO, (713) 265-0350 (Houston), +351 21 001 25 00, www.edpr.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News NIPSCO, EDP Renewables, Wind, Solar, Renewable Energ,
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, the company notes.
According to Waste Knot Energy, "A detailed analysis of the carbon footprint of our pellets, conducted by independent environmental consultants, revealed highly positive results. It showed the pellets save 550kg of CO2 per tonne -- almost half a tonne of CO2 equivalent -- compared to sending the contents to landfill." (Source: Waste Knot Energy, PR, cemnet, 25 Mar., 2021)
Contact: Waste Knot Energy, +44 0 7808 964640, info@wasteknotenergy.com, www.wasteknotenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Waste Knot Energy, Biomass, Biomass Pellet, Carbon Emissions ,
"Minnesota is behind schedule in achieving the transportation greenhouse gas reduction and clean fuel adoption goals established through the bipartisan Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. We believe that a clean fuels policy, such as the proposed Future Fuels Act, can help get Minnesota back on track.
"We believe that the Future Fuels Act, designed based on recommendations in the Mid-continent Clean Fuels Policy Initiative's white paper A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest, can have many benefits for Minnesota, including:
Alliance member companies will together invest €100 billion or more by 2030 in decarbonising their companies and products as part of their corporate strategies supporting renewable energy, the European Green Deal, far-reaching climate protection measures and cooperation on practical solutions in cross sector climate protection projects.
The Alliance is aiming for an ongoing constructive dialogue with the EU Commission, a gradual introduction of a cross-sector CO2 price, ambitious coal phase-out dates and climate protection measures to make the EU the world's leading region for climate protection while unlocking investments, driving innovations in tomorrow's technologies and creating "future proof" jobs.
The CEO Alliance is working in concrete on joint projects: cross-EU charging infrastructure for heavy duty transport, integration of EU Power systems, digital carbon footprint tracking, sustainable healthy buildings, electric buses for Europe, green hydrogen value chain and rapid build-up of battery production. (Source: CEO Alliance for Europe's Recovery, Reform and Resilience, 20 Mar., 2021)
Contact: CEO Alliance for Europe's Recovery, Reform and Resilience, Herbert Diess (Volkswagen), CEO uploads.volkswagen-newsroom.com/system/production/uploaded_files/16960/file/e194c6574115412a211500b8f19f457fa6b56e1f/210318_CEO_Alliance_Policy_Letter_Release_ENGLISH.pdf?1616136760
More Low-Carbon Energy News Low-Carbon Energy, Climate Change,
Fuel producers and importers could meet the CFS by producing sufficiently low-carbon fuels or by purchasing credits generated from any business in any sector of the state's economy, including the agriculture, chemical, dairy, energy, forestry, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, waste management and wastewater treatment industries.
Also this month, the New Mexico Clean Fuel Coalition was formed in conjunction with the CFS.
Coalition members include: Advanced Biofuels Community Fuels, BIO, the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, Darling Ingredients, EcoEngineers, Fulcrum Bioenergy, Gevo, Iogen Corp., LanzaTech, Novozymes, Neste, Oberon Fuels, Poet, Renewable Energy Group, and Velocys. (Source: New Mexico Legislature, PR, Mar., 2021)
Contact: New Mexico Clean Fuel Coalition,
www.lcfcoalition.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Fuel Standard,
Bioenergy is the largest renewable energy source in the EU and will be critical to increased deployment of wind and solar -- The use of bioenergy has more than doubled since 2000 as a result of its end-use as heat, transportation, and electricity. In fact, biomass is the only renewable fuel on the market that is readily available today and can replace fossil fuels for heat generation.
In heavy industries such as steel, aluminum, and cement -- sustainably sourced wood-based biomass offers a carbon-neutral fuel replacement for coal and gas-fired furnaces (and combined heat and power plants). As a dependable and dispatchable renewable fuel, sustainably-sourced biomass represents a prime solution to complement the intermittency of wind and solar (among other renewables) that will reduce carbon emissions by more than 85 pct on a lifecycle basis.
Looking ahead to more future-oriented solutions, such as the development of the hydrogen economy, biomass is projected to play an important role. The most obvious is to use biomass directly to create hydrogen through gasification and thereby avoid carbon emissions that are associated with natural gas. Even further down the road, when surplus solar and wind could potentially be used to create hydrogen at scale, there will be an exciting opportunity to produce aviation and other fuels with carbon capture of biomass that could result in even fewer net greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, as decarbonization efforts in the steel and cement industry rapidly increase.
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, Biomass, Wood Pellet,
New-energy electricity generation in Xinjiang reached 84.5 billion kWh and accounted for 24 pct of the total electricity produced in 2020, mostly attributed to solar power. It is equal to the energy consumption of 27 million tons of standard coal, which would have released 72.9 million tons of carbon dioxide.
As previously reported, China aims to reach a carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2060. (Source: Xiamen University Center for Energy Economics Research, Xinhua News Agency, China Global Times, 14 Mar., 2021) Contact: Xiamen University, Center for Energy Economics Research, www.en.xmu.edu.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Renewable Energy, Wind, Solar,
This FOA focuses on the advancement of net-negative carbon emitting technologies that aim to produce hydrogen or other high-value fuels, whether as the sole product or as a co-product. Developing co-gasification technologies is a way to introduce net-negative carbon technologies that can help alleviate concerns about potential feedstock availability and other operational issues. The four projects selected are described below:
The Office of Fossil Energy funds research and development projects to advance fossil energy technologies and further the sustainable use of the Nation's fossil resources. (Source: US DOE, Office of Fossil Energy, PR, 15 Mar., 2021) Contact: National Energy Technology Laboratory, www.netl.doe.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE, Hydrogen,
The system uses 25-tone weights that are raised and lowered in underground shafts, such as inactive coal mines, to store and large amounts of power that can be almost instantly delivered as needed. The technology is projected to store energy at half the lifetime cost of lithium-ion batteries, according to Gravitricity.
The upcoming two-month test programme will confirm modelling and provide data for the company's first full-scale project, which will have up to 8MW of storage capacity.
Gravitricity is working with Dutch winch and offshore manufacturer Huisman Equipment BV and is developing an Industrial Consortium to take the technology to market.
(Source: Gravitricity, Website PR, The Scotsman, Mar., 2021) Contact: Gravitricity, +44 131 554 6966, info@gravitricity.com,
www.gravitricity.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage,
The FYP targets are widely seen as indicators of China's economic and social development goals over the following five years but economic uncertainties brought about by the ongoing pandemic have overshadowed the 14th FYP and Chinese economists have reportedly suggested that no numerical GDP growth targets should be approved in the final plan. However, without GDP targets, it is difficult to assess the plan's impact on China's carbon emissions trajectory over the next five years, as its key climate targets are pegged to the performance of the Chinese economy.
Ahead of the release, climate experts had called for the inclusion of a carbon emissions cap. But the draft does not contain one. Instead, it continues with the approaches of previous FYPs in setting energy intensity and carbon intensity targets per unit of GDP. By 2025, according to the new FYP, China is to reduce energy intensity by 13.5 pct from 2020 levels, and carbon intensity by 18 pct. The country will also boost the share of non-fossil sources in its energy mix to roughly 20 pct by the end of the period, according to the plan.
On average, China's CO2 emissions rose by 1.7 pct each year during the 2016-2020 FYP. Despite low economic growth last year, emissions increased 1.5 pct year on year, approaching 10 billion tonnes in total. Assuming the country's GDP grows at an annual rate of 5.5 pct from 2021 to 2025, carbon emissions will still rise by 1.1 pct each year and the country could achieve a carbon emissions peak of around 10.5 billion tonnes shortly before 2030.
According to the China National Bureau of Statistics, coal provided 56.8 pct of China's energy in2020, the same year China pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
(Source: Tsinghua University Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, National Development and Reform Commission , China Dialogue, Mar., 2021)
Contact: National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), en.ndrc.gov.cn; Tsinghua University Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, www.tsinghau,edu.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News China, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions,
The Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the EPA Administrator to finalize a proposed rule to repeal E15 labeling requirements warning drivers about E15's potential impact on cars, which may confuse and deter drivers from using E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. The bill would also direct the EPA Administrator to finalize provisions from the same proposed rule to allow certain existing Underground Storage Tanks (UST) to store higher blends of ethanol.
The Adopt GREET Act would require the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel by requiring the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model for both fuels. EPA would then be required to update its modeling every five years or report to Congress to affirm its modeling is current or otherwise explain why no updates were made. (Source: EPA, Telegraph, 8 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biodiesel, Biofuel, Renewable Fuels Infrastructure, Renewable Fuel, GREET, EPA Legislation,
"I look forward to seeing much more support to the developing countries that are embracing the transition to renewable energy to deliver universal energy access to their citizens. I also ask all multilateral and public banks -- as well as investors in commercial banks or pension funds -- to shift their investments now in the new economy of renewable energy.
"We have a collective and urgent responsibility to address the serious challenges that come with the speed and scale of the transition. The needs of coal communities must be recognized, and concrete solutions must be provided at a very local level. That requires engagement -- from governments to power companies, from labour unions to investors, both private and public.
"We can have renewable energy and blue skies. We can have decent, healthy, and reliable jobs. We can have dependable, renewable power systems that ensure everyone has access to energy. We can power past coal and have economies that thrive on innovative businesses aligned to what the world is demanding -- sustainable development and prosperity for people and (the) planet. We can make all of this happen, together."
The Powering Past Coal Alliance is a coalition of national and sub-national governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from coal power generation to clean energy. (Source: Powering Past Coal Alliance, 4 Mar., 2021)
Contact: Powering Past Coal Alliance, www.poweringpastcoal.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Antonio Guterres , Powering Past Coal Alliance, Antonio Guterres, Coal, Renewable Energy,
Ukraine is aiming to produce 25 pct of its energy from renewable sources by 2035. (Source: DTEK, PR, Mar., 2021) Contact: DTEK Renewables, Maris Kunitskis, CEO,
www.dtek.com/en; Vestas, Philippe Kavafyan, CEO, +45 97 30 00 00, vestas@vestas.com, www.vestas.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News DTEK, Vestas, Wind,
The blueprint represents a bipartisan consensus of the Coalition's more than 80 energy, industrial and technology companies, labor unions, and conservation, environmental, and clean energy organizations. It highlights an extensive suite of near-term recommendations for policymakers to maximize the impact of the 45Q tax credit, facilitate the build-out of CO2 transport and storage capacity, and increase federal investment in carbon management technologies, among others.
Download the Carbon Capture Coalition Federal Policy Blueprint 2021
HERE. (Source: Carbon Capture Coalition, 24Feb., 2021) Contact: Carbon Capture Coalition, Ben Finzel, 202-277-6286,
ben@renewpr.com,
www.carboncapturecoalition.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture Coalition , CCUS, CCS, Carbon Capture,
"We (NextGen) are optimistic about the courage and vision that the Japanese nation is showing in the hydrogen economy. Here in the U.S., officials are projecting a 2028 timeline to commercialize hydrogen as a fuel. It is obvious that Japan is much more aggressive and pushes the envelope in research, development and full-scale production operations. One recent example is the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries steel plant project in Australia, which is using hydrogen instead of coal.
"Japan's top two carmakers have been steadily selling hydrogen fuel cell cars at a loss in California for more than a decade. This business model has been valuable to both companies and the Japanese government, based on customer feedback and increased interest in supporting the U.S.'s build-out of a hydrogen infrastructure. These are cars limited to use only in California, where the U.S. has 44 of its 47 hydrogen fueling stations.
"We (NextGen) have worked with others in the biofuel and biofuel derivatives market to see how our Zilkha Black Pellets work in biosyngas reactors, where companies typically generate methane and other heavier petroleum replacements that can be converted to hydrogen. Most of these processes are not currently at full production scale. The factor holding many of them back is the variability of feedstock. When different feedstocks, or even the same feedstock with varying particle or different moisture contents are added, the process must sometimes be adjusted significantly to avoid loss of product, equipment and other hazards. Using Zilkha Black Pellets as a base for bioreactors ensures a stable, uniform size, moisture and makeup feedstock to which smaller amounts of varied feedstocks can be added. These pellets cost significantly less to transport than raw biomass ever will.
"Hydrogen from biomass is a viable, low-cost electricity solution, and we are excited to work with companies operating in this space. Using a stable uniform feedstock, especially in the initial full-scale production phases, can mean the difference between a successful project and one that never reaches its goal." (Source: NextGen Biomass Technologies,
Larry Price, (713) 979-9961,
info@nextgenbiomass.com, lprice@nextgenbiomass.com, nextgenbiomass.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Zilkha Black Pellets, Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen, NextGen Biomass Technologies,
The initiative aims to analyze the overall efficiency and reliability of CO2-free power supply involving the large-scale production and storage of hydrogen and to analyze costs, sizing and other various aspects of integrating the system into an existing power plant and transmission grid.
The Intermountain Power Agency, which owns the Delta plant, last summer picked Black & Veatch Corp. as the chief engineering company to oversee the facility's conversion into an 840-MW combined cycle facility that will run initially on a mix of natural gas and hydrogen, and then ultimately operate on hydrogen alone. The Intermountain plant plans to integrate 30 pct hydrogen fuel at startup in 2025, switching to 100 pct hydrogen by 2045.
"By switching from coal to a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen we can reduce carbon emissions by more than 75 pct", according to Intermountain Power. (Source: Siemens Energy, Power Mag.,1 Mar., 2021) Contact:
Intermountain Power Agency, Dan Eldredge, GM. (801) 938-1333, www.ipautah.com; Siemens Energy AG, www.siemens-energy.com/global/en.html
More Low-Carbon Energy News Siemens Energy, Intermountain Power Agency, Carbon Emissions,
The planned project is subject to its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) -- a process which takes around two years to complete. If approved construction on the first of two 8 million tpy BECCS units could get underway in 2024.
As we reopoert in Dec. 2020, an Imperial College London report for DRAX Electric Insights found the UK's electricity grid has decarbonised faster than other countries in the last decade and that renewable power has grown six-fold in the last 10 years, helping the UK cut its carbon intensity by 58 pct -- double the reduction seen in other major economies over the 2010-2120 period. The report also noted coal-fired power generation dropped from 30 pct to just 2 pct with renewables rising simultaneously from 8 pct to supplying 42 pct of the UK's electricity over the last decade.
The shift to renewables means individual UK households have cut reduced their CO2 emissions by .75 tpy, according to the report.
(Source: DRAX, PR, Yorkshire Post, Mar., 2021) Contact: DRAX, Will Gardiner, CEO, +44 (0) 1757 618381, www.drax.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News DRAX, Bioenergy, CCS, BECCS,
In steel production, the quantity of CO2 emissions from blast furnaces is determined by reducing the amount coke -- carbon fuel made from coal -- and the amount of pulverized coal injected into the blast furnace.
(Source: Kobe Steel, Ltd, PR, 23 Feb., 2021) Contact: Kobe Steel Ltd., www.kobelco.co.jp/english; Midrex, www.midrex.com/technology/midrex-process
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Kobe Steel,
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,
The coalition members, all of which are involved in the hydrogen economy, see a lack of U.S. policy support for hydrogen which they say is derailing their decarbonisation efforts and inhibiting economic growth and important technology.
The Hydrogen Forward coalition aims to support policies that accelerate the energy transition, enable the US to engage more with energy and climate leadership, and above all, want to "establish a clear, comprehensive strategy for hydrogen and related infrastructure development." (Source: Hydrogen Forward, Website, 9 Feb., 2021) Contact: Hydrogen Forward, www.hydrogenfwd.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,
The use of ammonia plan as devised by officials of the industry ministry, electric power companies and machinery makers, calls for using 3 million tpy of ammonia mixed with coal in 2030, rising to to 30 million tpy by 2050.
(Source: NHK World, 8 Feb., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cabon Emissions, Ammonia, Coal,
The project is in keeping with the government's effort to cut the country's reliance on nuclear power and imported coal and to grow its renewable energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (Source: Gov. of South Korea, Energy Infrapost, Feb., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Offshore Wind, Korea Wind,
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,
In July, 2020, Spire committed to reduce methane emissions by 53 pct by 2025 and to become carbon-neutral by mid-century. The company also noted its emissions have fallen by more than 39 pct since 2005, with roughly a 54 pct reduction projected for 2025.
The ONE Future Coalition is a group of 37 natural gas production, gathering & boosting, processing, transmission & storage and distribution companies in the U.S. and represents approximately 15 pct of the U.S. natural gas value chain companies working together to voluntarily reduce methane emissions across the natural gas value chain to 1 pct (or less) by 2025, according to the group's website. (Source: Spire, PR, 7 Feb., 2021) Contact: Spire, Suzanne Sitherwood, CEO, www.spireenergy.com;
ONE Future Coalition, www.onefuture.us
More Low-Carbon Energy News ONE Future Coalition, Methane, Methane Emissions,
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,
The report notes that transition from coal to clean is, however, still too slow for reaching 55 pct greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
This report compiles and analyses the full-year 2020 electricity generation of every EU country, tracking Europe's electricity transition. This is the fifth year in a row that EMBER (fka Sandbag) has done this analysis in conjunction with Agora Energiewende.
Download the European Power Sector in 2020 report
HERE. (Source: EMBER, Website, Feb., 2021) Contact: Agora Energiewende, +49 (0) 30 700 14 35-000, +49 (0) 30 700 14 35-129/fax, info@agora-energiewende.de, www.agora-energiewende.de; EMBER, (+44) 020 8144 8663, info@ember-climate.org, www.ember-climate.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,
Through the partnership, an investment group will construct a speciality ACP plant to be fully operational before Q2, 2022 financial year.
The agreement with Kentucky will allow the company to purchase ACPs at a cost rate basis. Notably, any sales that are made will be split between the two companies.
(Source: Carbonxt, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Carbonxt, Warren Murphy, Managing Dir., 352-378-4950, info@carbonxt.com, www/carbonxt.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbonxt, carbon pellet ,
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,
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,
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,
The world's biggest coal miner and consumer produced 3.84 billion tonnes of coal in 2020.
December's coal output was 351.89 million tonnes, up 3.2 tonnes from the same month last year, and up from 347.27 million tonnes in November. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics, Xinhua, Reuters, 18 Jan., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News China Coal, Coal, Fossil Fuel, China Climate Pledge,
To that end, the Bank will no longer invest in companies which generate more than 2 pct of their revenues from coal and reduce the threshold to zero by the end of 2024. The bank will also exclude by 2024 companies with more than 10 pct of revenue coming from oil or 50 pct from gas.
The Bank of France presently manages €22 billion ($26.6 billion) of its own portfolio investments separately from asset purchases related to its monetary policy operations.
(Source: Bank of Framce, Website, Energy World, 19 Jan., 2021)
Contact: Bank of France, www.banque-france.fr
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fossil Fuel,
A combination of the pandemic, lower demand for electricity, mild weather, cheaper natural gas, and various economic and market factors led to the historic numbers on the data sheets of Western Europe's biggest consumer of fossil fuels and the world's fourth-largest economy -- $3.69 trillion GDP.
According to Agora Energiewende, wind power alone supplied more of the nation's energy thaned 40 pct of the nation’s baseline, a greater share than black coal.
(Source: Agora Energiewende, Jan., 2021) www.agora-energiewende.de
More Low-Carbon Energy News German Renewable Energy,
The survey notes that from the mid-1980s through 2010, coal was the leading source of U.S. fossil fuel production, but coal production has since been surpassed by dry natural gas (in 2011) and by crude oil (in 2015). In 2020, the U.S. produced twice as much energy from crude oil (24 quadrillion Btu) than coal (11 quadrillion Btu) and three times as much energy from natural gas (35 quadrillion Btu).
According to the EIA forecast U.S. coal production fell by an estimated 24 pct in 2020, but will increase by 12 pct in 2021 and another 4 pct in 2022 -- about 90 pct of which will be used for electric power production. The EIA also forecasts increases in natural gas prices will reduce natural gas consumption for electricity generation, which will result in an increased share for coal, and to a lesser extent, an increased share for renewables in the electricity generation mix.
EIA estimates that U.S. NGPL production increased by 7 pct in 2020. Newly commissioned, more efficient natural gas processing plants supported growth in NGPL production even though natural gas production declined. EIA expects domestic NGPL production to increase by 2 pct in 2021 and by 7 pct in 2022. (Source: US EIA, 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: US EIA January 2021 Short-Term Energy Outlook, www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo
More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. EIA, Fossil Fuel, Coal, Natural Gas,
The utility will also add 400 MW of wind and solar power to its energy mix by 2035 . The company reached 50 pct renewables in December, 2020, and now plans to increase that to 70 pct by 2030, 80 pct carbon-free by 2035 and 100 pct carbon-free by 2050. (Source: Minnesota Power, PR, Website, Jan., 2021) Contact: Minnesota Power, www.mnpower.com
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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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EPRI is collaborating with nine industry organizations to lead these studies, three of which are major U.S. power generators providing potential host sites for the design assessments.
Not-for-profit EPRI conducts research and development relating to power generation, delivery and use of electricity. EPRI's members represent more than 90 pct of the electricity generated and delivered in the U.S. and international participation extends to 40 countries. (Source: Electric Power Research Institute, PR, 28 Dec., 2020)
Contact: EPRI, Neva Espinoza, VP Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources, Tim Leljedal,
(980) 229-5964, tleljedal@epri.com, www.epri.com
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To that end, EU emissions trading market already seeks to put a price on the carbon emissions that drive climate change. The price of permits rose to an all-time high above €31 euros a tonne on expectations that the supply of permits would be cut, to force deeper emissions cuts. The target is a compromise between wealthier, mostly western and Nordic EU countries that want more ambitious action and eastern states with coal-dependent power sectors and energy-intensive industries, which wanted specific conditions attached to emissions cuts.
The final deal gives a commitment to address "imbalances" in carbon market funding that could leave poorer countries worse off. The leaders agreed to meet again next year to tackle the question of GDP-based emissions targets.
The Commission's proposals will speed a shift to electric vehicles and aim to mobilise investments in the huge low-carbon infrastructure that will now be needed - including a requirement for extra energy sector investments of €350 billion ($420 billion) per year this decade. (Source: EU, ET Auto, Dec., 2020)
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The selected projects include thermal, chemical, mechanical, and other innovative energy storage technologies integrated with a range of fossil assets -- 16 of which will focus on hydrogen and ammonia, which are key low-carbon energy carriers with the potential to enable long-duration energy storage and decarbonise the industrial and power generation sectors.
Nine projects will focus on thermal energy storage, including mature options such as molten salt that can offer near-term deployment opportunities.
Energy storage technologies will be integrated with a range of fossil assets, including coal power plants, natural gas combined cycles, and combustion turbines. Applications include power generation utilities, petrochemical complexes, microgrids, university campuses, and repowering retired coal power plants. Many of the applications are envisioned to include fuel switching (hydrogen or ammonia) or carbon capture and storage to mitigate carbon emissions and leverage the energy storage technology to increase flexibility, reduce cycling damage, and time-shift energy to enhance grid support and asset utilisation.
Anticipated host sites for the near-term projects will be distributed across at least 11 states and many regulated markets including the California Independent System Operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Southwest Power Pool Inc., Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and New York Independent System Operator.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the projects. (Source: US DOE, World Coal, 28 Dec., 2020)
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The 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) found that while global building energy consumption remained steady year-on-year, energy-related CO2 emissions increased to 9.95 GtCO2 in 2019. This increase was due to a shift away from the direct use of coal, oil and traditional biomass towards electricity, which had a higher carbon content due to the high proportion of fossil fuels used in generation.
When adding emissions from the building construction industry on top of operational emissions, the sector accounted for 38 pct of total global energy-related CO2 emissions., according to the report.
To get on track to net-zero carbon building stock by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that direct building CO2 emissions need to fall by 50 pct and indirect building sector emissions by 60 pct by 2030. This equates to building sector emissions falling by around 6 pct per year until 2030, close to the 7 pct decrease in 2020 global energy sector CO2 emissions due to the pandemic. (Source: UN Environment Programme, Energy and Climate Branch,
UNEP, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: UNEP, Sophie Loran , +33-601-377-917, Sophie.Loran@un.org, www.unep.org
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Across Germany, UNIPER owns and operates power plants totaling 10.5 GW.
Most of UNIPER's thermal plants use hard coal or natural gas as fuel. UNIPER also owns more than 100 hydroelectric power and pumped energy storage plants in Germany. (Source: UNIPER, Dec., 2020) Contact: UNIPER, www.uniper.energy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, Energy Storagem Hydroelectric,
Pound for pound, hydrogen contains 3 times as much energy as natural gas or gasoline and 200 times as much energy as lithium-ion batteries. It is the most abundant and prevalent clean energy in the universe but does not exist in its pure form and must be extracted. As of 2020, nearly 95 pct of hydrogen in the world is made by steam reforming of natural gas (grey hydrogen) or coal gasification (brown hydrogen). Both sources of hydrogen are basically different forms of dirty, carbon heavy, and non-renewable fossil fuels, according to the BioSolar release. (Source: BioSolar Inc., PR, 14 Dec., 2020)
Contact: NewHydrogen, Inc., www.NewHydrogen.com; BioSolar Inc., Dr. David Lee, CEO, Tom Becker, Inv. Rel., (877) 904-3733, ir@biosolar.com, www.biosolar.com
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As one of the world's largest carbon capture facilities, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant captures roughly 2 million metric tpy of CO2 using coal gasification and produces synthetic natural gas and other useful chemicals and fertilizers.
Basin Electric, a consumer-owned, regional cooperative that generates and transmits electricity to 140 member rural electric systems in nine states -- Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming -- serving about 3 million consumers. (Source: Basin Electric, PR, KX Net, 9 Dec., 2020) Contact: Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Paul Sukut, CEO and GM, www.basinelectric.com;
Dakota Gasification, Dale Johnson, VP, COO, 701-223-0441, www.dakotagas.com
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Building on DiNapoli's 2019 Climate Action Plan, the Fund will continue its use of minimum standards for determining whether a company is well-prepared for the transition to a low-carbon global economy. Companies failing to meet the fund's standard will be dropped from the fund's portfolio.
The Fund has already set minimum standards for the thermal coal mining industry and divested from 22 coal companies. The Fund is currently evaluating nine oil sands companies, and will develop minimum standards for investments in shale oil. The Fund will also establish interim trajectory goals to measure progress toward its 2040 net zero target and institute transparency measures regarding the Fund's progress, including annual progress reports, and updates at the outset and conclusion of each sector review.
As part of its net-zero commitment, the Fund will continue to increase its engagement efforts with companies across industries to encourage them to reach net-zero carbon emissions more quickly, and will continue to vote against board directors at portfolio companies that fail to take steps to mitigate climate risks.
Download the NY 2019 Climate Action Plan HERE.
(Source: New York State Comptroller Website PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: New York State Comptroller Office, (518) 474-4044, contactus@osc.ny.gov, www.osc.ny.gov
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In a related effort, the country will increase its efforts to scale down its dependence on fossil fuels and further develop green energy sources such as hydrogen and renewable energy.
In 2019, coal accounted for 40.4 pct of the country's power generation followed by liquefied natural gas (LNG) at 25.6 pct and nuclear power with 25.9 pct.
(Source: Yonhap, 7 Dec., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Korea Carbon Emissions, Low-Carbon Economy, Low-Carbon Energy,
The filing argues the EPA was not authorized to issue the exemptions and that it acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner in its decision.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance.
Download the coalition's brief HERE. (Source: Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Farmers Union, 8 Dec., 2020)
Contact: National Farmers Union, Rob Larew, Pres., (202) 554-1600, www.nfu.org; Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, Pres., CEO, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS Hardship Waiver, Renewable Fuels Association, RFS, National Farmers Union,
MEG, a raw material for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which has numerous applications including beverage bottles. Currently, MEG is predominantly made from fossil-based feedstocks, such as naphtha, gas, or coal. The global MEG market represents a value of roughly $25 billion.
(Source: Haldor Topsoe, Website PR, 27 Nov., 2020) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Kim Knudsen, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, +45 4527 2000, www.topsoe.com; Braskem, Roberto Simoes, CEO, www.braskem.com.br/usa
More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe,