In its ruling, the EC noted
the exemptions were "necessary and well-suited to stimulate production and consumption of domestic and imported biogas and bio-propane without distorting market competition." single market (Source: European Commission, EU Observer, Argus, 30 June, 2020) Contact: European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Pres., Frans Timmermans, Climate Chief, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/timmermans_en, www.ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, European Commission ,
The Committee calls on the EC and member states to remove regulatory barriers that hamper the development of energy storage projects, such as double taxation or shortcomings in EU network codes. The Trans-European energy networks also need to be revised in order to improve eligibility criteria for those wishing to develop energy storage facilities.
MEPs also highlight the potential of hydrogen produced from renewable sources ("green hydrogen" ) and call on the EC to continue supporting research into and development of a hydrogen economy. The EC should also assess if retrofitting gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen is possible, as the use of natural gas is only of a transitional nature.
The committee also supports the EC's efforts to create European standards for batteries and to reduce dependence on their production outside of Europe. The EU's heavy dependence on importing raw materials from sources where extraction degrades the environment should be reduced through enhanced recycling schemes and by sourcing raw materials sustainably, possibly in the EU.
Finally, MEPs propose ways to boost other storage options, such as mechanical and thermal storage, as well as the development of decentralized storage through home batteries, domestic heat storage, vehicle-to-grid technology and smart home energy systems. The EC estimates that the EU will need to be able to store six times more energy than today to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
According to lead MEP Claudia Gamon, "Energy storage will be essential for the transition to a decarbonized economy based on renewable energy sources. As electricity generated by wind or solar energy will not always be available in the quantities needed, we will need to store energy. Apart from storage technologies that we already know work well like pumped hydro storage, a number of technologies will play a crucial role in the future, such as new battery technologies, thermal storage or "green" hydrogen. These must be given market access to ensure a constant energy supply for European citizens." (Source: European Union News, European Commission PR, July, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Agreement, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage, Hydrogen,
The Committee calls on the EC and EU's 27 member states to remove regulatory barriers that hamper the development of energy storage projects, such as double taxation or shortcomings in EU network codes. The Trans-European energy networks also need to be revised in order to improve eligibility criteria for those wishing to develop energy storage facilities. The MEPs also propose boosting mechanical thermal, and other other energy storage options as well as the development of decentralized storage through home batteries, domestic heat storage, vehicle-to-grid technology and smart home energy systems.
The committee also supports efforts to create European battery standards and battery recycling initiates and reduce dependence on their production outside of Europe.
Finally, the EC estimates the EU will need to be able to store six times more energy than today to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
According to lead MEP Claudia Gamon, "Energy storage will be essential for the transition to a decarbonised economy based on renewable energy sources. As electricity generated by wind or solar energy will not always be available in the quantities needed, we will need to store energy. Apart from storage technologies that we already know work well like pumped hydro storage, a number of technologies will play a crucial role in the future, such as new battery technologies, thermal storage or green hydrogen. These must be given market access to ensure a constant energy supply for European citizens." (Source: European Union News, European Commission PR, 30 June, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage, European Union, European Commission, Battery,
The Committee calls on the EC and the EU 27 member states to remove regulatory barriers that hamper the development of energy storage projects, such as double taxation or shortcomings in EU network codes. The Trans-European energy networks also need to be revised in order to improve eligibility criteria for those wishing to develop energy storage facilities. The MEPs also propose ways to boost other storage options, such as mechanical and thermal storage, as well as the development of decentralised storage through home batteries, domestic heat storage, vehicle-to-grid technology and smart home energy systems. The committee also recommends European battery standards recycling initiates and reducing the EU's dependence on batteries produced outside of Europe. Finally, The EC estimates the EU will need to be able to store six times more energy than today to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
According to lead MEP Claudia Gamon, "Energy storage will be essential for the transition to a decarbonised economy based on renewable energy sources. As electricity generated by wind or solar energy will not always be available in the quantities needed, we will need to store energy. Apart from storage technologies that we already know work well like pumped hydro storage, a number of technologies will play a crucial role in the future, such as new battery technologies, thermal storage or green hydrogen. These must be given market access to ensure a constant energy supply." (Source: European Union News, European Commission PR, 30 June, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, Energy Storage, European Union, European Commission,
Approximately 77 pct of the EU residential buildings were constructed before 1990 and roughly 11 pct of Europe's population still experiences energy poverty due to poor building quality, and in particular, thermal inefficiency.
The European Commission estimates that a renovation rate of 3 pct per year is needed to accomplish the EU's energy efficiency and environmental ambitions in a cost-effective manner.
(Source: Institute of Digital Business at Dublin City University, Irish Tech News, 29 June, 2020) Contact: Institute of Digital Business at Dublin City University Prof. Theo Lynn, +353 1 700 6873, www.iidb.ie
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,
Under the EU ETS, airline flights between European countries are required to purchase permits to cover some emissions from these trips. ICAO wants the EU to remove these flights from its carbon market so that CORSIA can be the only market-based measure tackling international aviation emissions.
With the UN planning a 2021 launch of CORSIA, its global scheme to help airlines offset their carbon emissions, some EU lawmakers and environmental groups want assurances that the European Commission will not remove aviation from the EU ETS.
CORSIA plans to use a system of offsetting to cap emissions from international flights at 2020 levels. From 2021, airlines would be required to buy carbon offset credits to cover any emissions above the 2020 baseline.
Critics say this would allow aviation emissions to keep rising, if airlines bought enough offset credits to cover the increase. (Source: ICAO, Pineville Voice, 2 June, 2020))Contact: ICAO, Secretary General Fang Liu, 514-954-8219, 514-954-6077 -- fax,
icaohq@icao.int, www.icao.int; CORSIA, www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Pages/default.aspx
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Emissions, ICAO, CORSIA,
Auctions will be held on behalf of 25 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The auctions take place on the European Energy Exchange (EEX) platform. (Source: EUObserver, Reuters 18 May, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU ETS,
That strategy is expected to focus on the conservation of old-growth forests, which are considered the most valuable for biodiversity and climate protection. Under the strategy, at least 10 pct of land will have to be protected.
The EU's biodiversity strategy will not become legislation legislation until 2021, when the Commission revises key EU laws, such as the EU's Renewable Energy Directive, and the Regulation on land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).
(Source: European Commission, EURACTIV, 18 May, 2020)
Contact: EC, Frans Timmermans, Climate Chief, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/timmermans_en
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission, Forest Biomass, Woody Biomass, Biofuel, Bioenergy,
Under the terms, CDP Equity will own 51 pct of the new entity, and Eni Rewind, a subsidiary of the energy company, will hold the remaining 49 pct.
(Source: EC, CDP Equity, May, 20200
Contact: CDP Equity, www.en.cdpequity.it; Eni SpA, www.eni.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni SpA, Waste-to-Energy , CDP Equity,
The letter also calls for renewable industry representatives to be included in the planned Industrial Forum, a high-level advisory body bringing together Member States, European institutions and industry stakeholders that is slated to be established in September.
The Ministers are also requesting more financial support for renewables from InvestEU and the Connecting Europe Facility as well as a more flexible approach to State Aid.
(Source: WindEurope, PR, reve, 9 May, 2020) Contact: Wind Europe, Giles Dickson, CEO, +32 2 213 1811, +32 2 213 1890 - fax, info@windeurope.org, www.windeurope.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News WindEurope, Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy Funding, EU Renewable Energy,
The project aims to help cut the levelized cost of floating wind energy to roughly €40-60 MWh by 2030. The development falls under the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme and could qualify for roughly €25 million in grant funding from the EC Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.
Fabrication of the test platform could start in Q2, 2021 for installation in Q1, 2022. (Source: Iberdrola, PR, reve, 30 Mr.,2020)Contact: Iberdrola, Jonathan Cole, Global Managing Director Offshore Wind, www.iberdrolarenewables.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Iberdrola, Wind, Floating Wind,
In a manifesto -- Creating a Low Carbon World, the Case for a Carbon Border Adjustment -- ArcelorMittal notes CBA should be one of the first Green Deal measures adopted by the new European Commission, as it will help to create the market conditions and protections needed for companies to make investments and transition to carbon neutrality without disruption.
Download ArcelorMittal's Climate Action in Europe manifesto
HERE. (Source: ArcelorMittal, Mar., 2020)
Contact: ArcelorMittal, Alan Knight, Corporate Responsibility GM, +32 9 347 31 11, www.corporate.arcelormittal.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ArcelorMittal, Carbon Emissions,
Scientists at the laboratory in Petten, Netherlands, are searching for the best way to convert seaweed sugars to fuels. In some species, this can represent up to 60 pct of the plant. In the long term, researchers foresee the production of tons of ethanol and butanol and hope to cut the fuel production costs by 100 pct.
Download seaweed cultivation program details HERE.
(Source: MacroFuels, European Commission, euronews, Feb., 2020) Contact: MacroFuels, Jaap van Hal, Project Executive, +31(0) 88 5154297,
jaap.vanhal@tno.nl, www.macrofuels.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News MacroFuels, Algae, Seaweed, Biofuel,
The loan funds will be used to accelerate commercialisation of the company's services and enhance its positive environmental impact in South-Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. Part of the EIB loan will be used for digitalisation and development of new energy management systems such as supervising functions, technical intelligence, smart meters and sub-meters controls etc. The remaining funds will be invested in new services and IT technologies crucial for the improvement of energy performance of buildings.
(Source: EIB, European Commission Europa, PR, 13 Fab., 2020)Contact: EIB, www.eib.org; Resalta, www.resalta.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Investment Bank,
Speaking yesterday at Davos , EC President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a warning to high-emitting nations that Europe could impose a carbon border tax "in the name of fairness" unless they implement carbon pricing systems of their own. Von der Leyen said she would prefer the world to operate under a global carbon pricing system, which she said would create a "level playing field" to help nations decarbonize. (Source: Various Media, Business Green, 23 Jan., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas, CO2,
The industries affected by the proposal include: Iron ore mining; man-made fiber manufacturing; copper production; preparation and spinning of textile fibers; organic basic chemicals manufacturing; nitrogen compounds and fertilizer manufacturing; and mining of chemical and fertilizer minerals.
In a statement, the European Commission defended the The new state aid guidelines are inline with the European Green Deal which aims to cut global warming emissions, according to the EC release.
(Source: EC, EURACTIV, 16 Jan., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, EU ETS, EC, EU,
The consortium believes that both storing and using carbon can make a useful contribution to achieving the energy and climate objectives at Flemish, Belgian and European level and lead to reductions in CO2 emissions in the run-up to 2030. To that end, the Port of Antwerp and a number of other partners have submitted the necessary applications to the European Commission.
The Port of Antwerp in Flanders, Belgium, is a port in the heart of Europe accessible to capesize ships. It is Europe's second-largest seaport, after Rotterdam. Antwerp stands at the upper end of the tidal estuary of the Scheldt which is navigable by ships of more than 100,000 Gross Tons as far as 80 km inland. -- Wikipedia. (Source: Port Staretegy, 18 Dec., 2019) Contact: Port of Antwerp , Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, +32 (0)3 205 20 11, www.portofantwerp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS, CCUS,
The European Green Deal is a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use.
It also aims to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts. At the same time, this transition must be just and inclusive. It must put people first, and pay attention to the regions, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges. Since it will bring substantial change, active public participation and confidence in the transition is paramount if policies are to work and be accepted. A new pact is needed to bring together citizens in all their diversity, with national, regional, local authorities, civil society and industry working closely with the EU's institutions and consultative bodies.
This Communication presents an initial roadmap of the key policies and measures needed to achieve the European Green Deal.
Download the full The European Green Deal HERE. (Source: The European Commission, 11 Dec., 2019) Contact: European Commission, www.ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News The European Green Deal, Climate Change, COP25,
The window panes also act as an individual solar collectors using solar cells to absorb solar radiation and turn it into thermal energy to heat the building's interior. The advantage of using liquids instead of air inside the glass is that water is denser, so it absorbs infrared light in a broader range.
The technology is being tested for an extended period at the InDeWag experimental building pavilion in Sofia. InDeWaG -- Industrial Development of Water Flow Glazing Systems -- Innovation action project is funded under Horizon 2020, a Public Private Partnership on "Buildings Design for New High Energy Performance Buildings."
(Source: euronews, European Commission, 2 Dec., 2019) Contact: InDeWag,
www.indewag.eu;
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Miglena Nikolaeva-Dimitrova, www.bas.bg
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,
Buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2 emitter. Our homes, offices and buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2emitters, as well as its single largest energy user. Decreasing and decarbonising the energy consumption to heat, cool and use buildings is crucial for the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 at the latest. Since most of the buildings that we will occupy in 2050 are already built, the main challenge is to renovate these 210 million existing buildings to make them less energy-hungry. At the current rate of renovation, it would take another century to achieve a decarbonised building stock, instead of the targeted30 years. Further inaction risks the EU missing its climate objectives by up to 400 million tonnes of CO21.Around 50 million people still live in energy poverty. Deep renovation of their homes would lower their energy bills and make their houses more comfortable and healthy. Well-insulated buildings moreover offer the flexibility to receive energy when it is available, thereby allowing the effective integration of renewables in the energy system during the entire year
.Integrating buildings in the EU ETS is complex and time-consuming. Urgent action on buildings is vital to overcome the climate and social crises facing Europe today. Integrating the building sector in the EU ETS is complex and likely to take at least several years. That is time we do not have, and which diverts attention from more effective short-term measures. The EU should instead prioritize a Green Deal for housing to unlock vast investments for building renovations, while creating local jobs and more energy-efficient and affordable housing.
What is the EU ETS? The EUETS sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by installations from the power, industry and aviation sectors. The cap is reduced over time so that emissions go down. Within the cap, companies receive or buy emission allowances which they can trade with each other, thereby creating a carbon price. The building sector is already covered by a cap on how much greenhouse gases can be emitted as part of the Effort Sharing Regulation; the EU’s other climate legislation targeting sectors not included in the EU ETS.
Carbon pricing does not deliver more affordable, energy-efficient homes. According to the International Energy Agency2, most of the energy efficiency potential is available at a negative cost. This means that these efficiency measures already pay for themselves, even in the absence of a carbon price. The reasons why these measures, such as energy renovation, are not taken are usually not economic in nature, but rather the result of market-barriers and -imperfections. In the case of the building sector, these barriers include split incentives between those making investments (i.e. home-owners) and those paying energy bills (i.e. tenants), the inability to come up with high upfront costs and a lack of information on renovation opportunities and financing options. Including the building sector in the EU ETS would do nothing to overcome these barriers to make buildings more energy-efficient. Even worse, the introduction of a carbon price for the heating and cooling of buildings could lead to higher energy bills for tenants or homeowners who are not able to, or cannot afford to, renovate their homes.
Governments should remain responsible for the built environment. Extending the EU ETS to buildings would mean that governments are no longer accountable for introducing measures to decarbonise the building stock under the Effort Sharing legislation. Under the Effort Sharing Regulation, each Member State has annual climate targets that it needs to meet. By integrating buildings in the EU ETS, the sector would be taken out of the Effort Sharing Regulation, putting the responsibility of climate action instead on heating fuel suppliers. The integration of the building sector in the EU ETS could lead to the dismantling or shying away from more effective EU and national energy efficiency legislation, under the pretext that this would undermine the functioning of the carbon market. This would be dangerous as the decarbonisation of the building stock requires dedicated policies beyond a carbon price. It is up to governments to put in place programmes to accelerate renovation, to introduce minimum energy performance standards for buildings and to prioritize measures to alleviate energy poverty. These actions will not happen through the EU ETS, but by policymakers taking ownership of the transition to a climate-neutral built environment.
Green Deal for housing should be a key priority for Europe. Without urgent and accelerated action to renovate up to 97% of the European building stock by 2050, it will be impossible to meet the EU’s climate objectives. Fortunately, buildings’ operational emissions can be cut by 100%, mostly by using already commercially available solutions such as insulation. Including the building sector in the EU ETS distracts from taking effective measures to overcome the main barriers hampering the renovation of the EU building stock and the alleviation of energy poverty. The EU instead needs to put in place an enabling framework to ensure that the worst energy performing buildings are phased out over time, to guarantee quality homes for people and clear a pathway to climate-neutrality. The European Green Deal presents a perfect opportunity to deliver on comfortable, affordable and energy-efficient housing. This Green Deal can help unlock 130 billion euro per year to fill the investment gap for energy-efficient buildings3. Over 2 million jobs in Europe could be created throughsuch investments in energy efficiency –in particular in the deep renovation of buildings4.
(Source:EURIMA - European Insulation Manufacturers Association, Nov., 2019) Contact: EURIMA, Femke de Jong, femke.dejong@eurima.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news, Insulation news,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Insulation,
The facility, which would use biomass wastes and other pre-treated and non-recyclable refuse, is expected to cut primary electric and heat costs by roughly 46 pct.
When fully operational in 2023, the facility would generate about 55MW of heat and 19MW of electricity.
(Source: EC, Sophia Globe, 25 Nov., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission,
The move also presents the country with a respite from its planned phase-out of palm oil biofuel in the European Union, its second-biggest export market, and a likely increase in duties by India, its top export customer.
To meet the expected Chinese market demand, Indonesian producers will increase yields through better technology and seeds, rather than more deforestation for palm cultivation. Currently there are 162,000 square-kilometers of palm oil plantations across Indonesia.
As previously reported, the European Commission passed a measure in March to phase out palm oil-based biofuels by 2030, over environmental degradation concerns that palm production, often on land cleared of rainforest, contributes to global carbon emissions and thus exacerbates climate change.
The Rainforest Foundation Norway estimates an area larger than the Netherlands might be destroyed to make way for oil palm plantations to feed biofuel demand through 2030. This, it warns, would result in the release of 7 billion tons of CO2 emissions over the next 20 years. (Source: Indonesian Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mongabay, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: Indonesian Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, www.devex.com/organizations/coordinating-ministry-for-economic-affairs-indonesia-132480
More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil, Biodiesel, Biofuel,
In 2018, the EIB invested over €16 billion in climate-action projects.
(Source: EIB, Bloomberg, 15 Oct., 2019)Contact: European Investment Bank, www.eib.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, Clean EnergyEuropean Investment Bank ,
As previously reported, the European Commission ruled palm oil is not a "green" fuel and should not be promoted because it causes deforestation. The use of palm oil in diesel in the EU will be gradually reduced as of 2023 and should reach zero in 2030.
The EU is the world's second largest importer of crude palm oil. In 2018 more than half of all palm imports were used to make biodiesel transportation fuels.
(Source: European Commission, Green Car Congress, Oct., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil, Biodiesel,
The opening comes as EU fuel suppliers seek to meet sustainability targets for two key European Commission (EC) directives -- the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The FQD requires a reduction of the greenhouse gas intensity of transport fuels in the EU by a minimum of 6 pct while the RED sets a 20 pct target for renewable energy and a 10 pct target for renewable energy in transport by the end of 2020. (Source: Targray, PR, EIN, 8 Oct., 2019) Contact: Targray, Olivier Benny,
(514) 695-8095, www.targray.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Targay, Biodiesel,
SEAT is currently working on the Life Methamorphosis project to obtain biomethane from previously selected waste and animal slurry from a farm in Lleida, Spain. The new Life Landfill Biofuel project is a step further as the raw material originates directly from the landfill, without prior separation.
Other project participants include FCC, IVECO, The University of Granada, the CARTIF Foundation, SYSADVANCE and Gasnam. SEAT previously developed a similar project with Aqualia to convert waste water into biofuel.
(Source: SEAT S.A. Website, Strategic Research Institute, 24 Sept., 2019) Contact: Universitat de LLeida, Departament de Produccie Vegetal, www.pvcf.udl.cat; SEAT, www.seat.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas, Biomethane, Waste-to-Fuel ,
The EU applied its duties in response to European Biodiesel Board complaints that Indonesian biodiesel producers benefit from grants, tax benefits and access to raw materials at lower than markets prices. The EU annual biodiesel market is reportedly valued at €9 billion with Indonesia accounting for roughly €400 million. (Source: EU, EC, euronews, Reuters, 13 Aug., 2019)Contact: European Commission, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/index_en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel, Indonesia Biodiesel, Biodiesel Duties, EU, European Commission,
Services, hotels and others filtered through the online programme are benchmarked against criteria developed by the City of Helsinki in collaboration with the independent think tank Demos Helsinki, local interest groups and sustainability experts. The service also includes a route planner feature that identifies emission-free transportation options in the city. The route planner provides CO2 emissions in grams per person per trip.
Currently gathering feedback from users, the Think Sustainably service is publicly available with plans to roll the programme out further and review its impact in 2020.
The process of developing the Think Sustainably service included researching the most significant factors of ecological sustainability related to different service categories. These dealt mostly with greenhouse emissions caused by energy production, the impacts of mobility and food, waste management, factors related to circular economy, protecting biodiversity, accessibility, and employment and preventing discrimination.
The European Commission (EC) tagged Helsinki the most innovative region in the EU. It is also the first European city and, the second globally -- after New York -- to voluntarily report the implementation of its Sustainable Development Goals to the UN.
(Source: City of Helsinki, PR, CISION, Yahoo Finance, Aug., 2019)Contact: Helsinki Think Sustainably , www.myhelsinki.fi/en/think-sustainably;
Helsinki Marketing, Laura Aalto, CEO, +358 40 507 9660 , laura.aalto@hel.fi, www.hel.fi; Carbon Neutral Helsinki Initiative, Kaisa-Reeta Koskinen, Director, https://carbonneutralcities.org/cities/helsinki
More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Helsinki, Climate Change,
The EIB, the world's first and largest issuer of green bonds,
is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its 28 Member States. The EIB aims to dedicate at least 25 pct of its investments to climate change mitigation and adaptation, supporting low-carbon growth with climate resilience. In 2018, and for the ninth consecutive year, the EIB exceeded its climate finance target, providing €16.2 billion to promote climate action.
(Source: European Commission, PR, 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: European Commission, www.eceuropa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Investment Bank , Wind,
The six sites -- Courselles-sur-Mer, Fecamp, Saint-Nazaire, Iles d'Yeu / Noirmoutier, Dieppe / Le Treport and Saint-Brieuc -- are located in French territorial waters off the North-Western coast of France. Each of the wind farms will incorporate 62 to 83 turbines with an installed capacity of 450 to 498 MW per farm and will receive support in the form of feed-in tariffs over a period of 20 years.
Construction of the first of the six wind farms is slated to begin construction this year for completion and commissioning in 2022. Once finalised, the wind farms will increase France's renewables generation capacity by about three gigawatts.
The European Commission (EC) is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the 28 member countries of EU trading bloc.
(Source: EC, Modern Diplomacy, 27 July, 2019) Contact: European Commission,
www.ec.europa.eu/commission/index_en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Offshore Wind,
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which has been tracking the fires, says the latitude and intensity of the fires, as well as the length of time they have been burning, have been particularly "unusual." According to CAMS "It is unusual to see fires of this scale at such high latitudes in June. But temperatures in the Arctic have been increasing at a much faster rate than the global average, and warmer conditions encourage fires to grow and persist once they have been ignited."
Since the beginning of June, CAMS has tracked more than 100 intense and long-lived wildfires in the Arctic Circle with the most severe in Alaska and Siberia, where some have been large enough to cover almost 100,000 football fields.
Copernicus, the EU's Earth Observation Programme, offers information services based on satellite Earth Observation and in situ (non-space) data.
The Programme is coordinated and managed by the European Commission (EC) and implemented in partnership with the EU Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), EU Agencies and Mercator Ocean.
(Source: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Contact:
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, Mark Parrington, Snr. Scientist and Wildfires Expert, www.atmosphere.copernicus.eu; World Meteorological Organization, Petteri Taalas, Secretary General, +41 (0) 22 73 0811, www.wmo.int
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, World Meteorological Organization,
According to the report, there are currently two main challenges related to assessing the environmental and economic components of biorefining processes -- data availability and stakeholder participation. To address these issues, IEA Bioenergy's Task 42, Biorefining in a Circular Economy, examined assessments currently underway to determine the capability of biorefineries in creating a sustainable future. Such assessments aim to highlight the potential of biorefineries to enhance the use of biomass in generating both products and energy.
IEA Bioenergy was established in 1978 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programmes in bioenergy research, development and deployment. The International Energy Agency acts as energy policy advisor to 28 EU Member Countries plus the European Commission, in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Current work focuses on climate change policies, market reform, energy technology collaboration and outreach to the rest of the world, especially major producers and consumers of energy like China, India, Russia and the OPEC countries.
Access report details HERE.
(Source: IEA Bioenergy, 20 July, 2019) Contact: IEA Bioenergy, www.ieabioenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA Bioenergy, Biofuel, ,
Under the deal crops and ethanol produced in MERCOSUR member countries -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -- could be used to meet the EU's green transport fuel targets. The agreement also allows for a lower tariff rate on ethanol imports to be phased in over five years: a quota of 200,000 tonnes with an in-quota rate of one-third of the current high duty of up to €19/hectolitre will be opened for fuel and other uses beyond the chemical industry, according to a EC briefing. The agreement also reduces or eliminates duties that MERCOSUR currently imposes on exports of soybean products to the EU, the Commission said. This could make soy a more attractive feedstock for biodiesel producers in Europe.
Argentine soy diesel, imports of refined biodiesel tripled from 2017 to 2018, with palm oil and soy accounting for around 86 pct of all biodiesel imports.
(Source: EU EC, Transport & Environment, 11 July, 2019) Contact: MERCOSUR,
www.mercosur.int/en/about-mercosur/mercosur-countries
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biodiesel, Soy Biodiesel, Palm Oil,
According to the EC report, most EU countries proposed modest or low contributions to the overall EU target and must now raise their commitments which are due to be submitted to the EC before the year end. (Source: EC, S&P, 19 June, 2019) Contact: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission, Energy Efficiency, EU ,
The 9.5 pct duty was originally imposed as a result of a complaint filed by the EU's largest ethanol producer group, European Renewable Ethanol Assoc. (ePure). (Source: EUROPA - EU Newsroom, DTN Progressive Farmer, 16 May, 2019)Contact: European Renewable Ethanol Assoc. (ePURE), Emmanuel Desplechin, Sec. Gen., +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org; European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, European Commission, Ethanol, ePure,
The network will provide member projects with opportunities for sharing knowledge and best practices alongside guidance on how to increase public awareness and acceptance of CCUS technologies.
Projects being considered as network members will have a focus on carbon capture and storage and/or CO2 utilization, and will need to demonstrate substantial overall CO2 emissions reduction in lifecycle analysis as well as a commitment to building a European CCUS industry through knowledge sharing. (Source: European CCUS Project Network, GasWorld, 25 April, 2019) Contact: European CCUS Project Network, John Scowcroft|, Manager,: +32 (0) 2 550 3960
John.Scowcroft@globalccsinstitute.com,
https://ccsnetwork.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News CCUS, European CCUS Project,
The EC also noted "the pace of increase of the renewable energy share has slowed down" and increases in absolute energy consumption has lowered the renewable share in 2017 in seven EU states. In France, Ireland, Poland and elsewhere, "additional efforts" were needed. (Source: EC, EU Observer, 9 April, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU, Rnewable Energy,
The new legislation demands that the full life-cycle of emissions from cars should be assessed at EU level. The Commission will also have to consider a common methodology for the assessment and consistent data reporting, by no later than 2023. If appropriate, legislation should follow.
Transport is the only sector in the EU that did not record any significant decline in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 1990. Figures from the European Environment Agency show that of all means of transport in the EU, road transport generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions -pct of the EU's total GHG emissions. (Source: European Parliament News, 27 Mar., 2019) Contact: EP News, +32 2 28 40922, envi-press@europarl.europa.eu, www.europarl.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News EU Parliament, Vehicle Emissions, Transportation Emissions,
The floating turbine to be tested was developed by Italian energy firm Saipem and is expected to begin operating by 2022.
The four-year project is being funded by the European Commission's Interreg North West Europe programme to boost innovation in North-West Europe.
(Source: European Marine Energy Centre, The Engineer, 21 Mar., 2019) Contact: European Marine Energy Centre, +44 185685 2020, www.emec.org.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Marine Energy Centre , Wind, Floating Wind, Offshore Wind,
The EC concluded that 45 percent of the expansion of palm oil production since 2008 led to destruction of forests, wetlands or peatlands and resultant greenhouse gas releases.
The EC has added a number of exemptions which mean some palm oil could still be promoted as a green fuel, under certain conditions including allowing additional palm oil production coming from yield increases or produced on unused land to still qualify as green.
Although once seen as the main tool by which the EU could decarbonize road transport, and given generous subsidies under the 28-member trading bloc's Renewable Energy Directive over a decade ago,
many environmentalists are reportedly pushing the EU to ban crop-based biofuels and move instead to incentivizing second-generation, cellulosic biofuels.
(Source: EU, European Biodiesel Board, Successful Farning, Forbes, 14 Mar., 2019) Contact: European Biodiesel Board, www.ebb-eu.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission, Palm Oil, Biodiesel, European Biodiesel Board,
the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini reviewed EU-China relations and the related opportunities and challenges and set out 10 concrete actions on 12 March for the EU’s leaders to discuss and endorse at the European Council of 21 March, including Action 2 which especially calls on EU calls on China to peak its emissions before 2030 and meets its 2015 Paris Agreement goals.
The next EU-China Summit is scheduled for early April. “China is a Strategic Partner of the European Union. We pursue strong bilateral and multilateral cooperation on files where we share interests, from trade to connectivity, from the JCPOA to climate change,” Mogherini said. . (Source: New Europe, 13 Mar., 2019)
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The demonstration wind farms will receive both .
Earlier this year, the U.S. DOE announced up to $28 million in funding for a new floating offshore wind turbines via the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, Aerodynamic Turbines, Lighter and Afloat, with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS).
Navigant Research anticipates that over 69GW of new offshore wind capacity will be installed between 2018 and 2027, exceeding 100GW of operating capacity by 2030.
(Source: EC, MarEx, 25 Feb., 2019)
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"Making an exception for feedstock produced by smallholders isn't just allowing high-ILUC-risk biofuels such as palm oil into Europe through the back door, it's allowing it through the front door," said Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General of ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association. "The hard-won compromise reached on RED II couldn't have been clearer in its message that Europe should phase out biofuels associated with the significant deforestation and peatland drainage that has defined most palm oil expansion."
"Low-ILUC-risk biofuels certified as such could escape from the phase-out, but these were clearly defined as either produced through improved agricultural practices or from unused land. By inventing a third, alternative criterion for smallholders, the EC is making a mockery of the agreed RED II compromise," the ePure Secretary General added.
European renewable ethanol is made from European feedstock and delivers high greenhouse-gas reduction and is not associated with deforestation. Its use cuts GHG emissions by more than 70 pct on average compared to fossil petrol. (Source: ePure, EC, Feb., 2019)
Contact: European Renewable Ethanol Assoc. (ePURE), Emmanuel Desplechin, Sec. Gen., +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org
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The U.S. soy industry has its own sustainability guideline, the Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol that the EU now acknowledges meets its rigorous RED requirements through July 1, 2021 or longer.
The U.S. is the EU's largest soybean for biodiesel supplier.
(Source: American Soybean Association, 29 Jan., 2019)
Contact: American Soybean Association,(314) 576-1770, www.soygrowers.com
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In March 2018, RWE agreed to sell its majority interest in Innogy to E.ON, while keeping Innogy's renewables business and merging it with E.ON's green assets. If approved, RWE will own a 8.6-GW renewable energy portfolio in a new company with three operating divisions. With the transaction, RWE will hold a 16.7 pct equity stake in E.ON.
The transactions are expected to close in the second half of 2019.(Source: RWE AG, Renewables, 23 Jan., 2019) Contact: RWE AG, www.rwe.com;
Innogy Renewables UK, +44 1793 877777, www.innogy.com/web/cms/en/3708678/innogy-renewables-uk; E.ON, Michael Lewis, CEO Climate and Renewables, +49 2 11 45 79 4170, www.eon.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News E.ON, RWE AG, Innogy, Renewable Energy,
The aid will be provided in the form of a feed-in premium (a top-up payment over the market price) to the selected installations for every unit of electricity produced, as well as an environmental tariff premium (PDIF) linked to the use of biomass.
The new installations will produce both electric power and combined heat and power (HP). The measure aims to incentivize forest owners to clean the forests at risk by using the forest residues to produce biomass energy and thus reduce the risk of future forest fires. in Portugal.
(Source: EC, eureporter, 9 Jan., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Forest Biomass news, Woody Biomass news,
From January, any carbon permits issued by Britain will have to be identified by a country code ("marked") but
transfers of permits already in circulation in and out of accounts held by UK operators will not be affected by the suspension.
If BREXIT is ratified the suspension will be lifted, the EC added.
(Source: European Commission, Reuters, 20 Dec., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission, Carbon Credits, BREXIT, EU ETS,
The agreed upon target will be calculated based on 2021 emission levels, with an intermediary step of 15 pct CO2 cut for both cars and vans to be reached by 2025.
The new targets are subject to EU member state approvals. (Source: EurActiv, 17 Dec., 2018)
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To prepare for this transformation, the European Parliament and the European Council invited the European Commission (EC) to submit a long-term strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the European Union, in accordance with COP15.
The EC strategy confirms Europe's commitment to lead in global climate action through a socially-fair transition and provides a first indication of the direction of travel to frame what the EU could consider as its long-term contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement temperature objectives.
Presenting this vision will allow for a thorough debate involving European decision-makers, stakeholders and citizens at large to consider how the EU can make a fair contribution to meeting the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement and how this transformation can be achieved.
Download the EU Climate Change Fact Sheet HERE. (Source: EU, Nov., 2018) Contact: EU, www.europa.eu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Paris Climate Agreement, COP15, Climate Change,
According to the EC, the energy consumption figures outlined in the revised Energy Efficiency Directive and the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union are based on 28 member statistics, and need to be revised downward to reflect the UK's exit. In terms of GDP, the UK -- $2,770,000 million US -- is the second strongest EU member after Germany at $3,930,000 million US.
(Source: EC, Europe Gov. News, 16 Nov., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Brexit, Energy Efficiency,