Archaea Energy
Date: 2021-04-09
Carnegie, Pennsylvania- based Rice Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company focused on the energy transition sector, reports an agreement to combine Novi, Michigan-based Aria Energy LLC and Belle Vernon, Penna.-based biogas developer Archaea to create Archaea Energy, a renewable natural gas (RNG) platform. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 this year.

New company highlights include:

The business combination is expected to create the industry-leading platform in the U.S. to capture and convert waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG, electricity, and green hydrogen.

Aria, a portfolio company of funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corp is being acquired for $680 million and brings a comprehensive portfolio of operational LFG assets, best-in-class operating experience, and a deep inventory of greenfield LFG-to-RNG projects and electric-to-RNG conversion opportunities.

Archaea LLC is being acquired for $347 million and brings leading RNG technology professionals, a deep inventory of LFG-to-RNG projects -- including the world's largest RNG plant currently under construction (Project Assai) -- an innovative commercial strategy, groundbreaking low-cost carbon sequestration, and negative-carbon LFG-to-green hydrogen development projects currently in the design stage.

Pro forma for the transaction, the combined Company will have over $350 million of cash on the balance sheet, providing ample liquidity to fund its pipeline of development projects and bridging the combined Company to free cash flow generation starting in 2023.

The combined Company will be headquartered in Cannonsburg, Penna. led by a majority-independent board consisting of executives Daniel J. Rice, IV, Kyle Derham, Kate Jackson, Joe Malchow, and Jim Torgerson of RAC; Nicholas Stork, CEO of Archaea; and Scott Parkes of Aria. (Source: Rice Acquisition Corp., PR, 7 Apr., 2021) Contact: Archea Energy, Nick Stork, CEO, info@archaea.energy, www.archaeaenergy.com; Aria Energy, Richard DiGia, CEO, (248) 380-3920, www.ariaenergy.com: Rice Acquisition Corp., www.ricepac.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Aria Energy,  Archaea Energy,  ,  

IRENA
Date: 2021-04-09
The International Renewable Energy (IRENA) has published a preview of its publication, World Energy Transitions Outlook report on technology choices, investment needs, and socio-economic contexts necessary to set the world on a trajectory towards a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future.

IRENA Dir. General Francesco La Camera notes that over 170 countries have set renewables targets, many of which are included in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

To meet the Paris Agreement 1.5 degree C goal, the report notes the following could be used in combination: Energy efficiency and circular economy measures; decarbonized power systems with supply dominated by renewables; electrification of end-use sectors, with the increased use of electricity in buildings, industry, and transport; expanded production and use of green hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and feedstocks to pursue indirect electrification; and targeted use of sustainably sourced biomass.

According to the report, financial markets and investors have begun directing capital away from fossil fuels and towards other energy technologies including renewables. However, to achieve the 1.5 degrees C climate ambition, energy transition investment will have to increase by 30 pct over currently planned investments, to an average annual level of $4.4 trillion. The report also suggests that national social and economic policies will play important roles in delivering the energy transition at the necessary speed.

Preview the World Energy Transitions Outlook report HERE. (Source: IRENA, Apr., 2021) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News IRENA,  

Altaaqa, AFC Energy
Date: 2021-04-07
Saudi Arabian turnkey water and power solutions provider Altaaqa and London-headquartered scalable alkaline fuel cell systems specialist AFC Energy are reporting a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Middle-East region's transition to zero emission power generation using AFC Energy's hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Altaaqa, which owns and operates a 2-GW mobile diesel generator rental fleet, provides temporary and off-grid power solutions to oil & gas, power utilities, mining, military, manufacturing, data centers, construction and government services sectors.

AFC Energy's fuel cell technology is presently deployed in electric vehicle chargers and off-grid decentralised power systems as part of a portfolio approach to the decarbonisation of electricity and gaining market leadership for "hydrogen-to-power" solutions for various industry segments and applications. (Source: Altaaqa, AFC Energy, PR, 6 Apr., 2021) Contact: Altaaqa, Alexandra Roger-Machart, +49 172 397 0957, alexandrarm@altaaqa.com, www.altaaqa.com; AFC Energy, +44 (0) 203 727 1000, afcenergy@fticonsulting.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Altaaqa,  AFC Energy,  Hydrogen,  Fuel Cell,  

Lotte Chemical,Samsung Engineering
Date: 2021-04-07
In South Korea, Seoul-headquartered Lotte Chemical is reporting a collaboration agreement with Samsung Engineering to expand, promote and jointly invest in the development and commercialization of eco-friendly technologies and the realization of carbon neutrality at Lotte Chemical.

To that end, Samsung Engineering will help Lotte Chemical improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, and promote Lotte's green hydrogen business and technology licensing.

As previously reported in February, Lotte Chemical declared "Green Promise 2030" an ESG management strategy for the implementation of its eco-friendly business and achieving growth without expanding carbon generation by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon by 2050. (Source: Lotte Chemical, PR, Business Korea, 6 Apr., 2021) Contact: Lotte Chemical, www.lottechem.com; Samsung Engineering, www.samsungengineering.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lotte Chemical ,  Carbon Neutral,  Samsung Engineering,  

Repsol
Date: 2021-04-05
In Madrid, Spain's Repsol is bidding for a share of Europe's €750 billion ($884 billion) pandemic recovery funds to support projects including new biofuel plants and 'green' hydrogen production made from renewable sources in a pivot away from oil and gas to supplying low-carbon energy.

Repsol has proposed 30 projects which it calculates will need total investment of €5.96 billion. The projects include a plant in partnership with oil giant Saudi Aramco to build in northern Spain, which will produce synthetic fuel for cars, trucks and aircraft using carbon dioxide captured from a nearby refinery, and hydrogen produced from electricity generated from renewables. Another potential candidate is a refinery in southern Spain where Repsol aims to start producing advanced biofuels in 2023. A planned extension to a hydroelectric plant in the northern region of Cantabria has also been included in the proposals. Repsol estimates adding a gigawatt of capacity to the Aguayo hydroelectric facility will cost around €700 million. (Source: Repsol, PR, Apr., 2021) Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Repsol,  Biofuel,  Green Hydrogen,  

ExxonMobil
Date: 2021-04-02
Irving, Texas-based oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. and German auto-maker Porsche report they are jointly testing advanced biofuels and renewable, lower-carbon eFuels -- fuels made from hydrogen and captured CO2.

The first iteration involves Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, a blend of primarily advanced biofuels formulated by ExxonMobil in-house scientists and engineers. As early as 2022, the companies plan to test the second iteration of Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, which will contain eFuel components and is anticipated to achieve an up-to 85 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when blended to current market fuel standards for passenger vehicles.

The eFuel will be sourced from the Haru Oni pilot plant based in Chile that generates hydrogen, which is then combined with captured CO2 drawn from the atmosphere to produce methanol. ExxonMobil is providing a license and support for the proprietary technology to convert the methanol to gasoline, which will result in a lower-carbon fuel.

In the pilot phase, around 35,000 gallons of eFuels will be produced in 2022. As the fuel's primary user, Porsche will use the eFuels in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup starting in the season of 2022. The first on-track testing of Esso Renewable Racing Fuel occurred March 30, 2021 in Zandvoort, Netherlands, and will continue throughout the 2021 and 2022 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race series. (Source: ExxonMobil, PR, 31 Mar., 2021) Contact: ExonMobil, Andy Madden, VP Strategy and Planning , ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, www. corporate.exxonmobil.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ExxonMobil,  Alternative Fuel,  Biofuel,  

Aker Solutions,Doosan Babcock
Date: 2021-03-29
Oslo, Norway headquartered engineering firm Aker Solutions reports it is partnering with UK-based Doosan Babcock to jointly deliver renewable energy and new hydrogen production plants and facilities for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects in the UK. Opportunities for other projects within the process and energy industries will also be explored.

According to the release, the two firms together provide a full engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) solution for the UK's zero-carbon energy transition agenda and have already identified some key prospects. (Source: Aker Solutions, PR, 25 Mar., 2021) Contact: Aker Solutions, Kjetel Digre, CEO, Fredrik Berge, Inv. Rel., +47 450 32 090, fredrik.berge@akersolutions.com, www.akersolutions.com; Doosan Babcock, Andrew Colquhoun, CEO, www.doosanbabcock.com

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

UK BEIS
Date: 2021-03-26
In London, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has released the North Sea Transition Deal, a landmark climate transition agreement to support the offshore oil and gas industry work force and supply chain during the switch to renewable energy and a net-zero emissions economy.

The Deal includes an agreement for early reductions in production-site GHG emissions (not including emissions from product utilization) totaling 10 pctt by 2025, 25 pct by 2027 and 50 pct by 2030, with a goal of reaching net zero by 2050 -- a 15 million tonne reduction in CO2 emissions over the next ten years.

Additionally, the deal commits to delivery of investments of up to $22 billion in new energy technologies, including hydrogen production and carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS). The government has pledged to spend $1.4 billion on CCUS projects by 2025, and expects to provide additional support for the development of CO2 pipelines, storage sites and wells. The deal also commits to a voluntary industry target of 50 pct local, UK-made content for all new energy technology projects by 2030, with the same set-aside for oil and gas decommissioning activity. (Source: UK BEIS, PR, 24 Mar., 2021) Contact: BEIS, +44 0 20 7215 5000, enquiries@beis.gov.uk, www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy

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

NMEX Resources, Black Tree Energy
Date: 2021-03-24
In the Lone Star State, Fort Stockton-based MMEX Resources Corp., a development-stage company focused on the acquisition, development and financing of oil, gas, refining and infrastructure projects in Texas and South America, is reporting the signing of a solar power hydrogen and carbon capture project agreement with Geneva, Switzerland-based Black Tree Energy Group and Black Tree Energy's special purpose U.S. company, V Engineering & Consulting, LLC.

Jack W. Hanks, President and CEO of MMEX Resources Corp., noted, “We continue our discussions to acquire potentially additional hydrogen projects plant site locations in East Texas, Houston ship channel area and the Corpus Christi-Rockport area. Each special purpose project company is intended to have the local/regional economic development corporation with a financial interest along with the typical local tax abatement funds to be reinvested in local economic development. While completion of these projects will require substantial financial resources and licensing and permitting requirements that must be obtained to complete the projects, we are now ready to put this first project into the full speed ahead category." (Source: MMEX Resources Corporation, PR, 24 Mar., 2021) Contact: MMEX Resources, Jack Hanks, CEO, info@mmexresources.com, www.mmexresources.com; Black Tree Energy Group, www.blacktreecp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  Solar,  Hydrogen,  

Suncor,Svante
Date: 2021-03-22
Calgary, Alberta-based oilsands and refining giant Suncor Energy is reporting an investment in Burnaby, British Columbia-based carbon capture technology company Svante. The funds will help Svante accelerate the commercialisation of its novel carbon capture technology for the decarbonisation of industrial emissions and hydrogen production.

With the latest investment, total proceeds raised under Svante's Series D financing equate to $100 million -- the largest single private investment into point source carbon capture technology globally to date, according to Suncor.

Svante CEO Claude Letourneau noted, "Svante has generated a pipeline of potential new project opportunities capturing over 40 million tonnes of CO2 per year before 2030 from natural gas industrial boilers, cement and lime, and blue hydrogen industrial facilities, mainly in North America and spurred by both US and Canada federal CO2 tax credits and prices on CO2 emissions." (Source: Suncor, PR, GasWorld, 18 Mar., 2021) Contact: Suncor, Mark Little, Pres. & CEO, www.suncor.com; Svante Inc., Claude Letourneau, , Pres., CEO, Julia McKenna , Inv. Relations, 604.456.0504, jmckenna@svanteinc.com, www.svanteinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Suncor Energy ,  Svante,  CCS,  

Climate Change
Date: 2021-03-22
The CEO Alliance for Europe's Recovery, Reform and Resilience "Action Tank" of 10 European business leaders is calling for climate action.

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,  

Covenant Energy
Date: 2021-03-22
On the Canadian prairies, Macoun, Sask.-based renewable fuel specialist Covenant Energy provided the following update on its stand-alone Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel (HDRD) production plant to be constructed in southern Saskatchewan.

When fully operational in 2023, the plant will: produce 6,500 bpd of renewable fuels including renewable diesel, arctic-grade renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) 80 to 85 pct when compared to fossil fuel diesel; create a demand for 35 million bushels of canola seed (worth roughly $500 million) to produce 325,000-350,000 tpy of canola oil feedstock; and use recycled hydrogen in the production process.

The company has completed initial pre-FEED engineering and feedstock studies, as well as a marketing, demand, and pricing study. The plant is expected to begin production in 2023, subject to regulatory and other approvals. (Source: Covenant Energy, Website PR, Contact: Covenant Energy, Josh Gustafson, Pres., CEO, (306) 421-7442, joshgustafson@covenantenergy.ca; www.covenantenergy.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Canola Covenant Energy,  Renewable Diesel,  

BP
Date: 2021-03-19
In the UK, oil giant BP is reporting plans to develop U2Teesaide, the country's largest blue hydrogen production facility, targeting 1GW of hydrogen production by 2030. The proposed development would capture and send for storage up to 2 million tpy of carbon -- equivalent to capturing the emissions from the heating of one million UK households.

Industries in Teesside account for over 5 pct of the UK's industrial emissions and the region is home to five of the country's top 25 emitters, according to BP.

With large-scale, low-cost production of clean hydrogen, H2Teesside could support the conversion of surrounding industries to use hydrogen in place of natural gas, playing an important role in decarbonizing a cluster of industries in Teesside, BP said. (Source: BP, PR, Website, OE, 18 Mar., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News BP,  Hydrogen,  Teeside,  CCS,  

Haldor Topsoe
Date: 2021-03-19
Danish clean fuels provider Haldor Topsoe and private equity firm Aquamarine have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a green ammonia facility in northern Germany close to existing offshore wind farms.

The facility is planned to include a 100 MW solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) electrolysis unit to produce green hydrogen to be converted into green ammonia for use as a green marine fuel or fertilizer. The plant is expected to be operational by 2024. (Source: Haldor Topsoe, PR, Splash247, 18 Mar., 2021) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Roeland Baan, CEO, Ulrik Frohlke, Media, +45 27 77 99 68, ulfr@topsoe.com, www.topsoe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe,  Green Amonia,  Alternative Fuel,  

Enviva Biomass
Date: 2021-03-19
The following has been submitted by the world's largest industrial wood pellets producer, ENVIVA Holdings LP:

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,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-03-17
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) has selected the following projects to receive $2 million in funding for cost-shared research and development the Enabling Gasification of Blended Coal, Biomass and Plastic Wastes to Produce Hydrogen with Potential for Net Negative Carbon Dioxide Emissions program.

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:

Fluidized-Bed Gasification of Coal-Biomass-Plastics for Hydrogen Production -- Auburn University in Alabama plans to study the gasification performance of select feedstock mixtures in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed gasifier. Specific objectives are to (1) study coal-plastic-biomass mixture flowability for consistent feeding in the gasifier; (2) understand gasification behavior of the mixtures in steam and oxygen environments; (3) characterize thermal properties of ash/slag from the mixture feedstock and investigate the interaction between slag/ash and refractory materials; and (4) develop process models to determine the technology needed for cleaning up syngas and removing contaminants for hydrogen production. -- Funding: DOE: $499,485; Non-DOE: $126,971; Total: $626,456

Performance Testing of a Moving-Bed Gasifier Using Coal, Biomass, and Waste Plastic Blends to Generate White Hydrogen -- Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) plans to qualify coal, biomass, and plastic waste blends based on performance testing of selected pellet recipes in a laboratory-scale updraft moving-bed gasifier. The testing will provide relevant data to advance the commercial-scale design of the moving-bed gasifier to use these feedstocks to produce hydrogen. The effects of waste plastics on feedstock development and the resulting products will be a focus of the research. The research team will review data, determine figures of merit, and interpret results to specify the range of feedstock blends that can be successfully gasified, as well as quantify gasifier outputs based on specific blends. -- Funding: DOE: $500,002; Non-DOE: $125,000; Total: $625,002

Development and Characterization of Densified Biomass-Plastic Blend for Entrained Flow Gasification -- University of Kentucky Research Foundation in Lexington plans to develop and study a coal/biomass/plastic blend fuel by (1) producing hydrophobic layer encapsulated biomass suitable for slurry with solid content with greater than 60 wt pct of blended coal/biomass and plastic suitable for oxygen-blown entrained flow gasification with slurry feed; (2) conducting lab-scale kinetic and gasification studies on the feedstock blend; and (3) demonstrating practical operations in a commercially relevant 1 ton/day entrained flow gasifier.--Funding: DOE: $500,000; Non-DOE: $125,559; Total: $625,559

Enabling Entrained-Flow Gasification of Blends of Coal, Biomass and Plastics -- University of Utah plans to leverage a high-pressure, slurry-fed, oxygen-blown entrained-flow system to enable co-gasification of biomass and waste plastic by creating slurries of coal, biomass pyrolysis liquids, and liquefied plastic oil. Gasification performance of the most promising mixtures will be evaluated in the University of Utah's 1 ton/day pressurized oxygen-blown gasifier fitted with a custom-built hot oxygen burner. -- Funding: DOE: $500,000; Non-DOE: $291,157; Total: $791,157

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,  

Energy Networks Association
Date: 2021-03-17
In the UK, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) has released its Gas Goes Green Pathway to Net Zero report in response to the need to replace the natural gas that 85 pct of Britain's homes use for heating, hot water and cooking with greener alternatives such as hydrogen and biomethane.

Download the ENA Gas Goes Green Pathway to Net Zero report HERE. (Source: Energy Networks Assoc., PR, 12 Mar., 2021) Contact: Energy Networks Association, +44 (0) 20 7706 5100, www.energynetworks.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net Zero Emissions,  

Sinopec
Date: 2021-03-12
In Beijing, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have proposed the acceleration of the hydrogen energy industry in China.

According to the China Hydrogen Energy Alliance, by 2050, China's annual hydrogen demand will be close to 60 million tpy, which would help the country cut 700 million tpy from its carbon dioxide emissions.

Sinopec currently produces 3.5 million tpy of hydrogen. In 2020, the company began construction of an integrated hydrogen energy industry chain including hydrogen refueling stations and 10 oil-hydrogen blending stations and plans to establish 1,000 addition hydrogen refueling stations over the next 5 years.

As of the end of 2020, China had 128 hydrogen refueling stations ranking second worldwide only to Japan. (Source: Sinopec, PR, 11 Mar., 2021) Contact: Sinopec, www.sinopecgroup.com; China Hydrogen Energy Alliance, www.h2cn.org

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

Haldor Topsoe
Date: 2021-03-08
In Denmark, Haldor Topsoe is reporting plans to invest in a 500 MW per -- expandable to 5 GW per year -- solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEC) production facility. Construction of the new automated manufacturing facility is expected to get underway in 2022 for commissioning and startup in 2023.

With 90 pct or better efficiencies, Topsoe's proprietary SOEC electrolyzers offer superior performance in electrolysis of water into hydrogen, when compared to today's standard alkaline or PEM electrolyzers, according to the release. "This new manufacturing facility is a concrete step to take a leading role in the ongoing energy transition towards a low carbon future. We strongly believe that one of the most viable routes to this goal lies in the efficient utilization of renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen, fuels, and chemicals. With Topsoe's SOEC electrolyzer, more than 90 pct of the renewable electricity that enters the electrolyzer is preserved in the green hydrogen it produces -- significantly more efficient than other available technologies in the market," the release notes. (Source: Haldor Topsoe, PR, 4 Mar., 2021) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Roeland Baan, CEO, Ulrik Frohlke, Media, +45 27 77 99 68, ulfr@topsoe.com, www.topsoe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe,  Green Hydrogen,  

FuelEU Maritime Initiative
Date: 2021-03-08
According to a just published letter from Transport & Environment (T&E) and marine shipping companies DFDS, CMB, Viking Cruises and ommodities trader Trafigura, "biofuels do not offer a sustainable alternative for shipping as crop-based biofuels emit more emissions than the fossil fuels they replace and there will not be enough advanced biofuels to meet demand. On the other hand, green hydrogen and ammonia are sustainable and can be produced in sufficient quantities to decarbonise the shipping industry." Accordingly, "Lawmakers must send a clear signal to potential investors to focus on renewable electricity-based hydrogen and ammonia when the EU proposes its maritime fuel policy next month", the letter states.

Globally, €1.4 trillion in capital investments will be required to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for the shipping industry. The EU should seize this opportunity to create new jobs and support sustainable economic growth in line with the EU Green Deal when it propose its FuelEU Maritime Initiative in April, the letter states.

Not-for-Profit and politically independent shipping industry organization Transport & Environment's vision is for an affordable science-based zero-emission mobility system with climate and environment impacts. (Source: Transport & Environment, PR, Website 3 Mar., 2021) Contact: Transport & Environment, Faig Abbasov, Shipping Program Director, +32 (0)487 717296, www.transportenvironment.org; FuelEU Maritime Initiative, www.safety4sea.com/eus-fueleu-maritime-initiative-to-drive-decarbonization

More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Fuel,  Maritime Fuel,  Green Hydrogen,  Ammonia,  Alternative Fuel,  Biofuel,  

HeidelbergCement,Progressive Energy
Date: 2021-03-05
HeidelbergCement's British subsidiary Hanson UK has become a partner in the HyNet North West consortium, which aims to create the world's first low-carbon industrial cluster in the northwest England, covering the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing and chemical production in the UK

As a first step, a feasibility study will be conducted to provide a clear design basis and cost estimate for a carbon capture facility at Hanson's Padeswood cement plant and connection to the proposed HyNet North West CO2 network and storage system. The project will reduce regional CO2 emissions by up to 10 million tpy by 2030.

The HyNet North West project includes production, storage and distribution of low carbon hydrogen which will help to decarbonise other industries whose CO2 emissions primarily come from fossil fuels.

The HyNet project is led by Progressive Energy along with regional partners Cadent, CF Fertilisers, Eni UK, Essar, INOVYN, the University of Chester as well as Hanson. (Source: HeidelbergCement, PR, Cemnet, 3 Mar., 2021) Contact: Progressive Energy, www.progressive-energy.com; HeidelbergCement, Dr Bernd Scheifele, CEO, Jan Theulen, Director Alternative Resources, www.heidelbergcement.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Progressive Energy,  HeidelbergCement,  CCS,  

Clean Power Capital,PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling
Date: 2021-03-05
Further to our 20 Nov., 2020 coverage, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Clean Power Capital Corp. is reporting PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling Corp., an investee company of Clean Power, has partnered with Carbonomics a leader in helping clean tech companies maximize the potential of emission reduction credits in the US and international markets.

Carbonomics will assist PowerTap in securing the certification of its hydrogen fueling co-located stations under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in California and other environmental trading markets. Specifically, Carbonomics will direct PowerTap's efforts in navigating the independent certification and verification of emission credit project activities.

Carbonomics has a proven track record in developing the pathway or method of effectively quantifying greenhouse gas emission reductions and credit registration and managing the process of monetizing the resulting carbon credits, according to the release. (Source: Clean Power Cap., PR, 2 Mar., 2021) Contact: Clean Power Capital Corp., Joel Dumaresq, (604) 687-2038, info@cleanpower.capital, (604) 687-2038 www.cleanpower.capital; Carbonomics, Seth Baruch, President, www.carbonomicsonline.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low-Carbon Fuel,  Clean Power Capital,  PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling,  Carbonnics ,  

Zilkha Black Pellets,NextGen Biomass Technologies
Date: 2021-03-03
Houston, Texas-based Zilkha Black® (biomass) Pellet producer NextGen Biomass Technologies comments on Japan's hydrogen fuel plans: "In March 2019, Japan released its third Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. The plan targets reduction in hydrogen production costs and leadership in carbon capture strategies to convert hydrogen from fossil fuels. Investments are flooding in on this plan's strength.

"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,  

Siemens Energy ,Intermountain Power Agency
Date: 2021-03-03
Munich, Germany-based Siemens Energy AG reports receipt of $200,000 in US DOE grant funding to support a conceptual design study to integrate hydrogen production and storage at the coal-fired, 1,800-MW Intermountain Generating Station in Delta, Utah.

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,  

Shell, ITM Power, Linde
Date: 2021-03-03
Petroleum fuels giant Shell reports it is looking to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the Wesseling section of its Rhineland refinery with help of a brand-new bio-power-to-liquid plant and an upgraded hydrogen electrolysis facility. On 26 Feb, the company announced its plans to increase the plant's hydrogen production capacity from 10-mws to 100-mw with help from ITM Power, ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH and industrial gases specialist Linde.

ITM Power manufactures polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers for hydrogen production via electro-chemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced via electrolysis is used for power-to-x, storage, decarbonizing industrial uses, and hydrogen for fuel cell products. (Source: Shell, 26 Feb., 2021)Contact: Shell, www.shell.com/newenergies; ITM Power, www.itm-power.com; Linde, www.linde.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel ,  SAF,  Shell,  Hydrogen,  

SK Group
Date: 2021-03-01
In Seoul, South Korean largest energy provider SK Group is reporting a $1.6 billion investment and strategic partnership with Latham, New York-headquartered hydrogen fuel cell specialist Plug Power Inc. to provide hydrogen fuel cell systems, hydrogen fueling stations and electrolyzers to Korean and other Asian markets.

Additionally SK Holdings, the holding company of SK Group, has established a Hydrogen Business Development Center comprised of members from SK's energy companies, including SK Innovation and SK E&S. The new Business Development Center will guide the companies' transition into the production and distribution of hydrogen energy, including the creation of a mass production facility and investments in global business opportunities. SK Group companies already are making strategic investments in their existing energy businesses and forming partnerships with global leaders in hydrogen energy technology. (Source: Sk Holdings, SK Group, PR, 27 Feb., 2021) Contact: Plug Power, Andy Marsh, CEO, 518-782-7700, www.plugpower.com; SK Group, www.skgroupinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SK Group,  Plug Power,  Hydrogen,  

Enegix Energy
Date: 2021-03-01
In the Land Down Under, Melbourne-based renewable energy company Enegix Energy has unveiled the Base One green hydrogen project cooperation agreement with the State Government of Ceara in Brazil, marking an investment of $5.4 billion (US).

Under the terms of the agreement, Enegix will set up the world's largest green hydrogen plant that will produce over 600 million kgs of green hydrogen per year from already contracted 3.4 GW of combined baseload wind and solar power through a partnership with Enerwind. The project, which will run on 100 pct renewable energy, is expected to take 3-4 years to construct.

According to Energix, Base One has the potential to reduce annual CO2e emissions by 10 million tons per year and would become "the single largest carbon emission reduction project in the world." (Source: Energix Energy, PR, 1 Mar, 2021) Contact: Energix Energy , Wesley Cooke, Founder and CEO, No contact information available at this time.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enegix Energy,  Green Hydrogen,  Renewable Energy,  

Date: 2021-02-26
In Paris, Atos International and HDF Energy are reporting plans to develop a complete end-to-end long-term solution to supply datacenters with green hydrogen generated by renewable energy in 2023.

Atos will supply the hardware, software, integration services and advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to optimize energy consumption. HDF Energy will supply a power plant which will provide predictable and firm electricity thanks to its high-powered fuel cells powered by green hydrogen derived from photovoltaic or wind farms.

Atos recently signed the Climate Neutral Datacenter Pact together with 35 other European companies and associations emphasizing the industry's contribution to the European Green Deal. (Source: Atos, PR, 24 Feb., 2021) Contact: Atos Lucie Duchateau , +33 (0)7 62 85 35 10, lucie.duchateau@atos.net, www.atos.net; HDF, Annick Latour, +33 (0)5 56 77 11 11, communication@hdf-energy.com, www.hdf-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Hydrogen,  

C-Zero
Date: 2021-02-22
As previously reported, Goleta-California-based C-Zero/ Decarbonizing Natural Gas has raised $11.5 million from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and other investors to advance its low-CO2 process for making hydrogen.

The technology, developed at the University of California, Santa Barbara, uses methane pyrolysis to split methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. The hydrogen can be used as a fuel or to make chemicals. Mitsubishi, which is developing hydrogen gas turbines, is also an investor in the methane pyrolysis firm Monolith Materials.

C-Zero's technology is a form of methane pyrolysis that uses innovative thermocatalysis to extract the carbon in natural gas as a dense solid. The company is developing a drop-in decarbonization system which can be placed in between the existing natural gas infrastructure and industrial natural gas consumers seeking to lower their carbon dioxide emissions, according to the company website. (Source: C-Zero, c&en, 22 Feb., 2021) Contact: C-Zero , www.czero.energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News C-Zero ,  Hydrogen,  Methane,  

Advent Technologies
Date: 2021-02-22
Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. an innovation-driven company in the fuel cell and hydrogen technology space, reports it has closed on its acquisition of UltraCell LLC , the wholly owned fuel cell division of Commack, New York-headquartered Bren-Tronics, Inc., a designer and producer of military rechargeable batteries, chargers, and power systems.

UltraCell's technology can use hydrogen or liquid fuels to deliver reliable power at a fraction of the weight of batteries. An UltraCell system is 3x-25x lighter in weight than the equivalent battery solution (depending on the application and use case).

UltraCell developed new technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanol, propane and JP8 - based fuel cells and continues to innovate in this rapidly emerging field. UltraCell was the first to commercialize reformed methanol fuel cell technology to provide clean, renewable energy to power portable electronics.

Advent's technology applies to electrification (fuel cells) and energy storage (flow batteries, hydrogen production) markets, which we commercialize through partnerships with Tier1s, OEMs, and System Integrators. (Source: Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc., PR, 22 Feb., 2021) Contact: Advent Technologies, www.advent.energy; UltraCell, Ian Kaye, ikaye@ultracell-llc.com, www.ultracell-llc.com, Bren-Tronics, Doug Petito dpetito@bren-tronics.com, www.bren-tronics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advent Technologies,  Energy Storage,  Fuel Cell,  

Enel Green Power
Date: 2021-02-19
Italian energy giant Enel reports its renewables subsidiary Enel Green Power has inked a Memorandum of Intent (moI) with energy generation technologies firm Saras for the development of a green hydrogen project in Sardinia.

The plan calls for a 20MW electrolyser powered by renewable energy produced onsite to produce green hydrogen to be used as a raw material in the Saras refinery in the province of Cagliari.

The development is in line with Enel's effort to transition to low-carbon energy technologies. (Source: Enel, PR, Smart Energy, 15 Feb., 2021) Contact: Enel Green Power, Salvatore Bernabei, CEO , Saras, Dario Scaffardi, CEO, +39 070 90911, Fax: +39 070 900209, www.saras.it/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power,  Green Hydrogen,  

American Petroleum Institute
Date: 2021-02-17
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is reporting receipt of $100 million funding under the US DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy programme. The program aims to identify and develop innovative technologies to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and tackle climate change.

According to API, over the past decade, the oil and gas industry has provided low-cost natural gas, while reducing CO2 emissions in the electric power sector and addressing methane emissions. Methane emissions have declined by nearly 70 pct between 2011 and 2019 in five of the largest US oil and gas producing regions, according to the EPA's new Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data.

API notes its members are already investing in direct air carbon capture, carbon capture use astorage, CCS, decarbonisation infrastructure such as CO2 pipelines, sustainable and efficient fuels, and lower cost, low-carbon hydrogen. (Source: API. PR, Website, 16 Feb., 2021) Contact: API, Mike Sommers, CEO, (202) 682-8114, www.api.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Petroleum Institute,  GHG,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  Methane,  

Dominion Energy
Date: 2021-02-17
Dominion Energy reports it could invest up to $72 billion through 2035 to transition its primary power source from fossil fuels to emissions-free, clean fuel alternatives.

The company expects to invest $32 billion through 2025 to clean up its emissions profile as follows: $17 billion for zero-carbon generation -- offshore wind, nuclear power life extensions , solar energy and energy storage; $6 billion on electricity transmission and distribution projects such as making its system more resilient to cyber and climate threats; $6 billion on customer growth and other related activities; $3 billion on natural gas distribution modernization and renewable natural gas systems. More than 80 pct of those investments will reduce emissions.

Specifically, the company noted:

$17 billion for offshore wind projects, including an estimated $8 billion to build a 2.6 GW offshore wind project in Virginia that it hopes to complete by the end of 2026;

$20 billion on solar projects expanding the company's capacity from 2.2 GW to 13.4 GW by 2035;

$7 billion for energy storage projects;

$4 billion to extend the life of its zero-emission nuclear power plants;

$15 billion on electric grid transformation projects and $9 billion on natural gas distribution modernization projects and renewable natural gas.

Roughly $72 billion by 2035 would increase the company's zero-carbon power sources from 45 pct in 2020 to 70 pct by 2035 while improving its zero- and low-carbon sources from 90 pct to 95 pct. Dominion is also investing in early-stage hydrogen projects. (Source: Dominion Energy, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Dominion Energy Virginia, Emil Avram, VP Bus. Dev., www.dominionenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dominion Energy,  Renewable Energy,  Low-Carbon Energy,  

Southern California Gas
Date: 2021-02-15
Southern California Gas Co. reports will provide $1.3 million in funding for the development of four hydrogen fuel technologies that could provide emissions-free transportation for railways and at ports in California and around the world.

The Southern California Gas funding is in addition to $10.4 million R&D funding from the California Energy Commissions (CEC) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstrations in Rail and Marine Applications at Ports grant program. bringing the total funding to $11.7 million.

Maritime fuel cell maker Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine Inc., research organization Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and the nonprofit CALSTART are among the funding recipients.

According to SoCalGas, the goal is to bring to market innovative clean hydrogen technologies, including fuel-cell marine vessels, hydrogen refueling stations at ports, and fuel cell locomotives. (Source: SoCalGas, PR, My News LA, Feb., 2021) Contact: SoCalGas, Neil Navin, VP Clean Energy Innovations, www.socalgas.com; CALSTART, www.calstart.org; GTI, 847-768-0500 847-768-0501 -- fax, info@gti.energy, www.gti.energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southern California Gas,  GTI,  CALSTART ,  California Energy Commission,  Hydrogen,  

AW-Energy Oy
Date: 2021-02-15
Finland-based AW-Energy Oy is touting its combined WaveRoller and HydrogenHub process wave energy device that when combined with other renewable energy sources, can significantly reduce green hydrogen production costs .

Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy -- such as combining wave energy with solar -- to power electrolysis that splits water into its constituent parts. It is regarded as a leading approach in the journey to decarbonise emission-intensive industries and transport sectors. A $2/kg price is widely believed to represent a potential tipping point that will make green hydrogen and its derivative fuels the energy source of choice across multiple sectors, which includes steel manufacturing, fertilizer production, power generation, and shipping where vast near-term demand exists across Europe and internationally.

Green ammonia, a derivative of green hydrogen, is also being assessed as a way to displace fossil fuels in thermal power generation, greatly decreasing the emissions intensity of existing energy infrastructure.

The growth in green hydrogen production using wave energy could potentially be a cost-effective solution in reaching the world's latest hydrogen goals, according to the AW-Energy release. (Source: AW-Energy Oy, PR, 11 Feb., 2021) Contact: AW-Energy Oy, Christopher Ridgewell, CEO, info@aw-energy.com, www.aw-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News AW-Energy Oy,  Wave Energy,  Green Hydrogen ,  

TECO 2030 ASA,Slattland
Date: 2021-02-15
In Norway, Oslo headquartered-based TECO 2030 ASA reports it is partnering with the Rakkestad, Ostfold-based mechanical engineering group Slattland to explore possible cooperation within a range of emission-reducing projects, including hydrogen fuel cells, energy storage, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen competence development and other opportunities.

TECO 2030 is an innovative engineering and equipment development company aiming to significantly increase the use of renewable energy, specifically in the form of hydrogen fuel. cells, and reduce the environmental footprint of the shipping industry. TECO 2030 recently announced a partnership with Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in Holland to develop zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell propulsion on all types of river vessels, such as push tugs, dredgers, passenger and cargo ships and low-profile coasters, according to the company website.

Slattland operates in offshore and marine, hydrogen and wind power, carbon capture and energy sectors. (Source: TECO 2030, PR, Green Car Congress, 13 Feb., 2021) Contact: TECO 2030 ASA, +47 67 200 300 -- Oslo HQ, (305) 833 6510 -- Miami Office, www.teco2030.no; Slattland, 47 69 22 73 73, www.slattlend.no

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fuel Cell,  Hydrogen,  Renewable Energy,  CCS,  ,  

Iberdrola,European Innovation Council
Date: 2021-02-15
Iberdrola Group, in collaboration with the European Innovation Council's Energy4Planet initiative, has launched a new Startup Challenge through its International Startup Programme (PERSEO) which aims to discover innovative solutions to decarbonize industrial processes, through the automatisation of the design and the further integration of clean technologies and energy efficiency measures.

Iberdrola is looking to help these industries on their energy transition, searching for ad-hoc solutions for factories to improve the efficiency of the energy used while reducing CO2 emissions in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. The solutions submitted must meet the following needs:

Automation project design for decarbonisation of industrial processes using software tools;

Hybridisation of clean technologies, for example: heat pumps, electric furnaces, energy efficiency measures, green hydrogen or self-consumption by distributed renewable energy;

Energy Consumption and Savings simulations; and

Project finance calculations based on project.

CAPEX and OPEX inputs: Investment Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Periods (PB).

The proposals will be analysed based on criteria of scalability, replicability, ease of implementation and integration of ad-hoc decarbonisation solutions for industrial plants.

The selected project will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from the Iberdrola Industrial Heating and Cooling area. Iberdrola will collaboration on the development of a proof-of-concept and may offer the winner the opportunity to scale up the solution by means of commercial agreements. Additionally, PERSEO may consider investing in the participant.

Download Industrial Heat Challenge details HERE. (Source: Iberdrola, Pei, 14 Feb., 2021) Contact: European Innovation Council, ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/european-innovation-council-eic-pilot; Iberdrola, +34 91 784 32 32, comunicacioncorporativa@iberdrola.es, www.iberdrola.es

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iberdrola,  

Climate Change
Date: 2021-02-12
In Washington, the White House (WH) has announced a new Climate Innovation Working Group as part of the National Climate Task Force to advance President Biden's commitment to Advanced Research Projects Agency-Climate (ARPA-C).

The working group is intended to help coordinate and strengthen federal government-wide efforts to foster affordable, game-changing technologies that can help achieve the goal of net-zero economy-wide emissions by 2050. The Climate Innovation Working Group will focus on:

Zero net carbon buildings at zero net cost, including carbon-neutral construction materials;

Energy storage at one-tenth the cost of today's alternatives;

Advanced energy system management tools to plan for and operate a grid powered by zero-carbon power plants;

Very low-cost zero-carbon on-road vehicles and transit systems;

New, sustainable fuels for aircraft and ships, as well as improvements in broader aircraft and ship efficiency and transportation management;

Affordable refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps made without refrigerants that warm the planet;

Carbon-free heat and industrial processes that capture emissions for making steel, concrete, chemicals, and other important industrial products;

Carbon-free hydrogen at a lower cost than hydrogen made from polluting alternatives;

Innovative soil management, plant biologies, and agricultural techniques to remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the ground; and

Direct air capture systems and retrofits to existing industrial and power plant exhausts to capture carbon dioxide and use it to make alternative products or permanently sequester it deep underground.

The Climate Innovation Working Group will also emphasize research to bolster and build critical clean energy supply chains in the U.S. and strengthen American manufacturing and coordinate climate innovation across the federal government, research and universities. (Source: White House, PR, 12 Feb., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

Real Energy Corporation
Date: 2021-02-12
In the Land Down Under, oil and gas exploration and development company Real Energy reports its is partnering with hydrogen project developer Port Anthony Renewables to develop and construct a 20-tpd hydrogen production facility at Port Anthony, 200 km southeast of Melbourne in Victoria State.

The Pure Hydrogen International joint venture is comprised of Real Energy's wholly owned offshoot Pure Hydrogen and Liberty Hydrogen.

The Port Anthony project, which was originally being developed by Liberty Hydrogen, is expected to use an electrolyser to produce hydrogen, powered by electricity sourced through either "blue" or "green" power purchase agreements. The project is one of four hydrogen manufacturing and distribution hubs Pure Hydrogen is planning for Australia's East Coast, according to the release. (Source: Real Energy, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Real Energy Corp., 61 (02) 9955 4008, Fax -- +61 (02) 9954 6408, admin@realenergy.com.au,www.realenergy.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  

Amazon, Shell, Eneco
Date: 2021-02-10
In the Netherlands, the Amazon-Shell HKN (Hollandse Kust Noord) Offshore Wind Project is targeting a 2023 launch. The project will comprise a floating solar park, short-term battery storage, optimally tuned turbines, and "green hydrogen" made by electrolysis as a further storage technique.

The offshore wind farm will be operated by the Crosswind Consortium, a joint venture between energy companies Shell and Eneco, and have an overall capacity of 759MW, half of which is being purchased by Amazon to power its European operations .

The project is the e-commerce giant's largest single-site renewables project to date. In December, Amazon announced it will invest in 26 wind and solar projects totaling 3.4GW of electricity production capacity. (Source: Amazon, PR, Energy 8 Feb., 2021) Contact: Eneco, Kees-Jan Rameau, Strategic Growth Officer, www.eneco.com; Amazon, amazon-pr@amazon.com, www.amazon.com/pr; Shell, www.shell.com/newenergies; Crosswind Consortium, www.crosswindhkn.nl

More Low-Carbon Energy News Amazon,  Shell,  Eneco,  Wind,  Renewable Energy,  

Date: 2021-02-10
In the U.S., eleven companies -- Air Liquide, Anglo American, Bloom Energy, CF Industries, Chart Industries, Cummins Inc., Hyundai, Linde, McDermott, Shell and Toyota -- have formed Hydrogen Forward coalition focused on advancing hydrogen development nationwid.

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,  

Ammonia
Date: 2021-02-10
In Tokyo, Japan's government and corporate sector have reported drawn up plans to use ammonia, which doesn't emit carbon dioxide when burned, as a fuel for thermal power plants. The government considers ammonia a next-generation fuel, along with hydrogen, in its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

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,  

Southern California Gas
Date: 2021-02-10
Southern California Gas Co.(SoCalGas) reports it will add $1.3 million in funding to support the development of four hydrogen fuel technologies that could provide emissions-free transportation for railways and at ports in the Golden State.

The four R&D projects were selected for $10.4 million funding from the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstrations in Rail and Marine Applications at Ports grant program. Project partners include maritime fuel cell maker Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine Inc., research organization Gas Technology Institute (GTI)and the Pasadena-based nonprofit CALSTART.

According to SoCalGas, the goal is to bring to market innovative clean hydrogen technologies, including fuel-cell marine vessels, hydrogen refueling stations at ports, and fuel cell locomotives. (Source: SoCalGas, PR, My News LA, Feb., 2021) Contact: SoCalGas, Neil Navin, VP Clean Energy Innovations, www.socalgas.com; CALSTART, www.calstart.org; California Energy Commission, www.energy.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commission,  Calstart,  Fuel Cell,  Southern California Gas,  Hydrogen,  

Navistar, OneH2, GM
Date: 2021-02-01
Lisle, Illinois-headquartered heavy truck maker Navistar reports plans to start selling low-emission hydrogen-electric powered heavy trucks equipped with GM "power cubes" within three years under a partnership with GM and Hickory, N.C.-based distributor OneH2.

According to Navistar, its trucks will have a range of 500 miles or more on a single charge and can be refueled in less than 15 minutes. OneH2 will set up fueling stations either by trucking hydrogen to terminals or through small hydrogen generation units, the companies said in a statement. The ost of running Navistar's International RH fuel cell electric vehicles is expected to be comparable to diesel in certain markets. They are expected to be commercially available sometime in 2024 to run routes with OneH2 refueling stations. (Source: Navistar, PR, 28 Jan., 2021) Contact: Navistar, 331-332-5000,www.navistar.com/navistar; OneH2, 844-996-6342, www.oneh2.com

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

NOVATEK, Baker Hughes
Date: 2021-02-01
Houston-headquartered energy technology firm Baker Hughes and Russian natural gas giant NOVATEK are reporting a cooperation agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions from natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.

The two companies will cooperate on the development and implementation of innovative compression and power generation technology solutions from Baker Hughes for NOVATEK's LNG projects, supporting NOVATEK's emissions reduction, raising efficiency and supporting long-term sustainability.

The agreement will begin with a pilot program to introduce hydrogen blends into the main process for natural gas liquefaction to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from LNG facilities, including NOVATEK's Yamal LNG complex.

Baker Hughes will provide engineering and turbomachinery equipment to convert existing natural gas liquefaction trains at Yamal LNG to run on hydrogen blends rather than solely run with methane from feed gas. (Source: Baker Hughes, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Baker Huighes, Jud Bailey, 281-809-9088, investor.relations@bakerhughes.com, www. bakerhughes.com; NOVATEK, www.novatek.ru

More Low-Carbon Energy News NOVATEK,  Baker Hughes,  LNG,  ,  Carbon Emissions,  LNG,  

UPM
Date: 2021-01-29
Helsinki-headquartered UPM reports it is advancing its biofuels growth plans and has begun engineering work on 500,000 tpy renewable transportation and sustainable jet fuel in Kotka, Finland and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. UPM will now proceed with a detailed commercial and basic engineering study to define the business case, select the most innovative technology option and estimate the investment need.

The technology concept includes the use of green hydrogen in the production process.

"The planned biorefinery would scale up UPM's biofuels business to a new level. At the same time, it would further improve long term competitiveness and sustainability performance of UPM Biofuels by introducing several sustainable feedstocks and achieving uniquely high CO2 emission reduction compared to biofuels currently in the market," according to UPM, CTO Jyrki Ovaska. (Source: UPM-Kymmene Corp., PR, Website, 28 Jan., 2021) Contact: UPM, Jyrki Ovaska, CTO, +358 204 150 564, www.upm.com, www.upmbiofuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM,  Biofuel,  

Repsol
Date: 2021-01-29
Repsol is reporting the H24All project consortium has presented an application for European Green Deal funding to develop Europe's first 100 MW alkaline electrolyzer plant which will be connected to a Repsol industrial site. The technology will be demonstrated in real operation according to end-users' needs and market requirements for low-carbon hydrogen production and to boost the use of renewable hydrogen by reducing the cost to close to €3/kg H2.

The 15 member consortium of research centers, material suppliers, engineering firms specializing in electrolyzers, auto makers and others, aims to pave the way for a new and competitive hydrogen industry based on European know-how through innovation by developing, building, operating, and demonstrating the sustainability of a 100 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer. Consortium partners are from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Spain, and Turkey.

In other Repsol news, on 21 Jan. the company reported production of the first 10,000 tonnes of aviation biofuel from biomass at its industrial complex in Tarragona in Spain. Additional aviation biofuel production is planned at the group's other industrial complexes in Spain. Last August the company reported production of its first batch of biofuel at the Puertollano Industrial Complex.

According to Spain's Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate, biofuels currently represent the most widely available and used renewable technology in transportation. In certain sectors, such as aviation, biojet fuel produced from biomass or waste is the only existing alternative to fossil fuels and is included in the list of sustainable fuels, according to the Plan. (Source: Repsol, PR 21, 27 Jan., 2021) Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal ,  Repsol,  Hydrogen,  Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel,  

LAVO
Date: 2021-01-27
Australia-based LAVO is touting its hybrid hydrogen Green Energy Storage System as a replacement for lithium-ion battery units, which leave a massive carbon footprint during production.

The Green Energy Storage System for residential solar systems can store more than 40 kWh of electricity which is supposedly enough for days of off-grid power for an average household. Measuring 66 x 49 x 15.7 inches and weighing 714 lbs, the system's Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to monitor and control energy usage remotely. (Source: LAVO, Website, PR, Men Gear, Jan., 2021) Contact: LAVO, Alan Yu, Pres. www.lavo.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage news,  Hydrogen news,  Solar news,  

Enviva Biomass
Date: 2021-01-25

Together renewable fuels will further displace coal and natural gas -- As countries take aggressive action on climate change to decarbonize their respective economies by 2050, the direction is clear -- all carbon-neutral and carbon-negative renewable fuels will need to work together if we want to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. As the global energy demand for alternative fuels increase, 2021 will mark a turning point for the industry as wind, solar, geothermal, woody biomass, hydrogen, and lithium-ion battery energy providers (among others) make a collective and coordinated effort to combat the global climate crisis.

The aftermath of COVID-19 will push economies into a renewable future -- The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed how societies, businesses, and governments view the world. As various industries saw a decline in the demand for products and/or services throughout the pandemic, the energy industry witnessed the opposite. Energy production and distribution remained essential regardless of the pandemic.

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.

Europe will continue to be the "Poster Child" for renewable energy implementation, but there will be some regulatory uncertainty. -- Delivering Europe's long-term ambition to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 requires an extensive set of urgent measures to scale up action. At the very least, the world-leading sustainability criteria established by the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII) will need to be fully implemented by all member states if Europe plans to meet their 2030 and 2050 emission reduction goals. At best, member states will need to further amend the directive if they wish to succeed in cutting carbon emissions by 55 pct in the next decade from 1990 levels.

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% on a lifecycle basis.

Biomass to assist the development and deployment of a hydrogen economy -- 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, they too will look to bioenergy solutions for support.

BECCS on the short rise -- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one of the very few options on the table that can remove carbon from the atmosphere. Once matured, BECCS could mark the beginning of a new era for low-carbon fuel applications that will enable us to meet and/or exceed international net zero targets while still enjoying air travel and heavy goods transport, which is difficult and very expensive to decarbonize. We expect 2021 will be the year that we see true progress in climate change mitigation, as a result of new initiatives/policies, new innovations, and new collaborations that are already taking shape.

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

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ENVIVA
Date: 2021-01-25
The following has been submitted by the world's largest industrial wood pellets producer, ENVIVA Holdings LP:

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.

Biomass to assist the development and deployment of a hydrogen economy -- 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,  Woody Biomass,  Wood Pellet,  Renewable Fuel,  CCS,