Terrapin Geothermics
Date: 2019-11-06
On the Canadian prairies, Edmonton, Alberta-based Terrapin Geothermics is reporting Alberta's first geothermal power plant has been given the nod by the government of Alberta to begin testing the geothermal potential for its Greenview geothermal power project in the Municipal District of Greenview.

The testing will allow Terrapin to apply for required provincial regulatory approvals for the project, the first of its kind in the province.

The $50 million (Cdn) project is being partially funded by Natural Resources Canada and is expected to be completed in three years. The 5 MW project is a joint venture between Terrapin Geothermaics, PC Construction and the Municipal District of Greenview. (Source: Terrapin Geothermics, Hydrogen News, Nov., 2019) Contact: Terrapin Geothermics, (780) 232-0339, www.terrapingeo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Geothermal,  

Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW)
Date: 2019-11-04
Data from the Stuttgart, Germany-based Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW) is suggesting that if wind and solar energy yields in Q4 this year equal the average of the last few years, renewable energy could amount to 42 pct of the country's energy consumption in 2019 -- a nearly 5 pct increase over the same period in 2018 (38.1 pct).

The data noted that solar, wind and other renewable sources generated around 183 billion kWh of electricity in the first three quarters of 2019. Renewables accounted for nearly 50 per cent more energy production than lignite and bituminous coal, which contributed 125 billion kWh to the total. Onshore wind power remained the leading source of renewable energy in the period under review with nearly 72 billion kWh followed by PV at 41 billion kWh. (Source: Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg, Power Engineering, 2 Nov., 2019)Contact: Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW), +49 (0)711 78 70-0, +49 (0)711 78 70-100 - fax., info@zsw-bw.de, www.zsw-bw.de; German Association of Energy and Water Management, en.dwa.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Germany Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

AF Poyry,St1
Date: 2019-11-04
Helsinki-headquartered St1 reports it has awarded Gothenburg, Sweden engineering firm AF Poyry with engineering contracts for a new renewable fuel production plant to be built in Gothenburg, Sweden. At a cost of SEK 1.5 billion ($156.2 million), the project is St1's largest ever.

AF Poyry's services includes all engineering, procurement and scheduling services. The project consists of new units, revamp of existing units and new storage facilities. The new plant will produce approximately 200,000 tpy of renewable fuel in the form of HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils), a renewable transport fuel that can be blended into diesel or replace diesel. Production is expected to start early in 2022.

St1 Nordic OyThe Group researches and develops economically viable, environmentally sustainable energy solutions. St1 focuses on fuels marketing activities, oil refining and renewable energy solutions such as waste-based advanced ethanol fuels and industrial wind power. The Group has 1300 St1 and Shell branded retail stations in Finland, Sweden and Norway. (Source: AF Poyry, PR, 4 Nov., 2019) Contact: AF Povry , www.poyry.com; St1 Nordic Oy, www.st1.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News St!,  Biofuel,  Renewable Fuel,  Biodiesel,  

University of Southern Denmark
Date: 2019-10-30
In Odense, University of Southern Denmark esearchers are reporting the production of sustainable, green aviation fuel from readily available carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and biogas.

The idea is that biogas from manure, straw, food waste or wastewater is supplied to hydrogen, which is obtained by splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis. The resultant "electro fuels" can be used for climate-friendly alternatives including aviation fuel. The report was prepared in collaboration with the Nordic aviation industry and engineering consultancy agency NIRAS. (Source: University of Southern Denmark, NIRAS, Xinhua, 29 Oct., 2019) Contact: University of Southern Denmark, Prof. Henrik Wenzel, +65 507 374, +65 507,454, henrik.wenzel@kbm.sdu.dk, www.sdu.dk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Biogas,  

OxEon Energy.
Date: 2019-10-21
Last week's US DOE report of $73 million in total grant funding for 35 bioenergy R&D projects included Salt Lake City area-based OxEon Energy Llc.

OxEon is proposing an efficient method of producing biofuel from dairy-yogart manufacturing process biological wastes from a yogurt plant in Idaho. OxEon instruments will break down biogas released by decomposing waste into carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, the building blocks of hydrocarbons, then put these blocks together into usable hydrocarbon fuels.

OxEon Energy LLC was started in 2017 and has had significant success in attracting commercial, state, and federal government business utilizing its core capabilities in energy transformation technologies. The company expects further growth in its core technologies of high temperature electrolysis, hydrocarbon reforming, synthetic fuel production and power generation by high temperature fuel cells, according to the company website. (Source: OxEon Energy Llc, Utah Public Radio, 16 Oct., 2019)Contact: OxEon Energy, Lynn Frost, CEO, 801-677-3000, www.oxeonenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Biogas,  

Aroura Energy Research
Date: 2019-10-18
In a recently published report, Oxford, UK-headquartered Aurora Energy Research notes the UK will need more than 100GW of additional wind and solar capacity and 30GW of short duration energy storage to meet its net-zero grid system obligations.

The report presupposes capacity increases of more than 100GW of solar and wind, rising from 33GW today to more than 140GW in 2050, as well as 20GW of new nuclear and the inclusion of 3GW of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the system.

In this scenario, there could be an 'excess' in renewable generation of 185TWh by 2050. Aurora suggests this could be used to produce hydrogen to decarbonise heating, transport or industry, however. To meet these necessary increases in storage and flexibility, Aurora has called on government, Ofgem, and the system operator to follow three principles: price the externalities, define the system needs and to let the market decide.

Aurora Energy Research is a consultancy which offers data-driven analytics on European and global energy markets to provide intelligence on the global energy transformation through forecasts, reports, forums and consultancy services. (Source: Aroura Energy Research, Current News UK, 16 Oct., 2019) Contact: Aurora Energy Research, Ana Barillas, Principal, Richard Howard, Research Director, +44 (0) 1865 952 700, oxfordoffice@auroraer.com, www.auroraer.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions
Date: 2019-10-14
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp., reports a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesian state-owned electricity company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to build hydrogen-based energy systems with zero CO2 emission to meet electrical power in Indonesia's remote areas. The MoU is particularly aimed at accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-based autonomous energy supply system -- H2One™ -- in Indonesia, according to the Toshiba release.

Toshiba ESS and PLN will evaluate viable technologies and policies necessary for an advanced adoption of the commercial H2One&trade -- an integrated system that uses a renewable energy source to electrolyze hydrogen from water, and stores and uses the hydrogen in fuel cells to provide a stable delivery of CO2-free, environmentally-friendly electricity and hot water.

According to Indonesia's Electricity Power Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), the country aims to increase the ratio of its capacity of renewal energy facility from 12.52 percent in 2017 to 23 pct by 2025. (Source: Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Antara, 13 Oct., 2019) Contact: Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. www.toshiba-energy.com; Perusahaan Listrik Negara, www.pln.co.id

More Low-Carbon Energy News Toshiba Energy,  Carbon Free Energy,  

Cryo Shipping
Date: 2019-10-02
Bergen, Norway-based LNG, hydrogen and biogas bunkering services provider Cryo Shipping is reporting receipt of Norwegian government grant funding to develop infrastructure solutions for the supply of hydrogen as a marine fuel. The company notes it is cooperating with major players in the hydrogen industry, and is looking to serve Norwegian shipowners who are taking early positions in fully renewable marine fuels.

According to Cryo Shipping, "Hydrogen as marine fuel is in an early phase, and we still have a way to go with regards to developing suitable concepts, technical solutions, regulations and operational requirements." (Source: Cryo Shipping, Spalash 247, 1 Oct., 2019) Contact: Cryo Shipping, Nicholai H. Olsen, Managing Director, +47 926 55 953, nho@cryo-shipping.com, www.cryo-shipping.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cryo Shipping,  Marine Fuel,  Hydrogen,  

University of Alberta, Forge Hydrocarbon
Date: 2019-09-27
Prof. Dr. David Bressler, researcher at the University of Alberta reports development of a hydrocarbon fuel from lipid wastes that could allow renewable biofuels to be used as jet fuel.

Unlike ethanol and other biofuels, this technology can use lower quality oils in its production, allowing it to not only release an estimated 85 pct less carbon emissions than petroleum-based fuels, according to Bressler.

Bressler's lab is considering two options for producing jet biofuel -- a low-risk approach which requires giving their hydrocarbon biofuel another treatment and adding in hydrogen or to continue work on already partially developed chemistry which would keep the fuel stable, even at lower temperatures.

The University of Alberta spin-off company Forge Hydrocarbons is working on commercializing the product as airlines and both the Canadian and American militaries are increasingly investing in the renewable option. Currently, Forge runs a pilot plant near Edmonton's Waste Management Centre that is expected to produce around 19 million lpy of biofuel. (Source: University of Alberta, 26 Sept., 2019) Contact: University of Alberta in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, Prof. Dr. David Bressler, 780-492-4986, dbressle@ualberta.ca, www.ualberta.ca; Forge Hydrocarbons, 905-815-7786, thaig@forgehc.com, www.forgehc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Jet Biofuel,  Forge Hydrocarbons,  

Israel Institute of Technology
Date: 2019-09-18
Researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) are reporting development of an efficient, inexpensive, environmentally-friendly and safe hydrogen (H2) production technology.

Currently, most hydrogen production is derived from fossil fuel, and its production involves processes that emit carbon dioxide (CO2) -- which accelerates global warming. The main alternative so far is water electrolysis, where two electrodes -- anode and cathode -- are placed in alkaline or acid enriched water that increases conductivity. In response to passing an electrical current between the electrodes, the water molecules (H2O) are broken down into their chemical elements, such that hydrogen gas (H2) is produced near the cathode and oxygen (O2) is produced near the anode.

The energy efficiency of electrolysis is only about 75 pct and requires high electricity consumption. The new Technion E-TAC water splitting technology, improves hydrogen production efficiency to 98.7 pct and significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

Worldwide, about 65 million tpy of hydrogen is produced worth about $130 billion. (Source: Israel Institute of Technology, China.org.cn, Xinhua, 15 Sept., 2019) Contact: Israel Institute of Technology, www.technion.ac.il

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  

American Public Transit Association
Date: 2019-09-11
The American Public Transit Association (APTA) reports the share of conventional diesel buses in public transit fleets dropped from 70 pct to 42 pct and were replaced with alternative fuels -- CNG, LNG, Biodiesel -- and advanced hybrid drive-trains powered vehicles in 2017 and 2018.

In the ten-year period from 2008 to 2018, natural gas and diesel hybrid drive-trains have replaced the greatest share of diesel buses followed by biodiesel, propane, hydrogen and electric. (Source: American Public Transportation Association, 2019 Public Transportation Fact Book, Washington, DC, April 2019, Green Car Congress, 10 Sept., 2019) Contact: American Public Transit Association, (202) 496-4324, www.apta.com

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

Hydrogen Fuel
Date: 2019-09-11
South Korean automaker Hyundai is reporting the opening of the world's first hydrogen transportation fuel refilling station in the complex of the National Assembly in Seoul. The facility will be operated by Hydrogen Energy Network (HyNet).

HyNet, new Special Purpose Company (SPC) and a joint venture (JV) between auto manufacturer Hyundai a dozen other leading industrial companies, aims to expand the hydrogen fueling infrastructure in South Korea by installing 100 stations by 2022 and to operate them until 2029.

The city of Seoul also plans to build 11 hydrogen station within the capital city by 2022 and to provide more than 3,000 units of fuel cell electric vehicles by the same year. (Source: Hyundai, The Korea Herald/Asia News Network , 10 Sept., 2019) Contact: HyNet, www.nelhydrogen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Alternative Fuel,  

Wood Pellet Association of Canada
Date: 2019-09-09
Since 2017, the government of Canada has been developing the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), a low carbon fuel standard-type policy, to reduce the life-cycle carbon intensity of fuels and energy used in Canada. The CFS aims to achieve 30 million tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) of annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030.

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) has been providing input to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as it works to design and shape the CFS. And, upon review of ECCC's proposed regulatory approach, WPAC is seriously concerned that the government will not allow end-use fuel switching in the buildings/stationary fuel use sector.

WPAC believes it is unfair for ECCC to recognize fuel switching from gasoline to electricity or hydrogen in transportation, but not to recognize switching from heating oil to solid biofuels -- wood pellets or chips -- for Canada's second largest renewable energy product -- solid biomass heating. To that end, WPAC made the following representations to ECCC:

One of the three primary objectives of the CFS is low-cost compliance. By prohibiting recognition of fuel switching for stationary applications, ECCC will actually significantly increase the cost of CFS compliance, exclude the forest sector from participation in the short-term, and inhibit investment in the most proven commercial technology for displacement of heating oil -- wood pellet and chip boilers.

Canada consumes approximately three billion lpy of heating oil, the majority of which is consumed by Canadians in rural and Atlantic Canada. The latter accounts for 44 pct of heating oil consumption in the residential sector and 50 pct of heating oil consumption in the commercial/institutional sectors. Rural and Atlantic Canada also have among the lowest per capita income. ECCC's proposed regulatory approach will make CFS compliance for these low-income areas significantly more expensive than for those living in cities.

Under ECCC's proposed regulatory approach, the principal mechanism for ensuring compliance from heating oil primary suppliers will be to blend renewable diesel with heating oil. Since heating oil has low carbon intensity (CI) relative to other liquid fuels and much of the crude used to produce heating oil is sourced from outside of Canada, there is less opportunity for upstream reductions than with other liquid fuels. The 2030 target of 74 g CO2e/MJ is less than heating oil combustion emissions, meaning upstream efficiency improvements will be insufficient to meet the requirements. The only heating oil-miscible fuel that can also be stored outside in winter, as is often the case with heating oil, is renewable diesel.

Renewable diesel has a useful heat fuel cost of $65-82 per gigajoule (GJ) ($234-295 per MWh. In contrast, wood pellets, at $300-350 per tonne for residential sales, have a useful heat fuel cost of $20-24 per GJ. Wood pellets also have half the of default renewable diesel (29 g CO2e/MJ). Wood chips are half the carbon intensity of wood pellets which means, on an implied carbon price basis and assuming wholesale $0.75 per litre for heating oil, blending renewable diesel with heating oil has a fuel cost of $630/ per tonne CO2e to 884 per tonne CO2e. Switching from heating oil to wood pellets saves money on a fuel basis, in addition to avoiding taxes on heating oil. In this case, there is little reason to implement a complex policy such as the CFS.

Despite the billions of dollars invested in lignocellulosic liquid transportation biofuels, all technologies are still pre-commercial -- especially forest feedstock-based liquid transportation biofuels due to the recalcitrant structure of wood fibre. Co-processing of pyrolysis oil or biocrude in existing oil refineries at a meaningful volume will not occur before 2030. The forest sector represents over 75 pct of annually-available biomass resources in Canada and its exclusion from participation in the liquids class will dramatically increase the cost of fuel, especially in rural communities where wood chips and bioheat are a cost efficient and convenient source of energy. (Source: WPAC, Canadian Biomass, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 26 Aug., 2019) Contact: Wood Pellet Association of Canada, Gordon Murra, Exec. Dir., ; Environment and Climate Change Canada, www.canada.ca › environment-climate-change

More Low-Carbon Energy News Environment and Climate Change Canada,  Wood Pellet Association of Canada,  Woody Biomass,  Wood Pellet ,  

Rice University
Date: 2019-09-06
In Houston, researchers at Rice University report they've developed a cleaner and more efficient process to turn CO2 into a feedstock for chemicals and fuel -- including ethanol and propanol -- for electric power generation without using oil, natural gas or coal. Researchers developed an electrolyzer that uses carbon dioxide and electricity from renewable sources to produce purified, high concentrations of formic acid, a feedstock in the petrochemical industry for various products.

Typically, producing liquid fuel with an electrolyzer is costly and energy-intensive, since the process requires mixing CO2 in a liquid electrolyte, such as salty water, to conduct electricity. At the end of the reaction, the salts have to be removed from the end product, which takes more energy and money. The Rice research team was able to eliminate the need for the salt by using solid, highly conductive fibers to conduct the electricity. As a result, the end product is a purer fuel and cheaper to produce.

Using CO2 to produce liquid fuels could allow more power to be stored in less space. Formic acid can produce 1,000 times the energy of the same volume of hydrogen gas. Similarly, the process can provide a use for excess energy generated by renewable energy sources, providing the electricity to power the electrolyzer to create fuels. In essence, the excess energy is being stored as a new product. The electrolyzer could also be used to create ethanol and propanol fuels. (Source: Rice University, Houston Chronicle, 5 Sept., 2019) Contact: Rice University, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineer Haotian Wang, Lead Researcher, 713-348-0000, htwang@rice.edu, chbe.rice.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  Carbon Dioxide,  Rice University,  Alternative Fuel,  Ethanol,  Propanol,  

Oil & Gas Technology Center
Date: 2019-09-04
In the UK, the Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Center (OGTC) , in partnership with industry, reports it will create a new Net-Zero Solution Center to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to de-carbonize offshore operations and develop the UKCS as the first net-zero oil and gas basin globally, supporting the industry's Roadmap 2035.

The Center will focus on developing technologies to reduce operational carbon emissions, working with other parts of the energy sector to create integrated solutions and re-purposing infrastructure to accelerate carbon capture usage and storage, hydrogen production and gas-to-wire capacity.

BP, Shell, Wood, Chrysaor, Aker Solutions, INEOS, CNOOC International, Total, Siemens and Equinor are among the project's backers. (Source: Offshore Engineering, OGUK, PR, 3 Sept., 2019) Contact: Oil & Gas Technology Center, Colette Cohen, CEO, +44 1224 063200, www.theogtc.com

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

University of Toledo
Date: 2019-08-30
In Ohio, the University of Toledo is reportedly slated to receive a $750,000 award from the U.S. DOE Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Energy Technology for the development of low-cost, unassisted photoelectrochemical water-splitting technology -- the process of separation of water into oxygen and hydrogen which has clean energy sector applications. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy contributed to this project. (Source: University of Toledo Blade, 29 Aug., 2019) Contact: University of Toledo, (800) 586-5336, www.utoledo.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Technologies Funding,  

Science and Technology Select Committee
Date: 2019-08-26
In London, the UK the government's Science and Technology Select Committee is warning country will miss its legally binding net-zero 2050 target with "dire consequences" unless climate policies are rapidly implemented.

In its warning, the Committee notes Governments policies and efforts to reduce emissions have been undermined by "unacceptable" grant funding cutbacks and policies to improve residential and other building energy efficiency. Hitting the target requires efforts to cut carbon emissions from heating systems, improve home energy efficiency, tackle vehicle pollution, support onshore wind and solar power and sustain nuclear power without growing the industry, the report said.

The committee's report calls government to advance a previous;y imposed ban on the sale of new conventional cars and vans planned for 2040 to 2035 at the latest. It also called for moves to tackle emissions from car manufacturing, and urged greater efforts to reduce vehicle ownership, and boost public transport and car sharing, as well as walking and cycling. The report also said the government must commit now to large-scale trials of low carbon heating technology such as heat pumps, and replacing gas with hydrogen. A policy to make new homes "zero carbon", which was scrapped before it was implemented in 2016, should be urgently reintroduced, and incentives are needed to encourage people to make energy efficiency improvements, it said.

The government should also publish an easily accessible central guide for members of the public explaining what measures individuals and households can take to support the UK's emissions-cutting. (Source: UK Science and Technology Select Committee, The Independent, 22 Aug., 2019) Contact: UK Science and Technology Select Committee, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_Technology_Select_Committee

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

Climate Change
Date: 2019-08-26
US Democratic former V.P. and 2020 presidental hopeful Joe Biden, like every candidate, has released his plan to address the climate change crisis.

Biden's $1.7 trillion plan calls for a $400 billion over ten years investment in R&D targeted at: grid-scale storage; small modular nuclear reactors; zero net energy buildings; using renewables to produce carbon-free hydrogen; decarbonizing industrial heat needed to make steel, concrete, and chemicals; leveraging agriculture to remove carbon dioxide from the air; and sequestering carbon dioxide from power plants deep underground. A climate adaptation agenda.

Biden's plan has all the usual "shoutouts to climate justice and protection for fossil-fuel workers who lose their jobs" and a program to "rally the world" to address climate change and reach zero-emissions by 2050. See the former Vice-President's website for details. (Source: Mother Jones, 24 Aug., 2019) Contact: Joe Biden, www.joebiden.com/climate

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

Wind2Gas Energy
Date: 2019-08-19
In Germany, Winde2Gas Energy is reporting the roll out of the first wind-to-gas hydrogen (H2) refueling station in the town of Brunsbuttel, Schleswig-Holstein, The station can refuel up to 80 hydrogen cars daily.

The new Brunsbuttel hydrogen fuel station is funded with €1,022,667 ($1,147,176 +-) from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) through the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP).

The town of Brunsbuttel also hosts the first plant in Schleswig-Holstein to feed green hydrogen into the natural gas grid. (Source: Wind2Gas Energy, Linde, Hydrogen Fuel News, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Wind2Gas Energy, Tim Brandt, Managing Director, +49 (0)4852 83 76 976, info@w2g-energy.de, www.w2g-energy.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News Winde2Gas Energy,  Hydrogen,  

Electro-Active Technologies
Date: 2019-08-19
Tennessee start-up Electro-Active Technologies reports it has licensed two biorefinery technologies invented and patented by the company's founders to convert organic waste into renewable hydrogen gas for use as a biofuel.

Electro-Active Technologies is developing a modular system that can be placed onsite or in a decentralized location to produce renewable hydrogen from organic waste. The system combines biology and electrochemistry to degrade organic waste such as biomass or food waste, to produce hydrogen which then combines the protons and electrons into hydrogen molecules.

The company originally developed their processes to tackle the problem of liquid waste formed during biofuel production; however, the company will now focus on fighting food waste, according to its website. (Source: Electro-Active Technologies Contact: Electro-Active Technologies, Alex Lewis, CEO, https://electroactive.tech/contact.html, www.electroactive.tech/index.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Hydrogen,  H2,  

US DOE
Date: 2019-08-16
Reporting from Washington, the the U.S. DOE has announced approximately $40 million in FY 2019 funding for 29 projects to advance the H2@Scale concept to enable affordable and reliable large-scale hydrogen generation, transport, storage and utilization. Funding will be through the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and a contribution from DOE Office of Nuclear Energy.

The U.S. produces over 10 million tonnes of hydrogen, nearly one-seventh of the global supply, primarily for oil refining and fertilizer production. Hydrogen infrastructure includes over 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipeline, a growing network of stations, and thousands of tons of storage in underground caverns. The hydrogen can be stored, distributed, and/or used as a fuel for transportation, stationary power, process or building heat, and industrial and manufacturing sectors.(Source: US DOE EERE Fuel Cell Technologies Office , PR, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: US DOE EERE Fuel Cell Technologies Office, www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cell-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  

Neoen
Date: 2019-08-09
French renewables developer Neoen reports the South Australian governmentit has approved its planned 125 MW of wind generation, 150 MW solar PV generation and 130MW/400MWh of lithium-ion battery storage project that could also integrate up to 50 MW of on-site hydrogen production capability.

The solar project would incorporate 400,000‐500,000 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers. The wind farm would utilize 26 turbines and 130 MW/400 MWh lithium-ion energy storage facility connected to the national grid. The energy storage facility will be located on a separate site and connected to the wind park and solar farm via underground transmission cables.

To date, Neoen has invested more than $1 billion in South Australia. (Source : Neoen Australia, PV Mag., 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: Neoen Australis, Garth Heron, Head of Development, +33 805 160 022, www.neoen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neoen,  Renewable Energy,  PV,  Solar,  

LanzaTech,Novo Holdings
Date: 2019-08-09
Next generation fuels producer LanzaTech is reporting Novo Holdings will invest $72 million in the company in a Series E financing. The new funds will be used to expand LanzaTech's carbon recycling platform and for commercialization of its Carbon Smart™ products.

Novo Holdings A/S is the Novo Nordisk Foundation's wholly owned holding company for Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S.

Lanzatech's gas fermentation technology uses special microbes to recycle residual gases containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol. The company's product portfolio includes additional biochemicals besides ethanol, such as chemical specialties and intermediates that can be used as raw materials in other chemical production processes. The technology is also said to be potentially suitable for treating and recycling waste streams in the chemical industry and for municipal waste disposal, according to the company. (Source: LanzaTech, PR, Biofuels Int'l., 7 Aug., 2019) Contact: Novo Holdings, +45 3527 6500, www.novoholdings.dk; LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LanzaTech,  Novo Holdings,  

Mitsui O.S.K.
Date: 2019-08-05
Tokyo-headquartered maritime shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) reports it will focus on reducing its shipping operation CO2 emissions by using synthetic methane as an alternative to current fossil-based bunker fuels.

With the same focus, the company has also joined the Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) Study Group which is looking into the implementation of effective carbon neutral measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels by offering alternative energies such as synthetic methane, which is generated by combining CO2 generated by industries with renewable energy-derived hydrogen. (Source: MOL, Bunkerspot, Aug., 2019) Contact: Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL), Junichiro Ikeda, Pres., CEO, www.mol.co.jp/en; Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/release/2016/11/002421.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Captureand Reuse,  Mitsui,  Methane,  

Mitsui
Date: 2019-08-05
Tokyo-headquartered maritime shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) reports it will focus on reducing its shipping operation CO2 emissions by using synthetic methane as an alternative to current fossil-based bunker fuels.

With the same focus, the company has also joined the Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) Study Group which is looking into the implementation of effective carbon neutral measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels by offering alternative energies such as synthetic methane, which is generated by combining CO2 generated by industries with renewable energy-derived hydrogen. (Source: MOL, Bunkerspot, Aug., 2019) Contact: Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL), Junichiro Ikeda, Pres., CEO, www.mol.co.jp/en; Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/release/2016/11/002421.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Synthetic Methane news,  Misui news,  Marine Fuel news,  

ETH Zürich, Total
Date: 2019-07-31
Swiss researchers at ETH Zurich and the Paris-headquartered oil and gas giant Total report they've developed a new catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 and hydrogen (H2) directly into methanol and have jointly filed for a patent on the technology. Offering realistic market potential, the technology paves the way for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals, the release claims.

The core of the new approach is a chemical catalyst based on indium oxide, which was developed by Javier Perez-Ramírez, Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich, and his team. The team of scientists have now succeeded in boosting the activity of the catalyst significantly, without affecting its selectivity or stability. They achieved this by treating the indium oxide with a small quantity of palladium.

The CO2 may be extracted from the atmosphere or—more simply and efficiently—from the exhaust discharged by combustion power plants. Even if fuels are synthesized from the methanol and subsequently combusted, the CO2 is recycled and thus the carbon cycle is closed.

Total now plans to scale up the approach and potentially implement the technology in a demonstration unit over the next few years. Methanol can be converted into fuels and a wide variety of chemical products, including those that today are mainly based on fossil resources. (Source: ETH Zurich, PR, Green Car Congress, 30 July, 2019) Contact: ETH Zurich, +41 44 632 03 52, www.up.ethz.ch

More Low-Carbon Energy News ETH Zurich,  Total,  Methanol,  CO2,  

Low-Carbon Energy, UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Date: 2019-07-29
In London, the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is touting renewable and nuclear energy fund proposals it says are critically important in reaching net-zero emissions. The proposals explore the use of the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) finance approach to attract significant private investment in major infrastructure projects like the Thames Tideway Tunnel which used the RAB model to reduce the cost of financing and risk for developers while limiting the long term impact on consumer energy costs.

The RAB funding model could also be used to reduce the costs of carbon dioxide storage. A funding model similar to the Contracts for Difference scheme, which provides developers with a set price for low-carbon electricity will be explored alongside other options to deliver investment in Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) power projects while cutting emissions. The government aims to roll out the technology at scale by the 2030s, subject to costs coming down, as part of its commitment to become a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

To that end, the government has committed £170 million towards deploying technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen networks in industrial clusters to support establishment of the world's first net-zero industrial cluster by 2040. Additionally, industry will consider investing up to £261 million in new technologies to reduce emissions. Plans have also been announced to make it easier to recycle oil and gas infrastructure for use in CCUS projects, including using some of the 20,000 km of pipelines and depleted oil and gas reservoirs to transport and store CO2. Great Britain is aiming to completely phase out coal by 2025. (Source: UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) , PR, 23 July, 2019) 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 CCUS,  CCS,  CO2,  Carbon Dioxide,  Net-Zero Emissions,  BEIS,  

Date: 2019-07-29
! Castrol oil, with a high specific gravity, thickness and hydroxyl value, is used either in its refined hydrogenated form or crude form, is primarily used for the production of various bio-based chemicals, biodiesel fuel and other valuable products.

According to the report, the Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the castor oil derivatives market in the time period 2018-26. India is projected to be the major production hub of castor oil derivatives globally, followed by Brazil, Russia, Paraguay, Philippines, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, and Thailand.

Some prominent market players of global castor oil and derivatives market are Liaoyang Huaxing Chemical Co., ITOH Oil Chemicals Co. Ltd., Jayant Agro Organics, Bom Brazil, Hokoku Corporation, Ltd., Kanak Castor Products Pvt. Ltd., Thai Castor Oil Industries Co. Ltd., Gokul Overseas, and others are among the major global players in the castor oil market.

Download report details HERE and HERE (Source: The Market Plan, 28 July, 2019) Request For Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/9536

More Low-Carbon Energy News Castor Oil,  Biochemical,  Biofuel,  

Goldwind
Date: 2019-07-22
In Beijing, Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind reports it has become one of the first partners in a wind-to-hydrogen project in the city of Baicheng, Jilin province, northeast China.

The project plans to eventually deploy 20 GW of wind turbines producing green fuel for a clean transportation system. The Baicheng project -- which also plans to include 15 GW of solar PV -- is the largest yet announced in China to explicitly integrate renewable generation and hydrogen infrastructure within a "hydrogen valley" producing more than one million tonnes of the fuel annually by 2035. (Source: Goldwind, PR,reve, 20 July, 2019) Contact: Goldwind, www.goldwindglobal.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Goldwind,  Wind,  Hydrogen ,  

Ceres Power,Doosan
Date: 2019-07-17
UK-headquartered Ceres Power, a developer of low-cost, next-generation fuel cell technology, and Seoul-headquartered Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Corporation are reporting they will jointly develop solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) distributed power systems initially targeted at the Korean commercial building market. To that end, Doosan will license Ceres' proprietary SteelCell SOFC technology to develop a low carbon 5-20kW power system.

The South Korean government recently announced initiatives to promote increased use of renewable generation and hydrogen technology and is targeting fuel cell manufacture for power generation to reach an output of 15 GW by 2040, up from 300 MW today, according to a release.

Doosan is adding Solid Oxide technology to its existing portfolio of fuel cell technologies. In 2018 the company's existing stationary fuel cell business exceeded $850 million , including licensing, technology transfer and engineering services. (Source: Ceres Power, Green Car Congress, 16 July, 2019) Contact: Ceres Power, +44 (0)1403273463, www.cerespower.com; Doosan, www.doosanheavy.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ceres Power,  Doosan,  Fuel Cell,  Energy Storage,  

Advanced Biofuels Canada
Date: 2019-07-17
Vancouver-based Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABC) reports the release of its Biofuels in Canada 2019 report prepared by Navius Research Inc. (Navius). Advanced Biofuels Canada is a national industry association established to: promote the production and use of advanced biofuels in Canada; collaborate with other stakeholders to expand market access for sustainable low-carbon biofuels in Canada, and; collaborate broadly to de-carbonize transportation.

This 2019 analysis updates the Biofuels in Canada 2016, 2017 and 2018 reports, and is intended to evaluate and communicate the impact of renewable and low-carbon fuel policy in Canada by: quantifying the volumes of renewable transportation fuels consumed in each Canadian province(i.e. biofuel), characterized by fuel type, feedstock, and CI. The biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and hydrogenation derived renewable diesel (HDRD); estimating their impact on GHG emissions and; estimating their impact on energy costs, now with an additional focus on how fuel taxes affect these costs.

View the Biofuels in Canada 2019 report HERE (Source: Advanced Biofuels Canada, July, 2019) Contact: Advanced Biofuels Canada, Ian Thompson, Pres., (604) 947-0040, ithomson@advancedbiofuels.ca, www.advancedbiofuels.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuels Canada,  

BloombergNEF
Date: 2019-07-03
According to a new report from BloombergNEF, solar, wind, and battery energy storage will enable the power sector to "meet its share of emission cuts required under the Paris climate agreement, at least until 2030" by which time the demand for electric power will increase 62 pct. The world will get about half of its electricity from solar, wind, and battery storage by 2050, the report notes. By 2050, solar and wind will supply almost one half of the world's electricity, with hydro, nuclear and other renewable energy resources providing another 21 pct with geothermal, tidal, hydrogen and others filling the balance, according to BNEF. (Source: BloombergNEF, Utilities, 23 June, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  BloombergNEF,  

Oberon Fuels,California Energy Commission
Date: 2019-07-01
In the Golden State, San Diego-based clean transportation fuel producer Oberon Fuels is reporting receipt of almost $2.9 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The funding is in support of a project to produce the the state's first renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), an economic fuel and key step in the development of a California-based, renewable hydrogen (rH2) pathway to zero-emission mobility fuel.

Oberon plans to upgrade its existing DME pilot facility to demonstration scale to facilitate the first production of this renewable fuel. The company will test modified diesel trucks fueled with rDME, assess the feasibility of converting renewable methanol into rDME and developing associated fueling infrastructure, alongside commercial partners. (Source: Oberon Fuels, Bioenergy Insight, 1 July, 2019) Contact: Oberon Fuels, Rebecca Boudreaux, Pres., (619) 255-9361, Fax - (619)756-6470, info@oberonfuels.com, www.oberonfuels.com; California Energy Commission, (916) 465-4500, www.energy.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News DME,  Oberon Fuels,  California Energy Commission,  

Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Hiringa Energy
Date: 2019-06-24
In New Zealand, Tauranga-based Ballance Agri-Nutrients and New Plymouth-headquartered fueling infrastructure specialist Hiringa Energy Ltd. have confirmed a joint development agreement for a $50 million clean-tech project to produce green hydrogen using renewable energ at Ballance's Kapuni ammonia-urea plant in Taranaki .

The project, which aims to develop a sustainable green hydrogen market in New Zealand is expected to generate sufficient green hydrogen to fuel as many as 6,000 buses and trucks per year . (Source: Gas World,PR 24 June, 2019) Contact: Hiringa Energy, Andrew Clennett, CEO, cclennett@hiringa.co.nz, www.hiringa.co.nz; Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Mark Wayne, CEO, www.ballance.co.nz

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen news,  Green Hydrogen Fuel news,  

C-Job, Marine Fuel,Alternative Fuel
Date: 2019-06-14
According to research from the Netherlands-based ship design and engineering firm C-Job Naval Architects, ammonia can be used as an alternative marine fuel to reduce harmful maritime ship emissions. The research is based on a new concept design of an ammonia carrier powered by the gas as its own cargo.

In 2017, C-Job Naval Architects established a consortium with Proton Ventures and Enviu to investigate ammonia as marine fuel. It further joined Ammonia Energy Association in 2018 to study the topic. With the completion of this theoretical research, C-Job Naval Architects is now moving towards the next phases, which includes laboratory testing, pilot and evaluation.

C-Jobs Naval Architects noted that with the IMO aiming to reduce total annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 pct by 2050 compared to 2008 and eventually fully eliminate harmful emissions, the global maritime industry will need to seriously look into renewable fuels like hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. (Source: C-Job Naval Architects, Seatrade, 13 June, 2019) Contact: C-Job Naval Architects, Niels de Vries, +31 (0)88 02 43 700, info@c-job.com, www.c-job.com; Proton Ventures, +31 10 426 7275, www.protonventures.com/en; Ammonia Energy Association, www.nh3fuelassociation.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Amonia,  Marine Fuel,  Maritime Fuel,  Amonia,  

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems
Date: 2019-05-31
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Holloday, Utah-based Magnum Development are reporting plans to develop 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy storage in a Magnum-owned salt cavern in central Utah.

The two firm's Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) project will deploy four types of energy storage technologies at utility scale, which include renewable hydrogen, compressed air energy storage, large-scale flow batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells.

The project is sited adjacent to the coal-fired Intermountain Power Project and will connect with the Western US power grid using existing infrastructure, according to the company. (Source: Magnum Development , Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Energy Manager, 29 May., 2019) Contact: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, www.amer.mhps.com; Magnum Development, Craig Broussard, CEO , (801) 993-7001, www.magnumdev.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems,  Energy Storage,  

Ameren Missouri
Date: 2019-05-15
In the Show Me State, Ameren Missouri is reporting it will purchase a planned 300 MW wind generation facility to be located in Atchison County, Missouri, from Enel subsidiary Tradewind Energy.When fully operational, the facility is expected to generate sufficient electric power for as many as 90,000 homes. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. (Source: Ameren, Hydrogen Fuel News, 14 May, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameren Missouri,  Wind,  

Perovskite Solar Cell,University of Bath
Date: 2019-05-13
In the UK, the University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, in collaboration with the SPECIFIC team at Swansea University report the use of economical, readily available thermal graphite sheets and a mesoporous carbon scaffold to encapsulate metal-halide perovskites (CsPbBr3) as an inexpensive and efficient waterproofing strategy. Most solar cells currently on the market are made of silicon; these are expensive to make and require a lot of very pure silicon to manufacture.

Perovskite solar cells, using materials with the same 3D structure as calcium titanium oxide, are cheaper to make, thinner and can be easily printed onto surfaces. They also work in low light conditions and can produce a higher voltage than silicon cells.

The research team tested the waterproofing by submerging the coated perovskite cells in water and using the harvested solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The coated cells worked underwater for 30 hours, roughly ten hours longer than the previous record. . The study is published in the open access journal Nature Communications. (Source: University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, Gren Car Congress, 13 May, 2019) Contact: University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, +44 0 1225 385820, csct@bath.ac.uk, www.csct.ac.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Perovskite Solar Cell,  

HTEC
Date: 2019-05-08
Natural Resources Canada (NRC) and the provincial Government of British Columbia is reporting $3 million in funding for two North Vancouver-based Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC) hydrogen filling stations in that province. HTEC is building a hydrogen filling station network to support the rollout of fuel cell electric vehicles.

HTEC will receive $2 million funding from NRC through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI), and $1 million from The Government of British Columbia through its Clean Energy Vehicle Programme.

The funding is part of Canada's $182.5 million investment to develop a coast-to-coast fast-charging network for electric vehicles and to establish natural gas stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres. The investment will also ensure Canada-US alignment of standards for low-carbon vehicles and refuelling infrastructure. (Source: HTEC, gasworld, May, 2019) Contact: HTEC, Colin Armstrong, CEO, (604) 904-0412, www.htec.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News HTEC,  Hydrogen,  

Anellotech
Date: 2019-05-08
Pearl River, New York-based renewable chemicals, bioplastics and fuels from non-food biomass producer Anellotech reports its patented Thermal Catalytic Biomass Conversion technology -- Bio-TCat -- has achieved commercially-targeted yields in its TCat-8 pilot unit in Silsbee, Texas during six months of continuous process operations.

Bio-TCat technology produces a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylene (AnelloMate BTX), which are bio-based and chemically identical to petroleum-derived counterparts. Bio-TCat technology also produces AnelloMate Distillate, a heavier aromatics product that can be upgraded into a high-quality biofuels blendstock for jet or diesel transportation fuel using conventional refinery processing. Cellulosic ethanol or hydrogen can be made from Bio-TCat's carbon monoxide co-product by using third-party technology.

Anellotech is planning construction of its first commercial plant and is engaging in partnership and funding discussions with existing and new strategic partners. The plant will be capable of processing 500 bone-dry tonnes/day of loblolly pine wood into 40,000 tpy of products including benzene, toluene, xylenes, and C9+ aromatics to use as fuels or for production of bio-based plastics for packaging and consumer products. (Source: Anellotech, PR, GreenCar Congress, 7 May, 2019) Contact: Anellotech Inc., David Sudolsky, Pres., (845) 735-7700, DSudolsky@anellotech.com, www.anellotech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anellotech ,  

Air Liquide
Date: 2019-04-26
Air Liquide and Shanghai-headquartered clean energy refueling equipment and related services provider Chengdu Huaqi Houpu Holding co., Ltd are confirming their joint venture agreement for the development, production and distribution of hydrogen refilling stations for fuel cell EVs as well as other related projects in China.

The JV will combine Air Liquide's global technological expertise in clean hydrogen mobility solutions with Houpu's leadership in the production and construction of natural gas refilling stations on the Chinese market.

Air Liquide operates nearly 90 plants in China. (Source: Air Liquide, PR, 25 April, 2019) Contact: Air Liquide, Francois Darchis, Senior Vice-President, Chet Benham, VP Advanced Technologies, (781) 491-0807, www.airliquide.com; Chengdu Huaqi Houpu Holding Co., en.hqhop.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Air Liquide,  

City of London
Date: 2019-04-22
Following on our Mar 21 coverage, in the UK, the mayor of London has brought the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) forward from 2020 to 2019. The ULEZ is part of a broader package of measures that the city is gradually introducing in order to tackle the health crisis caused by severe air pollution.

In order to combat the health crisis, the ULEZ has significantly raised emission standards and demands a daily charge in order to travel in the area for not meeting them. The ULEZ, which is active 24/7 all year round, is part of the massive campaign undertaken by the mayor of London to clean up the air of the city. Further measures expected to kick in by 2020 include ensuring that all new double-decker buses are either hybrid, hydrogen or electric, creating 12 new low emission bus zones in areas where the air quality is at its worst and upgrading 5000 buses to be ultra low emission. (Source: City of London, PR, 18 April, 2019) Contact: City of London, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vehicle Emissions,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  

dynaCERT
Date: 2019-04-12
Toronto-headquartered dynaCERT Inc is reporting receipt of a purchase order from Ontario-based Newport Environmental Technologies for ten (10) HG145 units of its HydraGEN™ which enhances vehicle engine combustion and tracks greenhouse gas emissions.

All vehicles that are to be outfitted with dynaCERT's HydraGEN Technology are highway tractors that on avergae consume 198,000 gpy of diesel fuel and produce over 2,000 tpy of GHGs.

According to Newport's Trevor McCagherty, "This purchase is part of our overall strategy that is looking to transform single-use plastics into synthetic fuel to be used to power our fleet and lower our carbon footprint. Our team is familiar with the benefits provided by hydrogen enhanced combustion. HydraGEN™ Technology is particularly important to us as a proven catalyst which increases the burn rate while reducing emissions and improving torque and power. As the company continues to look at developing alternative fuel mixtures, HydraGEN Technology can enhance all our endeavors including in synthetic diesel as well as in biofuels. What becomes even more interesting is the ability of the patent-pending HydraGEN Technology to measure and track GHG reduction," McCagherty added.

dynaCERT Inc. manufactures, distributes, and installs Carbon Emission Reduction Technology for use with internal combustion engines. The technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through electrolysis and supplies these through the air intake to enhance combustion, resulting in lower carbon emissions and greater fuel efficiency. (Source: dynaCERT Inc., PR 11 April, 2019) Contact: dynaCERT Inc. Jim Payne, CEO, (416) 766-9691 x 2, jpayne@dynaCERT.com, www.dynaCERT.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News dynaCERT,  HydraGEN ,  CO2 Emissions,  

IntelStor
Date: 2019-04-12
Cloud-based renewable energy market intelligence expert IntelStor is touting a unique wind-turbine mapping project which seeks to map the geo-locations of every wind turbine in the world. To date the project has completed the mapping of 107,902 out of 355,793 onshore and offshore wind turbines across in 38 countries. THE project is intended to "clean up" data that has been provided by governments and industry trade association and increase the precision in the data sets, according to Windpower Engineering & Development.

By removing inaccuracies from data sets, this allows for greater accuracy in global market statistics. More specifically, the inaccuracies have been removed from data sets that include the U.S. Geological Survey and Federal Aviation Administration database in the U.S., WindStats data sets in the Netherlands, the Danish Energy Agency master data register, and INEGI in Portugal. (Source: IntelStor, Hydrogen Fuel News, 11 April, 2019) Contact: IntelStor, www.intelstor.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Renewable Energy,  

Carbon Recycling International
Date: 2019-04-12
In Iceland, Carbon Recycling International (CRI) is reporting receipt of €1.8-million ($2.0 million) in grant funding under the EU Horizon 2020 Research Programme to increase the scale of its CO2-to-methanol technology, marketed under the trademark Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL). The funding will help CRI advance the commercialization of its CO2-to-methanol technology in large scale production plants.

CRI developed the ETL technology to produce low-carbon intensity methanol from CO2 and hydrogen and operates the first production facility of its kind in Iceland. The company is currently developing commercial projects based on the ETL technology with partners in Europe and China. The technology allows partners to valorise CO2 and hydrogen from waste streams or electrolysis as a chemical feedstock or liquid fuel. (Source: Carbon Recycling International, Green Car Congress, 11 April, 2019) Contact: Carbon Recycling International, Tel. 00354 527 7000. info@cri.is, www.carbonrecycling.is

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methanol,  CO2,  

Hydrogenics
Date: 2019-04-10
Mississauga, Ontario-headquartered hydrogen specialist Hydrogenics Corporation reports it has inked a supply agreement with Halcyon Power -- a joint venture of New Zealand-based Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation of Japan -- for a carbon-free, 1.5 MW hydrogen production facility in New Zealand.The project is expected to be fully operational in 2020.

The carbon-neutral "green" hydrogen will be generated using electricity from stable, cost-effective geothermal energy in Mokai, Taupo, located adjacent to an existing Tuaropaki power plant.

Hydrogenics will provide an onsite hydrogen production plant using the Company's large-scale containerized PEM electrolysis technology to produce as much as 250Nm3 per hour of hydrogen. (Source: Hydrogenics, PR, 9 April, 2019) Contact: Hydrogenics Corp., Daryl Wilson, President & CEO, www.hydrogenics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogenics,  Hydrogen,  

EDF
Date: 2019-04-08
Paris-headquartered French energy supplier Electricite de France (EDF) is reporting the establishment of Hynamics B.V., a new subsidiary headquartered in Dongen, the Netherlands. The new company will develop a range of hydrogen solutions for industrial and mobility customers through ivestments in hydrogen production plants and infrastructure solutions such as filling stations for commercial vehicle fleets, and has identified around 40 target projects in Europe, according to a press release.

Hynamics plans to generate hydrogen through water electrolysis, which would reduce CO2 emissions to zero. The prerequisite for this is that the electricity used for production also comes from renewable sources, the releases motes. (Source: EDF, PR, 6 April, 2019) Contact: EDF Group, Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO, www.edf.fr; Hynamics BV, +31 162 323 286, www.hynamic.com;

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

Wood plc
Date: 2019-03-27
Aberdeen, Scotland-based global engineering giant Wood plc is reporting receipt of a multi-million-dollar contract from the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative Climate Investments (OGCI CI) for conceptual engineering for its gas power and industrial carbon capture (CCS) project. The project was first announced in 2016.

Wood will lead this first-of-a-kind project which aims to reduce CO2 emissions. The industrial carbon capture design will initially cover five of the principal industrial emitters of CO2: the production of hydrogen, fertilizer, petrochemicals, cement and steel.

Climate Investments is a $1 billion plus fund investing in technologies and business models to lower the carbon footprint of the energy and industrial sectors and their value chains. The fund was created by the CEOs of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative to take practical action on climate change. They invest in innovative companies that are ready to be commercialized and collaborate with global co-investors and industrials to achieve speed and scale. (Source: Wood Plc, Chemical Engineering, 26 Mar., 2019) Contact: Wood Plc, Bob MacDonald, CEO, Technical Solutions, www.woodplc.com; OGCI CI, https://oilandgasclimateinitiative.com/climate-investments

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  CO2,  CCS,  

General Motors
Date: 2019-03-08
In the Motor City, automaker General Motors (GM) reports it will purchase 300,000 MWh of renewable wind power from DTE Energy to run its Warren Tech Center as well as most of its world headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.

In February, Ford Motor Company made a similar commitment to procure 500,000 MWh of locally sourced Michigan wind energy via DTE's MIGreen Power Program.

Among its clean energy efforts, GM is a member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance as well as an early signatory of RE100, which is a collaborative global initiative that brings together influential businesses that are committed to 100 pct renewable power and the delivery of renewable electricity.

DTE Energy, which has 13 wind parks in Michigan, plans to double its renewable energy capacity over the next five years, investing in another $2 billion by 2024. The utility also proposes to build at least 3,000 additional MW of solar and wind energy over the next 20 years. DTE currently produces about 1,000 MW of primarily wind renewable energy. (Source: GM, Crains Detroit Business, Hydrogen Fuel News, 4 Mar., 2019)Contact: DTE Energy, Trevor Lauer, Pres., COO, Irene Dimitry, VP Business Planning & Development, (313) 235-9994, dimitryi@dteenergy.com, www2.dteenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DTE,  DTE MIGreen,  General Motors,  Wind,  

Preem,Aker Solutions
Date: 2019-03-01
Global engineering company Aker Solutions reports it has been selected by Sweden's largest fuel company PREEM to conduct a feasibility study of the technological and economic impact of implementing carbon capture technology at Preemraff Lyekil, Scandinavia's major crude oil refinery.

The scope of Aker's work includes pilot testing of carbon capture from the oil refinery flue gas in industrial conditions. The test is intended to assess the carbon capture process performance such as solvent degradation rate, energy efficiency and percentage of CO2 captured which will be included in the possible later design and implementation of a large-scale capture plant. The feasibility study will include design of a full-scale carbon capture plant for the Hydrogen Production Unit (HPU) at the refinery. (Source: Aker Solutions, Gas World, 28 Feb., 2019) Contact: Preem, Petter Holland, CEO, +46 (0) 10 459 1000, www.preem.se/en/in-english; Aker Solutions, Oscar Graff , VP, Head of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, Fredrik Berge, Inv. Relations, +47 22 94 62 19, fredrik.berge@akersolutions.com, www.akersolutions.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Preem,  CCS,  Carbon Capture,  AKer Solutions,  CCUS,