Access the 2020 U.S. Transportation
Climate Impact Index HERE. (Source: Streetlight Data, Jan., 2020) Contact: Streetlight Data, www.streetlightdata.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Transportatiom, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
Clearway Energy Group LLC focuses on renewable energy generation and distribution, as well as owns renewable energy projects. The company has over 320 MW of community solar projects across the country, in addition to its utility-scale solar and wind operations. (Source: Clearway Energy Group, Renewables, 17 Jan., 2020) Contact: Clearway Energy Group, 415-627-1600, www.clearwayenergygroup.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Community Solar, Clearway Energy Group, Solar,
The new targets for investor-owned utilities are expected to attract roughly $2 billion in market-enabling investments to help transform the way New York residents and businesses heat and cool their homes and offices and move towards cleaner and healthier buildings and communities statewide.
Combined with other State initiatives, the new targets are expected to deliver a 3 pct reduction in annual electric usage and a 1.3 pct cut in annual natural gas usage by 2025.
Together with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and a previous PSC order on efficiency, New York State in energy efficiency and clean heat investments from 2020 through 2025 will total $6.8 billion.
(Source: New York State Public Service Commission, BigNews Network, 17 Jan., 2020) Contact: New York State Public Service Commission,
518-474-7080, www.dps.ny.gov;
NYPA, Gil C. Quiniones, Pres., CEO, www.nypa.gov;
LIPA, Tom Falcone, CEO, (631) 755-6900, www.lipower.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, NYSERDA, LIPA, NYPA,
Dogger Bank Wind Farms is comprised of three offshore wind farm sites in the North Sea, totaling 3.6 GW -- Creyke Beck A (1.2GW), Creyke Beck B (1.2GW) and Teesside A (1.2GW). The three wind farms will make use of the world's most powerful turbine, GE's Haliade-X, and will be capable of generating sufficient power for over 4.5 million homes each year.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering, one of the UK's leading civil engineering contractors, headquartered in Ruthin, North Wales, has been awarded the contract to install the onshore cable infrastructure for the Creyke Beck A and Creyke Beck B sites.
The onshore infrastructure includes the installation of approximately 20 miles of electrical cables that will connect to the existing National Grid substation at Creyke Beck, Cottingham. The works will also involve completing bulk earthworks at the onshore HVDC convertor station locations in East Riding. (Source: SSE Renewables, PR, 17 Jan., 2020) Contact: SSE Plc, www.sse.co.uk; Equinor, Eldar Saetre, CEO, Pal Eitrheim, VP New Energy Solutions, www.equinor.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News SSE Renewables, Equinor, Offshore Wind,
With the acquisition, Cubico has expanded its portfolio in Uruguay to 100 MW.
Cubico's global portfolio across 11 countries totals 3.1 GW.(Source: Cubico Sustainable Investments, Website Press Release, 15 Jan., 2020) Contact: Cubico Sustainable Investments , Ricardo Diaz, contact@cubicoinvest.com,
+44 (0)20 3805 3900, www.cubicoinvest.com; Asticy, www.astidey.com.uy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind, Wind M&A,
The new funding will be used to grow operations and R&D activities.
(Source: Dandelion Energy Inc., 16 Jan., 2020) Contact: Dandelion Energy, Michael Sachse, CEO, (833) GEO-4ALL, hello@dandelionenergy.com, www.dandelionenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Dandelion Energy, Geothermal ,
Infinity will develop utility-scale and distributed solar energy and wind power projects in Egypt and Africa. Egypt's 2035 Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy targets 20 pct of the electricity mix coming from renewables by 2022 and 42 pct by 2035.
Infinity Energy completed the development and construction of Egypt's first large-scale solar power plant in February 2018, followed by another three plants in Benban Solar Park, which is considered the largest solar park in the world to date. Infinity Energy now operates its six solar plants with a total capacity of 235MW.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently committed an investment in Infinity Energy of up to S$60 million in the form of capital increase in the company to finance the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects and associated ancillary business including electricity distribution and electric vehicle charging stations in Egypt and across Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries. (Source: Masdar, Infinity Energy, Arabian News, 16 Jan., 2020) Contact: Infinity Solar, Nayer Fouad, CEO,+20 2 25054345,
info@infinitysolar.com, www.infinitysolar.com; Masdar, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ca.ae
More Low-Carbon Energy News Masdar , Infinity Energy, Renewable Energy, Wind, Solar,
According to its website, the Fund's goal is to be a catalyst for investments in critical forest and habitat conservation in the North Carolina coastal plain and southeastern Virginia region. More than three years into the planned 10-year partnership, seventeen projects have been funded with a total commitment of over $2 million including the grant announced today. When these projects are completed, the Fund will have protected an estimated 24,500 acres of sensitive wetland forest and other habitats. (Source: U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, 16 Jan., 2020) Contact: U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities , 864.233.7646,
864.235.3842 - fax, info@usendowment.org, www.usedndowmwnt.org; : Enviva Holdings LP, Enviva Biomass, Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, VP, (301) 615-5560, jennifer@envivabiomass.com, www.envivabiomass.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enviva, Wood Pellet, Woody Biomass,
According to Nordex,
high demand from Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands and the market entry in the Ukraine compensated for the continued weakness of the German market. The North American performed similarly well at 1,767 MW (2018: 721 MW) or more than 28 percent to the total order volume. Around 18 pct or 1,122 MW (2018: 1,190 MW) of orders came from Latin America.
(Source: Nordex, Marine Link, 15 Jan., 2020)Contact: Nordex, Felix Losada, +49 40 300 30 1000, +49 40 300 30 1101, flosada@nordex-online.com, www.nordex.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Nordex, Wind, Wind Turbine,
Of the total €500 million issuance, 74 pct would be used for renewable energy, 13 pct for environmentally sustainable management, 11 pct for energy efficiency, and 2 pct for clean transportation and pollution prevention.
BNP Paribas is acting as the sole green structuring advisor and joint book runner. (Source: National Grid, Business Green, 14 Jan., 2019) Contact: UK National Grid, Kayte O'Neill, Head of Strategy and Regulation, www2.nationalgrid.com/uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Grid , Green Bond,
TenneT's wind energy transmission from the North Sea reached 20.21 TWh in 2019, exceeding the previous year's value (16.75 TWh) by 20.7 pct. Measured against Germany's total wind output (122.07 TWh, offshore and onshore counted together), the North Sea wind power yield achieved a healthy share of 16.6 percent in 2019.
The previous maximum infeed performance of North Sea offshore wind farms reached 6,077 MW on 5 December 2019. The capacity expansion for North Sea offshore wind farms was at 6,436 MW on 31 December 2019.
The wind turbines in the Baltic Sea (not within the TenneT grid area) generated 3.95 TWh in 2019, which means Germany's total offshore yield amounted to 24.16 TWh. (Source: TenneT, Offshore Engineering, 13 Jan., 2020)Contact: TenneT, Tim Meyerjurgens, Managing Director, +31 (0) 26 373 1112, www.tennet.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News TenneT, Wind, Offshore Wind,
In Kansas, construction began in September on the Liberty Utilities-Empire District's 130-turbine, 300-Mw Neosho Ridge Wind Farm north of Parsons. (Source: Liberty Utilities, SF Chronicle, Joplin Globe, 6 Jan., 2019) Contact: Liberty Utilities, www.libertyutilities.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Liberty Utilities news, Wind news,
The 35 projects received funding across a broad spectrum of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies including LED energy efficient lighting, components of energy education, outreach, community building, R&D and others.
These awards mark the tenth round of Seed Grants from CERTs, totalling over $1.3 million to 393 projects since 2006.
(Source: Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams, Cookston Times, 13 Jan., 2020)Contact: Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams, 612-625-8759, info@cleanenergyresourceteams.org, www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency Funding,
The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and the Berks County Community Foundation, will distribute a total of nearly $200,000 in funding ranging from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on the scope of the projects.
Grant funding is prioritized for nonprofits, but commercial and industrial organizations also may apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must be located in and/or serve residents in territory served by Met-Ed or Penelec in Pennsylvania.
(Source: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Penna., 14 Jan., 2020)
Contact: Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, www.metedpenelecsef.org; Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, 814-536-7741, www.cfalleghenies.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Eficiency Funding, Energy Efficiency Grants,
According to the agency, 3,537 MW of solar power, 243 MW of wind power, 637 MW of biomass, 73 MW of biogas and 15 MW of mini hydropower facilities were installed in 2019.
With these installation, Ukraine's total green energy capacity now stands at 6.8 GW, according to the agency's report. (Source: State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, UNKRINFORM, Jan., 2020) Contact: State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, www.saee.gov.ua
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,
Since first coming online in October 2014, the Boundary Dam CCS unit has captured 3,081,452 tonnes of CO2.
(Source: Saskpower, Estevan Mercury, 9 Jan., 2020)
Contact: SaskPower, Mike Marsh, (306) 566-2121, www.saskpower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News SaskPower, CCS, Boundary Dam,
Construction is slated to begin sometime during the first half of 2020, with full commercial operations targeted for 2021.
Since 2007, Greengate has developed close to 600 MW of operating -- or near-operating -- wind energy projects in Alberta and Ontario, and is currently pursuing the development of close to 1,000 MW of new solar and wind energy projects.
(Source: Greengate, Good News Network, 3 Jan., 2020) Contact: Greengate Power Corp., Dan Balaban, Pres., CEO, Dan Phaure, VP Bus. Dev., (403) 930-1300, www.greengatepower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Greengate Power, Solar,
Brazilian Wind Power is controlled by Neoenergia, owned by Madrid-based renewable energy giant Iberdrola.
(Source: BNDES,PR, reve, 3 Jan., 2019)
Contact: National Bank for Economic and Social, Development, +55 21 2052-7447 / 3747-7447, www.bndes.gov.br; Iberdrola Renewables, Xabier Viteri, Dir. Renewables Business, www.iberdrolarenewables.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Iberdrola, Wind, Brazil Wind,
In Missouri, the North Fork Ridge Wind Farm north of Joplin has begun construction and work on the King's Point Wind Farm near Golden City is expected to begin in February. Both wind farms will incorporate 69 wind turbines generating a total of about 300-MW, according to the Joplin Globe.
On the Kansas side, construction began in September on the Liberty Utilities-Empire District's 130-turbine, 300-Mw Neosho Ridge Wind Farm north of Parsons. (Source: Liberty Utilities, SF Chronicle, Joplin Globe, 6 Jan., 2019) Contact: Liberty Utilities, www.libertyutilities.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Liberty Utilities, Wind,
The project's output will be sold into the ERCOT market and Duke Energy Renewables has entered into a long-term hedge agreement covering the majority of the expected wind energy production. The 200-MW Mesteño wind facility will generate sufficient power for about 60,000 average homes.
Duke Energy Renewables, a non-regulated unit of Duke Energy, operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of 3,000 MW. Duke Renewables also operates energy storage and microgrid projects. (Source: Duke Energy News Center, 6 Jan., 2020) Contact: Duke Energy Renewables, Rob Caldwell, Pres., www.duke-energy.com/renewable
More Low-Carbon Energy News Duke Energy Renewables, Wind,
JetBlue has run targeted offset programs since 2008, addressing a total of 2.6 billion pounds of emissions. The new program aims to offset 15-17 billion pounds each year.
JetBlue will also continue to partner with Carbonfund.org -- a leading U.S. based nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization. Since 2008, JetBlue has offset more than 2.6 billion pounds of CO2 emissions in partnership with Carbonfund.org. JetBlue's new carbon offsetting partners now also include established experts in the space -- EcoAct and South Pole.
JetBlue has also contracted with sustainable aviation fuel producer Neste to help fuel its fleet beginning in mid-2020. (Source: JetBlue, PR, BusinessWire, Jan., 2020) Contact: JetBlue, David Barger,
President, CEO, (718) 286-7900, www.jetblue.com; ; Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News JetBlue, Aviation Emissio ns, Carbon Offset, Neste, Aviation Biofuel,
The study will evaluate the cost of the facility designed to use Svante's technology to capture up to 725,000 tpy of CO2 from the cement plant, which would be permanently sequestered underground by CO2 management and storage specialist Occidental.
This joint initiative follows the recently-launched Project CO2MENT between Svante, LafargeHolcim and Total in Canada at the Lafarge Richmond cement plant, where progress has been made towards re-injecting captured CO2 into concrete.
(Source: Savante Website, BusinessWire, 6 Jan., 2019) Contact:
Svante Inc., Claude Letourneau, , Pres., CEO, Julia McKenna , Inv. Relations, 604.456.0504, jmckenna@svanteinc.com, www.svanteinc.com; LafargeHolcim, www.lafargeholcim.com;
Oxy Low Carbon Ventures,
Jeff Alvarez, IR, (713) 215-7864, jeff_alvarez@oxy.com, www.oxy.com;
Total SA, +33 1 47 44 46 99, www.total.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Total SA, Svante Inc., LafargeHolcim, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, CCS, CCUS, CO2, Carbon Capture,
In 2019, Russian oil production totaled 560 million tons, natural gas amounted to 738 billion cubic meters, and coal production increased to 440,7 million tonnes -- a 30 pct increase over a seven year period -- and is expected to reach as much as 670 million tonnes within 15 years.
Since the mid-1970s, Russian air temperatures have increased by an average of 0,47 degree С per decade, which is 2,5 times more than the average global temperature increase. Other climate change impacts include more extreme weather, the melting of permafrost, more drought and flooding, loss of biodiversity, infectious diseases outbreaks and a the violation of the entire environmental balance.
Even so, the Kremlin reportedly has no coherent plan to fight climate change and, as noted in its 2019 Energy Doctrine, the Kremlin asserts Russia's position as an energy superpower is challenged by international efforts to combat climate change and the rapid shift to a "green economy" must be perceived as a foreign policy challenge and an issue of concern.
(Source: Barents Observer, 6 Jan., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change, Fossil Fuel,
Out of last year's total power production of 515.6 TWh, solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric generation together produced 237.4 TWh.
In 2019, wind power, both onshare and offshore, produced 127.2 TWh for a 24.6 pct share of the total mix.
Solar produced 46.5 TWh, biomass producers generated 44.4 TWh while hydropower generated 19.2 TWh of power, according to data from the Fraunhofer organisation of applied science.
(Source: Successful Farming, Reuters,3 Jan., 2019)
Contact: Fraunhofer, +49 36601 93010, www.fraunhofer.de/en.html
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fraunhofer , Renewable Energy, German Renewable Energy,
This announcement follows the recent start of operations of 450 MW of EGP's High Lonesome wind farm in Texas bringing the company's total new renewable capacity added in the US in 2019 to nearly 800 MW with another 1 GW currently under construction across six renewable energy projects.
(Source: Enel Green Power North America, PR, reve,3 Jan., 2019) Contact: Enel Green Power North America, Georgios Papadimitriou, Connor Branch, Bus. Dev., (978) 681-1900, www.enelgreenpower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power North America, Wind,
The biodigester facility includes 3 tanks with a total capacity of 1.4 million gallons. Two tanks will be used for municipal biosolids and the other tank is an anaerobic membrane bioreactor to quickly reduce food waste and other organic waste to energy and increase energy efficiency. The project is part of the city's effort to use 100 pct renewable energy to power city buildings by 2025.
(Source: City of Grand Rapids, WasteWater Management, Jan., 2019)Contact: City of Grand Rapids, Mike Lunn, Utilities Director, 616-456-3166, www.grandrapidsmi.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Anerobic Digestor, Bioreactor,
In the US, orders were received for 12 units of V110-2.0MW wind turbines and another 57 units of its V120-2.2MW wind turbines for an undisclosed customer, plus a second order for a 162 MW project that will incorporate V110-2.0MW wind turbines and V136-4.2MW wind turbines.
In Europe, the company previously announced another 252 MW request for its 1,800 MW agreement in Russia with the Fortum / Rusnano consortium.
In Italy, Vestas also announced an agreement to supply 37 MW in V110-2.0MW and V136-4.2MW wind turbines to two wind farm projects.
In China, Vestas won an order for 25 of its V110-2.2MW wind turbines for an undisclosed customer, as well as a second order for 23 units of its V120-2.2MW turbines.
In Vietnam, Vestas scored its third order for the 50 MW Cong ty Co Phan Dau Tu Dien Gio Hoa Binh 1 wind project. (Source: Vestas, PR, reve, 1 Jan., 2020)
Contact: Vestas, +45 97 30 00 00, vestas@vestas.com, www.vestas.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Vestas, Wind, Wind Turbine,
The company plans to add 50 MW capacity to the High Lonesome facility bringing its total capacity to 500 MW. The construction of the expansion is currently underway with operations due to start in the first quarter of 2020. With the expansion, the facility is expected to come in at approximately $720 million. (Source: Enel Green Power North America , PR, Jan., 2019) Contact: Enel Green Power North America , Antonio Cammisecra, CEO, (978) 681-1900, www.enelgreenpower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power North America, Wind,
Customers flying within the UK on flights operated by British Airways will have the carbon emissions from their flights offset by the airline and invested in verified carbon reduction projects such as renewable energy, protection of rainforests and reforestation programmes.
In addition, British Airways' carbon emissions on international flights will be capped at 2020 levels through the United Nations' worldwide carbon pricing scheme called CORSIA, (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).
British Airways has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through a range of initiatives, including offsetting emissions, flying more fuel-efficient aircraft, investing in sustainable aviation fuel and changing operating procedures, as well as working with stakeholders and governments to strengthen global climate policy.
The airline and its parent company, IAG will invest a total of $400 million on alternative sustainable fuel development over the next 20 years. (Source: British Airways, PR, 2 Jan., 2019) Contact: British Airways, www.ba.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News British Airways, Aviation Emissions, Carbon Offset, CORSIA,
EDP Renewables North America commissioned its first two solar parks in California in January 2015, subsequently adding three solar parks in South Carolina to its operational portfolio.
Houston-headquartered ConnectGen develops renewable energy and energy storage projects across North America. The company is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a provider of private equity capital to the global energy industry.
(Source: EDP Renewables, First Solar, Printed Electronics, 30 Dec., 2019) Contact: EDP Renewables North America, Miguel Prado, CEO, (713) 265-0350 - Houston, +351 21 001 25 00, www.edpr.com; First Solar, Kathryn Arbeit, VP, Project Dev., David Brady, Inv. Rel., (602) 414-9315, dbrady@firstsolar.com, www.firstsolar.com; ConnectGEN LLC, (346) 998-2020, www.connectgenllc.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News EDP Renewables , Solar, First Solar, ConnectGen ,
The report, which examines the impacts of energy efficiency investments, policies, and innovation across a variety of sectors, including residential and commercial buildings, industry, and transportation, found that investments in energy efficient measures have prevented a 60 pct increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions. The report identifies fuel economy standards, appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards, ENERGY STAR, utility sector efficiency programs, federal research and development, and building energy codes as the policies and programs saved an estimated 25 quadrillion BTUs -- roughly 23 pct of the total U.S. energy consumption in of energy in 2017. The report identifies the growth in smarter technologies and more responsive energy management as major new energy savings opportunities and notes that technologies alone could deliver more than 40 pct of global carbon reductions necessary to meet Paris Agreement climate targets.
The report uses 54 indicators to quantify energy efficiency impacts. Further, it examines progress in a variety of sectors, including utilities, buildings, industry, and transportation. (Source: ACEEE, Alliance to Save Energy, Dec., 2019)Contact: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Steven Nadel, Exec. Dir., (202) 507-4000, (202) 429-2248 - fax, www.aceee.org; Alliance to Save Energy, 202.857.0666, www.ase.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, ACEEE, Alliance to Save Energy, Alliance to Save Energy,
The total project cost stands at around 48.5 trillion won and if constructed, the 8.2 GW project would be Korea's largest offshore wind farm. (Source: KEPKO, Dong-A Ilbo, 19 Dec., 2019)
Contact: KEPCO, www.kepco.co.kr
More Low-Carbon Energy News Korea Electric Power Corporation .KEPCO, Offshore Wind, Wind,
The total was raised from Canadian pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) through sale of 6,493,506 equity shares at $11.55 per share.
CDPQ's equity interest in Azure Power now stands at 49.4 pct.
Azure Power has a pan-India portfolio of more than 3 GW. (Source: Azure Power, PV Mag., 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Azure Power, Ranjit Gupta, CEO, +91-11-4940-9854, pr@azurepower.com, www.azurepower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Azure Power, Solar,
The consortium believes that both storing and using carbon can make a useful contribution to achieving the energy and climate objectives at Flemish, Belgian and European level and lead to reductions in CO2 emissions in the run-up to 2030. To that end, the Port of Antwerp and a number of other partners have submitted the necessary applications to the European Commission.
The Port of Antwerp in Flanders, Belgium, is a port in the heart of Europe accessible to capesize ships. It is Europe's second-largest seaport, after Rotterdam. Antwerp stands at the upper end of the tidal estuary of the Scheldt which is navigable by ships of more than 100,000 Gross Tons as far as 80 km inland. -- Wikipedia. (Source: Port Staretegy, 18 Dec., 2019) Contact: Port of Antwerp , Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, +32 (0)3 205 20 11, www.portofantwerp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS, CCUS,
The order now provides some certainty to solar developers and will provide a transition program until the BPU establishes a new long-term incentive program. (Source: NJ BPU, Dec., 2019)
Contact: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 800-624-0241, www.bpu.state.nj.us
More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar, Solar Incentive, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities ,
With the new solar additions, Sonnedix's total Italian operating capacity stands at 194 MW.
(Source: Sonnedix, 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Sonnedix, Axel Thiemann, CEO, enquiries@sonnedix.com, www.sonnedix.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,
Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) oil refiners are required to blend some 15 billion gpy of corn-based ethanol into their gasoline, but small facilities can be exempted if compliance would hurt them financially.
The October proposal was intended to placate corn growers and compensate the biofuel industry for the administration's expanded use of refinery exemptions, but which the industry has largely panned as insufficient, according to Reuters. The EPA's October plan would raise the biofuels volumes that some refineries must blend in 2020 based on DOE recommendations for volumes that should be exempted.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. (Source: Reuters, Various Media, 19 Dec., 2019)
For details see our Oct. 21 report as follows -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021. The Trump administration EPA has issued the attached supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking seeking additional comment on the recently proposed rule to establish the cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel volumes for 2020 and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
The notice does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments to the way that annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated. Annual renewable fuel percentage standards are used to calculate the number of gallons each obligated party is required to blend into their fuel or to otherwise obtain renewable identification numbers (RINs) to demonstrate compliance.
Specifically, the agency is seeking comment on projecting the volume of gasoline and diesel that will be exempt in 2020 due to small refinery exemptions based on a three-year average of the relief recommended by the BOE, including where DOE had recommended partial exemptions. The agency intends to grant partial exemptions in appropriate circumstances when adjudicating 2020 exemption petitions. The agency proposes to use this value to adjust the way it calculates renewable fuel percentages. The proposed adjustments would help ensure that the industry blends the final volumes of renewable fuel into the nation's fuel supply and that, in practice, the required volumes are not effectively reduced by future hardship exemptions for small refineries. Consistent with the statute, the supplemental notice seeks to balance the goal of the RFS of maximizing the use of renewables while following the law and sound process to provide relief to small refineries that demonstrate the need.
Download the Renewable Fuel Standard Program -- Proposed Volumes for 2020 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021 HERE. Contact: EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, 800-385-6164, www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/forms/fuels-program-helpdesk
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship" Waiver, Ethanol.Ethanol Blend, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Red Trail Energy,
Palm oil palm is part of the company's sustainability plan to largely use use jet biofuels to reduce carbon emission, according to the company release. To that end, the company has reportedly
signed forward purchase agreements for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) totaling roughly $6 billion.
(Source: AirAsia Group, PR, New Strait Times, 19 Dec., 2019) Contact: AirAsia,Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Founder & CEO, www.airasia.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News AirAsia Group, Palm Oil, Biofuel, Aviation Biofuel ,
The three Akuo Energy wind projects include -- -- 19, V136-3.45MW turbines and one V126-3.45MW turbine for the Wielowies project in southern Poland; 22 units of the V110-2.0MW turbines for the EP 44 project, and 11 units of the V110-2.0MW turbines for projects in northern Poland.
Akuo Energy develops, finances, builds and operates renewable energy power plants all over the world. Akuo Energy is the first French green IPP. It develops and operates power plants that go beyond simply producing renewable power and create additional social benefits for the inhabitants of the areas in which they live, according to the company website. (Source: Vestas, PR, Recharge, 12 Dec., 2019) Contact: AKUO ENERGY, Eric Scotto, CEO, +33 1 47 66 09 90, akuoenergy@akuoenergy.com, www.akuoenergy.com;
Vestas, Nils de Baar, Pres. Northern & Central Europe,
+45 97 30 00 00, vestas@vestas.com, www.vestas.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Vestas, Wind, Wind Turbine, Akuo, Poland Wind ,
The acquisitions include a 40 MW facility in Kent and a 10 MW project in Cumbria that were commissioned in January 2018.
The plants are two of the UK's largest energy storage facilities and their combined 50 MW capacity represents a quarter of National Grid's 2016 Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) capacity.
(Source: Gresham House Energy Storage Fund, PEI, 16 Dec., 2019) Contact: Gresham House Energy, www.greshamhouse.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage,
BlueGreen Alliance, a consortium of U.S. environmental and labor groups , commissioned the study that found the steel industry accounts for 25 pct of greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector -- 6 pct of the total emissions. The steel sector's emissions are expected to keep growing because demand for steel is outpacing the industry's efforts to reduce emissions.
(Source: Global Efficiency Intelligence, nwi, 8 Dec., 2019) Contact: Global Efficiency Intelligence,
Ali Hasanbeigi, CEO, 628-214 1080, www.globalefficiencyintel.com
The 2020-21 Michigan Clean Diesel Program RFP targets efforts to replace old diesel equipment, vehicles, and engines with new alternative fuel or hybrid versions. Applicants can be cities, townships and villages; county government agencies; public school districts; private schools; public transit agencies; port authorities; metropolitan planning organizations; nonprofit organizations; or private businesses.
(Source: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy , PR, 11 Dec., 2019) Contact: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, 800-662-9278, www.michigan.gov › egle
More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,
"There is broad bipartisan support for the biodiesel tax credit, and we believe that Congress can, and must, pass an immediate extension before returning home at the end of the year.
"The future of the credit has been unclear for nearly two years. Since the start of the year, producers have cut back production, investments in new technologies and facility upgrades, and purchases of raw materials.
"Now, at least 10 biodiesel plants have closed or stopped production, furloughing several hundred workers; the states impacted include Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Texas. The economic fallout impacts more than 7,500 total jobs across the U.S. economy. Without an immediate extension of the tax credit, we anticipate widespread plant closures, more production cutbacks, and significant job losses," the groups said in their appeal. (Source: The Fence Post, 9 Dec., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel, NBB, Biodiesel Tax Credit ,
GCEA is a nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions.
( Source: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, Dec., 2019) Contact: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, (513) 621-4232,
www.greatercea.org; PACE, info@pacenow.org, www.pacenow.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Enertgy Efficiency, PACE, PACE Financing,
In the short term, energy-related CO2 emissions are influenced by the weather, fuel prices and disruptions in electricity generation. In the long term, CO2 emissions are influenced by public policy, reduced costs and improved efficiencies of new technology, demand-side efficiency gains and economic trends, according to the report.
A major factor in recent reductions in the carbon intensity of electric generation in the U.S. is the reduced generation of electricity using coal while increasingly using natural gas. Natural gas emits less CO2 for the same amount of electricity generated, and non-carbon generation (including renewables), which do not emit the gas.
Between 2005 and 2018, EIA has calculated that cumulative U.S. C02 emissions reductions attributable specifically to shifts from coal to natural gas and to non-carbon generation totaled 4,621 million metric tons (MMmt). Of this total, 2,823 MMmt resulted from decreased use of coal and increased use of natural gas; 1,799 MMmt resulted from decreased use of coal and increased use of non-carbon generation sources.
Between 2005 and 2017, total U.S. electricity generation increased by almost 4 pct while related C02 emissions fell by 27 pct. During the same period, fossil fuel electricity generation declined by roughly 9 pct, and non-carbon electricity generation increased by 35 pct.
Download the U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2018 Report HERE. (Source: US Energy Information Administration, 14 Nov., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2, CO2 Emissions, Natural Gas Emissions, Climate Change,
By the end of 2018, the total capacity of the installations was approximately 43,481 kilowatts (kW), an increase of 13,910 kW -- a 47 pct increase year over year. Even so, legacy net metering projects remain a small portion of Michigan's total retail electricity sales at .0048 pct.
The legacy net metering program allows customers to generate their own electricity, mainly through solar and wind projects, to reduce their energy needs or electric bills. Michigan law allows utilities to limit participation in the program at 1 pct of their five-year average peak electricity sales, with half of this amount allocated to residential-sized systems, and the other half for larger projects. (Source: Michigan Public Service Commission, MITech News, Dec., 2019) Contact: Michigan Public Service Commission,
800-292-9555, 517-284-8100, www.michigan.gov/mpsc
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, Net Meter,
The projects, which are expected to be online prior to January 1, 2024, will double NV Energy's renewable energy resources portfolio to include 57 geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, biomass and supported rooftop solar projects both in service and under development. (Source: NV Energy, PR, 5 Dec., 2019) Contact: NV Energy, Doug Cannon, Pres., CEO,
Kristen Saibini, Corporate Communications,, 775-834-3891, ksaibini@nvenergy.com,
www.nvenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News NV Energy, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage, Solar,
The Cross Winds Energy Park complex consists of three wind farms with a total of 114 turbines is expected to generate sufficient energy for 90,000 homes.
Consumers Energy aims to cover 90 pct of its customers electric power needs with clean, renewable energy by 2040. (Source: Consumers Energy, PR, Renewables, 5 Dec., 2019) Contact: Consumers Energy, Patti Poppe, CEO, (517) 788-0550, info@cmsenergy.com, www.ConsumersEnergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Consumers Energy, Wind,
Amazon's newest renewable energy project in Europe will be the company's first large-scale solar project generating 149 MW near Sevilla. The company's newest renewable energy solar projects in the US will be located in Lee County, Illinois and in Northern Virginia. Together, they total 180 MW and are expected to generate almost 400,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. Once complete, the three new renewable energy solar projects will provide an estimated 329 MW of additional renewable capacity.
To date, Amazon has launched over 70 renewable energy projects providing more than 1,900 MW and over more than 5.3 million MWh of renewable energy annually. These projects include 21 utility-scale wind and solar farms and more than 50 solar rooftops installed on fulfillment centers and sort centers around the globe.
(Source: Amazon, PR, BusinessWire, Dec., 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Amazon, Renewable Energy, Wind,
In 2017, the company launched its first solar investment fund (Fund I), which raised ¥15.5 billion and covered five Japanese solar power plants totaling 100MWdc.
The company also intends to launch new renewable energy funds for developing its own solar projects and external solar assets. (Source: Pacifico Energy, PR, PowerTech, 2 Dec., 2019) Contact: Pacifico Energy, +81 3-4540-7830, www.pacificoenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pacifico Energy, Solar,