Weekly Update

Energy Shift: Shell sets net zero by 2050 ambition

Posted onAuthorPeter Koning

Plus: Australia renewables 10X global average; NextEra to spend $1B on storage

Hi Everyone,

Let me start by apologizing for pointing to the Rex Murphy op-ed in my last issue. As was rightly pointed out to me by several of you, he offered very little to argue his point. For long time readers, you have come to appreciate Energy Shift for matter-of-fact stories, perhaps with the occasional insight. So I’ll steer clear of opinions that are not well-argued. Thanks to those who offered this feedback and to all of the rest of you for sticking with me!

Peruse the main stories posted for something that may be of interest, but also scan the other headlines of interest. There are some pretty big numbers being quoted: $100 trillion of benefits that strong green stimulus could benefit the global economy; $1 billion projected to be invested by NextEra in energy storage, and an auction of 2 gigawatts of solar in India shows prices are continuing to fall.

Please consider forwarding on to others who may be interested and encourage them to subscribe.

Stay well!
Peter

Shell pledges to become a “net-zero emissions energy business” by 2050 | Axios

Excerpt: Shell laid out the oil and gas sector’s most extensive strategy yet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, stating its plans depended on its customers also mitigating emissions.In Summary, Shell’s ambition is to:

  • Fully offset carbon emissions from its own oil and gas production and the energy it uses by 2050, in what are known as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
  • Cut the carbon emission footprint from the energy products its sells, an intensity-based measure, by around 65% by 2050, and by around 30% by 2035.
  • “Pivot towards serving businesses and sectors that by 2050 are also net-zero emissions”.

Shell sets renewable target | Greentech Media
Shell sets emission ambition of net zero by 2050, with customer help | Reuters
Shell media release

[Canada’s] National emissions numbers underscore need to invest in clean economy | Pembina Institute

Canadian GHG emission trends, by economic sector, 1990-2018 | Credit: Pembina Institute

Comment: In this case the numbers speak for themselves. For the roughly two thirds of Canadians that highlighted climate change as a key concern and driver for how they voted in the last election, how else are we to lower emissions than through investment in moving to a lower carbon economy?

Australia deploying new renewables at ten times global average | RenewEconomy

Comment: I’ve been following Australia for some time now. This chart helps explain why.

Farewell to public transport, after the Coronavirus everyone in a private car | la Repubblica

Data from Ipsos research in China before and after the Coronavirus emergency | Credit: IPSOS

Comment: It is important to note that this poll is of China, though it will be interesting to watch the degree to which public transit numbers elsewhere return post-COVID-19. Some expect congestion to become far worse. Others suggest ‘work from home’ will be far more common.

ABB moves step closer to megawatt-scale fuel cells for ships | The Driven

Comment: While this development is perhaps not particularly significant, it is so rare we hear about potential decarbonization of the shipping industry and so I thought it was worth posting.

Other headlines of interest…

Energy Storage

Hydrogen

  • Daimler ends hydrogen car development because it’s too costly | Electrek
  • Hydrogen electrolysis using renewable energy begins at 10MW Fukushima plant | Energy Storage News
  • Green Hydrogen Pipeline Surges on a Wave of Announced Mega-Projects | Greentech Media

Solar (& Battery)

  • Latest 2GW solar auction in India shows prices still falling | RenewEconomy
  • Lightsource BP Wins Solar Project That Would Double Large-Scale Capacity in Arkansas | Greentech Media

Wind (& Battery)

  • New York hits the brakes on 2.5 GW solicitation of offshore wind due to COVID-19 | Utility Dive

Transport

  • Despite pandemic, Volvo pushes ahead with vehicle electrification | Wired
  • Renewables agency charts path to zero-carbon energy system by 2050 | Reuters
  • Electric Vehicles Buoyed by a Backlog and Fresh Air | BNN Bloomberg
  • Tesla to unveil 400-mile range Model 3 as production ramps up in China | edie

Transition

  • Renewables could add $100 trillion to post Covid-19 economic recovery | RenewEconomy
  • Sweden exits coal two years ahead of schedule, Austria closes last coal plant | RenewEconomy
  • Oil industry price wars, falling demand could boost its green renewable energy investments | Fortune

New 31 mph and 3,000W electric unicycle announced with true suspension | Electrek

Comment: Yet another interesting way to get around on a battery. Not for most, though innovative.