Plus: oodles of hydrogen stories; Autonomous delivery trucks; California bans natural gas heaters; Amazon buys more renewable power
Hi Everyone,
These updates take a fair bit of time to prepare – so I am adjusting my routine to take some time on both Saturday and Sunday to pull them together. It’s also why it feels like every three weeks is more manageable. Hope that is OK with you!
I’ll admit it – an increasing subscriber base provides me with the motivation to keep going with this. Help by encouraging others to consider signing up. And let me know if you have any specific feedback for what you think would make this better.
Thanks!
Peter
Feature Story
Charging your EV at night is about to become more expensive | The Verge
[Excerpt] The study, which was conducted by a team at Stanford University and published in Nature Energy, found that increasing EV ownership in the western US could lead to peak net electricity demand increases by up to 25 percent by 2035, the year California has said it would ban the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks.
More demand translates into higher prices, which means the glory days of cheap overnight charging may be coming to an end.
To better prepare for a future with more EVs, the study’s authors recommend vehicle owners do more daytime charging, either at work or at public charging stations. This becomes especially important as more renewable sources of power generation come online, including solar and wind power.
[Comments] The original story by the Washington Post ($) spoke about how the common practice of charging electric vehicles at night will become a problem as EVs see wider adoption. It pointed to the need for building out charging infrastructure to reduce the barriers and making it easy for EV owners to choose to charge their car while at work. This would help take advantage of the bump in daytime solar generation. It further suggests utilities consider offering incentives with lower time-of-use pricing during the day.
Alberta, where I live, is showing itself to be woefully unprepared, with a government focused almost exclusively on the “production of energy” and not on helping with “responsible consumption”. While industry sees time-of-use pricing, there is no residential version.
Alberta, it seems, is happy to see each part of the deregulated system build out extra generating capacity, extra transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet an ever increasing peak demand as EV owners plug in after work. Unfortunately, the system largely has no incentives to do otherwise as “building more” just means more revenue for each part of the system – generators will be happy to build more generation, transmission companies will be happy to build more powerlines.
All this extra buildout of the system is unnecessary and will lead to increased costs passed on to consumers. The only fix is government policy to make everyone play nice in the sandbox. But that would require a government to think more about how to help set up Albertans to be among the most responsible of energy consumers.
Here’s the thing: I’d rather not wait around for our Alberta government to finally tackle this. Instead – here is the invitation to industry leaders: It’s time to really lead – form an unprecedented coalition to help the government solve this. Albertans will thank you for it. I wish I could help, but I readily acknowledge the intricacies of the electricity system is outside my expertise. Besides, I’m busy helping to solve Oil & Gas industry issues.
Finance & Sentiment
Unpriced climate risk threatens to wipe billions off food and agriculture businesses | edie
Incoming policy and demand shifts could drive billions of permanent value loss across the food and agriculture sector equivalent in scale to the 2008 financial crisis, the Race to Zero initiative has warned.
McKinsey to Invest $100 Million in Energy Sector Decarbonization Practice | ESG Today
Global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company announced the launch of the Global Decarbonization Hub and the Sustainable Materials Hub, aimed at helping clients transform and unlock opportunities related to decarbonizing the energy and materials sectors.
Iberdrola Commits to Invest up to €3 Billion in Australian Energy Transition | ESG Today
Global energy and electricity provider Iberdrola announced today a new commitment to invest between €2 and €3 billion in Australia, aimed at accelerating the switch to renewable energy, and to boost its capacity in the country to 4GW.
“Going Purpose:” Patagonia Owner Donates Entire Company to Fight Climate Change | ESG Today
Outdoor apparel company Patagonia announced Wednesday that its founder Yvon Chouinard and his family have transferred ownership of the entire company to a climate-focused non-profit and a newly created trust, with all future non-reinvested profits generated by the company dedicated to “protect the planet.”
Technology
Hydrogen
Fortescue proposes 9.2 GW green hydrogen project in Egypt | pv magazine
Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries continues its campaign to be one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, with new plans to develop a 9.2 GW wind and solar facility in Egypt to power green hydrogen production.
Topsoe wins world’s largest ever hydrogen electrolyser order in 5GW green ammonia deal | Recharge News
Danish manufacturer Topsoe has signed a deal to provide 5GW of its solid-oxide electrolysers (SOEs) to First Ammonia (FA) — a New York City start-up backed by a $5.5bn hedge fund firm. The first 500MW of electrolyser capacity has already been allocated to FA’s first two facilities, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and the US Southwest.
€3 Billion European Hydrogen Bank and renewable hydrogen a game changer for EU energy autonomy | SES Hydrogen
During her State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of the European Hydrogen Bank, for which €3 billion will be allocated from the Innovation Fund. The European Hydrogen Bank is part of a strengthened EU energy strategy.
World’s largest green hydrogen project unveiled in Texas, with plan to produce clean rocket fuel for Elon Musk | Recharge News
The 60GW Hydrogen City project, announced by local start-up Green Hydrogen International, will be powered by wind and solar, with an on-site salt cavern for H2 storage
Japan’s JOGMEC to support ‘blue’ hydrogen, ammonia projects | Investing
State-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) will provide financial and technological support to Japan Inc’s ‘blue’ hydrogen and ammonia projects using carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS).
Bloom Energy to produce emissions-free hydrogen at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island nuclear plant | Utility Dive
Bloom Energy will install a 240-kW electrolyzer at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island nuclear plant in Welch, Minnesota, to produce emissions-free hydrogen. Bloom, a fuel cell company, expects to start building the electrolyzer in late 2023 and start running it in early 2024.
Meet Haldane – The Green Hydrogen Concept on a Converted Jack-Up | Rig Zone
[Excerpt] The project is called Haldane and it aims to be an industrial scale offshore green hydrogen production concept, through the deployment of an electrolyzer system on a converted jack-up rig. The project plans to produce over 100 tons of hydrogen per day – enough to power 20,000 hydrogen cars for a 500-mile range.
Universal Hydrogen Lands Order For 20 Turboprop Conversions | DEC
Hydrogen-powered regional aircraft are getting closer, with Universal Hydrogen adding another 20 firm orders for its turboprop conversion kits.
Ballard to Power First Hydrogen Trains in India | Railway News
Indian Railways is aiming to develop its own hydrogen-powered trains, a project for which it has hired rail systems integrator Medha Servo Drives. Now, Medha Serva Drives has contracted Ballard Power Systems to deliver the fuel cells to power India’s first hydrogen trains.
Scientists Figure Out How to Produce Hydrogen at Room Temperature Without the Need for Fossil Fuels | One Green Planet
[Excerpt] A new study published in Applied Nano Materials found a way to strip the oxygen from water molecules to leave the hydrogen gas. This requires post-consumer aluminum and gallium. The method uses aluminum nanoparticles and yields large amounts of hydrogen, but best of all, it all works at room temperature.
Korea Zinc plans 3GW renewable hub in huge Queensland green hydrogen play | RenewEconomy
A consortium of three of Korean industrial giants has unveiled plans to develop green energy export corridor connecting North Queensland to north-east Asia, that will export more than 1 million tonnes a year of green ammonia, and be powered by 3GW of renewable energy generation capacity.
World’s first offshore green hydrogen pilot in France | pv magazine
The project will be installed less than 1 km from the floating wind turbine. It will use wind power to pump, desalinate and purify seawater. The platform, developed by Geps Techno, will operate automatically. Plug Power supplied the electrolyzer.
HDF Energy wants to build utility scale solar hydrogen project in Namibia | pv magazine
The project consists of an 85 MW solar park and a green hydrogen production unit. The facility should begin commercial operations in 2024.
[Comment] Green hydrogen is made using water and electrolysis, with the electricity coming from renewables. In this case, I have to wonder where all the water is going to come from in a place like Namibia.
Carbon Capture
Wyoming will soon be home to the world’s largest carbon removal facility | Fast Company
Image: Carbon Capture Inc.
A new project aims to suck 5 million metric tons of CO2 a year out of the air by 2030. In rural Wyoming, a sprawling field will soon be filled with dozens of shipping container-sized boxes that can pull CO2 from the atmosphere to help combat climate change. The captured CO2, compressed into a liquid, will travel through pipelines into nearby wells that are drilled thousands of feet underground, storing it permanently. Everything will run on clean energy.
The first units in the system, called Project Bison, will be running by the end of next year. By 2030, as it scales up, the project plans to capture five million metric tons of CO2 a year, or roughly the equivalent emissions from driving a million gas-powered cars for a year.
Chevron granted interest in three permits to assess carbon storage offshore Australia | Port News
Chevron Corporation, through its affiliate Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, is part of three joint ventures that have been granted an interest in three greenhouse gas assessment permits offshore Australia, according to the company’s release.
Chevron signs MoU to form consortium to explore Singapore CCUS solutions | Oil & Gas Journal
Chevron, Air Liquide, Keppel Infrastructure, and PetroChina signed a memorandum of understanding to form a consortium to evaluate and advance development of large-scale carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) solutions and integrated infrastructure in Singapore.
The Grid
Here’s how Canadian hydropower will power 1 million New York City homes from 2026 | Electrek
The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line, will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean electricity from Canada’s Hydro-Québec, the fourth-largest hydropower producer in the world, to New York City.
Buildings
California Moves to Ban Natural Gas Furnaces and Heaters by 2030 | BNN Bloomberg
California is committing to a plan that will make it the first US state to phase out gas-fueled furnaces and water heaters in homes, a move environmentalists are betting will provide a template for other states.
Energy Storage
Energy Vault gets 2GWh mandate for gravity energy storage solution at industrial parks in China | Energy Storage News
Gravity-based energy storage company Energy Vault has been issued a mandate for an initial 2GWh of its proprietary solution at net-zero industrial parks in China.
Neoen plans 1 GW /4 GWh battery in Australia | pv magazine
Renewable power producer Neoen Australia has filed planning documents to develop a standalone 1 GW /4 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) near the town of Collie, Western Australia.
Hecate Grid signs utility contract, gets local approval for 1,200MWh California BESS project | Energy Storage News
Hecate Grid has progressed a 300MW/1,200MWh battery storage project in California, US, signing off-take contracts for its stored energy and gaining a key local authority approval.
World’s Biggest EV Battery Maker Considers Third Plant in Europe | BNN Bloomberg
The world’s biggest maker of electric-vehicle batteries, China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., is considering a third factory in Europe, the company’s president in the region said.
Solar and Wind
Amazon’s Latest Green Push Includes 71 New Renewable Energy Projects | PC Magazine
Amazon is increasing the amount of clean energy it produces with the announcement of 71 new renewable energy projects around the world. Once operational, they will generate 2.7 gigawatts of additional clean energy.
Philippines to host 1.3 GW floating solar plant | pv magazine
A new 1.3 GW floating PV array in the Philippines will require an investment of around $1.2 billion. Developers Blueleaf Energy and SunAsia said the project will likely be completed and switched on in 2024.
Global wind turbine orders hit 43 GW in Q2, driven by China | Renewables Now
Global wind turbine order intake reached a new record of 43 GW in the second quarter of 2022, driven by a record 35 GW of orders in China, Wood Mackenzie said on Tuesday.
Transportation
Einride officially launches its autonomous freight in EU’s largest transportation market | Electrek
EV freight technology company Einride has announced its expansion into Germany, the EU’s largest transportation market. The company will bring its electrified and autonomous freight shipping technology to the country, backed by a new Einride regional office and local logistical hubs. It also has a list of German partners already in place.
Pride Group is continuing to expand its fleet of electric trucks with the new order for 250 Freightliner vehicles | Electric Autonomy
Pride Group Enterprises, a Mississauga-based logistics company, is expanding its fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks by 200 Freightliner Class 8 eCascadia and 50 Freightliner Class 6-7 eM2 box trucks in a recent order. Pride has committed to having a 100 per cent electrified local delivery fleet within the next one to two years and already has 6,720 electric trucks on order.
President Biden Announces $900M for EV Charging at Detroit Auto Show | Investing
U.S. President Joe Biden, at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday, announced the approval for $900 million in federal funding for a nationwide electrical vehicle charging network. As part of a $1 trillion infrastructure law passed in November, the first $900 million will be used to finance the construction of EV chargers across 53,000 miles of the national highway system in 34 states and Puerto Rico.
Air Canada to buy 30 electric planes from Heart Aerospace | Reuters
Air Canada on Thursday said it would buy electric planes for the first time with the acquisition of 30 battery-powered regional aircraft from Heart Aerospace, as more airlines turn to new technologies to lower emissions and fuel costs.
TeraWatt raises over $1B to build EV charging centers across the U.S. | Venture Beat
TeraWatt Infrastructure has raised more than $1 billion to build electric vehicle charging centers across the United States. The company focuses on powering electrified fleets of cars and trucks with a network of solar-powered charging stations.
Baidu’s (BIDU) Apollo Go service strikes 1 million EV autonomous ride milestone in China | Electrek
[Excerpt] Baidu’s Apollo Go, its robotaxi business, unveiled its next-gen autonomous EV, the Apollo RT6, as the service surpasses 1 million rides. Apollo Go is now available in over 10 cities, including all major Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen).
XPeng challenges Tesla FSD with City Navigation Pilot, ‘China’s most advanced’ Advanced Driver Assistance System | Electrek
Chinese EFV automaker XPeng Motors announced it has launched a pilot program for its City Navigation Pilot (NGP) Advanced Driver Assistance System. With its debut, XPeng claims to be the first Chinese company to deliver such an “high-level” ADAS for complex urban driving, continuing to challenge Tesla’s Full-Self-Driving (FSD) technology overseas.
Hertz places massive order of 175,000 electric vehicles with GM | Electrek
After its massive order of Tesla vehicles, Hertz now announces another huge order of electric vehicles, this time for 175,000 EVs from GM.