The announcement of a tentative deal over the Churchill Falls hydroelectricity plant and future developments at Gull Island reflects a major step forward for both provinces, creating a win-win scenario with enormous potential for economic growth, energy security, and sustainability.

A Transformative Deal

The new agreement will replace the highly criticized 1969 Churchill Falls contract, which saw Quebec paying a fixed price of 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour for the lion’s share of the plant’s electricity. Under the new terms, Quebec will now pay 30 times more for power, generating $1 billion annually for Newfoundland and Labrador until 2041. Beyond the immediate financial boost, this landmark deal lays the foundation for expanded capacity, technological upgrades, and shared benefits for decades to come.

Hydro-Québec’s commitment to pay $3.5 billion for co-development rights to future projects demonstrates a strong partnership that balances financial risk and innovation. For Quebec, the deal ensures access to 7,200 megawatts of clean energy at a price that remains competitive compared to other renewable options. For Newfoundland and Labrador, it promises long-term economic stability, bolstered by significant investments in infrastructure and resource development.

Unlocking the Potential of Churchill Falls and Gull Island

The agreement’s vision extends beyond existing infrastructure, with plans to increase capacity at the Churchill Falls plant and develop the untapped potential of Gull Island. These projects, designed to capitalize on Labrador’s hydroelectric potential, represent an opportunity to make the region a renewable energy powerhouse while addressing North America’s growing demand for clean energy.

Key highlights of the proposed developments include:

• Increased Capacity at Churchill Falls: Upgrades to existing units will add 550 megawatts of new capacity, ensuring the plant remains a reliable source of renewable energy for future generations.
• Gull Island Generating Station: This new 2,250 MW facility will harness the power of the Churchill River, bringing a massive new energy source to market. Hydro-Québec will assume construction risks and cost overruns, demonstrating the strength of this cooperative venture.
• New Facilities Near Churchill Falls: An additional facility will add 1,100 MW of capacity, further solidifying the region’s status as a clean energy leader.
• Enhanced Transmission Infrastructure: New transmission lines in both Labrador and Quebec will ensure efficient delivery of energy from these expanded facilities, unlocking market access for renewable power.

With Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro owning 65% of the new developments and Hydro-Québec holding the remaining 35%, this balanced ownership model ensures both provinces share in the rewards of these ambitious projects.

Building on Collaboration

This agreement is not only a financial and energy breakthrough; it’s also a model for how provinces can collaborate on shared goals. The partnership between Newfoundland, and Labrador and Quebec highlights the power of cooperation in overcoming long-standing challenges. By addressing disputes over the original Churchill Falls contract and forging a forward-looking path, both provinces are setting an example for other jurisdictions in Canada and beyond.

The Innu Nation has also been acknowledged as a key stakeholder in this process. By signing an official acknowledgment of the agreement, the province has reaffirmed its commitment to the Innu of Labrador, ensuring that Indigenous communities benefit from these transformative projects.

A Vision for the Future

The tentative deal marks the beginning of a new chapter for energy development in Eastern Canada. It’s an opportunity to build capacity—not just in infrastructure but also in innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. The increased revenue for Newfoundland and Labrador will strengthen the province’s economy, while the expanded energy capacity will provide Quebec with a reliable, cost-effective renewable energy source for decades to come.

This win-win agreement is about more than just dollars and megawatts. It’s about building a shared future that harnesses the power of nature, respects the contributions of all stakeholders, and positions both provinces as leaders in the global energy transition. With Churchill Falls and Gull Island poised to drive economic growth and clean energy development, the possibilities for both Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec are as vast as the rivers that power them.

#ChurchillFalls, #GullIsland, #HydroelectricEnergy, #RenewableEnergy, #EnergyTransition, #SustainableDevelopment, #CleanEnergy, #EnergyCollaboration, #EconomicGrowth, #CanadianEnergy, #Hydropower, #InfrastructureDevelopment, #NLHydro, #HydroQuebec, #GreenEnergy, #EnergyInnovation

Methane, often overlooked in favor of carbon dioxide, is a potent greenhouse gas, with an 80 times greater warming impact over 20 years. Despite its destructive power, accurately tracking methane emissions has been elusive—until now.

The Urgency of Methane Tracking

MethaneSAT was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, joining the global effort to curb emissions by providing critical data on methane leaks from oil and gas operations. This groundbreaking project aims to deliver a granular, global view of methane emissions from production sites in places like Texas, Russia, and Nigeria. For the first time, governments, researchers, and the public will have access to unbiased, precise data that highlights methane hotspots worldwide.

While the oil and gas industry has historically kept much of its emissions data private, MethaneSAT will open a window of transparency, allowing regulators and the public to hold companies accountable for their environmental impact. This transparency is particularly vital as methane accounts for around 30% of global warming from human-caused emissions. Reducing these emissions is one of the most cost-effective ways to slow climate change, with the potential to reduce global temperatures by 0.1°C by 2050.

A Turning Point for the Oil and Gas Sector

MethaneSAT’s launch marks a shift in the way the industry will be monitored. In the past, oil companies could control what data was made public, often using their technologies to monitor emissions. However, the satellite’s real-time data will eliminate the need for permission from oil companies to access critical information. This shift toward independent monitoring represents a new era of transparency that could catalyze further action to mitigate methane emissions.

As Steven Hamburg, EDF’s chief scientist, explains, the ability to see and report on methane leaks in real time gives regulators the tools they need to enforce stricter emissions controls. This push for transparency is aligned with recent regulatory changes, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring operators to monitor, detect, and fix methane leaks, with third-party data providing additional oversight.

Global Implications and the Road Ahead

The global impact of MethaneSAT is profound. In Canada, the government has already pledged to reduce methane emissions by up to 75% by 2030, a critical step in meeting its climate goals. Internationally, 155 countries have committed to a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030. However, as experts have pointed out, robust monitoring and verification will be essential to ensure these pledges are met.

MethaneSAT is positioned to play a key role in this global effort, offering a comprehensive view of emissions across 80% of the world’s oil and gas production sites. This data will provide the clarity needed to hold companies accountable and support informed policy decisions that protect the planet.

In the end, MethaneSAT’s mission is not just about tracking emissions—it’s about enabling action. By providing governments, industries, and the public with real-time, transparent data, this satellite has the potential to drive a new era of environmental responsibility in the oil and gas sector, moving the world closer to meeting its climate targets.

As the global community watches closely, MethaneSAT represents a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change—a technological leap that brings us one step closer to a sustainable future.

A Delicate Balance: Rising Demand and Limited Supply

The global gas market, a cornerstone of the world’s energy supply, remains in a precarious balance. In 2023, demand for gas increased by 1.5%, with projections indicating an even steeper rise to 2.1% by the end of 2024. Asia, with its rapidly growing economies and burgeoning industrial sectors, is driving much of this demand. North America and the Middle East, on the other hand, are emerging as leaders in gas exports, leveraging their abundant resources to meet global needs.

However, the report warns that if this trend continues without significant investment in new production, the world could face a 22% shortfall in global gas supply by 2030. Such a deficit would not only exacerbate the energy crisis but also hinder efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The message is clear: without a concerted push to scale up investments in natural gas and clean energy technologies, the world risks falling short of its energy needs and climate goals.

The Unyielding Growth of Energy Demand

Energy demand is not just rising in the usual suspects—developing regions with growing populations and industrial sectors—but also in developed nations that are seeing a resurgence in energy consumption. Europe, despite its efforts to enhance energy efficiency, has experienced an uptick in demand, driven by a combination of factors including industrial activity and harsh winter conditions. In North America, energy demand has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, spurred by the expansion of the transport sector and the explosion of AI data centers that require vast amounts of electricity.

Asia remains the global powerhouse of energy demand, with India and China leading the charge. Their industrial sectors are expanding at breakneck speed, fueling a voracious appetite for energy that shows no signs of abating. Meanwhile, Africa’s energy demand is growing faster than most regions, propelled by rapid urban development. Yet, despite this growth, equitable access to electricity remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural areas and parts of South America. The energy divide is widening, with millions still lacking access to the basic energy services needed to lift them out of poverty.

The Critical Role of Natural Gas and Emerging Technologies

In the face of these daunting challenges, natural gas offers a glimmer of hope. As the cleanest of the fossil fuels, it provides an immediate opportunity to reduce emissions from coal by 50% and from oil by 30% through cost-effective switching. But the benefits of natural gas extend beyond its lower carbon footprint. It is also a crucial bridge fuel, capable of supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future while new technologies like biomethane, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and low-carbon hydrogen scale up to meet global energy demands.

Biomethane, a direct substitute for natural gas, is one such technology that holds great promise. Despite its potential, it currently accounts for only 1% of the natural gas market, with most production concentrated in North America and Europe. However, new production hubs are emerging in China and India, signaling a shift in the global energy landscape. Similarly, CCS, a technology critical to decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, is gaining momentum but remains underdeveloped. The same is true for low-carbon hydrogen, which has the potential to revolutionize energy systems but requires significant investment and policy support to reach its full potential.

The Call for Urgent Action

The 2024 Global Gas Report underscores the urgent need for investment in natural gas and clean energy technologies. Without it, the world will struggle to meet its energy needs, let alone achieve its climate goals. IGU President, Mme Li Yalan, emphasizes the importance of finding a realistic balance between growing energy demand and long-term sustainability. “We must look for a realistic way to balance these trends with long-term sustainability goals, such as building a diversified energy system and comprehensive approaches to tackle climate change,” she states.

Snam CEO, Stefano Venier, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the complexity of the energy transition. “The energy transition represents a unique challenge for mankind. A journey that will not be linear, marked by great aspirations and many hurdles, from geopolitical tensions to technology disruptions and unforeseeable global economic developments,” he says. Venier stresses the critical role of natural gas and related infrastructure in ensuring the resilience of the global energy system, while new green and low-carbon molecules will be essential to achieving a just and technologically neutral transition.

A Future in the Balance

The path to a sustainable energy future is fraught with challenges, but it is also filled with opportunities. As Rystad Energy CEO, Jarand Rystad, notes, “Natural gas, now 30% of the fossil fuel mix, is cheaper and cleaner than oil and coal, with emissions significantly lower than both. As global LNG access expands, natural gas is on track to surpass coal by 2030 and oil by 2050.”

The 2024 Global Gas Report serves as a clarion call to the global energy community. The choices made today will determine whether the world can meet its energy needs and climate goals tomorrow. The stakes have never been higher, and the time for action is now.

Download the Full Report

Sources: International Gas Union (IGU)

A Vision for Sustainable Aviation

The partnership between Sirius Aviation AG, a trailblazer in hydrogen-powered aviation, and Marathon Group Australia, a leader in renewable energy, marks a significant leap towards a carbon-neutral future. Their joint mission is to integrate hydrogen technologies into airport infrastructure, reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint and aligning with Australia’s aggressive clean energy targets.

“This partnership with Marathon Group represents a monumental step in transforming aviation through hydrogen technology,” said Alexey Popov, CEO of Sirius Aviation AG. “Our combined efforts will set new benchmarks in sustainability, significantly reducing carbon emissions and redefining the future of air travel.”

The Power of Hydrogen: Pioneering New Frontiers

Central to this partnership is the Sirius Jet, a hydrogen-powered VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, developed in collaboration with Designworks, a BMW Group company. This revolutionary aircraft is designed to offer low noise, zero emissions, and high efficiency, making it ideal for diverse applications, including cargo transport and air ambulance services. The integration of the Sirius Jet into this project exemplifies the potential of hydrogen technology to revolutionize aviation, offering a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient mode of air transport.

Key Components of the Partnership

1. Hydrogen Storage and Refueling Innovations

The collaboration will focus on the development of advanced hydrogen storage and refueling systems. This includes the creation of Mobile Hydrogen Transportable Liquidation and Refueling Units, which are designed to meet the varying infrastructure needs of airports across the region. These innovations are expected to not only support the deployment of hydrogen-powered aircraft but also serve as a model for other industries looking to transition to hydrogen-based energy solutions.

2. Zero-Emission Airports: A New Era in Infrastructure

At the heart of this initiative is the establishment of zero-emission airports, which will be powered by a combination of hydrogen and renewable energy sources. By harnessing the expertise of both Sirius Aviation and Marathon Group, these airports will serve as global exemplars of sustainable infrastructure, integrating the latest in clean energy technologies to support a broad range of aviation and transportation needs.

3. Synergy with Renewable Energy Projects

The partnership also emphasizes the integration of regional hydrogen production with solar and wind energy projects. By aligning these renewable energy initiatives with the development of zero-emission airports, the collaboration will further Australia’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This holistic approach ensures that the entire ecosystem, from energy production to consumption, is optimized for sustainability.

4. Comprehensive Training and Development

To support the widespread adoption of hydrogen technologies, Sirius Aviation and Marathon Group will launch comprehensive training programs. These programs will be designed to build expertise in hydrogen technology, ensuring that the next generation of aviation professionals is equipped to drive innovation and sustain the momentum toward a greener future.

Leading the Charge in Renewable Energy

Marathon Group has been a cornerstone of Gippsland’s energy sector for nearly four decades, and its commitment to innovation in hydrogen storage, generation, and transport is unwavering. By partnering with Siemens and other industry leaders, Marathon Group is accelerating Australia’s journey towards a net-zero carbon economy. This alliance with Sirius Aviation further solidifies Marathon Group’s position as a leader in the global renewable energy landscape.

“This partnership with Sirius Aviation AG is a testament to our mission to drive sustainable energy and pioneer innovations in hydrogen aviation,” said Brett Singh, CEO of Marathon Group Australia. “Together, we are not just building airports; we are building the future of transport ecosystems and infrastructure.”

Setting New Standards for the Future

As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, the alliance between Sirius Aviation AG and Marathon Group Australia represents a significant step forward. By developing zero-emission airports and integrating hydrogen technologies into the aviation industry, they are not only reducing the environmental impact of air travel but also setting a new standard for energy efficiency and sustainability.

This pioneering collaboration is more than just a partnership; it’s a transformative leap toward a more interconnected and environmentally advanced future. With the support of global industry leaders, Sirius Aviation and Marathon Group are charting a course for the future of aviation—one that is clean, efficient, and sustainable.

Sources:
Sirius Aviation AG

Accelerating the Adoption of Low-Carbon Technologies

Project IGNITE, short for Innovating GHG-Reduction, Nurturing Institutions, And Training Enterprises, is meticulously crafted to tackle the primary obstacles hindering the widespread adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices. By addressing these challenges head-on, the project aspires to catalyze transformative change in how Canada approaches GHG emissions reduction.

“The launch of Project IGNITE marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to combat climate change and build a sustainable future,” says Sindhu Kampli, Project Analyst at ECO Canada. “Through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches, we are empowering businesses and institutions to embrace low-carbon technologies and practices, driving meaningful progress towards our climate mitigation goals.”

Building Capacity and Removing Barriers

One of the critical components of Project IGNITE is workforce and institutional capacity building. The initiative aims to remove adoption barriers and accelerate climate mitigation efforts by fostering human and institutional resource development for technology deployment. This will enable the implementation of carbon reduction projects across Canada, particularly within small and medium-sized businesses and institutional partners.

“Project IGNITE represents a pivotal step forward in our mission to drive innovation in greenhouse gas reduction and foster a low-carbon economy. By empowering businesses and institutions with the tools and knowledge they need, we are making significant strides towards a sustainable and resilient future,” states Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry, VP of Professional Services and ESG at ECO Canada.

Government Support and Industry Collaboration

The Government of Canada’s investment in Project IGNITE, through the Implementation Readiness Fund stream of the Low Carbon Economy Fund, underscores the importance of removing barriers to low-carbon technology adoption and increasing the readiness to deploy GHG emissions reduction projects. This collaboration highlights the shared commitment to achieving significant environmental goals.

“Organizations like ECO Canada are taking innovative approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to building a low-carbon economy,” says The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Through this investment, we are supporting projects that enhance readiness for low-carbon technology deployment and GHG emissions reduction.”

A Vision for a Sustainable Future

ECO Canada’s Project IGNITE is not just an initiative; it’s a vision for a sustainable future where businesses and institutions are equipped with the knowledge and tools to drive significant environmental impact. By focusing on capacity building and the removal of adoption barriers, Project IGNITE is set to transform the landscape of GHG emissions reduction in Canada.

For more information about Project IGNITE and to stay updated on the latest developments, please visit the Project IGNITE.

About ECO Canada

ECO Canada is the steward of the Canadian environmental industry, dedicated to promoting and driving responsible, sustainable economic growth. For over 30 years, ECO Canada has been a leader in job creation, wage funding, training, and labor market research. Through partnerships with government, policymakers, academia, and industry, ECO Canada supports the development of a skilled and innovative environmental workforce.

Sources:
eco.ca
Government of Canada

The drive towards a sustainable and prosperous future in Canada is accelerating with the advent of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure funding. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the importance of reliable and extensive charging infrastructure cannot be overstated. This is a crucial step in enabling Canadians to make the switch to ZEVs, aligning with the ambitious national target of ensuring 100% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs by 2035.

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)

One of the pivotal initiatives supporting this transition is the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), spearheaded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This program is currently open for applications, inviting proposals aimed at deploying electric vehicle (EV) chargers across various locations:

• Public Places: Facilitating EV charging access in locations frequented by the general public, ensuring that charging stations are conveniently located and easily accessible.
• On-Street: Supporting the installation of chargers on public streets, making EV charging as ubiquitous as traditional fueling stations.
• Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Addressing the needs of residents in multi-unit buildings, where access to personal charging infrastructure may be limited.
• Workplaces: Encouraging workplaces to install charging stations, promoting EV adoption among employees and reducing greenhouse gas emissions during commutes.
• Vehicle Fleets: Enabling fleet operators to transition to ZEVs by providing the necessary charging infrastructure to support their operations.

NRCan’s annual, time-limited request for proposals is a call to action for communities, businesses, and organizations to contribute to Canada’s ZEV infrastructure network, playing a significant role in the nation’s sustainability efforts.

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Projects

In addition to ZEVIP, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is also playing a crucial role in the development of ZEV infrastructure. The CIB is now open for applications, offering financing for large-scale ZEV charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure projects. These projects are typically delivered by the private sector and are designed to be revenue-generating while serving the public interest.

The CIB’s support is aimed at fostering innovative and scalable solutions that can meet the growing demand for ZEV infrastructure. By financing these projects, the CIB is helping to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the widespread adoption of ZEVs, furthering Canada’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

The availability of funding for ZEV infrastructure is a significant milestone in Canada’s journey towards sustainability. By supporting the deployment of reliable and extensive charging infrastructure, both the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and the Canada Infrastructure Bank are playing pivotal roles in facilitating the transition to ZEVs. This not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also paves the way for a cleaner, greener future for all Canadians.

As the nation marches towards the ambitious target of 100% ZEV sales by 2035, the importance of robust and widespread ZEV infrastructure cannot be overstated. With the support of these funding programs, communities across Canada are well-positioned to accelerate their transition towards a sustainable and prosperous future, leading the way in the global fight against climate change.

The visionary study sets its sights on nothing less than a complete overhaul of the Mongstad refinery, transforming it into a bastion of low-carbon innovation. At its core lies the ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions while birthing a new era of sustainable energy production. Spearheading this monumental task, Aker Solutions brings to the table its unparalleled expertise, drawing upon a wealth of experience to engineer solutions that are both technically sound and economically viable.

The scope of the endeavor is as vast as it is ambitious, encompassing the creation of a greenfield facility dedicated to the production of blue hydrogen—a revolutionary leap toward clean energy. But the transformation doesn’t stop there. Aker Solutions’ vision extends to the development of a carbon capture and export solution, paving the way for the widespread adoption of carbon-neutral technologies.

Central to the initiative is the establishment of a facility dedicated to the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), derived from municipal solid waste—a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of modern engineering. With emissions reduced by over 70%, this groundbreaking innovation promises to revolutionize the aviation industry, heralding a new era of eco-friendly air travel.

Roddy Macpherson, Senior Vice President of Consultancy at Aker Solutions, expresses his excitement for the transformative journey ahead, emphasizing the pivotal role of this endeavor in driving the global shift toward decarbonization. With a team of experts spanning multiple disciplines, Aker Solutions is poised to lead the charge in accelerating Norway’s energy transition, reshaping the nation’s energy landscape for generations to come.

Mongstad, once a modest refinery emitting 1.7 million tons of CO2 annually, stands at the precipice of change. Equinor’s bold vision to drastically reduce emissions heralds a new dawn for the industrial powerhouse, paving the way for a future defined by sustainability and innovation. As the study progresses, the world watches with bated breath, eager to witness the birth of a new paradigm in industrial transformation.

In the crucible of innovation, the partnership between Aker Solutions and Equinor stands as a beacon of hope—a testament to humanity’s indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to forging a brighter tomorrow. The journey ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with determination and ingenuity as their guiding stars, they march forward toward a future where sustainability reigns supreme.

Source: akersolutions.com

Embrace Renewable Energy Sources:
Make the switch to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Energy Efficiency Improvements:
Implement energy-efficient technologies and practices throughout operations to minimize energy wastage and lower carbon footprint.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
Invest in CCS technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and store them underground, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

Electrification of Transportation:
Support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and invest in EV charging infrastructure to decrease reliance on fossil fuels in the transportation sector.

Sustainable Bioenergy:
Explore the use of sustainable biomass and biofuels as viable alternatives to fossil fuels, ensuring responsible sourcing practices to mitigate environmental impact. Energy

Storage Solutions:
Invest in energy storage technologies like batteries and pumped hydro storage to facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid.

Smart Grid Technologies:
Deploy smart grid technologies to optimize energy distribution, minimize energy losses, and support the seamless integration of renewable energy sources.

Energy Conservation Programs:
Implement energy conservation programs to incentivize consumers and businesses to reduce energy consumption through education and incentives.

Green Building Practices:
Adopt green building practices in construction and renovation projects to enhance energy efficiency and decrease emissions from buildings.

Carbon Offsetting:
Invest in carbon offset projects, such as reforestation and renewable energy initiatives, to counterbalance your company’s carbon emissions.

Circular Economy Initiatives:
Embrace circular economy principles by minimizing waste generation, promoting recycling, and designing products for longevity and recyclability.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management:
Collaborate with suppliers to ensure the sustainability of raw materials and decrease emissions across the supply chain.

Carbon Pricing:
Advocate for carbon pricing mechanisms that internalize the cost of carbon emissions and encourage emission reductions.

Research and Development:
Allocate resources to research and development efforts aimed at developing innovative decarbonization technologies and solutions.

Collaboration and Advocacy:
Collaborate with industry peers, policymakers, and stakeholders to advocate for policies and initiatives that support decarbonization efforts on a broader scale.

By implementing these strategies, energy companies can play a pivotal role in leading the charge toward a low-carbon future while simultaneously creating value for shareholders, customers, and society as a whole. It’s time to take action, drive change, and pave the way for a cleaner, greener energy landscape. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!

This is Tina Olivero signing off for Our Great Minds. Stay tuned for more insights on the latest trends and developments in the energy industry here at TheOGM.com. Let’s continue to create boundaries and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.

Oil and Gas Companies:

1. Invest in Renewable Energy: Diversify your energy portfolio by investing in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and bioenergy. This not only reduces carbon emissions but also future-proofs your business against the transition to a low-carbon economy.
2. Optimize Operations: Implement advanced technologies and best practices to optimize oil and gas extraction processes, minimize methane leaks, and reduce energy consumption in operations.
3. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Explore opportunities for CCS technologies to capture and store carbon emissions from your operations, thereby mitigating your environmental impact.
4. Transition to Cleaner Fuels: Gradually transition towards cleaner fuels such as natural gas, which emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to coal and oil.
5. Enhance Energy Efficiency: Continuously improve energy efficiency across operations, including refineries and petrochemical plants, through upgrades and process optimizations.

Major Contractors:

1. Promote Green Technologies: Advocate for the adoption of green technologies and practices in oil and gas projects, such as energy-efficient equipment and low-emission processes.
2. Supply Chain Collaboration: Collaborate with oil and gas companies to develop and implement sustainable supply chain practices, including responsible sourcing of materials and reduced emissions in transportation.
3. Innovative Solutions: Invest in research and development to develop innovative solutions that reduce emissions during project execution, such as advanced drilling techniques and emissions-reducing technologies.
4. Efficient Project Management: Implement efficient project management practices that prioritize sustainability, including minimizing waste generation and optimizing resource utilization.
5. Education and Training: Provide education and training programs for employees to increase awareness of sustainability issues and promote the adoption of eco-friendly practices.

Suppliers:

1. Sustainable Sourcing: Adopt sustainable sourcing practices by prioritizing suppliers that adhere to environmental standards and certifications, and promote responsible extraction and production methods.
2. Energy-Efficient Products: Offer energy-efficient products and services to oil and gas companies, major contractors, and other clients to help them reduce their carbon footprint.
3. Carbon Footprint Reduction: Implement measures to reduce your own carbon footprint, such as optimizing transportation routes and reducing energy consumption in manufacturing processes.
4. Circular Economy Initiatives: Embrace circular economy principles by promoting product reuse, recycling, and waste reduction throughout the supply chain.
5. Collaborative Innovation: Collaborate with oil and gas companies and major contractors to develop and implement innovative solutions that reduce emissions across the entire value chain.

By implementing these tailored strategies, oil and gas companies, major contractors, and suppliers can play a pivotal role in driving decarbonization efforts within the industry. Rather than wait to be mandated to do “the right thing” adopt a culture of corporate responsibility that is self-governed and proactive in the quest to reach net zero. Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future while ensuring continued growth and prosperity for all stakeholders involved.

This is Tina Olivero signing off for TheOGM.com. Let’s continue to lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable energy industry!

In a groundbreaking move towards a greener future, ECO Canada proudly announces its ambitious project aimed at creating awareness and driving the adoption of Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles across diverse communities.

ECO Canada is set to start an important initiative and embrace communities from all walks of life. The project named “Indigenous and Small Business Awareness for Combating Climate Change through Adoption of Zero Emission Medium and Heavy Vehicles”, is more than a mission — it’s a movement.

With each transition to zero-emission vehicles, businesses not only reduce operational costs but also actively contribute to the reduction of an estimated 3 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. Studies have shown that these vehicles can lead to annual fuel savings of up to $30,000 per vehicle, providing a substantial financial incentive for businesses considering the switch. The societal benefits of reduced air pollution also foster improved public health and a stronger sense of community well-being.

By addressing the needs and concerns of small businesses and transport companies, the project represents a comprehensive step towards a cleaner future. It not only promotes environmental stewardship but also enhances profitability across various sectors, catalyzing a positive shift in the transportation industry.

What to Expect:

Driving Change: This project aims to inform, educate, and empower Indigenous communities, rural areas, small businesses, and transport companies about the positive impact of embracing Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles.

Beyond Boundaries: By engaging in awareness sessions, webinars, and interactive ZEV demonstrations, ECO Canada is creating a space for conversations across diverse landscapes.

Ambassadors of Change: ECO Canada is on the lookout for passionate individuals to join as ambassadors, leading the charge for a greener, cleaner future.

Why Join the Movement?

Lead the Voice for Change: Be the influencer your community needs for a sustainable tomorrow.

Drive Sustainable Initiatives: Embrace eco-friendly transportation that transforms businesses and communities.

Collaborate with Communities: Build bridges between ECO Canada, Industry Leaders, and Indigenous communities, fostering a collaborative spirit.

“The Zero Emissions Vehicle Awareness Initiative is a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize our approach to transportation,” says Dr. Devant Maharaj, Director of Professional Services at ECO Canada. “By promoting the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, it not only addresses environmental concerns but also paves the way for a sustainable and cleaner future, showcasing a commitment to innovative solutions for a greener planet.”

Stay Tuned for Exciting In-person Events in Remote Areas

ECO Canada is gearing up for in-person events in remote areas next year. ECO Canada is on the lookout for thought leaders and speakers in Indigenous, small business, and transportation communities.

About ECO Canada:

ECO Canada is the steward of the Canadian environmental industry. From job creation and wage funding to training and labor market research – we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional. We aim to promote and drive responsible, sustainable economic growth within the industry while ensuring that environmental care and best practices are priorities. Over the past 30 years, we have forged academic partnerships, tools, and research to train and certify environmental job seekers and help fill the labor market.

We work alongside government, policymakers, academia, students, employers, professionals, industry, and international audiences to ensure we support Canada as a global leader in innovative workforce solutions and job creation. We remain the go-to source in the environmental labor market; our research provides unmatched statistics and analysis on the industry’s economic and labor trends that identify workforce gaps.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS/CCUS) will play a key role in Canada’s plan to reach a net-zero electricity system by 2035. However, deploying large-scale CCS in provinces that will continue to rely on fossil fuels for power generation presents significant challenges if it is to be achieved on the tight timeline required by proposed federal regulations.

The International CCS Knowledge Centre has published a review of the Government of Canada’s proposed Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), which would limit annual carbon emission intensities to 30 tonnes of CO₂ per gigawatt-hour (t/GWh) of electricity produced, applying to all power plants that use fossil fuels to generate power, are a net exporter of electricity to the North American grid, and have capacity to produce at least 25 megawatts.

The performance standard would take effect on Jan. 1, 2035, or 20 years after the commissioning of a power plant (whichever is later, with some exceptions). It is expected to apply to approximately 15 percent of Canada’s power supply that is derived from fossil fuels – primarily natural gas and coal-fired power facilities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia.

The 30 t/GWh standard aligns with the emissions intensity of natural gas electricity generation with carbon capture achieving nearly a 95 percent CO₂ capture rate.​ This level of performance is considered possible with existing CCS technology deployed on natural gas-fired power plants, but not for coal-fired power plants, which typically have emissions intensity around 1,000 t/GWh.

“Many amine-based CCS technology vendors guarantee a 95 percent capture rate, so it is theoretically possible for natural gas power plants to achieve the CER’s requirements, however, there are many risks that must be considered, as there are no power plants with CCS that have achieved this level of performance anywhere in the world to date,” said Beth (Hardy) Valiaho, the Knowledge Centre’s vice-president of policy, regulatory and stakeholder relations. “Having emissions intensity regulations that are too stringent may also disincentivize investment in novel CCS technologies and applications developed right here in Canada in the sector.”

It is clear that CCS will be key to reducing emissions from power plants that provide reliable base-load power in several provinces, but it will be difficult to meet the CER’s timelines given the long lead time for bringing large-scale CCS projects to life and the possibility of labor and supply chain challenges that are anticipated with the global boom in CCS construction over the next decade.

“Applying the lessons learned from the world’s first CCS facility on a commercial power plant at SaskPower’s Boundary Dam power station will be instrumental in helping to overcome the challenges and enhance the success of the next generation of CCS projects that must get started immediately if we are to meet the ambitious timelines for Canada’s emissions reduction targets,” Valiaho said.

The Knowledge Centre recommends the government add provisions to allow lower CCS performance to reflect emergency situations and other fluctuations in plant operations. Aligning the CER’s emission intensity requirements and timelines with similar regulations proposed in the United States may also be prudent in order to ensure a level playing field for power companies across both countries and to incent businesses to invest in innovative and novel CCS projects within Canada.

The Government of Canada is soliciting input on the proposed regulations by Nov. 2, 2023. The final regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette Part II in 2024.

About the International CCS Knowledge Centre

The International CCS Knowledge Centre is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by BHP and SaskPower to advance large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects as a critical means of managing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the world’s ambitious climate goals.

The Knowledge Centre provides independent, expert advisory services for CCS projects across heavy-emitting industries based on our team’s unique experience developing the world’s first fully integrated post-combustion CCS facility on a coal-fired power plant. We have a proven track record of helping our clients lower costs, reduce risk, and improve the performance of CCS projects across industries and technology platforms using the latest knowledge and lessons learned from major projects across the globe. 

We also provide input to policy development and promote broad collaboration between stakeholders to enhance understanding of the critical role CCS plays in global decarbonization efforts and accelerate the deployment of new CCS projects around the world.

For more information, visit: www.ccsknowledge.com

In an effort to maximize and accelerate the decarbonization of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore through the development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced a new CCUS Innovation Challenge.

“The CCUS Innovation Challenge will help ensure Newfoundland and Labrador’s educational institutions, businesses, and workers are at the forefront of this emerging technology, with the goal of creating new, highly-skilled jobs here at home, and solutions that can help Canada and the world to achieve vital decarbonization goals,” said Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through the CCUS Innovation Challenge, the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology is inviting expressions of interest for financial support to qualifying businesses, organizations and researchers engaged in research and development focused on the development of CCUS in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore. Up to $6 million in Provincial Government funding has been allocated for two streams of work:

• Up to $3 million to support research and development to advance the development of CCUS to decarbonize ongoing oil production in the province’s offshore; and

• Up to $3 million to support studies of the potential and feasibility of the province’s offshore to serve as a regional CCUS hub for the storage of locally and externally produced carbon dioxide. 

“As net zero will not be achieved without large-scale carbon capture technology and storage, offshore carbon storage represents an excellent economic opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador given its vast offshore storage potential and existing offshore workforce and infrastructure,” said Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

The funding can support up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. Proposals must be submitted jointly by industry and academic partners to promote cooperation between these sectors. Lead applicants must be from post-secondary institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador with CCUS research experience and registered incorporated businesses with at least two years of offshore operations in the province.

“Carbon capture and storage has an important role to play in mitigating climate change and attaining our net zero goals. We are pleased to support the CCUS Innovation Challenge as an impactful initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean innovation and growth, and support the green economy,” said Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Premier Furey was joined in making the announcement by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as well as Dr. Lesley James, a professor with the Memorial University Department of Process Engineering, Kieran Hanley, Chief Executive Officer of econext and Charlene Johnson, Chief Executive Officer with Energy NL.

“It is exciting to be part of energy-related research and development efforts. Carbon storage is taking our oil and gas subsurface knowledge and turning it upside down. Engineering wise, it’s exciting to re-think and re-work a complex problem with new objectives and constraints. To educate and train students and ourselves to solve a global greenhouse gas problem and find local innovations and solutions is inspiring.” said Dr. Lesley James, Professor at Memorial University.

Offshore CCUS can play a key role in helping Newfoundland and Labrador achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets. The province’s offshore storage potential could also help other jurisdictions to meet their own emissions reduction targets.

“Our analysis tells us that net zero by 2050 is not achievable in Newfoundland and Labrador without initiatives that result in negative GHG emissions. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage is a promising technology that can help us – and the world – get there. Therefore, econext is excited about the creation of the CCUS Innovation Challenge. Targeted investments in innovation like the one being made today will help put our province on the leading edge of cleantech development on an international basis.” said Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext.

“Carbon capture and storage has the potential to further decarbonize our already lower carbon offshore, while also extending the life cycle of current projects. The CCUS Innovation Challenge is an important way to bring together offshore companies and academic institutions and help move our sector forward. I highly anticipate the role Energy NL members will play in making this exciting initiative a success.” stated Charlene Johnson, CEO of Energy NL.

For more information, contact CCUS@gov.nl.ca.

A Vision of Carbon Storage Excellence

The ATLAS Carbon Storage Hub represents a collaborative effort between energy giants Shell, Suncor, and ATCO, aiming to revolutionize carbon emissions management. This visionary project, if approved, will be instrumental in mitigating CO2 emissions generated within the Alberta Industrial Heartland. It would serve as a central hub for the storage of CO2 emissions captured by several key projects.

One of these projects is Shell’s Polaris Carbon Capture project, which holds the promise of capturing substantial carbon emissions. Additionally, the ATLAS hub would also accommodate potential emissions from Suncor and ATCO’s Heartland Hydrogen Hub. Beyond these in-house projects, ATLAS is committed to operating as an open-access facility, welcoming CO2 emissions from third-party industrial sources, further contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the region.

Building on Success: The Quest CCS Connection

The ATLAS project draws inspiration from the success of the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, currently operational at the Shell Scotford facility. Quest CCS has already demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technology, making it a pivotal reference point for ATLAS. The project envisions permanently storing CO2 emissions deep within a porous rock formation known as the Basal Cambrian Sands, located approximately 2 kilometers underground.

The ATLAS project will be executed in multiple phases, contingent upon securing carbon sequestration leases from the Alberta government. The first phase alone aims to permanently store 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, primarily captured by the Polaris carbon capture project from the Shell Scotford Refinery and Chemicals plant near Fort Saskatchewan.

A Collaborative Partnership

The inception of the ATLAS Carbon Storage Hub is marked by a groundbreaking partnership between industry leaders. Shell, Suncor, and ATCO formally joined forces in 2022 to drive forward this ambitious endeavor. This partnership underscores the commitment of these companies to address the pressing issue of carbon emissions and their dedication to developing sustainable solutions.

Government Support and Evaluation

In a significant milestone for the project, the Government of Alberta selected ATLAS as one of the hubs designated to facilitate the sequestration of carbon emissions from Alberta’s industrial heartland region in the spring of 2022. ATLAS then entered into an evaluation agreement with the province to assess the suitability of the project area for safely storing CO2 emissions.

Pioneering Exploration Techniques

Ensuring the safety and efficacy of carbon storage is paramount to the ATLAS project. In pursuit of this goal, Shell is planning to conduct seismic operations in Beaver County and Camrose County starting in late 2023. This process, known as a 3D seismic survey, involves mapping the geological layers beneath the surface to support safe CO2 storage.

The 3D seismic survey utilizes specialized equipment, known as vibroseis buggies, to emit sound wave energy into the subsurface. These waves are then recorded using geophones placed on the surface. Importantly, this technique minimizes soil disturbance during the survey process, highlighting the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Engaging with Local Communities

Recognizing the importance of collaboration and transparency, representatives from Shell will commence outreach efforts to local landowners in the vicinity of the planned seismic survey. This outreach, starting in July 2023, will involve acquiring permits to access the land for the survey while also providing information about the program seeking feedback, and addressing concerns from the community.

Furthermore, a water well testing program will be offered to landowners living near the seismic survey location, both before and after the survey. This proactive approach underscores the project’s commitment to the well-being of local residents and the environment.

The ATLAS Carbon Storage Hub project represents a significant stride toward a sustainable future, exemplifying industry collaboration and environmental stewardship. If successfully implemented, it has the potential to become a model for carbon capture and storage initiatives worldwide, offering a tangible solution to the pressing challenge of climate change. With government support and a commitment to engaging local communities, the ATLAS project is poised to make a substantial impact in the ongoing battle against carbon emissions, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.

SOURCE & IMAGES: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/public/download/files/231170

GenHydro, a US-based clean technology, green hydrogen and renewable energy production company, has formed a strategic partnership with RPG Energy Group, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy integrator. Together, they will deploy on-site commercial scale renewable energy power plants that will offer zero emissions, reliable, on-demand energy independence and distributed hydrogen production, helping accelerate decarbonization goals for multiple industries worldwide.

By leveraging GenHydro’s novel technology that efficiently converts waste aluminum into high-value, renewable products using steam, along with RPG’s turn-key solutions and tenured background in the renewables and construction industry, the partnership allows for the accelerated development of the most advanced renewable energy and hydrogen production system of its kind to be deployed at a commercial scale.  

“Through our partnership with the talented team at RPG Energy Group, we are now well-positioned to deploy our on-site commercial systems globally and ahead of schedule,” said Eric Schraud, Founder and President of GenHydro. “The GenHydro reactor system can provide emissions free hydrogen, as well as electrical and thermal energy, allowing a single, on-site system to meet a wide variety of clean energy needs. By strategically aligning with RPG, our mission to kick-start the renewable energy revolution is well within reach.” 

As manufacturers worldwide continue to look for solutions to decarbonize their operations, the GenHydro reactor system offers a novel solution. 

“When you bring together two incredible teams like RPG and GenHydro, the output and value proposition to the environment and to the marketplace is completely unparalleled. Together, we’re going to reimagine utility needs, we’re going to dramatically reduce energy prices and reimagine a world with no power interruptions or environmental catastrophes caused by conventional energy generation and delivery. The future of energy is here,” said Jami Krynski, Partner and Chief Executive Officer of RPG Energy Group. 

Due to the ability to deliver thermal and electrical energy on-site, the GenHydro system also makes distributed electricity generation at industrial scales more possible than ever, removing traditional hurdles to clean energy and providing a viable solution for hard to abate industries like manufacturing, aviation and freight shipping.

About GenHydro:   

GENHYDRO is a clean technology and green technology company committed to accelerating the global transition to emissions-free energy. GenHydro is a designer, builder, owner and operator of novel ‘On-Site Clean Energy Plants’, leveraging proprietary, proven technologies for circular economic, zero-carbon energy solutions. Through novel technology, GenHydro produces low-cost emissions-free green hydrogen, enabling a multiple-industry transition to clean energy and production. GenHydro’s technology provides a method for existing industries to keep doing what they do best, while also moving towards a no-waste economy.

For more information including investor opportunities, please visit https://genhydro.co/ and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

About RPG Energy Group:

RPG Energy Group is a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy integrator with decades of experience implementing energy savings projects. Our mission is to educate our customers about their energy footprint and find the best ways to reduce energy intensity through demand reduction and on-site energy generation. RPG Energy Group offers a full turn-key solution from schematic design and engineering through final construction and system monitoring.  Our overall process contains a 4-phase approach which ensures our projects are complete to the highest quality while providing full transparency to our clients.

EnerPure Inc. is excited to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent for the long-term lease of a site in South-Central Alberta for the deployment of one of EnerPure’s patented used motor oil regeneration units.

The signing of this LOI for the Alberta project site lease represents an important milestone in EnerPure’s development of a UMO recycling project in Alberta. The project site is in an ideal centralized location and comes with existing infrastructure including petroleum storage tanks, on-site rail spur, and required utilities.

EnerPure intends to commence construction on the site in 2024, pending receiving all necessary government and regulatory approvals and to commission the regeneration unit in 2025. Once commissioned, this facility will be Alberta’s first and only UMO recycling facility. EnerPure’s regeneration unit will aid in transitioning Alberta from an exporter of UMO to a recycler, creating industry jobs in Alberta and helping grow the economy.

Todd Habicht, Founder and CEO of EnerPure commented: “EnerPure is excited to be advancing our used oil regeneration unit project in Alberta. There is a tremendous need for used oil recycling capacity in Alberta and securing such an ideal location is important to the success of this project.”

About the Company

EnerPure is a Manitoba cleantech company founded to recycle waste petroleum into a reclaimed source of fuel and energy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

EnerPure’s regeneration technology uses a patented three-phase, closed-loop, continuous flow process to convert used motor oil into a market-ready marine distillate fuel now required for international ships under the IMO 2020 Fuel Standard.

EnerPure is pleased to have received funding and support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). SDTC supports companies attempting to do extraordinary things by investing in innovative small and medium-sized businesses to help them grow into successful companies that help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. https://www.sdtc.ca/en/

EnerPure is pleased to have received funding and support from the Government of Canada through the Community Adjustment Fund.

The only thing between being a world-class power nation and not achieving lucrative energy goals is people and processes. Studying countries like Norway and how they implemented the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate to ensure speedy project approvals, maximize citizens’ interests, and ensure national profitability, was key to Norway’s success. So much so that they now own the world’s largest $trillion trust fund and have assets spanning the globe.

It’s ironic that Canada has the third largest oil reserves, yet the USA is the world’s largest oil producer. Understanding this, one realizes that processes and people build a nation, not resources. The USA has an assertive investment climate, faster project approval processes, and is project-focused, understanding that these key elements are the backbone for national prosperity.

The Business Council of Alberta

Primarily because of Alberta’s oil and gas industry, Canada is the fourth-largest producer of oil and the fifth-largest producer of gas. The Business Council of Alberta is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a better Alberta in a more dynamic Canada. The Business Council of Alberta supports businesses in the energy industry and all other sectors by advocating for policies that support economic growth and development and by working with other organizations to improve the province’s economy and regulatory systems.

The Business Council of Alberta has been involved in various initiatives to improve the country’s economy and regulatory systems, including the recent release of a report titled “Future Unbuilt: Transforming Canada’s Regulatory Systems to Achieve Environmental, Economic, and Indigenous Partnership Goals.”

President Adam Legge

At the helm of the Business Council of Alberta is President, Adam Legge. In this role, he oversees the organization’s initiatives and advocates for policies that support the province’s economic growth and development. Adam explains, “The Future Unbuilt report delves into the complex energy landscape in Alberta, highlighting the challenges faced by the province and offering visionary solutions to pave the way for a sustainable future. Our goal is to illustrate the key challenges and solutions needed in our policies to achieve our long-term sustainable goals.”

Reducing emissions is a requirement of all Canadian companies and individuals. Adam Legge says, “Our member companies are working hard to tackle the issue of emissions. We know that Alberta is a significant contributor to Canada’s emissions profile, and we want to be a contributor to reducing emissions in this country. We have a firm belief that the path to net zero runs through Alberta and Alberta and its companies need to be heavily engaged and represented in the policy and investment landscape at the federal levels.”

The Emissions Reduction Plan + Meeting Energy Demand

As Norway and other energy nations have shown us, there is an opportunity to meet world energy demand and reduce emissions simultaneously. The Federal Government has put in place its Emissions Reduction Plan, however, Adam Legge believes current targets are not obtainable. He says, “We hope that the federal government is open to being flexible and mindful of regional realities with respect to power generation as we don’t see these current net-zero goals as being achievable based on our current policy and investment landscape in Canada, at least not by 2035.”

To meet Canada’s emission reduction targets, the country would need to invest in technology and infrastructure at a scale and pace that has not yet been achieved in Canadian history. The Business Council of Alberta report cites estimates that investment of $125 to $140 billion annually is needed until 2050 to achieve current goals. “Our regulatory processes approvals for major projects can take on average seven to nine years to be permitted and approved. This regulatory approval and permitting process needs to be reduced in order for us to achieve these aggressive goals. The United States is winning from an investment standpoint. We need to up our game in this regard. We also need to get our permitting process down to one-three years, depending on the complexity of the project,” Adam explains.

“We need to clarify the Crown and the proponent rules with Indigenous consultation requirements. It is the duty of the Crown to engage with Indigenous communities and we have not been consistent with that,” Adam Legge says.

“Another factor that impacts major projects and our ability to reach aggressive climate goals is repetitive interventions from third parties. For example, organizations that may not be from our country have intervened and caused delays in projects. We need to reintroduce the concept of “standing” whereby any interventions should only come from those who are impacted directly by that project. Lastly, the process of approvals has to be streamlined. Information should not be duplicated. Responses must be streamlined and predictable so that project owners have confidence and certainty in their project investments.”

Future Unbuilt: Transforming Canada’s Regulatory Systems to Achieve Environmental, Economic, and Indigenous Partnership Goals.

This summary outlines the key challenges identified in the report and the innovative solutions proposed to address them.

Challenges

1. Indigenous Engagement: There is a lack of clarity about what constitutes sufficient Indigenous consultation, and the role of proponents in this area.
2. Third-Party Intervention: Public participation is critically important, but reviews are hampered by growing, excessive and repetitive third-party interventions at too many points throughout the process.
3. Accumulation of Small Issues: Government regulators have difficulty seeing how small issues add up to affect the overall process.
4. Inefficient Federal Coordination: Many government departments play a role in project reviews and permitting, but they do not always act in a coordinated manner or apply practices consistently.
5. Lengthy Project Reviews: Review and compliance requirements are expanding and not always in scope. Proponents note a growing tendency for delays to occur at stages of review processes where there are no prescribed timelines. Similarly, the conditions attached to successful reviews have ballooned in number and complexity, adding to construction costs and timelines.
6. Interjurisdictional Tension: The provincial and federal governments often share responsibility for regulating environmental matters, which can create challenges when there is a misalignment of the review and permitting — or if there are political games at play.
7. Long — And Expending — Timelines: Project review timelines, as legislated, are too long and actual timelines often extend well beyond legislated limits. The length of time it takes to review a project is not proportionate to its risk or complexity.
8. Uncertain Regulatory Environment: Political and policy preferences are creating uncertainty in the process. The federal government has made several significant policy changes that affect the potential return on investment of a proposed major project.
9. Construction Disruptions: Project construction can be easily disrupted for relatively minor instances of environmental and species disturbance. Every project has impacts, but when it comes to mitigation, the regulatory standard appears to be 100% perfection rather than genuine efforts that balance cost and benefit.

Solutions:

The report identifies four “needle movers” the federal government can implement right away to address the challenges:

1. Impact Assessment Act Designation Criteria: Publish the criteria used by the Minister to designate projects under the IAA.
2. Create a Body to Manage Permitting: A government oversight body should be created to manage and coordinate federal permitting.
3. Shorten and Scale Review Timelines: The existing review timelines need to be reduced, and scaled according to the complexity of the project.
4. Financial Support for Indigenous Participation: Expand the financial support offered to Indigenous communities participating in project development.

The Future Unbuilt report envisions a transformative future for Alberta’s energy landscape by addressing challenges head-on through innovative solutions. By committing to renewable energy expansion, embracing technological advancements, and fostering collaborative partnerships, Canada can achieve a sustainable, low-carbon energy ecosystem while ensuring economic growth and environmental preservation. Implementing these visionary solutions will pave the way for a greener, more resilient energy future, positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable development and renewable energy innovation.

Source & Images: BP, Statistica, The Business Council of Alberta, futureunbuilt.com

Download the Future Unbuilt – Summary for Policy Makers

Change the action of energy = Trans Active Energy

TRANSACTIVE ENERGY

Transactive Energy IS THE FUTURE of Energy. It will change everything we know about current energy systems and transform them into new energy solutions.

The world is changing, and so is the way we manage our energy. Transactive energy is a new approach to energy management that is gaining popularity due to its many benefits. 

Transactive energy is a system that allows energy producers and energy consumers to partner together and balance energy supply and demand. In a transactive energy system, energy providers and users agree on the value of electricity which in turn, allows the producer and consumer to decide if they want to proceed with the energy transaction at that given price.

Features and Benefits of Transactive Energy

Transactive energy has many features and benefits that make it an attractive option for energy management.

Lower Costs

One of the most significant benefits of transactive energy is lower costs, both for the consumer and for the producer. Energy demand and response save consumers money during off-peak hours, and distributed energy resources (DERs) save utility companies money on shorter transmission distances. 

There is also a greater use of renewable energy sources in a transactive system, which reduces the amount of money spent by both consumers and producers on oil and gas.

Increased Reliability

Transactive energy can increase grid reliability by reducing transmission losses and improving local energy sharing. Microgrids within a transactive electricity market can also improve grid reliability by reducing the need for power infrastructure.

Environmental Benefits

Transactive energy encourages the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which benefits the environment and reduces carbon emissions.

Applications of Transactive Energy

Transactive energy has many applications, from individual homeowners to entire power systems.

Individual Homeowners

In a transactive energy system, every homeowner would have the opportunity to become self-sufficient, with their own sources of electricity. Smart devices like washing machines and electric cars would know to use electricity at night when energy is most affordable and least in demand.

Power Systems

Transactive energy can be applied to entire power systems, allowing for a more efficient and reliable grid. The transactive energy approach offers a way for producers and consumers to more closely match and balance energy supply and energy demand.

TRANSACTIVE ENERGY VS TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Transactive energy systems differ from traditional energy markets in several ways. Here are some of the key differences:

1. Decentralization: In a traditional energy market, energy is generated by a few large power plants and distributed to consumers through a centralized grid. In a transactive energy system, energy is generated by a large number of small-scale distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels and wind turbines. This decentralized approach allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in energy management.
   
2. Market-Based Approach: In a traditional energy market, energy prices are set by the utility company based on supply and demand. In a transactive energy system, energy prices are set by the market based on the value of electricity at a certain point in time and place. This market-based approach allows for greater transparency and efficiency in energy pricing.
   
3. Two-Way Energy Flow: In a traditional energy market, energy flows in one direction, from the power plant to the consumer. In a transactive energy system, energy flows in two directions, from the producer to the consumer and vice versa. This two-way energy flow allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in energy management.
   
4. Use of Smart Devices: In a transactive energy system, smart devices like washing machines and electric cars can be programmed to use electricity during off-peak hours when energy is most affordable and least in demand. This saves consumers money on their energy bills and reduces the strain on the grid during peak hours.
   
5. Increased Reliability: Transactive energy systems can increase grid reliability by reducing transmission losses and improving local energy sharing. Microgrids within a transactive electricity market can also improve grid reliability by reducing the need for power infrastructure.

Transactive energy systems differ from traditional energy markets in several ways, including decentralization, a market-based approach, two-way energy flow, the use of smart devices, and increased reliability. These differences allow for greater flexibility, efficiency, and transparency in energy management.

TEMIX

Temix is a company that uses transactive energy to provide energy management solutions.

Transactive Energy Market Information Exchange (TeMIX) is a methodology to support automated energy transactions and decentralized management of energy use.

Temix supports the automation in energy transactions and decentralized control for the smart grid. The company offers a range of services, including energy management software, energy audits, and energy consulting.

By using transactive energy, Temix is able to help its clients reduce their energy costs, increase grid reliability, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Transactive energy essentially is an intelligent, multi-level communications method that coordinates energy generation, consumption, and delivery. Under the transactive energy scenario, electricity suppliers, energy markets, the power grid, homes, commercial buildings, and distributed energy resources (DERs), such as electric vehicles and batteries, would “talk” directly or indirectly with each other to negotiate energy needs and costs.

The transactive energy approach provides a coordination and control methodology that more effectively balances energy supply and demand across the grid, enabling increased integration of clean energy sources.

TRANSACTIVE ENERGY IS THE FUTURE OF ENERGY

Transactive energy is a new market-based approach to energy management that offers many benefits, including lower costs, increased reliability, and environmental benefits. It has many applications, from individual homeowners to entire power systems. By taking advantage of off-peak hours, transactive energy can save consumers time and money. The future of energy management is here, and it’s transactive energy.

Sources & Images & to learn more go to:
Www.Temix.com

ECO Canada is a non-profit organization that provides workforce solutions for environmental employers. They offer various funding programs to help employers attract new talent, save initial wage and training costs, and stimulate environmental career pathways, skill development, business growth, and workforce advancement. 

For over 30 years, ECO Canada has been connecting environmental employers and skilled junior talent through wage and training funding programs to drive valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills development.

Thanks to the support of funders:
Natural Resources Canada,
Climate Change Canada,
Social Development Canada, and
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

ECO Canada offers wage dollars to increase funding capacity and support your business participation in the green economy. In helping your team with wage and training costs, Eco Canada makes hiring new talent more attractive.

Benefits for Employers:

• Increase work capacity
• Access talented youth with new ideas & skills
• Increase employee retention
• Reduce staff training costs
• Strengthen overall business operations
• Support the growth of new qualified environmental workers

The funding programs offered by ECO Canada are varied and provide many options for companies and new employees in the climate-conscious realm. Some of the programs include:

Environmental Jobs Growth Program:

This program is designed to help employers create new environmental jobs. Eligible employers can receive 75% of the candidate’s wages covered up to a maximum of $18,750 for placements of up to 12 months.

Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program:

This program is designed to help employers hire foreign talent for environmental jobs. Eligible employers can receive 75% wage coverage up to $15,000 of a participant’s salary for full-time placements of 3 to 6 months.

Nature-Based Climate Solutions Program:

• This program is designed to help employers create jobs related to nature-based climate solutions. Eligible employers can receive a $4,500 wage subsidy for a 3-month full-time or part-time placement. To qualify for these funding programs, employers must meet the following criteria:
• Be a Canadian employer
• Offer a full-time or part-time environmental job
• Provide a safe and healthy work environment
• Provide a fair and equitable work environment
• Provide a job that is not part of a labor dispute
• Provide a job that is not a self-employment opportunity

Discover a selection of wage funding programs offered by ECO Canada at ECO.ca. Explore the programs that can help your company attract new talent, and reduce initial wage and training expenses, while promoting the growth of environmental career paths, skill development, business growth, and workforce advancement.

RESPONDING TO THE ENERGY INDUSTRY – In an Eco-Friendly Way

ECO Canada has partnerships, programs, and research to support employers, professionals, educators, and students in the environmental sector. Visit eco.ca to learn about the various resources and programs that fit your organization.

These funding programs help employers create new environmental jobs, hire foreign talent, and create jobs related to nature-based climate solutions. To apply for these funding programs, employers must meet eligibility criteria and fill out an application form on ECO.ca.

For those looking to work in the new sustainable energy world, don’t miss out on this opportunity to kickstart your environmental career journey and gain meaningful work experience. 

Find out more at: www.ECO.ca

In response to climate change, many countries are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly. Let’s explore the world’s greenest countries and their efforts to combat climate change. Hopefully, every other country will learn, adapt, implement, and follow suit.

Top 10 Greenest Countries

According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), 2022 – the top 10 greenest countries in the world were:

1. Denmark
2. United Kingdom
3. Finland
4. Malta
5. Sweden
6. Luxembourg
7. Slovenia
8. Austria
9. Switzerland
10. Iceland

These countries have implemented policies and initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. They have invested in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. They have also implemented green tax reforms, carbon taxes, and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

COUNTRIES LEADING THE WAY

Sweden

Sweden has implemented several climate policies and initiatives, including:

• A goal to become carbon neutral by 2045
• A carbon tax, which is one of the highest in the world
• Investment in renewable energy, particularly wind power
• A focus on sustainable transportation, including a goal to have fossil fuel-free transportation by 2030

Denmark

Denmark has implemented several climate policies and initiatives, including:

• The Climate Act, sets a target to reduce Denmark’s emissions by 70 percent in 2030 compared to 1990 and climate neutrality by 2050.
• Green tax reform, which includes a carbon tax and taxes on energy, water, and waste.
• Energy efficiency measures, such as the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme, which requires energy companies to promote energy efficiency measures to their customers.
• Renewable energy, particularly wind power. Denmark has set a goal to phase out fossil fuel use by 2050.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has implemented several climate policies and initiatives, including:

• A goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Policies include the Climate Change Act, which sets legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the Renewable Heat Incentive, which provides financial incentives for using renewable heat technologies.
• Investment in offshore wind power and plans to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

GO GREEN OR GO HOME

Green countries have implemented policies and initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. They have invested in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. They have also implemented green tax reforms, carbon taxes, and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These policies and initiatives have been driven by a combination of factors, including public pressure, government leadership, and economic incentives.

GREEN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Being green, clean, and environmentally friendly presents significant business opportunities.

Companies that invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy costs. They can also attract environmentally conscious consumers who are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly products and services.

Governments and organizations that invest in green policies and initiatives can create jobs, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the quality of life for their citizens

The world’s greenest countries showcase how it’s done. The rest of the world can learn, adapt and implement a sustainable new energy future. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to combatting climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. A powerful undertaking worth living for….. It’s our kids after all.

ABOUT EPI
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability around the world.

Using 40 outcome-oriented indicators across 11 issue categories, the EPI ranks 180 countries on climate change performance, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy targets.

The resulting scorecard highlights leaders and laggards in environmental sustainability and provides practical guidance for countries that aspire to accelerate their policy agendas. The EPI is produced by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University with support from their international data partners.
WWW.global-reports.23degrees.eu

Mammoet offers a zero-emission option for SPMT transport, compatible with any trailer in its fleet.

This development has been made possible through a conversion process for SPMT power pack units (PPUs), which replaces the diesel powertrain inside existing trailers with an electric alternative. Once retrofitted, each trailer combination has comparable power to existing industry standard units.
 
The PPU vastly reduces noise levels at project sites, resulting in a safer and more productive work environment for our customers and colleagues. Communication between staff is clearer, while at locations where sound restrictions are in place longer operational windows are now possible.
 
The system represents another step towards zero-emission on-site, eliminating the carbon footprint of SPMT transport entirely. This allows our customers to meet increasingly strict environmental legislation more easily, reducing the impact of transport phases on surrounding communities and infrastructure.
 
It also demonstrates Mammoet’s strong commitment to the energy transition, and to its own sustainability. Retro-fitting existing SPMT fleets cut down on both waste and additional fabrication, compared to sourcing new zero-emission equipment.
 
This solution was part-financed by the DKTI, a Dutch government program to develop climate technologies and innovations in logistics. Mammoet worked with a leading provider of zero-emissions powertrains for heavy industry to bring the electric power pack solution to market.
 
Developed by Mammoet in 1984 and with over 40,000 axle lines in use globally, the SPMT, or Self-propelled Modular Transporter, revolutionized the heavy industry by maneuvering practically any load safely, efficiently and with precision. This next step in its story will be just as significant, reducing their CO2 and NOx emissions to nil and pointing the way toward a sustainable future for heavy transport.

Mammoet

Mammoet helps clients with Smarter, Safer and Stronger solutions to any heavy lifting or transport challenge. They aim to develop long-term relationships in order to understand their businesses and challenges best, so we can realize the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. They have a unique global network and an unparalleled fleet of equipment. Through deep and longstanding engineering expertise and the highest quality and safety standards in execution, they bring an intelligent and flexible approach to projects across a wide breadth of industry sectors. Clients trust them to help them achieve feats that were once considered impossible, and they have often broken records in doing so.

FuelPositive Corporation, a leading Green Ammonia company, is pleased to announce it has been running the final commissioning, along with process optimization, of its first farm-ready FP300 system. In addition to this, FuelPositive’s engineering team has kicked off the production of its first commercial systems which take advantage of these optimization advancements.

“Over the past two months, we have finally received several key components and modules for completing our first system commissioning at our facility in Waterloo, Canada. It’s been a challenging year for manufacturing supply chains, but by strategically choosing multiple suppliers for key components and modules, we have overcome these uncertainties. And now we are steadily approaching the finish line!” stated Nelson Leite, COO and Director of the Company.

Launch of FP1500

FuelPositive is officially launching its latest model: the FP1500. This new upsized design is a turnkey system that consists of a stack of FP300s in one solution, providing 1500 kg per day of Green Ammonia. 

The decision to offer this system was driven by customer demand from the Company’s pre-sales campaign, with multiple end users indicating an immediate need for FuelPositive systems of this scale and configuration. 

“Multiple end-users in various sectors, including farms of 10,000+ acres, have indicated the immediate need for FuelPositive systems of this scale and configuration. The FP1500 will answer this larger scale, on-site need,” stated Ian Clifford, CEO and Board Chair of FuelPositive.

FP300 Design Refinements

The Company has successfully met its planned pre-sales capacity of 30 units and plans to deliver the first batch of commercial systems beginning in 2024. 

Nelson Leite, COO and Director of FuelPositive, highlighted the company’s dedication to refining the FP300 design further as he and his team learn from their operational tests of the on-farm pilot system over the coming months. 

“FuelPositive has already begun working with suppliers to ensure they are ready to scale up for the first production batch. This is expected to be the beginning of many announcements leading to revenue and profit generation within the first year of commercial production,” concluded Leite.

About FuelPositive

FuelPositive is a Canadian technology company committed to providing commercially viable and sustainable, “cradle to cradle” clean technology solutions, including an on-farm/onsite, containerized Green Ammonia (NH3) production system that eliminates carbon emissions from the production of Green Ammonia.

By focusing on technologies that are clean, sustainable, economically advantageous and realizable, the Company aims to help mitigate climate change, addressing unsustainable agricultural practices through innovative technology and practical solutions that can be implemented now.

The FuelPositive on-farm/onsite, containerized Green Ammonia production system is designed to produce pure, anhydrous ammonia for multiple applications, including fertilizer for farming, fuel for grain drying and internal combustion engines, a practical alternative for fuel cells and a solution for grid storage. Green Ammonia is also considered a key enabler of the hydrogen economy.

FuelPositive systems are designed to provide for Green Ammonia production on-farm/onsite, where and when needed. This eliminates wildly fluctuating supply chains and offers end-users clean fertilizer, energy and Green Ammonia supply security while eliminating carbon emissions from the production process. The first customers will be farmers. Farmers use 80% of the traditional grey ammonia produced today as fertilizer.

Source: fuelpositive.com

Nexans is launching a new range of low-carbon distribution grid cables, the first on the French market. By adopting a holistic approach all along the value chain and throughout the cable life cycle, the Group has succeeded in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of its low- and medium-voltage cables from 35% to 50%, depending on the products.

“This unprecedented offer represents a new stage, fully illustrating the Group’s commitment to decarbonized electrification. We are proud to introduce it in France: this illustrates the commitment of our teams to sustainable development, from our global Ampacity R&D center in Lyon to our factories, via the marketing and purchasing teams”, says Yvan Duperray, Executive Vice-President of Nexans’ Power Distribution Cables & Accessories business.

The Group’s ambition: to reduce the cable industry’s carbon footprint over the entire life cycle of a cable

The manufacturing of one kilometer of energy network cable currently generates a volume of CO₂ representing two to three times the average annual emissions per inhabitant in France. These emissions come mainly from the aluminum conductor, which alone accounts for between 70% and 90% of the total footprint, followed by plastics, transport and the manufacturing process.

In order to reduce the carbon footprint of its products by more than one-third, Nexans acts on:

• The guaranteed use of 100% low-carbon aluminum, in line with the objectives of the Aluminium Forward 2030 coalition of which the Group is part, and which is aimed at speeding up the sector’s decarbonization;
• The use of up to 50% recycled plastic in the insulation and/or sheathing;
• Targeted actions on the manufacturing process and transport;
• Increased selectivity in the choice of suppliers based on their environmental performance;
• 100% French production at its plants in Jeumont and Bourg-en-Bresse.

A further advantage lies in the fact that Nexans provides all the environmental data for its products (PEP Ecopassport®) to enable power distribution operators, installers and distributors to manage their carbon emissions. On request, the Group also performs a carbon assessment per project or per customer.

The environmental footprint of a cable is also measured beyond its manufacturing. Approximately 90% of the total emissions from grid cables are generated after they are put into service, due to the energy loss, known as the “Joule effect”, which accumulates over decades of use.

In line with its E³ ambition (Economy, Environment, Engagement), Nexans offers a range of solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the cable over its entire life cycle:

• Engineering studies to determine the optimal cable type and cross-sections over the entire life cycle depending on the application;
• Innovative cable solutions, such as the EDRMAX^® medium voltage cable, which can be buried as is, with no need for a sand bed, thanks to its reinforced sheath – thus reducing the CO₂ emissions stemming from its installation by 10%;
• Digital solutions to increase our customers’ productivity: the ULTRACKER^® range;
• Innovative technology via RecyCâbles (a joint venture between Nexans and SUEZ) for the recycling of copper and aluminum cables, promoting the circular economy.

Nexans’ new low-carbon power network cable offering illustrates Nexans’ capacity for innovation and its strong commitment to sustainable development, as the Group is recognized as a global leader in climate action by several extra-financial assessment bodies. This first offer is part of an ambitious Nexans carbon trajectory, validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), aimed at reducing emissions by 4.2% per year between 2019 and 2030.

About Nexans  

For over a century, Nexans has played a crucial role in the electrification of the planet and is committed to electrifying the future. With 28,000 people in 42 countries, the Group is paving the way to a new world of safe, sustainable and decarbonized electricity that is accessible to everyone. In 2022, Nexans generated 6.7 billion euros in standard sales. The Group is a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services across four main business areas: Power Generation & Transmission, Distribution, Usage, and Industry & Solutions. Nexans was the first company in its industry to create a Foundation supporting sustainable initiatives, bringing access to energy to disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Group pledged to contribute to carbon neutrality by 2030. 

Nexans. Electrify the future. 
Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A. 

For more information, please visit www.nexans.fr 

Cemvita, the standard for biosolutions in the energy industry, announced the opening of a pilot plant in Houston, TX. The plant marks a landmark step in the development of technology for using CO₂ emissions as feedstock to produce valuable bio commodities including fertilizer, plastic, methane, and fuels. The opening of the pilot plant also marks the launch of Cemvita’s eCO₂ business as a wholly owned company under Cemvita.

Boasting a substantial volume of 55,000 liters, the plant is currently producing eCO₂^TM Oil, a cutting-edge microbially-produced alternative to soybean oil. The company is already shipping samples of eCO₂ products to customers including leading renewable fuels companies and plastics manufacturers. The eCO2 company is already in pre-FEED engineering on full commercial-scale designs.

The biofuel industry is currently facing feedstock shortages and price fluctuations due to growing season risks. In contrast, eCO2 plants can provide reliable feedstock production with minimal land and electricity needs, without relying on hydrogen or sunlight like algae. Furthermore, the output of eCO2 plants will be carbon-negative and are aiming to be cost-competitive with existing crop-based HEFA feedstocks and fuels, which is a crucial factor for the successful adoption of any new biomanufacturing process.

Cemvita’s eCO₂ biomanufacturing platform uses engineered microbes that absorb and convert carbon dioxide into essential feedstocks and finished products needed to build a renewable future. The plant operates at ambient temperature and pressure and requires very little electricity. The eCO₂ platform is flexible and designed to produce reliable results in harsh operating environments. From discrete manufacturing to petrochemical facilities, the process can be scaled and customized for any company looking to make their current processes energy transition-ready.

“The energy transition requires completely new, cost-effective approaches for heavy industry,” said Charlie Nelson, COO of Cemvita. “We built this next-generation pilot plant in response to strong demand from offtake partners who are actively seeking sustainable solutions to the HEFA feedstock shortage.”

Traditional biofuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, have relied on oils derived from crops, such as soybean and corn, as well as recycled vegetable oils. As demand grows for petroleum-free alternatives, the feedstock is in short supply and must compete with food markets. Crops of soybeans, sugar, and corn use huge swaths of land, and the raw materials require extensive refining — two factors that impede the processes from being sustainable.

Cemvita’s eCO₂ platform bypasses the food versus fuel debate with a low-cost, renewable feedstock with no carbon footprint attached. One eCO2 plant at a full commercial scale can annually replace the oils produced from 200,000 acres of soybean farmland.

“Our pilot plant represents the most cost-effective way of producing chemical feedstocks with all of the economic benefits of agriculturally-derived equivalent and none of the harmful environmental impacts,” said Moji Karimi, CEO and co-founder of Cemvita. “It’s an ambitious first step in providing heavy industry customers with climate-positive alternatives. We’re making it possible for our partners to take part in the energy transition and reach decarbonization goals – without cutting into the margin.”

About Cemvita

Cemvita is the standard for biosolutions in the energy industry.

Nature-inspired technologies are humanity’s most powerful allies in the fight against climate change. The microbes we engineer at Cemvita can fully decarbonize the most intensive industrial processes and massively shrink their overall environmental footprint.

Our field-tested biotechnologies can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows and infrastructure. Cemvita’s solutions address sustainable natural resource extraction, carbon-negative chemical production, and the closed-loop renewal of waste as feedstock.

With Cemvita, the sustainable choice is also the economical choice. All of Cemvita’s solutions are cost-competitive or cheaper than traditional alternatives. Whether it’s metal and mineral extraction or the production of hydrogen and biofuels, Cemvita partners with the world’s largest companies to accelerate the energy transition.

Cemvita was founded in 2017 and is proudly based in the energy capital of the world—Houston, TX.

For more information, please visit www.cemvita.com.

About eCO₂^TM

eCO₂^TM biomanufacturing transforms global industrial emissions into valuable commodities for the Energy Transition.

Our carbon-utilization platform converts carbon dioxide into renewable feedstocks, fertilizers, and fuels. By engineering microbes that feed on carbon dioxide at the point source of emission, we’re producing a solution to climate change that’s economical, accessible, and enables the circular industrial economy.

The eCO₂ platform is flexible and designed to produce reliable results in harsh operating environments. From discrete manufacturing to petrochemical facilities, our platform enables our partners to capture and use their emissions to support their circular economy and energy transition goals.

For more information about how our team of expert scientists and engineers can turn pressing environmental and economical challenges into promising opportunities, please visit www.cemvita.com/eco2.

NET Power is pleased to announce it has selected Zachry Group, a leader in engineering and construction services, to provide Front-End Engineering Design, followed by Engineering, Procurement, and Construction services for the construction of NET Power’s initial utility-scale power plant, which will be the world’s first large-scale gas-fired power facility with near-zero emissions.

Zachry Group is the first EPC Partner licensed by NET Power. Building upon NET Power’s prior plant design and testing at its La Porte demonstration facility, FEED work is underway in Zachry’s Houston Engineering office and is expected to be completed in 2024. EPC work is planned to commence shortly thereafter, and the facility is expected to come online in 2026. NET Power’s standard modularized utility-scale design approach is expected to rapidly drive down capital costs for subsequent plants and enable more plants to be produced each year.

“We are proud to have Zachry Group on board for this historic project that will transform natural gas into low-carbon power. Zachry has extensive experience in designing and constructing large-scale power and process plants,” said Brian Allen, President and COO of NET Power. “Notably, Zachry has a track record of building successful first-of-a-kind facilities in the power sector; their FEED and EPC work for our first utility-scale plant will establish the standard for future NET Power plants.”

John B. Zachry, Chairman and CEO of Zachry Group, commented, “We look forward to working with NET Power and contributing to a cleaner energy future. This project is an example of why we created Zachry Sustainability Solutions and demonstrates our company’s commitment to supporting the evolution of new and cleaner energy sources. It is exciting to bring our expertise to this first-of-its-kind facility and we look forward to supporting the launch of NET Power’s broader deployment goals.”

NET Power’s patented oxy-combustion supercritical CO₂ power cycle has already undergone successful proof of concept at its demonstration facility in La Porte, Texas. The construction and operation of NET Power’s first utility-scale plant will pave the way for more environmentally responsible power generation, marking a major milestone in NET Power’s mission to deliver the energy trifecta—clean, reliable, and low-cost energy.

About NET Power

NET Power is a clean energy technology company whose mission is to globally deploy affordable and reliable zero-emissions energy. The Company invents, develops, and licenses clean power generation technology. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, NET Power has received strategic investments from key industry partners including 8 Rivers, Constellation, Occidental, and Baker Hughes. NET Power recently announced a business combination with Rice Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: RONI) and expects to be a public company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol NPWR in Q2 2023.

About Zachry Group

Zachry Group is North America’s pacesetter in turnkey engineering, construction, maintenance, turnaround, and fabrication services to the energy, chemicals, power, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. We work with customers to plan, build, and renew their most critical facilities so that they can achieve their immediate and long-term goals, all at the highest safety standards. Since 1924, we have been a purpose-driven organization, united by a shared set of values and the desire to deliver the very best outcome for our customers.

Visit www.zachrygroup.com for more information.

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., a leading global communications infrastructure provider, released its 2022 Sustainability at Zayo Report. The report highlights Zayo’s commitment to aligning its values with its business practices and progress made toward its environmental, social, and government milestones.

“The ESG practices we outline in this report are not only a fundamental component of who Zayo is as a company but are also vital for Zayo to reach its business goals,” said Mike Nold, leader of Zayo’s ESG steering committee and EVP of Corporate Development and Strategy. “This past year, we focused on developing our path to net zero, improving organizational diversity, and expanding broadband to all. We are proud of our progress and remain committed to making ESG a priority.”

Zayo’s Environmental Impact

Climate change is a growing threat to people, ecosystems and economies. Zayo is taking this threat seriously and is investing in efforts to lead the industry in addressing the issue. In 2022, Zayo formally committed to Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) by setting ambitious science-based emissions reduction targets to support environmentally sustainable growth. Through this commitment, Zayo developed a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

Other initiatives from Zayo to mitigate its impact on climate change included offsetting its overall carbon emissions and engaging its supply chain partners to reduce their emissions.

Zayo’s Social Impact

Corporate social responsibility is central to the culture of Zayo. In 2022, Zayo reinforced this commitment to culture, community, and connection with the following:

• A community North Star was created to provide a common goal for Zayoites to rally around. Zayo’s North Star reads: “At Zayo, we connect what’s next. We are committed to making a positive impact through investing in the next generation of technology leaders by creating development and professional advancement opportunities for historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.”
• Unveiling a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) statement: “At Zayo, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovative ideas and fuel our growth. We foster a culture where every Zayoite feels seen, valued, respected, and empowered to be their most authentic self. We strive to work with partners that also demonstrate core values around diversity and sustainability.”
• Improvements across gender and ethnic diversity throughout all levels of the organization, including the Board of Directors.
• Supporting initiatives to bring Broadband to All, especially low-income students. Through the acquisition of ENA, Zayo now connects over 19,000 K-12 schools across the United States. Of those 19,000, 58% are considered to be low-income, under-served communities.
• Began tracking diversity in its supply chain with year-over-year improvements in the number of women and minority-owned suppliers.

“At Zayo, we are driven by a mission of advancement and inclusivity,” said Julie Tschida Brown, Chief People & Culture Officer at Zayo. “We actively strive and hold ourselves accountable to curate a work environment where embracing diversity, equity and inclusion is fundamental to achieving a sense of belonging. The introduction of our community North Star and DEIB statement are foundational for our continued commitment to and investment in our community and culture and we are eager to continue building and evolving in 2023 and beyond.”

About Zayo

For more than 15 years, Zayo has empowered some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies to connect to what’s next for their business. Zayo’s future-ready network spans over 16 million fiber miles and 139,000 route miles. Zayo’s tailored connectivity and edge solutions enable carriers, cloud providers, data centers, schools, and enterprises to deliver exceptional experiences, from core to cloud to edge.

Discover how Zayo connects what’s next at www.zayo.com

A new international poll suggests actions taken by Canada’s oil and gas sector to decarbonize production, including an ambitious net zero goal for oil sands operations, position the country well to play a bigger role in meeting global energy security needs for many years to come, says an alliance of Canada’s six largest oil sands companies.

The Pathways Alliance points to data in the new Ipsos study of 28 countries showing Canada is the world’s preferred oil supplier, followed by Norway and the United States. The data shows that most people around the world want the oil and gas they need to come from democratic countries such as Canada and that support for the continued use of oil and gas is strong as long as efforts are being made to reduce emissions through technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).

“Geopolitical instability has many around the world more conscious of where the energy they need comes from,” said Pathways Alliance President Kendall Dilling.

“We’re focused on helping Canada meet its climate goals with an aggressive plan to reduce emissions while ensuring we play an increasing role in meeting the world’s energy security needs.”

Forecasts such as the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook Stated Policies Scenario show oil and gas will be needed for decades, emphasizing why any realistic plan to meet climate targets must have a collaborative approach between industry and government to reduce emissions from oil and gas operations, without forcing cuts in production.

The independent Ipsos study that Pathways Alliance and others subscribed to, asked participants to rank preferred oil producing jurisdictions – similar to the ranked ballot – from one to eight and then averaged them, with Canada coming out on top.

“This reinforces that North American energy is desired worldwide and if we work together and with governments to advance our climate goals, we can increase the global market share of responsibly produced energy – something that is good for the climate as well as jobs and economic growth on both sides of the border,” said Dilling.

Pathways Alliance is advancing a bold and realistic plan to reduce absolute emissions from production by 22 million tonnes annually by 2030 and achieve net zero operational emissions by 2050.

With anticipated co-funding support from Canadian governments, the Alliance has announced plans to invest about $24 billion before 2030 in the first phase of its plan.

Of the $24 billion, approximately $16.5 billion, will support a proposed carbon capture and storage network in northeastern Alberta that, when constructed, will be among the largest facilities in the world. The remaining $7.6 billion investment is planned on major emissions reduction projects and technologies.

“We know of no other oil-producing jurisdiction where competitors have come together and done the work required to advance such an ambitious plan,” said Dilling.

Between 2012 and 2021, the Alliance’s six member companies invested more than $10 billion Cdn on R&D on various technologies in Canada’s oil sands. Some have helped the industry reduce average per-barrel CO2 emissions by about 22% between 2011 and 2019.

Updates include:

• Extensive work is underway on the CCS environmental program involving 135 experts ranging from aquatic and wildlife biologists to archeologists and paleontologists who have spent more than 1,600 hours in the field working to minimize environmental disturbance. Data will continue to be collected throughout 2023 documenting conditions and variations across seasons.
• Carbon sequestration evaluation agreement with the Government of Alberta.
• Ongoing detailed subsurface evaluation of the geological characteristics and properties of the proposed CCS sequestration hub including drilling of new test wells.
• Early engagement continues with more than 20 Indigenous communities along the proposed corridor, ahead of formal consultations, including a commitment to meaningful engagement throughout the full cycle of the network’s operations.
• Twelve carbon capture feasibility studies involving member companies on oil sands sites.
• Detailed engineering work on the sequestration hub is well underway.
• Design work on the 400-kilometer transportation line is underway with a $10-million engineering contract awarded.
• Regulatory application is being readied for the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Co-generation projects, steam reduction technology and electrification work underway by member companies.

The solar camper is the brainchild of Solar Team Eindhoven, a group of students from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The team aims to promote sustainable living and raise awareness about the importance of renewable energy sources.

The solar camper is built with a sleek and modern design that is both functional and visually appealing. The vehicle is powered entirely by solar energy, which is generated by the solar panels installed on the roof. The solar panels are integrated seamlessly into the camper’s design and can generate up to 3,000 watts of electricity. This energy is stored in a high-capacity battery, which allows the camper to travel up to 730 kilometers on a single charge.

One of the most notable features of the solar camper is its versatility. The vehicle can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a mobile office, a camping vehicle, or even as a temporary living space. The camper can accommodate up to four people and has all the amenities needed for a comfortable and convenient trip. It includes a kitchen with a sink, a refrigerator, a gas stove, and a dining table. The sleeping area can be converted into a seating area during the day, providing ample space for work or relaxation.

The solar camper is also equipped with smart features that enhance the user’s experience. It has a touchscreen dashboard that provides information about the vehicle’s battery life, energy consumption, and solar panel performance. The camper also has an app that allows users to control the lighting and temperature remotely. Additionally, the vehicle has a GPS system and a rearview camera, which makes it easier to navigate and park.

The solar camper offers numerous benefits for those who are looking for a sustainable and convenient way to travel. One of the most significant advantages is the reduced carbon footprint. By relying solely on solar energy, the vehicle produces zero emissions and helps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. This makes it an ideal option for eco-conscious travelers who want to minimize their impact on the environment.

Another benefit of the solar camper is its low running costs. Since the vehicle is powered by solar energy, there are no fuel costs involved. The only cost associated with the camper is the initial purchase price. The solar camper is priced at €119,000, which may seem expensive at first glance, but it is important to consider the long-term savings that come with owning a solar-powered vehicle. With no fuel costs, maintenance costs are also lower, and solar panels have a lifespan of up to 25 years.

For those interested in purchasing a solar camper, Solar Team Eindhoven offers a unique and personalized buying experience. The team works closely with buyers to understand their needs and preferences, and to customize the camper accordingly. The process starts with a consultation, where the team discusses the buyer’s requirements and provides a detailed overview of the vehicle’s features and capabilities. Once the buyer has made a decision, the team works on the design and manufacturing of the camper. The entire process takes around six months, and buyers can expect to receive a high-quality, customized vehicle that meets their specific needs.

The solar camper from Solar Team Eindhoven is a unique and sustainable option for those who want to travel in comfort while minimizing their carbon footprint. The vehicle is designed with a modern and functional approach, and its smart features make it an ideal choice for the tech-savvy traveler. The solar camper is also a long-term investment that offers cost savings and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. If you are interested in purchasing a solar camper, Solar Team Eindhoven offers a great buying experience with personalized service that ensures that the camper meets your individual needs.

Moreover, the solar camper is not only an innovation in sustainable travel, but also represents a glimpse into the future of transportation. Solar-powered vehicles have the potential to transform the way we travel and help us move toward a more sustainable future.

The solar camper from Solar Team Eindhoven is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to create sustainable and innovative solutions that address the challenges of our time. The team’s dedication to promoting sustainable living and raising awareness about renewable energy sources is commendable and inspiring.

The solar camper from Solar Team Eindhoven is an impressive innovation that combines sustainability, comfort, and technology. The vehicle’s solar-powered features offer a range of benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, low running costs, and a unique buying experience. It is a testament to the potential of renewable energy sources and a step towards a more sustainable future. If you are in the market for a solar-powered vehicle, the solar camper from Solar Team Eindhoven is definitely worth considering.

Source and Pictures:
https://solarteameindhoven.nl

SENDLE CARBON-NEUTRAL SHIPPING MODEL

Sendle is a parcel delivery service that uses a unique carbon-neutral shipping model. The company taps into big business delivery networks and makes them available to everyone. Rather than putting more trucks on the road, Sendle makes use of wasted space in existing delivery trucks, maximizing the efficiency of all of those shipping routes. This eco-friendly approach to shipping has made Sendle a popular choice for small businesses particularly those in eCommerce that want to reduce their carbon footprint. The remaining emissions are calculated and accounted for through high-quality offsetting projects.

Veena Harbaugh is the director of sustainability at Sendle and plays a key role in driving the company’s mission toward sustainability. She has a passion for environmental issues and has dedicated her career to finding sustainable solutions for businesses. She believes that businesses have a critical role to play in reducing their environmental impact and that the circular economy is a powerful tool to achieve this.

The circular economy is an economic system that is designed to minimize waste and maximize the use of resources. It is a closed-loop system where products are designed to be reused, repurposed or recycled, thereby reducing waste and preserving resources. In this system, businesses can create value while reducing their environmental impact. With its focus on sustainability, Sendle is doing its part to drive the circular economy by helping to shift the behavior of eCommerce shoppers who tend to overbuy, use, and then throw out products that often end up in landfills. Sendle’s intent is to encourage online shoppers to buy thoughtfully from small businesses and even persuade them to become producers of sustainable products and services as small businesses.

Sendle is also helping businesses to operate more sustainably. Additionally, Sendle offers packaging made from compostable materials, making it easy for businesses to reduce their waste.

“As eCommerce accelerates, small businesses need access to shipping networks that are cost and carbon-efficient so they can effectively compete with big online retailers. Sustainable shipping that minimizes and accounts for the environmental impact is critical to helping people support good businesses, buy better products, and keep valuable resources in use, rather than heading to the landfill,” says Veena.   

5 STRATEGIES FOR BECOMING CARBON NEUTRAL

1.   Carbon-neutral shipping:
Sendle has established a unique carbon-neutral shipping model, which ensures that every package that is delivered through its network has a minimal environmental impact. They offset the carbon emissions produced by each package’s delivery and invest in carbon offsets and renewable energy projects to support the transition to a low-carbon future.

2.   Sustainable packaging:
Sendle offers sustainable packaging made from compostable materials to help businesses reduce their environmental impact. The company will also soon be launching new mailers in Australia that are made from ocean-bound plastic pollution. 

3.   Delivery fleet:
Sendle reduces the environmental impact of shipping by tapping existing shipping providers and filling their vehicles to ensure every trip is as efficient as possible. With this model, Sendle helps its shipping partners make their routes more efficient and profitable.

4.   Streamlined shipping process:
Sendle has optimized its shipping process to minimize waste and reduce carbon emissions. By using data and analytics, Sendle carriers have streamlined the delivery process, reducing the need for unnecessary stops and optimizing delivery routes to minimize emissions.

5.   Education and advocacy:
Sendle is dedicated to educating businesses and consumers about the importance of sustainability in the shipping industry. They provide resources and guidance on sustainable practices, and they are advocates for policies that support the transition to a low-carbon future. Through their education and advocacy efforts, Sendle is helping to reshape the shipping industry by encouraging more sustainable practices and promoting environmental responsibility.

Harbaugh and the Sendle team are passionate about educating their customers about the importance of sustainability and the role that shipping can play in the circular economy. They believe that businesses have a responsibility to consider their environmental impact and take action to reduce it. Through its carbon-neutral shipping model and commitment to sustainability, Sendle is leading the way in creating a more sustainable shipping industry.

Sendle’s approach to sustainability and its commitment to reducing its environmental impact are inspiring. A circular economy is a powerful tool for businesses to create value while minimizing waste and preserving resources. Veena Harbaugh and the Sendle team are showing that it is possible to operate a successful business while also being environmentally responsible. By making sustainability a priority, businesses can make a positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future.

GE Gas Power, part of GE Vernova and Svante announced a joint development agreement to develop and evaluate solid sorbent-based carbon capture technology for natural gas power generation applications. In addition, GE has made an equity investment in Svante as a part of Svante’s US $318-million Series E fundraising round in December 2022.

In 2022, GE announced that GE Vernova would spin off from GE in 2024 as a business purpose-built to lead the energy transition. This builds on GE’s sustainability commitments and position in the energy industry, where GE technology provides approximately 30% of the world’s electricity. GE is developing and commercializing a number of breakthrough technologies to drive the energy transition including carbon capture through industrial and technology research collaborations, including the agreement with and investment in Svante.

“The climate crisis and our world require immediate and sustained action and investment into crucial technologies like carbon capture which can deliver meaningful reductions in emissions and play a key role in the energy transition,” said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova. “We are excited to work with a technology innovator like Svante to drive collective progress on developing carbon capture solutions for the energy industry aiming to deliver more sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity for more people.”

“We are pleased to welcome GE both as a strategic commercial collaborator and an investor in Svante, alongside our other strategic value chain partners and investors,” said Claude Letourneau, Svante’s President and CEO. “GE’s 130+ years of experience in energy applications will be invaluable to us as we rapidly scale our operations and manufacturing capacity to be able to capture millions of tonnes of CO2 from diverse industrial sites around the world.”

Svante’s novel carbon capture filters are made by coating solid adsorbents, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), onto thin sheets of laminate that are stacked to become the company’s nano-engineered filters. These filters can be used in multiple applications for capturing CO2 at refineries, cement, steel, aluminum, lime, boilers, pulp & paper, and more. The technology can be used for point-source post-combustion carbon capture in which the filters take CO₂ out of industrial flue gas (the source of the emission) and prevent it from reaching the atmosphere. Because of the wide array of industries the company serves, Letourneau says Svante’s technology can be applied to 85% of the total carbon capture and removal segment.

The JDA between GE Gas Power and Svante will focus on further development and commercialization of novel solid sorbent technologies “aimed at decarbonizing natural gas-fired turbines in a cost-effective, environmentally responsible manner,” said Letourneau. “We are excited about the potential we have to open up an entirely new array of opportunities, aiming to provide carbon-free electricity in the future through the deployment of projects across gas-fired power generation facilities.”

About GE Gas Power

GE Gas Power is an integral part of GE Vernova, a world leader in natural gas power technology, services, and solutions. Through relentless innovation and continuous collaboration with our customers, we are providing more advanced, cleaner, and efficient power that people depend on today and building the energy technologies of the future. With the world’s largest installed base of gas turbines and more than 670 million operating hours across GE’s installed fleet, we offer advanced technology and a level of experience that’s unmatched in the industry to build, operate, and maintain leading gas power plants.

For more information, please visit www.ge.com/power/gas

GE Vernova, a dynamic accelerator comprised of our Power, Renewable Energy, Digital and Energy Financial Services businesses, focused on supporting customers’ transformations during the global energy transition.

About Svante

Svante offers companies in emission-intensive industries a commercially viable way to capture large-scale CO₂ emissions from existing infrastructure, either for safe storage or to be used for further industrial use in a closed loop. With the ability to capture CO₂ from industrial sources and directly from the atmosphere in an environmentally sustainable way, Svante makes industrial-scale carbon capture and removal a reality. The company is on the 2023 Global Cleantech 100 and was ranked second among private companies in the Corporate Knights Future 50 Fastest-Growing Sustainable Companies in Canada. Svante’s Board of Directors includes Nobel Laureate and former Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu.

To learn more about Svante, click here or visit Svante’s website at www.svanteinc.com

With over 11,000 homes and businesses already using RNG in BC, FortisBC is working to meet the growing demand for this alternative fuel. RNG can mix seamlessly into the existing natural gas system, making it a cost-effective and convenient way for customers to reduce their carbon footprint. 

In this article, we will explore how FortisBC’s RNG solutions are working to support a lower-carbon future in British Columbia. We will also discuss how the company is leading the charge in transitioning to a lower carbon future in the commercial transportation sector by promoting the adoption of natural gas vehicles powered by RNG in the province of BC.

Understanding FortisBC’s Role In Producing Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a sustainable energy that is derived from organic waste. RNG is created by breaking down organic materials from various sources such as agricultural farm waste, landfill waste, and wastewater.

FortisBC is a company that works with local farms, landfills, green energy companies, and municipalities to produce RNG. The RNG produced by FortisBC is then blended into the existing natural gas infrastructure, displacing equivalent volumes of conventional natural gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Since RNG can mix seamlessly into the existing natural gas system, it does not require customers to retrofit their existing natural gas appliances or equipment. With over 50,000 kilometers of natural gas lines already in place, FortisBC can deliver RNG throughout BC. 

Revolutionizing BC’s Energy Landscape with Renewable Natural Gas in Businesses and Homes

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is quickly becoming an important player in the push to achieve a lower-carbon future in BC.  FortisBC was the first utility in North America to offer RNG to customers. As a major energy supplier in the province, FortisBC is leading the way in RNG adoption and is working to achieve a target of having 75% of the natural gas in their system be either renewable or low-carbon by 2050.

With over 11,000 homes and businesses already using RNG in BC, FortisBC is working to meet the growing demand for this low-carbon energy. Since 2020, the company has signed more than 25 new supply agreements that were approved by its regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission.

FortisBC currently receives RNG from 12 RNG suppliers. As of February 2023, its regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission, has approved 21 RNG projects. Once these projects are all operational and producing RNG at maximum capacity, FortisBC could be delivering around 24 million gigajoules of RNG annually, enough to meet the natural gas needs of over 265,000 homes in BC.

Through the end of 2022, FortisBC has drastically increased its contracted annual RNG supply. At maximum contracted volume, the company’s 12 suppliers could deliver almost 12 million gigajoules of RNG. This represents just over 5% of the total natural gas in their system, and is enough energy to meet the natural gas needs of over 130,000 homes in BC, assuming an average annual consumption of 90 gigajoules per year. FortisBC projects that by 2025, almost 18 petajoules of RNG will be flowing through their system, which equates to roughly 8% of their natural gas supply.

Under British Colombia’s CleanBC plan, natural gas utilities are expected to cut their overall end-user emissions by 47 percent by 2030. Increasing volumes of renewable and low-carbon gases will be instrumental in achieving that.

The growth of RNG in BC is a significant step towards achieving the province’s climate action goals. With FortisBC leading the way in RNG adoption and supply, BC residents and businesses have a viable option to reduce their carbon footprint while continuing to use existing natural gas equipment.

5 ways FortisBC is creating RNG with municipal and commercial partners:

1. BC landfills 

Two of the earliest RNG suppliers for FortisBC are Kelowna’s Glenmore Landfill and the Salmon Arm Landfill. RNG production facilities are under construction at the City of Vancouver’s landfill in Delta, BC and the Capital Regional District is working with FortisBC on a supply contract for Victoria’s Hartland Landfill. 

2. Wastewater 

The Lulu Island Renewable Gas Facility in Richmond, BC represents the first wastewater RNG plant for FortisBC and the second of its kind in Canada. Owned by Metro Vancouver, it’s significant because it creates a model for more wastewater plants in the future.

3. Wood waste 

Another leap forward for RNG is the planned construction of the first wood waste to RNG project in North America. Kelowna-based company REN Energy is building a facility in Fruitvale, BC. It will use waste items like sawdust, wood chips, and hog fuel to produce RNG for FortisBC. This innovative project is preparing to begin construction. 

4. Residential and municipal organic waste

The City of Surrey created a closed-loop organics processing operation: they collect and process curbside organic waste from Surrey residents and businesses to produce RNG. This gas is used to power Surrey’s waste collection trucks as well as the city’s growing fleet of natural gas-fuelled vehicles. The Surrey Biofuel Facility is the largest of its kind in North America and it processes organic waste from more than 150,000 Surrey households, plus local industrial, commercial, and institutional operations, and other municipalities in the region.

5. Farm waste

Fraser Valley Biogas in Abbotsford, BC, and Seabreeze Dairy Farm in Delta, BC, are two of FortisBC’s first RNG suppliers. These farms use their own agricultural waste, along with other local organic waste to create RNG. As a byproduct of the RNG process, they’re also able to create a nutrient-rich digestate that becomes fertilizer for local crops, creating a sustainable loop of food, waste, and energy.

Revolutionizing Transportation: FortisBC Leads the Charge with Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

FortisBC is committed to transitioning to a lower carbon future in the commercial transportation sector, which is responsible for around 41 percent of provincial greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor to emissions in the province.

To help reduce these emissions, FortisBC is promoting the adoption of natural gas vehicles, which offer a readily available way to achieve meaningful emissions reductions in commercial transportation without sacrificing operational efficiencies. 

One of the key benefits of natural gas vehicles is that they can be powered by Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), which boasts a similar lifecycle carbon intensity to battery electric vehicles.

RNG is one of the lowest carbon-intensity transport fuels available today and can be stored as compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified natural gas (LNG) for use in transportation. 

By switching to RNG, commercial transportation operators can use the same natural gas engine without any additional capital investment once they adopt CNG. RNG can be used seamlessly with natural gas engines, reducing emissions by upwards of 85 percent while displacing diesel.

Another benefit of RNG is that it is more affordable than diesel. At the pump, the cost of CNG is 45 percent less than diesel. When RNG is used and carbon credits are sold and factored into the cost of fuel, the fuel savings are even greater.

FortisBC works with large commercial fleet customers, governments, and municipalities to promote natural gas as a lower-carbon fuel that can meet the heavy-duty needs of commercial transportation operations. 

As of February 2022, FortisBC had supported over 1,000 vehicles with natural gas fuelling stations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 percent and fuel costs by up to 45 percent compared to gasoline or diesel. These 1,000 vehicles reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 33,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, the equivalent of removing just over 10,300 gasoline-fuelled passenger vehicles from BC roads that year. Using RNG allows customers can achieve even greater emissions reductions.

Compressed Natural Gas Buses Powered with Renewable Natural Gas: A Cleaner and Cheaper Option for Transit Decarbonization

TransLink, the first public transportation authority in Canada to fuel their fleet with Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), is leading the way for transit authorities and fleet operators across the province in making the switch to low-carbon fuels. RNG is a viable option in transit decarbonizing efforts as it dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining operational costs compared with diesel and CNG.

According to a recent study by the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), buses powered with RNG are cleaner and cheaper. TransLink projects significant savings for lifecycle costs and greenhouse gas emissions by using RNG. 

TransLink has signed an RNG contract to help fuel a total of 299 CNG buses. The total volume of the contract would allow all of TransLink’s CNG-powered buses to be powered by 100 percent RNG.

RNG is a certified Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) transport fuel and boasts a similar lifecycle carbon intensity to battery electric vehicles. Switching to RNG uses the same natural gas engine without any additional capital investment once customers adopt CNG. 

RNG can be stored as CNG or liquified natural gas (LNG) for use in transportation. Compressed natural gas buses powered with RNG may be the only viable option to reduce the carbon intensity of transit in jurisdictions where the electricity grid is carbon intense. RNG is not only a cleaner option, but it is also more affordable when compared to diesel. 

TransLink’s decision to fuel its fleet with RNG is a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving towards a lower-carbon future. By utilizing RNG, transit authorities and fleet operators can reduce their carbon footprint while also saving costs. 

The introduction of RNG does not require a shift in technology or operations because CNG buses are already an established technology. Compressed natural gas buses powered with RNG are a cleaner and cheaper option for transit decarbonization efforts.

Exploring the Promising Possibilities of the Future: Innovations and Advancements That Will Change the World

FortisBC is looking to the future with a focus on innovation and advancement. The company is exploring new technologies and ideas that have the potential to revolutionize the energy industry and create a more sustainable and efficient future.

With these efforts, FortisBC is positioning itself as a leader in the energy industry, driving positive sustainable, new-energy change for both customers and the planet.

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SOURCE & IMAGES:
FortisBC
American Gas Association

THE OGM:
Why do we still need Petroleum?

CANADA ACTION:
Despite the push toward renewable energy, the demand for petroleum continues to grow. Petroleum products are essential for many aspects of modern life, including transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. The energy shortages experienced globally in recent years have highlighted the importance of reliable energy sources. These shortages were caused by factors such as COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, lack of investment in new supply, and geopolitical tensions.

It is important to note that while we need to transition to renewable energy, we cannot do so at the expense of reliable energy sources. Taking on a “replacement” policy that replaces reliable forms of energy with intermittent ones risks serious consequences, such as supply shortages and rolling blackouts. The best method of implementation is to take on an “addition” policy, where renewables are added to our existing supply.

THE OGM:
Why do we need renewable energy sources?

CANADA ACTION:
The push towards renewable energy is essential to combat climate change and reduce emissions. The most important renewable energy considerations of our time include developing the resources required to transition from relying on liquid-based to material-based energy systems. However, we must also consider the human impacts of sourcing these materials from jurisdictions that do not share the same concerns for human rights, environmental protection, and democratic values.

The potential supply-demand bottlenecks with critical minerals used in renewable technologies, as we have seen with Russian fuels amid the war in Ukraine, highlight the need for a strategic plan to address this issue. For example, China currently dominates in global aluminum refining and smelting, lithium and cobalt refining, and graphite production and refining. As such, we may run into the same potential supply-demand bottlenecks with critical minerals as we have with Russian fuels. It is essential that we find these minerals in a sustainable and ethical manner.

THE OGM:
What are some of Canada’s Top Energy Natural Resources?

CANADA ACTION:
Canada has a wealth of natural resources that can contribute to the country’s energy sector. The liquified natural gas (LNG) sector on Canada’s west coast has a handful of Indigenous-led projects that have yet to receive regulatory approval from provincial and federal governments. These projects, such as Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims LNG, have the potential to create huge economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and Canadians alike. 

A healthy LNG sector in British Columbia could generate more than $500 billion in economic activity over the next 40 years, creating nearly 100,000 jobs and over $6 billion in wages.

Canada’s oil and gas sector is also poised to continue its immense contribution to the country’s overall wealth and prosperity. From 2000 to 2019, the sector generated nearly $505 billion for Canadian governments, and from 2023-2032 it is expected to generate another $594 billion. 

The industry is the “backbone” of the Canadian economy, as many well-known economists have repeated time and time again.

THE OGM:
Why is there so much misinformation out there and how do we dispel it?

CANADA ACTION:
One of the most common misconceptions about the energy sector is the notion that we will be getting off oil and gas anytime soon. Anti-Canadian energy activists often point to “net zero” scenarios as proof that the world is using less oil and natural gas. However, the reality is that these are just possible projected scenarios. Shell has said that liquefied natural gas demand will grow 76% by 2040 in its latest industry outlook. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency found in its most recent World Energy Outlook that global oil demand is projected to grow to ~104 million barrels per day by the mid-2030s.

The OGM:
How do we overcome our current energy challenges?

CANADA ACTION:
One of the biggest challenges facing Canada’s energy industry today is regulatory uncertainty. The regulatory process for energy projects in Canada is often lengthy and cumbersome, with multiple levels of government and stakeholders involved. This can create significant delays and uncertainty for energy companies, which in turn can discourage investment in the sector.

To address this challenge, Canada needs to streamline its regulatory process and provide greater clarity and certainty for energy companies. This could involve streamlining the approval process for energy projects, establishing clearer guidelines for consultation with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders, and ensuring that regulatory decisions are based on scientific evidence and sound economic analysis.

Another challenge facing Canada’s energy industry is access to global markets. Canada’s energy resources are located primarily in Western Canada, which is far from major international markets. As a result, Canadian energy companies often face significant transportation costs and logistical challenges when trying to export their products.

To address this challenge, Canada needs to invest in critical energy infrastructure, such as pipelines and export terminals, to improve access to global markets. This could involve working with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to ensure that energy infrastructure is built in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Canada needs to continue to invest in research and development to drive innovation in the energy sector. This could involve supporting the development of new technologies for carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, and energy efficiency, as well as investing in research on the environmental and social impacts of energy development.

Canada’s energy industry is facing significant challenges as it seeks to balance the need for petroleum with the transition to renewables. However, by adopting a pragmatic and strategic approach to energy policy, Canada can continue to play a leading role in the global energy sector while also contributing to global efforts to address climate change. 

By investing in critical infrastructure, streamlining regulations, and supporting research and development, Canada can ensure that its energy industry remains competitive, sustainable, and prosperous for years to come.

Finnair has purchased 750 tons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ from Neste to reduce the carbon emissions from flights departing from Helsinki Airport in Finland. Sustainable aviation fuel is one of the most important tools for reducing the emissions of air travel in the coming years and is available for all airlines at Helsinki Airport.

Finnair aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, and the use of sustainable aviation fuel is an important tool in this regard. Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel. The fuel volume now purchased is Finnair’s single largest batch of sustainable aviation fuel purchased to date. The SAF will be delivered by Neste to Helsinki Airport in early 2023. The 750 tons of SAF corresponds to approximately 400 flights between Helsinki and Stockholm using unblended, 100% SAF. Currently, SAF can be used blended up to 50% with conventional fossil jet fuel.

“Finnair celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and reducing emissions from flying is an essential part of a sustainable future. Sustainable aviation fuel will be one of the most important tools for reducing emissions in the coming years. We also involve our customers in this, and a small part of every flight ticket sold goes to the cost of sustainable aviation fuel,” says Eveliina Huurre, Finnair’s SVP, Sustainability. “Reducing emissions from flying requires an extensive toolkit and everyone’s effort. While we are increasing the use of SAF, we will also continue to take all other steps, from reducing the weight of aircraft to optimizing flight routes and increasing fuel efficiency.”

“Finnair was one of the first airlines using our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We have been working together for a long time and look forward to supporting Finnair to meet its sustainability targets,” says Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Commercial and Technical Management, Renewable Aviation at Neste. “It is great to see Finnair taking the initiative to voluntarily purchase our SAF as part of their sustainability commitments, and creating awareness among their customers on how to play a role in creating a more sustainable future.”

Sustainable aviation fuel

SAF is a renewable aviation fuel providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, including used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure. 

Neste in brief

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion.

Read more: neste.com 

Finnair in brief

Finnair is a network airline, specializing in connecting passenger and cargo traffic between Asia, North America and Europe. Finnair is one of the oldest operating airlines in the world, celebrating its centenary in 2023. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do – Finnair intends to reach carbon neutrality latest by the end of 2045. Customers have chosen Finnair as the Best Airline in Northern Europe in the Skytrax Awards for 12 times in a row. Finnair is a member of the oneworld alliance. Finnair Plc’s shares are quoted on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

The global hydrogen combustion engine market is projected to have a high-paced CAGR of 9.78% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the hydrogen combustion engine market is US$ 18.22 Bn in 2023. The value of the hydrogen combustion engine market is anticipated to reach a high of US$ 46.31 Bn by the year 2033.

The key aspects pushing the adoption of the hydrogen combustion engine is owing to government attempts to promote the use of fuel cell cars, a growth in the demand for fuel cells in automotive and transportation, and an increase in the demand for passenger transportation. Internal combustion engines have long been popular.

Despite this, OEMs are turning their attention to natural gas and hydrogen-based engines because of the rising cost of crude oil, strict emission regulations, fuel supply security, and noise pollution. This is evidently likely to promote the global hydrogen combustion engine.

In addition, an increase in government and other organizational support for the development and commercialization of refueling infrastructure throughout the world is projected to result in the rapid advancement of the global market for hydrogen combustion engines over the next few years.

In addition, the approaching decline in fuel cell costs, brought on by the rising use of creative strategies by fuel producers to lower fuel prices, is anticipated to improve the market’s development prospects in the years to come. Hydrogen combustion engines are gradually evolving as a result of different technical breakthroughs and inventions, allowing them to provide high power outputs while also improving fuel efficiency.

Despite a rise in demand for electric engines and a corresponding decrease in demand for internal combustion engines powered by traditional sources, hydrogen combustion engines are estimated to continue to play an important role in the evolution of the automobile industry. Furthermore, they have the ability to improve in a variety of areas, including thermal efficiency, emissions, and electrification.

The need for research is always being filled by researchers. Because more hydrogen-powered vehicles could be produced and put on the market thanks to the development of low-cost hydrogen energy production technology, hydrogen vehicles became a reality.

Growing scientific study has pushed vehicle manufacturers to build eco-friendly automobiles on the market in order to minimize carbon emissions in the environment. These factors are anticipated to expand the global hydrogen combustion engine market size in the forecast period.

However, hydrogen (in gaseous form) is often produced from water using electrolysis, which involves sending a strong electric current through water to separate oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The electrolysis technique is highly expensive due to the high energy needs. Moreover, the stringent norms and regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions are expected to impede the market growth.

Key Takeaways:

During the forecast period, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global hydrogen combustion engine market. The market in this region is expected to rise due to increasing R&D investment in order to provide cutting-edge solutions and meet end-user demands. Furthermore, the US government’s renewable energy programs are spurring market growth throughout the country.

The hydrogen combustion engine market in Europe is predicted to develop rapidly, particularly in Germany, during the projected period. This is owing to the key players in the nation are actively developing a hydrogen internal combustion engine, pushing the pan-European goal of becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, based on their significant knowledge and years of research experience in this field.

Owing to its ability to transfer protons over the membrane from the anode to the cathode and its importance to the electrochemical process’s effectiveness, the “proton membrane exchange” technology type is expected to hold the greatest revenue, through the forecast period.

As it fits the market niche by serving the country’s middle class with low prices, high-quality amenities, small sizes, and simple financing options, the “commercial vehicles” application type, accounts for a significant share, and is the most preferred type.

Competitive Landscape:

Owing to the existence of both international and local players, the global hydrogen combustion engine market is fragmented. A vast number of manufacturers have a significant market share in their respective regions. Organic developments, such as product releases and approvals, are often highly adopted by key companies. For instance, in April 2021, Toyota announced that it is developing a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine that will be used in sports vehicles and seeks to create a thriving and sustainable mobility society. These factors are estimated to expand the global hydrogen combustion engine market size.

Intero – The Sniffers has a track record in conducting VOC and methane emission measurements and integrity surveys for global oil and gas players. Sensirion Connected Solutions perfectly complements this expertise through the development of its ground-based methane emissions monitoring solution called Nubo Sphere.

Nubo Sphere is a reliable IoT solution that detects, locates and quantifies methane emissions across various industries. The deployment of real-time, continuous methane concentration data enables the detection, localization and quantification of emissions much earlier than was previously possible through human interaction alone. This enables fast, accurate and cost-saving damage control via rapid incident response actions, leading to increased safety and a reduced environmental burden.

“The energy industry is increasingly focused on reducing methane emissions and therefore our partnership with Intero – The Sniffers is an ideal fit and comes at the perfect time. With our combined service offering, we have all the necessary tools to assist customers in reducing their methane emissions and meeting the highest reporting standards, both voluntary and regulatory”, says Marnix Valkeniers, Regional Sales Manager at Sensirion Connected Solutions.

By joining forces, this partnership now offers a wide range of proven technologies to detect and quantify methane emissions and helps customers to understand and improve their emissions situation. With companies continuing to join the voluntary Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), which the upcoming European Methane Regulation builds upon, the timing of this partnership is just right.

“We see that the reduction of methane emissions is at the top of our clients’ environmental agendas these days”, says Philippe Guldemont, Managing Director of Intero – The Sniffers. “The industry is working heavily on improving their understanding of their greenhouse gases and reducing their carbon footprint. With Sensirion Connected Solutions, both our client portfolios can now benefit from proven technologies to detect and quantify methane emissions”, he adds.

The partners have already initiated their collaboration. From March 27 to 29, you can find representatives of both Intero – The Sniffers and Sensirion Connected Solutions at the Methane Mitigation Summit Europe in Amsterdam. This conference could not be more fitting for both businesses, since it primarily focuses on how to predict and prevent methane emissions.

Join their pre-conference workshop on the best practice guide for Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR), and make sure to stop by Sensirion’s booth to connect. Click here to learn more about the summit.

About Sensirion Connected Solutions

Sensirion Connected Solutions specializes in providing sensor-based, end-to-end solutions and services to improve efficiency and reliability for a more sustainable future. By combining unique innovative sensor technology, data analysis and a well-thought-out user experience, Sensirion Connected Solutions offers easy-to-use and scalable solutions for emission monitoring and predictive maintenance. The company is located in Stäfa, Switzerland, in Berlin, Germany and in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Sensirion Connected Solutions is part of Sensirion Holding, a global leader in the manufacture of digital microsensors for high-performance environmental and flow sensing. www.sensirion-connected.com

About Intero – The Sniffers

Intero – The Sniffers contribute to a better environment. You can sense the winds of change in the oil, gas and chemical industries as they move through the energy transition. As a key part of Intero, Intero – The Sniffers combines global field emission measurements and pipeline integrity surveys with expert knowledge and advice. www.the-sniffers.com

SUSTAINABLE RIGHT ACTION

YEG is the first airport in the world to sign Amazon’s Climate Pledge, committing to be carbon neutral by 2040. One way airports are reducing their emissions is by exploring sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), which can reduce the carbon footprint of aviation fuel by up to 80%. In 2018, YEG partnered with Air Canada for a flight from Edmonton to San Francisco that used SAFs, reducing the net emissions by 20%. More recently, YEG supported and hosted KLM Flight 675, which flew non-stop from Amsterdam to Edmonton, setting a record for the longest flight powered by the largest percentage of sustainable aviation fuel.

ELECTRIC & HYBRID-ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

Electric and hybrid-electric aircraft are another way airlines are reducing their carbon footprint. Over 100 electric aircraft designs are in development, and airlines expect to be flying electric planes by the end of the decade. Air Canada has ordered 30 electric aircraft expected to go into service in 2028. YEG and Air Canada signed the first sustainability partnership between an airline and airport to reduce carbon emissions and advance a green and sustainable aviation sector, aiming to reduce the carbon impact of air travel. They are working together to test emerging green technologies at YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus, focusing on initiatives such as the electrification of aviation equipment and the development and usage of sustainable aviation fuels, biofuels, and hydrogen.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being developed and tested to power aircraft, and larger regional hydrogen-powered aircraft are expected to be in commercial operation in the mid-2030s. YEG is committed to using its Airport City Sustainability Campus ecosystem to pilot emerging hydrogen technologies. They have signed multiple agreements with global companies to use their airport as a testing location for delivering zero-emission flights, decarbonizing ground operations, developing hydrogen fueling stations, and converting industrial vehicles to hydrogen fuel.

YEG is working with the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB to kickstart the region’s hydrogen economy, using Alberta’s natural advantages in clean-hydrogen production. Because of these natural advantages, Alberta airports will have access to some of the cheapest hydrogen products in the world, unlocking opportunities to decarbonize a traditionally hard-to-abate sector.

YEG has had two flights fueled by SAF, one with Air Canada and one with KLM, but more are expected in the near future. When it comes to sustainability in aviation, everyone is a winner, and YEG’s partnership with Air Canada is a step towards reducing the carbon impact of air travel.

YEG is leading the way in sustainable initiatives, from signing the Amazon Climate Pledge to exploring sustainable aviation fuels, electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. YEG is committed to reducing the carbon impact of air travel, and its partnership with Air Canada is an example of the collaborative efforts needed to achieve a net-zero aviation industry. Alberta’s natural advantages in clean-hydrogen production will help unlock opportunities to decarbonize the aviation sector and position YEG as a leader in sustainable aviation.

Kongsberg Digital has entered into a strategic agreement with the integrated energy company Chevron Technical Center, a division of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. to digitize its global assets using Kongsberg Digital’s digital twin technology. The agreement includes a multi-year commitment.

The contract, which was signed in January 2023, represents expansions of work performed on contracts signed in 2021, with a committed multiple-asset deployment plan and further applications to enrich Chevron’s user experiences. The digital twin solution will aid Chevron in work planning and project execution. The digital twin solution will also enable faster troubleshooting, reduced cost, decision-making, and lower personal and process safety risk.

Shane McArdle, CEO at Kongsberg Digital said: “We are extremely pleased with this agreement, and we are proud to support Chevron in adopting digital twins for its global operations. This agreement represents both at-scale deliveries of digital twin technology to Chevron’s global business units, and beyond that a multi-year journey of innovation. We look forward to continuing this exciting journey with Chevron.” 

KONGSBERG DIGITAL

Kongsberg Digital is an industrial software company shaping the future of work by changing how businesses design, operate and maintain their assets. Businesses trust us for our innovative carbon capture and storage technology, new energy ventures towards net zero, voyage optimization, emissions reduction, and technology to help balance grids and complex power systems. We are transforming carbon-intensive industries by providing industry-leading solutions that extract value from industrial data. We enable businesses to connect physical assets to an industrial work surface, serving as one common infrastructure for decision-making across the value chain.

Follow us on: www.kongsberg.com/digital and LinkedIn

KONGSBERG

Kongsberg (OSE-ticker: KOG) is an international, knowledge-based group that supplies high-tech systems and solutions to customers in the energy, merchant, navy, defense and aerospace industries. Kongsberg has more than 11,000 employees in 40 countries and a total revenue of NOK 27.5bn in 2021. 

Follow us on: kongsberg.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Kongsberg Digital has launched its Industrial Work Surface which aims to fundamentally change how carbon-intensive industries operate by enabling the company’s software users to work within a single digital environment. By providing end-to-end user workflows, Kongsberg Digital’s customers will benefit from cleaner, more efficient and lower-cost operations, reinforcing the company’s proven technology already deployed across the energy and maritime sectors.

Boston Consulting Group research states that as much as 70% of the value of digitalization comes from adopting new ways of working. The Industrial Work Surface will enable users across the energy and maritime industries to capitalize on this value by reducing siloed access to data and achieving better ways of working to facilitate smarter, safer and greener operations.

Using Kongsberg Digital’s proven technology, such as digital twins, data management infrastructure, simulation, visualization and machine learning, the Industrial Work Surface will combine Kongsberg Digital’s domain and technology expertise to create a single end-to-end user surface.

Kongsberg Digital customers can use the Industrial Work Surface throughout the lifespan of projects and assets, seamlessly leveraging data and insights across the company’s suite of technology applications to reduce costs and downtime, while providing faster access to vital information on the status of assets.

Carbon-intensive companies can access and scale everything from carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) facility modeling, predictive maintenance alerts and energy optimization recommendations to ESG reporting, carbon emissions information and performance analytics on critical equipment.

This holistic and intuitive operational view requires no retraining from existing users and places customer experience central to the technology. It streamlines the number of software applications or vendors required to run operations via a single secure login.

Shane McArdle, CEO of Kongsberg Digital, said: “By providing industrial operators and workers with the tools needed to take critical decisions based on all data available, Kongsberg Digital’s Industrial Work Surface aims to redefine how businesses design, operate and maintain their assets. We empower businesses with digital workflows to drive performance as they respond to the energy transition toward net zero, enabling them to work smarter, safer and greener.

“Our vision is to transform global industries by changing and shaping how people work. As an industrial software company, we understand the value of digitalizing carbon-intensive industries by deploying new ways of working. The Industrial Work Surface will transform how these industries operate and help businesses unlock the full potential of digitalization.” 

James Maguire, Business Transformation Manager at Kongsberg Digital customer LNG Canada comments on how the Industrial Work Surface will help streamline the company’s operations: “The Industrial Work Surface will provide our people with the information and data they need at their fingertips to make decisions or troubleshoot problems through a single surface where they can execute project work. 

“This new way of working will enable our teams to learn from past events, predict future events, and prescribe a path forward to optimize production and equipment performance automatically, maintaining safe and energy-efficient operating parameters without manual intervention. The Industrial Work Surface is the cornerstone to our future ambitions.”

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, addresses some of the challenges the maritime sector is facing and how adopting new ways of work can help ship owners and operators to meet these demands: “The digital overlay needs to address lots of new demands and opportunities, meaning everything from following the cargo from end-to-end to managing and routing the vessels – but the most important thing is carbon accounting. With our new vessels, we have the opportunity to integrate connectivity by design, making the implementation of technology such as using digital twins possible. We are building dual-fuel vessels and we need to ensure that we can report and allocate the carbon reductions.”

KONGSBERG DIGITAL

Kongsberg Digital is an industrial software company shaping the future of work by changing how businesses design, operate and maintain their assets. Businesses trust us for our innovative carbon capture and storage technology, new energy ventures towards net zero, voyage optimization, emissions reduction, and technology to help balance grids and complex power systems. We are transforming carbon-intensive industries by providing industry-leading solutions that extract value from industrial data. We enable businesses to connect physical assets to an Industrial Work Surface, serving as one common software for decision-making across the value chain.

Follow on: www.kongsberg.com/digital and LinkedIn

The Urban AirPort is a compact modular structure that can be installed almost anywhere, making it an ideal solution for cities where space is at a premium. The airport features a fully autonomous charging and landing system that can recharge an electric vehicle in just a few minutes. The airport’s design also incorporates a sophisticated air traffic management system that allows multiple aircraft to use the facility at the same time safely.

One of the primary advantages of Urban AirPort is its flexibility. The airport can be easily moved and installed in different locations as needed, providing a quick and affordable solution for cities looking to develop their air transportation infrastructure. The airport’s modular design also means that it can be scaled up or down depending on demand, making it suitable for a range of applications from delivery drones to electric flying taxis.

The new airport will have a range of benefits, including reducing congestion on roads and providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation option. The airport will also help to support the growth of the electric vehicle industry by providing a network of charging stations that can be used by a range of vehicles, from electric cars to drones.

The Urban AirPort will be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, making it a truly green infrastructure project. The airport will also incorporate the latest smart technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), to optimize its operations and improve efficiency.

Coventry was chosen as the location for the world’s first new energy airport due to its central location and its strong history of innovation in the transportation industry. The city is home to several leading automotive companies, including Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin, as well as world-class universities and research centers.

The new energy airport is just one of several innovative transportation projects that are being developed in Coventry. The city is also home to the UK’s first 5G-enabled road, which is being used to test autonomous vehicles and connected car technology. These initiatives are part of Coventry’s wider plans to become a smart city and a leader in sustainable transportation.

The Urban Air Port project has already attracted significant interest from investors and potential partners. Hyundai Motor Group has invested in the project and is also working on developing its own electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi. Other companies, including Honeywell and Microsoft, have also expressed an interest in the project and are exploring potential partnerships with Urban Air Port Limited.

The Urban Air Port in Coventry, UK, is set to revolutionize transportation by providing a green, sustainable, and smart airport infrastructure that can be used by a wide range of air vehicles. The airport’s modular design and flexibility make it an ideal solution for cities looking to develop their air transportation infrastructure quickly and affordably. The project is a testament to Coventry’s innovation and commitment to sustainable transportation and is likely to attract significant interest from investors and potential partners.

Neste enables its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by offering renewable and circular solutions to replace fossil products. In 2022, Neste’s renewable solutions helped customers reduce their GHG emissions globally by 11.1 million tons* altogether. This amount equals the annual carbon footprint of 1.8 million average EU citizens or the removal of four million passenger cars from the roads for a full year.

“We are on track towards reaching our commitment of helping our customers to reduce their GHG emissions by at least 20 million tons of CO2e annually by 2030. Our ongoing strategic projects will expand our renewables production capacity in the coming years, which supports our efforts to increase our carbon handprint,” says Matti Lehmus, President and CEO of Neste.

Neste’s current global production capacity of renewable products is 3.3 million tons annually. Neste’s ongoing Singapore refinery expansion project and the joint operation with Marathon Petroleum in Martinez, California will increase the total production capacity of renewable products to 5.5 million tons by the end of 2023, and make Neste the only global provider of renewable fuels and renewable feedstock for polymers and chemicals with a production footprint on three continents. When completed, the Rotterdam refinery expansion project will further increase the company’s total production capacity of renewable products to 6.8 million tons by the end of 2026. Furthermore, Neste has started a study on transitioning its refinery in Porvoo, Finland into a globally leading renewable and circular solutions site. 

“Neste calculates the carbon footprint of its products and solutions over their entire life cycle: from the production of the raw materials to the end use of the final product. Our renewable and circular solutions offer significant GHG emissions savings that help our customers reduce their carbon footprint or the carbon footprint of their products,” Lehmus continues.

Neste is committed to reducing the GHG emissions from its production by 50% by 2030 and reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035. Neste is also committed to reducing the use phase emission intensity** of sold products by 50% by 2040 compared to 2020 levels and working with its suppliers and partners to reduce the indirect GHG emissions from its entire value chain.

Neste in brief

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion.

Read more: neste.com

Accelerate, Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Supply Chain Alliance, and ChargePoint, a leading electric vehicle charging network, released a report by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, which provides a snapshot of the potential for industry-wide EV installation jobs based on projected demand for EV chargers in Canada.  The report, EV Charging and Jobs in Canada, provides an initial assessment of the jobs required for EV charging installations, highlighting the need for continued workforce development to support a successful transition to ZEVs in Canada.

Prior Natural Resources Canada estimates indicate that by 2035 Canada will need up to 475,000 public charging ports and over 2 million ports in multi-unit residential buildings. The new report estimates that by 2035, up to 3,500 total full-time equivalent positions may need to be filled for critical roles across ZEV charging infrastructure, such as electricians or civil and general contractors.  The report notes that these jobs are already in demand in every corner of Canada, and with an aging demographic in the skilled trades, ensuring the stability of the labour market for these skilled trades is critical to Canada’s net-zero transition. 

“We believe the movement towards mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles in Canada will be a catalyst for job creation across the supply chain,” said Matthew Fortier, CEO of Accelerate.   “This report provides the industry and policymakers with a broad look at how quickly the demand for labour will ramp up and what kinds of roles are required to meet that demand.  Applying a whole of supply chain approach to job creation will ensure Canada fully realizes this great potential and supports the scale and pace of deployment needed to support future ZEV drivers.”   

In addition to the estimated 3,500 direct jobs EV charging infrastructure will generate, the EV Charging and Jobs in Canada report also outlines that indirect job creation benefits will also be generated throughout the supply chain, including upstream jobs associated with electricity production to fuel the site, necessary changes to the transmission and distribution network, manufacturing of electrical distribution equipment and transformers, transportation of equipment to each site, anddownstream jobs associated with EV charging network operators and producers, and charging station maintenance. 

“As Canadians transition to EVs, they will need access to charging at home, around town, and close to highways,” said Suzanne Goldberg, senior director of public policy, ChargePoint.  “This report highlights the job creation potential with large-scale deployment of EV charging stations to meet the needs of Canadian drivers in 2035. With more than 19,000 public chargers currently deployed across the country and an estimated need of 475,000, plus additional multi-unit residential building ports in just over ten years, there is immense opportunity for the current and next generation of skilled tradespeople in Canada’s labour market.” 

This study provides an initial assessment of what may be required to facilitate an important part of the transition to ZEVs. Ongoing analysis and investment in targeted skills development and training and continued efforts to attract high school and post-secondary students will also be necessary to meet this need. Recruitment should also extend to underrepresented communities in the trades, such as women and Indigenous persons, to ensure that the benefits of the transition are felt by everyone. 

About ChargePoint

ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks in North America and Europe and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds of thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. To date, more than 133 million charging sessions have been delivered, with drivers plugging into the ChargePoint network on average every second.

For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom, the ChargePoint Investor Relations site, or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations.

The history of eVTOL technology can be traced back to the 1960s when the concept of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft was first explored. Over the years, advances in electric motors and battery technology have enabled the development of eVTOL aircraft, which are more environmentally friendly and efficient compared to their predecessors.

Currently, eVTOL technology is in the early stages of development with several companies around the world working on prototypes and testing their viability for commercial use. Some of the companies involved in eVTOL development include Lilium, Joby Aviation, Volocopter, EHang, and Airbus.

As for the safety of eVTOL aircraft for passengers, it is a work in progress and will likely take several more years of testing and certification before they are deemed safe for commercial use. The development of eVTOL aircraft is subject to rigorous safety standards and regulations, and the industry is working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure that these aircraft are safe and reliable before they are put into commercial operation. The expected timeline for the commercialization of eVTOL aircraft varies, but some estimates suggest that they could be in operation within the next decade.

VTOL to Market

It is difficult to predict with certainty which company will be the first to offer eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) to the public. The development of eVTOL technology is still in its early stages, and several companies are working on prototypes and testing their viability for commercial use. Some of the companies involved in eVTOL development include Lilium, Joby Aviation, Volocopter, EHang, and Airbus.

Each of these companies has made significant progress in developing their eVTOL designs, but there is still much work to be done before these aircraft are deemed safe for commercial use. The timeline for the commercialization of eVTOL technology depends on various factors, including regulatory approval, certification, and the development of supporting infrastructure.

It is likely that several companies will begin offering eVTOL services to the public in the coming years, but it is impossible to predict with certainty which company will be the first. The eVTOL industry is rapidly evolving, and new players are emerging all the time, so it is possible that a company that is not currently well-known could become a leader in the field.

eVTOL Jets About To Hit The Market

There are several eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft being developed by various companies around the world, including:

Lilium Jet

Developed by the German company Lilium, the Lilium Jet is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for short-distance urban air transportation. The CEO is Daniel Wiegand. The aircraft uses 36 electric jets for vertical takeoff and landing and horizontal flight and is powered by batteries. The Lilium Jet is designed and manufactured in Germany and is notable for its unique tilt-wing design. https://lilium.com

Joby Aviation S4

Developed by the American company Joby Aviation, the Joby Aviation S4 is an eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is JoeBen Bevirt. The S4 uses multiple rotors for vertical lift and fixed wings for horizontal flight and is powered by batteries. The Joby Aviation S4 is designed and manufactured in California. https://www.jobyaviation.com

Volocopter 2X

Developed by the German company Volocopter, the Volocopter 2X is a multi-copter-style eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is Florian Reuter. The Volocopter 2X uses multiple rotors for vertical lift and stability and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in Germany. Volocopter: https://volocopter.com

EHang 216

Developed by the Chinese company EHang, the EHang 216 is a passenger drone designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is Huazhi Hu. The EHang 216 uses 16 rotors for vertical lift and stability and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in China. https://ehang.com

Airbus Vahana

Developed by Airbus, the Vahana is an eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO of Airbus is Guillaume Faury. The Vahana uses a tilt-wing design with multiple rotors for vertical lift and fixed wings for horizontal flight and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in Europe. https://www.airbus.com

Beta Technologies AV-8

Developed by the American company Beta Technologies, the AV-8 is an eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is Kyle Clark. The AV-8 uses multiple rotors for vertical lift and stability and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in Vermont. https://www.beta.team/aircraft

Terrafugia TF-2

Developed by the Chinese company Geely, the Terrafugia TF-2 is an eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO of Geely is Li Shufu. The TF-2 uses a tilt-wing design with multiple rotors for vertical lift and fixed wings for horizontal flight and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in China. https://terrafugia.com

Jaunt Air Mobility

Developed by the American company Jaunt Air Mobility, the Jaunt Air Mobility eVTOL is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is Martin Peryea and uses a single main rotor for vertical lift and four propellers for forward flight and is all electric. Only rotorcraft design with proprietary Slowed Rotor Compound Technology. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in the United States.

https://www.jauntairmobility.com

Vertical Aerospace VA-1X

Developed by the British company Vertical Aerospace, the VA-1X is an eVTOL aircraft designed for urban air transportation. The CEO is Stephen Fitzpatrick. The VA-1X uses multiple rotors for vertical lift and stability and is powered by batteries. The aircraft is designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom. https://www.verticalaerospace.com

Karma Aero eVTOL

Developed by the American company Karma Automotive, the Karma Aero eVTOL is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for urban air transportation. It is developed by the American company Karma Aero, with its CEO being Dr. Joseph Favolise. The Karma Aero eVTOL features a unique design with multiple rotors for vertical lift and stability and is powered by batteries. It has a maximum speed of 150 km/h and a range of 100 km. The Karma Aero eVTOL is unique due to its focus on sustainability and efficiency in urban air transportation. https://karma-aero.com

eVTOL PILOT TRAINING

There are limited options for training to fly eVTOL aircraft as they are a relatively new and developing technology. However, some flight schools and aviation training organizations may offer courses and training programs for pilots looking to learn how to fly eVTOL aircraft. The availability and location of these training programs may vary, so it’s best to check with individual schools and organizations for more information.

Additionally, many of the companies developing eVTOL aircraft also have their own training programs for their specific aircraft. It’s also possible that as the eVTOL industry continues to grow and mature, more training opportunities for pilots will become available. Currently, some of the major companies developing eVTOL aircraft offer training programs for pilots. Here are a few in-house training programs emerging:

1. Joby Aviation: They have a pilot training program to train their customers on their eVTOL aircraft.
   
2. Volocopter: They offer pilot training programs for their eVTOL aircraft, including training on simulator equipment.
   
3. Lilium: They offer training programs for their aircraft, including both ground-based and in-flight training.
   
4. EHang: They offer training programs for pilots on their eVTOL aircraft.

eVTOL aircraft are designed to provide sustainable, affordable, and accessible air transportation to revolutionize the way people travel. Each design is unique, incorporating different technologies and approaches to meet the challenges of electric flight and vertical takeoff and landing. What we know for sure, is that these small, versatile planes will revolutionize the world as they provide an entirely new system for deliveries, airbus, taxis, short-distance travel and more. Exciting times are ahead!

Source and pictures:

https://lilium.com

https://www.jobyaviation.com/

https://www.volocopter.com/

https://ehang.com/

https://www.airbus.com/en

https://www.beta.team/aircraft/

https://terrafugia.com/

https://jauntairmobility.com/

https://karma-aero.com/

The EU’s efforts to combat climate change are guided by the European Green Deal, a comprehensive plan to make the EU’s economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all.

EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS

One of the key targets set by the EU is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. To achieve this goal, the EU has implemented a number of policies and measures to reduce emissions in various sectors, including power generation, transportation, and industry. For example, the EU has set targets for the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix, with a goal of reaching at least 32% by 2030.

The EU has also established a carbon market, known as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which aims to reduce emissions by putting a price on carbon.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS

Another key aspect of the EU’s efforts to combat climate change is the promotion of renewable energy sources. The EU has set a target of achieving at least 27% of the total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. To support this goal, the EU has implemented a number of policies and measures to encourage the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. For example, the EU has established a Renewable Energy Directive, which sets binding targets for member states to increase the share of renewable energy in their energy mix. Additionally, the EU also provides funding for research and development of renewable energy technologies through the Horizon 2020 program.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGETS

The EU has also implemented policies to promote energy efficiency, which is another important aspect of the EU’s efforts to combat climate change. The EU has set a target of increasing energy efficiency by at least 32.5% by 2030, compared to a business-as-usual scenario. To achieve this goal, the EU has adopted a number of policies and measures, such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, which sets binding targets for member states to improve energy efficiency. The EU also provides funding for energy efficiency projects through the Horizon 2020 program and has established the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EEFIG) to mobilize private sector financing for energy efficiency investments.

TRANSPORT EMISSIONS REDUCTION

Furthermore, the EU is also working to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The EU has set a target of reducing emissions from the transportation sector by at least 60% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. To support this goal, the EU has adopted a number of policies and measures, such as the Fuel Quality Directive, which sets targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport fuels. The EU also provides funding for research and development of clean transportation technologies through the Horizon 2020 program.

The European Union has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy and has implemented a wide range of policies and measures to support these goals. Through the European Green Deal, the EU aims to make the transition to a sustainable economy just and inclusive for all. The EU’s efforts to combat climate change have been recognized as a global leader, and other countries and regions are looking to the EU as a model for their own climate and environmental policies.

1. China – 29.3%
2. United States – 15%
3. India – 7.5%
4. Russia – 4.9%
5. Japan – 3.3%

These countries are major emitters because they are large, industrialized nations with high levels of energy consumption. Many of them also rely heavily on fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to meet their energy needs. These fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they are burned, and this contributes to the overall level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is a key driver of climate change.

WORLD’S TOP CARBON EMITTERS

1. China:
   China is the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with emissions of over 10 billion metric tons per year. In recent years, China has made significant efforts to reduce its reliance on coal and increase its use of renewable energy sources. The country has invested heavily in hydroelectric, wind, and solar power, and it is now the world leader in renewable energy capacity. In addition, China has implemented a number of policies and regulations to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices, and it is working to improve the efficiency of its transportation sector.
   
2. United States:
   The United States is the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with emissions of over 5 billion metric tons per year. The United States is working to reduce its carbon emissions through a variety of approaches, including increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner technologies. The government has implemented a number of policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of clean energy and energy-efficient technologies, and many states and cities have also set their own targets for reducing emissions.
   
3. India:
   India is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with emissions of over 2.5 billion metric tons per year. India is working to reduce its carbon emissions by increasing its use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. The country has set ambitious targets for increasing its renewable energy capacity, and it has implemented a number of policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of clean energy technologies. In addition, India is working to improve the efficiency of its transportation sector and to promote the use of electric vehicles.
   
4. Russian Federation: Russia is the fourth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with emissions of over 1.5 billion metric tons per year. Russia is working to reduce its carbon emissions through a variety of approaches, including increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner technologies. The country has set targets for increasing its renewable energy capacity, and it has implemented a number of policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of clean energy technologies. In addition, Russia is working to improve the efficiency of its transportation sector and to promote the use of electric vehicles.
   
5. Japan: Japan is the fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with emissions of over 1 billion metric tons per year. Japan is working to reduce its carbon emissions by increasing its use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner technologies. The country has set ambitious targets for increasing its renewable energy capacity, and it has implemented a number of policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of clean energy technologies. In addition, Japan is working to improve the efficiency of its transportation sector and to promote the use of electric vehicles.

PER CAPITA EMISSIONS

It is worth noting that the total emissions of a country do not necessarily reflect the per capita emissions of its citizens. Some countries with high levels of emissions may have relatively low per capita emissions due to their large populations, while others with lower total emissions may have relatively high per capita emissions due to their smaller populations and higher levels of industrialization.

According to the World Bank, the countries with the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions include:

1. Qatar – 45.9 metric tons per person
2. Kuwait – 30.9 metric tons per person
3. United Arab Emirates – 29.5 metric tons per person
4. Saudi Arabia – 27.3 metric tons per person
5. Australia – 17.3 metric tons per person

It is worth noting that per capita emissions do not take into account a country’s population size, so they may not provide the most accurate representation of a country’s overall impact on the environment. Some smaller countries with high per capita emissions may not have as significant of an overall impact on global emissions as larger countries with lower per capita emissions.

Governor Hochul’s announcement clearly puts New York State as the undisputed leader amongst states to deliver policy and investments to deliver historic firsts in de-carbonizing New York State.

As reported in New York’s Energy Storage Roadmap developed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority  and the New York State Department of Public Service, “energy storage will play a critical role in supporting New York’s decarbonized electric grid by integrating large quantities of variable renewable energy, reducing curtailment, and storing renewable generation for the times it is needed most.”

The New York Governor announced in her State of the State address an intention to double the state’s 2030 energy storage deployment target, from the currently legislated 3 gigawatts (GW) of storage to 6 GW of storage by 2030. This nation-leading storage target, in addition to an interim goal of 1.5 GW by 2025, is driven by the quick growth in renewable energy expected over the next decade and the role that electrification of transportation and buildings is expected to play in achieving New York State’s future carbon-neutral economy.

These directives are outlined in New York’s Climate Act, which calls for New York to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% zero-emissions electricity by 2040. To hasten the deployment of storage and support the transition to a clean electric grid, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) and NYSERDA to update New York State’s Energy Roadmap to double deployment, achieving at least 6 GW of energy storage deployments by 2030.

Additionally, the Governor’s State of the State Address proposes a “plan to end the sale of any new fossil-fuel-powered heating equipment by 2030.”  Hochul is “calling for all new construction to be zero-emission, starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large buildings” and “taking these actions because climate change remains the greatest threat to our planet, and to our children and grandchildren.”

In 2019, New York’s legislature instituted aggressive mandates and deadlines for reducing emissions, and Hochul aims to execute this plan and “correct the environmental injustices of the past” by supporting home-grown green technology production including energy storage, solar, wind, carbon capture and clean hydrogen.

Governor Hochul’s nation-leading Cap-and-Invest program to cap greenhouse emissions will invest in the clean energy economy and prioritize the health and economic well-being of New Yorkers.

“Big emitters will have to purchase permits to sell polluting fuels,” said Governor Hochul.  “The dirtier the fuel – the bigger the price tag. And the ‘invest’ part of the program will accelerate the clean energy transition and include a universal Climate Action rebate that will provide $1 billion in revenues that we’ll allocate to help cover utility bills, transportation costs, and de-carbonization efforts.”

New York City’s ‘Carbon-Sucking’ Towers

Hochul’s environmental mandates for zero-emission for large buildings is a ‘tall’ order but one that can be met by aligning with innovative and nimble companies like Zinc8 Energy Solutions as well as others.  Under the ground-breaking New York City Local Law 97, “buildings over 25,000 square feet will be required to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024, with stricter limits coming into effect in 2030. The goal is to reduce the emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings, 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.” 

My company Zinc8 is developing a low-cost long duration zinc-air battery energy storage system that can store and discharge energy over durations of up to 100 hours, scalable to higher capacities with an increase in the size of storage tanks that hold zinc particles. Our technology is preparing for a demonstration at a New York City housing complex supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) where a 100kW/1.5MWh zinc BESS is combined with onsite CHP generation. As well, as winners of the New York Power Authorities ‘Innovation Challenge’, we will be demonstrating a 100kW/1MWh zinc-air ESS in partnership with NYPA and the University at Buffalo.

As a clean energy advocate and business leader, the historic measures taken by the United States and New York State to reach ambitious goals of carbon neutrality are driving clean energy innovation. It is indeed refreshing to see a Politician that doesn’t just spew rhetoric on climate change but puts leadership, legislation and state resources toward resolving the climate crisis while building investment opportunities and green sustainable jobs for New Yorkers.

By strengthening domestic supply chains, and engineering and manufacturing American-made, clean energy products to sell nationally and internationally, New York State will reach its goals of carbon neutrality and inspire the rest of the United States and the world.

A Calgary company’s leading-edge technology – originally used by NASA to search for life on Mars – is coming down to earth to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the oil sands.

Impossible Sensing Energy edged out competitors from around the world in a Pathways Alliance global challenge to find a key piece of measurement equipment that will help accelerate the widescale use of steam-reducing technologies in oil sands operations.

“We take great pride as a Canadian company in playing a role to help develop our country’s energy resources more sustainably and we are committed to helping Pathways Alliance achieve its net zero goal,” said Ariel Torre, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of Impossible Sensing Energy.

“Addressing the global energy challenge to reduce emissions, while ensuring the world benefits from responsible, safe and secure sources of energy to meet global demand is central to the work we do every day.”

The company’s optical sensing technology, called FLOW, was awarded first prize among more than 50 global competitors – including those from a U.S. Ivy League University, Sweden, and the UK – in the challenge to find a measurement device that can continuously identify precise amounts of solvents recovered in oil sands production.

The technology was first developed by the company’s U.S. affiliate for use by the Mars Perseverance Rover to find traces of life on the planet’s surface. The same advanced optical technology used to search for trace amounts of potential carbon-based past life on Mars can detect precise amounts of solvents (hydrocarbons) in the oil production stream.

The increased use of solvents offers a breakthrough potential to reduce—or eliminate—the need for energy-intensive steam generation in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations.

Replacing steam in SAGD production with solvents could result in up to a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

However, to fully advance the process, the industry has been searching for a real-time, accurate method to measure the precise amounts and concentrations of solvents to maximize recycling throughout the full oil recovery process.

Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), the innovation arm of Pathways Alliance, contracted technology accelerator Plug and Play Alberta to lead a global competition, which saw the FLOW technology win the top prize of $45,000.

“The tremendous response to this challenge continues to demonstrate the great level of partnership the oil sands industry has with leading innovators from around the world,” said Wes Jickling, Vice President, Technology Development for Pathways Alliance.

“We know there is no single path to net zero and no one company or one sector can get there alone. It will require multiple pathways and collaboration with some of the world’s brightest minds. It’s great to see some of the brightest are right here in our own backyard.”

December 14, 2022

FPS Air Compressors can provide a number of tips and initiatives to reduce the energy consumed by compressed air systems. In particular, the company offers the new NOBEL PM series of oil-injected rotary screw compressors, which feature IE4 permanent magnet motors, variable speed drives, and an extended airflow range for the highest level of energy efficiency and quiet operation. This industry-leading performance helps to counter the current trend of spiraling energy costs, which look likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. Compared with the operating costs of a standard compressor. As an example, a user operating a 37 kW Nobel DVPM air compressor can enjoy savings of up to £25,000 a year or more.

Compressed air usage represents a significant proportion of electricity costs at manufacturing plants, food production facilities, machine shops, packaging plants, garages, body shops, and woodyards – essentially any facility using compressed air. A big part of the solution is to get savvy about specifying the optimal technology, notably the compressor. The energy costs linked to an air compressor’s operation during its service life represent more than 80% of total lifecycle costs.

There are three principal compressor metrics to consider: specific energy; greater FAD (free air delivery) performance; and a wider operating range to suit varying demands.

The specific energy value reveals how much power (kW) is used to generate a specific volume of compressed air (1m³). Users unfortunately often overlook this highly accurate measure of an air compressor’s energy efficiency. However, NOBEL PM series models from Power System deliver a 3-8% better specific energy performance in comparison with competitor alternatives.

Regarding the second metric, the maximum available capacity is important because a compressor with better FAD performance is able to cope with peaks in demand that would otherwise require an additional or even larger, higher energy-consuming compressor. NOBEL PM models provide extremely high maximum capacity figures compared with competitors. For example, the 22kW NOBEL 24 DVPM has a FAD performance delivering over 4500 l/min, which is almost 10% better than industry peers.

The third metric considers the operating range of a variable-speed compressor. This factor is important in satisfying the fluctuating demands of production and in preventing the air compressor from entering an ‘idle’ state, which is extremely wasteful in energy. To avoid this situation, NOBEL DVPM models operate with a wide range of between 15% and 100% of available capacity.

There are many reasons for the high-efficiency performance levels of NOBEL DVPM air compressors, not least the introduction of permanent magnet motors and high-performance inverters. These technologies help compressed air users to take advantage of IE4 ‘Super Premium’ class efficiency, the highest available according to IEC 60034-30-1. Further innovations include an efficient intake regulator and a minimum-pressure valve that minimizes pressure loss to reduce energy consumption.

Notably, the volume of compressed air generated by the cutting-edge NOBEL PM series aligns exactly with system requirements, achieved by regulating the speed of the electric motor. In other words, the system provides a continuously adjusted air output to match actual usage, meaning that users only expend power, for the volume of air required.

Such impressive performance offers incredibly fast ROI (return on investment), with NOBEL PM series compressors typically paying for themselves in circa 12-18 months, sometimes less, when replacing an equivalent fixed-speed compressor.

The high-efficiency levels combine with a direct transmission system featuring a flexible coupling that minimizes component wear and reduces noise and optimizes controls in the form of the new and intuitive LOGIN multicolor touchscreen controller. Featuring an internal memory card for data recovery, LOGIN is ideal for remote control and multi-compressor management for up to eight compressors and as part of IoT digitalization/connectivity projects.

These advanced technologies, alongside the use of the latest-generation air-end units, have facilitated the creation of the most innovative and reliable compressor available. The result: maximum energy savings and a subsequent reduction in CO2 emissions. The extremely compact, Italian-manufactured NOBEL PM series compressors are not only an ecological choice, but they also offer among the lowest noise values in their category – as low as 58 dB(A).

A full NOBEL PM range is available from 18.5 to 90 kW, with the 24, 39, and 45 DVPM models typically offering the best performance in their market segment. An optional refrigerated dryer is available with integrated inlet/outlet filters to deliver clean, dry compressed air. A five-year warranty is an available subject to terms and conditions.

For further information please visit https://www.fps-compressors.co.uk/energy-saving-air-compressors

The demand for hydrogen solutions is rising with public policies and funding mechanisms being put in place to encourage investment. An example is the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which commits billions in production tax incentives for clean hydrogen producers.

With the evolving legislative environment, an integrated solution was identified with low process carbon intensity as a key target. According to JM- Honeywell UOP calculations, the result is a solution that will enable direct process emissions to be less than 0.1 kgCO₂/kgH₂ by capturing carbon rates above 99%. This provides eligibility for production tax credits within the IRA, meaning projects can access the support they need to be deployed rapidly.

This relationship also builds on the collaboration recently announced at the European Refining Technology Conference in Berlin, where JM is integrating differentiated Honeywell UOP technologies into its CLEANPACE™ offering for decarbonizing existing synthesis (syngas) gas plants. Honeywell’s advanced solvent carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and hydrogen solutions allow for CO₂ to be captured, transported, and stored at a lower cost through greater efficiency while allowing for smaller equipment and lower capital operational expenses needed to run the plant compared to existing technologies.

Alberto Giovanzana, Chief Commerical Officer of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey said: “By joining complementary technology elements, we will provide customers with a cost-effective approach that will enable meaningful reductions in emissions compared to conventional technology. As we mentioned in our Strategy Review earlier in the year, Catalyst Technologies aim to expand our offering through new strategic partnerships, integrating them with adjacent technologies. This is an exciting first step and we look forward to working with Honeywell on expanding our offering to include other sustainable technologies in the fuel and chemical spaces.”

“Industries need to quicken their pace to reduce their emissions in order to meet their carbon reduction targets,” said Barry Glickman, vice president, and general manager, of Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “This is accelerating the demand for clean hydrogen, which is expected to grow up to sevenfold by 2050. Collaborations like the one between Honeywell and Johnson Matthey across the clean hydrogen value chain are essential to accelerating the energy transition and helping to meet global emissions goals.”

15 million tons per year of CO₂ is being captured and used in storage/utilization applications through Honeywell’s CO₂ solutions process expertise. Honeywell currently has the capacity to capture 40 million tons per year through its installed projects worldwide.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Honeywell is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment builds on the company’s track record of sharply reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities as well as its decades-long history of innovation to help its customers meet their environmental and social goals. About 60% of Honeywell’s new product introduction research and development investment is directed toward products that improve environmental and social outcomes for customers.

For more information on Honeywell’s carbon capture solutions, visit https://pmt.honeywell.com/us/en/solutions/sustainability/carbon-capture.

For more information about Honeywell’s sustainability initiatives, visit our website.

About Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, catalyzing the net zero transition. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function, and safety of our customers’ products. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low-emission transport, energy, chemical processing, and making the most efficient use of the planet’s natural resources. About 13,000 Johnson Matthey professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us.

For more information visit www.matthey.com

Production is anticipated to begin in 2025 and is projected to be the first commercialized waste plastics recycling facility to use Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology in Korea. The planned advanced recycling plant is expected to have the capacity to transform 30,000 metric tons of mixed waste plastics into Honeywell RPF per year. 

“Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology not only allows us to reduce waste by expanding the types of plastics that can be recycled but also displaces the need for fossil fuels in the creation of virgin plastics,” said Woo-Hyun Shim, vice president, of GE Technology. “Enabling a circular economy for plastics in Korea is now possible through our licensure with Honeywell and their UpCycle Process Technology.” 

Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology is a ready-now technology that utilizes molecular conversion, pyrolysis, and contaminants management technology to convert waste plastic to Honeywell RPF, which is then used to create new plastics. The UpCycle Process Technology expands the types of plastics that can be recycled to include waste plastic that would otherwise go unrecycled, including colored, flexible, multilayered packaging, and polystyrene. When used in conjunction with other chemical and mechanical recycling processes – along with improvements to collection and sorting – Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology has the potential to help recycle nearly 90 percent of waste plastics. This would represent a considerable increase in the number of waste plastics that can be turned into polymer feedstock^1,2. 

“GE Technology is the first company in Korea to license Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology, which will build upon GE Technology’s existing capability in waste collection and mechanical recycling,” said Barry Glickman, vice president, and general manager, of Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “Honeywell’s technology can play a key role in driving a circular plastics economy to tackle the global challenge of plastic waste.”

The announcement expands the UpCycle Process Technology footprint, building on Honeywell’s recent announcements in the U.S., Spain, Turkey, China, and Egypt. 

Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology was created within Honeywell’s Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) business, which is part of Honeywell UOP. This latest breakthrough technology builds upon Honeywell’s focus to deliver high-impact, environmentally sustainable solutions for customers and society.

To learn more about Honeywell’s STS business, click here. 

Honeywell committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment builds on the company’s track record of sharply reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities as well as its decades-long history of innovation to help its customers meet their environmental and social goals. Approximately 60 percent of Honeywell’s new product introduction research and development investment is directed toward products that improve environmental and social outcomes for customers.

About GE Technology

GE Technology (www.ge-technology.co.kr) is a leading waste management company in South Korea with a vision of Plastic Circularity, carbon reduction, and a Hydrogen Economy. With broad experience operating Material Recovery Facilities for years, GE Technology has been establishing strong value chains and offering full-service waste management and recycling optimization solutions.

For more news and information on GE Technology, please visit www.ge-technology.co.kr.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. 

For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. 

Assuming sorting and collection improve to recover most waste plastic, chemical recycling, including Honeywell UOP UpCycle Process, is widely deployed. The 90 percent of waste plastics that could be recycled may change depending on the number of consumers or communities that have access to recycle waste plastics or the availability of recycling facilities. 

Honeywell UOP analysis of US EPA Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018 and IHSMarkit 2019 world polymer consumption data.

Mitigating the risk and effects of natural gas contaminants can often present a challenge to natural gas pipeline operators, process industries, and natural gas utilities, with companies required to manage numerous technologies and devices to obtain a complete analysis. This legacy approach is complex, failure-prone, and expensive. Traditionally, each contaminant has often required a separate analyzer, maintenance schedule, and specific skill set to operate, validate, and service.

“With the new Sensi+ and the market-leading natural gas chromatograph series, ABB becomes the first company to offer customers a comprehensive gas quality solution that combines composition and contaminant measurements into a compact, modular, economical, and reliable system,” said Jean-Rene Roy, Global Business Line Manager for ABB’s Analytical business. “The Sensi+ analyzer also helps customers to meet custody transfer* requirements, minimize internal corrosion in system infrastructure, and prevent physical damage to mission-critical assets.”

Sensi+ requires about six times less sample flow rate for its measurement than other technologies reducing the total carbon emission of the analyzer and natural gas waste in the atmosphere. This reflects ABB’s commitment to enabling a low-carbon society by helping to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable operations in key industries.

Natural gas pipeline operators have the critical task of managing their installed base of analyzers to ensure the necessary reliability, system integrity, and performance for their custody transfer*, emissions reduction, and process control applications. The hazardous area-compliant analyzer needs only a simple wall mount installation and process tie-in without complex system purging. Following installation and validation, the analyzer will deliver fast and reliable measurements in the field without calibration.

The Sensi+ analyzer includes ABB’s AnalyzerExpert™ features that provide experts with actions and insights directly from the device. Capabilities include built-in self-diagnostics, automated laser line-locking, real-time cross-interference compensation, and health monitoring.

ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation, and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

www.abb.com

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification, and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, and marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team, and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

go.abb/processautomation

The SBTi is a partnership among the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It focuses on partnering with companies to help guide emission reduction initiatives using science-based targets.

Chris Koch, Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our announcement today of Carlisle’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero by 2050 is another significant milestone on our ESG journey. We understand the path to Net-Zero cannot happen overnight, requires substantial effort from our supply chain partners, and will also depend on significant changes to global energy infrastructure.

We continue our commitment to being a responsible environmental stakeholder, as we have for over 100 years, by delivering products that improve the energy efficiency of buildings while reducing emissions from our manufacturing facilities and reducing the volume of construction materials in landfills. With Carlisle’s employees engaged and momentum growing, we are confident Carlisle can make a meaningful contribution to creating a more sustainable future for us all.”

About Carlisle Companies Incorporated

Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a leading supplier of innovative Building Envelope products and energy-efficient solutions for customers creating sustainable buildings of the future. Through its building products businesses (CCM and CWT) and family of leading brands, Carlisle delivers innovative, labor-reducing, and environmentally responsible products and solutions to customers through the Carlisle Experience. Over the life of a building, Carlisle’s products help drive lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy savings for building owners and operators, and increase a building’s resiliency to the elements. Driven by its strategic plan, Vision 2025, Carlisle is committed to generating superior shareholder returns and maintaining a balanced capital deployment approach, including investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, and continued dividend increases. Carlisle also is a leading provider of products to the Aerospace, Medical Technologies, and General Industrial markets through its Interconnect Technologies (CIT) and Fluid Technologies (CFT) business segments.

To meet this aggressive near-term target, the airline will increase its investments in lower-carbon solutions within its operation​ and will evaluate future sustainability investments with its science-based target in mind. JetBlue also recognizes how critical external partners are to decarbonizing the aviation industry and is committed to encouraging and supporting efforts by aircraft and engine manufacturers, governments, regulatory agencies, and fuel suppliers to realize their own GHG emission reduction goals.

“Effectively cutting our per-seat emissions in half will require substantial change to the way we run our business today,” said Robin Hayes chief executive officer, of JetBlue, “Our team is fully committed to hitting the goal, but we can’t do it alone. We are calling on governments, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and fuel producers to support the development of the products and solutions that airlines need to achieve our ambitious goals.”

Charting a path to net zero

JetBlue further illustrates its path to achieving its 2035 and net zero goals and contributing factors with its JetBlue Projected Emissions Reduction Pathway (graphic attached). Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is expected to be the key contributor to large-scale lifecycle emissions reduction, which is highly dependent on availability and costs of supply. Advancements in aircraft technology and fuel efficiency represent the second-most significant opportunity for emissions reduction. This includes efficiencies from the airline’s transition to newer and more advanced aircraft, the incremental improvements for aircraft delivered in subsequent years, as well as the potential for broader efficiency improvements for next-generation aircraft yet to be developed, but anticipated to be commercially available by the late 2030s or early 2040s. Procedural optimization via Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and fine-tuning of the airline’s own operations will also significantly contribute to further emissions reductions. Finally, investing in high-quality carbon removals and offsets is expected to play a role in addressing emissions the airline is unable to avoid. JetBlue is committed to prioritizing the lower-carbon solutions within its operation first, to drive down the need for carbon credits as much as possible.

“The aviation industry is at a critical time in our push towards net zero. Many of these lower carbon solutions are proven, but still haven’t achieved the scale needed to make a meaningful impact,” said Sara Bogdan, director of sustainability and environmental social governance, at JetBlue. “Encouragement of these maturing technologies is needed and the investments we make today will help shape the trajectory of these solutions as they grow to realize their fullest potential.”

Since 2020 when the airline first outlined its net zero goal, JetBlue has made significant headway in its own sustainability efforts.

Reducing Fuel Burn

JetBlue operates a robust fuel savings strategy that starts with a young, fuel-efficient fleet that reduces emissions from fuel burn, from the outset. Its growing fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft is improving fuel economy by approximately 20%. Further, JetBlue continues to take delivery of Airbus A220s, reducing emissions by up to 35% per seat compared to the aircraft they are replacing. To support fuel efficiency and cost goals, JetBlue is accelerating the retirement of its E190 fleet, with the final E190 aircraft scheduled to exit the fleet in 2025. And to ensure all aircraft are flown efficiently, JetBlue also operates a cross-functional Fuel Optimization Team targeting a range of procedural and technology shifts that maximize the efficiency of its flight operations. Due to JetBlue’s fleet and fuel optimization initiatives, the airline is on pace to achieve a 6% improvement in emissions per available seat mile (ASM) in 2022 versus 2019 flying.

Further emissions reductions can be achieved by looking at operational airspace and JetBlue continues to advocate for air traffic control modernization (NextGen) efforts. Current Air Traffic Control inefficiencies account for as much as 12% of fuel burn and resulting emissions. One of the most impactful ways to help reduce airline emissions across the industry is transitioning the United States’ aging radar technology with GPS-based technology, which would allow for greater efficiency, more consistent flight planning, and as an added benefit, improved on-time performance for all travelers.

To reduce the impact on the ground, JetBlue set a public goal to convert 40% of its three most common ground service vehicle types to electric by 2025 and 50% to electric by 2030. In 2019, JetBlue rolled out the largest electric fleet of any carrier at John F. Kennedy International Airport with 118 electric vehicles and continues to roll out electric ground service equipment at other airports including Boston Logan, the airline’s second-largest city, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Transitioning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

JetBlue views SAF as the most promising avenue for addressing aviation emissions in a meaningful and rapid way – once cost-effective SAF is made available commercially at scale. SAF is a type of renewable fuel that exists today that drops directly into existing aircraft and infrastructure with no impact on safety or performance. SAF can be produced from a wide array of renewable sources such as agricultural wastes and used cooking oils—not fossil fuels—and can lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 80% compared to traditional petroleum-based fuels.

Supporting and growing SAF availability is critical to reaching larger industry goals and JetBlue continues to do its part to encourage a diverse and competitive SAF market. The shared focus is necessary to build the economies of scale needed to compete with traditional fuel sources. Since 2020, JetBlue has continued to secure immediate as well as future supplies of SAF on its path to convert 10% of the airline’s total fuel to SAF by 2030.

Since 2020, JetBlue has been flying regularly using SAF from its California airports in Los Angeles and San Francisco, partnering with both currently available SAF suppliers in the U.S., Neste, and World Energy. To further encourage a vibrant and competitive market, in 2022 alone, JetBlue has signed agreements with three additional SAF producers for future supply: Aemetis, AIR COMPANY, and Fidelis New Energy. While its 2021 agreement with SG Preston has been terminated, JetBlue will continue to look at future SAF partnerships to grow its SAF portfolio, with a particular interest in encouraging SAF in its Northeast focus cities.

Through these existing and future SAF offtake agreements, JetBlue seeks to build a diversified portfolio of future SAF suppliers and feedstocks while continuing to send the message that strong demand for SAF exists.

Advancing the Future of Flight

The airline’s subsidiary, JetBlue Ventures (JBV), continues to invest in and partner with early-stage startups improving travel and hospitality, including those in the sustainable travel space. Referred to as, “the most active startup investor across all airlines in green aviation technologies,” JBV has invested in seven direct and three adjacent sustainability companies to date. The team explores advanced methods of measuring and reducing emissions, technologies that improve environmental protections and encourage sustainable tourism, and game-changing transportation powered by alternative propulsion systems like electric or hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. Most recently, JBV announced an investment in Rubicon Carbon, a next-generation carbon solutions provider also backed by TPG Rise Climate.

Refreshed Carbon Offsetting Strategy

Since first setting the airline’s path to net zero, JetBlue has maintained its stance that carbon offsetting is a bridge solution toward greater sustainability efforts that directly reduce air travel emissions. JetBlue is proud to have voluntarily offset more than 11M metric tons of CO₂ emissions to date (EOY 2022), including providing domestic and transatlantic carbon-neutral flights for all customers from June 2020 to 2022. As lower-carbon solutions within the airline’s operations are made more readily available, the use of carbon offsets was always intended to decrease.

While JetBlue still strongly believes there is a role for high-quality carbon offsetting solutions, the airline has elected to not continue its voluntary carbon offsetting of domestic flights into 2023. In place, it will reallocate its offsetting spending into operational investments that align with its science-based target, as well as evolve its offsetting strategy to support a curated list of primarily nature-based projects in and around the destinations the airline serves.

JetBlue continues to see value in supporting high-quality projects that truly remove or avoid CO₂ and deliver community benefits such as improving local air quality, introducing employment opportunities, and improving the biodiversity of local habitats. JetBlue recently joined Rubicon Carbon as a launch partner for their innovative platform that delivers trusted, enterprise-grade solutions for carbon credit purchases. Rubicon Carbon was developed to deliver greater scale, confidence, and innovation across all facets of the carbon markets and meet the growing demand for high-integrity emissions reduction solutions.

To further high-quality, high-integrity carbon credit availability in the voluntary carbon market, JetBlue will continue to collaborate with other like-minded organizations and recently joined the Business Alliance to Scale Climate Solutions (BASCS) as the first airline member to open opportunities for investment, policy influence, and discussions with other corporations and NGOS/IGOS in aligned messaging around scaling climate solutions. With the BASCS partnership, JetBlue will specifically focus on workstreams seeking to encourage conservation and restoration projects for coastal and oceanic carbon ecosystems – referred to as blue carbon projects – as well as promote learning sessions offering transparency into the standards, methodologies, and corporate guidance initiatives that go into these carbon credit markets.

JetBlue’s Focus on the Environment

JetBlue depends on natural resources and a healthy environment to keep its business running smoothly. Not only do we all rely on those natural resources, but tourism also relies on having beautiful, natural, and preserved destinations for customers to visit. The airline focuses on issues that have the potential to impact its business. Customers, crewmembers, and the community are key to JetBlue’s sustainability strategy. Demand from these groups for responsible service is one of the motivations behind changes that help reduce the airline’s carbon output and overall environmental impact. For more on JetBlue’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.jetblue.com/sustainability.

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

RailVision was launched in 2020 with the objective of helping the railway industry reduce its fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fuel is the largest cost to railroad companies after labor. While the railroad industry is open to innovations that will drive efficiencies, tools typically used by the sector to address the issue of high fuel costs are limiting, antiquated, and necessitate complicated integrations.

RailVision’s flagship EcoRail app was launched in 2021 to mitigate skyrocketing fuel prices by lowering consumption, reducing emissions, improving crew safety, monitoring operation compliance, and reducing wear on equipment for the $100B North American rail industry. EcoRail is a lightweight app used on a crew tablet. As it embraces a user interface similar to Google Maps, the app is easy for railroad engineers to adopt. In early demonstrations, EcoRail delivered meaningful fuel cost savings of 10 – 15% and in turn, lower GHG emissions.

“The rail industry is the backbone of global supply chains and is responsible for moving the majority of the world’s raw and finished materials. It also happens to be the most efficient – and environmentally friendly – transportation industry by nearly four times, yet is often overlooked in terms of opportunities for growth and innovation,” says Dev Jain, founder, and CEO of RailVision. “This seed investment enables us to disrupt this status quo by developing technology that can drive growth and introduce innovation to this strong but stable industry, while further reducing its environmental impact. The funding also enables us to significantly expand our reach and deliver a robust solution for the larger Class I market.”

Over the past year, EcoRail has been in pilot testing with several companies, including Genessee & Wyoming, Metrolinx, Port of Montreal, and Via Rail. The app is now commercially available for deployment by all passenger and freight shortline railroads.

“RailVision takes a lightweight, software-only approach but with heavy savings for train operators,” said Reilly Brennan, General Partner at Trucks Venture Capital. “By using RailVision’s product, trains will burn less fuel, save more money, and make transportation better. We’re excited to see where the team takes the product in the future.”

RailVision’s product makes for a more economical option for trains compared to trucks. “The idea behind our vision is to not only highlight what’s possible in the railway industry but to also champion the adoption of rail with the goal of reducing heavy congestion and pressure currently placed on public roads, which will significantly lower GHG emissions,” says Jain.

“There is huge growth and impact potential in the rail sector yet not enough people are thinking about it,” says Mike Winterfield, Managing Partner of Active Impact Investments, Canada’s largest climate tech seed fund. “Two impressive early pilots with major railways captured our interest and prompted our investment. Based on the traction RailVision has achieved to date, they are now very well positioned to attract a team that will help the company deliver significant savings to its customers.”

About RailVision

RailVision Analytics is developing in-cab technology for passenger and freight trains to drive efficiency and growth in the rail industry. RailVision’s EcoRail app directly reduces fuel consumption and GHG emissions through improved train handling.

For more information, visit RailVision.ca.

Reaching the aviation industry’s ambitious “net zero carbon emissions by 2050” goal, requires different measures to be deployed, including fuel-efficient aircraft technologies, improved operations and ground infrastructures, as well as deployment of sustainable aviation fuel. 

Neste and Airbus recognize that one of the biggest challenges in accelerating SAF use is the ramp-up of SAF production. This collaboration is laying the foundation for Airbus and Neste to explore business opportunities together and jointly promote the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel. The focus will be on the technical development of SAF, fuel approval and testing of current and future production technologies, and investigating how “100% SAF” use can be enabled. 

“Neste is at the forefront of accelerating the aviation sector’s journey to a more sustainable future. That journey requires cooperation across the industry’s value chain. This collaboration with Airbus connects a pioneer in the aerospace industry with a leader in renewable fuels. The combined knowledge and expertise of the companies will help advance the use and availability of SAF as a means of transitioning aviation towards more sustainable energy sources and reducing the climate impact of aviation,” said Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste.

“At Airbus, we believe SAF is one of aerospace’s most promising decarbonization solutions that can be used in both in-service aircraft fleets and those of tomorrow. We are proud to partner with Neste and drive forward the development and uptake of SAF, stimulating the creation of a commercially viable market for renewable aviation fuels,” says Julie Kitcher, EVP Communications, Sustainability, and Corporate Affairs, Airbus. “All Airbus aircraft are already certified for flying with up to 50% SAF, and this partnership will be instrumental to reaching certification for 100% SAF by the end of the decade.”

The agreement between Neste and Airbus builds on the cooperation in the ECLIF3 research project, the world’s first in-flight emissions study using 100% SAF on a wide-body commercial passenger aircraft, with Rolls-Royce and German research center DLR. Following the collaboration in the ECLIF3 project, Airbus and Neste will be further working on the technical aspects of the challenge to reach 100% SAF certification.

SAF delivers the performance of conventional jet fuel but with a significantly smaller carbon footprint on a life cycle basis. Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from sustainably sourced 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, including used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Prior to use, SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing fueling infrastructure and aircraft engines. 

Neste in brief

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues, and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights, and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion.

Read more: neste.com

About Airbus

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defense, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defense and security and one of the world’s leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

The relationship between robots and solar energy

The paths of solar energy and robots have converged in different ways to drive innovation. Emerging technologies such as robotic solar panel cleaning solutions and ground robots for solar farm maintenance demonstrate the symbiotic relationship between the two fields.

Solar-powered robots find applications in large industries. For example, with the help of solar-powered robots, the security of property complexes is as convenient as ever. Because they dispense with the need for electrical wires, they can work autonomously as they patrol large areas through thermal cameras and motion detectors. The Knightscope Security robot, for instance, can provide enhanced security in vulnerable areas without the limitations of an electrical grid.

These technologies do not just exist for large-scale utility purposes. A guide to going solar by Hoymiles notes that solar power helps homeowners achieve energy independence through clean, sustainable, and cost-effective energy. Solar technology allows homeowners to save money on utility bills, reduce their carbon impact, and drive up their property’s value. Because solar panels find applications even in individual homes, robotic technologies have been developed as solutions for autonomous solar panel maintenance. Helios, for instance, is a drone and robot combination that autonomously cleans solar panels. It uses sensors to apply water and UV light to dirty spots. This kind of automated technology helps maintain panels for more prolonged use.

Terabase’s robot-led solar panel mega farm

So what better way to maximize solar’s potential than by constructing solar farms? This is the premise of Terabase’s vision to build a terawatt-scale solar farm using robots. Matt Campbell, co-founder, and CEO of the company believes that the $44 million investment validates the company’s vision to deploy solar as quickly as possible to meet global decarbonization targets. In line with this vision, Terabase has built a digital platform to manage the entire project cycle life of utility-scale solar. The company is transforming how solar power plants are produced through a construction automation system.

Now, with the use of robotic arms in their automated, on-site factory, they can lift and attach large solar panels to sun trackers. Without extensive human labor, they can accelerate plant construction while cutting costs and ensuring a higher build quality. A robotics-assisted workflow can also enhance worker health and safety by minimizing the extensive human labor of lifting heavy panels and steel components in difficult weather conditions. Robots then simplify the installation and maintenance of solar farms. Their use can incentivize the adoption of solar technology in both small and large-scale applications.

Bill Gates’ climate change funding

Terabase Energy’s funder, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, was co-founded by American business magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates. With the belief that solving climate change requires unique energy solutions, he launched BEV as a fund that will invest more than $1 billion in scientific research and energy innovations. His goal is to deliver cheap and reliable clean energy to the world.

Gates, a vocal proponent of climate change mitigation and adaptation, believes the climate crisis requires both large and small-scale technologies. From home, solar panel installations to industry-sized solar farms, solar power and the increasing accessibility of robotic innovations can potentially disrupt the status quo and change how we produce energy. Decisive investments towards sustainable energy will likewise be essential to combating climate chaos, as noted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his COP27 speech. By phasing out fossil fuels and scaling up renewables, the planet will have a better fighting chance against climate change.

The Tuas Power facility is located in the southwest region of Singapore. Since 2001, Mitsubishi Power had supplied four gas turbines to Tuas Power, each with a rated output of 360 megawatts (MW).

The upgrade will introduce the latest gas turbine technologies, achieving a heat rate improvement by reducing the volume of cooling air, which allows for reduced carbon emissions of approximately 16.9 kilo-tonnes annually combined for the two CCPs.

Commenting on the conclusion of this contract, Mr. Cheng Tin Swan, Vice President (Generation)/Plant Manager) of Tuas Power said: “As one of Singapore’s leading power generation companies, we are dedicated to the country’s decarbonization efforts, and this gas turbine upgrade marks another step in our journey of innovation and sustainability. This upgrade will enable us to generate power while reducing emissions, yet without compromising the energy supply at our power plant. Tuas Power is happy to have a company like Mitsubishi Power that has the superior technical expertise to help us achieve high levels of energy efficiency improvements.”

Osamu Ono, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific commented: “Mitsubishi Power has not only supplied Tuas Power with power generation equipment but also provides support under a long-term service agreement (LTSA) to ensure a high operating rate of its facilities, for stable and efficient power generation. We have developed a long-standing relationship with Tuas Power, and it is an honor to receive this contract, which plays an important role in Singapore’s clean power generation while enhancing the asset value of Tuas Power’s facilities.”

Mitsubishi Power will continue to focus on similar projects covering renovation and performance improvements of existing facilities, along with its services business. Building on this contract from Tuas Power, Mitsubishi Power will remain committed to helping customers achieve stable and efficient power generation, and will continue to contribute to furthering decarbonization and the production of sustainable energy.

power.mhi.com/

“Joining Avatar and the other leading innovation firms at the Energy Transition Centre is a natural evolution of our organization as large-scale CCS continues to gain momentum as a critical pillar for all heavy emitters: cement, steel, iron, mining, and fertilizer, power, petrochemical, hydrogen and oil, and gas. The goal is to use carbon capture and storage to meet their ambitious plans in addressing climate change,” says the Knowledge Centre’s President and CEO James Millar.

“We are excited to bring the knowledge and lessons we have acquired from major projects around the world, including our staff’s first-hand expertise bringing the world’s first industrial-scale CCS facility to life in Saskatchewan, to assist in getting the next generation of projects underway as soon as possible,” adds Millar.

The Knowledge Centre will sponsor a new CCS technology stream in the Avatar Ignite program beginning in February 2023. The program allows employees from supporting Canadian energy corporations to spend a portion of their regular work time developing innovative business plans that are judged by a ‘shark tank’ panel of experts who select promising projects for further commercial development.

“The International Energy Agency estimates that half the technology required to reach net zero emissions by 2050 does not exist yet, and more than $4 trillion needs to be invested annually in new energy technologies to get us there,” says Kevin Krausert, co-founder and CEO of Avatar Innovations. “Carbon capture and storage will be responsible for 25 percent of the emission reductions required for global decarbonization. Our ground-breaking co-development model is designed to accelerate the technical, economic, and policy solutions that are needed right now.”

Canada has been a leader in the first generation of CCS. It is home to five of the world’s 30 commercial CCS facilities and accounts for approximately 15 percent of current global CCS capacity even though our country generates less than two percent of global CO₂ emissions.

Canada’s latest climate plan calls for more than tripling the country’s CCS capacity over the next decade. It is expected to play a central role in eliminating emissions not only from the oil and gas sector, which accounted for 180 million tonnes of GHGs in 2020, but also the 115 million tonnes that come from power generation, cement manufacturing, and other heavy industries. With more than 100 new projects in development worldwide, some estimate the CCS industry will grow to be a $55 billion/year industry by 2030.

The Knowledge Centre was created by BHP and SaskPower to share the pioneering experience of SaskPower’s Boundary Dam Unit 3 CCS facility, which began operation in 2014 and has safely captured and stored nearly five million tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road for a year. Knowledge Centre experts have also completed a feasibility study for the world’s first CCS facility on a cement plant in Edmonton and are supporting early-stage engineering work on 11 CCS projects across Alberta industries through Emission Reduction Alberta’s Carbon Capture Kickstart funding program.

Beyond Alberta, the Knowledge Centre is advising clients on CCS projects across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and is collaborating with companies, governments, and academia to advance support for CCS as a critical tool for countries to achieve the commitments under the Paris Agreement.

About the International CCS Knowledge Centre

The International CCS Knowledge Centre is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by BHP and SaskPower to advance large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects as a critical means of managing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the world’s ambitious climate goals.

The Knowledge Centre provides independent, expert advisory services throughout the lifecycle of CCS projects based on real-world experience from major CCS projects across the globe, including our team’s involvement in the development and ongoing optimization of the world’s first fully integrated post-combustion CCS facility. We have a proven track record of helping our clients lower costs, reduce risk and improve the performance of CCS projects across industries and technology platforms. We also provide input to policy development and promote broad collaboration between stakeholders to enhance understanding of the critical role CCS plays in global decarbonization efforts.

Learn more at ccsknowledge.com

About Avatar Innovations:

Avatar Innovations Inc. is an energy-focused, corporate innovation partner providing the oil and gas industry, and academia, a safe “third” space to ideate, collaborate, fail fast, test, and scale business solutions and technologies in a unique co-development model. The Avatar model brings together three important components into an integrated program. Avatar Ignite is a cohort-based educational program for emerging leaders working in the energy industry to ideate new business solutions – pulling out new technologies and processes from across the sector. Avatar Accelerator is delivered in partnership with the University of Calgary, York University, and industry to turn early-stage solutions generated in the Avatar program into viable businesses. Avatar Ventures provides early-stage capital to the most promising companies generated from the accelerator into scalable businesses and investment opportunities.

Learn more at avatarinnovations.energy

The “Industrial energy efficiency playbook” includes 10 actions that a business can take to improve its energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and lower emissions right now. It focuses on mature, widely available technology solutions that will deliver rapid results and ROI – and are capable of being deployed at scale.

“Energy efficiency is a win-win for companies and the climate,” said Kevin Lane, senior program manager, of energy efficiency, with the International Energy Agency (IEA). “While industry needs to address climate change on all fronts – such as increasing use of renewable energy, investing in low-carbon processes, and developing circular business models – energy efficiency stands out as the business-focused opportunity with the best near-term prospects for emission reductions. The 10 actions contained in this report are known, cost-effective resources, and can be employed at scale rapidly to help companies convert climate ambition into action.” 

The industry is the world’s largest consumer of electricity, natural gas, and coal, according to the IEA, accounting for 42 percent of total electricity demand, equal to more than 34 exajoules of energy. The iron, steel, chemical, and petrochemical industries are the largest consumers of energy among the world’s top-five energy-consuming countries – China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan. This energy consumption carries high costs in the current inflationary environment. It was also responsible for nine gigatons of CO2, equal to 45 percent of total direct emissions from end-use sectors in 2021, according to the IEA. 

Organizations interviewed for the report include ABB, Alfa Laval, DHL Group, the IEA, Microsoft, and ETH Zürich, the Swiss federal institute of technology. The contributors’ recommendations range from carrying out energy audits to right-sizing industrial machines that are often too big for the job at hand, which wastes energy. Moving data from on-site servers and into the cloud could help save around 90 percent of the energy consumed by IT systems. Speeding up the transition from fossil fuels, by electrifying industrial fleets, switching gas boilers to heat pumps, or using well-maintained heat exchangers will also offer efficiencies.

Further actions involve installing sensors and real-time digital energy monitoring to reveal the presence of so-called “ghost assets” that use power when on stand-by, unlike a digital twin that can simulate efficiency actions without interrupting production. Using smart building solutions to control power systems, lighting, blinds, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) will also save energy in industrial facilities. 

 Other recommendations include installing variable speed drives which can improve the energy efficiency of a motor-driven system by up to 30 percent, yielding immediate cost and emissions benefits. If the more than 300 million industrial electric motor-driven systems currently in operation were replaced with optimized, high-efficiency motors, global electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 10 percent.

“There are energy efficiency solutions available that can help industry mitigate climate change and drive down energy costs, without compromising performance and productivity,” said Tarak Mehta, president of, Motion business area at ABB. “With recent technology advances in energy efficiency, the improvement potential in industry is significant and readily available. So, rather than turning the lights off and halting production to save money, this important new report explains practical steps executives can take to reduce energy use and their bills while maintaining current operations. “

Business leaders and experts wanting to learn more about reducing their energy costs and carbon emissions are invited to join a special panel event that dives deep into the opportunities presented in the report and how to capitalize on them. The event will take place at 4 pm Central European Time / 10 am Eastern on Tuesday, December 13, and will be available afterward as video on demand. Register here.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered, and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. 

www.abb.com

The Energy Efficiency Movement is an initiative that brings together like-minded stakeholders to innovate and act for a more energy-efficient world. The Movement was launched by ABB in 2021 and it has received a positive reaction from throughout the industry, with around 200 companies joining as of November 2022. 

https://join.energyefficiencymovement.com/ #energyefficiencymovement

The system collects real-time data on electricity use during production, allowing factories to make adjustments to maximize efficiency. It supports the real-time monitoring, calculation, and processing of electricity use, setting a benchmark for calculating carbon emissions. It is presented on a data platform to measure these emissions and check for abnormities.

This has led to a significant decrease in electricity use in non-production sectors in a fully-automated factory of FEELM. In the first 5 months of 2022, this decrease was 720,000 kWh or 188.4 tons of carbon emissions. Efficiency in the production sector has also improved, with the average output per kWh rising from 177RMB in 2020 to 245RMB in 2022.

FEELM has also joined the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. The CDP is a repository for environmental reporting by organizations and corporations worldwide. As the first technology brand in the Chinese e-cigarette industry to do so, FEELM is moving to unify R&D, manufacture, and supply to achieve this goal.

The e-cigarette manufacturing industry continues to waste energy, due to factors such as inconsistent data collection methods, changes in production parameters, lagging data acquisition, and inconsistent equipment specifications/monitoring systems. For the e-cigarette industry, improving low resource utilization efficiency is the key to realizing its potential.

To this end, FEELM launched the first automated production line in the industry in 2019. The following year, it initiated the move towards a fully automated production line. Their energy monitoring management system allows them to form visual graphics after being uploaded to the cloud and the factory has optimized lighting, ventilation, heating, and water pump operations. Based on this, managers can optimize the process to avoid waste.

As a result, carbon emissions on the production line are significantly reduced, decreasing the product’s carbon footprint before launch. These changes have led to a saving of approximately 1,249,500 kWh of electricity in the first half of this year, a reduction of carbon emissions by 326.9 tons.

The person responsible for FEELM’s automation sector, David Lv, said: “Maximizing the output of each kWh is a long-term strategy. Data collection is merely the first step, we will upgrade energy classification and utilization strategy in the future, making the factory more efficient and more energy-conserving.”

FEELM has also introduced a professional carbon neutrality supervision team. The organization of its internal resources and carbon consumption optimization is still ongoing.

About FEELM:

As a flagship tech brand belonging to SMOORE, FEELM is the world’s leading closed vape system solution provider. Based on the world’s leading Ceramic Coil Heating Technology, FEELM combines authentic Flavor Reproduction Technology with innovative electronics technology, bringing ultimate sensation and a premium vaping experience.

About SMOORE:

SMOORE is a global leader in offering vaping technology solutions, including manufacturing vaping devices, and vaping components for HNB products on an ODM basis, with advanced R&D technology, strong manufacturing capacity, a wide-spectrum product portfolio, and a diverse customer base.

According to Frost & Sullivan, SMOORE is the world’s largest vaping device manufacturer in terms of revenue, accounting for 22.8% of the total global market share in 2021. Its global market share is bigger than the sum of those listed from No.2 to No.5.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, deforestation and forest degradation are among the largest contributors to the global climate and biodiversity crises, responsible for 10-12% of all emissions. It will not be possible to stabilize the climate below 1.5 degrees of global heating without stopping deforestation by 2030. REDD+, an acronym for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, is a proven UN-envisioned climate change mitigation approach that enables communities and governments to secure performance-based payments from the voluntary carbon markets for emissions reductions generated through effective forest protection. REDD+ projects address the root causes of deforestation, by enabling governments, local landowners, and forest communities to gain value from conserving their standing forests.

Through these sale transactions, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment has secured critical financing to protect some of the most vulnerable forests in Cambodia, and support communities on the frontlines of stopping deforestation.  Sale proceeds will be invested to scale up site-based activities within the project landscapes, strengthen local and community-based institutions to govern community-level revenue sharing, increase access to jobs, education, and healthcare for the local communities, and secure the long-term financial stability of the projects.

Cambodia’s Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Say Samal said, “Project-based REDD+ is an essential part of Cambodia’s strategy to achieve its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) while ensuring that communities and our government have the resources needed for Cambodian projects to deliver emission reduction results at scale. Funds generated from VER sales help Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment enact effective policies that support our country’s efforts to reduce deforestation, including our transition to a nested jurisdictional REDD+ program. At a time when the world is struggling to meet the commitments enshrined in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, Cambodia’s experience demonstrates how project-based REDD+ can help countries like ours, which are ready to preserve its forests, to secure immediate, sustainable, and large-scale financing. 

Cambodia is currently scaling up its REDD+ program by expanding its portfolio of projects, led on the ground by developer partners including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Wildlife Alliance. 

Todd Stevens, Executive Director for Markets at Wildlife Conservation Society said: “Today’s announcement is a testament to the transformative partnership between the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and WCS. Our close cooperation has advanced science-based forest conservation and provided sustainable development pathways to Indigenous and local communities for over a decade. Tried and true projects such as the Keo Seima REDD+ project lay the foundation for a nationwide REDD+ program capable of delivering durable community benefits and conservation outcomes to more of Cambodia’s protected forests.”

Dr. Suwanna Gauntlett, Founder, and CEO of Wildlife Alliance said: “Cambodia’s REDD+ projects adhere to the most rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and independent verification processes. They produce high-quality verified emissions reductions that protect forests, reduce emissions, and safeguard the populations of endangered species in addition to ensuring services and livelihoods for forest communities. These life-changing benefits demonstrate to forest nations that they can pursue economic growth while preserving the natural beauty of their countries.”

The REDD+ sales were generated through a recent carbon credit offering that was facilitated by Everland, a conservation marketing company appointed by the Royal Government of Cambodia to market the VERs generated by the projects. Leading international corporate buyers participated in the offering, which generated 15 million tonnes in total bids, as part of their strategy to offset unavoidable emissions, while contributing to wildlife protection and community development.

Jeremy Manion, Managing Director of Carbon Markets at Arbor Day Carbon said: “REDD+ should be an important part of any corporate strategy to achieve decarbonization goals while meaningfully contributing to urgent global climate and biodiversity goals with a scalable solution.  The Arbor Day Foundation is proud to support Cambodia’s forest conservation efforts through the purchase of VERs that make it possible for high-quality REDD+ projects, such as Keo Seima, to advance their successful forest conservation into the future.”

Pamela Brazier, SVP of Business Development for Everland, said: “We are overjoyed with the swift, positive market response for Cambodia’s high-qualityREDD+ project model, which has been proven to deliver transformative climate and sustainable development impacts. The voluntary carbon market is ready to provide transformative financing right now. We invite other forest nations to collaborate with us to bring the benefits of project-based REDD+ to their national REDD+ efforts.”

About Everland

Everland represents the world’s largest portfolio of high-impact, forest conservation (REDD+) projects in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America which play an effective role in stopping deforestation while protecting wildlife and generating investment for local community development. Everland brings forest communities and corporations together for a common cause to protect some of the world’s most important and vulnerable forests.

Visit: https://everland.earth/

About WCS

Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquariums to achieve its conservation mission.

Visit: https://www.wcs.org/

About Wildlife Alliance

Wildlife Alliance is a global leader in the direct protection of threatened forests and wildlife. Wildlife Alliance delivers hands-on direct protection to 1.7 million hectares of the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape, one of Southeast Asia’s last unfragmented rainforests in Southeast Asia. Wildlife Alliance has invested 14 years in helping to conserve the Cardamom Rainforest and has an unrivaled track record of effective law enforcement and protected area management in the landscape. Our unique approach of structured, supervised, and managed law enforcement, in which we technically mentor and coach government law enforcement staff 24-7 in the field, has created a culture of excellence in enforcement and zero tolerance for corruption. WA’s work produces genuine carbon emission reductions and supports local communities whilst protecting the fantastic biodiversity of the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape.

Visit: https://www.wildlifealliance.org/

The Solution:

Commercial windows and curtain walls are often overlooked for two reasons. Adequate technology has not been available, and high-performance window options were expensive compared with less insulating options. Wisconsin-based FreMarq Innovations has solved both problems with its ground-breaking ZeroNet technology. Both new constructions and existing retrofits can achieve previously impossible thermal performance for the same or less investment than with standard commercial windows

Todd Frederick, Owner, and President of FreMarq Innovations can speak on the following:

• How much improvement in thermal performance does a FreMarq Innovations solution provide when compared to a standard commercial window installation?
• How does this technology work?
• Why were affordable and effective window solutions thought to be impossible?

About FreMarq Innovations

FreMarq Innovations, based in Merrill, Wisconsin, is an innovative architectural framing company founded in 2016 to develop energy-efficient curtain walls and windows with performance that was previously deemed “impossible.” Not only did it engineer and patent its technology, but the company also made it available to all architects and building owners at an affordable price — in less than six years. FreMarq Innovations exists to bring about a change in the design and construction of high-performance buildings with zero negative consequences—reducing carbon emissions through the use of FreMarq’s Zero•Net™fenestration solutions.

Find out how this technology, combined with architectural engineering and ingenuity, can create buildings that can last, perform, and serve: visit https://fremarqinnovations.com/

Neste is introducing public high power charging (HPC) at its service stations in Finland for light and medium-duty electric vehicles. Neste MY Renewable Charging™ adds another option to Neste’s portfolio of solutions in Finland for supporting the transition to low-emission transport.

Serving both businesses and consumers, Neste’s first public high-power charging stations will become available at the turn of the year at Neste Hankasalmi Jari-Pekka and Neste Oulunbaari Maikkula service stations. Furthermore, Neste aims to open dozens of new fast charging stations at Neste service stations across Finland by the end of 2024. Neste has received EUR 3 million for the construction of its public EV charging network in transport project funding from the European Union’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Facility under the Connecting Europe Facility Program.

“Neste has been at the forefront in reducing transport-related emissions with its Neste MY Renewable Diesel. We will continue to seek out new opportunities for supporting our customers in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Offering EV charging to Neste customers in Finland is a natural continuum to our product and service development, as diverse solutions are needed to reduce transport-related emissions,” says Katri Taskinen, head of sales for the Neste Finland service station network.

Neste launched its Neste Charging service including smart charging solutions in February 2022 for logistics companies and their subcontractors operating in Finland. In May, the first workplace EV charging solutions were introduced at Neste’s Porvoo refinery and the company’s headquarters in Espoo, Finland. The new Neste MY Renewable Charging stations have been developed to satisfy customer needs, and they fit seamlessly into the Neste service station network, which buys all of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

“The new Neste MY Renewable Charging stations make travel easier for EV drivers, thanks to their convenient location, effortless card payments, and charging capacity. Our high-power charging stations always use top-of-the-line technology that EV drivers can benefit from especially during rush hour and heavy holiday traffic. We must ensure that the coverage of high-power charging stations is sufficient considering the growing number of electric vehicles and that stations have adequate capacity for multiple cars and drivers simultaneously,” says Taskinen.

Neste in brief

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues, and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights, and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion.

Read more: neste.com

Vodacom Group, one of its subsidiaries, recognizes that the private sector is also key to mitigating climate change risks. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vodacom Congo also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aiming to improve connectivity for all. The DRC has immense potential within its agricultural sector, and Vodacom understands that digitalization is also key in helping reduce the impact of climate change. With the expansion of network coverage and the increased digitalization of the country, Vodacom is helping to save energy and create cleaner cities while enabling the development of agriculture in rural areas.

Furthermore, studies have been conducted in Africa which supports the use of technology in agriculture. By using IoT sensors, local farmers are able to boost productivity and income while reducing waste and pollution. With resilient connectivity, the issue of climate change is addressed through innovative solutions that increase food security in the DRC and throughout Africa.

Additionally, by 2025, Vodacom aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%. To achieve this, a roadmap has been established to reduce device waste and water usage. Thereafter, the goal is to reach a net zero across the entire value chain by 2040. In doing this, it will be leading by example for its customers while enabling them, through the use of Vodacom services and technologies, to reduce their own carbon emissions.

Mr. Khalil Al Americani, Managing Director of Vodacom Congo, stated, “We have an important role to play in addressing climate change and, as we continue expanding the business, it is imperative for us to build one that is mindful of its involvement and impact on climate issues. We do not believe that business performance should come at the expense of our planet. We are moving towards a low-emissions economy, with the acute awareness that a healthy natural environment is a key to sustainable socio-economic development. We must all collaborate to secure a sustainable future for the next generation.”

This project which will be deployed in March is the sixth project that ProSep has received for LNG gas conditioning since 2019, and the innovative application has earned its reputation of being a robust, versatile solution for natural gas conditioning for midstream and LNG projects.

Named Best Gas Processing/LNG Technology at last year’s Hydrocarbon Processing awards, ProSep’s AIM high-efficiency mixer achieves efficient mixing of injected fluid with multiphase, gaseous, or liquid dominant flows with a low-pressure drop over the operating range.

John Sabey, ProSep’s CTO said: “This project is another milestone for the ProSep team as it has resulted from the success of the initial AIM application for LNG feed gas conditioning. The client has been using the AIM injection mixers since December 2019, showing great success, so when the requirement arose to enrich the methane feed gas BTU content, they knew to turn to ProSep. As this application requires injection of 20 mol percent LPG fraction to achieve the desired BTU/SCF, CFD was extensively utilized to verify injection, dispersion, and vaporization. This work continues to build a strong operational foundation of the AIM technology.”

ProSep is committed to providing environmentally responsible solutions to the market that can help our clients meet their ESG targets and values and have a long track record of proven results of reducing chemicals and clean water.

ProSep continues to offer solutions for process efficiency products including proprietary high-efficiency mixers and produced water treatment technologies.

Established in 2005, ProSep has continued to build on innovative solutions to assist global industries to lower their chemical and water consumption, cleaning their water, and reduce their Greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

“The world is facing a huge challenge when it comes to energy security and transitioning to cleaner energy and we believe the Alberta Carbon Grid will play a critical role in helping achieve emissions reductions goals in Canada,” said Lindsay Mackay, Vice-President, of Non-Regulated Commercial and Business Development Canadian Gas Pipelines, TC Energy. “We’re excited to achieve this milestone with the GoA and continue our path to becoming industry leaders in the energy transition and providing solutions to our customers.”

ACG has secured the rights to evaluate over 900,000 hectares of premiere land north of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta that could potentially support a variety of customers throughout Alberta especially those in the Industrial Heartland region. The project’s AOI is considered an ideal CO2 storage location because of its proven deep porous geological formations and ability to handle decades of storage capacity. Based on ACG’s preliminary analysis, there’s confidence in the geological characteristics within the AOI as an excellent long-term and permanent CO2 storage option. The evaluation agreement will allow ACG to further examine the subsurface properties and qualities to prove this.

As an open-access system, ACG is intended to allow customers of all sizes and industries, including oil and gas producers, refineries, petrochemical plants, and agricultural manufacturers, to access the system. ACG looks forward to connecting and working with potential customers across Alberta to meet their carbon sequestration needs.

ACG will be developed in phases – the first phase is the Alberta Industrial Heartland project, which will have the potential capability of transporting and storing up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually when fully developed. Beyond that, ACG will look to grow and expand through multiple storage hubs to up to 20 million tonnes of CO2 annually throughout Alberta, which would be equivalent to removing 7.5 million cars off the road each year.

“We believe that the Alberta Carbon Grid is a transformational project for Alberta and will help Canada reach its ambitious target of net zero by 2050,” said Fabrizio Chiacchia, Vice President, New Ventures, Pembina. “We have an amazing opportunity to lead the way and are excited to work together with industry, government, and stakeholders to reduce emissions and develop new technologies along the way.”

ACG is still in the planning stages for the full evaluation work on the project and will continue to provide updates when more details are available. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the government, industry, customers, Indigenous communities, and key stakeholders to advance this important work.

About the Alberta Carbon Grid

The Alberta Carbon Grid (ACG) is a world-leading carbon transportation and sequestration solution being designed to serve multiple customers, industries, and sectors. A collaboration between Pembina and TC Energy, ACG is focused on providing CO2 transportation and sequestration solutions across Alberta by leveraging both companies’ collective skills, experience, and extensive network of pipeline infrastructure and right-of-ways.

ACG is exploring options to potentially create several ACG hubs, throughout the province, that would be designed to independently, safely, and cost-effectively collect and store CO2 from customers across multiple industries. The long-term vision is to annually transport and store up to 20 million tonnes of CO2 through several hubs across Alberta.

The Alberta Carbon Grid is part of Pembina’s and TC Energy’s commitment to energy diversification, industry collaboration, and a lower carbon future that benefits the environment and the Alberta economy.

For more information, visit AlbertaCarbonGrid.ca.

About TC Energy

We’re a team of 7,000+ energy problem solvers working to move, generate and store the energy North America relies on. Today, we’re taking action to make that energy more sustainable and more secure. We’re innovating and modernizing to reduce emissions from our business. And, we’re delivering new energy solutions – from natural gas and renewables to carbon capture and hydrogen – to help other businesses and industries decarbonize too. Along the way, we invest in communities and partner with our neighbors, customers, and governments to build the energy system of the future.

TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP.

To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

About Pembina

Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading energy transportation and midstream service provider that has served North America’s energy industry for more than 65 years. Pembina owns an integrated network of hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas pipelines, gas gathering and processing facilities, oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics services, and a growing export terminal business. Through our integrated value chain, we seek to provide safe and reliable infrastructure solutions which connect producers and consumers of energy across the world, support a more sustainable future and benefit our customers, investors, employees, and communities.

For more information, please visit Pembina.com.

Natural Resources Canada supported the projects through the Emissions Reduction Fund, Offshore Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Program, which ERI managed.

The 18 projects ranged from feasibility studies to technology development, adaptation, demonstration, and field trials. The projects studied carbon capture and storage; emissions monitoring; the feasibility of using renewable energy sources to support offshore operations; aspects of offshore drilling, production, and marine transportation; and examined the use of technology and other methods to optimize energy efficiencies in power generation.

Eleven projects advanced their respective technologies from concept to implementation, and several are ready for commercialization. Other companies that participated in the program plan to further develop and commercialize their technologies. The feasibility studies developed through the ERF Offshore RD&D Program will help inform the industry’s future emissions reduction efforts.

The program included 76 collaborators in Canada and seven internationally, between small technology and engineering companies, offshore operators, universities, and research and industry associations.

“Reducing emissions from our offshore oil and gas sector is a key step towards achieving our climate goals and building a prosperous low-carbon economy. That is why the federal government has supported the research, development, deployment, and scaling of clean technologies through initiatives like the ERF. I am pleased to see the many innovative solutions advanced by Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador and their partners”, said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.

“The Emissions Reduction Fund Offshore RD&D Program has been a step change in supporting emissions reduction work in Newfoundland and Labrador. The response, the broad range of projects, and their results nicely complement and contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce emissions offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. ERI is quite pleased with the way this work has catalyzed a significant increase in collaboration, focus, and capacity in the field of offshore emissions reduction in Canada”, said Dave Finn, CEO, of Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador.

About Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador

Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador (ERI) advances research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) and innovation projects in the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on health, safety, and the environment. ERI is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit organization whose members include Chevron Canada Resources, Equinor Canada, ExxonMobil Canada, Cenovus, Oil, and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Suncor Energy, and Woodside Energy. www.erinl.ca

BNEF estimates the Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for a retrofitted coal power plant in Japan using a 50% clean ammonia co-firing ratio would be at least $136 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2030. By 2050, the LCOE of a retrofitted coal power plant running 100% on clean ammonia is expected to be at least $168/MWh. These values are more expensive than the LCOE of renewable alternatives such as offshore wind, onshore wind, or solar with co-located batteries.

Figure 1: Comparison of Levelized cost of electricity in Japan in 2030

Ammonia co-firing technology would require a significant rise in Japan’s carbon tax to make the technology economically viable. BNEF’s analysis shows that at least $300 per ton of CO2 would be needed to make clean ammonia co-firing at a 20% blend rate economically viable in 2030. By 2050, the carbon price needed to make 100% ammonia-fueled retrofitted coal plants economically viable could be reduced to around $159/ton of CO2. These values are far higher than Japan’s current “tax for climate change mitigation” set at below $3/ton of CO2.

“Retrofitting coal plants to burn ammonia is too expensive, especially with a high co-firing ratio. Japan would be better served to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy to decarbonize its power sector,” said Isshu Kikuma, Japan analyst at BNEF and lead author of the report. “Coal power generation is currently used to provide baseload power, but this should not be the case for ammonia co-firing technology given its poor economics.”

Reduction in CO2 emissions is the main advantage of ammonia co-firing at coal power plants. But burning ammonia can lead to emissions of other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide. Since ammonia molecules include nitrogen, ammonia combustion generates nitrous oxide, whose global warming potential (GWP) is 273 times larger than that of CO2 for a 100-year timescale. BNEF’s analysis also found that a coal power plant retrofitted to co-fire ammonia at 50% or lower blend rates still emits more CO2 than a natural gas-fueled combined cycle gas turbine power plant.

Scaling coal retrofits with ammonia would also risk Japan’s energy security due to the high domestic cost of clean ammonia production, and the high volume of ammonia that retrofitted coal plants would require. The Japanese government’s proposed 2050 ammonia demand target is thirty times the current domestic ammonia market.

Kikuma said: “Japan is better off in prioritizing the limited supply of high-cost clean ammonia for decarbonization of applications such as fertilizer production where no other decarbonization options exist.”

About Bloomberg on Climate

Led by Michael R. Bloomberg, a global climate champion and Special Envoy to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. are tackling the climate crisis from every angle. Bloomberg Philanthropies is at the forefront of U.S. and global efforts to fight climate change and protect the environment, bringing together mayors and other government and business leaders, grassroots partners, and environmental advocates across a key array of issues. These philanthropic efforts are accelerating the transition from coal to clean energy, improving air quality and public health, advancing city and local climate action, protecting and preserving ocean ecosystems, and helping unlock billions of dollars in sustainable finance. At the same time, Bloomberg L.P. is providing the global financial community with data-driven insights, news, and analysis to help integrate an ESG lens across the investment process. As a company, Bloomberg L.P. is also leading by example, including committing to 100% renewable energy by 2025 and taking action in the communities where its employees live and work. And through Bloomberg’s stewardship of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, Bloomberg is using the power of the capital markets to address climate change and support the transition to a net-zero economy.

About BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings, and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance, and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a global leader in business and financial information, delivering trusted data, news, and insights that bring transparency, efficiency, and fairness to markets. The company helps connect influential communities across the global financial ecosystem via reliable technology solutions that enable our customers to make more informed decisions and foster better collaboration. For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo.

While the eTRAC eCD20-40 for compact vehicles is already being produced in volume production and first pilot projects are underway for the next larger eCD 50-90 series, the newly developed system supplements the existing range with solutions for electric construction machinery up to 20 t.

All components are thoroughly matched to a comprehensive system consisting of an electro-mechanical powershift transmission and one e-motor for traction and ePTO each. An electric drive control unit for overall system performance and power management completes the system. With a 650 V operating voltage, the system can be scaled up to 120 kW continuous power; the ePTO ranges from 30 to 70 kW continuous power.

Based on the established ERGOPOWER powershift technology, the eTRAC system is not intended to replace the conventional driveline technology. Rather, it is precisely this modular design that allows a large number of drive concepts to be covered and thus to react even more flexibly to customer requirements in the future.

Thus, the newly developed solution can be integrated into battery-electric vehicles as well as vehicles with fuel cells. At the same time, conventional drives with powershift and power split transmissions will remain to be the backbone of the vehicle ́s system architecture; even for alternative fuels such as hydrogen, eFuels, or biodiesel.

Independent of the energy source, ZF can provide the right driveline technology already today and is optimally equipped for the future. After a successful prototype phase, series production is intended to start in 2025.

About ZF

ZF is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate, and enhancing safe mobility.

With some 157,500 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €38.3 billion in fiscal 2021. The company operates 188 production locations in 31 countries.

For further press information and photos, please visit: www.zf.com

Project Canary®, a leading climate data insights, and emissions performance company, announced a partnership with Sensirion Connected Solutions (SCS), a leading provider of sensor-based monitoring solutions. Project Canary’s climate analytics platform now provides upstream and midstream operators access to various methane monitoring sensors, including third-party devices, to account for total site emissions.

United by joint climate missions and leadership teams who value trust, transparency, and reliability, the innovative new offering of Project Canary and SCS gives customers more choices to impact climate change positively and future-proof their methane detection and quantification strategies.

• Expands Project Canary customer choice for sensor array fidelity, now offering customer-choice managed hardware schema.
• SCS Nubo Sphere is a next-gen methane emissions monitoring solution based on metal-oxide technology
• The Nubo Sphere sensor nodes offer an exchangeable cartridge system for easy maintenance and future technological upgrades.
• Next-gen SCS Nubo Sphere sensor nodes are scalable and reliable with a proven track record of supply chain capabilities.
• All sensor data is integrated into the Project Canary cloud-based analytics and insights portal, including emissions quantification tools, regulatory compliance solutions, and operational risk assessment programs.

“When it comes to measured performance profiles and verifiable climate credentials, our customers are entering into an era of next-gen RSG and updated protocols,” said Project Canary CEO and Co-Founder Chris Romer. “Different pads need different solutions. Customers can address their need for better data to give operational insights by creating customized sensor arrays. This partnership signals our now-open-sensor platform so customers can choose from various managed hardware solutions. Project Canary integrates the best sensors into our platform to provide the highest quality data to meet the market demands for accurate, independent emission profiles.”

“We are seeing a race among companies to provide reliable emissions data and services. Industry leaders in the energy sector want to be ahead of the regulatory curve, and that’s where Project Canary and Sensirion Connected Solutions come in. Together, we enable the energy industry to roll out a scalable, high-quality solution to all gas well sites”, says Dr. Felix Hoehne, General Manager at Sensirion Connected Solutions.

Learn more about Project Canary here: www.projectcanary.com

Find more information about Sensirion Connected Solutions at: www.sensirion-connected.com

Science-based targets are emissions reduction targets in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. By developing targets using climate science and the Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) methodologies, Aker Solutions will promote best practices in emissions reduction and further demonstrate its commitment to climate action. In line with the science-based criteria, Aker Solutions has committed to near- and long-term company-wide greenhouse gas emission reductions and will submit its reduction target within 24 months for official validation by the SBTi. 
 
“We are committed to ambitious climate action with science-based targets for reducing our own emissions while helping our customers provide the world with low-carbon and renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. The energy industry has a key role to play in reducing the effects of climate change, and Aker Solutions aims to lead positive and measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in our industry,” said Kjetel Digre, chief executive officer of Aker Solutions.  
 
“We welcome that Aker Solutions has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative. This shows a clear commitment to work towards a sustainable future and aligns perfectly with what we want to achieve with cross-sector collaboration,” said Kim Gabrielli, CEO of UN Global Compact Norway. 
  
Over the last few years, Aker Solutions has rapidly grown its activities within solutions for low-carbon and renewable energy, and the company has also taken decisive steps to reduce its own emissions and footprint.  
 
Aker Solutions’ Climate Action Plan is the roadmap that is transforming the company to be less carbon intensive, and help solve global energy challenges for future generations. The plan includes achieving 100 percent of energy use from renewable sources, improving heating systems to utilize biogenic and electric sources, electrifying mobile vehicles across sites, and certifying the enterprise to ISO 50001.

About the Science Based Targets Initiative

The Science Based Targets initiative is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. 
 
The initiative is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.  Find out more at www.sciencebasedtargets.org

Aker Solutions delivers integrated solutions, products, and services to the global energy industry. We enable low-carbon oil and gas production and develop renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. By combining innovative digital solutions and predictable project execution we accelerate the transition to sustainable energy production. Aker Solutions employs approximately 14,000 people in more than 20 countries.

Visit akersolutions.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Mantel’s molten salts selectively absorb CO2 and regenerate a pure stream of CO2 that can be either stored or utilized. By uniquely combining liquid phase materials with high operating temperatures this approach can reduce energy losses by more than 60%, and cut costs in half. “There is a thermodynamic benefit to carrying out a separation process at high temperatures and addressing the thermodynamics is the only way to significantly decrease the cost of carbon capture,” said Cameron Halliday, co-founder, and CEO of Mantel. “By using liquid phase chemistry we can overcome the challenges holding back existing high-temperature approaches, enabling carbon capture’s critical role in the energy transition.”

Mantel is building a platform of solutions to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate industries such as industrial heat, cement, steel, and hydrogen. It is also applicable for hard-to-abate geographies where energy derived from coal, and natural gas is likely to remain prevalent for decades. Additionally, the technology can be utilized for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere through pairing with biogenic sources of emissions, such as bioenergy, waste-to-energy, and pulp & paper. Because organic material draws carbon from the atmosphere as it grows and the captured emissions are permanently stored underground in geological formations.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), to reach net zero over 10 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide will need to be captured per year by 2070, which implies a global market measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars. “Carbon capture is required to meet the world’s climate goals and lower cost solutions are absolutely essential for countries and companies to meet net zero emissions targets,” said Michael Kearney, Partner at The Engine, and newly-appointed board member of Mantel. “In order to drive decarbonization across strategic energy-intensive industries, low-cost carbon capture is a critical need, and Mantel’s system has the potential to significantly decrease the cost of carbon capture. Net zero emissions can be a cost-efficient, achievable reality.”

Founded in 2022 by Cameron Halliday, CEO, Danielle Colson, COO, and Sean Robertson, CTO, Mantel was spun out of MIT and research completed with Professors T. Alan Hatton and Takuya Harada. After the lab-scale flow loop demonstration is achieved, the company plans to use the fresh capital to build a commercial-scale demonstration plant.

About Mantel

Mantel is developing the first molten-salt-based carbon capture technology. Our materials are designed to operate at the high temperatures found inside boilers, kilns, and furnaces – enabling highly efficient carbon capture that has not been possible until now. Carbon capture can be applied across the industry to reduce emissions – and even achieve net-negative emissions. By solving for efficiency Mantel can reduce energy losses by more than 60% and cut costs in half, unlocking carbon capture’s role in reaching global net zero. To learn more, go to: https://www.mantelcapture.com/

About The Engine

The Engine spun out of MIT, invests in early-stage companies solving the world’s biggest problems through a convergence of breakthrough science, engineering, and leadership. We accelerate the path to market for Tough Tech companies through the combination of capital, infrastructure, and network. The Engine is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit www.engine.xyz.

The project represents a $1.1 Million investment from CertainTeed and comes as Saint-Gobain continues to roll out its new global Grow and Impact strategy, which includes reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts at its manufacturing sites.

The Gypsum wallboard is made from a gypsum slurry that is poured and dries between two sheets of paper. Some scrap materials, consisting of gypsum and paper, are normally created every time a production line is started up or shut down, or when production equipment is changed to manufacture different sizes of wallboard.

The new recycling technology in Palatka will work by grinding the waste gypsum and waste paper down into fine particles, allowing the plant to capture and internally recycle the materials, which are sorted and then reintroduced to the production process at the plant.

Today, each wallboard produced at CertainTeed’s Palatka facility includes recycled content. The upgraded technology, which the company plans to take online later this year, will increase the amount of recycled material in wallboard manufactured in Palatka.

The new equipment is powered by electricity and replaces older equipment currently powered by diesel, lowering the plant’s Scope 1 Emission from its operations. Additionally, by consuming more recycled gypsum, the plant is less reliant on feedstock that is shipped to Palatka from external sources, allowing the site to also reduce Scope 3 Emissions associated with transporting the feedstock.

The investment in Palatka follows similar investments that will increase the recycled content of wallboard made at CertainTeed’s gypsum plants in Silver Grove, Kentucky, and Nashville, Arkansas.

“In Palatka and at all of our manufacturing sites in North America, our team will continue to aggressively pursue opportunities to maximize our company’s positive impact, for our customers and the communities where we operate, while minimizing our environmental footprint,” said Jay Bachmann, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Interior Products Group. “The new technology in Palatka will allow us to increase the recycled content in our products, reduce our carbon dioxide emissions at the plant, and strengthen our operations at a time of unprecedented consumer demand for gypsum wallboard in the southeastern United States.”

CertainTeed’s Palatka plant began operations in 2001 and sits on more than 100 acres of land in Putnam County. Today the plant is home to 150 employees and is one of the largest employers in Palatka, and also one of the largest gypsum plants in the southeastern United States. The plant is currently hiring for several roles in engineering and production. A complete listing of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations, including the CertainTeed site in Palatka, can be found on the company’s website.

The investment in recycling technology in Palatka follows several other recent actions taken by the company to solidify its commitment to sustainability:

• In July, Saint-Gobain announced the upgrade of key equipment at its Buchanan, New York gypsum plant, saving nearly 700,000 kWh of electricity per year and also reducing the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• In June, Saint-Gobain announced a $91 Million CAD investment in its gypsum plant in Montreal, creating the first zero-carbon manufacturing site for wallboard in North America and increasing the plant’s production capacity by 40%.
• In May, Saint-Gobain announced its newly installed recycling technology at its gypsum wallboard plant in Nashville, Arkansas would save 65,000 tons of material per year from landfill.
• In April, Saint-Gobain entered into a recycling partnership at its SageGlass electrochromic glass production site in Fairbault, Minnesota, saving 1,000 tons of material per year from landfill over the next five years.
• In March, Saint-Gobain North America announced it would install heat recovery technology at its CertainTeed gypsum manufacturing site in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by 10% and improve its energy efficiency.
• Also in March, Saint-Gobain announced that through its virtual Power Purchase Agreement with the Blooming Grove Wind Farm in McLean County, Illinois, and additional renewables contracting, the company received renewable energy certificates that effectively reduced approximately 33% of its CO2 emissions from electricity usage in 2021 in the United States and Canada.
• In February, the company invested $32 Million to upgrade equipment at its insulation plant in Chowchilla, California, reducing the facility’s carbon footprint by more than 4,000 metric tons per year.
• In January, Saint-Gobain North America donated a zero energy ready house in Canton, Ohio, made with more than 20 of its own products, to Habitat for Humanity.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 115 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm’s slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed,” inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, solar, fence, railing, trim, insulation, drywall, and ceilings. www.certainteed.com.

About Saint-Gobain

A worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures, and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction, and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

Burlington, Ontario-based Universal Matter Inc. (UMI) has been identified for up to $5.8 million in support of its Conversion of Carbon Waste Streams to High-Value Graphene via the Flash Joule Heating Process project. In the project, UMI will implement its flash joule heating process to produce graphene by upcycling the solid carbon by-product stream generated from Suncor Energy’s hydrogen production process.

Earlier this year, through CRIN’s Low Emission Fuels and Products technology competition, three projects were identified with a total CRIN investment of up to $24 million. Today’s announcement of this fourth project brings the total investment of the Low Emission Fuels and Products technology competition up to $30.6 million.

Projects identified for funding: CRIN Low Emission Fuels and Products technology competition

View project profiles at www.AcceleratingCleanEnergy.com

Projects in the Low Emission Fuels and Products technology competition focus on breakthrough technology solutions aligned with one or more of the following technology focus areas:

• Innovative Products from Hydrocarbons: Technologies included in this focus area produce carbon-based non-combustion products, such as activated carbon, carbon fiber, and asphalt binders from petroleum and natural gas. Other examples of technologies included were new recovery techniques for elements like lithium, vanadium, titanium, or nickel recovered from co-produced hydrocarbons.
• Carbon Capture and Utilization: Technologies included in this focus area reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing, utilizing, and/or converting carbon dioxide.
• Hydrogen and Geothermal: Technologies included in this focus area develop clean energy opportunities from hydrocarbon-derived hydrogen and recovery of geothermal energy to optimize the utility of the oil and gas industry.
• Low-Carbon Intensity Alternatives and New Fuels: Technologies included in this focus area develop products and processes that reduce fuels’ carbon intensity. Examples include innovative fuels and the production of fuels from biogenic feedstocks potentially including waste products, partial bitumen upgrading, or other novel processes.

Funding is made possible by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

About CRIN

The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) is a pan-Canadian network focused on ensuring Canada’s hydrocarbon resources are sustainably developed and integrated into the global energy systems. CRIN, as a ‘network of networks,’ connects a vast array of skills, knowledge, and experience from oil and gas and other industries to technology developers, researchers, government, investors, academia, entrepreneurs, youth, and many other sectors. By identifying industry challenges, we create a market pull to accelerate commercialization and widespread clean technology adoption with environmental, economic, and public benefits for Canada. CRIN is supported in part by a $100 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).

About SIF

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

SIF supports national innovation ecosystems and pan-Canadian network-led projects that involve a high degree of collaboration to stimulate innovation and commercialization in areas of Canadian advantage and enhance linkages between businesses and academia/research bodies. CRIN uses the SIF investment to administer initiatives in seven technology focus areas for activities related to ecosystem growth, enhancement, and long-term sustainability. These technology focus areas have the highest potential for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprint of the oil and gas sector, helping advance net-zero emissions targets. At least half of this funding will go to small and medium-sized businesses, and all will contribute to helping the oil and gas industry continue to create public and economic benefits for Canada alongside environmental benefits.

The project was initiated in March of 2022 by Lafarge’s Vancouver team with support from Lafarge Canada for secured funding of $50 thousand and an additional $20 thousand from the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle (EV) charger rebate program administered by BC Hydro.

The Kent Ave stations are the first of 100 charging stations planned for installation at 30 sites across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to create the infrastructure to support Lafarge Western Canada’s transition of its *light-duty vehicle fleet to electric vehicles by 2025. The fleet initiative creates the potential to eliminate 188 tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions over the next five years.

The Kent Ave stations are accessible to all employees who drive electric vehicles or would like to transition their personal vehicles to electric or hybrid models.

The migration to electric vehicles is in line with Holcim’s (US and Canada) overarching goal to reduce indirect carbon emissions from sources like transportation (Scope 3 emissions). By investing in emerging technology, Lafarge Canada is progressing towards generating benefits for people and the planet.

“We are thrilled that Western Canada has opened the first electric vehicle charging stations to kick-start this exciting effort planned across our Canada operations to advance our goal of net-zero as part of our environmental commitments.” -Brad Kohl, CEO, Lafarge, Western Canada

*Lafarge Western Canada’s transition of its light-duty fleet to hybrid and electrical vehicles by 2025 will include full-time sales and logistics operations in British Columbia, Northern Alberta, and Southern Alberta.

About Lafarge Canada Inc.

Lafarge is Canada’s largest provider of sustainable construction materials and a member of the global group, Holcim. With 6,000 employees and 350 sites across Canada, our mission is to provide construction solutions and products that build progress for people and the planet. The cities where Canadians live, work and raise their families along with communities’ infrastructure benefit from the sustainable portfolio provided by Lafarge, consisting of Aggregates, Asphalt and Paving, Cement, Precast Concrete, Ready-Mix Concrete, and Road Construction.

Nubo Sphere – continuous methane emissions monitoring

That’s why Sensirion Connected Solutions has developed a methane emissions monitoring solution, “Nubo Sphere,” which allows companies in the energy sector to continuously monitor their assets remotely and fulfill new regulations and ESG requirements. Nubo Sphere is an end-to-end solution that provides high-performance emissions detection, location, and quantification at a low total cost of ownership. The compact and robust design ensures reliable operation and high-fidelity data from any oil or natural gas infrastructure at all times.

“Sensirion’s unique expertise in environmental sensing, built up over the last 20-plus years, has propelled us to become the go-to supplier for air quality, gas monitoring, and flow sensing. Nubo Sphere is here to set new standards in continuous monitoring technology. With its robust, future-proof, and easy-to-use design, Nubo Sphere drives actionable data that will streamline operation efforts and address emissions seamlessly, helping to empower customers’ ESG initiatives,” says Susanne Pianezzi, Sales Director at Sensirion Connected Solutions.

High supply capabilities

As part of Sensirion, a leading global manufacturer of microsensors and systems, Sensirion Connected Solutions can rely on established production processes and high supply capabilities to offer a scalable solution and excellent lead times for customers.

Interested in starting a pilot program? Schedule a demo call with Sensirion Connected Solutions or learn more about Nubo Sphere at www.sensirion-connected.com.

You can also talk to Sensirion Connected Solutions in person by visiting the upcoming Gastech Exhibition & Conference in Milan, Italy, or the IoT in Oil & Gas Conference 2022 in Houston, Texas, USA.

About Sensirion Connected Solutions

Sensirion Connected Solutions specializes in providing sensor-based, end-to-end solutions and services to improve efficiency and reliability for a more sustainable future. By combining unique innovative sensor technology, data analysis, and a well-thought-out user experience, Sensirion Connected Solutions offers easy-to-use and scalable solutions for emission monitoring and predictive maintenance. The company is located in Stäfa, Switzerland, Berlin, Germany, and in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Sensirion Connected Solutions is part of Sensirion Holding, a global leader in the manufacture of digital microsensors for high-performance environmental and flow sensing.

Over the past year, ONEC, which was looking at the hydrogen market as part of its transition to renewables, has successfully deployed a first joint pilot project incorporating the GenCell hydrogen fuel cell module within a self-contained mobile generator that was adapted to Canadian climate and regulatory systems and transported to the ATCO Power Nisku Alberta site where it will run as an emergency power source for a year. Recognizing the growing market demand for sustainable, climate-resilient solutions to decarbonize industry sectors across North America, GenCell and ONEC have teamed up to drive hydrogen and ammonia-to-power projects across key sectors such as telecom, oil and gas, electric utilities, and EV charging.

“Committed to net zero emissions by 2050, the ONEC Group is excited and enthusiastic about the opportunities to collaborate with GenCell to execute hydrogen and ammonia energy projects incorporating GenCell’s alkaline fuel cell products and technologies in Western Canada and the Western United States,” comments Denis Wiart, CEO, the ONEC Group. “According to a Natural Resources Canada hydrogen strategy report, the hydrogen economy could add $50 billion and 350,000 jobs to Canada by 2050. Leveraging the rich engineering experience and expertise of our teams at a variety of industrial projects across Western Canada, we have identified many power applications, especially at remote sites enduring difficult weather conditions, where hydrogen fuel cells could provide reliable, long-duration power while reducing emissions. Whether generating long-duration power for remote substations, cell tower communications, control nodes on pipelines, or remote charging of electric vehicles in locations beyond the power grid, we are confident that the GenCell products can bring substantial value to new and existing ONEC customers by integrating existing infrastructure with new technologies.”

Remarks Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell, “Recognizing their intense dedication to sustainability objectives, deep engineering construction and project management skills, and their strong appreciation of technology, we believe that ONEC is an optimal partner for GenCell. We look forward to expanding our collaboration to jointly deliver innovative and efficient solutions across Canada that will serve to further grow the hydrogen economy in the region and create a strong and loyal install base. We appreciate this valuable opportunity to learn from ONEC’s experienced engineering team, to demonstrate the value of GenCell’s solutions in Canada’s challenging climate conditions, and to expand our presence in key industry sectors and regions across North America.”

About ONEC Group of Companies

Incorporated in 2000, ONEC Group of Companies is a mid‑sized, Edmonton-based, independently owned and operated, project delivery company providing EPC and EPC&M services for over 21 years. With approximately 300 employees on staff, we provide our clients with complete delivery for midsize industrial, commercial, capital, and maintenance projects throughout Western Canada and the Western United States. We offer multidisciplinary expertise in project & construction management, engineering & design, procurement & logistics, geomatics & survey, fabrication & construction, mechanical & electrical installation, and scaffolding & insulation. We are the only firm in our industry and size range that offers this collective expertise under one roof. Several of our staff are company owners, we conduct ourselves by keeping a client/owner mentality in mind. From concept to commissioning, ONEC’s diverse and talented staff will bring your project to life, safely, efficiently, on budget, and on schedule.

About GenCell Energy

GenCell Energy develops total green power solutions based on reliable, zero-emission alkaline fuel cells and green ammonia-to-energy technology which deliver uninterrupted power to help the world #SayNoToDiesel and transition to clean energy.  The ability to produce not only clean power from GenCell’s fuel cells but also the green fuel on which the fuel cells run sets GenCell in a far superior position as a well-to-wheel total green energy solution provider.  GenCell delivers resilient, robust, and weather-resistant backup power for utilities, telecom, and other mission-critical applications which have been deployed in 22 countries. Our hydrogen-on-demand solution provides primary power for off-grid and poor-grid sites, as well as for rural electrification. GenCell Energy numbers more than 130 employees, including veterans of space and submarine projects. The Company is headquartered in Israel with a worldwide distribution and support network and retains unique intellectual property that includes patents, trade secrets, and know-how.

WingTips plans to use these new aircraft on regional routes of 100 to 400 statute miles, flying mainly from convenient general aviation airports. The company uses artificial intelligence to offer individual seats to on-demand charter passengers, and advanced floating fleet algorithms to optimize fleet usage. The company also plans to offer scheduled service on higher volume routes.

“The Eco Caravan will redefine operating cost through its extreme efficiency,” said WingTips founder and CEO Mike Azzarello. “Our objective is to close the gap with the cost of driving while cutting travel time up to 75 percent. Working with Ampaire, we’ll be able to achieve this in a sustainable way. The Eco-Caravan operates within existing airport infrastructure, putting us years ahead of competitors that need major infrastructure investment in order to operate.”

“Ampaire and WingTips share a vision of reducing the cost and increasing the convenience of regional air travel while addressing a major source of harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “The starting point for moving toward zero emissions is with low-emission hybrid-electric aircraft such as the Eco Caravan.” 

The Eco Caravan is Ampaire’s first commercial product. It is a Cessna Grand Caravan upgraded with a hybrid-electric propulsion system that retains the range and payload characteristics of the current Grand Caravan. The Eco Caravan can carry up to eleven passengers or 2,500 pounds of cargo. 

The aircraft uses 70 percent less fuel on short trips and 50 percent less on longer trips with corresponding emissions reductions. When using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), emissions reduction is nearly 100 percent. Total operating cost reduction ranges from 25 to 40 percent, depending on route structure. The aircraft can operate independently of ground charging infrastructure by recharging the batteries in-flight when desired, as with hybrid-electric cars today. 

Ampaire conducted the first Eco Caravan engine runs with a preliminary drivetrain configuration in April 2022, with plans to fly the aircraft in the second half of the year. The company is working with the FAA to achieve supplemental type certificate approval in 2024. 

WingTips intends to place the aircraft into service as quickly after certification as possible, according to Azzarello. “The Eco Caravan hits a sweet spot for our operation,” he said, “driving down costs, operating at any general aviation airport, and solving passenger problems on regional legs where driving has become congested and inconvenient.” WingTips has been refining its model in busy California and Southwest markets. Its most popular flights are less than 200 miles and about an hour’s duration from cities such as San Diego, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, avoiding the large commercial airports in those areas.

About Ampaire

Los Angeles-based Ampaire was formed in 2016 with a mission to become the world’s most trusted developer of practical, compelling electric aircraft. The company is upgrading existing passenger aircraft to hybrid-electric power – the quickest, most capital-efficient approach to making commercial electric air travel a reality with available technology. The company ultimately intends to offer upgraded and all-new hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft. Ampaire technology is scalable to larger aircraft, including large regional aircraft.  

Ampaire has scored a series of industry firsts since the 2019 maiden flight of its Electric EEL technology testbed aircraft. Its EEL market demonstration aircraft has flown nonstop from Los Angeles to San Francisco and the length of the UK. In May 2022, Ampaire began ground power runs of its Eco Caravan hybrid-electric upgrade of the Cessna Grand Caravan, slated for certification and service introduction in 2024. For more information about Ampaire, click here.

About WingTips

Personal Airline Exchange, Inc. dba WingTips successfully delivers Regional Air Mobility through the integration of technology and advanced flight operations. With WingTips, regional trips of 100 to 400 miles are possible in professionally flown business aircraft, with passengers paying for individual seats, not the whole aircraft. The WingTips Crowd Scheduling TM system dynamically creates routes and schedules based on clients’ use. Combined with advanced flight operations systems, the company is able to offer fares that are closer to the airlines versus typical charter rates. From the perspective of the WingTips traveler, the experience is like using an airline app in which one begins by requesting a flight on a personalized route. The company is active today in California, Arizona, and Nevada, with plans to take its unique concept nationwide. www.flywingtips.com

Victor’s private and corporate members can reduce the carbon emissions of their air travel, meet the climate targets they have set, and credibly report on their CO2e emission reductions. Corporates signed up for the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) who are genuinely committed to reducing their Scope 3 emissions, and specifically, emissions from their jet charter flights can currently do this only by booking private jet charter flights with Victor.

As aviation in Europe sets its sights on increasing the share of SAF to up to 10% of all jet fuel use by 2030, this new partnership model also enables accelerated action towards this target. Given how fragmented the business aviation sector is, this “pay here, use there” solution is the first to offer SAF for every charter flight. This is crucial as it enables SAF demand to increase. Victor’s global base of influential members who have the ability and means to choose SAF and make their private travel with reduced climate impact are offered an excellent opportunity to help increase the overall demand so this sustainable solution can develop more rapidly.  

“I am relieved to be announcing our global partnership with Neste today. The urgent and rapid scaling-up of sustainable aviation fuel is essential if we are to achieve our net-zero goals. It’s fundamental to all our stakeholders that we continue to be transparent about the emissions of our members’ private flights and, where possible, take ownership of the climate crisis. I’m thankful for the enterprise and dedication that has been put in by both the Neste and Victor team to ensure our members can now choose to replace fossil fuel with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel on every private jet and commercial jet charter booking. Our pioneering partnership could create a SAF blueprint for the fragmented business aviation sector and help accelerate its wider usage across the aviation industry,” Toby Edwards, Co-CEO at Victor, commented.

“I’m excited that we are in this pioneering partnership with Victor, a leader in charter aviation. It enables Victor members to purchase Neste’s SAF for any flight booked through Victor globally. It is an industry-leading blueprint that we hope other companies will follow as the aviation sector strives for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. SAF is essential to reaching this goal, immediately reducing greenhouse gas emissions from flying. Neste is committed to supporting aviation’s emission reduction goals and believes that requires a joint effort where everyone’s choice matters,” said Jonathan Wood, Vice President Europe, Renewable Aviation, at Neste.

How the Victor x Neste offering works

This industry-leading partnership with Neste makes Victor the first and only on-demand private jet charter business to provide SAF to all their members for every flight booked through Victor, regardless of operator or departure airport. When booking a charter, Victor’s private and corporate members can choose how much fossil fuel they want to replace with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel from as little as 5% up to 100%. All contributions are welcomed and encouraged. Neste ensures specific SAF volumes purchased by Victor members are delivered and used by partner aircraft operators, providing real climate benefits and greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 80%. 

Neste’s SAF solution was developed following the aviation sector guidance by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the gold standard for ambitious corporate climate action and reporting. Victor’s private and corporate members can credibly and measurably reduce their greenhouse gas emissions  (CO₂e), with a clear chain of custody.

Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is today’s solution, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to fossil jet fuel. It is produced from 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

Neste in brief

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues, and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights, and the supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion. Read more: neste.com

About Victor

Victor is a leading on-demand jet charter platform, enabling flyers to search, compare and book private air travel quickly, efficiently, and with confidence. Launched in 2011, the company has rewritten the jet charter rulebook with a fully transparent, subscription-free, globally ‘on-demand’ marketplace that combines smart technology with high-touch customer service. Access to more than 7,000 aircraft via a global network of 200 partner operators means that any private aviation requirement can be expertly fulfilled, with the support of Victor’s specialist services for group travel, corporates, sports, medical, and music & entertainment. Victor is the world’s first carbon-negative aviation company. Every Victor flight is 200% carbon offset as a standard, as part of the company’s award-winning approach to climate action. True to the company’s core value of transparency, Victor publishes its CO2 emissions and reduction measures annually, and every Victor charter quote is labeled with its carbon impact, including fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and mitigation, allowing members to make informed decisions to minimize their carbon footprint.

A robust transmission network is essential as levels of renewable energy continue to rise. When a network spans regions with different weather patterns and load profiles, it has increased resilience stemming from neighboring areas experiencing periods of scarcity and abundance at different times. However, today’s transmission planning processes focus primarily on local improvements. While the current planning framework may adequately address average conditions on the grid, it fails to protect consumers from low-probability, high-impact, and costly extreme events. Evaluating the value of large-scale transmission projects requires going beyond production cost savings and identifying, analyzing, and quantifying a broader range of benefits. ESIG’s new report, Multi-Value Transmission Planning for a Clean Energy Future, demonstrates a methodology to do this.

“This report illustrates how different types of transmission may have different benefits,” said Debra Lew, associate director of ESIG. “This study showed the different sets of benefits from the transmission that delivers energy from remote, high-quality resource zones and leads to fuel savings, and transmission that links diverse regions, resulting in less need to build generation capacity and thus capital cost savings.”

The study modeled three potential transmission lines and quantified six types of benefits in each case: production costs, emissions reductions, generation capital cost savings, risk mitigation, resource adequacy, and resilience benefits.

“Our regional planning efforts today are as antiquated as the underlying infrastructure,” said Derek Stenclik, ESIG task force chair. “This multi-benefit framework can be used by transmission planners across the country to consider risk, resource adequacy, and resilience in their planning efforts.”

The use of a multi-benefit framework can more accurately value transmission projects that serve as insurance policies against macroeconomic volatility, extreme weather, and other unexpected events. Individual regions can achieve reliability with fewer capacity investments and lower costs than if they were unable to share energy with neighbors and had to build a full suite of generation resources themselves. The methodologies demonstrated in the report can be applied by system planners to plan for the long term according to their systems’ resources, constraints, and needs.

For more information on ESIG, visit www.esig.energy.

Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium said: “The level of precision and accuracy of Cirium’s CO₂ emissions calculations far exceeds estimates generally available today.”

American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways each have independently commended Cirium for the superior approach and accuracy of Cirium’s fuel burn estimations through their own extensive analysis.

Holly Boyd-Boland, Vice President, Corporate Development at Virgin Atlantic said: “Virgin Atlantic operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets across the Atlantic. Accurate measuring, monitoring, and forecasting of CO2 emissions are critical as we target and monitor progress to Net Zero 2050, allowing us to better understand our environmental impact. Importantly, it also provides a tool to empower our customers to track and choose airlines with the lowest carbon footprint. Cirium is leading the way in this field, building data and forecasting capabilities that are the most accurate we have seen to date, as verified against our own historical fuel burn and emissions data.”

Jill Blickstein, Head of ESG, at American Airlines said: “To reduce our emissions and reach Net Zero by 2050, we’re taking action to run a more fuel-efficient operation with more fuel-efficient aircraft powered increasingly by low-carbon fuel. And we’re holding ourselves accountable by becoming the first airline in the world with a 2035 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Reducing aviation emissions will require partnership among the airlines, our suppliers, and our customers – and it’s important to build those partnerships on sound emissions data and calculations. Cirium brings deep aviation expertise to the table on this important topic, and the approach they’ve taken considers numerous variables of an aircraft and its operations.”

Cirium has fused numerous data elements including but not limited to, aircraft and engine specifications, airline schedules, and actual flight operations to create a holistic view of the actual emissions footprint. This enables Cirium clients to view the emissions by an operator, aircraft type, or geographical region on a historical, or predictive basis, solving a variety of use cases.

“Our mission is to establish the standard for accurate fuel burn and carbon emissions data to empower the aviation industry to deliver on its sustainability targets. For the industry to achieve their goals of halving CO₂ emissions by 2050 compared with 2005, a clear methodology is needed,” said Bowen. “We are thrilled to have our model corroborated by leading carriers around the globe.”

The emissions data can also be merged with passenger booking information to provide corporations with their carbon footprint. This enables corporations to gain more insight into their emissions and uncover where opportunities exist to reduce their emissions and help travelers understand their own carbon footprint associated with the flights they choose.

Cirium’s unrivaled emissions data is being used by leading corporate travel departments, including organizations such as Zurich Insurance, a global insurance firm. Zurich is using Cirium’s calculations to measure their corporate travel emissions, explore opportunities to reduce emissions, and empower their employees to make better travel decisions.

Kara Brayton, Assistant Vice President, Head of Corporate Travel Management at Zurich said: “It’s been exciting to collaborate with Cirium under a proof-of-concept, utilizing data to help provide Zurich with insight to better inform our employees around the carbon impact of their decisions when booking airfare.”

“With travel being such a large category of emissions, these types of relationships are key to leading sustainable business travel programs of the future. I am thankful for Cirium’s willingness to engage and explore a personalized solution with us.”

Cirium’s CO₂ emissions calculations are being made available through existing products in Cirium’s portfolio and in new products, to meet the evolving market needs.

About Cirium

Cirium brings together powerful data and analytics to keep the world moving. Delivering insight, built from decades of experience in the sector, enabling travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, airports, airlines, and financial institutions, among others, to make logical and informed decisions that shape the future of travel, growing revenues, and enhancing customer experiences. Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.cirium.com

“We’re proud to be joined by a leading global company like Vopak on our journey to visualize and report leaks and support industrial companies in emission reduction. Amongst improvements in the technology and service portfolio this funding enables Aeromon to be closer to a major market by opening a permanent office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands,” says Maria Kuosa, CEO of Aeromon. “Thank you to Vopak for joining us as an investor and foremost for bringing in valuable expertise regarding global tank storage business opportunities,“ she adds.

Aeromon has developed emission monitoring technology including hardware and software since 2015. The company provides mobile emission monitoring services to both industry and authorities. Customers are provided with visual, real-time data that enables better decision-making through improved situational awareness. This leads to highly accurate leak detection and quantification of leaking emissions 10 times quicker than traditional methods.

“The activities of Aeromon very well match with the ambition of Vopak Venture’s sustainability fund in which we identify investment opportunities in start-ups and scale-ups in new technologies to make the industry more sustainable. It is our pleasure to become an active partner in Aeromon’s journey,” says Leo Brand, CIO of Royal Vopak and Chairman of Vopak Ventures.

The capital loan decision from The Finnish Climate Fund was approved after Aeromon’s offering passed the strict business potential and impact criteria analysis by the state-owned special-assignment company.

“The Climate Fund’s investment assessment model and strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) evaluation criteria proved that Aeromon’s solution adds value to its clients’ emission reduction endeavors,” says Kuosa.

Aeromon’s services are used by companies throughout Europe to verify and quantify emissions from industrial plants. Aeromon’s modular UAV-assisted emission monitoring solutions have proven to create value in complex and demanding environments for example within oil and gas, chemical, waste management, energy, and mining industries.

Aeromon’s technology is the answer for the industry when it finds ways to answer to the new legislation planned by the EU Commission. For example, The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) initiative represents 50% of the world’s oil and gas production. It is the only comprehensive, measurement-based reporting framework for the oil and gas industry to cut down methane emissions; the second largest contributor to global warming. The EU Commission is currently in the process of introducing new requirements in emission and leak detection measurements similar to the OGMP 2.0 reporting framework.

Aeromon has served clients across Europe for years. In the last year, the company has served clients in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, and France. The aim is to be able to serve Central European clients more efficiently by having an operational team now in Rotterdam and eventually in other major industrial cities in Europe, as well.

Aeromon provides mobile emission monitoring services to industry and authorities utilizing its proprietary technology solutions. Customers are provided with visualized and real-time data that enables better decision-making through improved situational awareness leading to less lost product, less pollution, and higher work safety. Aeromon’s services are used by companies throughout Europe to verify and quantify emissions from industrial plants. Aeromon was founded in Finland in 2014. Its modular UAV-assisted emission monitoring solutions have proven to create value in complex and demanding environments for example within oil & gas, chemical, waste management, energy, and mining industries.

For more information, visit: https://www.aeromon.io/

By combining its portfolio of fixed, portable, and personal gas detection solutions with gas cloud imaging cameras, Honeywell will provide customers with early detection of fugitive methane emissions, including the precise location of any leaks and associated data analytics and trends. Equipped with this data, users can act quickly to address leaks and other identified risks to minimize production losses and maintain compliance with legislation. 

The solution – which combines wireless gas detector technology with enterprise-wide data management solutions – works in tandem with existing Leak Detection & Repair (LDAR) testing methods to improve the accuracy of reporting and increase productivity by enabling users to find production losses faster.“The Emissions Control and Reduction Initiative expands on Honeywell’s wide range of ready-now technologies that are helping our customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Ujjwal Kumar, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. “With our pedigree in gas detection and breadth of solutions, Honeywell is providing customers with a holistic and proactive approach to emission reduction that they’ve never had before.” 

Honeywell recently announced a new set of commitments that further advance its sustainability goals beyond the company’s existing commitment to become carbon neutral in its facilities and operations by 2035. The new pledges include a commitment to developing a science-based target with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) that includes scope 3 emissions and participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge. These initiatives represent a continuation of the company’s sustainability efforts since 2004, which have already driven a more than 90% reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities. The company also supports the Paris Climate Agreement.

Honeywell’s methane detection capability will be available to customers in Q4 2022.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.

Alice Jackson, current president of Xcel Energy – Colorado, is appointed to senior vice president, System Strategy, and chief planning officer, leading a new enterprise-wide System Planning organization. It will focus on developing integrated plans for the generation, transmission, and distribution of the electric and natural gas systems to meet our vision to deliver net-zero energy by 2050 while preserving reliability and affordability for customers.

“This innovative approach to strategic planning is transformative for our industry and Alice is the perfect person to lead the charge as a proven business leader who has engaged employees, communities, and stakeholders to deliver on our nation-leading clean energy vision,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president, and CEO of Xcel Energy.

The company is also announcing new presidents for both our Colorado and Texas-New Mexico operating companies.

Robert Kenney will succeed Alice Jackson as the new president of Xcel Energy – Colorado. Kenney currently serves as senior vice president of Regulatory and External Affairs for PG&E, leading the company’s regulatory strategy and execution with California’s Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He’s also responsible for the company’s governmental affairs and community relations efforts, including oversight of PG&E’s charitable giving and corporate foundation. Prior to PG&E, Kenney was the chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission.

Adrian Rodriguez has been elected to the role of president for Xcel Energy – Texas and New Mexico as David Hudson retires. He currently serves as the senior vice president of Regulatory and Strategy at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), leading the company’s clean energy strategy including regulatory and governmental affairs. Prior to PSE, Rodriguez was General Counsel and interim CEO of El Paso Electric.

“We’re so fortunate to have such outstanding talent joining our already robust leadership team,” said Brett Carter, executive vice president, group president – Utilities, and chief customer officer. “These changes position us for great success in the regulatory and stakeholder arenas as we grow our business to meet customers’ evolving energy needs.”

Rodriguez will join Xcel Energy on June 1, with current Xcel Energy – Texas and New Mexico President David Hudson officially retiring on July 1. Kenney will join Xcel Energy and assume his new role on June 6.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices.

For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow on Twitter and Facebook.

“In a time of great uncertainty, it is vital that our long-term energy transition strategy remains on track,” said Ben van Beurden, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer. “This report shows the strong progress we have made towards our target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.”

This progress includes critical investment decisions in the production of low-carbon fuels, solar and wind power, and hydrogen, and significant changes to Shell’s Upstream and refinery portfolios. The company has also simplified its share structure and moved its headquarters to the UK from the Netherlands.

In 2021, Shell continued to work with customers across sectors, from aviation to marine and road freight, forming more than 50 collaborations with other leading companies.

Today’s publication shows Shell’s progress against concrete climate goals. Last year, the company set a new target to reduce absolute emissions from its operations and the energy it uses to run them by 50% by 2030, compared with 2016 on a net basis. By the end of 2021, Shell had made a reduction of 18%.

Shell also achieved its short-term target to reduce the net carbon intensity of the energy products it sells by 2-3% by the end of 2021, compared with 2016 as well. The company is now working towards a 9-12% reduction in net carbon intensity by 2024, and a 20% reduction by 2030, both compared with 2016.

“We are helping our customers to identify and use low- and zero-carbon alternatives to the energy products they have used for many decades,” said Andrew Mackenzie, Shell Chair. “We see great business opportunities for Shell in the fast-growing low- and zero-carbon markets where we are well-positioned to provide the different products and solutions our customers need.”

Shell’s energy transition strategy was put to an advisory shareholder vote at the Annual General Meeting in 2021 where it secured around 89% of the vote. This year, Shell is asking shareholders to vote on its progress, as it will do every year until 2050. The vote on progress is purely advisory and not binding on shareholders.

Cautionary note

The companies in which Shell plc, directly and indirectly, own investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. “Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as “joint ventures” and “joint operations”, respectively. “Joint ventures” and “joint operations” are collectively referred to as “joint arrangements”. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control is referred to as “associates”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning its financial condition, results of operations, and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections, and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”, “ambition”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “goals”, “intend”, “may”, “milestones”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “plan”, “probably”, “project”, “risks”, “schedule”, “seek”, “should”, “target”, “will” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. The contents of the websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, April 20, 2022. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied, or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. 

Shell’s net carbon footprint

Also, in this announcement, we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Footprint” or “Net Carbon Intensity”, which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the term Shell’s “Net Carbon Footprint” or “Net Carbon Intensity” is for convenience only and is not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

Shell’s net-Zero Emissions Target

Shell’s operating plan, outlook, and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2, and Net Carbon Footprint (NCF) targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target and 2035 NCF target, as these targets are currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be a significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

Forward-Looking Non-GAAP measures

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking Non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those Non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner that is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

Source and Image: www.shell.com

ABOUT: Neste

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion. Read more: neste.com

Source & Images: Neste

A massive desertification tsunami that is causing climate change is headed straight for us.

How we deal with desertification will determine the fate of climate and mankind. Solutions are paramount and the ITOCO Cactus Farms are the world’s most important solution in addressing arid lands and climate change. ITOCO Cactus Farms can restore lands and the balance of nature.

Farming the Nopal Cactus is our hope for restoring nature to balance and creating a sustainable living solution for people the world over. Companies are searching for ways to reduce CO2 and combat climate change. Some are investing in carbon credits others are creating innovative solutions. Governments are looking for ways to refurbish lands and restore them to productive 360 circular economies. All of these objectives are met with the ITOCO Nopal Cactus Farms. (ITOCO.net)

REHABILITATING UNPRODUCTIVE ARID LAND INTO AN OASIS

Right now, all of humanity has an unprecedented challenge. That challenge is to restore the balance of nature to its original form eliminating toxic emissions from the atmosphere and diverting climate change from irreversible damage. 

A critical component to solving that challenge is large-scale land refurbishing. Imagine unproductive lands and deserts turn into green oases, thriving with plant and animal life; A world where land rehabilitation provides us with renewed hope for a solution to climate change. Imagine government and corporate citizens working toward a circular economy that promises a win-win for the environment and the people. (ITOCO.net)

That is the future.

THE NATURAL CO2 CARBON CAPTURE NET NEGATIVE SOLUTION

Advanced governments and corporations will be looking to support the reduction of CO2 emissions and want to build holistic economies of scale in a way that serves all of humanity, naturally and safely. 

As we watch the world temperatures rise and witness wild storms, fires, and floods are wreaking havoc around the globe, we all know the time for change is right now. 

The climate catastrophes around the globe are more destructive than we have experienced, and they are beyond anything we can control. 

Mother nature has spoken. We are listening.

ACHIEVE NET-ZERO AND REMOVE CARBON PERMANENTLY

Biologically, we know that trees and other plants offset carbon emissions and can be instrumental in removing carbon dioxide so that we can keep global warming below 1.5 C degrees. 

Afforestation is a solution that will be widely adapted however it has posed problems in that it requires a lot of water and surface area to develop. C02 removal is not guaranteed with all trees and plants, because when they die, they release C02 back into the atmosphere. 

With no clear answer for carbon capture and storage, Scientists and others had to think about a solution in new and creative ways. Incredibly, the answer came from land refurbishing and farming the Nopal Cactus.

Cactus grows in the desert, where there is a lot of available land. They require little water and have a unique way to capture carbon and store it permanently underground. That was a game-changing discovery.

REACHING NET-ZERO

Succulents like the Nopal Cactus are highly efficient at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is perfectly designed, by mother nature, to photosynthesize and decarbonize the atmosphere simultaneously.

The Cactus preserve their water supply by opening at night when the sun is lowest. The underside of a Cactus plant leaf has tiny holes called Stomata. With a microscope, you see these holes open to inhale carbon dioxide and transform it in the photosynthesis process.

In essence, the Nopal Cactus is a highly sophisticated CO2-sucking plant. It captures carbon from the atmosphere every night and uses it for photosynthesis during the day. And if that were not magical enough, when a cactus dies, unlike trees and other plants, it does not emit carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Nopal Cactus stores the carbon underground through its root formation.

The Nopal Cactus solution is natural, permanent, and non-evasive. This Cactus farming solution is the way forward to a carbon net-negative economy. (ITOCO.net)

ITOCO: DEVELOPERS OF THE 360 CACTUS ECONOMY

Understanding the impact of the Nopal Cactus on the environment, visionary company ITOCO set out to create a sustainable carbon sequestration farm in Mexico. 

The ITOCO Cactus Farm is lucrative. It proves that arid lands could produce carbon-reducing crops and provide a circular economy where all stakeholders win. 

ITOCO strategically established fast-growing Nopal Cactus farms and illustrated how rapid arid land rehabilitation was possible. The Nopal Cactus farm removes toxic emissions from the air and supports local communities with jobs, cactus products, fruit, and more. 

ITOCO’s sustainable cactus farming project and ability to rehabilitate large-scale landmasses into productive ecosystems are the way of the future. Imagine the possibilities. Think deserts, barren lands, and high-temperature regions that are currently underutilized. 

For arid and semi-arid lands, there is a massive opportunity here.

ITOCO: WORLD LEADER IN CARBON SEQUESTRATION

With the development and implementation of climate-smart agriculture, the Nopal rehabilitation farm provides renewed hope for arid and semi-arid regions. It supports the populations of those regions that may have otherwise been struggling with regional adaptations. 

The Nopal smart-climate agriculture project is an opportunity for healthy people, healthy communities, and healthy economic benefits, all in one. This project is the epitome of a 360-Cactus economy.

ITOCO is now one of the most innovative companies in Carbon Sequestration in the world. ITOCO, having worked with over 10,000 farmers on tens of thousands of hectares of land, their Nopal Cactus production is now serving customers with organic fertilizer and clean energy production in several Mexican states.

Through a hybridization process and a rigorous genetic selection of more than 15 species of Cactus, and six years working in the field, the ITOCO team increased crop production from 150 tons per hectare to 600-900 tons per hectare per year. This result means exponential carbon sequestration and carbon removal from the air. 

President and visionary of ITOCO, Michael Paul says, “We believe we have one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to rehabilitate arid and desert lands. Our methods do not require huge amounts of desalination (energy), power generation, infrastructure spending, or groundwater pumping. We can produce profitable crops virtually from the outset. We bring a sustainable CO2 Credit exchange opportunity to countries around the globe that have arid climate conditions. This project supports carbon exchange, social security, food security, employment, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, clean energy production, and afforestation. This project is a win-win solution for everyone involved.” (ITOCO.net)

ITOCO AT COP 26 CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE

ITOCO Director Teresa Tattersfield recently spoke about the Cactus Economy at COP 26, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow, UK. While Europe is aggressively implementing Carbon reduction programs, ITOCO will use a natural source of carbon reduction that will also rehabilitate arid areas of the continent and provide a sustainable circular living solution.

Mexico has endorsed the Paris Agreement adopted at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is taking action to mitigate its Green House Gas emissions under the Land Use Protocol of the United Nations by 2030.

The ITOCO Program in Mexico has demonstrated Nopal Cactus farming innovations leverage the superb adaptation to dry and arid landscapes which provide carbon credits at an accelerated pace in under twelve months. It is a winner for our environment and our people.

GOVERNMENT & CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY: REACH SUSTAINABLE GOALS

With our global population now at more than 7 billion people and projected to be at 9 billion by 2030, we are using more energy, food, and resources than the planet can provide. Our future depends on being innovative, working smarter, reusing, and recreating the world’s resources in sustainable ways.

The Nopal smart refurbishing project is an opportunity for healthy people, healthy communities, and healthy economic benefits, all in one. It is truly a circular Nopa Cactus economy. The Nopal Cactus program is a natural government and corporate initiative that will serve communities for years to come.

5 REASONS WHY THE NOPAL FARMING SOLUTION MAKES SMART BUSINESS SENSE

For climate-savvy governments, corporations, and investors, the Nopal Cactus project makes good business sense.

1. Arid regions of the world do not have to disappear. We can reahabilitate lands and restore great lands with a wealth of plants, and CO2 capturing cacus.
   
2. The Nopal Cactus can be eaten, has superior health benefits, bears fruit, and is used for livestock feed, biofuels, fertilizer, and other applications like cosmetics, alcoholic drinks, food additives, and other pharmaceutical adaptations. These days, people often prefer to buy products from sustainable companies. Consumers want to see a commitment to the community and environment than any other product; this is a sign of more conscious times.
   
3. Scientists believe that the capacity to offset carbon emissions is ten times higher in Cactus than carbon fixing by tropical rain forest. The Nopal Cactus can trap up to 30 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare per year. This project delivers $800,000 worth of carbon per thousand hectares in 12 months. Many believe that the Nopal Cactus has the highest ability to remove carbon dioxide from the air over any other plant on earth. 
   
4. The Nopal Cactus helps contain water and mud, and therefore it can be used as a living fence to combat winds, erosion, and desertification for other crops to grow simultaneously.
   
5. The Nopal Cactus carbon sequestration and its many products and health benefits make it a world-leading solution for sustainable development, achieving a net negative result. (ITOCO.net)

THE ITOCO OPPORTUNITY THAT CAPTURES CARBON AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES

Micheal Paul says, “Our project provides quality employment in areas that are currently non-productive. It provides a good income and jobs to people in communities in remote areas with less opportunity. The unique carbon-reducing element of Nopal is a wonderful by-product of Nopal farming that is an incredible air cleanser. By planting Nopal in certain ways, we can encourage the growth of other plants, further greening formerly arid or desert areas. It is a dynamic project overall.”

Governments and large-scale landholders are invited to partner with the ITOCO to transform underutilized arid lands into mega-opportunity and infrastructure.

The Nopal Cactus Farms are an innovation whose time has come. 

Interested parties wanting to earn carbon credits to achieve net-zero, develop arid regions and transform desert land into agriculture opportunities, or serve the world in a better way contact: ITOCO.net

GET INVOLVED: TAKE POWERFUL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION

CHOOSE YOUR SOLUTION 

1. GAIN CARBON CREDITS
2. BE RESPONSIBLE WITH CARBON
3. BUILD A CATUS FARM & ECONOMY
4. REHABILITATE ARID LANDS
5. SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES
6. INVEST IN SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
7. TAKE CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION FOR GOOD

PLEASE CONTACT: 

ITOCO.NET

KISS THE GROUND

A compelling documentary entitled “Kiss The Ground” is an important scientific explanation of arid lands and the need to refurbish our world. Watch now as scientific experts reveal the ways in which the earth’s soil could be the top priority and solution to combatting climate change and preserving the planet.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81321999?s=i&trkid=13752289%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0

Take action where it counts – ITOCO.net

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