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Your weekly intelligence on Decarbonization of Energy Resources
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NetZero Insider has been devoting a lot of coverage to East Coast offshore wind development because that is where the wheels are turning for the young industry — and where the wheels are falling off. 

As John Cropley reports: 

  • Ørsted canceled its offtake agreement with Maryland for the planned 966 MW Skipjack Wind project, saying the financial terms were no longer profitable, due to inflation and interest rate increases. But the project is not dead, and it could be rebid into future solicitations. 

  • A reset has begun in New York, where the contracted offshore wind pipeline has dropped from 4,362 MW to 132 MW in the past month. New offshore proposals totaling 4 GW are in advanced negotiations, with final contract decisions expected this quarter, and three bids totaling 3 GW were submitted late last month in the latest solicitation. 

  • Two federal agencies central to offshore wind development regulation have finalized a strategy to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale — whose favored habitat overlaps many of the Northeast wind energy lease areas, particularly off the New England coast. 

Our Ayla Burnett weighs in from the Left Coast with a report on California’s draft plan for offshore wind development. California’s offshore wind target is the most ambitious of any state’s so far and yet the most distant, because it relies on floating turbine technology still in development. The Golden State hopes to deploy 25 GW, but not until 2045. 


Back on land, Hugh Morley reports on New Jersey’s public transit agency abandoning a long-running plan to build a gas-fired emergency generator for its electric commuter rail system, which had come under criticism from environmentalists. 


And James Downing has a story on a National Bureau of Economic Research study that put numbers on a commonly cited barrier to grid expansion — greater capacity means greater competition and potential losses for existing generation operators. 


Our curation includes additional news about other instances of conflict: 

  • The New Yorker has a piece on farmers opposing the Grain Belt Express transmission line. 

  • Oil and Gas Daily reports on efforts by Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (R) to counter President Biden’s “hostility” toward the LNG industry. 

  • Energy News Network explains why advocates worry a hydrogen hub will fuel environmental injustice in Indiana. 

  • The Cape Cod Times looks at why some locals are worried about offshore wind power development. 

Click through the Intelligence Report below for the rest of last week’s news on the decarbonization of generation resources: 


Jump To

Biogas
Carbon Capture
Coal
Community Solar
Demand Response
Ders
Energy Efficiency
Fossil Fuels
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Microgrids
Natural Gas/lng
Nuclear
Offshore Wind
Oil
Onshore Wind
Renewable Energy
Rooftop Solar
Solar
Solar, Storage
Solar, Wind
Storage
Transmission & Distribution
Utility-scale Solar
Wind

 
 

Iowa

Summit adds 12 ethanol plants to pipeline proposal in Iowa

Summit Carbon Solutions has reached an agreement to nearly double the number of ethanol facilities that will connect to its proposed carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa, the company announced Jan. 29. Iowa Capital Dispatch


Mississippi

Amazon coming to Mississippi with plans to create jobs -- and electricity

A key component in Amazon Web Services' commitment to spend $10 billion to construct two "hyperscale data centers" in Madison County is an agreement with Entergy to provide the large volume of electricity that such an endeavor will require. Officials said the project -- which will include building solar power fields -- will not increase rates for other Entergy customers, and could lower them. Mississippi Today


U.S.

Flexible interconnection can optimize the grid and speed deployment of charging infrastructure

Upgrading the grid can be lengthy, expensive and complex. For utilities, flexible interconnection can help bring down costs by optimizing existing grid infrastructure and deferring costly grid upgrades. Closing the gap between what the grid can accommodate and the scale of the energy resources that can be connected will benefit both utilities and customers. Environmental Defense Fund


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Biogas

Minnesota

Can these massive dairies convert cow manure and methane into renewable energy?

Some groups aired worries about how a project to convert livestock waste might supercharge a divide between small or medium-size farms and the state's largest dairies. Star Tribune


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Carbon Capture

Indiana

EPA approves permits for controversial carbon sequestration fertilizer project

EPA last week issued permits allowing a West Terre Haute-based company to construct two underground wells for carbon sequestration. EPA has approved just two such Class VI permits: to Archer Daniels Midland operating in Macon County, Illinois, and Indiana's Wabash Valley Resources. It's a victory seven years in the making. Indiana Capital Chronicle


Indiana

EPA OKs state's first plant to cut CO2 emissions through sequestration. What that means.

The U.S. EPA has issued permits for the state's first two "wells" that will be used to store carbon dioxide underground as part of the capture-and-sequestration technology being pitched as a way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb the effects of climate change. IndyStar


International

AI helps capture more CO2 with less energy

Researchers at the University of Surrey used artificial intelligence to adjust a system based on a real coal-fired power station and capture 16.7% more carbon dioxide (CO2) while using 36.3% less energy from the UK National Grid. Mining.com


International

Norway's bank balance swells as energy minister outlines its CO2 ambitions

Norway's energy minister has emphasised the country's world-leading credentials and ambitions for the offshore capture and storage of carbon dioxide, while on the same day it was revealed the nation's massive oil fund made a record annual return in 2023. Upstream


Louisiana

Editorial: Primacy on carbon capture challenges state to get rules right

State and industry officials are bullish on the prospect of Louisiana becoming a national leader in the practice of carbon capture and sequestration, basically capturing carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to atmospheric warming and injecting it deep into the ground. NOLA.com


Louisiana

LSU-led team wins largest grant from National Science Foundation to focus on carbon capture

An LSU-led collective of more than 50 entities statewide has won the National Science Foundation's largest competitive grant -- up to $160 million over the next decade to imagine and build a new energy industry. WBRZ 2


New Jersey

New Jersey Bill Aims to Establish Low Carbon Transportation Fuel Standard

The New Jersey Senate made a significant legislative move on January 29 by introducing a pioneering bill aimed at establishing a Low-Carbon Transportation Fuel Standard (LCTFS). ChemAnalyst.news


North Dakota

ND Public Service Commission on carbon pipeline: State ordinances supersede local ordinances

Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann said Jan. 26 he believes state regulations for pipelines supersede county ordinances, an opinion that is a blow to carbon pipeline opponents. No vote was taken during a PSC work session, but the two other members of the commission indicated they agree with Christmann. A vote will be taken at a future meeting. North Dakota Monitor


Ohio

Ohio environmental groups skeptical of carbon-capture rule for public lands

The Biden administration is considering a rule change to allow carbon dioxide from air or industrial processes to be captured and stored in national parks. The Athens Messenger


Oregon

Oregon commission approves 'carbon capture' fund for state's natural and working lands

The Oregon Climate Action Commission approved $10 million in investments with the goal to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions. The broader goal is to incentivize practices that capture and store carbon in the state's natural and working lands. Jefferson Public Radio


South Dakota

Dickinson County landowners staying in the fight against proposed carbon-capture pipeline

[Video] KTIV 4


South Dakota

POET's ethanol plants shift to remaining carbon dioxide pipeline proposal

An ethanol production company headquartered in Sioux Falls announced Monday it will partner with the remaining company looking to build a carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota. South Dakota Searchlight


U.S.

Climeworks and Svante Collaborate in Development and Supply for Direct Air Capture

Both companies agree to collaborate on three major CO2 removal projects in a critical step toward developing direct air capture hubs in the U.S. capable of capturing megatons of CO2. Business Newswire


U.S.

Department of Energy Seeks Industry Input for Carbon Capture Technology Development Efforts

The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the Department of Energy has issued a request for information concerning U.S. government efforts to achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. ExecutiveGov


Wyoming

OPINION: WyoFile misses target when shooting at carbon capture

As with all technology, the more CO2 capture units are built, the more the cost will come down. No one has more to gain than Wyoming and its energy communities with the successful widespread deployment of this technology. While WyoFile continues to press the cost of carbon capture, we should ask our coal communities, can we afford not to? Randall Luthi, chief energy adviser for Gov. Mark Gordon, poses that question. WyoFile


Wyoming

Lawmakers float $10M 'stimulus' for enhanced oil recovery in Wyoming

The stimulus is intended to 'equalize' a federal tax incentive that rewards permanent CO2 storage over carbon dioxide used to produce oil. WyoFile


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Coal

U.S.

The cost of transporting coal to the electric power sector increased in 2022

Transportation costs increased across all three modes (railroad, waterway, and truck) and across almost all regional and state routes. Energy Information Administration


U.S.

US coal exports account for larger share of a shrinking market

As domestic consumption of U.S. coal declines in the near term, we expect exports to account for a larger share of total U.S. coal consumption, according to our recently released Short-Term Energy Outlook. We expect U.S. coal consumption will total 482 million short tons in 2024, 29% less than in 2019. We expect that exports will make up 19% of total demand in 2024 and 21% in 2025, up from a share of 14% in 2019 because of decreasing domestic consumption, especially from the electric power sector. Energy Information Administration


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Community Solar

U.S.

Community solar keeps growing. Here's what we still have to figure out.

First-mover states are saturating, fueling intense competition. And those rich incentives? They're increasingly tied to serving elusive low-income customers often skeptical of promises that are too good to be true. Renewable Energy World


U.S.

Reactivate launches community solar portfolio in LMI areas with Walmart, U.S. Bank

The projects will help approximately 5,000 households, along with area non-profits, businesses and a public school district, save as much as 20% on their monthly electricity costs. Solar Builder Magazine


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Demand Response

California

Sunrun 'distributed power plant' helps California utility ride out summer peaks amid NEM 3.0 row

SunRun program offered 27 MW of power to California grid over 90 days this summer. Energy-Storage.news


U.S.

Matching energy supply and demand in buildings

Commercial buildings, which account for 37% of all electrical load in the United States, offer an opportunity to implement impactful demand response strategies. TechXplore


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Ders

California

Sunrun and PG&E Complete First Season of Innovative Residential Distributed Power Plant

With an instantaneous peak output of nearly 32 megawatts, the program frequently supplied the grid with up to 30 megawatts -- sufficient power for more than 20,000 homes. North American Clean Energy


North Carolina

Duke Energy pilot could open door to VPPs at vertically integrated utilities, SELC attorney says

The program will offer incentives for customers to install batteries and rooftop solar -- and turn control over to Duke Energy. Utility Dive


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Energy Efficiency

International

Report: AI, crypto drive spike in data-center energy demands

A look at how high data center demand is going, could be 1/3 of power demand in the US by 2026. It will require efficiency rules to deal with reliably, affordably. Network World


International

Google & Danfoss Enter AI & Energy Efficiency Partnership

Danish firm Danfoss is working with Google to improve efficiency of cooling in its data centers, reuse waste heat. Energy Digital


International

Data centres improved greatly in energy efficiency as they grew massively larger

A look into the growth of data centers globally, which has shifted from primary markets like NoVa's Data Center Alley as the grid is short on capacity there. Questions whether efficiency can be maintained as AI advances The Economist


Missouri

Ameren Missouri proposes $205 million energy efficiency plan

Details Ameren's application for $370 million investment in efficiency and DR for programs that would run 2025-2027. Columbia Missourian


Vermont

Vermont has the most heat pump installations per capita in the NE

Vermont leads New England in heat pumps per capita with 63k installed - Maine has highest number at 131K, but also a higher population. Massachusetts, with its leading regional population, lags with just 30k. Burlington Free Press


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Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

A retirement boom for fossil fuels

Since early 2003, the United States has retired the same amount of fossil fueled electricity generation capacity as it has installed, even while the size of the economy has grown by two thirds. pv Magazine


International

Canada Tar Sands Are Larger Source of Air Pollution Than Previously Thought

The research found the oil operations are releasing vast quantities of compounds that can cause localized air pollution and form damaging particles that can travel across the continent. Inside Climate News


U.S.

The Propane Industry Is Trying To Dupe You

Documents and recordings obtained by HEATED detail a multi-million dollar plan to spin the fossil fuel as "clean" and "renewable." Heated


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Geothermal

California

CTR breaks ground on geothermal and lithium facility in California

Controlled Thermal Resources has broken ground on an integrated geothermal power and lithium production facility at the Salton Sea in California. Think GeoEnergy


California

California's forgotten hot springs oasis is finally reopening with 50 geothermal pools

Murrieta Hot Springs, a palm-shaded haven of steaming streams and coveted mud just north of Temecula, California, has been home to a Christian Bible college, a TV-free vegetarian commune and a popular mostly Jewish resort. Now comes a new chapter that will open the grounds and waters to the public for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Guam Daily Post


International

Study highlights the potential of geothermal power for decarbonizing electricity

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) are human-made or enriched reservoirs within the Earth's subsurface, from which heat can be extracted to produce geothermal energy. The energy produced by these reservoirs could serve as an alternative source of electricity, helping to mitigate carbon emissions. Tech Xplore


International

The role of flexible geothermal power in decarbonized electricity systems

Flexible geothermal plants preferentially displace the most expensive competing resources by shifting their generation on diurnal and seasonal timescales, with round-trip energy storage efficiencies of 59-93%. Benefits of EGS flexibility are robust across a range of electricity market and geothermal technology development scenarios. Nature


Massachusetts

Networked geothermal pilot project to be built in Boston, MA

The city of Boston, Massachusetts will be implementing the first networked geothermal pilot project in a public housing community in Dorchester. Think GeoEnergy


U.S.

New Analysis: Geothermal Heat Pumps Key Opportunity in Switch to Clean Energy

ORNL and NREL Modeling Finds Installing Geothermal Heat Pumps in About 70% of US Buildings Could Reduce Need for New Long-Distance Transmission Lines by 33% Clean Technica


U.S.

US DOE announces $31M funding for EGS and low-T geothermal projects

The US DOE Geothermal Technologies Office has announced a $31-million funding opportunity for projects on EGS wellbore tools and low-temperature energy storage. Think GeoEnergy


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Hydrogen

Indiana

Advocates worry hydrogen hub will fuel environmental injustice in Northwest Indiana

A federally funded hydrogen fuel production hub promises to decarbonize industry and transportation, but locals worry it will perpetuate pollution and accelerate carbon pipeline projects. Energy News Network


Indiana

Advocates worry hydrogen hub will fuel environmental injustice in Northwest Indiana

Indiana environmental and citizen groups say a lack of transparency for a planned regional hydrogen fuel hub is stoking fears that the project will primarily benefit polluting heavy industries -- though the federally funded program is meant to be part of a clean energy transition. Energy News Network


International

Hydrogen electrolyser factories are only operating at 10% capacity on average: BNEF

This is largely because market demand is "undershooting" manufacturer's expectations on the back of delays to green hydrogen projects, despite investments in both clean H2 and electrolysers tripling in 2023. Hydrogen Insight


U.S.

Green Hydrogen: A Multibillion-Dollar Energy Boondoggle

The high cost of the production tax credit -- $3/kg is equivalent to $91 per megawatt-hour, based on the energy content of hydrogen -- is far greater than wholesale electricity prices in the U.S., which in 2023 averaged between $30/MWh and $50/MWh. Manhattan Institute


U.S.

Part 1: The clean hydrogen paradox

The world needs to complement clean electricity with some other low-carbon energy. Can hydrogen fill the gap? Canary Media kicks off a special series. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 10: Clean energy experts break down hydrogen hype and hope

Top energy analysts Jesse Jenkins and Michael Liebreich dissect the role that clean hydrogen can realistically play in the clean energy transition. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 2: The dawn of the clean hydrogen economy -- visualized

Thanks to generous subsidies, the world is about to start making a lot more low- and zero-carbon hydrogen. These charts show how. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 3: Is clean hydrogen a climate solution? Depends how it's made -- and used

Clean hydrogen can help decarbonize the world. But only if it's made in an emissions-free way and used to do the stuff electricity can't handle. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 4: Clean hydrogen has a serious demand problem

Experts worry that U.S. policies to make clean hydrogen cheaper aren't enough to convince today's dirty hydrogen users to make the switch. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 5: How hydrogen 'e-fuels' can power big ships and planes

Hydrogen-based fuels, by contrast, pack more energy per volume than batteries or even hydrogen alone. And, unlike with biofuels, the ingredients needed to make these alternatives to petroleum are virtually unlimited. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 6: U.S. hydrogen hub plan may push clean hydrogen to the wrong users

Critics say the $7 billion program -- the country's chief plan to stoke demand for clean hydrogen -- could direct the fuel to industries where it's mostly a distraction. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 7: Is there any place for fossil fuels in the clean hydrogen future?

Fossil fuel interests want to shape the emerging clean hydrogen economy to serve their business needs -- a desire in conflict with climate goals. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 8: Clean hydrogen is driving the next Gulf Coast energy boom

Fossil fuel giants and renewables stalwarts alike are betting they can produce hydrogen without all the carbon emissions. Canary Media


U.S.

Part 9: Hydrogen trains and trucks are coming -- for better or worse

California is about to get its first hydrogen train, and more H2 vehicles are en route. But their role in decarbonizing transportation is still a matter of debate. Canary Media


U.S.

Clean hydrogen has a serious demand problem

Experts worry that U.S. policies to make clean hydrogen cheaper aren't enough to convince today's dirty hydrogen users to make the switch. Canary Media


U.S.

US 'hydrogen hub' plan may push clean hydrogen to the wrong users

Critics say the $7 billion program -- the country's chief plan to stoke demand for clean hydrogen -- could direct the fuel to industries where it's mostly a distraction. Canary Media


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Microgrids

U.S.

FEMA includes solar microgrids in net-zero disaster response program

For the first time, FEMA will fund net-zero energy projects, including solar, through its Public Assistance grant program, which covers rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other community infrastructure investments post-disasters. Solar Power World


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Natural Gas/lng

Colorado

Xcel Energy asks for another rate hike for natural gas customers in Colorado

Xcel wants a 7.4% rate hike in Colorado starting next year when higher rates from Winter Storm Uri are set to expire. CBS News


Illinois

EDITORIAL: Chicago should cool down on banning natural gas in new buildings and let this be debated statewide

Editorial calls on City of Chicago to hold off on banning gas in new buildings, leaving it for the state to debate. Chicago Tribune


International

Middle East conflict could fuel gas price volatility, warns IEA

The conflict in the Middle East joins Ukraine as a source of potential energy price spikes in the near future, IEA warns. Financial Times


International

Worries in Europe Over the White House Move to Delay Gas Terminals

With new reliance on US natural gas post Ukraine, Europeans are worried that restrictions on exports being adopted post Biden's review could lead to problems down the road. The New York Times


International

Russia's planned gas pipeline to China hit by construction delay

Mongolian President tells FT that major project to ship Russian gas to China through his country faces delays as two sides cannot agree on key issues. Project has been complicated by high natural gas prices. Financial Times


International

Europe Gas Demand Drives $223 Billion of New Polluting, Fossil Fuel Investments

Despite strong climate goals, Europe's reliance on natural gas is driving billions of investment in fossil fuel extraction/shipment around the world. Bloomberg


International

What Would Happen if a Major Waterway were Closed to LNG tankers?

With Houthis in the Red Sea and drought in Panama two of the major global arteries have issues with shipping and the article looks at how that could impact gas prices. Natural Gas World


International

African discoveries of natural gas pose vexing climate challenge

Africa is home to 40% of recent natural gas discoveries and countries like Senegal want to develop them and use $$ to grow their economy, but environmentalists worry about impact on climate change. The Washington Post


International

China Seen Driving LNG Demand Growth Amid Various Supply Constraints

Gas demand is expected to rise 2.5% this year, driven by China, IEA said. Agency also expects more price volatility in '24 than last year. Natural Gas Intelligence


Minnesota

Can these massive western Minnesota dairies convert cow manure and methane into renewable energy?

A new pipeline in Minnesota would carry gas from dairy cows to consumers and Star Tribune reports on a public hearing on the proposal held by state regulators. Star Tribune


National

Republicans plan broadside targeting Biden's LNG decision

Republicans in Congress plan big pushback to Biden's LNG pause, including possible legislation to try to stop it. E&E News by POLITICO


National

Implications of US Department of Energy Decision to 'Pause' Authorizations of Liquefied Natural Gas Exports May Extend Beyond Delays to Pending Projects

Law firm's analysis of the implication's of Biden's LNG pause, which could impact FERC too - which it said is not immune from outside pressure. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP


North Carolina

MVP Southgate's NC plans meet environmental opposition

MVP Southgate has changed its plans - for a shorter route with a bigger pipeline and environmentalists argue that should require a new review to go forward. Raleigh News & Observer


U.S.

Senator decries Biden administration 'hostility' toward LNG industry

Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy wrote in a Monday Wall Street Journal op-ed that he will block all of President Joe Biden's State and Energy department nominees until the administration relents. Oil Gas Daily


U.S.

Why a natural gas storage climate 'disaster' could happen again

A year after a major methane leak from underground gas storage, a new study identifies potentially thousands of similarly risky sites across the United States. Energy News Network


U.S.

Why a natural gas storage climate 'disaster' could happen again

According to a new report, there are thousands of potential opportunities for a natural gas leak across the country. The new analysis of data collected by federal regulators suggests there are as many as 11,446 storage wells in the country with the same key risk as the wells that failed at Rager Mountain and Aliso Canyon: They have only a single barrier to failure. Energy News Network


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Nuclear

International

Ontario announces C$2B refurbishment of Pickering nuclear plant

Provincial government-owned Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will start preliminary work for the Pickering station this year and the project is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, Ontario said in a statement. Reuters


International

The U.S., Russia and China are in a race to dominate new-wave nuclear energy -- and win global influence

The Biden administration and American companies are plowing billions of dollars into SMRs in a bid for business and global influence. CNN


Ohio

Federal agency, Energy Harbor seek to keep citizen groups out of Perry nuclear plant case

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission panel was to hear arguments Jan. 30 about whether two citizen groups can challenge Energy Harbor's application to extend the life of Ohio's Perry nuclear plant through 2046. The Ohio Nuclear-Free Network and Beyond Nuclear say they are worried about potential radioactive leaks into Lake Erie, as well earthquake risks that were not understood four decades ago when the plant was originally licensed. They also question whether the company adequately considered whether relicensing is necessary. Energy News Network


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Offshore Wind

California

California's First Floating Wind Farm Could Be in State Waters as Project Near Space Force Base Progresses

Floventis Energy's 60 MW floating wind proposal continues moving through the state permitting system(s), with the California State Lands Commission and the U.S Department of the Air Force now working on a joint environmental impact report/statement for the demonstration project. OffshoreWIND.biz


Delaware

Lewes: Wait and see on US Wind money for Delaware communities

US Wind program is offering each coastal town $2 million, paid $100,000 per year for 20 years. Cape Gazette


International

Glow-in-the-Dark Red Herrings & Dead Whales -- Offshore Wind Nonsense in Australia

Onshore wind has made some progress over the past decade, but access to offshore wind development is controlled by the federal government, so it had been slowed to almost a stop by the conservative government that was previously in power. Clean Technica


International

OPINION: Reversing the rising cost of offshore wind

To help tackle these challenges, stakeholders are encouraged to continue focusing on technology and long-term planning to support the continuation of the historical downward cost trajectory, writes Brian Bell, Global Director of Offshore Wind at Fugro. The Engineer


International

OPINION: Wind Power Takes a Leaf Out of Big Oil's Book in Pursuit of Net Zero

If we're to switch to a zero-emissions economy, some cutthroat tactics will be necessary, writes Bloomberg columnist David Fickling. Bloomberg


Maine

Maine environmental groups urge support for proposed offshore wind port ahead of siting decision

The state has zeroed in on two potential wind port sites in Searsport: Mack Point, a piece of shoreline that now partly houses a Sprague Energy oil and cargo terminal; and Sears Island, a state-owned conservation area popular for birding and outdoor recreation. Renewable Energy World


Massachusetts

Here's why Cape Cod groups are questioning the offshore wind industry

One theme among those who spoke is what they contend is a lack of information about both the potential benefits and drawbacks of utility-scale offshore wind facilities. Cape Cod Times


U.S.

Demand for U.S. East Coast offshore wind remains despite gust of disruptions

State regulators and electric utilities whose contracts have been canceled are also frustrated by sophisticated and experienced developers' need to terminate those projects. S&P Global


U.S.

Landmark Research Plan Established for Offshore Wind & Wildlife

The Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters is the result of intensive work over two years among scientists and representatives from government, industry, and environmental groups that make up the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind. Clean Technica


U.S.

Who's behind the latest effort to 'save the whales'? The fossil fuel industry

The Save the Right Whales Coalition is just one of a panoply of anti-renewable organizations identified in a new report from the Brown University Climate Development Lab that outlines a coordinated effort to combat the threat of offshore wind to the fossil fuel industry. WBUR


Virginia

Virginia bill to let non-utilities supply offshore wind energy pushed back to 2025

The bill was backed by multiple major renewable energy companies and would have required the Virginia Department of Energy to conduct a competitive bidding process for non-utility developers to provide that needed amount of electricity. Virginia Mercury


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Oil

California

California and Big Oil are splitting after century-long affair

California's oil output a century ago amounted to it being the fourth-largest crude producer in the U.S., and spawned hundreds of oil drillers, including some of the largest still in existence. Reuters


U.S.

Activist investors fret over Exxon Mobil's lawsuit bypassing US regulator

Exxon accused the investors in its lawsuit of abusing the process by putting forward resolutions to advance their agenda of diminishing its fossil fuels business, rather than grow shareholder value. It said that 90% of its shareholders voted down a similar proposal last year. Reuters


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Onshore Wind

International

Hydro-Quebec retains eight bids totalling 1550 MW of wind power

The average supply cost indicated in the winning bids is 7.8 c/kWh (2023 dollars), excluding transmission and balancing. Energy Global


International

Survey finds the farther away wind turbines are, the better they are accepted

The research data was collected by conducting a public participation survey in the regions of Southwest Finland and Satakunta that are wind power hubs and have a relatively high population density on a Finnish scale. TechXplore


North Dakota

PSC chair laments 'greenwashing' with North Dakota wind power

Public Service Commission Chair Randy Christmann noted that Verizon, which has a contract to buy power from a proposed NextEra wind farm in Oliver County, has no need for the electricity. KFGO


Oklahoma

Avangrid Expands Footprint to 25th State With Onshore Wind Project in Oklahoma

Pontotoc Wind will generate about 500,000 MWh of power each year. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and will produce more than 200 jobs. Businesswire


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Renewable Energy

Hawaii

Hawaii is at the forefront of clean energy (or is it?)

The closer the state gets to reaching its groundbreaking clean energy goals, the harder it will be to achieve them. Fast Company


Hawaii

Hawaii is quickly becoming America's clean energy paradise. Here's how it's happening.

Hawaii is blessed with an abundance of wind, sun and geothermal power but doesn't have a drop of fossil fuel. Instead, every 10 days or so an oil supertanker arrives at a refinery near the Honolulu port, producing almost 80% of the state's energy, Mikulina said. USA Today


International

More than 100% of Scotland's electricity demand produced by renewables for first time

Renewable power sources generated enough energy to meet 100 per cent of Scotland's electricity demand in 2022, recently released government data shows. Euronews


Michigan

Whitmer joins advocates in laying out clean energy future plan benefits

At a panel hosted by Evergreen Action on Jan. 26, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined members of Energy Innovation, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to discuss how the Clean Energy Future plan will impact Michigan's environment and the future of its economy. Michigan Advance


Minnesota

Minnesota considering changes to clean energy permits to reach a carbon-free transmission grid by 2040

A potentially influential state task force, to move forward the 2040 carbon-free pledge, recommends a number of changes to the permitting process, but "prime farmland" rule likely to stay. Star Tribune


Nebraska

Governor advocates for solar energy, says wind should be a local decision

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen believes clean energy has a future in the state. During his radio call-in show last week, a listener asked for the governor's thoughts on solar and wind energy. With regard to solar, Pillen says he's a believer. WJAG


U.S.

Tribes to sponsor 1 to 3 GW of renewables to help retire dams and restore salmon

Federal funding potentially reaching more than $1 billion will support the agreement, which began as a proposal to the Biden Administration from the four tribes and two states. pv Magazine


U.S.

We Don't Need to Reinvent Energy Storage for the Renewables Era

Decades-old, yet reliable, technologies are making a comeback as batteries for wind and solar power. Sierra Club


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Rooftop Solar

California

OPINION: California Needs More, Not Less, Rooftop Solar

Rooftop solar installations in the state have plummeted by more than 80% just during the time between regulators' approval of a plan slashing energy credits and the court's ruling upholding it, writes Anthony Lacey of the Environmental Working Group. Common Dreams


California

OPINION: California's Rooftop Solar Reckoning

Businesses have a habit of getting hooked on corporate welfare and then suffering painful withdrawals when government subsidies taper off, the Wall Street Journal's editorial board writes. Wall Street Journal


California

There's Still Time for California Regulators to Stop Crushing the state's Solar & Storage Industry

We know for certain that California's solar industry is not going away. The sector is a cornerstone of the state's economy, employing over 78,000 people and driving nearly $100 billion of private capital into communities statewide. Clean Technica


International

Off the roof: The quest to harness energy from facades

The initiative reflects stepped-up EU efforts to reduce buildings' emissions of greenhouse gases as part of the fight against climate change. Buildings account for around 36% of emissions in Europe and are part of an EU renovation wave. TechXplore


Minnesota

Minneapolis solar nonprofit is proving patience can bring results to lower-income residents

Solstar is a retired solar entrepreneur's effort to bring solar -- and jobs -- to a community where he rarely worked during his three-decade career in the industry. Energy News Network


U.S.

Commentary: Has solar lost the net-metering battle?

We should still be fighting for NEM, especially in areas where the penetration rates of solar remain low, but we need to simultaneously build our second line of defense for the equitable implementation of ToU, writes industry veteran Jessica Fishman. Solar Power World


U.S.

Houses of worship adding solar arrays

But these projects can be difficult to finance. And because houses of worship generally don't pay taxes, they've had trouble capitalizing on renewable energy tax benefits. Michigan Advance


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Solar

Arizona

Arizona Senate bill would tax solar energy sent out of state

Arizona lawmakers took the first steps Jan. 25 to treating sunlight the way Alaskans treat oil: Tax the power generated if it's going out of state and divide up the revenues among residents. SB 1066, approved on a 3-2 party line vote by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water, would require counties to establish a 12.5% royalty on every dollar received by companies that operate solar farms for commercial sale of electricity. And then those dollars would be divided up among residents. White Mountain Independent


Georgia

Suniva to restart idled solar cell factory in Georgia

Suniva ordered equipment for thermal process steps annealing, diffusion and anti-reflective coating and passivation from Germany's Centrotherm, as it proceeds with plans to expand high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cell production in Norcross, Georgia. pv Magazine


Illinois

Green Energy Justice Cooperative Selected to Develop Solar Projects for Low Income, BIPOC Communities in Illinois

The Green Energy Justice Cooperative recently placed first, second and fourth in the Illinois Power Agency's second round of community-driven community solar project selection. Being selected for this solar development program, made possible through the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, represents an important step in developing and building clean energy projects in Illinois communities. The co-op, founded by environmental justice group Blacks in Green and local partners, is now applying for renewable energy credits totaling $12.5 million. Inside Climate News


International

China Added More Solar Panels in 2023 Than U.S. Did In Its Entire History

The country added 216.9 gigawatts of solar last year, blowing away its previous record of 87.4 gigawatts from 2022, the National Energy Administration said in a statement. China also added 75.9 gigawatts of wind, up from 37.6 gigawatts last year, also a record. Financial Post


International

Oxford claims the world record for solar panel efficiency

The company says its solar panel achieved 25% conversion efficiency - the percentage of solar energy shining on a panel converted into electricity. That's a big deal compared to the more typical 16-24% in commercial solar panels. Electrek


Minnesota

Minneapolis solar nonprofit is proving patience can bring results to lower-income residents

One installation at a time, a solar nonprofit that matches socially conscious investors' cash with lower-income homeowners is spreading the benefits of solar in North Minneapolis. Solstar was formed three years ago by solar entrepreneur Ralph Jacobson following his retirement from IPS Solar, the pioneering Twin Cities' solar company he founded three decades ago earlier. It is a collective effort for clean energy leaders in North Minneapolis to address racial disparities. Energy News Network


New Hampshire

Grants would help less affluent New Hampshire towns invest in public solar projects

The state plans to use $1.4 million from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to help fund the installation of solar projects up to 60 kilowatts on municipal buildings or land. Renewable Energy World


New York

NYC Sees Rise in Energy-Related Leasing

Developing an in-state energy industry will generate some demand for commercial real estate. GlobeSt


Rhode Island

Solar energy just got more accessible in Rhode Island thanks to new program

Gov. Dan McKee launched a program Jan. 25 designed to make solar energy more accessible to Rhode Islanders. The Affordable Solar Access Program, also called ASAP, will provide solar leases and power purchase agreements to Rhode Islanders of low-to-moderate income that own single-family homes. PosiGen has partnered with the state to make the leases and agreements possible. WPRI-TV


U.S.

NREL says long-term degradation of 8 GW of U.S. solar 'matches expectations'

The short-term impact of extreme weather, such as flooding, high winds, hail, wildfire and lightning, was minimal in most PV systems studied. pv Magazine


U.S.

Severe weather can have long-term impact on solar generation

Events such as hail or high winds can have a lasting impact on solar panels' productivity, an NREL study found. Utility Dive


U.S.

Tracking the growth of domestic solar tracker manufacturing

While the math gets tricky on how to earn the domestic content tax credit, there's no question that the incentive has driven U.S. solar tracker manufacturing since the IRA was passed in 2022. Solar Builder Magazine


U.S.

FEMA to Cover Costs of Energy Resilient Post-Disaster Projects

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will begin paying to install solar panels on schools, hospitals and other public buildings that are rebuilt after disasters, making them more resilient against future disasters while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The change reflects the disaster agency's decision to use federal dollars to expand renewable energy as it copes with worsening climate shocks. The New York Times


U.S.

Across the country, houses of worship are going solar

Across the country, houses of worship are pursuing solar systems. As of 2021, about 2% of houses of worship in the United States have solar systems, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which the University of California manages for the U.S. Department of Energy. That's disproportionately high; houses of worship make up only 0.6% of all non-residential buildings. Grist


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Solar, Storage

California

A New Reality: The Path Forward for California's Solar and Storage Industry

The sector is a cornerstone of the state's economy, employing over 78,000 people and driving nearly $100 billion of private capital into communities statewide. Solar Energy Industries Association


California

Sunrun and PG&E Complete First Season of Innovative Residential Distributed Power Plant

Peaking at nearly 32 megawatts from 8,500 solar-plus-storage residential systems, Sunrun and Pacific Gas and Electric customers provided consistent, reliable clean energy to California's power grid through the summer and fall of 2023 through an exclusive partnership between PG&E and Sunrun, the nation's leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service. PR Newswire


North Carolina

Duke Energy pilot could open door to VPPs at vertically integrated utilities, SELC attorney says

The North Carolina Utilities Commission has given Duke Energy the green light to move ahead with its PowerPair residential solar-plus-storage incentive program, which will begin enrolling customers in May. Utility Dive


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Solar, Wind

International

OPINION: Are wind, solar power reliable in winter? Why we can't count on them.

So even though we're building more solar and wind capacity, we can't trust it to supply enough energy in winter, writes Jason Hayes of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. USA Today


International

Wind and solar set to overtake coal in China

The China Electricity Council (CEC) said in a yearly report that grid-connected wind and solar would make up around 40% of installed power generation capacity by the end of 2024, compared with 37% for coal. Bangkok Post


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Storage

Arizona

Salt River Project innovates new storage plan

Salt River Project has teamed up with CMBlu Energy for a pilot project that will use solar energy and discharge it overnight. It will supplement SRP's power system, helping provide stored power for longer periods, especially in times of fluctuating, high energy demand. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, with the project operational by December 2025. Arizona PBS


Indiana

200 MW/800 MWh battery storage system to be installed near Indiana coal plant

This system is expected to be operational by December 2024 and online during the MISO 2024-2025 winter season. Power Engineering


Indiana

AES gets regulatory approval for 200MW, 4-hour BESS at retiring coal plant in Indiana

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved a proposed large-scale battery storage project in development in the U.S. state by AES' regional utility subsidiary. AES Indiana said Jan. 26 that the regulatory body has green-lit the 200-MW/800MWh Pike County Battery Energy Storage Project, in the Indiana county of the same name. The standalone battery energy storage system asset is expected to come online by December this year. Energy Storage News


International

Electric Carmaker Rimac to Produce Stationary Energy-Storage Batteries

The first production lines will be opened in two months time at the company's new Jankomir facility on the outskirts of the Croatian capital Zagreb as part of a pilot project with Croatian renewable energy company ENNA. U.S. News & World Report


International

Big expansion' in battery manufacturing essential to global net zero goals, BloombergNEF says

The amount invested in energy storage soared globally during 2023, while battery manufacturing will require the biggest share of spending among clean energy technologies by 2030 to achieve net zero. BloombergNEF has just published the latest edition of its annual "Energy transition investment trends" report for 2024, including the above takeaways. Energy Storage News


Maine

Energy storage is growing in Maine, and utilities want to own it. Opponents are pushing back.

Battery storage that holds and releases solar and wind power when the sun won't shine and a breeze doesn't stir is drawing increased investment from developers as Maine tries to reach its clean energy goals. The question of who can own energy storage is now before state regulators. Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel


Nebraska

Bill in Nebraska legislature would protect homeowners' rights to energy storage systems

Solar and wind energy are needed increasingly across the state. They're more friendly to the environment, but many neighborhoods don't allow them. However, a bill was introduced in the unicameral Jan. 25 that hopes to address the issue. If passed, LB1119 would protect a homeowner's right to install and use an electric system on their property for the purpose of saving energy. WOWT


Tennessee

How giant 'water batteries' could make green power reliable

The machines that turn Tennessee's Raccoon Mountain into one of the world's largest energy storage devices -- in effect, a battery that can power a medium-size city -- are hidden in a cathedral-size cavern deep inside the mountain. But what enables the mountain to store all that energy is plain in an aerial photo. The summit plateau is occupied by a large lake that hangs high above the Tennessee River, so close it looks like it might fall in. Science


U.S.

'We're playing catch up': How grid operators see the future of battery storage

From interconnection to market structures, U.S. power grid operators are grappling with an onslaught of battery storage development, which has boomed due to the critical need to shore up variable renewable energy. Renewable Energy World


U.S.

We're playing catch up': How grid operators see the future of battery storage

From interconnection to market structures, U.S. power grid operators are grappling with an onslaught of battery storage development, which has boomed due to the critical need to shore up variable renewable energy. Power Engineering


U.S.

How portable batteries are rolling into PV+ storage projects

Portable battery storage on wheels has become a standard offering from a host of battery system suppliers. Around two dozen companies showcased portable battery options at the 2024 Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America in San Diego -- ranging from the size of a toaster to a large camping cooler. The appeal of these units may primarily be their portability, to power off-grid appliances while camping or doing remote construction work, but they're also an intriguing option for homeowners in need of backup power in a pinch. Solar Builder


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Transmission & Distribution

U.S.

The Holdouts in the Quest for a Better Power Grid

Farmers in Missouri are opposing the Grain Belt Express, a transmission line that will connect wind farms in Kansas with cities in the East. New Yorker


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Utility-scale Solar

International

PV commissioning times up by six months over past 20 years

Scientists in Switzerland used project-level data from BloombergNEF to analyze completion times of renewable energy projects across 48 countries. pv Magazine


U.S.

Solar power purchase agreement prices rise 15% year-over-year

PPA pricing rose in some markets like California and declined in others, including Texas, said a report from LevelTen Energy. pv Magazine


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Wind

North Dakota

PSC chair laments 'greenwashing' with North Dakota wind power

A North Dakota utilities regulator expressed concern Jan. 29 about a wind energy project that he said would provide "greenwashing" to a large corporation. Public Service Commission Chair Randy Christmann noted that Verizon, which has a contract to buy power from a proposed NextEra wind farm in Oliver County, has no need for the electricity. News From The States


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