We start this week’s NetZero Resources Intelligence Report with updates on offshore wind.
There were multiple developments in this promising but struggling U.S. power sector, and NetZero Insider’s John Cropley has coverage of four of them:
The Sierra Club commissioned an analysis that concluded adding 9 GW of offshore wind generation to the New England grid would reduce the average monthly residential electric bill by $2.79 to $4.61, despite the high cost of constructing wind farms, because they would reduce reliance on costly natural gas.
Back on land, Cropley reports on a project that will replace a fossil-fired peaker plant with a battery energy storage system that will be the largest in New York City when completed in 2025 but may not hold the title for long, as other storage developers also are working to add capacity.
We have gathered the usual array of coverage from other media outlets, as well.
Nuclear power got a lot of attention this past week:
In the “unlikely turnabout” category:
Finally, two stories that illustrate how far the clean energy industry has come:
The Independent reports that the new solar plant that is now the world’s largest has been connected to the grid in China’s Xinjiang province. It is spread across 200,000 acres, and its annual capacity is more than 6 billion kWh.
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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California
The intention to count on CCS to help California become carbon-neutral by 2045 drew criticism from some national and state experts, who called it risky to include the method in a key emissions-reduction plan. E&E News
International
Direct air capture is expensive and energy-intensive. Climeworks, which operates the world's largest DAC plant, says it's making progress tackling both challenges. Canary Media
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North Carolina
The utility aims to retire all of its coal plants by 2035. Axios
North Dakota
Coyote Station, outside Beulah, N.D., is also a particularly dirty coal plant, emitting far more sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury than any coal plant in Minnesota. It's depreciable life runs through 2040. TechXplore
U.S.
Coal's decline started long before Jared Polis became governor of Colorado in 2019 and Joe Biden was elected president in 2020. Both have shepherded policies that take climate change seriously, but the shift from coal was already well underway. Colorado Newsline
U.S.
Environmental groups are making a new economic argument against coal, the heaviest polluting fossil fuel. Some regulators are listening. The New York Times
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California
Utility regulators voted on a program designed to boost community solar. Solar and consumer advocates say the plan is flawed. Inside Climate News
California
California's utilities regulator has adopted new rules for community solar projects, despite warnings from clean energy advocates that the move will actually undercut efforts to expand solar power options for low-income customers. CalMatters
California
Maybe the governor has been a victim of his own success, raising expectations to the point where his mistakes shine as brightly as his accomplishments, writes climate columnist Sammy Roth. Los Angeles Times
Illinois
Solar firm Solstice has developed AI tools to identify disengaged community subscribers in hopes of decreasing churn and making programs more efficient. Canary Media
U.S.
States with targeted policies expand the opportunities further to lower-income households. Solar Power World
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California
Governor Gavin Newsom plans to slash funding for batteries and utility customers to help with grid emergencies -- but money for fossil fuel generators keeps flowing. Canary Media
U.S.
Look into start ups promising to turn EVs into VPPs and how they can help the grid The Logic
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U.S.
Most of the total energy in fossil fuels is wasted so switching to renewables will mean more efficient overall energy use Bloomberg
U.S.
If a more cooperative policy were introduced, then U.S. companies, the American Petroleum Institute, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would have a stake in employing creative and open-minded leaders to participate in government planning, writes Frank T. Manheim, distinguished research fellow at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. The Hill
U.S.
Fossil fuel use is inefficient and RMI puts total spending on waste energy from it at $4.6 trillion per year, globally - 40% of total spend on energy Rocky Mountain Institute
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California
The City Council in Alameda, Calif., voted to stop tests of a device that could one day cool the Earth. Scientists and city staff had previously concluded the tests posed no risk. The New York Times
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Massachusetts
The $14 million project includes a one-mile loop of pipes that will connect to houses, apartments, commercial buildings, a community college campus, and a fire station. Canary Media
Utah
The breakthrough at Utah's unique underground lab "bodes well for a renewable energy that is 24/7." Salt Lake Tribune
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U.S.
The company is developing Copilot, an AI-powered digital assistant, to help utilities manage the renewable energy, storage and other resources coming on to the grid. Utility Dive
U.S.
Energy experts say the most state-of-the-art grid-enhancing technologies needed to meet rising electricity consumption are struggling to get a foothold in the United States. E&E News
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California
After a decade of lobbying, SoCalGas is planning to blend hydrogen into gas lines serving a mostly Latino town in the San Joaquin Valley. Fast Company
International
These new solutions are intended to help significantly simplify the design, engineering and automation of hydrogen production plants, enabling a quicker scale-up of hydrogen production. Siemens
Pennsylvania
The plan is to capture methane from coal mines -- found at those both active and abandoned, released from underground seams during and long after the extraction process -- and sell it to Pennsylvania hydrogen producers. Pennsylvania Capital-Star
U.S.
The 54 groups argued in their letter that the department has offered "scant public information" about the planned Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub that would create a hydrogen-based network of production and manufacturing based using the region's natural gas. The Center Square
U.S.
Developers in the United States have plans to expand hydrogen production using technologies that make use of electricity, an early sign that hydrogen production could move away from its current reliance on hydrocarbon feedstocks in the coming years. Energy Information Administration
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International
The increasing flow of power north is part of a worrying trend for North America: Demand for energy is growing robustly everywhere, but the supply of power -- in Canada's case from giant hydroelectric dams -- and the ability to get the energy to where it's needed are increasingly under strain. The New York Times
International
The struggle of the world's largest source of renewable energy last year could have important implications for the fight against climate change. The New York Times
Maine
The corporate giant generates nearly 90 percent of the state's hydropower. The Maine Monitor
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Arizona
It allows Big Sandy, Inc. -- a subsidiary of Arizona Lithium Ltd. -- to drill and test up to 131 exploration holes across approximately 21 acres of BLM-managed public land to determine whether a full-scale lithium mining operation could be viable. Bureau of Land Management
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International
Key part of Australian LNG export facility shuts down, adding to global supply issues (along with Norweigian supply slump) Bloomberg
International
Both Greek and European Union subsidies have funded new pipelines that crisscross the country and connect to a brand-new import terminal that will send gas to a broad swath of Central and Eastern Europe for decades to come. The New York Times
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California
Researchers created a model of a real-world military microgrid, including the solar arrays, battery systems, vehicle chargers and protection equipment found at an actual California base. Microgrid Knowledge
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International
Energy policy expert Jason Bordoff called on governments and multilateral organizations to come together to enable the rapid deployment of the capital needed to sustainably roll out green technology, while ensuring minimal risk of geopolitical fragmentation. World Economic Forum
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Alaska
Gas producer Pantheon signs contract for space on Alaska LNG project Yahoo
Finance
California
July and August are historically the top months for gas-fired power generation in the California Independent System Operator power network, as temperatures typically peak around those months and spur higher energy demand for cooling. Reuters
California
Elliot Mainzer gives interview to Bloomberg, talks issues facing CAISO and says grid still needs natural gas despite storage, renewables growth. Bloomberg
International
Europe has gotten over dislocations in gas from cutting off Russian supply, but its gas industry still needs reforms as use drops long-term and fewer and fewer users will need to maintain huge T&D system. Financial Times
International
European gas prices surge as Norweigian supplies slump, highlighting tight balance since Ukraine War started Bloomberg
International
Russia-China pipeline deal hits the rocks as Beijing asks for prices in line with what Moscow subsidizes for its citizens and refuses to buy much of its capacity Financial Times
International
Japan's largest gas LDC looks to increase ownership of US shale production after $2.7 billion deal for producer in December and purchase of marketer in February Reuters
Tennessee
TVA ignores arguments from EPA against its plan to replace old coal plant with new natural gas generation The Associated Press
Texas
The utility says it must increase its generating capacity by 40% over the next four years to meet new population and economic growth in its service territory. Utility Dive
Texas
Residents of Arlington, Texas can proceed with lawsuit over city decision to move forward with natural gas drilling after winning appeal of earlier dismissal Fort Worth Report
Texas
Permian oil production continues to expand, meaning more cheap gas and leading to need for pipelines to avoid wasting it Oil & Gas Journal
U.S.
Small natural gas leaks in homes are undetecable and can lead to unsafe levels of benzene - a carcinogen, study finds Phys.org
U.S.
Texas A&M Professor argues oil and gas companies are spending money to sew doubts about renewables to maintain their market share in op-ed The New York Times
Utah
Dominion sold Utah LDC Questar to Enbridge for $4.3 billion, deal now done and customers got emails about new owners KSL.com
Wisconsin
Alliant Energy is switching coal plant to natural gas as it works to clean up emissions Sheboygan Press
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Georgia
State leaders celebrate new reactors with cake while residents watch power bills rise. Grist
Georgia
A new report criticizes the role of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which allowed the nuclear plant to move forward. It also questions the impact of the plant on consumers. WUGA
International
The cost of SMRs is at the forefront of the report's argument against the deployment of the reactors. According to some of the data it provides, all three SMRs currently operating (plus one now being completed in Argentina) went way over budget, as this graph shows. New Atlas
U.S.
Following recent challenges with Plant Vogtle and global SMR projects, the administration has created a working group to offer ideas for more cost-effective nuclear energy deployments. Utility Dive
U.S.
The framework focused on user-friendly approaches, with discussions of change and project management, as well as new models for innovation to help industry define their goals, identify actions to meet them, address barriers and adopt ways to overcome them. Daily Energy Insider
U.S.
Too expensive, slow, and risky for investors, and they're taking focus off renewables, say IEEFA experts. The Register
U.S.
Three Idaho National Laboratory scientists spoke about the lab's advanced reactor projects and the future of nuclear power at a May 23 presentation. Utility Dive
U.S.
The lure of fusion's awesome energy potential continues to draw interest from entrepreneurs and investors alike -- despite the tech being far from viability. Canary Media
U.S.
Electric customers in Georgia already have paid billions for what may be the most expensive power plant ever. The federal government aided Vogtle by guaranteeing the repayment of $12 billion in loans, reducing borrowing costs. The Associated Press
U.S.
About a dozen U.S. reactors have closed since 2013, due to competition from natural gas fired power and increases in safety costs. Some of those are too far into decommissioning to restart. Reuters
U.S.
Price shock, engineering mishaps, long delays and a spate of corruption have not deterred the White House from its nuclear energy ambitions. Washington Post
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International
A look at the outcome of the groundbreaking AO5 Sud de la Bretagne Tender, including the criteria that impacted the decision-making process and the implications for future tenders. Wood Mackenzie
Maine
Sprague Energy is throwing more weight behind a public-relations campaign to get the state to reconsider its preferred site for a $760 million offshore wind port, but Gov. Janet Mills' administration is continuing to shoot down the idea. Bangor Daily News
Massachusetts
The acquisitions are all properties surrounding MassCEC's Marine Commerce Terminal, which is currently leased to Vineyard Wind and stacked with the massive components for the nation's first large-scale offshore wind farm. New Bedford Light
U.S.
As wind energy develops in the Atlantic Ocean, experts unite to ensure it's done in the most eco-friendly and environmentally responsible way. The Revelator
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International
The U.S. majors' more bullish forecasts on oil demand have led them to take a different approach to the energy transition, prioritizing decarbonizing their products rather than diversifying into renewables and associated cleantech, per the Europeans. TechXplore
U.S.
The ex-president's pledge to the fossil fuel industry is the latest to emerge from a closed-door fundraising meeting. Washington Post
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U.S.
Law firm offers legal analysis of recent EPA rule on methane leakage from oil and gas production Foley & Lardner LLP
U.S.
American oil and gas companies have cut back on methane emissions even as production reached record heights, a new analysis shows. Canary Media
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Iowa
For struggling farmers, wind power leases have made the difference between keeping the family farm and losing it as agriculture becomes more unstable due to climate change. Each turbine takes up less than an acre, leaving plenty of farmable land left. CBS News
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Hawaii
Hawaii's rolling blackouts were due to unexpected outages of oil-fired generating plants at a time when others were offline, write Richard Rocheleau, director of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, and Derek Stenclik, a founding partner of Telos Energy. Honolulu Civil Beat
Rhode Island
For PPL, the partnership with URI is among numerous higher-education collaborations it has developed to further research initiatives to reach its sustainability goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Rhody Today
U.S.
The talks come as a surprising surge in electricity demand has been driven by the adoption of technologies like generative artificial intelligence that require power-hungry data centers. This development could complicate Biden's target of decarbonizing the power sector by 2035 to fight climate change. Reuters
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Missouri
The project proposes to convert biogas generated at Springfield's Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill and Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant into renewable natural gas and deliver the renewable energy source to the grid of natural gas pipelines. KY3
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International
The Fronius Gen24 inverter comes to North America after success in Europe. pv Magazine
U.S.
The residential solar segment is feeling the full weight of policy changes in California and experienced its worst quarter in two years, installing just 1.3 GW -- a 25% decline year-over-year and 18% quarter-over-quarter. Solar Power World
Vermont
As a result of the adjustments, future net-metering systems that apply for permits on or after Aug. 1 will see a small net decrease in compensation -- about three-fourths of a cent -- from what existing systems receive today. Daily Energy Insider
Virginia
The company began requiring upgrades for a "direct transfer trip," a device which automatically disconnects a system from the grid, on some projects. Doing so requires laying a dark fiber optic transmission line to a substation at a cost of $150,000 to $250,000 per mile. Clean Technica
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International
Global manufacturer Canadian Solar challenges prevailing support for tariffs among solar manufacturers, questions the accuracy of capacity estimations, and adverse financial effects. pv Magazine
International
Easy access to finance has led to unsustainably low prices and unnecessary losses, impacting China's ability to sustain support for renewable energy systems. As the nation expands clean power installations and enhances grid-balancing capacity, maintaining consistent financial support has become more challenging. pv Magazine
International
A German research team found that a circular recycling approach could address foreseeable supply problems. It could also reportedly become economically sustainable. pv Magazine
International
Countries such as, Japan have seen 13 times as many solar panels per person than India and 41 times as many as Egypt. Saur Energy
Texas
The new 50,000-square-foot, $30 million facility in Houston is dedicated exclusively to manufacturing solar structures and trackers and will help lead the country's rapidly expanding solar power generation infrastructure. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
Total US solar module manufacturing capacity now exceeds 26 GW annually. Renewable Energy Magazine
U.S.
Wood Mackenzie is tracking the capacity that manufacturers have announced will come online in the U.S.; however, three challenges remain including a balance of materials, pricing and tariffs. pv Magazine
Utah
In 1980, Natural Bridges National Monument launched the largest solar power plant in the world, and it's still going. Salt Lake Tribune
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U.S.
Baldy Mesa is one of 10 solar-plus-storage projects Amazon is developing in California and Arizona with nearly 1.5 gigawatts of combined battery storage capacity. Newsweek
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International
Wind and solar power generation in the European Union increased by 46% from 2019, when the current European Commission took office, to 2023, displacing a fifth of the bloc's fossil fuel generation, a report by think tank Ember showed. Reuters
New York
By blocking projects that could generate economic activity and passive tax revenue in rural areas, these campaigns are hurting the communities they purport to protect, both economically and environmentally. RealClearEnergy
U.S.
Wind power is more vulnerable than solar power to many of the biggest logistical hurdles that hinder energy projects today: a lack of transmission lines, a lengthy permitting process and a growing backlash against new projects in many communities. The New York Times
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International
Researchers in South Korea have successfully demonstrated the use of free ambient air as a fuel leveraging a sodium-based solid electrolyte to tackle the carbonate issue that has been holding back the rollout of metal-air batteries. pv Magazine
International
However, non-lithium-ion storage costs are unlikely to decline as rapidly as costs for lithium-ion batteries through the end of the decade, BNEF said. Utility Dive
U.S.
While most long-duration energy storage technologies are still early-stage and costly compared to lithium-ion batteries, some have already or are set to achieve lower costs for longer durations, finds BloombergNEF. pv Magazine
U.S.
SorbiForce uses no toxic products or metals in production of its batteries. It claims its systems are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion batteries and have near zero end-of-life waste. pv Magazine
Utah
The deal will see 26 MWh of systems installed and supported by Torus' proprietary software platform, enabling intelligent energy management, demand response capabilities, and seamless integration with renewable energy sources and EV charging infrastructure. pv Magazine
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California
Incidental Take Permits of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act authorize renewable energy developers to take western Joshua trees with an option to pay a standard mitigation fee rather than complete mitigation actions. pv Magazine
Idaho
The Department of Energy will develop a 400 MW solar array at the Idaho National Laboratory site, large enough to power about 70,00 homes pv Magazine
International
The facility in a desert region of the north-west province of Xinjiang covers 200,000 acres and has an annual capacity of more than 6 billion KWh AOL
Maine
Some advocates say the rules unfairly single out clean energy based on limited data, but they hope the fees could help funnel development toward brownfields and less productive farmland. Energy News Network
U.S.
Together, these bills are a windfall for the industries that produce types of energy favored by environmentalists, but there's surprisingly little in it for anyone else. National Review
U.S.
The research will generate actionable insights that improve outcomes for host communities -- particularly those that are underserved -- and the solar industry. Solar Power World
U.S.
In both April and May, approximately 20% of respondents -- up from just 12% in March -- have discussed leasing farmland for solar energy production within the last six months. Solar Builder
Wyoming
The 771-megawatt project, slated to start construction in 2025, is part of a trend of big solar-plus-storage plants in unexpected places. Canary Media
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International
This update, a product of joint industry collaboration, marks a significant milestone in enhancing reliability and safety within the wind energy sector. Windpower Engineering
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