Welcome to the latest NetZero Resources Intelligence Report.
This week we look at several of the most talked-about components of the clean energy transition — solar power, energy storage, advanced nuclear fission and wind power, both terrestrial and offshore.
K Kaufmann has an update on the Biden administration’s attempts to accelerate development of small modular reactors, decreasing their time to market and construction cost in the process. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced $900 million in federal funding to support creation of a pipeline of the newer nuclear generation systems.
E&E News looks at the bipartisan support that has coalesced around nuclear power, which historically has been a controversial and polarizing technology. In a rare show of unity, a package of measures that would streamline nuclear power development has enjoyed strong support on both sides of the aisle in Congress.
John Cropley reports on the New York Public Service Commission approving a long-awaited roadmap intended to get 6 GW of energy storage capacity online by 2030. The state has quite a way to go — installed capacity was just 400 MW as of April 1 — but the roadmap seeks to remove some of the barriers that have hindered development.
Meanwhile, pv magazine summarizes the quarterly energy storage report by Wood Mackenzie and American Clean Power, which found strong growth in both the grid-scale and residential storage sectors in the first three months of 2024 in the U.S. Grid-scale installations in the first quarter were particularly strong — 993 MW/2,952 MWh, which was 84% more than in the same period of 2023.
New York opened its 2024 solicitation for land-based large-scale renewable energy
projects, Cropley reports. The solicitation did not specify how many megawatts of solar and onshore wind capacity it is seeking, but the need is large: The state’s clean-energy portfolio is reeling from the cancellation of dozens of contracts for onshore renewables that became too expensive to construct.
In other onshore wind coverage:
In other photovoltaic coverage:
Cropley also has offshore wind reports at both the local and worldwide level.
German wind power developer RWE spoke with NetZero Insider about the early
survey work it is beginning to do this month for its planned Canopy Offshore Wind Farm in Northern California. A long road is ahead for the 1.6-GW floating turbine project, which is not expected to be completed until the mid-2030s.
The 2024 “Global Offshore Wind Report” by the Global Wind Energy Council documents sharp growth in construction in 2023 and predicts even stronger growth through the rest of the decade — if current policy support continues and effective strategies are implemented.
In other offshore wind coverage:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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International
Renewable diesel made from waste fat or used cooking oil has a lower carbon score than soy oil and therefore gets higher tax credits in California, where a large part of U.S green diesel currently is consumed. Bloomberg
Iowa
A national trade group that promotes ethanol joined its frequent foe -- a trade group that promotes oil companies and refineries -- this week in challenging new federal regulations that threaten them both: significantly reduced tailpipe emissions for new vehicles. Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S.
The plan relies on federal tax credits triggered by capturing carbon dioxide at refineries and then moving the gas hundreds of miles through pipelines that would snake across the Midwest. The Associated Press
U.S.
The ethanol industry has billed itself as a green alternative to oil and gas, but new research finds biofuel refineries are releasing toxic chemicals in farm communities across the nation. Inside Climate News
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Ohio
Biogas projects at wastewater plants serving Columbus and Cincinnati will offset roughly 50,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas annually, according to city officials. Energy News Network
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California
Proponents say biomass production could create clean energy and new jobs in rural California communities. Critics say biomass is not the green energy some claim it to be. Courthouse News Service
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Illinois
Following the passage of a new carbon dioxide pipeline and sequestration law in Illinois, landowners and advocates are still unhappy with several key provisions left out of the law, and are exploring options to end the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines and protect landowners from carbon being sequestered in their underground pore space against their will. Energy News Network
International
Salesforce has committed $25 million to Frontier, a corporate buyers group founded by Alphabet, Meta, Shopify and Stripe that pledged $1 billion by 2030 for carbon removal purchases. GreenBiz
North Dakota
The underground carbon dioxide storage plan that is key to the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project faced significant scrutiny during a three-day hearing last week in North Dakota. Nebraska Examiner
Pennsylvania
Environmentalists fear leaks, explosions, earthquakes and more from a carbon capture bill with bipartisan support. Grist
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International
New modelling from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis finds it is economically viable to use large-scale investment in renewables coupled with restructured power purchase agreements to replace these coal assets through transactions that cover all costs associated with their transition to renewables. IEEFA
U.S.
In earlier races for the White House, he pledged to get miners back to work. Now, political and economic realities have shifted. The New York Times
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International
Octopus Energy working with Tesla to make its power walls offer grid services - U.K.-based retailer starting in its homemarket, but it has an ERCOT business. TechInformed
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Illinois
Overall, the more than 59,000 DER on the ComEd smart grid includes 1,582 commercial systems, 118 community solar farms, 23 industrial, and two utility scale projects. Daily Energy Insider
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International
Growing demand for fossil fuel despite the scaling up of renewables could be a sticking point for the transition to lower carbon energy as global temperature increases reach 1.5C. Reuters
U.S.
The Supreme Court may soon decide the fate of dozens of cases brought by cities and states that seek to hold fossil fuel companies accountable. The New York Times
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U.S.
U.S. utilities are just starting to deploy grid-boosting tech like Smart Wires' SmartValve systems. A carbon-free grid will need a lot more of it to succeed. Canary Media
U.S.
The country has seen more than 19,000 wildfires that have burned more than 2.1 million acres nationwide so far in 2024. Daily Energy Insider
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International
The project aims to develop an industrial-scale floating green hydrogen and ammonia production facility based on the proven concept of floating production and offloading vessel Offshore Energy
International
The W?rtsil? 31 engine platform, the foundation of the hydrogen-ready power plant, synchronises with the grid within 30 seconds Energy Live News
Pennsylvania
Environmentalists have warned that the hubs won't reduce emissions and conservatives have warned that the hubs are another form of corporate welfare. The Center Square
U.S.
At the Hydrogen Americas Summit, fossil fuel giants attempt to redefine "clean" hydrogen, with profits in mind. DeSmog
U.S.
Current loopholes in the rules are opening the door for the very real -- if unintentional prospect of boosting hydrogen that is not clean and will not reduce emissions. Environmental Defense Fund
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South Carolina
The recycled material it gathers will be reused in new batteries for electric vehicles. It plans to employ 41 people at a 25,000-square-foot facility. South Carolina Daily Gazette
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International
China has been huge part of LNG demand and estimates are that will continue, but it can get gas from land pipelines, or use other fuels - and that could cut into future needs signficantly Bloomberg
International
EU issues first sanctions against Russian LNG - will stop them from using EU ports to shift gas from big ships to little ships - other sanctions agreed to as well. Financial Times
International
A look at the potential for a volatile summer for the global LNG market Bloomberg
International
LNG firm plans to build floating facility off British Columbia to get around local regulations Pique Newsmagazine
International
Article highlights the top 10 LNG firms and estimates for the industry's growth in coming decades Oil and Gas Middle East
International
Mexican LNG export plant soon to start operations with New Fortress Energy starting LNG production, will sell gas from US that goes to Mexico via pipeline Natural Gas World
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U.S.
What do microgrids mean for utilities? Are they the answers for climate change, security, and electrification? All the big issues for utilities? T&D World
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International
Still sticky economic issues with Europe getting off Russian natural gas, with column highlighting quandries in Germany and Austria Bloomberg
International
Oil companies continue "flaring" natural gas produced as byproduct - despite goals to limit the practice Reuters
International
Despite sanctions and pipeline explosions, Russia overtook USA as Europe's biggest gas supplier in May, for the first time in almost two years. Financial Times
Massachusetts
Legislation in Massachusetts could start to wind down natural gas utility service Boston Herald
North Carolina
The outcome of these regulatory proceedings, which include hearings over the summer and a Commission order by end of year, will shape over $100 billion in long-term investments proposed by Duke Energy, and ultimately largely paid for by North Carolina electricity customers. Environmental Defense Fund
North Dakota
North Dakota is awash in natural gas production - state wants ways to get it to market Natural Gas Intelligence
Pennsylvania
Shale drillers paid $180 million last year in "impact" fees to municipal and country governments. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Texas
Article details NRG's proposal to build new natural gas plants using Texas fund Power Engineering
Texas
Oil and gas production in Texas continues to set new records - including a new monthly record in May The Center Square
U.S.
Environmental groups argue that certified natural gas is "greenwashing" Common Dreams
U.S.
We estimate this percentage of gross withdrawals will be the lowest rate of venting and flaring recorded in 18 years. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
Summer heat is leading to higher utility bill forecasts from EIA Yahoo Finance
U.S.
Domestic drilling for oil and gas sees lowest rig count since January 2022 - down to 590. Indicates lower supply ahead. Natural Gas World
Virginia
The Mountain Valley Pipeline officially went into service Friday, after about a decade of steadfast opposition over concerns about environmental and community impacts in the areas in its path. Virginia Mercury
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California
The votes in the state Senate and Assembly on funding for the Diablo Canyon plant represented an interim step as Newsom and legislative leaders, all Democrats, continue to negotiate a new budget. But it sets up a public friction point involving one of the governor's signature proposals. The Hill
International
China has 27 nuclear reactors under construction with average construction timelines of about seven years, far faster than other countries, said the study by Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. Reuters
U.S.
The bipartisan nuclear energy package had a turbulent path to passage. Climate and economic benefits helped secure support. E&E News
U.S.
Other military branches and government agencies could replicate the RFI for prototype on-site microreactor power plants, USNIC Chair Jeff Merrifield said. Utility Dive
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International
More than 120 of the facilities will be installed between 2024 and 2030 at a cost of around $18 billion, Rystad estimates. Riviera Maritime Media
Maine
Floating wind is a fad, not an established technology -- it has yet to be built at utility scale or tested in a hurricane, writes David Wojick, a former U.S. Department of Energy Consultant. The Heartland Institute
Massachusetts
The exercise at Vineyard Wind's Marine Coordination Center successfully evaluated Vineyard Wind's ability to activate an incident management team and carry out the procedures in their approved oil spill response plans. Journal of Petroleum Technology
Massachusetts
If selected in ongoing offshore wind solicitations, the company will base offshore construction at the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, boosting local employment and economic opportunities through partnerships with local institutions. 4C Offshore
New York
The proposals seek to expand New York's transmission system in order to accommodate varying levels of offshore wind injection from lease areas in the New York Bight and off the coast of Massachusetts. North American Wind Power
New York
The proposed solutions include new underground and submarine electric transmission components that reflect innovation, area system expertise, and state-of- the-art technologies balanced with community and environmental stewardship. T&D World
New York
The two new hubs are further evidence that that US offshore wind industry is already back on its feet. CleanTechnica
Rhode Island
Just one month after the project started putting "steel in water," Revolution Wind announced this week it completed manufacturing the advanced foundation components for use in its eponymous wind farm. ecoRI News
U.S.
These facilities come with sizable construction and operational costs, including maintenance, repairs, replacement, and eventual decommissioning, writes energy industry consultant G. Allen Brooks. NorthJersey.com
U.S.
Tradeworkers are left hanging as offshore wind ambitions collide with industry woes. Sierra
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Idaho
The Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho is moving forward under a new plan that shrinks the project to nearly half of its originally proposed size. Oregon Capital Chronicle
International
Distributed wind, defined as a wind turbine producing less than 100KW, can be deployed in a greater range of locations, and can involve individual people directly in the production of clean energy. Power Technology
Iowa
REGEN takes in shredded bits of turbine blades and refines them further to be used in a variety of products, including as strengtheners in concrete and asphalt. The company expects to generate about 60 million pounds of it annually. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Michigan
Wind turbines are part of a bigger discussion on renewable energy and sustainability as a whole. There have been discussions in both state and the federal governments if they should be used as an alternative source of energy, rather than fossil fuels, in order to reduce carbon emissions. Iron Country Reporter
Mississippi
Amazon is the core customer for the 184-MW installation in Mississippi, which comes as the onshore wind industry attempts to rebound after a slow 2023. Canary Media
Nebraska
They were two of the earliest examples of what utility-class wind production in Nebraska might require when they were installed in late 1998 and 1999. Nebraska Examiner
U.S.
Good places for wind turbines are where the annual average wind speed is at least 9 miles per hour (mph) -- or 4.0 meters per second (m/s) -- for small wind turbines and 13 mph (5.8 m/s) for utility-scale turbines. Energy Information Administration
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Colorado
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack joined U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Fort Collins on Monday to announce a $9.12 million investment in clean energy for rural communities in northern Colorado. Colorado Newsline
Illinois
The purpose of the REAP is to create an actionable plan to meet the goals of Illinois's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, providing the necessary scaffolding to ensure that the state can decarbonize its electricity supply mix equitably, affordably and on time. NRDC
Indiana
In a new report, The Nature Conservancy says the quickest way for the state to gain energy independence is to utilize unused sites -- such as abandoned mines, brownfields or dumpsites -- to develop solar and wind farms. Public News Service
International
Strazik explains how today's electrical grid limits renewable energy's potential, and why it desperately needs a "new brain." Fast Company
International
As Australia moves to reduce carbon emissions, local governments say policy is needed to protect food security and regional communities. The ABC
Michigan
During a day-long summit Monday in Detroit, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared, "Michigan's clean energy future is bright." Michigan Advance
Midwest
Clean energy advocates in the Midwest say major data center investments pose both a risk and an opportunity, as they can put major stress on the grid, prolong the lives of coal plants and spark new natural gas plants, but also facilitate significant renewable energy investment. Wisconsin Examiner
New York
Under these memorandums of understanding ), NYSERDA, through its Build-Ready Programme, will work closely with two counties to explore the feasibility of developing renewable energy at an airport and closed landfill. Renewable Energy Magazine
North Carolina
North Carolina climate activists argue that Duke Energy's net-zero plan is too reliant on gas and unproven technologies and too dismissive of resources like solar and battery storage. Energy News Network
U.S.
Military bases have played a similar role since the Obama era in helping to "de-risk" other frontier technologies that are now a growing bulwark of the power system -- like the once-exotic pairing of solar and wind power with large-scale batteries. The Hill
U.S.
Faulty studies, supply chain woes and costly grid upgrades are delaying projects and preventing more clean electricity from reaching homes, experts say. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The march toward net-zero carbon dioxide emissions and the insistence that we replace fossil fuel-based energy sources with so-called renewable energy sources like wind and solar poses the largest threat to an AI-based future, writes Chris Talgo, editorial director at The Heartland Institute. The Hill
U.S.
The DOD's participation in the GSA program will provide an estimated 135 megawatts and approximately 4.8 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy in both states over a 15-year delivery period from two newly constructed off-site solar facilities in South Carolina. PR Newswire
U.S.
A $3.3B Microsoft data center complex planned for Wisconsin highlights the challenges of meeting new power demand with clean energy. Canary Media
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U.S.
The project aims to develop a combination of optical, thermal and energy models for roof-integrated solar shingles to improve understanding of the benefits solar shingles provide in heating and air conditioning efficiency for the home. Solar Power World
U.S.
Installers can use drones to confirm final design accuracy, site context, and gather information necessary for safety checklists. Adding installation data, such as confirmation of work done, alongside survey and design documents provides the information necessary for future projects and O&M. Solar Power World
U.S.
Distributed generation is an indispensable component in our clean energy transition because it provides a more flexible and efficient approach to solar adoption. Solar Power World
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International
Allowing livestock to graze under renewable developments gives farmers a separate income stream, but solar developers have been slow to catch on. The Guardian
International
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, stated that on June 16, the share of solar energy in electricity production broke a record by exceeding 44% during the day. Azernews
Massachusetts
Massachusetts solar advocates call for a requirement for municipalities to accept electronic submission of solar permit applications and associated documentation, and sets a timetable for authorities to act. CommonWealth Beacon
Tennessee
ReCreate is a joint venture between European solar panel brand Recom and Create Energy, a supporter of American renewable energy manufacturing founded by Dean Solon, the founder of eBOS manufacturer Shoals. Solar Power World
U.S.
New research finds that covering even a small portion of a lake or reservoir's surface with floating solar panels could generate a significant amount of electricity. Canary Media
U.S.
Installations are growing, but experts say the benefits of solar panels on rooftops come with significant costs. The Wall Street Journal
U.S.
Many startups have tried to commercialize alternative solar panel materials, with little success. Swift says its next-gen modules will hit the market in a few years. Canary Media
U.S.
In the first quarter of this year, the United States added 11GW of new solar panel production capacity, breaking the historical record and becoming the fastest growing quarter in the history of the U.S. photovoltaic manufacturing industry. EnergyTrend
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Hawaii
The 60 MW K?ihelani solar-plus-storage facility will generate enough electricity for 27,000 homes, with a 240 MWh battery energy storage system. pv magazine
U.S.
A guide to utility resource plans aims to help state regulators and others engage effectively with utilities in reviewing the plans, which have often been challenged for limiting solar and storage in projections of new generating capacity needed. pv magazine
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International
Spain's total wind generation capacity, its prime renewable source in recent years, has doubled since 2008. Solar energy capacity, meanwhile, has increased by a factor of eight over the same period. BBC
U.S.
While both technologies offer their own advantages, specific factors like your budget, land availability, and available financial incentives, will determine which solution is more advantageous to you. AltEnergyMag
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Arizona
Salt River Project and Plus Power are hosting a ribbon-cutting event to commemorate the opening of two new battery storage facilities, Sierra Estrella Energy Storage and Superstition Energy Storage. SRP
California
The California Energy Commission has approved $26.7 million in funding for three long-duration energy storage projects that will be built by Redflow, RedoxBlox and Noon Energy to serve disadvantaged, low-income and tribal communities. Utility Dive
International
The top exhaust and venting design and fire-resistance bulkheads helped PowerTitan1.0 energy storage system successfully pass this "real fire test," achieving the expected objectives. Solar Builder
International
A fourfold increase in global BESS deployment is forecast from 2023 to 2030, reaching 572GW. reNEWS.biz
New York
NYSERDA is allocating $5 million to fund up to 50% of project costs for developing energy storage systems capable of operating for 10 to 100 hours, addressing key integration challenges and promoting viable economic products within New York's energy grid. pv magazine
Rhode Island
The Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would require the state to build more energy storage systems as Rhode Island moves toward renewable forms of energy. What's Up Newp
U.S.
Residential distributed energy resources, especially EVs and in-home batteries, could make up for the expected growth in peak energy demand by 2035, and at a lower cost than building new infrastructure, according to a new report by Deloitte. Utility Dive
U.S.
Wood Mackenzie reported large growth in Q1 year-over-year for grid-scale storage and residential storage, while commercial and industrial storage slowed. pv magazine
Utah
U.S.-based technology provider Torus has agreed to supply nearly 26 MWh of energy storage for Gardner Group's commercial real estate portfolio. pv magazine
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International
The solution will require innovations far beyond advanced chips and AI. Mother Jones
Minnesota
A coalition striving to get states to approve high-voltage transmission lines along highways has won a first battle in Minnesota -- and wants to expand to other states. Canary Media
Nevada
With Greenlink delayed about a year and estimated at $4.2 billion (not including monthly interest carrying costs, which the utility will recover from customers), NV Energyis seeking financial incentives to recoup costs before it comes on line. Nevada Current
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California
The U.S. Department of Energy has funded an initiative seeking greater consensus among solar companies, conservation groups, agricultural interests, tribal nations and others in developing large-scale solar projects. Stanford University
Georgia
The General Assembly sought to address that issue this year by passing legislation requiring solar companies that lease property for solar farms to restore the land to its natural state after the lease expires and provide financial assurance at least equal to the cost. Capitol Beat
International
The researchers calculated the daily electrical output for floating photovoltaics (FPV) on nearly 68,000 lakes and reservoirs around the world, using available climate data for each location. Renewable Energy World
Mississippi
The biggest solar energy project in Mississippi was given the go ahead by the Hinds County Board of Supervisors despite protests from locals. The Soul City Solar project got a conditional use permit June 17. Microgrid Media
New Mexico
Researchers are trying to understand how utility-scale solar affects New Mexico pronghorn. High Country News
U.S.
Contrary to some recent examples, solar projects don't need to be sitting ducks, even in hail-prone places like Texas. Inside Climate News
Virginia
During a storm, rain gathers on the solar panels, then falls to the ground, infiltrating vegetation below and raising this question: Should solar panel sites be considered impervious, such as a parking lot, or pervious, such as a grass field? The DEQ's initial assessment concluded that the panels should be considered 100 percent impervious and recommended best management practices accordingly to prevent water pollution. Virginia Tech News
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