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Hello again, and welcome to this week’s Resources Intelligence Report. The NetZero Insider staff has updates on a potentially important piece of the clean energy transition that is at once promising, challenging and contentious: hydrogen.
Elaine Goodman reports that California and the federal government have reached agreement on the first of up to seven regional hubs that are intended to form the basis of national clean hydrogen network that will help decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy. As much as $1.2 billion in federal funding will leverage $11.4 billion in additional investments as California’s hub takes shape.
John Cropley looks at two reports centered on the central challenge involved: producing and using clean hydrogen in a way that is both economically viable and environmentally beneficial. National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers conclude that electricity from offshore wind turbines could accomplish this, while a Clean Air Task Force analysis concludes that using clean hydrogen to power the grid would be expensive and inefficient.
In other offshore wind news, Vincent Gabrielle covers two developments in New York in a single story: The state kicked off its fifth offshore wind solicitation, and state officials helped stage a ceremonial groundbreaking for Sunrise Wind, which is planned to be the second offshore wind farm feeding into the state’s grid.
Cropley updates us on what has become a public relations crisis for the offshore wind industry as it struggles to build momentum in the U.S.: A blade failure at the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind farm, Vineyard Wind, has halted construction and operations and littered beaches with debris.
Pulling back for the larger picture, Cropley boils down the 2024 report on global renewables from the International Renewable Energy Agency. The takeaway: 2023 saw record growth in renewable capacity, but even if that rate were sustained for the next six years, it would not be enough to meet the 2030 goal endorsed at COP28.
Finally, K Kaufmann has a story on the race to develop commercially viable nuclear fusion technology. A new report from the Fusion Industry Association indicates about 45 companies are working toward this goal and nearly half expect to deliver power to the grid between 2031 and 2035.
Turning to our collected and curated news from other media outlets:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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U.S.
Renewable propane has become a new byproduct or product in the biofuels sector where production utilizes municipal waste, agricultural residue, forest resources and fats, oils, and greases. Biodiesel Magazine
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Montana
The Big Sky State hopes to get federal incentives to store captured carbon under public lands, but for many residents near the project, the threat is greater than the opportunity. Inside Climate News
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U.S.
The R M Schahfer coal plant in Indiana emerged as the most feasible smaller electric capacity site, generating 1,000 MWe or less, while the AES Petersburg plant in Indiana was top-ranked among the larger electric capacity sites, having generation capacity greater than 1,000 MWe. American Public Power Association
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New York
The campaign has begun enrolling 1,700 units, home to an estimated 5,000 residents from seven of Nuveen's properties across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, through special events and lease renewals. Solar Builder Magazine
U.S.
The median household spends about 3% of their annual income on energy costs, whereas lower-income households sometimes pay as much as 14%. For these LMI households, community solar is an effective policy lever that provides breathing room in the household budget where it's needed most. Solar Power World
U.S.
The democratizing potential of community solar uniquely enables energy equity in, while also driving towards, a renewable energy future. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
To grow adoption in rural states, especially in low-income communities, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association launched a program to expand solar access and affordability, with the goal of building a replicable framework for affordable and equitable solar access for all Americans. U.S. Department of Energy
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California
Tesla VPP provided 100 MW to California Grid during one hot day in July Electrek.co
International
EnerNOC inks 200 MW DR contract with Taiwan Power Company Reuters.com
International
Study looks at energy issues on small islands - where everything is expensive and argues VPPs can help deal with climate change SolarQuarter
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Texas
More solar, batteries, and gas microgrids could have helped, but state leaders and utilities haven't made them a priority. Canary Media
U.S.
Installations can range from a less-than-1-kW off-grid wind turbine powering telecommunications equipment to a 15-kW wind turbine at a home or small business to a 2.5-MW wind turbine at a university campus or industrial facility. U.S. Department of Energy
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International
When the maritime sector slashed sulfur emissions, it became an accidental experiment in geoengineering. Grist
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Utah
The power will be provided to Southern California Edison by Fervo Energy's Cape Station project. That facility is already under construction in southwest Utah. Hydrogen Fuel News
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U.S.
Signers of the letter argued the guidelines' "three-pillar" standard could discourage investment and "undermine our shared goal of creating an enduring domestic clean hydrogen industry capable of significantly reducing economy-wide carbon emissions." They called for flexible alternatives to the standard. The Hill
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International
A US study found that four out of five plants saw declines between 1980 and 2022, with the cumulative fall representing nearly a quarter of generation, equivalent to closing down a Hoover Dam-sized project every two to three years. The Economic Times
International
The update of the six-decade-old treaty that governs the use of one of North America's largest rivers includes provisions that officials said would provide for effective flood control, irrigation, and hydropower generation and sharing between the countries. The Associated Press
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U.S.
The energy transition is driving demand for batteries; funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal programs is helping to fill it. Energy News Network
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International
Japanese policies are leading the gas industry there to expect waning domestic demand so they are looking to resell some of the fuel locked in via contract to others in the region Natural Gas World
International
Column argues Chinese demand for commodity imports (including gas) waxes and wanes with international prices more than local demand Natural Gas World
Louisiana
Summary of latest DC Circuit decision directing FERC to better assess environmental impacts of natural gas infrastructure Bloomberg Law
U.S.
Energy Transfer asks DOE to move forward on its Lake Charles LNG export facility now that courts have stopped LNG pause E&E News
Virginia
Dominion planning natural gas storage facility in southern part of the state to provide fuel for nearby natural gas plants Richmond Times-Dispatch
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U.S.
It takes an average of nearly 29 years to build a new mine in the U.S., hampering Washington's efforts to boost output of lithium, nickel and other metals for the energy transition Reuters
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West Virginia
The technology that has been piloted at this facility in West Virginia could also pioneer a way to clean up vast amounts of coal mine drainage that poisons waterways across Appalachia. The Associated Press
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International
Major natural gas field of 1.7 trillion cubic meters, valued at $6.8 billion, discovered in Bolivia - country boomed on gas field earlier this century and hopes are for a repeat The Associated Press
International
Highlights of a new pipeline planned for rapidly growing area in Yucatan Peninsula Yahoo Finance
International
BP Energy economist expects demand for natural gas to grow for decades despite mid century climate targets Houston Chronicle
International
Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch tells his own outlet that Australia should embrace natural gas, stop coal to deal with global warming Sky News Australia
International
Examination of the oil major's latest deals from around the world that bet on a natural gas boom Reuters
International
Turkey could ramp up exports to EU of natural gas, but it wants long-term commitments to invest in needed infrastructure to produce/ship it. Bloomberg
Pennsylvania
Envrionmentalists win at Third Circuit over opposition to proposed Pa. pipeline company E&E News
U.S.
Higher natural gas prices in 2nd half of the year means grid will use more coal, and renewables Wyoming Tribune
U.S.
Despite hot summer, natural gas trading indicates power burn will not be enough to get rid of supply glut, which grew as hurricane shut down LNG facility Bloomberg
U.S.
Now is the time to let go of the "bigger is better" paradigm and embrace small, modular, flexible and resilient generation, writes David Millar of W?rtsil? Energy. Utility Dive
U.S.
July 9 saw a record power burn for natural gas this year as much of the country was very hot Natural Gas World
Virginia
Dominion is planning to add combustion gas turbines to bolster reliability as demand is spiking in its territory WVTF
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California
Explanation of how flexible resources can help deal with the large ramps when solar shuts off as sun sets CleanTechnica
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Arizona
Activists hope to shut down an existing mine within a new national monument and to prevent the transportation of uranium on state and federal roads across Navajo Nation lands. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The author cites existing nuclear plants' reliability, minuscule carbon footprint, high generation capacity and stable power output over 18- to 24-month refueling cycles as advantages over other forms of behind-the-meter generation. Utility Dive
U.S.
Oklo is developing scalable nuclear power plants ranging from 15 MWe to 50 MWe based on liquid metal reactor technology that can run on both fresh and recycled fuel. Reuters
Wyoming
The deadline for public comment on Bill Gates-backed nuclear power plant in Kemmerer is Aug. 12. WyoFile
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International
As countries like the USA, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea aggressively advance their offshore wind projects, the challenges surrounding heavy-lift installation vessels (which are designed to install foundations and turbines) have come to the fore. r North American Clean Energy
International
The estimated annual production capacity is 54,000 MWh, enough to power approximately 30,000 households in China. Interesting Engineering
International
Offshore wind turbines continue to grow in size and power to meet the demand for low-carbon electricity, but this trend has its technical and economic limits. energynews
International
The new technology has been successfully tested in Germany; it can dramatically reduce noise levels during foundation installations, strengthening existing protections to marine life and potentially paving the way for the next generation of monopile foundations. American Journal of Transportation
Maine
Coastal residents are conflicted over the planned location of a facility that advocates say will help launch Maine's offshore wind industry. Grist
U.S.
As the budding U.S. offshore wind industry expands, German multinational energy company RWE is buying in -- it became the country's first tricoastal offshore wind developer when it secured leases offshore New York, California and Louisiana. Utility Dive
U.S.
As of July, the U.S. had six operating offshore wind ports: New Bedford Commerce Terminal, Mass.; Foss Marine Terminal in New Bedford, Mass.; New London State Pier, Conn.; Port of Providence, R.I. (ProvPort); Port of Davisville, R.I.; and Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Va. Marine Log
U.S.
The completion of South Fork Wind is an exciting development in our pursuit of American energy dominance, paving the way for a cleaner energy future, writes Sarah Jensen, policy associate with the American Conservation Coalition. Long Island Business News
U.S.
More than $1 billion in recent agreements signal confidence the sector will finally take off. Bloomberg
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International
That the price and demand for oil have been so strong suggests that the shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles will take longer and be more bumpy than some climate activists and world leaders once hoped. The New York Times
North Dakota
In a civil case, the Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency accused the Texas company of flouting environmental laws at dozens of sites in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Oil Gas Daily
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Wyoming
The prohibition is in response to a conservation group that bid on a lease parcel intending to spare it from being developed. Energy News Network
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International
This project aims to assess the vertical wind turbine technology's suitability for the Hawaiian Islands. Interesting Engineering
Wyoming
Construction on more than 100 wind turbines for the 504-megawatt project had been set to begin this fall. However, the schedule is expected to slip about six months because of legal in-fighting with opponents of the project. Cowboy State Daily
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California, New York
Sunny California is depending mainly on tried-and-true solar power, plus more batteries to store it. POLITICO
International
King Charles, in a speech with the facts provided by the new Labour Government, highlights plans to grow renewables (via new government investment firm) and efficiency H&V News
International
The environmental benefits of this rise in the deployment of renewables are creating a hopeful path for stabilizing the emissions that contribute to extreme weather, at a level that will avoid the worst effects of an altered global climate system. North American Clean Energy
International
A report by a government body that oversees efforts to reduce greenhouse gases will help underpin the Labour Party's plans to accelerate renewable energy and other measures. The New York Times
Massachusetts
House leaders unveiled their version of climate legislation, finding common ground with the Senate on the need to speed up the siting of clean energy infrastructure but taking a different approach on future procurements, the natural gas industry and the competitive electricity supplier market. Commonwealth Beacon
Michigan
I&M submitted detailed plans to the Michigan Public Service Commission for additional generation sources, including purchasing power generated from two independently operated wind and solar power plants that will be built by private developers. Daily Energy Insider
Montana
Batteries save money so they're quickly being adopted by utilities all over the country. How many utility-scale batteries does Montana have? None, writes Karin Kirk ia geologist and science journalist. Daily Montanan
U.S.
Big energy buyers, eager to see more around-the-clock clean energy on the U.S. electric grid, are using their purchasing power to negotiate new tariffs and contracts with utilities. GreenBiz
U.S.
In the United States, the frequency of cyberattacks against renewables has seen a sharp rise. Ransomware attacks against utilities and manufacturers increased by 50 percent in 2023. North American Clean Energy
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Florida
The projects, located in Brevard, Indian River and Miami-Dade counties, will bring renewable natural gas produced from local landfills into the Florida City Gas (FCG) natural gas distribution system. Daily Energy Insider
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California
Either investor-owned utilities in California are deliberately trying to slow down community and rooftop solar or state regulators simply are adopting restrictions that put limits on community and rooftop solar that just happen to work out that way. Clean Technica
Idaho
The tribe's goal is to eventually produce 5,311 megawatts of energy, beginning by generating 500 megawatts by 2027. It is catalyzing a clean energy transition that could help loosen hydropower's grip on the Pacific Northwest. Renewable Energy World
Texas
Grid instability could push more residents to consider adoption. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The market continues to weather the high interest rate storm, and numerous large installers have announced bankruptcies. pv Magazine
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Michigan
Consumers Energy is constructing the company's first large-scale solar project. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in Muskegon County as work gets underway. WOOD-TV
Ohio
A pair of upcoming decisions by Ohio's top court could further empower local opponents to block clean energy in what is already one of the hardest states to site new renewable projects. Energy News Network
Texas
Tropical Storm Beryl caused a large but temporary dip in solar generation potential across Texas on July 8. However, cross-referencing with grid operator reports revealed that very little production went offline due to the storm. pv Magazine
U.S.
Chinese companies will have at least 20 gigawatts' worth of annual solar panel production capacity on U.S. soil within the next year, enough to serve about half the U.S. market, according to a Reuters analysis. Reuters
U.S.
Standard 401 outlines training requirements for solar salespeople in an effort to establish ethical sales practices. Standard 201 aims to enhance the safety and quality of residential solar and storage installations. Daily Energy Insider
U.S.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has flagged a cybersecurity risk for smart inverters, and is developing guidelines to prevent cyberattacks. pv magazine
U.S.
Support for solar electricity has declined by 8% since 2013, according to the recent RMI poll. pv magazine
U.S.
SEMA argued that the U.S. Department of the Treasury's proposed guidance on the IRA domestic content bonus credit still falls short of effectively and successfully implementing the credit. Renewable Energy World
U.S.
Solar manufacturers are counting on a 10% tax credit to developers when their projects use American-made equipment to drive demand for solar panels, cells and the raw materials used to make them. Reuters
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California
Climate groups are suing to block a state agency decision to limit battery installations to licensed electricians, saying it could harm contractors and consumers. Canary Media
California
In April 2024, more than 50% of residential solar photovoltaic installations were paired with battery storage, compared with just over 20% in October 2023. U.S. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
The loan guarantee will finance the construction of two solar PV farms equipped with battery storage and two standalone battery energy storage systems. Solar Power World
U.S.
The new standards are designed to ensure transparent, ethical solar sales practices and to raise the bar for safety and durability of rooftop solar and storage installations. Solar Builder Magazine
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California
That includes 10,000 MW of battery power, enough to power 10 million homes for a few hours. California is now home to the most grid batteries in the world outside of China. The Spokesman Review
California
The Condor project now features 200 MW/800 MWh of Tesla's Megapack energy storage systems, in what was formerly home to the Highgrove Steam Plant from 1952 to 2001. Telsarati
New York
The Carmel Town Board unanimously voted to approve a six-month moratorium prohibiting the establishment of East Point Energy's proposed lithium battery farm on 95 acres off Miller and Union Valley roads in Mahopac near the Somers border. The Examiner News
New York
Buffalo-based Viridi Parente is a company that specializes in point-of-use lithium-ion battery technology. Pulse 2.0
U.S.
IRA incentives are shifting planned production capacity from Europe to North America as global demand for batteries grows by an expected 21% annually through 2028, according to two new CEA reports. Utility Dive
U.S.
Solar surge lets battery companies charge up when power prices are low, sell when high. The Wall Street Journal
Washington
Nebraska-based independent power producer Tenska has submitted an application with the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for the construction and operation of a 200-MW/800MWh standalone battery energy storage system in Skagit County. Energy Storage News
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Maryland
The Moore administration supports a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order intended to help states achieve clean energy targets. The region's grid operator wants FERC to reconsider. Inside Climate News
Massachusetts
The Greater Cambridge Energy Plan is being designed to place a significant amount of needed infrastructure underground and out of sight, according to Eversource, and the program will include the company's first underground substation, which will be the largest in the country at 35,000 square feet. Daily Energy Insider
Texas
Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event. Texas Tribune
U.S.
The U.S. likely won't be able to meet its climate goals or decarbonize the electric grid by 2050 unless it adopts additional reforms to speed the interconnection process, a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers argue in a paper published July 4 in the journal Science. Utility Dive
U.S.
For the first time in years, the U.S. is growing a deep appetite for more electricity, driven by a hodgepodge of data centers, increased manufacturing, building electrification and electric vehicles. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
U.S.
Until energy usage data is standardized and widely available the power grid will remain dumb, unnecessarily expensive and less able to accommodate growing sources of renewable energy, which requires balancing supply and demand throughout the day, writes Michael Murray, president of the Mission:data Coalition. New York Times
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Ohio
Savion developed the 180 MW solar power plant located in Madison County, one of the first operating utility-scale solar sites to integrate soybeans, alfalfa and forage crop production within the array. pv magazine
U.S.
It is estimated that farmers and other landowners will lease more than 2 million acres of agricultural land in the United States for community and utility-scale solar projects by 2030. Solar Power World
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Oregon
The cables will support Oregon State University's PacWave South facility, which when completed will allow wave energy developers to test different technologies for harnessing the power of ocean waves and transmitting that energy to the local electrical grid. Offshore Energy
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U.S.
A centralized, AI-powered platform allows you to make better use of community engagement resources, leading to data-backed decision-making, lower costs, and more successful projects. North American Clean Energy
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