Another week, another hydrogen hub deal. We start the Resources Intelligence Report with an update on the federal government’s efforts to develop clean hydrogen as an affordable and effective tool for decarbonization.
John Cropley reports on the agreement reached and preliminary tranche of federal funding issued for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, one of seven designated nationwide in October and the third to be launched by the Department of Energy in the second half of July.
Not everyone is convinced of the value of hydrogen as a path to decarbonization, and Steve Huntoon makes a case against the hydrogen hub initiative in an opinion piece titled “Hydrogen Flub.” Writing specifically about the California hub, the first to gain federal funding, Huntoon argues that the model will be neither economical nor effective at reducing emissions.
Cropley also has three updates on another clean energy resource that the federal government is trying to expand: offshore wind.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management completed its environmental review of the plan for a three-phase wind farm proposed by US Wind off the Maryland coast. In recent years, these environmental impact statements have been followed soon after by a
record of decision approving the construction and operations plan; if the pattern continues, the US Wind proposal would be the 10th plan greenlit by BOEM in federal waters.
There was mixed news in the Gulf of Mexico: BOEM canceled the wind area lease auction it planned to hold later this year because of a lack of expressed interest, but it announced it had received an unsolicited request to lease two other areas for wind farm construction. If other potential bidders show interest, BOEM may hold an auction for those areas; if not, BOEM may award a noncompetitive lease instead.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, meanwhile, has completed a report outlining some of the preparations needed well in advance of any wind turbine construction in the Gulf of Mexico, so that there is transmission capacity for the electricity that would be generated there. Such research has been lacking, the report indicates.
Our curated collection of coverage by other media outlets has the usual assortment of updates on a wide array of clean-energy resources:
· The Tri-City Herald reports that one of the largest solar farms in the nation could be built on an unused portion of the Hanford nuclear reservation.
· The Associated Press reports on the difficulty in getting communities to accept onshore wind farms, despite the tax revenue the facilities would provide.
· The Atlantic looks at why carbon-loving Texas far exceeds blue states in renewable energy deployment.
· The Vineyard Wind blade failure continues to command the attention of regulators, offshore wind opponents, climate journalists and Massachusetts seaside residents; WorkBoat, The Heartland Institute, Grist and Nantucket Current have updates.
· Knox News has an update on plans to construct the first non-light-water nuclear reactor permitted in the U.S. in more than 50 years.
· Canary Media reports that Baltimore Gas and Electric’s vehicle-to-grid initiative apparently is the first in the nation to enroll and pay utility customers to allow their electric vehicles to serve as demand response resources for the grid.
· Solar Power World reports on a logical use for still-functional decommissioned solar panels: install them to power a factory that recycles nonfunctional decommissioned panels.
· And Drilled reports that oil companies are promoting carbon capture as a climate solution even though they believe it is not.
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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Iowa
The facility makes about 140 million gallons of ethanol each year, along with other products from the leftover materials of the fuel production. Iowa Capital Dispatch
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U.S.
The gas produced by the fermentation of organic matter can cause all sorts of environmental problems, but there are ways to trap it and turn it into energy. Saturday Evening Post
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U.S.
Billions of dollars are available for these projects under President Joe Biden's signature law combating climate change. The administration is weighing whether to open up tax credits for companies to burn wood pellets for energy. U.S. News & World Report
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Pennsylvania
The bill is controversial because carbon capture and storage technology is still new and scientific researchers have unanswered questions about whether it's a viable climate solution and whether it will pose health and safety risks to communities. Hydrogen Central
U.S.
U.S. Forest Service officials are now considering a draft rule to allow carbon capture under U.S-owned land. Floodlight News
U.S.
The fossil fuel industry's carbon capture bamboozle, explained. Drilled
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International
Continuing to burn coal has become not only untenable in a rapidly warming world, but also unaffordable as prices of the dirty fuel skyrocket. The Energy Mix
U.S.
Attorneys general in 25 states, including Montana's Austin Knudsen, have sent an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court asking it to immediately halt a Biden administration rule that they say threatens to shutter the country's remaining fleet of coal-fired power plants. Daily Montanan
U.S.
Utility companies in Louisiana saddled in- and out-of-state customers with $340 million in unnecessary costs over the past three years by choosing to run outdated, inefficient coal plants when cleaner, more affordable energy sources were available, according to a recent study an environmental group commissioned. Louisiana Illuminator
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U.S.
RE+ Mid-Atlantic solar conference panel: While developers prefer greenfield projects, state regulators target other project sites. pv Magazine
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Arizona
APS VPP helps utility make it through major heatwave, save money POWER magazine
Maryland
Plenty of utilities are talking about using EV batteries as grid assets. Baltimore Gas & Electric is actually doing it. Canary Media
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International
A common part of free trade agreements helps fossil fuel companies force big payouts from governments phasing out oil and gas projects. The United States narrowly avoided a $15 billion claim over the shuttered Keystone XL pipeline. Inside Climate News
Vermont
An Agency of Natural Resources official credited the slight general decline to policies that incentivize people to install electric heat pumps in their homes, an increase in electric vehicle sales and patterns that continued after the Covid-19 pandemic. Vermont Digger
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International
The scientist wants to spray a pollutant into the sky to block some sunlight. He says the benefits would outweigh the danger. The New York Times
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California
Opponents say hydrogen is too expensive, risks indoor air pollution and gas leaks, and is not guaranteed to be produced using renewable sources. Public News Service
Connecticut
The state hired the firm ENGIE Impact to examine the pros and cons of using hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gases. WTNH
International
Over the last few years, the hydrogen market obstacles have been clearly identified, giving industries, governments, and communities a more realistic path forward. POWER magazine
International
Under a scheme that will be funded entirely from Madrid's share of the EU recovery fund set up in the wake of the covid pandemic, production plants with a capacity of 100 megawatts or more can apply for state support to develop 'hydrogen valleys' across the country. Yahoo
International
Until last week, only two 100MW-plus green hydrogen projects in Europe had reached a final investment decision -- Shell's 200MW Holland Hydrogen 1 in the Netherlands and H2 Green Steel's 740MW project in northern Sweden. Hydrogen Insight
Texas
BOEM has been trying, and failing, to solicit interest in other Texas-based offshore lease areas for the past two years. CleanTechnica
U.S.
The Biden administration has set aside billions of dollars for new hydrogen energy. But does the industry need better safeguards? Grist
U.S.
Billions of dollars in needed infrastructure investment would yield only marginal environmental benefits. IEEFA
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California
Climate change is also causing increased climate "whiplash," which refers to extreme annual shifts from one climate extreme to another, such as from severely dry to wet or wet to dry conditions. International Water Power and Dam Construction
International
The expansion of the Yangqu hydropower station on the Yellow River was started in the province in 2022 and will be completed later this year. Radio Free Asia
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U.S.
The EPA plans to propose a rule in 2025 that will tackle methane emissions from landfills, one of the country's largest sources of the greenhouse gas. Scientific American
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International
Environmentalists, scientists and lawmakers have all asked the question for years: How can Nevada minimize harm to its most precious resource? Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Alaska
Alaska approves LNG imports to deal with gas shortage, despite plenty of reserves in state Natural Gas Intelligence
International
Asia's rising demand for gas has more of fuel flowing there, despite EU's need to replace Russia - as prices are in sweetspot - high enough to attract cargoes, but not scare off buyers sensitive to price Reuters
International
Gas is so cheap in Europe, German firm reports LNG buyers skipped recent auction for capacity Natural Gas Intelligence
International
High Asian prices are cutting US LNG to Europe, raising Russia's share of that market despite ongoing war Bloomberg
International
Vietnam puts price cap on LNG, but that goes against its desire to run 15% of power gen on fuel by 2030 Reuters
Louisiana
Louisiana LNG facility at Calcasiue Pass 2 gets rehearing requests from opponents at FERC - could wind up in court POLITICO
U.S.
Look at recent and potential continued growth for LNG export facilities in the US Forbes
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Indiana
Breakdown for mainstream audience of how natural gas generation compares to others Indiana Public Media
International
Plans to replace Russian gas with that from Azerbaijan for EU customers could wind up masking Russian exports shipped through Caucuses first. Financial Times
International
TC Energy is latest natural gas firm to see opportunity in new demand from artificial intelligence The Globe and Mail
Michigan
Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a settlement with Consumers Energy over the company's proposed $136 million natural gas rate increase, with the Michigan Public Service Commission approving a 75% reduction to the initially requested increase. Michigan Advance
Pennsylvania
Deep dive into the practice of dumping wastewater from fracking on Pa's roads, which is against rules that are rarely enforced. Mother Jones
Texas
CenterPoint sees $1.3 billion in repairs to its Houston gas utility system due to Beryl Natural Gas World
Texas
Applications for Texas' fund to build natural gas plant are plentiful Houston Chronicle
Texas
Negative natural gas prices in Texas highlight the need for new pipelines to bring fuel to market Natural Gas World
U.S.
Chesapeake posts quarterly loss on cheap prices, low output Reuters
U.S.
EQT, largest gas producer, will continue to curtail Appalachian production as storage healthy. Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Record temperatures expected to drive high power demand and high gas demand in early August Natural Gas World
U.S.
Free market think tank looks into state barriers to oil and gas production and how they impact power generation and other parts of energy industry R Street
U.S.
Mergers in oil and gas sector continued at high clip in Q2, reaching $30 billion. Reuters
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Alaska
Chugach Electric Association weighs in on importing natural gas to deal with fuel shortage and what it would mean for Alaskans Anchorage Daily News
U.S.
Think tank pushes back on academic paper claiming natural gas leakage makes fuel "dirtier" than coal Breakthrough Institute
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International
Is the promise of clean, cheap and secure energy still obscured by huge scientific, engineering and economic hurdles? And is it safe? Two experts give us their take. BBC
Tennessee
Unlike all commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S., which are cooled by water, Kairos' is cooled by a molten fluoride salt. Knoxville News Sentinel
U.S.
It is often said -- somewhat accusingly -- that it isn't technical issues that stand in the way of siting a US geologic repository for highly radioactive waste, but political and social ones. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
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International
From unpredictable weather to mechanical failures, insurers need to navigate a host of challenges faced by the wind industry to safeguard renewable energy investments. Sauer Energy
International
During the recent trials in Orkney, the system withstood Storm Kathleen and proved its capabilities during multiple connect and disconnect operations. Offshore
International
Floating offshore wind turbines are a solution to wind's space problem, but they come with their own engineering challenges. Power Technology
International
Investment in offshore wind and other clean energy can only be fully realized when skilled workers are available to build, operate, and maintain the technology and plant. Marsh
International
The research will study the platform's interactions with the environment focusing on the possible impact on birds, the emission of underwater noise, and the interactions of marine life with the structure. offshoreWIND.biz
Massachusetts
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said it issued a new suspension order July 26 to Vineyard Wind 1 "clarifying operational requirements and listing actions the company must take prior to personnel boarding any wind turbines." WorkBoat
Massachusetts
These jumbo-sized turbines have only recently been installed in just two locations in the world within the last year - at Vineyard Wind off Nantucket, and the Dogger Bank Wind Farm off the northeast coast of England. Nantucket Current
Massachusetts
GE Vernova's initial analysis found that the fundamental design is sound and the failure of a turbine off the coast of Nantucket originated in the factory that built the blade. Grist
New York
Rise Light & Power, which owns the Ravenswood generating station in Long Island City, is proposing to run underwater cables 18.5 miles between it's facility and an off-shore wind farm that would be built by its European partners. Queens Chronicle
U.S.
The Offshore Wind Power Hub, set to allow users to visualize offshore wind projects across the country and track their development in real time, has been launched by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) and the National Wildlife Federation. North American Windpower
U.S.
While everyone wants reliable electricity in their homes and businesses, few support the construction of the transmission lines necessary to get it there. Yahoo
U.S.
The offshore wind industry spans far beyond our nation's coastlines, stretching inland to our heartland, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, writes Sam Salustro, Vice President of Strategic Communication at Oceantic Network. offshoreWIND.biz
U.S.
Twin Brothers Marine to join north-east infrastructure development project. reNEWS.biz
U.S.
The areas include accelerating research and development of floating offshore wind platforms; exploring innovations for fixed-bottom foundations; improving offshore wildlife protection through new monitoring technologies. Offshore Wind
Virginia
Multiple or even systemic failures are certainly possible; a sound engineering approach would be to build a few and see how they did over time, writes David Wojick, formerly of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Heartland Institute
Washington
More than a dozen tribes are asking the federal government to stop plans for offshore wind farms along Washington's coast, saying the environmental impacts aren't being studied well enough. Axios
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U.S.
U.S. operable atmospheric crude oil distillation capacity, the primary measure of refinery capacity, totaled 18.4 million barrels per calendar day at the start of 2024, a 2% increase compared with the start of 2023. U.S. Energy Information Administration
California
The Golden State has the most ambitious climate goals in the country but can't meet its targets, experts say, without making a plan to phase out harmful, climate-polluting oil refineries. Inside Climate News
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U.S.
Data was collected by MethaneAIR, a specially equipped jet aircraft, measuring regions accounting for 70% of onshore contiguous U.S. oil and gas production. Environmental Defense Fund
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Colorado
Since the 1980s, wind turbine developers have been using what is called the "Danish concept" -- three blades, positioned upwind (i.e., facing the wind), that are engineered to keep facing the wind to maximize energy production. Tech Xplore
International
These findings suggest that wind industry practices like turning off wind turbines during low wind speeds may be a more effective strategy for reducing bat fatalities than placing turbines in areas where these bats are not found. Renewable Energy Magazine
U.S.
An Associated Press analysis of county tax data in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska -- states either with many wind farms or a high potential for wind power -- found wind companies rank among the biggest taxpayers in many rural communities. The Associated Press
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California
Fossil fuels are currently still necessary to ensure backup power is available in times of specifically high demand or limited supply, given the temperamental nature of renewable energy sources. Power Technology
California, Texas
This didn't happen because Texas Republicans are deeply committed to fighting climate change; it happened because, in Texas, infrastructure projects are easier to build. The Atlantic
International
Talent, collaboration, and transparency are crucial for supply chain resilience and achieving net zero emission goals. WTW
International
The review highlights the challenges facing the renewable energy sector and explores the strategies energy companies can employ to adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. WTW
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy received over $129 million in federal funding to bolster local and tribal governments' renewable energy projects. Michigan Advance
Minnesota
Minnesota's largest gas utility gets consent for a bevy of projects prompted by a new law aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from gas companies. Star Tribune
New Hampshire
The Department of Energy has 15 months to draft regulations that would set uniform procedures for hooking up energy projects to the grid. New Hampshire Bulletin
U.S.
Iowa and New Mexico are the top U.S. states with more than 50% of their utility generation capacity from wind and solar. OilPrice.com
Virginia
It's great to see Dominion make a decision that focuses on reliability, even in the face of opposition, writes Paige Lambermont, a Research Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in the Center for Energy and Environment. Catalyst
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U.S.
The court rejected the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas' petition calling for the EPA to overturn the EPA's modifications to the Clean Air Act's Renewable Fuel Programme concerning Renewable Identification Numbers. Bioenergy Insight Magazine
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Puerto Rico
The board said that it is not seeking to end net metering as alleged, nor impose changes to the net metering program. It noted that if it wins the lawsuit, there would be no changes to the island's current rooftop solar program. The Washington Post
Puerto Rico
The U.S. territory adopted a law protecting its highly successful net-metering program through 2031. Now a federal control board is challenging that decision. Canary Media
U.S.
Solar trade groups in Washington, Colorado and Minnesota advocated for grant programs to speed permitting for rooftop solar, using software such as SolarAPP+. Three other states also offer grants, with two requiring automated permitting. pv Magazine
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International
Photovoltaic solutions company Soltec has partnered with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems to develop a prototype of a two-axis tracker for concentrating photovoltaic applications. Renewable Energy World
Texas
Solar panel recycling outfit SolarCycle announced it has installed a 500-kW system at its recycling facility in Odessa, Texas, that will provide around 50% of the electricity used at the factory. Solar Power World
U.S.
The Department of Energy is investing $33 million into nine projects, including an effort to use "concentrating solar thermal" tech to produce steam for a brewery. MIT Technology Review
U.S.
The tax-credit transfer markets created by the Inflation Reduction Act are boosting clean energy in tough-to-crack markets -- like rooftop solar on multifamily housing. Canary Media
U.S.
To ensure sustainability and financial viability, the solar industry needs a critical reevaluation and enhancement of both technical protective measures and financial risk management practices for solar installations in hail-prone regions. pv Magazine
U.S.
The increasing frequency and severity of hailstorms with larger and denser hailstones are causing concern and re-evaluation of PV product offerings. Solar Power World
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Pennsylvania
The grab bag of initiatives that passed alongside the $47.6 billion budget required the backing of labor, environmental, and pro-fossil fuel interests and the lawmakers that align with them. Members say the deals were only possible thanks to an influx of federal cash greasing the wheels. WJFF
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California
Solar and storage at almost 20,000 community sites across California could help protect its population during power outages, especially during heat and smoke events, a study found. pv Magazine
U.S.
A recent FranklinWH survey of 1,000 U.S. adults revealed that 56% of consumers will admit they aren't familiar with the benefits of residential energy storage. Solar Power World
U.S.
Sunnova Energy International, a home adaptive services company providing solar, energy storage and home energy management services, announced it has formed two new partnerships with Tenet Energy and Finturf. pv magazine
Utah
In addition to the recent $1 billion Green River Energy Center deal, recent private equity investments will allow rPlus Energies to transition to an owner-operator model. Utility Dive
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California
A $10 million grant from the California Energy Commission will be used for developing a 3.6-MW, eight-hour iron flow battery project. pv Magazine
California
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District long-duration battery storage project, in partnership with ESS Tech, has been awarded a $10 million grant from the California Energy Commission to demonstrate a groundbreaking 3.6-megawatt, 8-hour iron flow battery project. Renewable Energy Magazine
Colorado
The assets are designed to provide 78.3 MW, 313.34 MWh of battery storage capacity to the United Power electric distribution system across multiple sites. Business Wire
Illinois
A study issued Thursday by the Natural Resources Defense Council was drafted in response to a PJM report that Illinois needs $700 million in transmission to replace 11.6 GW of fossil-fueled capacity. Utility Dive
International
The decline can be largely attributed to a drop in battery infrastructure investments in mainland China, Rystad Energy said, as China grapples with policy change, increased electric vehicle (EV) adoption, supply shortages, rising raw material costs, and capacity expansion. Renewable Energy World
New York
The proposed changes incorporate recommendations from a state working group convened by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year after a spate of grid-scale battery fires. Utility Dive
New York
As New York tries to meet aggressive green energy goals, Hudson Valley homeowners are pushing back against a key part of the state's plan. CBS New York
New York
Each system will be 300 kilowatts with 12 or more hours of operation and offer the potential for reducing electric bills through demand charge reduction from peak shaving. American Public Power Association
U.S.
Commencing in 2025, the agreement will support domestic grid resilience, manufacturing capacity, and supply chain strength. Business Wire
U.S.
We must revolutionize the 150-year-old electrical grid, transforming it into a robust energy ecosystem capable of meeting today's demands and the surging electricity needs of electrified heating, transportation, artificial intelligence (AI), and computing--all while aggressively decarbonizing. POWER magazine
U.S.
Unlike other energy projects, energy storage has unique operational attributes that are often not well accounted for in the current interconnection process, which can lead to undue burdens that often render them as uneconomic. Solar Builder
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International
Electricity demand around the world is expected to sky-rocket as we switch to electric-powered vehicles, heat pumps for our homes and pursue the vast digital transformation of society. pv Magazine
Montana
The Montana Department of Commerce is set to receive $47.5 million in federal grant money that Rosebud, Custer and Fallon counties, along with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, will be able to apply for to fund infrastructure projects such as the buildout of electrical transmission lines takes shape in coming years. Daily Montanan
U.S.
The grid needs much more capacity to bring clean energy online. TS Conductor's tech could help -- and federal and state policies are pushing utilities to adopt it. Canary Media
U.S.
New Testbed Could Advance Novel Grid Technologies To Build a Resilient Renewable Energy-Based Power System National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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International
Nearly half of the 1,600-acre, 325-MW project site will be on a contaminated brownfield. Silicon Republic
Massachusetts
At Bluewave, integrating solar technology with traditional farming practices isn't just a concept, it's the new standard. Jesse Robertson-DuBois, director of sustainable solar development, shares insights on the transformative journey of agrivoltaics within the industry. pv Magazine
Michigan
DTE will build the 40-acre field in the Van Dyke-Lynch neighborhood and Boston-based Lightstar Renewables will build 63 acres of solar fields in the Gratiot-Findlay and State Fair neighborhoods for the first phase of the project. Detroit Free Press
Ohio
The answers will help shape best practices for future projects, while addressing some concerns raised in ongoing debates over siting large solar projects in rural farm areas. Energy News Network
Oregon
Brookfield Renewable Partners filed a notice of intent for a 900 MW solar project in Oregon that will be installed in ribbons along the edge of a field to allow for continued agricultural use of the land. pv Magazine
Rhode Island
Toray Plastics will purchase 100% of the energy generated from the Bristol Landfill Solar Project. Toray manufactures high-performance films and is the largest consumer of commercial energy in Rhode Island. Solar Power World
U.S.
An additional 70 utility-scale clean energy projects are under process by the Bureau of Land Management throughout the western U.S., as of July 2024, which are anticipated to produce almost 32 GW of renewable energy. T&D World
U.S.
As renewable energy proposals have flooded the flat, sunny and windy sweeps of Midwest farmland, they have sharply divided tight-knit rural communities. Bloomberg
U.S.
Energy companies say a labor shortage is one big obstacle to installing more solar power. They're turning to machines to speed things up. The New York Times
U.S.
The Energy Information Administration did not even begin releasing solar generation data until 2014, and utility-scale solar generation did not top 1% of total electricity output until 2017. But the situation has changed significantly in the past five years. Solar Builder
U.S.
The vHive platform, powered by advanced AI analytics, is an end-to-end solar digitization solution. It offers a comprehensive view of power anomalies, their root causes, and their impact on power loss to help O&M service teams to prioritize and expedite repairs. Solar Builder
Washington
The Department of Energy announced it had picked Hecate Energy for a gigawatt-scale project on up to 8,000 acres of unused nuclear reservation land near the southeast edge of the Hanford site. Tri-City Herald
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Hawaii
The device is also said to be robust enough to withstand the huge forces that waves can exert, together with the corrosive effect of saltwater on moving parts. Interesting Engineering
U.S.
The proposed opportunity is designed to reduce risks for deployments, increase the potential for commercial adoption through longer-duration demonstrations, and offer additional benefits to help quickly advance wave energy converters. Offshore Engineer
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