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Welcome to this week’s Resources Intelligence Report.
James Downing checks in on how renewable energy development is progressing, and it’s quite well lately. According to the American Clean Power Association, 137 projects totaling 11 GW went online in the U.S. in April through June, a record high for the second quarter.
James also has a story on the other side of the coin: fossil fuel development. The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the first LNG exports since the Biden administration attempted to pause such approvals.
John Cropley has an update on potential offshore wind development in Oregon. Federal regulators have set an Oct. 15 auction for two lease areas with a combined 3.1 GW potential capacity there.
Beyond the work of the NetZero Insider staff, we have gathered dozens of reports from other media outlets, including:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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California
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's BioCircular Valley project will help the region rely less on open agricultural waste-burning practices. Inside Climate News
Georgia
Atlanta-based Georgia Power is seeking approval from the state Public Service Commission to build three plants in South Georgia that would generate about 80 megawatts of electricity by burning wood pellets and other forms of biomass. Northwest Georgia News
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U.S.
This public trust perception mismatch is compounded by challenges within industry. The research found that within the CCS professionals group, 64% are generally skeptical about the information provided by other CCS companies working on the same CCS project. World Pipelines
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International
C-Quest Capital claimed it could improve people's lives in Africa with cleaner cookstoves. But an investigation by The Post shows it promised more than it could deliver. The Washington Post
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Illinois
Judge questions why a 1,600-megawatt power plant can continue to operate without a state permit. Energywire
International
The report said that despite a move away from coal-fired power in many countries, the number of new proposed coal-fueled units is outpacing the number of projects being canceled and retired. POWER
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California
The measure would authorize state regulators to require automakers equip electric vehicles with bidirectional charging capabilities. Energywire
Illinois
CUB argues instead of shopping with third party retailers who often charge more than utility, mass market customers should sign up for utility DR programs to save. Blackchronicle
International
A medium-sized car battery, such as that of the Volkswagen ID3 in mid-range configuration, has a capacity of 62 kWh - equivalent to the amount of electricity a family in a single-family home consumes in 6-7 days (approximately 8-10 kWh per day). World Economic Forum
Texas
Local news story looks at how demand response can help Texas grid in major oil production region. Your Basin
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International
EU-level mandates for industrial use may be less important for oil majors than the prospect of revenue from renewable certificates on transport fuels. Hydrogen Insight
International
Sinopec's 260MW Kuqa facility in the Xinjiang region only produced 'more than 7,000 tonnes' in its first 12 months, compared to the 20,000 tonnes it is aiming for. Hydrogen Insight
North Dakota
The North Dakota EERC is working with an energy-industry partner after Marathon Petroleum announced last month that it would end its Prairie Horizon project in Dickinson. Prairie Horizon had been a key part of the Heartland Hydrogen Hub, led by the EERC. knoxradio
Texas
ADNOC's investment shows a sign of confidence in a multi-billion dollar project that Exxon has threatened to cancel if the U.S. government restricts tax credits for it. A final investment decision has been pushed into 2025, from 2024. Reuters
Texas
By late this year, John Cockerill, a Belgian engineering firm, intends to have completed its industrial site's transformation in Bytown, Texas, to become an H2 electrolyzer gigafactory. Hydrogen Fuel News
U.S.
Two years after President Joe Biden's landmark climate law promised to kick-start green hydrogen production with generous tax credits, companies still don't know who will qualify. Hydrogen Central
U.S.
The funding comes as the Biden administration prepares final tax rules that could shape the industry. E&E News
U.S.
The United States is projected to generate 220 million tons of plastic waste in 2024, a 7.11% increase from 2021. Over a third of this waste is expected to be mishandled. Hydrogen Fuel News
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Nevada
The automaker in January 2023 announced an investment of $650 million in Lithium Americas to help the miner develop the Thacker Pass project in Nevada, which holds enough of the battery metal to build 1 million electric vehicles annually. Reuters
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International
U.S. was largest exporter of gas through August, but lower prices in Europe and shift to demand in Asia could favor competitors Qatar and Australia for last third of 2024. Reuters
International
Russians having trouble finding customers for LNG from Artic ocean due to US sanctions. Financial Times
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Arizona
A June decision "overturned the existing environmental review process ... setting a dangerous precedent," said Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr. Utility Dive
California
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year determined that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act preempts local regulations restricting or banning natural gas appliances. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
International
Ontario is working its largest ever procurement of new generation, but that effort could run into complications with Canadian federal policy to get off natural gas by 2035 Financial Post
International
New pipelines through Turkey to EU countries include Russian gas and article questions how to stem its flows given Ukraine War sanctions. POLITICO Europe
International
Iraq is offering US firms significant natural gas rights as it tries to encourage more investment from the country after China has dominated previous contracts. MSN
International
Article looks at the end of Russian gas shipping through Ukraine to points west in Europe as contracts are expiring. Kyiv Post
Maine
New rates proposed by natural gas pipelines serving Maine could lead to higher prices for electricity and the fuel in the state, according to its public advocate WGME
Mississippi
Entergy Mississippi plans new natural gas plant, the first combined cycle plant the utility has built itself to replace an old generator that is retiring. Magnolia Tribune
New York
Op-ed argues that Gov. Hochul should lift long-standing ban on fracking in Upstate New York, which has ample supplies. New York Post
Pennsylvania
A look how environmental justice issues around fracking are impacting the Harris-Walz campaign in key swing state of Pennsylvania. CBS News
Tennessee
TVA plans to add more gas turbines at Memphis plant to help meet peak energy demand. Daily Memphian
Texas
New pipeline will link Permian Basin gas to Houston area and nearby export facilities, relieving pressure on bottleneck that has produced negative prices often this year. Midland Reporter-Telegram
U.S.
Large stockpiles of coal could lead to additional dispatch of power plants, cutting into power demand for natural gas Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Mergers and acquisitions in oil and gas nearing record set last year, but focus shifts away from Permian Basin Reuters
U.S.
Bank of America analysts question whether winter weather, which normally leads to higher prices, will have a major impact on natural gas this year. MSN
Washington
Voters in Washington State to decide future of natural gas in light of climate goals with a ballot initiative this November. The Spokesman Review
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International
Japan does not have significant domestic production of gas, but its tankers handle 25% of global LNG and that helped it make profits of $14 billion last year Bloomberg
U.S.
Article takes a skeptical look at pairing CCS with LNG exports/natural gas. The Atlantic
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International
Africa's nuclear energy ambitions face significant challenges as experts question whether the continent's infrastructure can support such a leap. RFI
New York
Claims that small modular reactors will provide cheaper, safer and faster nuclear energy remain unproven, echoing the same empty promises that led to past failures, writes Raya Salter, founder of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center. Utility Dive
U.S.
Work is already underway to restart a mothballed reactor in Michigan by late next year. Owners of two other plants, in Iowa and Pennsylvania, are considering following suit. BNN Bloomberg
U.S.
Most players in the nuclear power sector are purely focused on designing the next reactor, rather than addressing the delays and cost structures that have hindered our nuclear infrastructure for a generation. Fortune
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Connecticut, Rhode Island
It is a milestone for Rhode Island and Connecticut's first large-scale offshore wind farm and the first multi-state offshore wind farm in the nation. North American Windpower
International
The company is ruling out an installation or manufacturing issue which were blamed for other blade failures earlier this year at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Vineyard Wind 1 in the United States. The Maritime Executive
International
A a recent report by the World Bank outlined the potential for over 1200 GW of offshore wind generation to further boost Brazil's renewable energy credentials. Marsh
International
Mingyang's turbine has been carefully designed to thrive in medium-to-high wind speeds and built to withstand the fury of typhoons. Interestingly, it has the ability to withstand strong winds of 79.8 m/s. Interesting Engineering
International
The new crane has a maximum capacity of 6,000 tonnes and can lift components of up to 3,000 tonnes to a height of 220 metres, and builds on the design philosophy of Mammoet's SK190 and SK350 series. offshoreWIND.biz
International
The fifth auction held in 2023 failed to attract any offshore wind projects as developers deemed the incentives offered too low. Reuters
Massachusetts
The newly opened berth, designed specifically for offshore wind service vessels, features a 300-foot bulkhead and has been enhanced by extensive dredging to improve the terminal's functionality for both domestic and international vessels. MarineLink
U.S.
Litigation is making offshore wind energy projects vulnerable to death by delay despite favorable rulings by the First Circuit, which rejected challenges to the Vineyard Wind project from nearby residents. Bloomberg Law
U.S.
Replacing hundreds or thousands of torn, damaged and smashed turbines and blades could take years, perhaps decades, to say nothing of the cleanup process or environmental damage, writes Paul Driessen, senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow. The Hill
U.S.
Vineyard Wind blade failure amplifies concerns, conspiracies over nascent industry. Rhode Island Current
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U.S.
The fossil fuel industry benefits from tax incentives, such as the intangible drilling costs tax credit, that are built into the tax code. CNBC
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U.S.
Wind power has a waste problem that has been difficult to solve. Turbine blades made from a new plant-based material could make them recyclable. The New York Times
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Alabama
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 10% of Alabama's total energy generation in 2022 came from renewable sources, with most of that (70%) coming from hydroelectric power. Alabama Reflector
International
Equinor will prioritize profitability over growth and undertake fewer renewables projects in fewer markets, according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg. BNN Bloomberg
U.S.
Interconnection lines in the eastern United States are showing an upsurge in solar, wind and storage projects, while natural gas projects remain marginal. Energy News Network
U.S.
Through the "Cleanup to Clean Energy" initiative, the DOE is leveraging this vast 310-square-mile area, once used for nuclear materials, to support large-scale renewable energy projects. CarbonCredits.com
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International
The company filed its intent to raise $100 million for a future U.S.-based TOPCon solar cell factory. pv magazine
Mississippi
State utility regulators have increasingly placed barriers to development of the renewable energy source in one of the sunniest states in the U.S. Mississippi Today
U.S.
The company serves markets in the U.S. West, Southwest and Southeast. It filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy to finalize its sale process. pv magazine
U.S.
This action is part of a broader initiative under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This law bans imports made with forced labor, particularly those from China's Xinjiang region, with significant human rights violations. Microgrid Media
Wyoming
The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a decadesold state law that incentivizes homes and small businesses to produce solar electricity -- a critical win for those who have already invested in small solar arrays and those hoping to take advantage of federal solar energy programs coming down the pike, proponents say. WyoFile
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Maine
The state law requires renewable energy companies to pay compensation fees to the state to build solar and wind energy development projects on 20 acres or more on land that is considered "high value agriculture land." News Center Maine
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California
San Francisco-based startup Zum wants to turn electric school-bus fleets into grid batteries. This 74-bus depot in Oakland is testing the idea at large scale. Canary Media
International
Sungrow is making available a smaller capacity battery, the 6.4-kWh SBR064, designed to be paired with Sungrow's three-phase hybrid residential PV inverters and provide more options for homeowners while also introducing an affordable entry point for those interested in installing a hybrid solar PV system. Renewable Energy Magazine
Kentucky
A renewable energy company has proposed a $712 million battery plant in Shelbyville, according to state incentive reports, with plans to produce utility-scale energy storage tech to support the renewable energy transition. The Courier-Journal
Texas
A battery energy storage-focused fund at UBS Asset Management has secured $315.7 million in financing for a quartet of battery energy storage system projects in Texas that should be realized this year. Renewables Now
U.S.
While other options exist, lithium-ion batteries are becoming the preferred way to store energy from renewable energy sources, with the help of IEC Standards. pv magazine
U.S.
The deployment of large-scale battery energy storage systems has ramped up in the U.S. since 2021 with annual installations in the multiple gigawatt range since then, culminating in a whopping 7.9 GW installed last year. Energy Storage News
U.S.
Leap, the leading virtual power plant platform, announced significant growth in its energy storage vertical through new partnerships with Channing St. Copper, Elexity and FranklinWH, alongside expanded partnerships with sonnen and Energy Toolbase. Business Wire
Vermont
Concerts from Guster, Jason Mraz, Train and Joe Russo's Almost Dead got cleaner this summer thanks to NOMAD Transportable Power Systems. One of NOMAD's 1.3 MWh Voyager units rolled in to power the Shelburne Museum concert series outside Burlington, Vt., this summer, replacing diesel generators with stored clean energy and avoiding almost 4,500 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution. Vermont Business Magazine
Washington
A new form of electricity supply is coming to neighborhoods in western Washington and greater Portland. Whether you like it or not may depend on how much you trust developer assurances about the safety of big rechargeable battery arrays. Washington State Standard
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International
The study highlights that ignoring the inter-dependencies among consumers when making grid design decisions can lead to inefficiencies and unpredictable defections. One key finding is that defection rates don't simply rise linearly as the cost of going off-grid decreases. Tech Xplore
U.S.
The HVDC Standards joint industry project was convened to identify deficiencies in standards for high voltage direct current transmission systems in the U.S. reNEWS
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International
This technology hopes to take a systems approach to consider how each individual turbine on a wind farm can share data and work together to increase the overall performance of the group of turbines. North American Windpower
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