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Welcome to NetZero Insider’s latest Resources Intelligence Report. We lead off with another big announcement for hydrogen hubs, a key initiative of the Biden administration.
Elaine Goodman reports that the Gulf Coast and Midwest hubs are in line for a combined $2.2 billion in U.S. Department of Energy funding. Five of the seven proposed hubs now have completed their funding agreements with DOE, which did not get back to Goodman when she inquired whether that funding was secure from clawbacks under the incoming Trump administration.
John Cropley has a story on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission greenlighting Kairos Power to build Hermes 2, a scaled-down demonstration plant using the small modular reactor and supporting ecosystem that the company is developing. It will be the first construction permit issued in the U.S. for a power-producing Gen IV reactor.
The Energy Information Administration issued a report showing utilities’ capital spending on transmission and distribution surging during the past 20 years, more than canceling out a decrease in spending on generation. James Downing has the details.
Also surging is corporate investment in solar power. Cropley has a story on a Solar Energy Industries Association report showing on-site and off-site corporate capacity reaching 40 GW installed capacity in 2024.
Cropley also has a story on the New York Power Authority’s 3.5-GW first-draft proposal in its new role as renewable energy developer. At public hearings, clean-energy advocates are pushing the state-owned authority to set a much higher target — 15 GW — and take a less cautious approach to reaching it.
New York simultaneously is looking further ahead in its drive to reduce carbon emissions and considering what place nuclear power might have in the longer-range strategy. Cropley has an update on a new request for information by the state as it attempts to gauge market interest in developing advanced nuclear generation technologies in New York.
Finally, AEP and Bloom Energy announced a deal for AEP to use up to 1 GW of Bloom’s fuel cells as an interim on-site power source for data centers and other new large-load customers while AEP makes the necessary grid upgrades to meet the need. Cropley has the details.
As always, we have gathered a curated selection of net-zero news from other media outlets:
We’ll be taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday and be back on Dec. 9. Until then, read on for this week’s Intelligence Report:
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International
Between BP, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, Exxon Mobil and Eni, the projects could add 286,000 bbl/d of production capacity, Rystad analysts said. Hart Energy
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International
Climate negotiators secured a win on the first day of the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan by reaching consensus on a set of standards to boost the global carbon market and enhance the integrity of carbon crediting projects. ESG Dive
U.S.
Our team at the Climate, Health and Energy Equity Lab at Vanderbilt University has been exploring the possibility of corporate offset dollars paying to improve energy efficiency in low-income housing, starting with a pilot study in our hometown of Nashville. The Conversation
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Georgia
Georgia Power and solar industry representatives renewed their long-running debate before lawmakers over whether setting up a new solar program would provide the same benefits to ratepayers as the existing renewable energy options. Georgia Recorder
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Texas
A look at NRG's proposed VPP in Texas with Renew Home and how it can benefit the grid. Chron
U.S.
In addition to their high reliability, VPPs offer benefits beyond conventional generation. Utility Dive
U.S.
Rising energy costs and environmental concerns are pushing buyers toward sustainable features, making virtual power plant capability a valuable selling point. pv magazine
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International
Despite ambitious EU strategies, hydrogen projects face risks from uncertainties of future hydrogen demand and high costs. Fuel Cells Works
International
The launch of a 100% hydrogen-ready aeroderivative gas turbine line marks one of the first major product unveilings for GE Vernova since the company's spin-off from GE in April 2024. POWER
International
Federal prosecutors claim billionaire and others aimed to bribe officials and mislead investors. Hydrogen Insight
Kansas
There is a real possibility of failure -- and the added risk of diverting limited climate venture capital at a time when the world needs proven emissions-cutting technologies. BNN Bloomberg
Michigan
The funding will advance the next phase of planning and development of regional supply chains for the production, distribution, and use of hydrogen trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. DBusiness
U.S.
Despite hydrogen's promise, one critical challenge persists: ensuring that emissions from its production are accurately measured and held to a clear, consistent standard, writes Zane McDonald is executive director of the Open Hydrogen Initiative. Utility Dive
U.S.
The future of U.S. clean hydrogen under Donald Trump is uncertain but unravelling support from the Inflation Reduction Act could be politically tricky. Reuters
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U.S.
The multiyear deal will cover the supply of as much as 100,000 tons of lithium carbonate from Exxon's planned project in the US to the South Korean company's cathode plant in Tennessee. BNN Bloomberg
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International
Major oil and gas firm CEO sees tight conditions for European natural gas this winter. Bloomberg
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Maine
The system will capture excess solar production estimated at 549,678 kWh per year and provide resiliency enabled by load management. Solar Power World
Maine
Tidal power and solar would fuel a community microgrid protecting the island of Eastport, Maine, from outages. Inside Climate News
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Connecticut
Instead of a rate hike, PURA cuts rates for Avangrid natural gas utilities. WSHU
Kentucky
EKPC plans to build two new natural gas plants, will help lower CO2 compared to current portfolio. WEKU
Louisiana
Entergy plans to add 1.5 GW natural gas plant to directly serve a major data center on state-owned land in Louisiana DatacenterDynamics
Louisiana
Entergy in Louisiana has signed on with the Facebook parent to vastly expand its generation fleet to power the $5 billion tech build-out. Energywire
U.S.
A look into what Trump can do to grow gas and oil production and where his power is limited. E&E News
U.S.
BPC report from a panel of industry, NGO and other leaders on the future of natural gas. Bipartisan Policy Center
U.S.
Pipeline lobby report finds industry has made progress on cutting emissions. Daily Energy Insider
U.S.
Highlights of recent comments from natural gas producers looking to cash in on data center demand. Reuters
U.S.
Gas plants failed at a scale that jeopardized grid reliability for large regions of the United States during severe winter storms in 2011, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The Equation
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Idaho
Digital twins in the nuclear sector have long-held promises to enhance safety, efficiency, and precision by allowing operators to monitor and predict system behaviors without physical intervention. POWER
International
Experts caution that high costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and the need for market alignment remain major hurdles on the path to a true nuclear renaissance. POWER
International
With ambitious plans to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, the nuclear industry is poised for expansion, supported by new policies and partnerships across various sectors. POWER
International
Mobilising investments in nuclear energy is further complicated by the recent track record of nuclear new build projects that have faced significant costs overruns and delays. POWER
International
A handful of startups are racing to usher in an era of near-limitless fusion energy, but big questions remain. The New York Times
International
The need for emissions-free power generation, along with the ability to provide more power when and where it's needed, is driving research and development of smaller nuclear reactors. POWER
International
Nuclear options are years away, while solar, wind, storage and geothermal are clean, cost-effective options ready now. IEEFA
International
Growing worldwide energy demand and other factors have shifted the calculus, but hurdles still lie ahead. The New York Times
International
There are ongoing concerns about radioactive waste, environmental risks, and the diversion of resources from renewable energy, writes Lynda Williams, an environmental activist in Hawaii. Common Dreams
International
The Russian government didn't provide details of the restrictions or their duration in a Friday statement. MINING.com
International
One of the biggest challenges the nuclear power industry faces is building plants on time and on budget. POWER
U.S.
Understanding nuclear terminology opens doors for artificial intelligence to revolutionize many processes within the industry. POWER
U.S.
The expansion by Centrus Energy at its massive facility in Oak Ridge comes as the U.S. ramps up its reliance on nuclear power as a climate change solution. The Associated Press
U.S.
The ADVANCE Act provides additional resources but also weakens the agency's safety reviews and inspections in the name of efficiency. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
U.S.
In the U.S., at least, the sharp cost reductions over the past decade can be pegged to a concerted effort, "Delivering the Nuclear Promise," a strategic, multi-year, industry-wide collaboration kicked off in 2016. POWER
U.S.
State governments are looking to encourage nuclear projects -- first, to ensure businesses have the clean, reliable power they need at competitive prices, and second, to ensure that the state secures the high-quality jobs that nuclear plants bring. POWER
U.S.
Can advanced fuels like HALEU and TRISO bridge the demand for next-gen reactors or will supply limits hold back nuclear's potential? POWER
U.S.
The advanced reactor company has completed key milestones for its first planned deployment and added up to 750 MW in potential future orders. Utility Dive
U.S.
Despite the lessons that should have been learned, here we go again, with a propaganda-, lobbying-, and campaign contribution-driven nuclear industry joy ride, perhaps at a scale unlike any before, writes Kevin Kamps of Beyond Nuclear. POWER
U.S.
Nuclear power plants are still being dismantled but the need for more baseload power and emissions-free generation has some companies ready to restart idled units. POWER
U.S.
The fortunes of the industry have shifted dramatically this year as the tech sector turns to nuclear power to meet the electricity demand of artificial intelligence. CNBC
U.S.
Adding new nuclear energy has become a stronger bipartisan priority as rising power demand threatens to hobble the constrained power system and disrupt efforts to lower emissions. Energywire
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U.S.
Nearly a quarter of the U.S. coal-fired fleet is slated to retire by 2029, leaving behind valuable energy infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and communities dependent on the well-paying jobs and tax base these plants provide. Bipartisan Policy Center
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International
The company will compete for a smaller number of new projects as it streamlines the business unit, which focuses mostly on offshore wind. Reuters
Louisiana, Texas
After little interest in wind lease auctions earlier this year, two companies have submitted plans to develop large wind farms in the Gulf. Louisiana Illuminator
Maine
Offshore wind power supporters in Maine said while they expect roadblocks ahead, a single presidential administration is unlikely to derail the state's long-term plans. Maine Public
Maryland
Top state officials approved a permit needed to begin an offshore windmill project in the Delmarva Peninsula, despite objections from Ocean City residents worried about the environmental impact on local wetlands. Capital News Service
Massachusetts
The unions' ambitious goal -- 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2040 -- pushes back against Trump's election and other industry setbacks. The New Bedford Light
Massachusetts
The experiment is designed to replicate, at small scale, the pile driving necessary to construct an offshore wind farm. WBUR
New York
Offshore wind is crucial to the state's plans for cleaning up its electric grid, and construction is already behind schedule. The incoming president could slow it down a whole lot more. New York Focus
U.S.
Organized labor has a plan for how to keep New England's renewable energy momentum going. Grist
U.S.
Hardy, group EVP and CEO Americas, has decided to leave the company to join GE Vernova as chief commercial officer, wind. Marine Log
U.S.
Development in the space could be headed for a slowdown due to executive action, instability due to the threat of such action, or both. The National Law Review
U.S.
Proposed bipartisan legislation would distribute some of the $5.4bn in leasing funds collected since 2022 to develop coastal infrastructure. Recharge
U.S.
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated there are between 2.3 million and 3 million deserted onshore fossil fuel wells scattered across the United States, columnist Frank Carini notes. ecoRI
U.S.
Advocates say buying significantly more offshore wind would help states boost economies, meet climate goals. Inside Climate News
U.S.
If the US offshore wind industry goes down after Inauguration Day 2025, it will go down swinging. Stakeholders have been scrambling to make their case before the new administration takes office on January 20. Clean Technica
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U.S.
The company behind the project cancelled it and the steel that was in ground has been removed, but it's on the president-elect's energy to-do list. POLITICO
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U.S.
The choice of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for Interior secretary underscores a commitment to increasing drilling access across federal lands. Energywire
U.S.
Despite president-elect's vow, energy companies focus on managing resources to be profitable, not pumping more oil. The Guardian
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Tennessee
The test demonstrated how renewable diesel could support near-term decarbonization of dispatchable thermal power generation assets, providing on-demand power with up to 75 percent fewer lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel. EPRI
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Arizona
In securing its largest-ever new energy supplies, APS said it has signed agreements to add nearly 7,300 MW of renewable power, battery energy storage, and natural gas to its energy mix. Daily Energy Insider
Arkansas
The state, along with others in the South, have been slow to initiate renewable energy projects. Arkansas Advocate
International
Policy makers in Texas have been making a concerted effort to obstruct renewable energy investing, but the state continues to attract wind and solar developers like flies to honey, including for a first-of-its-kind deal earmarked for a climate action organization based in Massachusetts. CleanTechnica
International
As leaders gather for a global climate summit, investors are rewarding oil giants like Exxon Mobil that did not embrace wind and solar. The New York Times
Massachusetts
Mark my words: We will show them,' governor tells crowd in Taunton. The Business Journals
Michigan
The municipal effort aims to supplement utility DTE's grid with local, reliable, clean energy at below-market rates. Canary Media
U.S.
The Government Accountability Office said the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations needs 101 more employees. Energywire
U.S.
Several factors contribute to the rapid growth of renewable energy in these states, from the geography of natural resources to market structures and energy policy. Niskanen Center
U.S.
Key elements of report fail to withstand basic analytical scrutiny, and present inaccurate picture of valuable energy infrastructure investments. Acadia Center
U.S.
The report shows that on a per-capita basis, the cumulative cost of the plans increases expenses for each person in New England by an additional $2,061 in 2030, $15,552 in 2040, and $51,914 in 2050. Bartlett Center
U.S.
The report, titled "The Staggering Costs of New England's Green Energy Policies," received pushback from various sources, including Gov. Maura T. Healey's administration. Worcester Telegram
U.S.
Trump has said he'll repeal President Biden's climate law, but one North Carolina district shows how hard unwinding multibillion-dollar projects could be. The New York Times
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California
Utilities in California and nationwide are fighting rooftop solar, the major threat to their effective monopoly on the electricity market, said the California Solar and Storage Association. pv magazine
California
A new study finds rooftop solar will save California $2.3B this year -- a rebuttal to the 'cost-shift' math that's led regulators to stifle solar growth. Canary Media
U.S.
Some door-to-door sales are leaving dissatisfied solar panel customers on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars. CBS News
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California
Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage -- one of the US's first utility-scale solar peaker plants. The $529 million project in Imperial County, Calif., features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage. Electrek
International
First Solar's revenue declined 10.8% in Q3 down to $887 million, driven by temporary manufacturing issues with some module cells and several terminated contracts, according to a Q3 earnings call. Manufacturing Dive
International
The tools are now at hand to help solar infrastructure developers and contractors speed their projects to the finish line to keep pace with the world's growing appetite for (and investment in) renewables. Solar Builder
Nevada
More than two-thirds of public land in Nevada is owned by the federal government, giving the U.S. Department of the Interior -- the government agency that oversees the nation's natural and cultural resources -- an outsized influence in the state. Nevada Current
U.S.
Wood Mackenzie's floating solar report projects that global floating solar markets will reach 57 GW of capacity by 2033. The U.S. market remains small due to limited land availability and high capex. pv magazine
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International
National Renewable Solutions, a U.S.-based renewable energy developer, owner and operator, has closed $145 million in project financing for its 140-MW solar and 50-MW storage project, the Shallow Basket Project, in Rio Arriba County, N.M. EnergyTech
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International
An international research team said developers must stop focusing solely on resource availability, and also consider resource variability and resource extremeness,to avoid renewables "drought" at solar and wind sites. pv magazine
U.S.
For the first time, solar photovoltaics generated more electricity than wind in a single month, according to the EIA. pv magazine
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Arizona
Arizona ranked second among states for energy storage installations in the second quarter this year, with 690 MW that could produce 2,600 MWh per full discharge, according to Wood Mackenzie. Utility Dive
California
Juno Beach, Florida-headquartered NEER submitted an application with the California regulator for its 300MW/1,200MWh Corby BESS located in the City of Vacaville in Solano County on 4 November, 2024. Energy Storage News
Kentucky
Canadian Solar will invest an initial US$384 million into the lithium-ion battery cell and battery energy storage system factory. Energy Storage News
Kentucky
The Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing plant will employ 1,572 workers once the project reaches full capacity, deepening Kentucky's ties to emerging battery technologies. The Hill
Texas
Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale. Canary Media
U.S.
Higher battery material tariffs and phased-down Inflation Reduction Act tax credits threaten a 15% drop in U.S. storage deployment, experts said. Manufacturing Dive
Virginia
Microporous says it plans to expand into technology for lithium-ion batteries -- and capitalize on the burgeoning market for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and additional applications Thomas Insights
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Texas
Texas is quickly adding solar, wind and storage to its grid by using a relatively simple interconnection process, and now 24 industry participants have expressed support for the use of a similarly streamlined process across the nation. pv magazine
U.S.
Proactive planning, incentives and competitive solicitations can help control transmission costs, the Brattle Group's Johannes Pfeifenberger said. Utility DIve
U.S.
A new analysis examines a regulatory gap that allows for nearly unchecked spending on local transmission lines. Inside Climate News
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International
The 3,000-acre installation situated five miles off the coast of China's Shandong province can, when operating at full capacity, generate a gigawatt of electricity -- enough to power about a million homes. Semafor
Rhode Island
Brown University is the sole off-taker for the Dry Bridge solar project, a landmark renewable energy development generating enough power to offset about two-thirds of campus electricity use. Brown University
U.S.
NREL Gathers Deep Data on Interactions Between Habitat, Pollinators, Soil, and Solar Energy Production. NREL
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International
After four decades of research and development, marine energy has matured to a point where it can take a leading role as part of our clean energy strategy. The Hill
Oregon
A test site off the Oregon coast could be key to unlocking wave power in the United States. Surprisingly, residents aren't opposed. The Washington Post
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