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Welcome to the latest NetZero Insider Resources Intelligence report, our final update for 2024.
This year saw a lot of interest in nuclear energy, and we lead off with a report by John Cropley on two notable developments:
Oklo, which is designing a small modular fission reactor, announced a 12-GW power agreement with data center developer Switch in one of the largest corporate clean power deals ever. And Commonwealth Fusion Systems announced it would build the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion plant in Virginia in the early 2030s.
Cropley points out that both companies’ plans are contingent on them clearing technical, financial and regulatory hurdles. A skeptical Scientific American piece dives further into the technical challenges facing Commonwealth, which essentially must design an artificial sun — a mighty tall order that has a long history of failed attempts.
Another hurdle facing developers and their advocates as they try to spark a U.S. nuclear renaissance is public opinion: Many Americans still oppose nuclear energy as too expensive or risky. Constellation Energy is trying to address that by offering D.C. customers nuclear-generated electricity at a discount and pitching it as a way to fight climate change.
Cropley also has an update on hydrogen, based on a recent Wood Mackenzie report that projects the U.S. low-carbon hydrogen sector will focus less on green hydrogen and more on blue. The U.S. already is the leading producer of blue hydrogen, and 2025 presents regulatory and policy challenges for green hydrogen.
Chemical & Engineering News fills readers in on one of the latest indications of this: Air Products has exited a $4 billion green hydrogen project proposed in Texas, saying the market for green hydrogen is not sufficiently mature.
On the other side of the coin, Hydrogen Fuel News has an update about a cutting-edge blue hydrogen and ammonia facility planned by ExxonMobil in Texas that is progressing toward a final investment decision due in 2025. As planned, it would produce up to 1 Bcf of low-carbon hydrogen per day and nearly 1 MMT of ammonia annually.
And here are a few more highlights from our curated selection of other media outlets’ coverage:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report. Thanks for reading! We’ll be back on Jan. 13 with the first report of 2025.
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New York
Alternative fuel sources like renewable diesel have been pitched as a pragmatic way to reduce emissions. Environmental experts are not so sure. Times Union
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International
Drax, the world's second-largest biomass producer, wants to use low-value forest thinnings and biomass to power AI-powered data centres 24/7. Wood Central
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Minnesota
The Minnesota segment would run 28 miles from an ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to the North Dakota border. Minnesota Reformer
North Dakota
North Dakota's Industrial Commission on Thursday approved a plan to accept millions of tons of carbon dioxide to be permanently stored underground against the wishes of some landowners. Iowa Capital Dispatch
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Alabama
A "ten-day notice" issued to Alabama officials aims to mitigate risks to citizens living above Oak Grove Mine. It comes after months of state inaction and community outrage. Inside Climate News
International
Spike in fossil fuel use a result of global gas crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Guardian
U.S.
The states' petition for review alleges the BLM's decision to end coal leasing is unjustified and fails to comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Daily Montanan
U.S.
The IEEFA on Dec. 16 said the nation's coal-fired power stations today are burning only about 1 million tons of coal daily, half the amount the industry was using in 2015. POWER
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U.S.
Some solar installers say bulk markdowns will negatively affect employee pay and company stability; others believe group-purchasing arrangements will encourage competition. Inside Climate News
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Massachusetts
It's the largest VPPA signed by a U.S. city and the first time a city will use one to offset residential carbon emissions, according to deal broker Sustainability Roundtable. Utility Dive
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North Carolina
Duke Energy's fossil fuel buildout comes with a roadmap for increased carbon dioxide emissions that will blow past a previously set 2030 deadline for reductions. Inside Climate News
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International
IEA highlights the oil and gas sector's unique ability to support geothermal's growth -- with its experience in handling liquids and gases, its vast financial resources, its research and development expertise, and its history of running large-scale, capital-intensive projects. The Energy Mix
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International
This first-of-its-kind factory-scale research initiative, based in Qingdao, Shandong Province, is spearheaded by Sinopec and employs direct seawater electrolysis coupled with green electricity. FuelCellsWorks
International
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners says the strong winds in Newfoundland mean the export-oriented project has the potential to produce globally-competitive green H2 and ammonia. Hydrogen Insight
International
Westwood has identified 23 projects in the European pipeline that have been classed as cancelled or stalled across 11 major European countries that make up the majority of the Hydrogen opportunity. Westwood Global Energy Group
Texas
The 1.4-GW plant was to be a 50:50 joint venture with the energy company AES. Air Products had agreed to be the plant's sole customer, selling all hydrogen produced to buyers in the region. Chemical & Engineering News
Texas
This ambitious project, expected to produce up to 1 billion cubic feet of low-carbon hydrogen per day and nearly 1 million metric tonnes of ammonia annually, represents a significant technological leap toward sustainable energy production. Hydrogen Fuel News
U.S.
Project locations in Appalachia, California and the Pacific Northwest will undergo National Environmental Policy Act assessments. Energywire
U.S.
As proposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the federal tax credits attached to the Hydrogen Hub program apply only to clean hydrogen, meaning it is created with alternative sources or natural gas and carbon capture. Triple Pundit
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International
Most of the revenue has always flowed to Quebec, which under the original contract had the right to buy the power at extremely low fixed prices and sell it on for huge profits in the U.S. Yahoo
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International
The debate over deep-sea mining exposes a contradiction between the country's proud culture of environmental stewardship and its dependence on the extraction of the ocean's riches. Grist
International
These geopolitical tensions could stall renewable energy adoption or accelerate innovations and diversification strategies to reduce dependence on China's dominance. CarbonCredits.com
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International
A look at the economic opportunities natural gas could bring indigenous communities in British Columbia and what it might cost them. The New York Times
International
Ontario government working to boost natural gas, despite an expert saying province should ensure it prepares to abandon gas by 2050 The Globe and Mail
Maine
Maine regulators approve purchase of Bangor gas utility by NH-based Unitil Press Herald
Pennsylvania
Following a series of natural gas linked explosions, Pennsylvania lawmakers considering a requirement for sensors in buildings. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tennessee
Local politicians and Democrats from around country want TVA to cut back on its plans for new natural gas plants Chattanooga Times Free Press
Texas, New Mexico
Focus on curbing methane from Permian Basin in Texas/NM has been on super emitters, but study finds small leaks add up to be more important. The Associated Press
U.S.
The executive said that much of the current demand for gas could be filled by converting natural gas from gas-flaring, which is a form of stranded energy, into convertible energy for mining operations and high-performance computing. Cointelegraph
U.S.
FERC uses its limited authority over pipeline business practices to boost sector's cyber security. Pipeline Technology Journal
U.S.
Analysis showing that natural gas demand is at all time high driven by power burn. EIA
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U.S.
Using recent DOE LNG study, article looks ahead to Trump's gas policies and fight against them. The Atlantic
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New Jersey
New Jersey currently requires that a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel be established before the public utilities commissioners are able to approve new nuclear power plants in the state. Catalyst
Virginia
Fusion, which has been studied since the middle of the 20th century, is the kind of technology that always seems to be just 15 years away. Constructing an artificial star is difficult. Scientific American
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the first pilot market for the new residential nuclear program, and Constellation plans to expand the pilot to additional markets in 2025. Business Wire
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California
Through this collaboration, they aim to develop critical port infrastructure for wind turbine assembly, with installations planned 20-30 miles offshore Humboldt County and Morro Bay. offshoreWIND.biz
Delaware
If approved, it would have allowed Renewable Development, a subsidiary of US Wind, to connect high-voltage cables from the Indian River to a new substation adjacent to the Indian River Power Plant in Dagsboro. Delaware Business Now
International
The commission recommended Sweden should switch to an auction system for offshore wind farms, widely used in other countries, but the head of the commission said an analysis showed that would not be enough to guarantee more wind parks were constructed. Baird Maritime
International
Rising costs, delayed projects, and shifting investment priorities force governments and companies to reassess their ambitious wind energy targets. CarbonCredits.com
International
Mingyang's newly built 20 MW prototype, is intended to break through in Europe's offshore wind market, has reportedly suffered two blade failures. EnergyWatch
International
Danish policymakers look to have badly misjudged market conditions as they chase the country's net zero targets. Recharge
Maryland
Permit for a supporting project -- not the wind farm itself -- sparks almost two hours of testimony. Maryland Matters
Massachusetts
According to BSEE, installation is being approached incrementally to ensure safety and prevent future incidents. Environment+Energy Leader
New York
Another year is nearly gone, but Arthur Kill Terminal is leagues ahead of where they started 2024. SI Live
U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to halt offshore wind projects 'on Day 1.' Stateline
U.S.
"The reality is, the economics of this industry don't make sense," CEO Scott Strazik said in an interview at Bloomberg News headquarters. BNN Bloomberg
U.S.
Lawmakers have floated sweeping legislation this month as a marker for negotiations next year. E&E News
U.S.
One year after the proposed Icebreaker Wind demonstration project in Lake Erie got shelved, there continues to be talk -- but little movement -- toward erecting commercial-scale offshore wind turbines in the Great Lakes. Toledo Blade
U.S.
With the U.S. offshore wind industry at a crossroads ahead of a second Trump term, manufacturers and developers in the sector are having to choose whether to forge ahead or pull back on projects and technologies. Journal of Commerce
U.S.
Rob Langford, Vice President of Global Offshore Renewables at the American Bureau of Shipping, discusses the growth opportunities for the United States as the nation generates power from offshore wind for the first time. Innovation News Network
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Alaska
Restrictions in the auction of oil drilling rights in part of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are legally vulnerable as the state looks to the next administration to allow more oil development. Bloomberg Law
U.S.
Iowa leads argument that pipeline is vital to energy, ag markets. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Wisconsin
The company says a risk of spills on Line 5 is low, but recent events have led environmentalists to believe otherwise. Inside Climate News
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International
Project tapping strong winds in Canada's Newfoundland & Labrador province slated to produce ammonia and green H2 for local and export markets. Recharge
Virginia
This 79.3 MW project is the second between Apex and Google, following the agreement for Timbermill Wind in North Carolina. North American Windpower
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Colorado
Mayor Heather Graham said the city has struggled to shoulder the costs of electric vehicles and net-zero emission construction since 2017. She said rescinding the commitment would not stop investments in green energy. The Pueblo Chieftan
International
The government wants to rapidly replace oil and natural gas with renewable energy projects, but offshore wind and other alternatives are still in their early stages. The New York Times
International
Researchers from the German Academy of Science and Engineering show that energy systems dominated by wind and solar can deliver low-carbon, reliable electricity using several strategies that don't include baseload plants. The Energy Mix
U.S.
20+ year energy and renewable executive to lead 11 GW U.S. portfolio, continue driving build-out of new American energy industry. Offshore Engineer
U.S.
In Nevada, plans are moving ahead for transmission lines, solar farms, geothermal plants and more in the name of fighting climate change. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The company owns and operates a diverse portfolio of more than 170 facilities in 24 US states, including 4.3GW of solar, 5.2GW of onshore wind and 0.5GW of battery storage. reNEWS.biz
U.S.
The prospect of switching to an administration led by President-elect Donald Trump, who has been critical of climate-related spending, has brought deals to a multi-year low in a slowing trend that is expected to continue into 2025. AOL
Wisconsin
The Energy Department's conditional loan guarantee to Wisconsin Electric Power Co. would be used to fund the addition of more than 1,650 megawatts of utility-scale projects that are expected to include wind, solar, energy storage and hydropower. BNN Bloomberg
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California
It's easy to see why the utilities want to make rooftop solar consumers the scapegoat for high electricity prices: they think your solar is competition that threatens their future profits. Solar Rights Alliance
Nevada
Nevada's "green bank" is now looking to distribute $156 million in federal funds to help thousands of low-income households benefit from solar power, whether they own property or not. Nevada Current
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International
Qcells reported it has achieved a new world record, reaching 28.6% efficiency on a full-area M10-sized tandem solar cell that can be scaled for mass manufacturing. Solar Power World
U.S.
Despite political uncertainty, one thing is clear: solar will play a critical role in powering the US economy. That was discussed at length in the three-day pv magazine USA Week virtual event. pv magazine
U.S.
The program is set to install solar panels to power nearly a million low-income households over the next five years. Floodlight
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Arizona, Texas
The deal, combined with prior tax equity and credit agreements, brings total proceeds for the projects to $1.3 billion. Benzinga
Wisconsin
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has given the go-ahead to Doral Renewables LLC's plan to build a 1.3-GW solar farm, coupled with storage, in the central part of the state. Renewables Now
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Colorado
San Francisco-based SunTrain joins Xcel Energy, NREL to apply for $10M grant for first-of-its-kind effort. The Denver Post
International
Early-stage battery and energy storage companies will have to disrupt conventional approaches, forge strategic partnerships, and navigate a landscape dominated by established giants. pv magazine
New York
LIPA, has finalised contract negotiations for two large-scale battery energy storage system projects proposed by Key Capture Energy. Energy Storage News
U.S.
The figure is a record for Q3, and represents 84% annual growth in megawatts and 60% in megawatt-hours according to the report, which is produced by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables in collaboration with trade body American Clean Power Association. Energy Storage News
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Wisconsin
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved construction of a $2 billion solar power project that could have more than 1,300 MW of generation capacity. The Vista Sands Solar Project, sited on more than 6,000 acres in Portage County, was greenlighted by a unanimous vote of the PSCW. Power
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International
The Renewables for Subsea Power project demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of an integrated renewable energy system in the North Sea. Offshore
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