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Welcome to this week’s Resources Intelligence Report. And what a week it was.
To no one’s surprise, President Trump dominated the news. Most of NetZero Insider’s own coverage of Trump’s policy moves is gathered in the Intelligence Report focused on Policy, but some of it is here because it is more clearly focused on resources.
As he said he would, Trump created a serious if not existential threat to the U.S. offshore wind industry with a Day 1 executive order that halted future federal seabed leases and directed a review of all existing leases for possible revision or termination. John Cropley has the details.
Cropley also reports on the announcement by Ørsted that it was taking a $1.7 billion impairment on its U.S. offshore wind development activities. It is only the latest expensive blowback for the leading offshore wind developer from its problems in the U.S. market, and it does not even factor in whatever impacts may come from the Trump executive order.
Jon Lamson has an update on another offshore wind project with major problems that predate the Trump policy changes: Vineyard Wind 1, which suffered a blade failure in July. The developer will remove and replace the blades from up to 22 turbines.
Cropley took a look at a new study by two National Laboratories that models the options for West Coast offshore wind transmission. The comprehensive review was published five days before Trump’s executive order threw the very idea of West Coast offshore wind development into question.
We also have a report on the request for proposals for two unfinished nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. Based on the strong recent interest elsewhere in nuclear power, Santee Cooper is gauging the market for buying and completing or repurposing the project, which was shelved in 2017 amid delays and cost overruns. Cropley has the details.
In another development, Trump told the World Economic Forum he is encouraging development of behind-the-meter power generation co-located with data centers. Cropley reports that Trump said he will fast-track such proposals under authority of his National Energy Emergency executive order.
We also have gathered our customary selection of news reports from other sources:
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But renewable energy as a whole is expected to have a rocky path during the Trump administration: The New York Times looks at the winners and losers under his vision, and examines how this places the U.S. out of step with the rest of the world; Renewable Energy World reports that geothermal may be the one renewable sector to remain in favor, thanks to its nexus with the oil and gas industries.
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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International
The company is partnering with Varaha and Charm to purchase 100,000 tons of biochar carbon removal from each company by 2030. These are the largest biochar carbon removal deals to date. Renewable Energy Magazine
International
Faced with limited domestic forest resources, South Korea's biomass power industry has structured its business model around importing large volumes of wood pellets at lower prices from forest-rich nations. The Associated Press
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International
If all new buildings used CO2-storing materials, a new paper says, 16.6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas could be stored annually -- half of what humans produced in 2021. Energywire
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Alabama
In a statement, a university spokesperson acknowledged the institution's ownership of Alabama coal rights but would not provide any additional details. Inside Climate News
International
Grid upgrades are set to unlock more renewable capacity, putting the fortunes of domestic fossil fuel groups at risk. Financial Times
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Texas
Report claims Bitcoin miners benefit Texas grid bigly due to DR, grid stability services and avoided natural gas plant investment Cointelegraph
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Wyoming
President Donald Trump's executive orders will fast-track oil and natural gas development, erase perceived federal regulatory "burdens" for extractive industries, halt electric vehicle incentive programs and wind energy permitting, withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change and, above all, "are a win for U.S. energy and Wyoming," according to Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. WyoFile
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U.S.
Many people working in geothermal came from the oil and gas industry and they use much of the same technology for drilling wells. Trump strongly supports and gets support from the oil and gas industry Renewable Energy World
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International
Only 0.3 GW of the initially announced 4.3 GW of added capacity was eventually installed and became operational, leading to an overall success rate of seven per cent. Hydrogen Central
International
It is proving to be particularly well-suited for commercial use and industries such as trucking and public transportation. Financial Times
U.S.
The team found water injected underground into areas of iron-rich subsurface rock reacted to produce hydrogen. H2 View
U.S.
Plug Power Inc. has secured a $1.66 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office to support the construction of up to six hydrogen production and liquefaction projects across the United States. StockTitan
U.S.
However, one candidate is a supporter of carbon capture and storage, which could bode well for blue H2. Hydrogen Insight
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Oklahoma
The first phase of the lithium refinery project involves construction of a production line with a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Mining Technology
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International
EU plans to talk with Trump Administration about ramping up LNG imports from the USA. POLITICO Europe
International
Europe needs a lot of natural gas to refill stocks after a cold winter this year Natural Gas World
International
German gas traders discussing subsidies to help refill storage in the summer to meet demand in the winter as Europe cannot attract as much gas when its prices are naturally lower Reuters.com
International
Europe attracting more LNG cargoes as storage shrinks and prices rise on cold winter Financial Times
U.S.
While plenty of projects under development were not impacted by Biden pause, Bloomberg runs down which ones will benefit from its end Bloomberg
U.S.
Trump lifts Biden pause on new LNG on first day in office MSN
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U.S.
This could be a big opportunity for several players on the energy transition front but it is a massive and complex problem, too. Microgrid Knowledge
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Arizona
Arizona facility could supply 25% of American needs after being held up for 12 years in battle over permits. Financial Times
International
Canada has produced rare earth elements for several decades and is thought to have extensive untapped reserves. OilPrice.com
U.S.
The president in a string of Day One executive orders sought to elevate domestic mining and minerals processing. Greenwire
U.S.
It is unlikely to hamper the mining industry amid surging global EV demand, analysts and industry leaders said. Reuters
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Alaska
Co-op that serves areas near Anchorage got interruptible gas contract, could lead to rolling blackouts Alaska Beacon
Colorado
Xcel proposed $155 million project to cut natural gas use and cut emissions in Colorado Sky-Hi News
International
Pressure to impose sanctions, a raging war and a looming Trump presidency have not quenched the bloc's thirst for Russian gas. Greenwire
International
Mexico is importing more natural gas even with height of winter demand in US, pressuring prices Natural Gas Intelligence
Maryland
Maryland House Economics Committee Chair argues for more natural gas to cut energy prices in state, meet demand Baltimore Sun
U.S.
Prices expected to rise this year and next, from all-time low set last year EIA
U.S.
Industrial customers bracing for price volatility in natural gas as power plants, LNG use more Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Morgan Stanley analysts wrote that big tech companies will "increasingly gravitate" to large complexes powered by gas generation. Energywire
U.S.
Market fundamentals cannot be overcome by executive fiat - demand is rising for natural gas and that will put upward pressure on prices. Yahoo Finance
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International
Details of Russia's plan to move gas south, for possible export via LNG to other countries, as Europe is using less and less of its key export Reuters
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International
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak has achieved a significant scientific achievement by maintaining high-confinement plasma operation for an unprecedented 1,066 seconds. Energy Daily
Tennessee
If awarded, the funding will accelerate construction of an SMR at TVA's Clinch River Project, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, by two years - with commercial operation planned for 2033. Morningstar
Texas
The justices are preparing to hear arguments in March over the federal government's licensing of a temporary storage facility in the Permian Basin. Energywire
U.S.
If the economy slows down or the gains turn out to be smaller than the industry anticipates or their algorithms become more efficient over time, then less energy will be needed, he said. KTVL
U.S.
Leading utility companies routinely leverage GIS technology to site new energy projects. Esri
U.S.
Interest in nuclear-powered data centers surged in 2024, but it may still be years before the SMR market gains real-world momentum. Data Center Knowledge
U.S.
David Wright will face pressure to boost industry growth without compromising safety. Energywire
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California
A new study co-authored by a USC Price professor finds that generating electricity with wind turbines off the coast of California was an even more attractive option than it was at the beginning of the decade; the study predates President Trump's crackdown on offshore wind development. USC Price
International
During surveys and development, they often encounter unexploded shells and bombs left over from the two World Wars that need to be disposed of. Maritime Executive
Massachusetts
SouthCoast approval comes in just under the wire and officially puts more than 19GW of sector capacity in play as Trump take office. Recharge
Massachusetts
The Prysmian Group spent nearly three years obtaining all the necessary state and local permits but ultimately walked away from the project, which was estimated to bring more than 100 jobs to the region. Commonwealth Beacon
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has invested tens of millions of dollars to support the Industry by rebuilding, and building out, ports across the state. GoLocalProv
U.S.
This comprehensive final guidance, informed by extensive public input, establishes clear processes for the offshore wind industry to address potential disruptions to fisheries. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
U.S.
Symposium gathered stakeholders to discuss modeling and measurement challenges for risk assessment of offshore wind turbines. Argonne National Laboratory
U.S.
It is unclear at this time of the full impact of Trump's wind power order. Crowell
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Idaho
The proposed projects are for a 400 MW Snake River Energy Solar facility and a 500 MW Taurus Wind facility. The facilities will share a 550 MW battery energy storage facility and a transmission line to the Midpoint Substation. pv magazine
International
Shifting responsibility to consumers minimises the role of energy industry and policymakers, University of Sydney research suggests. The Guardian
Michigan
The report also highlights multiple facets of Michigan's clean energy developments including its "booming" battery manufacturing industry. Michigan Advance
Puerto Rico
The funding includes the closing of a $585 million loan guarantee to finance a 100-megawatt system of solar panels in four cities. Yahoo
Texas
Existing and expected utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects in Texas will contribute over $20 billion in total tax revenue and pay Texas landowners $29.5 billion. Daily Energy Insider
U.S.
A new report debunks false and misleading claims found on social media. Columbia Magazine
U.S.
The orders themselves are seen as having limited direct impact, but clean energy advocates worry they'll eventually tilt investment toward traditional fossil fuels.R Climatewire
U.S.
There are now over 5,000 data centers in the United States, and new ones are being built every day -- in the U.S. and worldwide. Tech Xplore
U.S.
The guidance builds on the safe harbor that seeks to simplify domestic content calculations by establishing optional alternative cost percentages for solar developers that use solar cells manufactured with U.S.-made wafers. pv magazine
U.S.
Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. The New York Times
U.S.
Most major economies are investing in ever-cheaper solar and wind power. The United States risks further ceding a global market to China. The New York Times
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International
Solar generation provided 11% of the EU's electricity mix in 2024, up from 9.3% in 2023 and overtaking coal which fell to less than 10% for the first time since Ember began collating the figures in 2011. Reuters
International
Solar module prices are expected to rise this year as manufacturers aim to recover profit losses from the past two years. pv magazine
U.S.
Wind and EVs have come under the crosshairs for the Trump Administration, while solar has been relatively unscathed -- so far. pv magazine
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International
Global corporate funding for solar, energy storage and smart grid companies dropped during the fourth quarter of 2024, capping off an all-around slow year for renewable energy financing, according to data from the Mercom Capital Group. Utility Dive
Oregon
Massive projects like Sunstone Solar, which will extend across nearly 9,500 acres and have 1,200 MW of solar, are becoming more and more common. Canary Media
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California
The incident destroyed most of a 300-MW battery array owned by Vistra Energy and should serve as a "wake-up call" for the industry, local officials said. Utility Dive
California
The blaze at Moss Landing in Monterey County, California, may have been worse because of the plant's design and the types of batteries used. Inside Climate News
California
A fire broke out at the Vistra Energy battery storage plant, the world's largest lithium-ion battery storage facility, sending towering flames and black smoke into the night sky and forcing the evacuation of about 1,500 people. Forbes
Idaho
A new energy storage project could be coming to Boise's Southeast. Idaho Power applied for a conditional use permit for a 10-acre battery storage area at its substation at 2001 E. Amity Road. The City of Boise's Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the application at its Feb. 3 meeting. BoiseDev
International
Researchers are designing new technologies, from reinvented batteries to compressed air and spinning wheels, to keep energy in reserve for the lean times. Yale Climate Connections
Maryland
The system will enhance grid reliability of over 600 Potomac Edison customers and is expected to provide backup power for around five hours to customers on the circuit once fully charged. T&D World
Michigan
ESA Solar Energy has been granted approval to install a 150-MW/600-MWh standalone battery energy storage system in Michigan, the U.S. solar and energy storage development platform said. Renewables Now
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Illinois
Merchant transmission lines could play a crucial role in delivering clean energy to Illinois customers, advocates say, and a novel use of RECs could help build them. Energy News Network
U.S.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's December Long-Term Reliability Assessment shows that the New England grid faces an elevated risk of power shortfalls during extreme conditions, especially in winter. The Connecticut Mirror
U.S.
Six connected communities will demonstrate technology solutions to manage growing electric loads on the grid. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
Network upgrade costs for generating projects recently withdrawn from interconnection queues averaged 70% of total interconnection costs, Berkeley Lab researchers found. pv magazine
U.S.
The Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Roadmap also sets ambitious targets and strategies to improve interconnection processes and maintain reliability of the electric grid. Solar Power World
Virginia
Two bills introduced by Del. David Reid (D-28) that address information presented in a recent study on data centers in Virginia have received endorsement from House committees. LoudounNow
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U.S.
The proliferation of sheep on solar farms is part of a broader trend -- solar grazing -- that has exploded alongside the solar industry. The Hill
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U.S.
President Donald Trump's executive order halting new wind project approvals is challenging the Republican Party's "all-of-the-above" energy mantra. Energywire
U.S.
Renewable energy giants appear relatively sanguine about U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-wind policies. CNBC
U.S.
In 2006, he bought land along the coast in Scotland to build a golf course. Then he learned that an offshore wind farm was planned for the area. Fast Company
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