(IAN) OXFORD 171

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(GRE) JONES BROS AWARDED MENTER MON CONTRACT

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been awarded a £23.5M contract by social enterprise Menter Mon to build onshore infrastructure for a marine energy project in Angelsey, an island in Wales.

The north Wales headquartered civil engineering firm will construct the landfall substation on Holy Island, as well as cabling which will connect the scheme to the National Grid.

The Morlais project, which covers a 35 km2 area of seabed off the Anglesey coast, will have the potential to generate 240MW when completed. Work on the project - set to be largest tidal energy development run by a social enterprise in the UK - will begin this spring.

The contract announcement comes at the same time as confirmation of £31M by the European Regional Development fund through the Welsh Government for the first phase of construction work.

Jones Bros contracts director Eryl Roberts said: “It is fantastic to have been appointed to deliver the infrastructure for such an innovative renewable scheme like Morlais, which is right on our own doorstep in north Wales.”

Morlais director Gerallt Llywelyn Jones said: “We are delighted to be working with Jones Bros on this important project. Securing benefits to the north Wales economy has been very important to us and is the main reason we were so keen to create something with strong local roots.

“This contract is just the beginning of course; it is an important milestone to ensuring we can build local supply chains and create job opportunities here on Anglesey and across the wider region.”

The Isle of Anglesey County Council, North Wales Growth Deal, as well as The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have also supported the project. Ground Engineering - link - Thames Menteth - link - more like this (Wales) - link - more like this (tidal) - link

(AUC) LOTUS ELETRE SUV

The Eletre begins Lotus’s reinvention as an electric performance vehicle firm offering a breadth of cars, rather than just the sports cars for which it is traditionally known.

The SUV is the first of four EVs set to arrive by 2025 from the Geely-owned British brand.

Until now, the Eletre was codenamed Type 132 and the subsequent electric models are currently known as Type 133, Type 134 and Type 135, the last of which is the Lotus Evija hypercar.

The Eletre has almost exactly the same footprint as the Lamborghini Urus, at 5105m long, 2131mm wide and 1630mm tall, but is roomier thanks to its long wheelbase.

It is therefore a large car that caters to demand in China and the US (two crucial markets), although Lotus is also confident of strong uptake in mainland Europe and the UK, targeting a starting price of under £100,000. Autocar - link - Rachel Burgess - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (electric cars) - link

(HFN) AIR PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES CASA GRANDE H2 FACILITY

Trexlertown, Pennsylvania-based Air Products has announced that it will be building and operating its own 10 metric ton green liquid hydrogen fuel production facility in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The new plant will have a production capacity of an estimated 10 metric tons per day; slated to begin production next year. It will be used for serving the Californian mobility market, in addition to those in other locations that require renewable H2 to meet their net zero carbon emission goals.

The state of California has announced its intentions to completely decarbonize its transportation sector. That is the sector with the highest pollution contribution in its economy. It intends to achieve that goal by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. 

It has established a 2035 target for all Class 8 heavy-duty trucks (drayage trucks) to be zero-emission vehicles. Moreover, by 2045, all heavy-duty vehicles in the state will have been converted to zero-emission models.
Green liquid hydrogen fuel is becoming an increasingly popular option in this decarbonization transition.

Fuel cells have drawn considerable attention when compared to battery electric vehicles when it comes to heavy-duty applications. The reason is that H2 technology currently boasts longer range, faster refueling times, and larger payloads. Moreover, it has also shown to provide superior performance in extreme climate conditions, according to a statement from Air Products.

The company’s new plant will produce the renewable H2 using two Thyssenkrupp Nucera electrolyzers. Those will use water to produce the H2 in a gaseous state. From there, the company’s own proprietary technology will be used to liquify it. The green liquid hydrogen facility will use advanced compression technology acquired by way of the strategic alliance Air Products has made with Baker Hughes.

The new Casa Grande site will also include a product distribution terminal to ship the fuel to customer locations in markets across California and other states. The production process used by Air Products will be powered entirely by renewable energy, which means that there won’t be carbon emissions throughout both the production and use of the fuel. Hydrogen Fuel News - link - Alicia Moore - link - more like this (USA) - link - more like this (H2) - link

(PVM) NETHERLANDS COMMISSIONS GREEN H2 FACILITY

The solar park is located in Oosterwolde, in the Dutch region of Friesland. Image: Alliander

Groenleven, the Dutch unit of German renewable energy company BayWa re; and the Netherlands’ largest utility, Alliander, have commissioned the Netherlands' first PV-powered hydrogen production site, in Oosterwolde, in the Dutch province of Friesland.

“Alliander and GroenLeven will investigate how hydrogen can play a role in areas where the capacity of the electricity grid is not sufficient to host new large scale solar capacity,” the two companies said, referring to recent network capacity issues in the northern Netherlands.

Alliander wants to evaluate, in particular, if grid congestion in the area can be reduced or prevented and whether hydrogen would enable spending fewer resources on grid expansion.

The hydrogen production unit will be operated by Alliander and will be linked to a nearby, 50MW solar park operated by Groenleven. The green hydrogen generated at the new facility will be purchased by local taxi company Kort and fuel supplier OrangeGas at an unspecified price. “It is expected that 100,000kg of hydrogen can be produced annually, which is enough for about 10 million clean kilometers of car journeys with a passenger car,” Alliander stated. GroenLeven will investigate how green hydrogen can be stored and used for other applications.

“The pilot project that we are implementing together with GroenLeven gives us the opportunity to see if hydrogen can contribute to the efficient use of our electricity grids,” the company's CEO, Daan Schut, emphasized. “By making hydrogen with the electricity generated from the solar park, and using it as fuel to drive cars, we are burdened less and no sustainably-generated energy is lost.”

According to the Dutch energy provider, hydrogen is expected to flow through the pipelines of the installation for the first time in June. pv magazine - link - Emiliano Bellini - link - more like this (Netherlands) - link - more like this (Germany) - link - more like this (H2) - link

(BLO) TESLA OPENS GRUENHEIDE GIGAFACTORY

Elon Musk, center, and Olaf Scholz, left, attend the start of production at the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22. Photographer: Christian Marquardt/Pool/Getty Images

Almost 19 years after its founding, Tesla Inc. has a car factory network that spans the globe.

The leading electric-vehicle maker officially opened its plant outside Berlin on Tuesday, handing over the first 30 Model Ys to customers in front of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk followed through on his promise  to dance as he did when Tesla opened its Shanghai factory two years ago.

Tesla shares rose a sixth consecutive day, surging as much as 6.8% to $984 and pushing the company’s market capitalization back above $1 trillion.

The 5 billion-euro ($5.5 billion) facility -- first announced in late 2019 -- will boost Tesla’s capacity to make electric sport utility vehicles as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drives up fuel costs and adds momentum to already-soaring EV demand. The question for Musk, 50, is how quickly the company can ramp up output in the midst of industrywide supply chain challenges, including shortages of semiconductors and battery metals.

“The start of production is nice, but volume production is the hard part,” Musk said during a visit to the plant construction site in October. He said then that Tesla would target making 5,000 to 10,000 vehicles a week by the end of this year.

Tesla’s plant in Gruenheide is essential to Musk capturing more of Europe’s expanding EV market. He tweeted last week that he was working on a new “master plan” for the carmaker and wrote Monday that “scaling to extreme size” would be a main subject.

That number is set to grow by a few thousand over the coming months, Tesla said in an emailed statement. The company expects to eventually employ 12,000 people once full vehicle production is underway alongside a 50 gigawatt-hour battery-making operation. 

“We have to get behind progress that’s driving new technologies, because that’s how we’ll get new jobs,” Scholz said in remarks prepared for a speech at the facility. Bloomberg - link - Monica Raymunt - link - more like this (Germany) - link - more like this (electric cars) - link - more like this (Tesla) - link

(AEV) BEHOLD - THE ZERO Z-FORCE IPM

When there's hardly any weight at all to begin with, you have the recipe for one spicy road beast, track monster, or trail carver. Whichever variety of motorcycle you most prefer, chances are pretty good Zero Motorcycles of Santa Cruz, California, has you covered. 

The man behind Zero's founding had their training in a field a touch more prestigious than common motorcycles.

That's right, Neal Saiki, founder and lead engineer behind Zero Motorcycles, spent time at NASA as a legit aerospace engineer. Before opening his own business in the Santa Cruz area. An area pretty well known for being kind to tech startups.

Admittedly, the original office building for the company was located adjacent to Santa Cruz proper in the small suburb of Scotts, California. Founded as Electricross in 2006, the company's first-ever bespoke electric dirt bike weighed a featherweight 140 pounds (63.5 kilos). Or nearly light enough to lug onto a subway train, but not quite.

The Zero-X, as it was known, had only two switches. One to turn the electric motor on or off, and one to toggle between a setting geared toward either low-end torque or a higher top speed. That's all you need when your electric drive trains is so simple and versatile.

Automotive royalty Jay Leno profiled the bike in 2008, perhaps the first big break for the fledgling company. Everyone knows Leno's endorsement is as good as gold. By 2009, the company was staging titularly named endurance races for their own customers to compete in.

The inaugural 2009 running of the event covered 502.1 miles and a scarcely believable 1,015 laps of the tough dirt circuit tracks. That same year, the company unveiled its first road-legal motorcycle. This new bike was christened the Zero S.

Geared for street and light track use instead of dirt trails, The S and the upgraded Zero DS were touted as also being halfway decent off-road. Even while running on street tires to boot. To cap off a landmark year, the company founded its first European operations team in Holland.

The company would get a very helpful endorsement from the then Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, an avid motorcycle enthusiast in his own right. Soon after, the company unveiled its Zero XU urban commuter. A moderately powerful EV bike designed to be perfect for working-class city folks who needed something cheaper than a car to run around in.

By 2013, Zero riders were riding cross country in five days, or 135 hours, and developing their own mobile apps to use in tandem with their bikes. That same year, a Zero Motorcycle was victorious in the first-ever running of Pikes Peak's EV motorcycle hill climb race division.

It's done so year after year every time out since. By the following year, the brand's flagship Zero SR was topping 100 miles per hour and zero to 60 mph (100 kph) in the low three-second range. Eat your heart out, Suzuki and Kawasaki. Skip to 2016, and the Zero FXS Supermoto is ready to show off the crazy innovations behind its unique Z-Force IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) motor. autoevolution - link - Benny Kirk - link - more like this (USA) - link - more like this (electric motorcycles) - link - more like this (California) - link

(STV) EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY

Businesses are set to be charged for the packaging of their products depending on how difficult to recycle it is.

Plans shared by the Scottish Government following a UK-wide consultation set out reforms to tackle excess packaging and boost recycling rates.

The Extended Producer Responsibility will require producers across the country to take responsibility for the waste created by their products.

A report on the scheme estimates producers will be charged around £1.7bn each year to cover the costs of managing household waste across the UK. Household waste currently costs the British taxpayer around £1.2bn every year.

Under the plans fees will be weighted, and producers will be required to pay more for packaging that is harder to reuse or recycle. The cash generated will go towards improving local recycling collections from households.

The Scottish Government hopes the reforms encourage businesses to use less packaging and make sure what they do use is either recyclable or reusable.

Coffee shops, fast food chains, and other businesses that sell drinks in disposable paper cups will be required to provide a dedicated bin to collect and recycle these from under the new bill.

The Extended Producer Responsibility will come into force from 2024.

Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said: “Too many products still come wrapped in unnecessary or hard to recycle packaging, much of which ends up in landfill or incineration.

“Pricing in the environmental costs of packaging will encourage businesses to either use less or make the switch to more sustainable alternatives.

“Not only will this reduce waste and emissions, it will also help cut the amount of packaging littering our streets, parks, and beaches.

“We know people want to do the right thing with waste in their homes, but still find it tricky to know what can be recycled, so all packaging will also have standardised recycling labels.

“This will make it easier for people to recycle packaging correctly.”

Iain Gulland, chief executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “These reforms have enormous potential to help drive the circular economy in Scotland and lead to a more sustainable approach to packaging where it is required.

“With more than 12 million tonnes of packaging waste produced in the UK every year, a substantial proportion of which ends up in landfill, it’s hugely important we take action to maximise the value of packaging by reusing and recycling it effectively, and to reduce unnecessary packaging altogether.” STV News - link - Calum Loudon - link - EPR 2024 - link - more like this (Scotland) - link - more like this (waste) - link - UPDATE - more like this (USA) - link

(H2V) GERMANY TO BUILD 1,500 KM H2 PIPELINE

Hydrogen infrastructure in Germany has been handed a significant boost today (March 24) with RWE and OGE unveiling a hydrogen infrastructure concept including 1GW of new electrolyser capacity and 1,500km of pipeline.

In order to speed up the development of the German hydrogen economy in light of recent EU plans to displace Russian fossil fuel and gas reliance, the concept could turn Germany into a powerhouse for the clean energy carrier.

Dubbed H2ercules the plans aim to install an additional 1GW of electrolyser capacity whilst also linking it via pipeline infrastructure to storage and import facilities in Northern Germany.

Additional import routes from the south and east are also currently under development and could be connected to the pipeline by 2030.

Because of this, the H2ercules project could become the backbone for the German hydrogen economy and create a hydrogen network that spans the entire nation.

RWE has also said that companies such as thyssenkrupp have signalled an interest in being connected to such a grid.

According to the companies, it is estimated that investments of about €3.5bn ($3.85bn) will be needed to implement the project.

However, as most of H2ercules can use converted existing natural gas pipelines, the proposal can be implemented significantly more quickly and more cost-effectively overall than infrastructure that is constructed from scratch.

Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, said, “In order to achieve its climate goals, the industry needs large volumes of green hydrogen – as quickly as possible. RWE is thus planning to construct additional electrolyser capacities in the coastal regions of northwest Germany by 2030.

“The green hydrogen produced there is then to be transported from the north to the steelworks, chemical plants and refineries in the Ruhr area and southern Germany. Together with OGE we are addressing this challenge and we are planning to build Germany’s first hydrogen fast track.” H2VIEW - link - the ever brilliant George Heynes - link - more like this (Germany) - link - more like this (H2) - link

(BUG) BP & SHELL UNVEIL GREEN PLANS FOR UK

The UK's two largest oil and gas majors have this week unveiled plans to drastically ramp up their investment in low carbon infrastructure, as calls grow for the UK to curb its fossil fuel imports in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

City AM this morning reported comments from Shell UK country chair David Bunch indicating the energy giant is planning to "invest between £20bn and £25bn into the UK energy system over the next decade".

He added that 75 per cent of the investment would be in low and zero-carbon products and services, including offshore wind, hydrogen, and electric mobility.

The proposed investment, which is subject to board approval, comes as Shell faces growing calls to ramp up spending on domestic energy projects following its decision to exit Russian assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The oil and gas industry is also facing growing calls from the Labour opposition for a windfall tax on energy firms' profits to help fund measures to support fuel poor households struggling with soaring bills.

Bunch said he would be setting out more details on the multi-billion pound investment plan in "the months ahead", but he also stressed that fresh policy measures were required from government on a number of fronts to drive investment in new low carbon infrastructure.

"Shell cannot act alone," he said. "Investing this money requires urgency of action across government to deliver the enabling policy and business case frameworks. These must address both the supply and demand side of the energy transition (in areas such as hydrogen and CCS, for example)."

The news comes in the same day as the Carbon Capture and Storage Association warned that unless the government urgently clarifies the policy framework for new CCS and hydrogen projects they will struggle to be delivered in time to help the UK's meet its net zero targets.

Shell said the vast majority of its new investment plan would be focused on green energy sources such as offshore wind and hydrogen power, but the news also comes amidst reports that it is reconsidering its decision to exit the controversial Cambo oil field project, which could see a new field opened up off the coast of Shetland.

Separately, BP today announced plans to invest £1bn in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to accelerate the expansion of its BP Pulse network of fast chargers. Timed to coincide with the release of the government's EV Infrastructure Strategy, the company said the investment would see BP deliver more rapid and ultra-fast chargers in key locations, expand fleet products and services, and launch new home charge digital products and services to enhance customer experience. Business Green - link - James Murray - link - more like this (UK investment) - link

(AEV) VOLOCOPTER CARRIES OUT FIRST CREWED FLIGHT

Volocopter has been around since 2011. It started gaining popularity in the same year when it successfully conducted the first flight of an electric multicopter. Over time, the company performed more than 1,000 test flights and matured its aircraft into the two-seater eVTOL that we see today.

Called Volocopter 2X, the prototype performed its first public flight in 2021, during an air show in Paris, France. At the time, the aircraft took to the skies crewless. It climbed to a 30-meter (98-ft) altitude and reached a 30 kph (19 mph) speed. Now, Volopter is back in Paris, and it’s ready to show the world that it’s getting closer to launching its UAM services in France.

The recent test flights were conducted with a crew on board, and they are part of a week-long UAM test campaign. During this campaign, Volocopter will gather data, including information about the noise levels produced by the 2X full-scale prototype.

The information will be used by the company to better prepare to launch its air taxi services in time for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The successful flights took place at the Pontoise airfield, which is located 35 km (22 miles) northwest of Paris.

“We have demonstrated our pioneering power once again here in Paris. By flying our aircraft in a crewed configuration at a Paris airport, we are proving to one of our launch cities firsthand that our aircraft will offer a practical addition for potential airport-to-city routes,” said Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Volocopter.

According to Volocopter, the company is planning a commercial launch in the next two to three years. It already has European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification to design and manufacture aircraft in-house, and it is seeking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to enter the U.S. market as well. autoevolution - link - Florina Spinu - link - more like this (Germany) - link - more like this (France) - link - more like this (electric aircraft) - link

(MON) 2022 - 166 SQUARE MILES IN TWO MONTHS - GONE

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is off to its fastest pace to start a year since at least 2008 reveals data published on Friday by Brazil’s national space research institute, INPE.

According to INPE’s deforestation alert system, forest clearing in the Amazon through the first two months of 2022 has amounted to 430 square kilometers (166 square miles), an area 126 times the size of New York’s Central Park. The loss in January and February year to date is more than twice the average of the past decade.

The torrid start to the year suggests the Brazilian government is falling short of its pledge at last year’s U.N. climate conference to rein in deforestation, which in 2021 topped 13,000 square kilometers for the first time since 2006. Forest loss in the region has been trending upward since 2012, but sharply accelerated since Jair Bolsonaro was elected president in 2019.

The news came just days after a study published in Nature Climate Change provided more evidence that Earth’s largest rainforest is losing its resilience, heightening the risk of large-scale dieback. Such a dieback would substantially increase carbon emissions, diminish local and regional rainfall, and have catastrophic implications for biodiversity and forest-dependent peoples.

The Brazilian Amazon accounts for nearly two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest and about a third of global tropical rainforest cover. Mongabay - link - Mongabay muck rack - link - picture - link - more like this - link

(SAP) UNILEVER - PALM OIL TRACEABILITY

WALLDORF and LONDON — SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) and Unilever (LON: ULVR) today announced a pilot of the GreenToken by SAP solution to further increase traceability and transparency in Unilever’s global palm oil supply chain.

Raw materials like palm oil are often mixed with physically identical raw materials from verified sustainable and nonverified sources after the “first mile” of the supply chain, causing the origin information to be either hidden or lost.

In a successful proof of concept in Indonesia, Unilever applied GreenToken to source more than 188,000 tons of oil palm fruit. The solution enabled Golden Agri-Resources and other suppliers from whom Unilever sources to create tokens that mirror the material flow of the palm oil throughout the supply chain and capture the unique attributes linked to the oil’s origin.

“With GreenToken, we want to bring the same traceability and supply chain transparency to bulk raw materials that you get from scanning a bar or QR code on any consumer product,” said Nitin Jain, co-founder and general manager of the GreenToken by SAP solution, SAP. “Our solution allows companies to tell what percentage of palm oil products they purchased from a sustainable origin and track it to the end consumer product.”

“Technology has played an important role in our efforts to enhance visibility and transparency in our own palm oil supply chains,” said Anita Neville, chief sustainability and communications officer, Golden Agri-Resources. “Our participation in the GreenToken by SAP solution pilot with SAP and Unilever provided useful insights in how to successfully pass information between different actors in the supply chain.”

The GreenToken solution helped Unilever track, verify and report in near real time the origins and journey that palm oil takes through its long and complex supply chain. SAP - link - Juliana Roxa - link - Christoph Lixenfeld - link - Grifyn McErlean - link - picture (WWF) - link - more like this - (palm oil) - link

(CNB) PRODUCTION BEGINS AT NIKOLA

Electric heavy-truck startup Nikola announced on Wednesday that it has begun production of the battery-powered version of its electric Tre semitruck at its factory in Coolidge, Arizona, beating rival Tesla’s electric semitruck to market.

Nikola plans to begin deliveries of the trucks in the second quarter, executives said during a presentation for analysts. Production of the trucks for customers began on Monday.

Nikola shares were up about 4% in after-hours trading following the announcement.

The battery-electric version of the Tre is intended for shorter routes, with an estimated range of about 350 miles. Nikola expects to deliver between 300 and 500 of the trucks this year before ramping up production to a higher level in 2023.

Nikola’s once high-flying stock has slumped to single-digits since the departure of its founder, Trevor Milton, under an ethical cloud in 2020. The company has cut ties with Milton and has settled all outstanding claims related to his actions, it reiterated on Wednesday.

Milton was indicted last year on federal fraud charges related to statements he made before Nikola’s initial public offering.

Nikola plans to follow the battery-electric Tre with a version powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that will come with range of up to 500 miles, suitable for longer routes. That will be followed by what Nikola calls a “next-generation” fuel-cell model in 2025, suitable for long-haul routes with up to 900 miles of range.

The hydrogen Tre is on track to begin shipping late 2023, the company confirmed. CNBC- link - John Rosevear - link - picture - link - more like this (USA) - link - more like this (trucks) - link

(GUA) RED & WHITE BLOOD CELLS, PLASMA & PLASTIC

Microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory. Photograph: David Kelly/Photograph David Kelly

Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested.

The discovery shows the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. The impact on health is as yet unknown. But researchers are concerned as microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of early deaths a year.

Huge amounts of plastic waste are dumped in the environment and microplastics now contaminate the entire planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. People were already known to consume the tiny particles via food and water as well as breathing them in, and they have been found in the faeces of babies and adults.

The scientists analysed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors, all healthy adults and found plastic particles in 17. Half the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in drinks bottles, while a third contained polystyrene, used for packaging food and other products. A quarter of the blood samples contained polyethylene, from which plastic carrier bags are made.

“Our study is the first indication that we have polymer particles in our blood – ​it’s a breakthrough result,” said Prof Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. “But we have to extend the research and increase the sample sizes, the number of polymers assessed, etc.” Further studies by a number of groups are already under way, he said.

“It is certainly reasonable to be concerned,” Vethaak told the Guardian. “The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.” He said previous work had shown that microplastics were 10 times higher in the faeces of babies compared with adults and that babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day. The Guardian - link - Damian Carrington - link - more like this (plastics) - link

(IAN) OXFORD 170

Worcester Street - link - more like this - link

(ALJ) CHINA TARGETS 200,000 TE GREEN H2 PER YEAR

China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases [File: David Gray/Reuters]

China’s top economic planner has announced a target to produce up to 200,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel generated from renewable energy sources.

The country aims to produce 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen a year and have about 50,000 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles by 2025, envisaging more widespread use over the long term, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Wednesday in a statement.

China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been striving to balance energy security and achieve its climate change goals and is focusing on hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions from its transportation and industrial sectors.

Green hydrogen is gas produced by breaking down water in electrolysis using renewable energy sources, reducing the amount of carbon emissions released during the process compared with hydrogen created from natural gas or coal.

“Development of hydrogen is an important move for energy transition and a great support for China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,” said Wang Xiang, deputy director of the High Technology Department at the NDRC, at a press briefing.

China currently produces 33 million tonnes of hydrogen a year, with about 80 percent of hydrogen coming from coal and natural gas, and the rest mainly a by-product from industrial sectors, according to the government.

Data from the China Hydrogen Alliance, an industrial association, shows the country produced 500,000 tonnes of hydrogen from water electrolysis in 2019. Aljazeera - link - David Gray - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (green H2) - link

(OFF) UK OFFSHORE WIND PIPELINE NOW @ 86 GW

The UK’s total pipeline of offshore wind projects now stands at 86 GW, more than eight times the UK’s current operational capacity, according to statistics published by RenewableUK on 22 March.

This represents a 60 per cent increase over the past 12 months, driven mainly by massive leasing round announcements by The Crown Estate (8 GW) and Crown Estate Scotland (25 GW), RenewableUK said.

The 86 GW include projects which are fully operational, under construction, consented, in the planning system, or being developed for submission into planning.

This is more than 20 GW more than reported by RenewableUK in September 2021, based on research by its Project Intelligence team, which found the UK’s total offshore wind capacity pipeline at the time to be 63.2 GW.

“Our latest EnergyPulse report shows that the UK’s world-class offshore wind industry has taken huge strides forward in the past twelve months, with landmark leasing announcements adding an extra 33GW to our pipeline, and funding for floating wind ringfenced in the current CfD auction to help accelerate the growth of innovative technology”, said RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail.

“It’s clear that offshore wind will be doing the heavy lifting as we secure our clean home-grown energy supplies and move faster towards independence from unstable fossil fuel imports”.

The latest EnergyPulse report from RenewableUK also analyses data on major components of UK offshore wind farms such as turbines, cables and substations, and shows that the average turbine capacity will increase from 8-9 MW this year to 14-15 MW by 2025.

Looking globally, the total offshore wind pipeline worldwide has reached 517 GW, according to the report, with China (24 GW) now having more capacity in full operation than the UK (10.5 GW).

However, the UK’s total pipeline of 86 GW is bigger than China’s 75 GW, with the US following in third place with 48 GW. offshoreWIND.biz - link - the reliably brilliant Adrijana Buljan - link - more like this - link

(CNB) STELLANTIS SIGNS JV WITH LG ENERGY

Chris Feuell, CEO of Chrysler brand of Stellantis, introduces the all-electric Chrysler Airflow Concept vehicle during a Stellantis press event at CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 5, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.- Alex Wong | Getty Images

DETROIT – Automaker Stellantis and LG Energy Solution will invest about $4.1 billion through a joint venture to establish the first large-scale, domestic, electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Canada, the companies announced Wednesday.

Construction of the plant in Windsor, Ontario is scheduled to begin later this year with operations planned to launch in the first quarter of 2024, according to the transatlantic automaker. 

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of more than 45 gigawatt hours and will create an estimated 2,500 new jobs, Stellantis said.

The new plant is part of the automaker’s plans to accelerate its EV investment to achieve sales of 5 million EVs globally by 2030. That includes all sales in Europe and 50% of passenger car and light-duty truck sales in North America.

The announcement is the latest for automakers regarding battery plants, also known as gigafactories, as the companies attempt to pivot to all-electric vehicles during this decade. Nearly every major automaker globally has announced such plans, including allocating billions to the production of batteries – the most critical component for such vehicles.

Stellantis – the world’s fourth-largest automaker – was formed in January 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France-based Groupe PSA. It has 14 individual auto brands, including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Peugeot. CNBC - link - Michael Wayland - link - more like this (ev batteries) - link - more like this - (Canada) - link

(RNO) POLENERGIA LOOKS TO LITHUANIAN OFFSHORE

Wind turbines in the Baltic Sea. Author: Håkan Dahlström. License: Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic

March 22 (Renewables Now) - Renewable energy developer Green Genius, part of Lithuania’s Modus Group, and Polish private energy company Polenergia SA (WSE:PEP) have signed a cooperation agreement to compete together in Lithuania's first offshore wind tender, according to an announcement today.

The partners will participate in the auction for the country’s first wind farm in the Baltic Sea, of 700 MW, which is scheduled for September 2023. They have entered into an investment agreement for the formation of a joint venture, which needs to be approved by competition regulators.

It was earlier announced that the companies have agreed key terms of the partnership.

They say their cooperation will combine Polenergia’s investment experience in Central Europe with Green Genius’ knowledge of local Lithuanian regulations.

In Poland, Polenergia is developing 3 GW of offshore wind projects, MFW Baltyk I, MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III, in partnership with Norwegian energy group Equinor ASA (OSE:EQNR).

“The significance of renewable energy is increasing in days, not in years anymore. To make the tangible change for energy independence in the region, as well as sustainability, we have to act faster and smarter,” commented Green Genius chief executive Ruslanas Sklepovicus. Renewables Now - link - Plamena Tisheva - link - more like this (Poland) - link - more like this (offshore) - link

(PVM) ZEPPELIN - GREEN H2 FROM SEWAGE PROJECT

A water treatment facility operated by Aqualia.- Image: Aqualia

Spanish water management company Aqualia is leading a consortium that intends to set up a green hydrogen production facility.

The consortium comprises Spain's energy giants Repsol, as a producer and consumer of hydrogen, and power utilities Naturgy, Redexis, and Reganosa, as gas distributors. It also includes Spanish technology companies Norvento, Perseo, and Técnicas Reunidas.

The pilot project is called Zeppelin and is planned to be implemented at the Isla Verde Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in the port of Algeciras, in the southern region of Andalucia, where Técnicas Reunidas will install several innovative hydrogen production facilities.

The project has a total budget of more than €7 million, with €4.23 million coming from the Spanish government.

The consortium aims to process more than 99 million tons of waste and 50 million tons of municipal wastewater to produce 135,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. “Translated into practical examples, this represents sufficient production for Spanish industry to meet the objectives set out in the Hydrogen Roadmap, or to satisfy the energy needs of the entire Spanish railway network,” Aqualia said in a statement.

“The choice of Algeciras as the site for Aqualia's activities is directly related to the presence of large industries in the area, such as Acerinox, Viesco, Air Liquide, [and] Linde, as well as the port companies, as potential end consumers of green hydrogen. pv magazine - link - Luisa Cabello - link - more like this (Spain) - link - more like this (green H2) - link

(IRT) FAST TRACKING IRISH WIND FARMS

This is the real opportunity for our country to switch away from fossil fuels and put it up to Putin,’ said Eamon Ryan. Photograph: David O’Brien

Seven large offshore wind farms with capacity to power three million homes are set to be fast-tracked from this year under a new maritime regulation regime.

As part of a multibillion euro investment programme, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has invited applications from developers of six wind farms proposed for the Irish Sea and one off the west coast.

Under new powers, the first tranche of projects using fixed turbines will be able to obtain consents from the Minister, enabling them to go directly to An Bord Pleanála for consideration.

Provided they meet planning, environmental and financial requirements, it brings the prospect of beginning to generate power from 2027 – supplying three gigawatts (GW) of renewable power to the grid.

The Irish Sea projects are Oriel Wind Park off Co Louth; two wind farms proposed by RWE at Bray and Kish Banks off Co Dublin, two wind farms due to be built by Codling Wind Park off Co Wicklow and a development by North Irish Sea Array Ltd off Co Meath and north Dublin. The West of Ireland wind farm is planned by Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta off Connemara, Co Galway. The Irish Times - link - Kevin O'Sullivan - link - more like this (Ireland) - link - more like this (offshore) - link

(MOL) AS SIMPLE AS PETASE, TPADO, EG & TPA

While the importance of recycling is regularly hammered home to us, plastic waste around the world is at an all-time high, with a whopping 353 million tonnes produced every year.

Now, scientists believe they may have the solution to reducing plastic waste, in the form of enzymes that eat polyester.

The first enzyme, called PETase, was discovered back in 2016, but until now it's been largely unusable because it breaks down at high temperatures.

In a new study, researchers from Northwestern University designed a polymer that protects the enzyme, allowing it to break down polyester even at high temperatures.

Meanwhile, a second study, led by researchers from Montana State University and the University of Portsmouth, identified a second enzyme, called TPADO, that breaks down terephthalate (TPA) - one of the two chemicals produced when polyester breaks down.

Together, the researchers hope the enzymes could help engineers develop solutions for removing microplastics from rivers and oceans

'Our idea was to build polymers capable of encapsulating the enzyme to protect its structure, so that it can continue to function outside of living cells and in the lab at sufficiently high temperatures to be able to break down PET,' explained Professor Monica Olvera de la Cruz, senior author of the first study.

The polymer consists of a hydrophobic (water repelling) backbone, and highly specific concentrations of its three components.

To put it to the test, the team mixed the polymer with chemically synthesised PETase in the lab.

We found that if you put the complex of the polymer with the enzyme together, and close to a plastic, and then you heat it up slightly, the enzyme was able to break it down into small, monomeric units,' Professor Olvera de la Cruz said.

'In addition to operating in an environment like where it could clean microplastics, our method has protected against high temperature degradation, and one student was able to do the testing.'

When PETase does break down polyester, it leaves behind two chemicals - ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalate (TPA).

In a separate study, researchers from Montana State University and the University of Portsmouth looked at the next steps for these chemicals.

Professor Jen DuBois, who led the study, said: 'While EG is a chemical with many uses – it's part of the antifreeze you put into your car, for example – TPA does not have many uses outside of PET, nor is it something that most bacteria can even digest.' Mail Online - link - Shivali Best - link - picture - link - more like this - link

(EUN) HAPPY GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY

Today is Global Recycling day but unfortunately, that isn’t a cause for celebration with staggeringly low recycling rates the world over. But, according to one expert, laziness isn’t the only reason.

Sustainability advisor Nick Torday says recycling systems are difficult to understand and “broken.”

“This is not an issue for nuanced debate, it is fact,” he says. He explains that in the UK the government claims 46 per cent of household plastic waste is recycled.

“This is nonsense, the real number is less than 9 per cent and for some polymer types, less than 2 per cent - it is hopeless.”

Earlier this month the UN approved a landmark agreement to create the world’s first-ever global plastic pollution treaty. Torday adds that off the back of this “significant” agreement, a “fundamental systematic overhaul to plastic design, production and consumption” is needed.

Recycling is one system that could be improved. Just 8 per cent of people think that recycling labels are clear, according to YouGov - and that leads to a lot of Googling from confused consumers.

The most frequently searched household items

Lifestyle Packaging took a look at search data from Google to discover which items we are most confused about. Then they laid out exactly when these items can and can’t be recycled. Read on for a handy guide to pin up in your kitchen.

Can I recycle polystyrene? - 112,000 searches

You can recycle polystyrene but not at home. It is a complicated process and in many countries that means it can’t be done on a local scale.

Even if your local authority says it will take it, it's unlikely that it will end up being recycled.

One solution is to try to limit the amount you collect or find creative ways to reuse it. Another is to ask online retailers to stop using polystyrene as packaging, as their use of it accounts for a large percentage of all uses.

Can I recycle coffee pods? - 73,600 searches

Coffee pods are another everyday item that can theoretically be recycled, but not in your bins at home. Their small size and light weight make them difficult to deal with and the coffee grounds can contaminate the rest of your recycling.

The best solution here is to ditch coffee pods altogether. But if you have no choice but to use them, buy the ones that are home compostable, and ask your workplace to opt for the same. These can be added to garden or food waste where they will naturally degrade.

Can I recycle crisp packets? - 31,200 searches

Though they often have a recycling symbol on the outside of the multi-pack, individual crisp packets are not recyclable at home.

Empty packets can often be dropped off at local recycling points which can be found at many supermarkets.

Can I recycle Tetra Pak? - 28,000 searches

These can be recycled but only in certain areas. Tetra Paks are made from up to 90 per cent paperboard but have an aluminium foil liner and plastic cap that can make the recycling process more difficult.

If your local area doesn’t offer Tetra Pak recycling, they can often be dropped off at supermarket collection points or council-run recycling centres.

Can I recycle light bulbs? - 19,600 searches

Old incandescent light bulbs can’t be recycled and should be thrown away with your usual waste.

Newer energy efficient bulbs, however, can be recycled at most larger waste centres and some shops. So buy LED light bulbs whenever you can, and take the bulb type into account if buying new light fittings or lamps.

Can I recycle BRITA filters? - 17,800 searches

These can’t be recycled in your home waste. Used BRITA and water filters from other companies have to be collected up and taken to your nearest recycling point where they will be sent back to the company. You can find your local spot here.

Can I recycle blister packs? - 13,600 searches

Made from PVC to protect your medication from contamination, blister packs have to be durable. The properties of PVC mean that it's not useful once it has been recycled.

Pharmacies will often collect them, however, to be turned into plastic pellets that can be made into recycled plastic products. The cardboard boxes they come in can also be recycled at home.

Can I recycle toothpaste?- 6,200 searches

Toothpaste tubes are often made from a mix of materials including plastic and metal. That can make them difficult to recycle at home.

Pump action toothpaste tubes are easier to recycle and can be put in with your home collection if your local authority also collects plastic pots, tubs and trays.

What is ‘Wishcycling’?

If you are ever unsure about whether an item can be recycled at home, don’t throw it in the bin and hope for the best. This is called ‘wishcycling’ and can lead to the whole lot being sent to landfill - even the items that can be recycled.

It also pushes up the costs for recycling centres and can lead to delays. So always check what your local authority accepts, or ask a friendly neighbour, before throwing an item away. Euronews Green - link - EG - muck rack - link - more like this - link

(APN) US TO INCREASE HYDROPOWER ENERGY GENERATION

The Emsworth Dam and Lock are seen on the Ohio River in Emsworth, Pa., April 9, 2021. As the U.S. pushes to transition to low-carbon energy, some hydropower companies see an opportunity to expand hydropower generation at existing dams while minimizing environmental harms. It reflects a surprising alliance that has emerged between the industry and conservation groups. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — In southwestern Pennsylvania, eight locks and dams that for decades helped barges move goods along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers will in a few years also generate enough power for 75,000 homes.

Rye Development, a Boston-based hydropower company, is retrofitting the dams with turbines to generate electricity and says the upgraded structures will limit damage to the rivers’ water quality and fish.

The project reflects a recent thawing between the industry and conservation groups, which had long opposed dams that can prevent fish migration, alter water temperatures and cause other environmental problems. As the U.S. pushes to transition to low-carbon energy, Rye is among the companies that sees an opportunity to expand hydropower production at existing dams while working to minimize environmental harms.

The recent compromises between the industry and environmental groups are reflected in President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law, which puts $2.5 billion toward projects including dam removals as well as upgrades at existing structures for hydropower and energy storage.

“We do recognize that (hydropower) is probably going to play some role in the transition. It’s certainly better than coal,” said Ted Illston of American Rivers, which has advocated for dam removals on environmental grounds.

Hydropower, which uses flowing water to spin turbines connected to generators, is the oldest and second-largest renewable energy source in the U.S. after wind power. In 2020, it accounted for roughly 7% of the electricity generated in the country.

The industry hasn’t received as much federal funding and tax incentives as wind and solar, but sees room for growth. Of the 90,000 dams in the country, about 2,500 produce power. Non-powered dams could produce enough power for 9 to 12 million homes, according to an estimate by the Electric Power Supply Association based on federal data from 2012. AP News - link - Suman Naishadham - link - more like this (USA) - link - more like this (hydro) - link

(EUN) ITALY'S BELEOLICO FACILITY COMPLETION IMMINENT

Italy is close to completing a huge offshore wind farm. - Copyright Canva

Italy is about to complete construction of its first offshore wind farm, as it attempts to free itself from Russian fossil fuels.

Beleolico wind turbine park will be located just off the port in Taranto, about 100 metres from the coast. Taranto is a city in the south of Italy, known for its polluting steel plant, Ilva.

The facility is more likely to be classified as 'nearshore', but this is a "decisive moment for exploitation of wind energy in the Mediterranean Sea," according to energy firm Eni.

When fully operational, the plant will consist of 10 turbines with a total capacity of 30 MW - able to produce over 58,000 MWh, equal to the annual energy needs of 60,000 people. In environmental terms, this means that it will save around 730,000 tonnes of CO2 during its 25-year lifespan.

The government has also recently approved six new wind farms to be built on land, from Sardinia to Basilicata. After being held back for years by red tape, wind farms are now getting the go-ahead as Italy looks to renewable energy as the solution to its energy crisis. Euronews Green - link - Maeve Campbell - link - more like this (Italy) - link - more like this (offshore) - link

(TIM) ITM POWER TO CREATE 1,100 JOBS

A hydrogen group backed by Lord Bamford and Peter Hargreaves is set to create 1,100 jobs in the North of England over the next two years.

The boss of ITM Power, Graham Cooley, said the company would nearly quadruple its current workforce of 400 after it opened a second factory in Sheffield in 2023.

ITM Power already has the world's biggest plant making a specialised form of electrolyser that extracts hydrogen from water and is powered by renewables. This is so-called 'green hydrogen,' meaning it has no carbon footprint.

Hydrogen is a key pillar of Boris Johnson's ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution. Some buses and lorries already use it as fuel but there are also plans to pipe it into the gas network and use it to power aeroplanes.

ITM Power is worth £2.5billion on the AIM market, having seen its value surge by two-thirds in the past few weeks. In that time the EU has launched a major new funding strategy, while the war in Ukraine has focused attention on the need to wean the West off Russian gas.

Cooley said: 'Now there's a new imperative – fuel security. What's happened over the last few weeks with Russia is accelerating that.'

He added that the Government's push to back green hydrogen had fallen behind, saying: 'I think this is a moment that will galvanise action on plans already developed.'

Hargreaves, the co-founder of investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, owns 4.5 per cent of the company. Lord Bamford, head of the JCB empire, has an 8 per cent holding. This is Money - link - Francesca Washtell - link - picture - link - more like this (H2) - link