(IEN) WORLD FIRST - 30MW H2 GENERATOR

A China-based firm has achieved a groundbreaking feat by successfully igniting the world’s first 30MW-class pure hydrogen gas turbine.

Called Jupiter I, the gas turbine is jointly developed by the Mingyang Group and several other companies and scientific research teams. The turbine, which offers a key solution for renewable energy storage, converts hydrogen from storage tanks back into electricity during peak hours.

Converting excess electricity into hydrogen for storage

The major challenge with renewable energy is the substantial waste that occurs during off-peak hours. Converting excess electricity into hydrogen for storage and then back to electricity at peak times is a viable solution, according to the company. Wang Yongzhi, general manager of Mingyang Hydrogen Gas Turbine Technology, stated that using hydrogen for power generation achieves a carbon-free process known as power-to-hydrogen-back-to-power.

However, he noted that slow and inefficient conversion during peak demand periods can also lead to under-utilization, highlighting the need for high-capacity gas turbines.

Technical difficulties of hydrogen combustion

The development team successfully overcame three major technical challenges associated with hydrogen combustion: “easy backfire, strong oscillation, and high emissions.” They achieved this through iterative aerodynamic and thermal design, coupled with innovative structural design of the micro-premixed combustion chamber. This resulted in a pure hydrogen gas turbine combustion chamber design and control technology with independent intellectual property rights.

A 30MW pure hydrogen gas turbine unit can effectively solve the problem of power abandonment in wind and solar energy projects with an installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts, and improve the economy of the “Shagohuang” new energy project and the stability of power transmission in the power grid, according to STdaily.

The implementation of this pure hydrogen gas turbine demonstration project has the potential to significantly drive the diversification and clean transformation of China’s energy structure, positioning the country as a leader in hydrogen energy development and application. More of this article (Interesting Engineering) - link - more like this (H2) - link - more like this (Mingyang) - link

(YEN) PYROLYSIS OF PLASTICS - CIRCUCLARITY?

Proponents of the pyrolysis process — including oil and gas companies — contend it will keep post-consumer plastics out of landfills and reduce pollution. But critics say that by converting waste to petroleum feedstock, it will only perpetuate a dependence on fossil fuels.

Around the world, companies are drawing up plans for pyrolysis plants, promising relief from the crushing problem of plastic pollution. Small startups and demonstration projects are joining with larger companies, including petroleum and chemical giants. Chevron Phillips was recently awarded a patent for its proprietary pyrolysis process, and ExxonMobil announced in March it was considering opening pyrolysis plants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Beaumont, Texas; and Joliet, Illinois. ExxonMobil already operates a pyrolysis facility in Baytown, Texas, which the company claims will recycle 500,000 tons of plastic waste annually by 2026.

“There’s a lack of transparency about how much plastic they’re recycling” and what the end product will be used for, a critic says.

Globally, the market for advanced recycling technologies is projected to exceed $9 billion by 2031, up from $270 million in 2022, according to a report from Research and Markets, an industry analysis firm. That’s a 32 percent increase every one of those nine years.

Proponents of pyrolysis say it will keep plastic out of landfills, incinerators, and waterways, prevent it from choking marine life, and keep its toxic components from leaching into soil and contaminating water and air. The American Chemistry Council says that “advanced recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions 43 percent relative to waste-to-energy incineration of plastic films made from virgin resources.”

The technology can handle the plastics that can’t be mechanically melted and remolded — those stamped with the numbers three through seven, including certain plastic films, juice pouches, and polystyrene foam take-out boxes. The pyrolysis vessel itself emits nothing — there’s no oxygen, so no combustion — although heating it with fossil fuel releases the usual greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Opponents argue, however, that pyrolysis practitioners aren’t being entirely honest about their manufacturing outcomes. “There’s a real lack of transparency about how much plastic they’re recycling” and what their end product — pyrolysis oil — will actually be used for, says Veena Singla, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Some companies, such as LG Chem in South Korea, do have verifiable plans to process plastic items into useful hard goods. The company has partnered with the marine-waste disposal company NETSPA to turn fishnets and buoys into a substance called “aerogel,” a superlight insulation; its pyrolysis plant is scheduled to be up and running near Seoul by 2024.

But what pyrolysis mostly does, says Singla, is make oil to be refined and then sold as fuel. An analysis by the Minderoo Foundation, an Australia-based philanthropic organization focused on the environment, calculated that of the roughly 2 million tons of advanced recycling capacity scheduled to come online over the next five years, less than half a million tons of this material will actually be recycled back into plastic goods. The rest of the output is destined to power airplanes, trucks, and other heavy transportation.

Depending on the type of plastic that enters a pyrolysis vessel and the current price of oil, turning plastics into fuel might be profitable. What it’s not, says Singla, is recycling.

“The benefit of recycling comes when you return materials into the production cycle, which reduces the demand for virgin resources.” That’s what the traditional, mechanical recycling of simple polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic does. Making plastic goods with recycled content generates 30 to 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than making plastics from virgin resources. “Now if you’re taking plastic and burning it as fuel,” Singla says, “it’s not feeding back into plastic production. And so to keep making [new] plastic, you have to keep extracting fossil fuel.”

Powell says his aim is 100 percent circularity, plastic to plastic, “and we’re going to be relentless in that pursuit.” But while the market matures and prices for recycled plastic drop, he admits that as “an interim step” some pyrolysis oil could be sold as fuel. “In some emerging economy nations, there may not be a viable way to use the liquids as a feedstock to make plastics,” he says. They may be too far from manufacturing facilities for plastic manufacturing to make sense, for instance. But Powell insists even this outcome is better than leaving the 90 percent of post-consumer plastic that isn’t recycled to accumulate in the environment. “I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of places where there are just rivers of plastics flowing. If we were to pull those plastics out and turn them into fuel, is that a better environmental outcome?”

“Yes it is,” he answers himself. “You’d better believe it.”

Turning plastic into fuel would obviously help keep the petroleum-based polymer industry afloat: To some observers, that’s the point of advanced chemical recycling. “The fossil gas industry is seeking to use plastics as a way to expand their production, even as they are contributing enormously to climate chaos,” says Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, one of 47 U.S. Senators, all Democrats, who signed a letter objecting to the EPA’s 2021 proposal to regulate pyrolysis and gasification as manufacturing instead of incineration, which is more tightly regulated. 

Merkley has also questioned the EPA’s inclusion of plastic-based fuel as a “waste-based” fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal program that requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a varying percentage of renewable fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More of this article (Yale Environment 360) - link - more like this (pyrolysis) - link - more like this (waste plastics) - link - more like this (pyrolysis) - link

(GRE) U2 BACKED AI STARTUP

Irish startup Nuritas has closed a $42M Series C investment round to scale up its AI-powered discovery platform for plant-based peptides.

In its bid to greenify the peptide industry and improve public health, Dublin-based biotech firm Nuritas has received fresh funding to the tune of $42M.

The oversubscribed Series C round was led by M&G Investments, with participation from McWin Capital Partners and current investors Grosvenor and ECBF. It takes Nuritas’s total funding above $117M, and follows a $45M Series B round three years ago.

The startup, whose early investors include Bono and The Edge from U2, will use the funds to scale up its artificial-intelligence-led (AI) Magnifier platform, through which it identifies and commercialises rare plant-based peptides faster than the industry standard. It further aims to expand its B2B client base, and reach a wider range of consumers across the globe.

“We are thrilled to welcome M&G’s Catalyst team and McWin Capital Partners, who share our vision of making healthier ingredients accessible to billions of people globally,” said Nuritas founder and CEO Nora Khaldi. “This investment, alongside the addition of experienced board members, will propel our mission to new heights.”

Peptides are a class of short-chain amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins like collagen, keratin, and elastin. They provide a host of benefits to the body, including anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, skin-repairing, and muscle-building properties.

These protein precursors can be sourced from both animals and plants, but despite their health benefits, most peptide ingredients today fail to meet the wellness demands of consumers, according to Nuritas. Moreover, developing new health-centric products can take decades and costs tens or even hundreds of millions.

The Irish company is hoping to change that by discovering new bioactive peptides in various plants, which can then be integrated into food products, supplements, cosmetics, and other functional offerings. More of this article (green green) - link - more like this (AI) - link - more like this (Ireland) - link

(WIK) JERRY ORBACH - OCTOBER 20, 1935 – DECEMBER 28, 2004

 

In 1992, Jerry Orbach joined the main cast of Law & Order during its third season as the world-weary, wisecracking NYPD homicide detective Lennie Briscoe.

He had previously guest-starred as a defense attorney on the series, and was subsequently cast as the new "senior detective" following Paul Sorvino's departure.

Orbach's portrayal of Briscoe was based on his similar role from Prince of the City years before, which Law & Order creator Dick Wolf had personally suggested to him at the time of his casting. More of this article about this brilliant actor (Wikipedia) - link

(REA) THE US PUSHING THE EV

Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) has released his annual Festivus Report, highlighting over $1 trillion in wasteful federal government spending.

This year's report includes a $12 million pickleball court in Las Vegas, $10 billion in maintenance and rent for mostly empty federal buildings, and hundreds of thousands of dollars for censoring nonliberal media (including Reason). Unsurprisingly, the federal government also wasted billions of dollars on clean energy and climate change projects.

Paul's Festivus Report identifies a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to "support a cabaret show on ice skates focused on climate change," $3 million from the Department of State to fund "girl-centered climate action" in Brazil, and $20 million for the Department of Agriculture to "advance fertilizer use in Pakistan, Vietnam, Colombia, and Brazil." The largest energy and climate spender was the Department of Energy, which used "$15.5 billion to push Americans toward electric vehicles they don't want," in Paul's words.

The primary mechanism of the federal government's electric vehicle (E.V.) push is the Loan Programs Office (LPO), which finances energy projects that would likely not receive funding from private institutions. Under the Biden administration, the program's lending authority has grown from $17 billion in 2021 to more than $400 billion. Some of the projects that LPO has financed include $2.5 billion for lithium-ion battery production in Rust Belt states, $362 million to improve vehicle wiring for E.V.s and other cars, and up to $2 billion in conditional loans for battery recycling. More of this article (reason) - link - more like this (US) - link - more like this (ev) - link

(ZWE) WASTE TO ENERGY - THE CARBON IMPACT

Each tonne of MSW incinerated typically releases between 0.7 and 1.7 tonnes of CO2. This includes emissions of both fossil CO2 (e.g. from burning plastics) and biogenic CO2 (e.g. from burning wood, paper and food). 

Although biogenic CO2 is directly released into the atmosphere making a significant contribution to climate change, only the CO2 emissions from fossil sources will be considered for the purposes of a global analysis – an important loophole in GHG emissions accountability.

On top of this, evidence indicates that more than half of what is currently being incinerated could have been recycled or composted, suggesting that much of Europe’s WTE incineration capacity is being used to burn valuable resources that could have had a better environmental outcome. WTE incineration is proving to be a barrier to improving recycling rates and it creates a need to replace these resources at a high environmental cost, and that cost is not included in the Eurostat figures.

Shouldn’t we just stop incinerating waste?

The carbon intensity of European incinerators is a significant (540gr CO2/kWh), around twice the concentration of CO2 emissions derived from the average EU electricity grid (296gr CO2/kWh) and significantly greater than the energy produced through conventional fossil fuel sources such as gas.

Since these infrastructures are meant to last for about 20-30 years, continued use of incineration is simply delaying a much needed, and urgent, transition to less carbon-intensive power generation infrastructures such as wind and solar renewable energy whilst also undermining the move to lower-carbon options for waste management, including the re-design of products to increase recyclability and longevity.

It would be environmentally irresponsible to continue to promote Waste to Energy infrastructures that are already largely outperformed by the EU average and even worse, by conventional fossil fuel energy generation such as gas. For countries across the world to best meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement, it’s clear that decarbonisation must happen across all sectors. 

Specifically, that means that they should call for a phase out of incineration practices, to be replaced with genuinely climate-positive waste management ones, and for those countries not yet hooked on waste incineration, a commitment to avoid this practise going forwards. More of this article (zero waste europe) - link - picture - link - more like this (CO2) - link - more like this (waste) - link

(OFF) ZHANJIANG 300 MW EXPANSION

A 300 MW expansion to the existing 600 MW Xuwen offshore wind farm in Zhanjiang, China, developed by State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), has started commercial operation.

The 600 MW Xuwen offshore wind farm was built in two phases consisting of a total of 94 wind turbines. The first of 47 Mingyang’s MySE6.45-180 turbines in the first phase was installed in early 2021 and the entire wind farm was commissioned at the end of 2021.

The work on the additional 300 MW started in 2023 with wind turbine installation commencing in the spring of 2024. According to a social media post shared by SPIC, the expansion went into operation on 17 December. More of this article (offshorewind.biz) - link - more like this (wind) - link - more like this (China) - link

(ECN) MCDERMITT CALDERA LITHIUM FIND

According to a finding at McDermitt Caldera located along the border of Nevada and Oregon, this may contain the largest lithium deposit in the world, estimated at 20 to 40 metric tons. If true, this would double the country’s reserves of clay-based lithium, enhancing lithium production in the US and reducing imports.

The McDermitt Caldera is a caldera which formed 16.4 million years ago because of a major volcano eruption. A preferable condition for lithium enrichment was developed through its unique geologic substratum. Researchers detected high concentrations of illite, an unusual mineral that maintains an extraordinarily high lithium content: this illite-rich claystone formed when hydrothermal activity modified a more typical clay mineral, smectite, leading to an increase of up to 2.4% lithium – nearly double that of standard lithium sources.

“The way illite concentrated lithium in this area is unique,” the co-author of the study, Dr. Thomas Benson, stated. “This may establish a new metric of high-quality lithium deposits.” The size and quality of this deposit might rival Bolivia’s salt flats, considered the largest lithium reserve in the world.

Lithium is the key element for EV batteries, lithium-ion technology in all smartphones, and renewable energy storage, and it is what the clean energy economy will inevitably rely upon. This finding should cut down the dependence of the US on imports, particularly from China, which is the world leader in lithium processing. Lithium Americas, getting ready to operate in Thacker Pass, will begin mining in 2026, using state-of-the-art claystone extraction techniques.

“This affirms our work at Thacker Pass,” said Tim Crowley, Lithium Americas VP. “It is a critical step toward meeting US battery materials demand and strengthening supply chains.” The promise of a secure supply chain, jobs, and US aspirations in renewable energy and emissions envelops the discovery.

Environmental groups and Native American tribes are angry against this project. Conservationists fear about the destruction due to mining in wildlife habitat-these are deep within the greater sage-grouse and pronghorn antelope community ranges.

Indigenous groups have the cultural and spiritual context to demonstrate against the damage to Thacker Pass, equating it with defiling the Arlington National Cemetery, and faulted the process of permitting with inadequate consultation.

John Hadder, Director of Great Basin Resource Watch, called for stricter oversight. “The permitting process for Thacker Pass was rushed and inadequate,” he said. “Future projects must respect the environment and Indigenous rights.” More of this article (Econews) - link - more like this (lithium mining) - link - more like this (Nevada) - link

(IAN) PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Rarely do I write articles myself on here but due to the significance of my accidental discovery a couple of years ago and the subsequent limited research I did, I thought it's time I shared.

I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy many years ago and take various painkillers to reduce the pain/burning feeling that come with my arthritis and the PN. Possibly linked; when I was younger, (in my teens, twenties and thirties), I used to love a drink; drinking quite a bit of alcohol on a fairly regular basis and I believe this contributed to the nerve damage in the form/onset of alcohol neuropathy.

Nowadays, whilst I only drink a fraction of what I used to, and typically, just on Friday evenings, I get particularly painful feet the following day; I realise I could give up alcohol completely but I still enjoy a drink and have no intentions whatsoever of doing so.

Enough of me whining, to cut a long story short, if you have PN or anything that sounds remotely similar, don't suffer in silence, instead, eat chocolate. I find darker, better quality chocolate to be more effective; I promise I'm not advertising or benefitting from saying this, but chocolate like the stuff made by Monty Bojangles seems to work best for me. It will reduce the pain - trust me; what's the worst thing that could happen experimenting? More like this (pain) - link - more like this (chocolate) - link

(IAN) OXFORD 208

 

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(REW) NORTHWEST HYDROGEN HUB

A year after naming the Northwest one of seven new “regional hydrogen hubs” in a nationwide competition, the U.S. Department of Energy is beginning its review of possible environmental risks of developing certain hydrogen projects and is inviting the public into the process.

The review, announced Wednesday, will analyze any adverse effects from developing hydrogen projects and the impact of potential infrastructure, their scope, design and construction. But the assessments are only a first step and do not necessarily mean the projects will go forward and receive funding, the agency said. It is holding a virtual meeting for the public in January and will take comments until spring.

The projects involve the development and distribution of “green” hydrogen energy and its end users. Green hydrogen can be produced with water and used without emitting greenhouse gases. Green hydrogen energy is seen as a key source of clean energy to help reduce climate-warming emissions from sectors that currently rely on fossil fuels and are hard to electrify because of the huge amounts of energy they demand.

The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, which includes Washington, Oregon and Montana, was chosen in 2023 to receive about $1 billion in federal funding during the next decade. Companies have proposed 10 projects for the Northwest hub so far, including several hydrogen production facilities, hydrogen distribution pipelines and storage projects, and projects that would spur adoption of hydrogen-powered trucks, buses and hydrogen refueling stations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The hydrogen produced in the Northwest could also be used to make fertilizer, and power energy-demanding processes like semiconductor manufacturing.

By replacing fossil fuels in some transportation and in hard to electrify sectors, the hub could divert up to 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year, according to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association. That’s equivalent to removing about 400,000 gasoline-powered cars from roads annually. More of this article (Renewable Energy World) - link - more like this (H2 energy) - link - more like this (Washington) - link

(SUS) PLASTIC RECYCLING

Aiming to improve the mechanical recycling of plastics and to take this technology to the next level, BASF has teamed up a number of partners to study how this might best be achieved. In collaboration with Endress+Hauser, TechnoCompound and the Universities of Bayreuth and Jena, a new project called SpecRek has been launched. 

The total project volume is €2.2 million, with two-thirds financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from its quantum systems research program and one-third financed by the project partners.

The project aims to reliably and precisely identify, with the help of state-of-the-art measuring techniques and artificial intelligence (AI), the composition of plastic waste during the recycling process.

To that end, spectroscopic methods are being used to interpret how the material interacts with light. This will yield information about the chemical structure of the recycled plastics. The project partners intend to use this data to determine - in real time, during processing - the specific plastic grades, additives and contaminants contained in the material. In a subsequent step, an AI algorithm will recognise patterns in the measurement data and recommend which additional components should be added or how the recycling process should be adapted to improve the quality of the recycled plastic output.

“We do not currently have the necessary analysis tools to determine during processing exactly which components are contained in the mechanically recycled plastics,” explained Dr. Bernhard von Vacano, head of the Plastics Circularity research program at BASF. This information is needed, however, to evaluate and improve the quality of waste plastics. “This will enable us to use more mechanically recycled plastics to produce high-quality products and to make recycling processes more efficient and sustainable,” said von Vacano.

Strengthening the circular economy for plastics

At present, most of the plastic waste that is sent for recycling is mechanically recycled. The waste is collected, sorted, crushed, cleaned and then melted. Depending on the input material and the degree of sorting, this melted material can contain different types of plastics, additives and contaminants. Therefore, the quality of the recycled output often varies and is not always suitable for processing into high-value plastic products.

“With the increasing demand for high-quality recycled materials, and given the current legal framework, it will be crucial to perfectly understand the material properties and composition of mechanically recycled plastic waste and to optimize the process. In this way, we will strengthen the circular economy,” von Vacano said. More of this article (sustainable plastics) - link - more like this (plastics recycling) - link - more like this (BASF) - link

(IAN) OXFAM

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(PVM) WORLD'S HIGHEST PV PLANT COMMISSIONED

China Huadian Corp., a state-owned power generator, has commissioned the second phase of its Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station in Shannan, Tibet. The project, at an altitude of 5,228 meters, is the world’s highest-elevation solar installation, surpassing the first phase, which was built at 5,100 meters.

Previously, the highest utility-scale solar-plus-storage project in the world was another installation at 4,700 meters in Tibet. It was completed in 2020.

The second phase of the Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station, spanning 1.4 square kilometers, adds 100 MW of capacity with 170,000 solar panels. It expands upon the initial 50 MW phase that started running in December 2023 and has since generated more than 60 GWh. Together, these project phases aim to alleviate central Tibet’s winter and spring power shortages.

PowerChina, the project contractor, completed the project 42 days ahead of schedule in just 115 days by using pre-installed mounts and on-site assembly lines, which increased construction efficiency by 40%, despite the challenges of the plateau environment. More of this article (pv magazine) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (pv) - link - more like this (high altitude energy) - link

(ELE) GAC LAUNCHES NEW EVTOL

Chinese auto conglomerate GAC Group is delving further into sustainable air transportation with a new eVTOL-centric business venture called Govy. The company unveiled its flagship aircraft, the AirJet, during the announcement of the new brand. AirJet is GAC’s second “flying car” design in two years, but this iteration is more of a traditional eVTOL.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., better known as GAC Group, is a Chinese state-owned automotive conglomerate and the fifth largest manufacturer in the country for its segment. In the past, we’ve focused more on the company’s presence in the EV space, like the technology of its sub-brand GAC Aion, as well as some of its joint ventures with other OEMs like Stellantis.

However, in 2023, GAC unveiled a new EV/eVTOL combo vehicle called “Gove,” which is a combination of the words “GAC, On the Go, Vertical, and EV.” GAC debuted the Gove in front of a crowd during its Tech Day Event in June 2023, sharing hopes that it would become an integral part of its mobility lineup in the future.

We haven’t heard anything since. Well, we know that GAC changed its name from Gove to AirCar.

That should come as little surprise, considering many companies developing standalone eVTOLs are still working toward the necessary certification and infrastructure to begin commercial air taxi rides. Combining an EV design that drives on roads with the eVTOL component only complicates things.

Fellow Chinese automaker XPeng appears the closest to achieving this feat with the “Land Aircraft Carrier” built by its eVTOL venture AeroHT. That EV/eVTOL combo is expected to hit scaled production in 2026. More of this article (electrek) - link - more like this (evtol) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (Stellantis) - link

(TMO) AMERICA'S $75 BILLION H2 INVESTMENT

In an unprecedented move, America is spearheading the largest mobilization in history with a staggering investment of $75 billion dedicated to developing a robust hydrogen infrastructure. 

This effort is crucial as the world grapples with climate change, making the urgency to foster sustainable energy sources more pressing. By investing in hydrogen technology, the country not only aims to lead by example but also to kickstart a global shift toward cleaner energy alternatives.

Committed investments: A surge in hydrogen projects around the world

Per the Hydrogen Council’s recent report, “Hydrogen Insights 2024,” there has been a remarkable evolution in the global clean hydrogen sector. The total committed capital for hydrogen projects reaching final investment decision (FID) has skyrocketed by a staggering seven-fold since 2020, jumping from approximately $10 billion across 102 projects to a whopping $75 billion across 434 projects as of 2024.

The overall project pipeline has also expanded substantially, with more than 1,500 projects worldwide. This shift clearly signals a transition from the planning stages to active implementation.

This swift increase in committed investments signifies a larger shift within the sector, with announced investments through 2030 now totaling $680 billion, marking a 20% increase since previous reports. Importantly, investments past FID have risen by 90%, highlighting a clear trajectory toward realizing hydrogen projects.

Jaehoon Chang, co-chair of the Hydrogen Council, says: “The seven-fold increase in committed capital for hydrogen projects reaching FID over the past four years demonstrates the industry’s progress.”

Building a hydrogen infrastructure: Key to mainstream adoption

Hydrogen is set to become a mainstream energy source, capable of powering homes, businesses, and vehicles. However, the successful implementation of this vision hinges on developing the infrastructure necessary for widespread usage.

America’s $75-billion initiative focuses on establishing robust infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. This approach is crucial for addressing and overcoming the historical challenges of hydrogen storage and deployment.

This investment will ensure that all aspects of hydrogen storage and utilization are developed effectively. As such, it reflects a commitment to advancing clean energy solutions that can benefit the global community and contribute to a green future. More of this article (The Moment) - link - more like this (hydrogen) - link - more like this (America) - link

ALFRED MONK - 1898 - 21/12/1978

19th (St Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment - link

(ICN) SUNBELT - CLIMATE HAZARDS INCREASING

Counties across the southern half of the U.S., especially those with large and socially vulnerable populations, will be much more exposed to wildfire, drought and extreme heat than other parts of the country as the region’s climate warms in the coming decades, according to new research from the U.S. Forest Service and Resources for the Future.

The report, “Changing Hazards, Exposure, and Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States, 2020–2070,” builds on the Forest Service’s 2020 Resources Planning Act Assessment, which makes 50-year projections on the conditions of renewable resources across the country’s forests.

In the study, researchers identified the continental U.S. counties that are especially exposed to natural disasters stemming from water shortages, extreme heat and wildfires, as well as those with socially vulnerable populations. The study’s various models, based on rates of growth and warming, show communities from Arizona to Florida at particular risk as states in the southern half of the country are seeing booming populations, long-standing inequities in their communities and increasing climate-driven threats.

The models give researchers, federal agencies and states not just an idea of how at-risk a county is to those natural disasters, but also how communities living within them could be impacted as people continue to move in. Much of the risk for communities from all three types of natural disasters stems from population growth. More of this article (Inside Climate News) - link - more like this (climate change) - link - more like this (United States) - link

(D24) JAPAN SETS NEW PV RECORD

Japan has done what it does best, and that is, breaking innovation boundaries with the goal of making the world a better place while pushing to be a leader in technology advancement as well. 

This time around, the nation has developed a solar panel that is more powerful than 20 nuclear reactors. This development is called Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC).

A technological marvel that redefines energy potential is the solar supercell

Japan’s solar supercell is something that we have never seen or heard of before in the energy sector. It has smashed all the world’s solar panels because of its advanced photovoltaic technology. This supercell’s efficiency is what sets it apart from other solar panels; it uses state-of-the-art materials and designs to collect sunlight much more efficiently.

PSCs provide a novel method of capturing solar energy in locations where traditional solar panels would not be feasible because of their seamless integration into windows, car roofs, building facades, and even streetlights. For nations like Japan, where real estate is expensive and space is scarce, the potential for PSCs in urban settings is particularly significant.

PSCs can be put on existing structures, turning common surfaces into energy-generating assets, in contrast to standard solar panels that need large, open spaces. Perovskite technology is a game-changer for sustainable energy since it can maximise energy production in cities with little space, and Japan has made sure to capitalise on this advancement.

Japan’s supercell outperforms nuclear power and challenges traditional energy sources

The fact that it is said to have smashed the world’s solar panels is an indication that this supercell is one of a kind that is changing everything we know about renewable energy. Nuclear power has been hailed for decades as a renewable energy resource, with countries like Saudi Arabia utilising it. However, Japan’s perovskite solar cell produces cleaner, safer, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Think about it, the nuclear reactor is 20 times less powerful than a solar super panel. This new technology could have a big impact on how energy is produced in the future. Designed to offer a more sustainable and efficient power source, it is a significant advancement in renewable energy. Global energy production and consumption patterns may shift as a result of the development of this cutting-edge solar panel.

The worldwide effect: Revolutionising energy for households, companies, and countries

Japan’s breakthrough in this solar development does not only benefit a certain category but households, businesses, and other countries too. Nations are looking to be sustainable and what better way to learn from giants like Japan and follow suit? This supercell’s power and scalability make it a perfect solution for both developed and underdeveloped countries.

By lowering dependency on fossil fuels, the supercell may provide homeowners with dependable, reasonably priced renewable energy. This technique could potentially be used by businesses and industries, which frequently need large energy inputs, to reduce costs and run more sustainably. Governments might incorporate these supercells into infrastructure initiatives at the national level to build smart cities that run solely on renewable energy.

Japan’s investment in perovskite solar cells demonstrates a strong dedication to innovation and sustainable development. PSC technology can change the renewable energy environment by tackling issues like the demand for affordable energy solutions and the constraints of urban areas. These panels will probably be crucial in lowering the cost and increasing the viability of clean energy in both urban and rural settings as technology advances. More of this article (The Diary 24) - link - more like this (solar) - link - more like this (Japan) - link

(GRE) SAD SINGLE FRUIT ADOPTED BY SHOPPERS

New research has found that associating lone fruits with ‘sad’ emotions can make supermarket shoppers feel sorry for them, increasing sales and mitigating food waste.

Have you ever felt so sorry for a single banana that you’ve ended up buying it?

I know I have – and apparently, I’m not alone. Research suggests that labelling loose bananas as “sad singles” moves grocery shoppers on an emotional level and increases the chances of it being bought, helping supermarkets reduce food waste.

Academics from the University of Bath, RWTH Aachen and Goethe University Frankfurt sought to compare the efficacy of such labels with “happy singles” signage for loose bananas and tomatoes. Both sentiments were found to be more effective than a sign that showed no emotion – “Here are single bananas that want to be bought as well” – but the sad label turned out to be the most influential.

Sad bananas make for happier sales

The study, published in the Psychology & Marketing journal, observed the purchasing behaviours around single bananas – often separated as a result of shoppers tearing others from a bunch – of over 3,800 countries in the German supermarket chain Rewe. The retailer had previously labelled bananas as single and wanting to be bought, but minus the emotional element.

This in-store study was adapted as an online experiment, asking 745 consumers to imagine themselves in the situation. Shoppers were confronted with a sign showing a banana bearing a sad face under the message: “We are sad singles and want to be bought as well.”

The intervention increased the number of single bananas sold per hour by 58%, from 2.02 (when they were next to an emotionless sign) to 3.19. In contrast, the ‘happy banana’ signage drove up sales to 2.13 per hour (a 5.8% hike), proving that the more gloomy messaging was nearly 50% more effective on supermarket shoppers.

“As far as we know, this is the first study comparing happy and sad expressions on bananas separated from their bunch to look at the impact on sales,” said University of Bath’s Lisa Eckmann, a co-author of the study. More of this article (green queen) - link - more like this (fruit) - link - more like this (food waste) - link

(NAT) LABOUR BACKS WASPI (BEFORE BEING ELECTED)

Eight times Labour figures showed backing for Waspi compensation; several senior Labour figures have been called out on social media for previously showing their support for Waspi women.

It comes after the UK Government announced it would not be paying any compensation in a statement from Liz Kendall on Tuesday afternoon. The move has been met with widespread fury with Stephen Flynn calling for a vote in the House of Commons.

Keir Starmer

Images have been shared of the now-Prime Minister pictured at Scottish Labour conference in 2021 with two Waspi campaigners. In the image, he’s holding a sign which supports “fair and fast compensation”. More of this article (The National) - link - Women Against State Pension Inequality - link - WASPI website - link - more like this (Starmer) - link

(UKP) OFFENCE AGAINST A SHOPWORKER

Following an increase in violence towards shopworkers, the government has announced it will create a new specific offence of assaulting a shopworker.

This Insight looks at the background to the government’s announcement, including the rise in violence and abuse towards shopworkers, existing criminal offences and the calls for a specific offence.

How often are shopworkers assaulted?

In 2024, the Home Office’s annual Commercial Victimisation Survey found that 12% of retail premises in England and Wales had experienced assaults or threats against employees or customers in the previous 12 months.

According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2024 Crime Survey, there has been a “massive increase in violence and abuse” towards shopworkers, with respondents recording 475,000 incidents in 2022/23. This is a 50% increase on the 316,000 incidents recorded in 2021/22 and a 206% increase on the 154,760 incidents recorded in 2020/22.

While most of these incidents were verbal abuse, respondents recorded 41,000 violent incidents; equivalent to over 100 incidents a day. More of this legislation (UK Parliament) - link - more like this (Reading) - link - more like this (theft) - link

(ECN) THE AIR POWERED CAR - WHAT WENT WRONG

Tata Motors, one of the biggest automobile companies in India, planned in the mid-2000s to change the face of the automotive business by developing an automobile that runs on compressed air.

The idea offered a future of cars without any emissions that could be powered by compressed air, the perfect solution for a world dealing with pollution and higher fuel costs. However, as with many such ambitious projects, the plan did not succeed.

The ambitious vision: Tata’s partnership with MDI

In 2007, Tata Motors unveiled yet another historic deal with Motor Development International (MDI), a luxury firm based in Luxembourg involved in developing automobiles using compressed air.

The design concept was to develop a vehicle powered only by compressed air, thus providing a more environmentally friendly solution than standard gasoline engines. The first press release was followed by great interest, and many people were already picturing themselves in air-powered cars only.

MDI, headed by the former Formula 1 engineer Guy Negre, had already worked on several prototypes, including the MiniCAT, a small city car that runs on compressed air. The idea was radical yet crucial – no toxic emissions and eco-friendly fuel. Tata Motors perceived this as a chance to diversify and change the world auto industry. However, this project had many technical issues right from the word go, and therefore, the following account of events provides an accurate picture of what transpired.

High-pressure air storage was dangerous in a vehicle and demanded strong, costly tanks, making production on a large scale improbable. However, the energy used to compress the air reduced some of the company’s environmental gains.

Technical and logistical challenges: The roadblocks to success

The technical problems of creating a car that could be marketed as being run on air were immense. One of the significant highlighted problems was how to store compressed air.

To have the practical range, the air had to be stored at extremely high pressure, and this required powerful tanks, which were expensive. The cost and the complexity of manufacturing such tanks made the whole project economically unviable. The other big issue was the energy efficiency used in the system. Even though the air-powered engine emitted no pollution (alongside other advantages that made it excellent), compressing air required significant energy. This energy was often generated from non-renewable sources, thus reducing the general environmental returns on the technology.

Another challenge that made the situation worse was logistical. Lack of experience also manifested in delays and high costs associated with establishing capacity for the Nano. The people of the region protested the first location in West Bengal, and after much loss, the company had to move to Gujarat.

The silent demise: Why the air-powered car never took off

However, the reader can surmise that the air-powered car project died slowly. By the end of 2012, the first testing phase was over, but the firm was progressing slowly towards commercial production. The company ceased reporting progress on the particular project, and it was soon lost in the news cycle. There are several reasons why this was a silent death. First, it was doubtful the air-powered car could be economically feasible. Such a short range and lower performance were not enough to compensate for the high costs of the technology.

Moreover, they identified that the availability of EVs provided a better, long-term solution to the issue related to car emissions. Other advantages for EVs entailed by fast tech advancement were more efficient batteries, which afforded better range and performance and were cheaper. More of this article (Econews) - link - more like this (Tata) - link - more like this (air transport) - link

(TST) HYUNDAI EVTOL - 2028 LIFT OFF

A commercial air taxi service backed by South Korean car giant Hyundai can start as early as 2028. Its initial markets could include the US, where an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi prototype is being developed; and South Korea, where Hyundai is headquartered.

However, the expansion of its air taxi services to other countries, including Singapore, will depend on the regulators of the various countries. The latest timeline for the Hyundai electric air taxi was disclosed at a media briefing on Nov 6 in Irvine, California, at the engineering headquarters of Supernal, the Hyundai subsidiary developing the aircraft.

Supernal in January unveiled its S-A2 electric flying taxi, which is a hybrid between a helicopter and light aircraft.

The company has started talking to operators interested in the aircraft and prototype flight testing is scheduled for 2026. This will be followed by certification and delivery of the first units in 2028, Supernal senior director of strategy and commercialisation David Rottblatt said at the briefing.

“It is an ambitious timeline,” he said, but added that it can be achieved with discipline and funding from Hyundai.

Supernal’s aircraft has a pilot and seats for four passengers.

It has a range of about 100km and it can cruise at 190kmh at an altitude of 457m, according to official data on Supernal’s website. It has eight tilting rotors powered by battery packs. Mr Rottblatt said that there are several uses for the electric aircraft.

Operators are interested in the aircraft as an airport shuttle, “so the first and last mile legs of your journey could go from your neighbourhood to your local international airport, or you just get off your flight and then you could take an eVTOL from the airport by just switching gates, and it’ll take you closer to your home”, he said. He noted that there are several companies in the US that have been pioneering the air taxi industry with conventional helicopters and passengers already use the service from downtown Manhattan in New York City to Newark airport or John F. Kennedy airport.

The electric aircraft can also be integrated into the public transportation system for daily commutes within a city, such as in Brazil’s Sao Paulo, where demand for an alternative way to commute is rising. More of this article (The Straits Times) - link - more like this (electric air taxis) - link - more like this (Hyundai) - link - more like this (California) - link

(EUN) THE BEST AIR IN THE WORLD

Concentrations of PM2.5 around the globe. IQAir

Only seven countries in the world met safe air pollution levels in 2023, according to a report by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.

The World Air Quality Report, released earlier this year, draws on data from more than 30,000 monitoring stations in 134 countries, territories and regions. Of these, 124 were found to breach safe levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

These microscopic particles, measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, can be inhaled deep into our lungs and even reach our bloodstreams. They have been linked to heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, increased asthma risk, depression and anxiety, and premature death.

The seven countries that met the safe guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3) or less were Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand.

Puerto Rico, Bermuda and French Polynesia also fell within safe levels.

In Europe, Iceland had the cleanest air, with 4µg/m3, followed by Estonia with 4.7µg/m3 and Finland with 4.9µg/m3. A colour scale was used to indicate pollution levels, with many European countries falling in the green category, denoting levels up to double the safe standard.

Starting with the least polluted, these included Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Denmark, United Kingdom, Andorra, Latvia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Spain and Russia. European cities have shown improvement since the 2022 report, with 54 per cent classified green in 2023 compared with 39 per cent the year before.

In the yellow category - denoting pollution levels up to three times above the safe standard - European countries included Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Cyprus, Slovenia and Italy. Croatia showed the most progress in 2023 in lowering PM2.5 levels, with the annual average dropping more than 40 per cent compared to 2022. It has achieved this by increasing its use of renewables, which so far make up more than 31 per cent of the country’s energy mix - well above the EU average of 23 per cent.

Croatia has also introduced policies to phase out coal before 2033, reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030, and end deforestation by 2030. In the orange category - up to five times above safe levels - were Moldova, Romania, Albania, Greece, Turkiye, Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia and Herzegovina saw an 18 per cent decrease in PM2.5 levels in 2023 compared to 2022, but remains the most polluted country in the region, followed by North Macedonia - both of which fell in the red category with pollution levels over five times the safe standard.

Iğdır in Turkiye is Europe’s most polluted city, with PM2.5 levels over nine times the safe standard.More of this article (Euro News) - link - more like this (air quality) - link - more like this (Australia) - link - more like this (PM2.5) - link

(REA) LA TO SAN FRANCISCO - ELECTRIFYING (NOT)

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have begun identifying specific government programs that their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would target in the next presidential administration, including California's high-speed rail project.

In 2008, California voters approved a plan to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco via electrified high-speed rail by 2030. Since then, the project's timeline has been repeatedly extended and its budget increased. As with other large infrastructure projects contingent on federal funding, California high-speed rail has been delayed by cronyism, political horse trading, and regulatory inefficiencies (parts of Southern California still haven't completed the necessary environmental reviews to lay track).

What was originally expected to cost $33 billion, 75 percent of which would be paid for by the federal government or private funders, has ballooned to over $128 billion.* In March, the then-CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority told lawmakers that the project would need roughly $100 billion more to be completed.

The project is funded primarily by federal grants and California's cap-and-trade program. Since 2009, it has received nearly $6.8 billion from the federal government. Revenue from the state's cap-and-trade program has generated $6.4 billion for the project, as of November 2023.

Despite 16 years and billions of dollars, high-speed rail in the Golden State has yet to transport a single passenger. With population declines in the state after the pandemic, expected ridership has fallen from 41 million people (2009 projection) to 28.4 million people (2024 projection). Nevertheless, funding for the project continues. The Rail Authority is currently constructing a 119-mile segment of track in the Central Valley, which it hopes to extend to 171 miles and complete between 2030 and 2033. The full 494-mile system was originally expected to be operational by then.

Any spending cuts proposed by DOGE would need congressional approval to be implemented, but there seems to be support in both chambers for ending federal funding for California high-speed rail. In November, Sen. Joni Ernst (R–Iowa) sent a letter to Musk and Ramaswamy recommending that DOGE target several public transit systems in California, including high-speed rail. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R–Calif.) has called the project one of the most wasteful in U.S. history. More of this article (reason) - link - more like this (trains) - link - more like this (USA) - link

(MON) BURNING RAINFORESTS

Biomass energy subsidies in South Korea and Japan are threatening Southeast Asia’s tropical forests, warns a new report by environmental NGOs. Of particular concern is the nascent but rapidly growing woody biomass industry in Indonesia, where rainforests are already being cleared to make wood pellets to be burned for electricity.

The report, published in October by Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara, Forest Watch Indonesia, Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), Trend Asia, and Mighty Earth, notes that South Korea received around 62% and Japan 38% of Indonesian wood pellet exports over 2021-2023. During that same period, Indonesian wood biomass export volumes grew by orders of magnitude, rising from a trickle of just over 100 metric tons annually to more than 1,000 times that.

However, Indonesia’s biomass production isn’t only for export. Thanks to the support of Japanese businesses and government institutions, Indonesia has begun burning wood pellets alongside coal in many of its own power plants, a practice known as cofiring, in order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (at least on paper). Plans to further expand in-country biomass use are in the works. Meanwhile, deforestation for biomass projects has already arisen in the country’s Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua regions. More of this article (Mongabay) - link - more like this (rainforests) - link - more like this (biomass) - link - more like this (Indonesia) - link