J1. Green Tech Industry & Utilities

Loading up a pending transmission planning and cost allocation rule with more legally dubious provisions will increase risks in its “uncertain future,” FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said.

We are in a race against time to clean up centuries of pollution in our atmosphere and rebalance our climate. While carbon dioxide rightly receives attention as the prime warming culprit, another greenhouse gas — methane — wreaks more havoc in a shorter timeframe than CO2.

Methane’s effect on our atmosphere cannot be overstated. If CO₂ pollution wraps one blanket around the earth, methane pollution is like wrapping the earth in over 80 blankets. The good news is that cutting methane emissions now, before it super-heats the planet, results in immediate climate and public health benefits.

But methane has proven a challenge to track consistently. It’s invisible, for one, as well as odorless, pressurized, and leaky. But we know where to spot it. Methane’s biggest human-caused sources are oil and gas, coal mines, waste facilities, and agricultural operations like large animal feedlots. These emissions can be persistent, like a landfill that spews methane for months on end, or highly intermittent, like a gas flare. Plus, emissions can be big and concentrated (like a super-emitter event) or less concentrated and diffused over a big geographic area. In short, they are highly complex and therefore really tough to track and quantify.

So, where to start? The first step is to better monitor these emitting events, and the facilities where they happen. Until recently, this tracking has been intermittent, with methane surveys mostly taking place on the ground with handheld devices. Other  strategies, like aerial flyovers, have helped improve transparency but are not up to the task of monitoring the truly planetary scale of methane pollution and in prioritizing actions that can reduce emissions now.

Now, a new generation of nonprofit (NGO) satellite missions is rising to the challenge. With the launch of MethaneSAT in early March by the Environmental Defense Fund, the first by a non-governmental organization (NGO), there are now more than a dozen satellites scanning the Earth to identify key sources of methane and other climate pollutants.

And MethaneSAT is just the first of other NGO satellites to come. RMI is playing a leading role in this quest. Later this year, Carbon Mapper — an NGO spearheading the first-ever public, private, nonprofit coalition — is working with Planet Labs, a satellite developer, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to launch its first hyperspectral satellite which will detect high emissions point sources of methane (and CO2) acting like a zoom lens that can spot leaks down to a specific facility or piece of equipment with unprecedented precision. RMI is a member of the Carbon Mapper Coalition along with Planet, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, California Air Resources Board, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and philanthropic partners.

For global emissions, the wave of new sky-high NGO sensors means that we are closer than ever to getting a handle on the methane menace — and putting a stop to it.

Seeing the invisible

Methane is not visible to the human eye, so how can satellites see it?  Fortunately, the technology to allow this is not a giant leap. In fact, it’s available in most college physics labs.

The key sensor, called a spectrometer, works a little like a camera. Point the camera at an area: It will show you an image. Point a spectrometer at an area: It shows the kinds of light that get absorbed by whatever the spectrometer is focused on.

To find methane, we’re looking for a signature pattern that only CH4 — the methane molecule — produces when absorbing sunlight. This pattern is only visible on the infrared spectrum at a particular wavelength.

An imaging spectrometer, which will measure the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide, sits integrated at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in August, 2023. Source: Carbon Mapper

Scanning the whole planet

To monitor the scale of methane emitters across planet Earth, the spectrometer needs to go high — very high. After months of tests to prove its spaceworthiness — including subjecting it to intense vibrations to simulate a launch as well as the subzero temperatures it will encounter in the vacuum of space — the methane detector is mounted onto a satellite and rocketed into space.

Once anchored in orbit, satellites can begin to search for methane as they swing around the earth.

A satellite flight path demonstration (Source: CarbonMapper).

All the methane they can see

As the scale of the methane problem has become known, governments, nonprofits, and private entities have begun to fill the knowledge gap, all launching their own satellites with unique and complementary capabilities.

Some can see at a continent level (called area flux monitors), while others are able to pinpoint leaks right down to the source (these are called point source monitors). Some can view an area multiple times a day (essential to track variability in leaks), while others can check on a weekly or monthly basis.

Below is the current state of methane detection satellite operations, but the field is growing still. The European Space Agency is set to launch Sentinel-5 this year, with its CO2M satellite following in 2025; while MERLIN, a partnership between the French and German space agencies, is slated for a 2027 launch.

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What’s new about nonprofit-led satellites — and what can we do with this data?

Nonprofit-led satellite programs like MethaneSAT and Carbon Mapper fill a crucial gap in our detection capabilities by virtue of their owners. Unlike national operators, no government can cut their funding, and unlike commercial operators, no bottom line need be met. The higher sensitivity of their sensors will also allow these new players to provide more actionable, timely, granular data than is currently on offer. MethaneSAT and Carbon Mapper satellites will also be complementary — with the former able to capture wide areas like basins, and the latter able to focus in on point sources.

Carbon Mapper and MethaneSAT also differ from the public and private options in their mission: these satellites are not for private use or scientific research, they are for climate action. They are open-source by design, helping feed methane measurements into a burgeoning field of independent emissions monitors — like RMI’s OCI+ platform and Climate TRACE — and allowing all stakeholders to benefit, and take action, based on the data returned from the satellites.

With all this information public, it will put pressure on emitters to clean up their acts. And with the US government’s methane fee on the horizon, oil and gas facilities have even more incentive to plug the leaks as quickly as possible.

With no time to lose as we reach crucial climate tipping points, these satellites are an essential tool protecting us and our communities from the aftermath of rising global temperatures. As more eyes take to the skies, methane will be invisible no more.

Read more:

Methane-Detecting Satellites 101: The Completeness Quotient

The post Methane Satellites 101: More Eyes Take to the Skies appeared first on RMI.

Headline News:

• “Geothermal Advancements, Incentives Could Help NM Meet Renewable Energy Goals” • About 75 years ago in Animas, drillers going after water for irrigation stumbled upon extremely hot water naturally bubbling up out of the ground. The spot would later become the location of New Mexico’s first utility-scale geothermal power plant. [AOL.com]

Animas, New Mexico (BAlvarius, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)

• “Trader Joe’s Just Increased The Price Of A Banana For The First Time In Over Twenty Years” • Trader Joe’s told CNN that it raised the price of a banana to 23¢, an increase of more than 20%. The grocer has sold bananas for 19¢ each for over two decades. World Banana Forum experts had warned that climate change can drive up banana prices. [CNN]
• “Renewable Power Makes 1-GW Italian Battery Pact” • Altea Green Power is partnering with Renewable Power Capital to develop 1 GW of battery storage in Italy. The partnership is focused on ensuring strong involvement of local municipalities and stakeholders. It aims to achieve ready-to-build status for the pipeline in the next 2 to 4 years. [reNews]
• “Adani Eyes 45 GW Of Renewable Energy Capacity By 2030” • Billionaire Gautam Adani’s group is building the world’s largest renewable energy park in Gujarat, as it eyes a massive 45 GW capacity to generate electricity largely from solar. He said his group’s renewable energy arm, Adani Green Energy, is leading an energy transition. [Press Trust of India]
• “The TELO Electric Pickup Is A Tiny Truck With Big Features” • If you want to buy an electric pickup truck, your options are still fairly limited, but they are available. However, if you want to buy a little truck, not your standard full-size pickup, you are almost out of luck. TELO Trucks, however, might be about to produce a solution for that. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

New York has set new records for hourly wind and solar generation, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has reported.

NYISO says wind power facilities generated 2,176 MW during the 1p.m. hour on March 9 and served 12% of system load. Behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solar resources generated 3,832 MW during the 12 p.m. hour on March 12 and served 21% of system load.

“The contributions from wind and solar resources represent important, beneficial progress toward the state’s clean energy goals,” says Rich Dewey, president and CEO of NYISO. “As load continues to rise across the system, additional generation and transmission will be essential to serve demand and maintain grid reliability.”

The post NYISO Announces New Renewable Energy Generation Records appeared first on Solar Industry.

New York has set new records for hourly wind and solar generation, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has reported.

The not-for-profit corporation says wind power facilities generated 2,176 MW during the 1p.m. hour on March 9 and served 12% of system load. Behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter solar resources generated 3,832 MW during the 12 p.m. hour on March 12 and served 21%  of system load.

“The contributions from wind and solar resources represent important, beneficial progress toward the state’s clean energy goals,” says Rich Dewey, president and CEO of NYISO. “As load continues to rise across the system, additional generation and transmission will be essential to serve demand and maintain grid reliability.”

The post NYISO Announces New Renewable Energy Generation Records appeared first on North American Windpower.

Consumers Energy and the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center have partnered to develop the company’s first large-scale solar project, the 250 MW Muskegon Solar Energy Center, set to begin construction next month and be fully operational in 2026. 

“Consumers Energy has some of the most aggressive clean energy goals in the nation and projects like this are a critical part of achieving those goals,” says David Hicks, Consumers Energy vice president of clean energy development.

“Partnering with an organization like the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, with its long history of service to the county, combined with the benefits of solar energy and the revenues this agreement can provide, is truly a win-win for all parties.”

The project will use approximately 1,900 acres of land within the Resource Recovery Center’s footprint, in partnership with Moorland Township. Consumers will own and operate the project while leasing the property beneath it.

The post Consumers Energy, Muskegon County Jointly Launch Muskegon Solar Energy Center appeared first on Solar Industry.

The proposal includes “glaring exceptions” and “vague requirements,” threatening grid reliability, major grid operators told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

As Canada increases its ambition for our collective clean energy future, it cannot leave northern and remote jurisdictions behind.  Our blog explores the important role of made-for- and -by- the-North policies in enabling an equitable energy transition for all.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $22 million set aside to improve the planning, siting and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities.

Six state-based projects are receiving $10 million through the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, aimed at developing and expanding statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings and technical resources to local governments and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and storage projects. 

“Solar and wind energy and battery storage are on the rise throughout America. This year, we expect these to make up a record-breaking 94% of our nation’s new electric-generating capabilities,” says U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. 

“Often, the biggest barrier to deploying that clean generation is siting and permitting. The Biden-Harris Administration is helping provide local leaders with the resources needed to deploy more clean energy to their residents in a way that is tailored to their unique needs.” 

The selected collaboratives are: Indiana, led by Purdue University Extension; Iowa, led by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Michigan, led by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Mississippi, led by Mississippi Development Authority Energy & Natural Resources Division; North Carolina and South Carolina, led by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center; and Wisconsin, led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

Round One of the R-STEP program is administered by ENERGYWERX. This funding mechanism is made possible through the innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology Transitions.

The post DOE Earmarks $22M for Renewable Facility Planning, Siting Improvements appeared first on Solar Industry.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $22 million set aside to improve the planning, siting and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities.

Six state-based projects are receiving $10 million through the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, aimed at developing and expanding statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings and technical resources to local governments and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and storage projects. 

“Solar and wind energy and battery storage are on the rise throughout America. This year, we expect these to make up a record-breaking 94% of our nation’s new electric-generating capabilities,” says U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. 

“Often, the biggest barrier to deploying that clean generation is siting and permitting. The Biden-Harris Administration is helping provide local leaders with the resources needed to deploy more clean energy to their residents in a way that is tailored to their unique needs.” 

The selected collaboratives are: Indiana, led by Purdue University Extension; Iowa, led by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Michigan, led by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Mississippi, led by Mississippi Development Authority Energy & Natural Resources Division; North Carolina and South Carolina, led by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center; and Wisconsin, led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

Round One of the R-STEP program is administered by ENERGYWERX. This funding mechanism is made possible through the innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology Transitions.

The post DOE Earmarks $22M for Renewable Facility Planning, Siting Improvements appeared first on North American Windpower.

Polar Racking has been awarded a 38 MW solar project in Alberta, Canada, by Concord Green Energy, where the company will supply engineering design services as well as its CORE fixed tilt ground mount system and helical pile foundations. 

“We are thrilled to be chosen by Concord for this remarkable project in Alberta,” says Polar Racking’s Mathieu Crevier. “This award is a testament to the superior performance and reliability of our solar racking solutions. We look forward to contributing to the success of this venture and furthering the adoption of clean and sustainable energy in the region.”  

The company has installed 3 GW of PV mounting systems across North America and the Caribbean.

The post Concord Green Energy Awards Polar Racking 38 MW Alberta Solar Project appeared first on Solar Industry.

The decision stems from a petition filed by Vote Solar and several SRP customers over the Tempe, Arizona-based utility’s rooftop solar program.

Headed by a former National Grid executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.

ESNA and Strategic Marine have signed an agreement to develop a surface effect ship crew transfer vessel (SES CTV) for offshore wind applications, with a focus on combining higher speed, increased operational wave height and reduced fuel oil consumption.

Construction on the first vessel is expected to begin later this year. ESNA is supplying the vessel design package and an equipment package for the main SES systems. 

“Strategic Marine was a natural choice for ESNA to team up with to further commercialize our technology and designs after having worked with them on other projects and experiencing first hand their excellent shipbuilding capabilities,” says Trygve Halvorsen Espeland, ESNA’s naval architect and co-founder.

The companies have worked together previously on AIRCAT Vessels for three SES crew boats for oil and gas, also due for completion this year. 

The post ESNA, Strategic Marine to Develop Surface Effect Ship CTV for Offshore Market appeared first on North American Windpower.

The 250 MW 7SeasMed Floating Offshore Wind Project has been granted EIA approval by the Italian Ministry for Environment and Energy Security, which lead developer Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) says is the first such approval for a floating offshore project in the country. 

The project, to be located approximately 35 km off Sicily’s coast, is owned by a consortium that also includes GreenIT, a joint venture between Plenitude and CDP Equity, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. 

“We are delighted to receive EIA approval for the 7SeasMed floating offshore wind project off the coast of Sicily,” says Michele Schiavone, COP Italy CEO and project CEO for 7SeasMed. “This represents a significant achievement in our mission to accelerate the energy transition and combat climate change. The project underscores our commitment to pioneering innovative solutions that balance energy needs with environmental stewardship.” 

The project is part of a larger 3 GW offshore wind portfolio in Italy owned by the GreenIT and CIP partnership, and of which COP serves as lead development partner. 

The post 7SeasMed Floating Offshore Wind Project Receives Approval appeared first on North American Windpower.

Grid-scale battery installations drove the increase, with California and Texas accounting for 77% of total Q4 additions.

The guidance expands the definition of an energy community and the nameplate capacity attribution rule for offshore wind projects.

Duke Energy Progress has requested approval by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) to build and own a 76 MW utility-scale solar power facility adjacent to the existing Robinson Nuclear Plant site located in both Chesterfield and Darlington counties.

“Making smart investments in South Carolina’s energy future is a priority for Duke Energy: one that focuses on delivering reliable, affordable service every day to the customers and communities we serve, and on transitioning to cleaner energy options and a lower carbon future,” says Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “The proposed Robinson Solar Center is part of the thousands of megawatts of solar that will help us do that.”

If approved, construction is expected to begin on the approximate 345-acre existing site in 2026 with the facility targeting full operation by 2027. 

The post Duke Energy Progress Sooks to Add Solar Power in South Carolina appeared first on Solar Industry.

Headline News:

• “To Make Water Last Year-Round, Kenyans In Dry Regions Are Building Sand Dams On Seasonal Rivers” • Kenyans are building sand dams so they can harvest water from seasonal rivers. The barriers, typically made of concrete, impede water flow so grains of sand settle behind them, creating artificial aquifers that fill up during rainy seasons. [ABC News]

Kerio River after a rain (Rainier5, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)

 

• “Climate-Conscious Investors Put Nuclear Dead Last On List Of Desirable Australian Ventures” • Nuclear energy ranks last on the list of climate technologies big institutional investors want, according to a survey of climate conscious investors with A$37 tillion ($24 trillion) under management. Fewer than 10% of the group are considering nuclear power. [The Guardian]
• “Report: More Profits Must Go To Local Communities From Renewable Energy Projects” • The Welsh Government must find a way to retain a greater share of the profits from commercial renewable energy projects for the public good, a report from the Institute of Welsh Affairs says. Local energy sources provide a way to retain local wealth. [Nation.Cymru]
• “Canada Pushes Nuclear Power To Get At Oil Sands” • Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said discussions are already taking place with the oil industry and the province of Alberta to use nuclear power to extract oil from oil sands. He believes nuclear energy helping get heavy crude out of the ground will help cut greenhouse gas emissions. [Reuters] (What‽)
• “Lower Priced Tesla “Model 2” Production To Begin In 2025” • After CleanTechnica’s Zach Shahan termed the coming affordable Tesla the “Model 2” as a joke for a while, Elon Musk said it won’t have that name. Elon Musk loves letters; the Model 3 exists only because Ford has rights to “Model E.” Regardless, the new Tesla is expected to start at $25,000 or less. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

IGSHPA and GeoExchange Designate April 2024 as National Geothermal Month!

On March 20, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) and Geothermal Exchange Organization (GeoExchange) announced the official designation of April 2024 as National Geothermal Month. In collaboration with state-level Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) organizations, electric and gas utilities, GHP manufacturers and market stakeholders, National Geothermal Month will be a multi-faceted public awareness and public outreach effort intended to build momentum for the widespread application of the most efficient HVAC technology available today, the Geothermal Heat Pump.

From single-family homes to entire housing developments to community-scale Thermal Energy Networks, today’s GHP technology constitutes one of the most impactful and scalable beneficial electrification opportunities available. As the nation moves to decarbonize both new and existing buildings, GHP technology is uniquely positioned as the most efficient and effective infrastructure choice for all-electric space conditioning and water heating. Electric and gas utilities, whether member-owned, publicly-owned, or investor-owned, are embracing this opportunity to build out the country’s electric HVAC infrastructure for the sustainable clean-energy future.

The U.S. Department of Energy, in its December 2023 grid impact study, stated that the widespread application of GHP technology would result in –

• 12% cheaper wholesale electricity
• 34 GIGATONS CO2e SAVED
• 33% fewer miles of transmission
• 47% cheaper grid decarbonization
• $19 Billion/year fuel cost savings
• Cumulative savings > $1 Trillion

“IGSHPA is proud to work with the Advocacy and Communications Task Force and many other industry stakeholders, including local and national/international geothermal organizations to promote National Geothermal Month for the first time in April 2024 in celebration of Earth Day (April 22),” said Jeff Hammond, Executive Director of IGSHPA. “Now is the time to spread the word about how geothermal technology can reduce demand on the electric grid, decrease the use of fossil fuels, and at the same, lower operating costs for building owners and homeowners. We want to celebrate and acknowledge geothermal technology as a solution to many of the goals associated with decarbonization and beneficial electrification!”

“2024 is shaping up to be a banner year for the geothermal heating and cooling industry,” said Ryan Dougherty, President of GeoExchange. “There is an unprecedented level of attention our technology is getting, much of it due to the Inflation Reduction Act and evolving state energy policies. Stakeholders and consumers are realizing that there is a cleaner, more comfortable, and cost-effective way to heat, cool, and produce hot water. It’s time to strike while the iron is hot and get the word out even more broadly.

National Geothermal Month is our industry’s call to action to increase the visibility of and support for GHPs.”

IGSHPA and GeoExchange are working collaboratively to engage stakeholders and market participants in a long-term vision to accelerate the adoption of GHP technology, in North America and around the world. If you would like to get, please send a request to info@igshpa.org to learn more.