Daily Climate News - April 2
EU requires verifiable climate claims on consumer products; CAISO's $6bn transmission plan; managing solar waste in Germany
News from Governments
The European Union has passed a new rule that requires traders to provide clear and relevant information to consumers about the environmental and social aspects, impact and performance of a product. For example, when claiming that a product contributes to climate neutrality, the trader should be able to provide “clear, objective, publicly available and verifiable commitments and targets” set in “a detailed and realistic implementation plan that shows how those commitments and targets will be achieved and that allocates resources to that end.” The directive, if implemented, will also require such claims to be verified by independent third party experts. The rule aims to empower consumers by giving them consistent information on durability and reparability of products and about their legal guarantee rights. EU countries are required to bring the directive into force by 2026. EC Press Release | Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition
EU has launched a web portal on energy efficient products with information about energy efficiency of household appliances, ecodesign and energy labelling rules for such products. EC Press Release
The European Union is looking to partner with Australia on critical minerals. Previously, it has partnered with Canada, and in March this year, with Norway to integrate raw materials and batteries value chains. ECEEE | EU MoU with Norway (March 2024)
The US Department of Energy will invest $22 million to improve the planning, siting and permitting process for solar, wind and energy storage projects in 7 states - Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin. The funds will be used for providing technical assistance, educational resources for city and county officials, and on community engagement programs. Utility Dive | DoE Press Release
CAISO, which oversees California’s electric power system, transmission lines and electricity markets, has published a draft transmission plan with an investment of $6.1 billion. The 26 proposed transmission projects are intended to help develop and connect battery storage, 38GW solar, >21GW geothermal, 4.7GW offshore wind and 3GW (in-state) + 5.6GW (out-of-state) onshore wind projects. Utility Dive | CAISO Draft Transmission Plan 2023-24 (PDF)
US Department of Energy has awarded $62 million in grants to battery recycling projects that involve - sorting using AI & robotics, battery collection events, improving recycling operations, an online platform to locate recycling sites, and student education and outreach. Waste Dive
Top Stories
UAE may acquire minority stakes in Europe and UK’s nuclear power plants, including the planned Sizewell C project in UK. Power Technology
China has filed a petition in WTO protesting against tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) in USA for domestic production of electric vehicle and renewable energy project components. Both the world’s largest EV manufacturer, BYD and solar module manufacturer, Longi are based in China. Mercom India
Sweden-based steelmaker SSAB is setting up a fossil-free mini-mill in the coastal city of Lulea. The company plans to shut down its current blast-furnace based production system once the new mill is operational (expected 2028). The switch is estimated to reduce Sweden’s carbon emission by 7%. An electric arc furnace is being set up at another mill owned by the company. ECEEE
A province in South Korea has signed MoUs worth $2.9 billion to set up a hydrogen cluster involving hydrogen production, storage transport, carbon capture, and heat & power generation. Offshore Energy
Germany will be the first country to require extensive management for solar modules that have reached end-of-life (20-30 years) by 2030. An IEA task force estimates between 400,00 tons and 1 million tons of PV module waste in the country in 2030 alone. Germany has relevant regulation and infrastructure for handling electronic waste including 1700 collection points and separate processes for managing commercial and household waste PV modules. Researchers looked at current recycling capacity and systems and found that - a) reported recycling volumes are lower than expected indicating disposal by alternative routes like illegal exports, b) collection and pre-sorting is not happening as required, c) there is insufficient collection capacity, d) stakeholders involved in collecting and sorting are not fully aware of obligations
Those curious can find the recycling process for PV modules on page 24
pv magazine | IEA PVPS - Status of Take-Back and Recycling in Germany
Oil & gas production has not slowed down. At least 20 new oil fields were approved in 2023 and a capacity of eight billion barrels of oil equivalent was sanctioned, majorly in - United States, Guyana, UAE, Iran and Uganda. Hungary has signed a deal with Turkey to procure natural gas, Egypt’s state-owned EGAS is investing $2.6 billion in an oil exploration program, UK is supporting building more gas-based power and Texas is looking into a taxpayer-funded loan program for new gas-based generation. ECEEE
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Best,
Soumya Gupta
Founder, Telborg.com | SummaryWithAI.com