Global Climate News: September 13-15
Leak in Illinois CO₂ underground storage; Hydrogen-based heating for industries; Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy; Toronto's lake-based cooling system; Global distribution of critical minerals;
In this newsletter
Biodiversity
Energy
Climate Finance
Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuels
Critical Minerals
Carbon Capture and Sustainability
Biodiversity
Indonesia may sell rainforest protection credits to generate $65 billion in ‘green’ funding by 2028, as per an adviser to the country’s president, reports Reuters.
An Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure (OECM) is defined as
A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values. UNEP
In 2023, Japan started certifying ‘sustainably managed natural sites’ in the country that were being conserved through the actions of private entities. The first cohort of the OECMs, covering 48000 hectares, have now been registered with the world OECM database. As part of its 30by30 roadmap, Japan plans to certify at least 100 OECMs Press Release
Several European countries that are parties to the ASCOBANS agreement have adopted measures for conservation of dolphins, porpoises and other cetaceans, at a recent conference in Denmark. Measures include
conservation of beaked whales and the Baltic Proper Harbour Porpoise
Guidelines for cetacean-sensitive maritime spatial planning
Addressing the effect of recreational activities, like boating, on these species
Addressing effects from undersea construction for renewable energy projects
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
Energy
The UK has decided to establish a National Energy System Operator (NESO) with licenses for both - electricity and gas system operation, effective October 1 2024. The NESO will serve as the Independent System Operator and Planner, and will be wholly under public ownership.
NESO will take a cross-sector approach to planning the country’s energy system in the best interests of the British public - looking across electricity, gas and hydrogen, as well as renewable generation, storage and other emerging technologies like carbon capture usage and storage. GOV.UK
On July 29, the UK government announced an increase in the Energy (Oil & Gas) Profits Levy to 38% from 35%, effective November 1 2024. Two oil & gas producers, Serica and Enquest, with planned investments in the North Sea have indicated they may halt investment due to the tax rate hikes. OGV Energy | GOV.UK
Germany's Economy Minister has proposed a reform of the national electricity market that will include a flat fee for capacity provided by generators, rather than the current market-price based model. EurActiv | Options Paper (PDF, in German)
The Hungarian pPresidency has proposes 20-year fuel tax exemption for planes and ships.
The Hungarian Presidency has put forward a compromise proposal on the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD), with a section on aviation and maritime taxation, which has been circulated to member states. They are proposing to exempt aviation and shipping from fuel tax for the next 20 years. T&E
Price of battery-grade lithium carbonate <CNY 90,000/ton ($12,654/ton) in July pv magazine
China’s first 30MW flywheel storage plant is now supporting the grid. pv magazine
Electricity generation from renewables surpassed that from fossil fuels in the EU in the first half of 2024. European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE)
Belgium will provide €682 million in state aid for construction and operation of a 700MW offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
The aid will take the form of a monthly variable premium under a two-way contract for difference (‘CfD'). The price premium will be paid over a period of 20 years. This price premium will be granted for the potential electricity production of the wind farm rather than for the actual electricity production.
Toronto (Canada) is using a Deep Lake district cooling system. Cold water from the bottom of Lake Ontario is pumped to a water filtration plant, where it’s treated to be drinkable, and sent on to a pumping station. At the pumping station, the drinking water collects heat from water that is used for cooling buildings, using heat exchangers. This results in low heating of the drinking water, while the water for cooling gets chilled. As the water for cooling rises in temperature after being circulated through buildings, it’s returned to the pumping station and the process is repeated. Enwave Energy | The Energy Mix
A UK High court has halted the Cumbria coalmine due to climate impact, setting a precedent against new fossil projects. The Guardian
Climate Finance
US Gulf Coast insurers face a key test from Hurricane Francine's claims.
AM Best has identified 72 companies whose total direct property catastrophe risk premium written in the five Gulf Coast states—Texas, Louisianna, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida—equates to more than two-thirds of their total direct premium. Business Wire
OPEC Fund has approved $1.2 billion for infrastructure, agriculture, and climate resilience projects in 11 countries. Economic Times
Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuels
Germany and Australia have agreed to commit a combined €400 million for a joint hydrogen auction to make up the price difference between renewable hydrogen and natural-gas derived hydrogen, and support the hydrogen value chain in both countries. The first hydrogen purchase auction is scheduled for 2025. Offshore Energy
An Aviation industry group in Denmark has called for an investment of 1 billion Danish kronor (~EUR134 million) from the government for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as the government is keen on ‘green’ flying routes. In August, energy major Ørsted announced that it had halted its SAF project.
The liquid e-fuel market in Europe is developing slower than expected, and we have taken the strategic decision to de-prioritise our efforts within the market and cease the development of FlagshipONE. We will continue our focus and development efforts within renewable hydrogen, which is essential for decarbonising key industries in Europe and closer to our core business.
Australia has published its National Hydrogen Strategy 2024, with 5-yearly production milestones, a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive of AUD$2 per kilogram, priority funding from the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, ‘concessional finance through government special investment vehicles’, and streamlined approvals for hydrogen projects.
Australia will target producing at least 15 million tonnes of hydrogen annually, with a stretch potential of 30 million tonnes annually, by 2050.
Germany-based Hyting has developed hydrogen-based heating solutions for commercial and industrial consumers. Hyting has a modular, scalable system which can be used for 10-300kW output. The company’s solution will be deployed at a Flusys precision pump manufacturing facility in Germany. Power Engineering International
France-based Haffner Energy, which has developed technology to produce syngas, methanol, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from organic waste and biomass, is creating a separate entity - SAF Zero - to expand its SAF business. Press Release
US-based Gevo, a developer of low-carbon fuels and chemicals, has agreed to acquire Red Trail Energy's ethanol production plant and carbon sequestration assets for $210 million. Press Release
The first US hydrogen refueling station for commercial trucks has opened in Los Angeles. BusinessWire
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has signed a letter of intent with Netherlands-based Chane for setting up terminals for import of ammonia at ports. Chane | ET Energy
Scientists propose storing hydrogen in high-density polyethylene pipelines in lakes and reservoirs. pv magazine
China-based Envision is partnering with Spanish government and industry to build the “first integrated green hydrogen net zero industrial park” in Europe.
It will serve as the design, research, manufacture and service function for green hydrogen including electrolysis, air separation unit (ASU), ammonia synthesis and the completed module facility for scalable green ammonia production.
Critical Minerals
Russia might consider restricting exports of titanium, uranium or nickel. Russian News Agency
An overview of the global distribution of critical minerals by Our World in Data. Here’s a snapshot of cobalt production - mined (left) and refined (right)
Cobalt production as a share of global total, 2023, mined (left) and refined (right), Src: Our World in Data, September 16, 2024 Arkansas (USA) is becoming a lithium mining hub with major investments in from ExxonMobil, Albemarle, and Standard Lithium. CNBC | Energy
India’s state-owned NMDC is exploring overseas mining for critical minerals, focusing on lithium in Australia and coking coal. Economic Times | Coal
Carbon Capture and Sustainability
An underground carbon storage facility in Illinois (USA) has received notice from the US Environmental Protection Agency for an alleged leak of liquefied CO₂, first detected in March. Corrosion in tubing of the storage well is believed to be a cause. Capitol News Illinois | Reuters
Fermentation composting, uses microbes to decompose food waste such as bones and meat scraps, that do not decompose easily with regular composting. The compost is being used to enrich the soil in urban gardens in London. The Guardian
Tamil Nadu has issued a policy to repower, refurbish old wind turbines, increasing wind energy potential by 2030. Mercom India
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is funding research in Manganese treatment for community drinking water systems. US EPA
New Reports
World Bank - State and Trends of Carbon Pricing: International Carbon Markets 2024 (PDF) | Carbon Herald
EU Report on the functioning of the Governance Regulation (of the Energy Union and Climate Action) Link
EU has published the State of the Energy Union Report 2024
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