Opinion and Interviews:
¶ “The Great Battery Materials Charade Explained” • The US Treasury and the IRS are working on draft rules determining who is eligible for the billions of dollars of federal tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. The problem is the US doesn’t manufacture stuff anymore. The issue is how to avoid China while working with the EU. [CleanTechnica]
Cathode materials (Courtesy of Ascend Elements)
¶ “More Green Batteries For Europe And USA – From Norway’s FREYR” • CleanTechnica had FREYR CEO Tom Jensen for a podcast. They discussed FREYR’s plans for battery gigafactories in Europe and the USA, and particularly these regions catching up to China in EV battery production, including the battery supply chain. [CleanTechnicia]
¶ “Why The EU’s Power Grids Need Higher Renewable Energy Targets” • 2022 was a record year for clean energy deployment in Europe, and clean technology is predicted to continue growing. But to maintain the growth, the EU will need realistic plans for infrastructure. A crucial part of this is attention to the EU’s electricity grids. [EURACTIV.com]
Wind farm (Thomas Richter, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “The Algae Phoenix Rises: Biofuel Down, Concrete Up” • To the surprise of no-one, ExxonMobil finally canceled its long-running algae biofuel research program earlier this year. The University of Colorado at Boulder emerged as a hotspot for zero emission concrete research based on algae, working on an organism called a coccolithophore. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Petrochemical Industry Flattened By Sustainable Fashion, High Tech Soy Edition” • The US biotech company Modern Meadow contacted CleanTechnica to introduce its plant-based approach to sustainable fashion, with a focus on leather. Teasing from plants the same level of performance and aesthetics as plastics has been a challenge. [CleanTechnica]
Plant-based alternative (Courtesy of Modern Meadow)
World:
¶ “Volkswagen’s PowerCo Is Taking Off” • Last year, Volkswagen started a new battery production company that would operate under the VW umbrella: PowerCo. Two announcements from PowerCo show us that the company is making progress toward its goals. One said that the company is not working alone, and the other relates to new factories. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Swedish Mining Group Boliden Is Getting Electric Trucks From Volvo For Underground Mining Operations” • Mines and similar campus-based operations are some of the best places for EVs. It’s safe to say drivers of heavy electric trucks in such places will not be too worried about range anxiety even with full loads of heavy rocks. [CleanTechnica]
Electric truck in a mine (Courtesy of Volvo Trucks)
¶ “Farmers Take On Renewable Energy Sources In Face Of Rising Electricity Costs” • A 30% hike in energy costs can be a tough pill to swallow, particularly when an annual bill is more than $100,000. That’s the case for many farm businesses, dairy and horticulture in particular. Investments in renewable energy help farmers reduce their energy bills. [ABC]
¶ “European Energy Orders Stiesdal Electrolyser” • Danish renewables and PtX developer European Energy has ordered a Stiesdal electrolyser. The agreement between European Energy and Stiesdal’s subsidiary, Stiesdal Hydrogen, is for a 3-MW unit developed by Stiesdal Hydrogen that will be tested in a European Energy green hydrogen facility. [reNews]
Electrolyzer (European Energy image)
¶ “‘Global Energy Transition Needs $35 Trillion By 2030’” • The global energy transition is off-track, aggravated by the effects of global crises, and requires $35 trillion of investment by 2030 to ensure climate targets are delivered upon, the International Renewable Energy Agency says. Renewables deployment must grow by 1000 GW annually. [reNews]
¶ “Paris Plots Response To Ursula Von Der Leyen’s ‘Unfortunate’ Comments On Nuclear” • The office of French Energy Minister has slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent comments about nuclear not being “strategic” for EU decarbonisation. It plans a counter-offensive at an EU energy ministers meeting in Brussels. [EURACTIV.com]
Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission)
¶ “Zelenskiy Says Russia Is Holding Nuclear Plant ‘Hostage’” • Russian troops are holding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant “hostage” and its safety can’t be guaranteed until they leave, Ukraine’s president says, while his forces shut the frontline town of Avdiivka and plan their next move. He decried the Russian presence as “radiation blackmail.” [Corowa Free Press]
US:
¶ “Honda’s Working On More US-Based Battery Production” • Ascend Elements, a US company specializing in battery recycling and engineered materials, announced a preliminary agreement with Honda at the end of last month. Only days later, Honda and LG Energy Solution held an official groundbreaking ceremony for a new EV battery plant. [CleanTechnica]
Groundbreaking for the EV battery plant (Honda image)
¶ “Renewable Electricity Production Outpaces Coal For First Time In US” • Only 20% of the country’s power came from coal last year, the US Energy Information Administration said. Coal generated 23% in 2021, and peaked at almost 50% in 2007. But Renewables’ combined contribution to US electricity came to 21% in 2022. [Casper Star-Tribune]
¶ “Amogy Secures $139 Million Series B-1 Round Funding To Support Ammonia-To-Power Technology” • Amogy, a company specialising in ammonia power solutions, has announced its $139 million Series B-1 fundraising, led by SK Innovation, to enable the company to begin manufacturing its ammonia-to-power technology. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
Have a consistently fortunate day.
geoharvey 
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