Tag Archives: Cleantechnica

U.S. Dept. Of Energy Joins New Federal–State Partnership To Grow Domestic Offshore Wind Supply Chain

At-a-Glance: 

The first of its kind forum between 11 East Coast Governors and Administration officials will enable collaboration to build a strong, U.S.-based supply chain for offshore wind, grow a skilled U.S. workforce, and accelerate work to address important regional matters. The partnership will advance the industry’s rapid development and provide more affordable clean energy to all Americans. Read more: U.S. Dept. Of Energy Joins New Federal–State Partnership To Grow Domestic Offshore Wind Supply Chain

Key Takeaways:

  • State and federal collaboration will help achieve the U.S. goal of 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Achieving this goal will result in an expected $12 billion in annual investment in offshore wind projects, which in turn can lead to the construction of up to 10 manufacturing plants for offshore wind turbine components and new ships to install the turbines.
  • The partnership will advance the industry’s rapid development and provide more affordable clean energy to all Americans, helping accelerate President Biden’s goal of 30GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 100% clean electricity by 2035.
  • A report from the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium forecasts the need for an offshore wind workforce averaging between 12,300 and 49,000 full time workers annually.

Path to 100% Perspective:

Renewable energy resources, like wind and solar, are the key to decarbonization around the world. This investment is a huge step for the United States towards that goal. It is also important to remember that these renewable energy sources are also variable. If the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, power operators need to have a reliable backup. Energy storage and power plants that can be started quickly when needed will be important to reliable energy generation in the future.

Shell Could Bring EU Green Hydrogen Scheme to US Shores

At-a-Glance:

Shell has just flipped the switch on the biggest green hydrogen plant in the EU, and it looks like the oil and gas giant could have a hand in fostering the renewable H2 revolution here in the US, as well. It better ramp up quickly, though. Global demand for hydrogen has tripled since the 1970s and it has nowhere to go but up. To learn more, read “Shell Could Bring EU Green Hydrogen Scheme to US Shores.”

Key Takeaways:

  • More sustainable hydrogen sources are finally beginning to emerge, including biomass, biogas, wastewater, waste plastic, and electrolysis, which refers to the process of teasing hydrogen from water with an electrical current.
  • Shell built its new green hydrogen plant at its Energy and Chemicals Park in Rheinland, Germany, with a healthy assist from the a consortium of hydrogen stakeholders and the EU’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.
  • Billed as “the first to use this technology at such a large scale in a refinery,” the new electrolysis plant revved up in July at a capacity of 10 megawatts. Plans are already under way to add 90 megawatts more.
  • In one especially intriguing indication of surging interest in the US, Texas has launched a study aimed at leveraging its wind and solar resources to produce green hydrogen at scale.

Path to 100% Perspective: 

In the energy sector, it is anticipated that green hydrogen will deliver 7 percent of the global energy demand by 2050. Governments will have to invest significant amounts into the infrastructure needed to develop green hydrogen, but those investments require market-ready engines that can run on the fuel once it is readily available. The energy and marine industries are on a decarbonisation journey, and the fuel flexibility of the engines powering these sectors is key to enable the transformation.

Photo by Anton Maksimov juvnsky on Unsplash

Top Solar States Per Capita 2012 vs. 2020 — CleanTechnica Report

At-a-Glance:

CleanTechnica has developed a new report on the top solar power states per capita, by comparing the results from the first half of 2020 with the results from 2012. Also note that this report does not include all 50 states, unlike the previous one, because the data back in 2012 didn’t include all 50 states. It just included the top 25 states in terms of overall solar power capacity. For the full 2020 ranking, see this report. To learn more, read “Top Solar States Per Capita 2012 vs. 2020 — CleanTechnica Report.”

Key Takeaways:

  • Two things to note in the two charts. First, how much solar power capacity per capita has increased in each of these states. Secondly, how the rankings have shifted around.
    • Nevada rose from #3 in 2012 to #1 in 2020
    • California rose from #6 in 2012 to #3 in 2020
    • North Carolina rose from #11 in 2012 to #5 in 2020
  • The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has some interesting “quick facts” on each state in the country. Below are a few comparative highlights:
    • California-first in the nation
      • Total Solar Investment in State: $68,148.93 million.
      • Solar Companies in State: 2,006
    • North Carolina-second in the nation
      • Total Solar Investment in State: $8,999.31 million.
      • Solar Companies in State: 216
    • Arizona-fifth in the nation
      • Total Solar Investment in State: $12,772.41 million.
      • Solar Companies in State: 307
  • North Carolina jumped up the charts from #7 to #2. New Jersey had almost the opposite result, dropping from #3 to #7.

Path to 100% Perspective:

These future power systems will need four cornerstones to maintain reliable power in the clean power system of the future. The “Generation Cornerstone” is foundational to a 100% renewable future when wind and solar farms will generate most electricity. The “Constant Balance Cornerstone” keeps power flows on the grid balanced, minute by minute by collecting excess power in short-term battery-style energy storage with typical durations of one hour or less that continuously charge and discharge as needed to supply constant, reliable power. The “Daily Shift Cornerstone” ensures the lights stay on by shifting overbuilt renewable power during the day to meet load and charge storage, and discharging that stored energy at other times of the day when it’s needed. The “Reliability Cornerstone” ensures system reliability by using flexible generation to make up the difference.

 

Photo by Chelsea on Unsplash