Green, ethical, energy issues in the news

Martyn1981

Spain looking to produce net zero bio-fuel.

Repsol unveils Spanish green hydrogen plan

Spanish energy giant Repsol is planning to build a net zero emissions synthetic fuel plant in Spain based on green hydrogen powered by renewable energy.

It will combine CO2 captured at a nearby Petronor refinery and green hydrogen as the raw materials in the process, Repsol said.

The company added that the first phase, which will be scalable in a later commercial stage depending on the results obtained, will produce 50 barrels of synthetic fuel a day, with net zero emissions of CO2 in the entire production cycle.

michaels

Martyn1981 said:

Spain looking to produce net zero bio-fuel.

Repsol unveils Spanish green hydrogen plan

Spanish energy giant Repsol is planning to build a net zero emissions synthetic fuel plant in Spain based on green hydrogen powered by renewable energy.

It will combine CO2 captured at a nearby Petronor refinery and green hydrogen as the raw materials in the process, Repsol said.

The company added that the first phase, which will be scalable in a later commercial stage depending on the results obtained, will produce 50 barrels of synthetic fuel a day, with net zero emissions of CO2 in the entire production cycle.

Terminology question - I had always assumed 'bio-fuel' was based on growing a plant of some sort which is different from synthetic fuel?  Happy to be corrected though.

Martyn1981

michaels said:

Martyn1981 said:

Spain looking to produce net zero bio-fuel.

Repsol unveils Spanish green hydrogen plan

Spanish energy giant Repsol is planning to build a net zero emissions synthetic fuel plant in Spain based on green hydrogen powered by renewable energy.

It will combine CO2 captured at a nearby Petronor refinery and green hydrogen as the raw materials in the process, Repsol said.

The company added that the first phase, which will be scalable in a later commercial stage depending on the results obtained, will produce 50 barrels of synthetic fuel a day, with net zero emissions of CO2 in the entire production cycle.

Terminology question - I had always assumed 'bio-fuel' was based on growing a plant of some sort which is different from synthetic fuel?  Happy to be corrected though.

That sounds right and yes, best to use the correct term, unless of course the CO2 is being captured from bio-waste burning, what would that then be called, I've no idea? Part of the reason I've started (occasionally) to say RE+, as the list of technologies, sectors, names etc etc etc in the toolbox is way above my pay grade. Probably simpler to just say 'non FF' or FF- in the future ...... then again, where does peat and lignite sit .......

Coastalwatch

When it comes to Green and ethical it is perhaps stretching the link a little, but my GLW and I experienced our first virtual meeting with a clinician via a video link this morning. Brought on by the recent pandemic it was of approx 40 minutes duration and for our part completed in the familiar surroundings of our lounge which meant we arrived in good time and in a relaxed frame of mind.

So where does Green and Ethical fit in? Well, neither the clinician or us had to travel anywhere for the appointment to go ahead, so no energy expended by either party, be it clean, or otherwise to make it happen.

On top of this we were saved from having to leave home an hour in advance, struggle to find a parking space and correct room, plus of course the return trip home afterwards.

I appreciate not all consultations or meetings can happen this way but my goodness it does demonstrate the savings both in time and energy that can be made when they do.

Martyn1981

Coastalwatch said:

I appreciate not all consultations or meetings can happen this way but my goodness it does demonstrate the savings both in time and energy that can be made when they do.

I appreciate that this is relatively trivial, but the cat rescue has managed to maintain adoptions via 'virtual home visits' using mobile phone technology, a policy that might well stick permanently. As you say, time saving as well as all the green and cost benefits.

[My suggestion of a cat-apult delivery system did not make it off the drawing board.]

Martyn1981

Ickle bit of storage news.

Siemens, AES JV unveils next-gen storage technology

Siemens and AES joint venture Fluence has unveiled its sixth-generation energy storage technology stack combining factory-built hardware, advanced software and data-driven intelligence.

The JV said that the new technology creates the foundation for three purpose-built systems, Gridstack, Sunstack and Edgestack, which are configured for grid, renewable and commercial and industrial applications, respectively.

“Over the past decade, Fluence has reduced the total cost of energy storage systems by 90%; our new technology stack focuses on driving down the non-battery costs of energy storage systems by up to 25%, while empowering gigawatt-sized deployments.”

ASavvyBuyer

Until late last night the UK had gone for its longest ever period of energy generation without coal - 67 days.

According to this Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/UK_Coal/status/1273008882785419264 2

The coal fired stations were turned on for 2 hours last night, apparently for some testing after essential maintenance, ending this unbroken run.

Looks like testing is continuing this morning, according to GrdWatch:

https://gridwatch.co.uk/Coal

ASavvyBuyer

“Historic moment” as BP writes-off billions of reserves as stranded assets

http://priceofoil.org/2020/06/16/historic-moment-as-bp-writes-off-billions-of-reserves-as-stranded-assets/

Martyn1981

ASavvyBuyer said:

Until late last night the UK had gone for its longest ever period of energy generation without coal - 67 days.

According to this Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/UK_Coal/status/1273008882785419264 2

The coal fired stations were turned on for 2 hours last night, apparently for some testing after essential maintenance, ending this unbroken run.

Looks like testing is continuing this morning, according to GrdWatch:

https://gridwatch.co.uk/Coal

Bad loser warning, but the generation figure is so low, I wonder if it's just gas being burned, as I believe (probably wrong as usual) that coal generation uses gas (old ones may be oil) to warm the boilers up enough to start them. Then again, I suppose you might not get any generation at that level ..... so yes, probably wrong.

But, in a way, this is good news as it beats (smashes) the old record, but sets a new one that can be beaten a bit easier in the future.

Martyn1981

I think this is more energy news than investment news, but either way it's nice to hear.

Goldman Sachs Sees $16 Trillion Investment In Renewables By 2030

Goldman Sachs analyst Michele Della Vigna and her colleagues have issued a research note for investors that claims investments in renewable energy are set to overtake those in oil and gas for the first time next year. They think the clean energy field, including biofuels, will be a $16 trillion investment opportunity between now and 2030, according to a report by Bloomberg. The research note says renewables will represent about 25% of all energy spending in 2021 — up from 15% in 2014.