Sweden to investigate phasing out fossil fuels and banning sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030

The Swedish government has appointed an inquiry (LINK) to offer proposals on how to implement a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars, and when fossil fuels should be phased out.

According to Swedish Public Service news, SVT (LINK) the goal is to prohibit to sell new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 onwards. The question will now be investigated, following an agreement between the government, the Social Democrates, the Center Party and the Liberals.

 

“Sweden will be the world’s first fossil-free welfare nation. The transport sector is responsible for a third of Sweden’s emissions of greenhouse gases, and thus has a significant role to play in the climate transition,” says Minister for Financial Markets and Housing Per Bolund.

The inquiry is to:

• analyse the conditions for introducing a national ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars, and how to exempt vehicles that run on renewable fuels and electric hybrid vehicles from such a ban;
• analyse how to bring about an EU-wide ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and the phasing out of fossil fuels in the EU;
• make the necessary legislative proposals, albeit not in the area of taxation, where the inquiry may only analyse measures and conduct impact analyses; and
• propose a year by which fossil fuels should be phased out in Sweden, and the measures needed for this to happen in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Texas on track to install large-scale battery storage in the power grid

According to an article in the Houston Chronicle (LINK), Texas is adopting large-scale battery storage as battery prices fall, technology improves, and electricity demand grows. Now in the starting point, the amount of storage on the state’s power grid is still small at just 100 megawatts in a system with a generating capacity of nearly 80,000 megawatts. However, Texas is expected to more than triple the capacity to about 360 megawatts in 2020 and grow even faster in the coming years. Also, they are considering proposals to develop some 7,200 megawatts of large-scale battery storage within the next five years or so, exceeding the amount of natural gas generation in the pipeline.

 

According to the article, the growth of battery storage has boosted by falling prices for batteries. The price for lithium-ion batteries for electricity storage fell 35 percent to $187 per megawatt-hour in March compared to the first half of 2018 (Bloomberg New Energy Finance). By 2024, the costs for installing battery storage may fall to a point low enough for batteries to undercut natural gas-fired power plants during peak hours.

 

Background on power grid battery energy storage:

 

 

Clean Energy Solutions Center This webinar introduces key concepts for understanding the value of battery energy storage systems; reviews the services they can provide to the grid; and explores when, where, why and how they can be deployed economically.

First hydrogen-powered Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system launched in France

Electrive reports (LINK) that the first hydrogen-powered Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has gone live in Pau, in the south of France. It is called Fébus and launched with the roll-out of a fleet of eight 18m Van Hool Exqui-City FC buses, serving a special six km route. The fuel cell technology for the buses, which also feature batteries, comes from Ballard Power Systems. The 18-metre-long articulated buses offer space for 125 passengers and can cover more than 300 kilometres per hydrogen filling.

Youtube.com

More information: LINK

Earlier this year Flixbus Germany said that it has begun talks with bus manufacturers about the introduction of hydrogen models to their fleat (LINK).

“After being the first to successfully launch three fully electric buses, we now want to develop the first long-distance buses powered by fuel cells, along with Freudenberg technology, to mark another milestone in the history of mobility,” said André Schwämmlein, founder and CEO of FlixMobility.

Background Bus rapid transit (WIKI-LINK): Bus rapid transit (BRT), also called a busway or transitway, is a bus-based public transport system designed to improve capacity and reliability relative to a conventional bus system. Typically, a BRT system includes roadways that are dedicated to buses, and gives priority to buses at intersections where buses may interact with other traffic; alongside design features to reduce delays caused by passengers boarding or leaving buses, or purchasing fares. BRT aims to combine the capacity and speed of a metro with the flexibility, lower cost and simplicity of a bus system.

The first BRT system was the Rede Integrada de Transporte ('Integrated Transportation Network') in Curitiba, Brazil, which entered service in 1974.

As of March 2018, a total of 166 cities in six continents have implemented BRT systems, accounting for 4,906 km (3,048 mi) of BRT lanes and about 32.2 million passengers every day, of which about 19.6 million passengers ride daily in Latin America, which has the most cities with BRT systems, with 54, led by Brazil with 21 cities. The Latin American countries with the most daily ridership are Brazil (10.7M), Colombia (3.06M), and Mexico (2.5M). In the other regions, China (4.3M) and Iran (2.1M) also stand out. Currently, TransJakarta is considered as the largest BRT network in the world with approximately 251.2 kilometres (156.1 mi) of corridors connecting the Indonesian capital city.

The economic case for a coal phase-out is stronger than ever

According to several reports, coal power is losing its economic ground, and a lot of infrastructures may one day actually become stranded assesst totgether with recent, ongoing, and planned oil invest in pipelines, harbor faciliteis and refinereies etc.

As detailed analysis by Carbon Tracker analysis, 60% of the global coal capacity is uneconomic on a long-run marginal cost basis. Theis means that in the absence of changing circumstances (i.e., lower costs and/or higher revenues), coal power is, and will continue to be, inherently risky business.

 

Carbon Tracker reports: "The trend is more widespread in liberalized markets, such as those in Western Europe, as wind and solar, with their near-zero marginal costs, drive power prices below the operating cost of coal generation. For example, based on a recent Carbon Tracker report, 79% of operating hard coal and lignite capacity in the EU28 is uneconomic. This dire situation contrasts with coal generators in South Korea, where all operators are cash-flow positive due to market structures that effectively guarantee a rate of return regardless of cost.[ii] Irrespective of whether plants are in liberalized or regulated markets, low-cost wind and solar is a megatrend coursing through regions at varying levels. As detailed in Figure 2, this trend has accelerated in 2019, to the extent where we now believe over 50% of global coal capacity has a higher marginal cost than the levelised cost of either solar PV, onshore wind, or offshore wind. Even nations such as Japan, which is known to have limited renewable resources due to topographical and land-use constraints, low-cost wind and solar could soon eclipse the economics of incumbent coal as early as 2024."

 Source: Carbon Tracker analysis (2019)

Source: Carbon Tracker (LINK)

Spanish oil company Repsol has announced to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050

Carbon Tracker reports that Repsol has announced to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050. This is a step forward from their previous long-term ambition, which was to lower carbon intensity by 40% by 2040.

"This ambition entails directing all of its activities and investments to meet new and more stringent plans all in alignment with the energy transition and the effort to limit the planet’s temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius according to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals."

Now Repsol is one of a handful of oil companies that have set ambitions to lower the lifecycle carbon emissions intensity of their products, alongside Total and Shell.

Repsol is increasing by 3,000 MW its target for low-carbon electricity generation capacity, to 7,500 MW by 2025, and will begin to expand into other markets to become a leading international player in renewable energies such as photovoltaic and wind power.

Source: Carbon Tracker (LINK), Repsol (LINK)

2nd double-digit-gigawatt scale renewable energy project start in China

PV Magazine reports (LINK) that Huanghe Hydropower Development has started work on of a renewable energy project featuring 10 GW of solar generation capacity, 5 GW of wind and 1 GW of concentrating solar power. Trina will supply 600 MW of modules to the first phase of the facility.

This facility is one of two double-digit-gigawatt scale projects being planned by the China State Power Investment Corporation. The other is a 16 GW facility that is being constructed in Hainan prefecture.

Photo credit: Huanghe Hydropower Development LINK

In addition, JA Solar will supply 485 MW,  Longi 470 MW, Eging 420 MW, Solargiga 407 MW, JinkoSolar 314 MW, CPI Solar Power Xi’An 288 MW, Jolywood 150 MW and GS-Solar 48 MW. All of these panels will be bifacial products with an output of more than 400 Wp.

The monocrystalline manufacturer Longi willsupply the project with 445 Wp modules employing its new M6, 166mm wafer and PERC cells.

Earlier this year the big news was that Zhonghuan Semiconductor unveiled a 12-inch super solar wafer (LINK). The manufacturer said that its 12 inch "Kwafoo" product would improve efficiency and, if used in the optimal p-type PERC type of panel, could boast a module output of 610 W.

 

Credit : Zhonghuan Semiconductor (LINK)

US Installed 2.6 GW New Solar In Q3/2019 - Up 45%

According to Taiyangnews citing the Solar Market Insight report (LINK), the US saw 712 MW of new residential solar installations in the third quarter of 2019 which is a record for this segment and helped take total PV installations in the reporting period to 2.6 GW, growing 45% over last year and 25% up from the previous quarter, according to the Q4 2019 US Solar Market Insight report. The cumulative solar PV capacity of the US market until the end of Q3/2019 has now reached 71.3 GW.

• In 2019, the report forecasts the US market to install 13 GW of total capacity, growing 23% annually
• Growing more than double over the next five years, annual installations are expected to reach 20.1 GW by 2021

Source: Taiyangnews US Installed 2.6 GW New Solar In Q3/2019

Shipping company CMA CGM commits to thousands of tons of Shell biofuel

Port Technology International reports that the french shipping company CMA CGM has selected Shell to supply what it describes as “tens of thousands of tons of marine biofuel” to its fleet. The fuel used is composed of 80% of Low Sulphur Fuel Oil and 20% of a biofuel made of used cooking oil. The biofuel used reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and virtually eliminates sulphur oxides emissions.

 

Photo credit CMA CGM

Source: Port Technology International LINK

Wind energy to become Germany's most important energy source for the first time in 2019

[Press release, BWE, German, LINK] In 2019, wind energy will for the first time generate more electricity than all other energy sources in the German energy mix and lignite will therefore replace it as the number one electricity source in Germany. 

Although the expansion of wind energy in Germany is faltering, wind power generation is reaching record levels. Due to good wind conditions worldwide in 2019, the nearly 30,000 wind turbines installed in Germany generated 118 TWh of green electricity by mid-December. Never before has so much electricity been generated from wind energy in Germany. By the end of November 2019, the total electricity generation for 2018 had already been reached and exceeded.

The record year for wind energy is associated with an important milestone in the energy turnaround: Wind energy was the first single renewable energy source to become Germany's most important energy source. Since 2011, this top position has been occupied by lignite, which is harmful to the climate. In figures, German wind energy contributed 24%, lignite 20%, nuclear 14%, gas 11%, hard coal 10%, solar 9%, biomass 9% and hydropower 4% to net electricity generation in Germany in the current year. (Source: Fraunhofer Energy Charts, figures rounded)

 

Net electricity generation from power plants for public electricity supply. Data source: 50 Hertz, Amprion, Tennet, TransnetBW, Destatis, EEX last update: 13 Dec 2019 13:37
 

"Wind energy is Germany's most important energy source for the first time. That makes us proud. Our thanks go to the medium-sized sector, which has repeatedly demonstrated its innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit over the past 20 years, and to the EEG, which provided the right investment incentives to develop wind energy in Germany into a worldwide cutting-edge technology. Together with its members, the BWE is working on developing wind energy into a reliable foundation for a CO2-neutral energy system and further expanding this year's record figures.

However, the current figures must not obscure the fact that the German wind energy industry is in a serious crisis in view of the collapse in new construction. Politicians now have to assume responsibility for the energy turnaround and the employees in the wind industry by bringing about rapid improvements in the approval process and in the provision of land and legal security for wind energy projects. It is also necessary to flank this with a courageous, legally defined timeframe and quantity structure for the expansion until at least 2030. This record year underlines the importance of the future-oriented wind energy industry for Germany as a business location," comments Hermann Albers, President of the German WindEnergy Association.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

EU solar boom: over 100% solar market increase in 2019

• Strongest growth year for solar since 2010
• More new solar capacity installed than any other power generation technology in 2019
• Spain is Europe’s largest solar market adding 4.7 GW

SolarPower Europe’s first EU Market Outlook for Solar Power shows that 2019 was one of the best solar years on record for the European Union, with 16.7 GW of installations added in the region, representing a 104% increase over the 8.2 GW added in 2018. This makes 2019 the strongest growth year for solar in the EU-28 since 2010.

EU-28 annual solar PV installed capacity 2000-2019 © SolarPower Europe 2019

Netse to produce biofuel for KLM out of cooking oil

[Press release, KLM LINK] KLM has purchased sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for flights out of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Sustainable fuel is produced by Neste from used cooking oil and will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 % compared to fossil kerosene. This purchase is the next step in the use of sustainable fuel, as it is the first time the fuel will be supplied using the existing infrastructure at Schiphol. Furthermore, Neste is joining KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Programme. In doing so, Neste will reduce the CO2 emissions of its own business travel on KLM flights by 100%.

Lithium battery prices continue to fall - Market average at $156/kWh in 2019

[BloombergNEF, December 3, 2019] Battery prices, which were above $1,100 per kilowatt-hour in 2010, have fallen 87% in real terms to $156/kWh in 2019. By 2023, average prices will be close to $100/kWh, according to the latest forecast from research company BloombergNEF (BNEF). 

BNEF’s 2019 Battery Price Survey, published today at the BNEF Summit in Shanghai, predicts that as cumulative demand passes 2TWh in 2024, prices will fall below $100/kWh. This price is seen as the point around which EVs will start to reach price parity with internal combustion engine vehicles.

Source: BloombergNEF LINK

General Motors announces a new ($2.3B) battery giga-factory joint-venture with LG Chem

General Motors has announced a new ($2.3B) joint-venture with LG Chem to build their own battery giga-factory, which will have 30 GWh of annual capacity, in Lordstown, Ohio. GM is going to make the packs, and LG Chem will be in charge of battery cell production. 

 

The companies claimed that they were on track to eventually be below the $100/kWh barrier, which is often cited as the point at which it becomes cheaper to produce a BEV than the equivalent internal combustion vehicle. BEVs already usually have a lower total cost of ownership. 

 

The 30GWh number will represent 30% of the expected 100GWh capacity that LG expects to have online by the end of 2020. That’s enough to build 2 million 50kWh electric vehicle battery packs.

 

 

 

“With this investment, Ohio and its highly capable workforce will play a key role in our journey toward a world with zero emissions,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Combining our manufacturing expertise with LG Chem’s leading battery-cell technology will help accelerate our pursuit of an all-electric future. We look forward to collaborating with LG Chem on future cell technologies that will continue to improve the value we deliver to our customers.”

 

Source: General Motors (LINK)

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By Abhishekkumar Thakur

Swedish SaltX technology stores energy in nano coated salt

SaltX Technology (LINK) is a Swedish innovation company that has developed and patented a thermal energy storage technology. Any type of energy is stored chemically in nano-coated salts and released as hot water or steam.

SaltX Technology has developed a selection of salts for applications in numerous industries. The salts deliver temperatures in a range from -30°C to 550°C. In combination with different matrix technologies, the salts can be used equally efficiently in quantities ranging from a teaspoon to hundreds of thousands of tons. 

SaltX technologies are used in solar collectors such as SunCool. Powered by the sun, SaltX nano-coated salts store heat energy, and release it in the form of heat and cooling when needed.

One of the early adopters is Löfbergs coffee roasting facility in Karlstad. The coffee maker can boast of having the world’s largest SunCool installation, covering 180 m2 of their roof. Each square meter saves up to 100 EUR per year.

Manufacturers who include the SaltX SunCool Development Kits in their systems aim to offer their customers tremendous yearly savings and an easy transition to a circular economy.

 

Please check out here for more application cases: LINK

Bio-coal as a carbon sink and alternative raw material source

Many are looking for new green coal or bio-coal or biomass briquette. The market is predicted to grow exponentially over the next ten years. Since bio-coal is produced from biomass, it does not give rise to fossil carbon dioxide. The industry, therefore, sees this as a possible solution where fossil coal is to be phased out.

As an example, today, a number of companies in India have switched from furnace oil, fire-wood, and coal to biomass briquettes to save costs on boiler fuels. Many companies are using biomass briquettes as fuel to earn Carbon Credits, which is an indirect advantage.

The basic principle for the production of bio-coal is based on old-time coal mills, where charcoal was produced. Biomass is heated in an oxygen-poor environment to at most 700 degrees, called pyrolysis. But today's manufacturing is much more efficient. Unlike charcoal, which is only made from wood, several types of bio-based materials can be used as raw material for bio-coal. For example, leaves, food waste, or animal waste. Today's production processes of bio-coal take place in equipment with advanced process control and the opportunity to capture and utilize gas and oil formed in the process. These can then be used to produce various chemicals and biofuels, according to Maria Lundgren at The Metal Research Institute Swerim in Sweden. The interest in bio-coal has recently exploded. To date, ten Swedish plants have received state subsidies to start bio-coal production.

New report: CO2 emissions do not increase at the same rapid rate

Carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase - but the 2019 increase is not as great as last year. This is according to a report from the Global Carbon Project research project presented at the Madrid climate summit. 2018 increase was 2.1 percent, while 2019 increase is expected to land at 0.6 percent and emissions for the year are expected to be 37 billion tonnes. Explanations of the decline are that the US and Europe use coal power to a lesser extent and that China's economy has slowed down.

Renewable energy is growing exponentially, but this growth has so far been too low to offset the growth in fossil energy consumption.

Global fossil CO2 emissions are projected to rise by 0.6% in 2019 [range: -0.2% to +1.5%] The global growth is driven by the underlying changes at the country level.

Share of global fossil CO2 emissions in 2018: coal (40%), oil (34%), gas (20%), cement (4%), flaring (1%, not shown)

Renewable energy is growing exponentially, but this growth has so far been too low to offset the growth in fossil energy consumption.

Source: CDIAC; Peters et al 2019; Friedlingstein et al 2019; Global Carbon Budget 2019

Sono Motors Launches Community Funding Campaign with Target of 50 Million Euros

Sion is an announced solar powered, full electric car, currently being developed by the German start-up Sono Motors. Its battery can be charged using the electric grid or its own solar cells.

According to a recent press release (Munich, December 2, 2019) – The German mobility provider Sono Motors launched one of the biggest community funding campaigns in Europe yesterday. The company’s campaign target is to generate 50 million euros between now and December 30, 2019, with preorders from existing and new supporters. The capital will then primarily be invested in production facilities for prototypes of the first solar electric vehicle (SEV): the Sion. This broad-based public campaign follows a strategic reorganization of the company’s finances. Long-term realization of the vision, an unreserved focus on the objectives of Sono Motors as well as the production and delivery of the Sion are to be safeguarded in ways other than with conventional financing rounds. The idea is for the follow-up financing to likewise be borne by the growing Sono Motors community, complemented by long-term investors who share and support the company’s value system and vision.

Youtube streaming

Full press release: Sono Motors (LINK)