EQ Magazine Feb 2023 Edition

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DECARBONISATION

ACHIEVEMENTS IN RENEWABLES STRENGTHENED RESOLVE FOR NET ZERO BY 2070: PRESIDENT

TECHNOLOGY

COMPARISON BETWEEN PERC, TOPCON, AND HJT TECHNOLOGIES IN SOLAR INDUSTRY

FEATURED

LONGI PLANS TO START FULL-SCALE PRODUCTION FOR HPBC CELLS IN 2023 AND INJECT RMB 2 BILLION INTO SUBSIDIARY THAT IS DEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY

Founded in 2005, JA Solar is a manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic products. With 12 manufacturing bases and more than 20 branches around the world, the company’s business covers silicon wafers, cells, modules and photovoltaic power stations. JA Solar products are available in over 120 countries and regions.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN RENEWABLES STRENGTHENED RESOLVE FOR

NET ZERO BY 2070: PRESIDENT

President Droupadi Murmu said India has achieved the target of making 40 per cent of its electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, a success that has strengthened the resolve to achieve Net Zero by 2070.

In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament marking the beginning of the Budget Session, Murmu said India was also progressing rapidly towards achieving the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. “India has also changed the perception, which considers progress and nature as contradictory,” she said addressing lawmakers in the Central Hall of Parliament. She said the government has increased the solar power capacity by almost 20 times in the last eight years and India now ranks fourth in the world in renewable energy capacity. “My government is focusing on green growth and is emphasizing on connecting the entire world with Mission LiFE,” Murmu said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Mission LiFE at the climate conference in Glasgow in 2021 urging nations to replace the prevalent ‘use and dispose’ economy with a circular economy defined by mindful and deliberate utilisation.

Net Zero refers to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible. India has committed to achieve Net Zero by 2070. Murmu said her government has also approved the Hydrogen Mission which was going to attract investment worth lakhs of crores of rupees in India in the field of green energy. “This will result in reducing our dependence on foreign countries for clean energy and also for energy security,” she said. The President said reducing pollution in cities was also the top priority of her government and work was underway on a very large scale for electric mobility. “Under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, more than 7,000 electric buses are being added to public transport by the central government in many cities of the country, including the capital city of Delhi. In the last eight years, metro network in the country has increased more than three times,” she said.

Murmu noted that metro projects were underway in 27 cities and more than 100 new waterways were also being developed across the country. “These new waterways will help transform the transport sector in the country,” she said.

Murmu said her government has constantly laid unprecedented emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. “This is harnessing the strength of our country with the world’s youngest population. Today our youth are demonstrating the power of their innovation to the world,” she said. “In 2015, India was ranked 81st in the Global Innovation Index. Now it has reached the 40th position. Seven years earlier, there were only a few hundred registered start-ups in India, today this number is almost 90,000,” Murmu said.

Source: PTI

INDIA NEEDS ACCELERATED SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

The recent Auto Expo 2023, India's largest motor show, generated significant excitement with the launch of several low- and zero-emission vehicle models, including electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen, and hybrids. While the event confirmed the auto industry’s growing focus on decarbonization, it also showed that India urgently needs to accelerate budgetary support for zero-emission technologies—particularly EVs, as the most mature and commercially viable segment in the transport sector.

The fact is that decarbonizing the transport sector will be essential for India’s clean energy transition and its journey to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. EVs are the key technology in this process. Although more and more people across India are adopting EVs, they still comprise a marginal component of all new sales. EVs share in total vehicle sales grew from 1.7% in 2021 to 4.7% in 2022, driven by faster adoption in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments. Boosting government spending and adopting favorable policies is therefore crucial to truly unlock the country’s electric mobility potential.

A recent study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and its partners showed that the uptake of subsidies for EVs remains the lowest across energy technologies. Although EV subsidies rose around three times between 2021 and 2022—driven by a concessional Goods & Services Tax (GST) rate on EVs and the FAME-II scheme that supports the electrification of public and shared transportation—they accounted for only 1% of India’s total energy subsidies. Policymakers need to significantly increase spending to support the creation of charging infrastructure across the country, extend the FAME-II scheme’s duration beyond 2024, secure critical mineral supply chains in the medium-term, and support R&D investment into alternate battery technologies, such as solidstate batteries.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

TURKEY SETS MINIMUM IMPORT PRICE OF USD 60 PER KILOGRAM FOR PV CELLS

Various news websites have reported that the Turkish government has introduced new regulations concerning imports of PV products. Among them, the most notable one is the calculation of the custom duty for PV cells. Specifically, the rate is now calculated by weight (kilogram) instead of area size (square meter), as it had been under the previous regulatory regime. Furthermore, the minimum price for imported PV cells has been set at USD 60 per kilogram. Imported cells that priced lower than this threshold will be subject to custom duty. The new regulations will be in effect within 30 days after their publication. According to industry analysts, these protectionist measures could reduce the market share of imported cells in Turkey. While prices of the imported cells are currently higher than the threshold, they could dip below it in the future because prices are expected to fall across the main sections of the PV industry chain due to shifts in supply-demand dynamics.

Furthermore, the Turkish government could adjust the thresh dustry analysts have also noted that in the case of a PV module, much of its weight comes from its frame, backsheet, and glass covering. Even assuming that the mini mum import price only target cells, quotes from cell sup pliers in China appear to be lower than this level. Therefore, the new regulations will have some positive effects on Turkish manufac turers for PV products. Also, it is worth noting that the Turkish government has been calculat ing the custom duty on PV modules by kilogram since 2020. Currently, there are two Turkish companies are involved in the production of PV cells. They are Kaylon Solar Technologies headquartered in Ankara and Smart Solar Technologies headquartered in Izmir. The Turkish government gave TRY 7.62 billion to Kaylon Solar and TRY 3.7 billion to Smart Solar for setting up their respective production sites. Kaylon Solar is building a verti

cally integrated manufacturing base with a production capacity of 2GW per year. Smart Solar is also building a plant with a production capacity of 2GW per year.

Source: energytrend

WATTCARBON RAISES $4.5 MILLION TO LAUNCH A NET ZERO 24/7 CARBON FREE ENERGY MARKET

WattCarbon, an energy decarbonization company, announced that it has raised a $4.5 million seed round led by True Ventures to launch the world’s first Net Zero 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Market. WattCarbon’s Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) allow energy consumers to offset their energy use on a time and locational basis from renewable energy projects, demand response dispatch, and electrification projects sourced from their own communities, turning local buildings into decarbonization assets.

WattCarbon’s marketplace features clean energy supply from companies that are able to deliver carbon reductions through electrification, demand response, and renewable energy production. Participating suppliers in the WattCarbon market include renewable energy developers like Pivot Energy, demand response aggregators like Leap Energy, energy retailers like Branch Energy, and electrification companies like Elephant Energy. Net zero energy buyers can select from renewable energy, demand response and energy efficiency, as well as electrification projects to match their grid consumption on a 24/7 basis. Additionally, they can choose options that meet Scope 1 and Scope 3 emission reduction goals. WattCarbon measures and verifies every project to ensure the carbon emissions reductions are actually occurring.

Companies and cities are racing to achieve authentic net zero commitments, said WattCarbon CEO McGee Young. “We are excited to launch a service that actually makes net zero energy immediately possible for any organization. Virtual Power Plants that offset grid consumption with equal amounts of clean energy production or reductions in other buildings on a 24/7 basis are the only way we’ll come close to achieving emissions reduction goals by 2040.”

Companies and individuals are increasingly looking for ways to do more to reduce their carbon footprints and transition to clean energy,” said Priscilla Tyler, vice president at True Ventures. “WattCarbon provides an innovative way for them to quickly and confidently make a tangible impact on the environment.”

In addition to True Ventures, existing investors Village Global, Jetstream, Not Boring Capital, Keiki Capital, Rick Stratton, and Chris Vargas were joined by Greensoil PropTech Ventures, Nexus Labs, and Andrew Karsh in filling out the round.

CAN CLOUDS OF MOON DUST HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING?

A

Some scientists are proposing we launch tons of moon dust into space to reflect sunlight and cool the planet—but it’s a complicated climate solution. group of U.S. scientists this week proposed an unorthodox scheme to combat global warming: creating large clouds of moon dust in space to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth. In their plan, we would mine dust on the moon and shoot it out toward the sun. The dust would stay between the sun and Earth for around a week, making sunlight around 2% dimmer at Earth’s surface, after which it would disperse, and we would shoot out more dust. The proposal, which involves launching some 10 million tonnes of moon dust into space each year, is in some ways ingenious—and if it works as advertised from a technical perspective, it might buy the world some vital time to rein in carbon emissions.

Unfortunately, but also unsurprisingly, the story of moon dust reflection isn’t as simple as it seems.

WHY MOON DUST?

Proposed measures to cool Earth by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the surface are often called “solar geoengineering” or “solar radiation management.” The most-discussed method involves injecting a thin layer of aerosol particles into Earth’s upper atmosphere. However, tinkering with the atmosphere in this way is likely to affect rainfall and drought patterns, and may have other unintended consequences, such as damage to the ozone layer. Moon dust in space should avoid these pitfalls, as it would leave our atmosphere untouched. Others have suggested deflecting sunlight with gigantic filters or mirrors in space, or swarms of artificial satellites. Moon dust looks pretty good compared with these ideas: Moon dust is plentiful, and launching dust clouds from the moon’s lower gravity would require substantially less energy than similar launches from Earth. So, what’s the problem?

SLOW, TOO CLUMSY

One of solar geoengineering’s core selling points is supposed to be speed. Reflecting sunlight is at best a way to rapidly stave off short-term catastrophic warming impacts, buying time for renewable energy transitions, and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Global injection of aerosols into the atmosphere, for instance, may require development of special aircraft. This is certainly no trivial task but definitely doable in the next decade or so. Moon dust ambitions would be much slower. There are several major engineering and logistical hurdles to overcome. At minimum, we would need moon bases, lunar mining infrastructure, large-scale storage, and a way to launch the dust into space. No human has even set foot on the moon in more than 50 years. While China is looking to establish a moon base by 2028, followed by the U.S in 2034, a well-functioning mining and dust-launching system is likely many decades away.Another advantage of solar geoengineering is meant to be fine-tuning. Injecting aerosols into the atmosphere can, in theory, be fine-tuned to reduce negative side effects. Changing where aerosol injections take place, for instance, can drastically change potential side effects and its risk profile. A giant space cloud offers no such precision.

A LAW AND POLICY VACUUM AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

To make matters worse, the world currently has little in the way of coherent policy or governance for space and the moon. Many fundamental questions about human activity in space, such as how to manage the growing layer of bullet-speed space junk orbiting the Earth, are unanswered. Also unanswered is another fundamental question: is moon mining even legal? Who “owns” space and the resources in it? At present, we have a patchwork of contradictory policies. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits “appropriation” of space resources (implying a ban on mining), and Article 11.3 of the 1979 Moon Treaty states that the moon’s resources cannot become property of a country, group, or person. However, the U.S., Russia, and China have not signed the Moon Treaty. In fact, the U.S. has Obama-era legislation, a Trump-era executive order, and a nonbinding international agreement—the Artemis Accords—that all emphasize commercial resource extraction. With such contradictory policy in place, lunar mining is a fundamental legal grey area. Shooting moon dust off into space is another legal dilemma several steps down the line.

Such a legal patchwork exists because of broader political firewalls. Similar to how the 20th century space race reflected Cold War geopolitics, contemporary space governance is shaped by today’s political rifts. Russia and China have not joined the Artemis Accords, deciding (ironically together) to go it alone. But disagreements over a nonbinding agreement are just the tip of the iceberg. Political disagreements over moon-dust deployment could prove far more dangerous. Different countries could prefer different extents of cooling, or whether moon-dust cooling should be used at all. Even the proposed “launch system” for dust, essentially a giant electromagnetic railgun (of the kind currently used to launch fighter jets), could spark security and weaponization concerns. These disagreements could leak into terrestrial politics, further exacerbating political divisions. At worst, these disagreements may cascade into armed conflict or sabotage of lunar infrastructure. Space is another frontier for political conflict, and one that moondust reflection schemes could worsen. Such conflict also compromises a cooperative and altruistic moon-dust deployment.

PRIME SPACE REAL ESTATE

Even if the implementation and political issues were resolved, there are plenty more. For example, the moon dust would linger around the “Lagrange point” between Earth and the sun, where the gravitational forces of the planet and the star balance out. Unfortunately, this valuable piece of space real estate is already occupied by satellites including the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory and the Deep Space Climate Observatory. These could perhaps be moved or decommissioned but that would be expensive and create new risks. In sum, the moon dust proposal does address some of the problems with Earthbased solar geoengineering. But it would likely be too slow to dampen the short-term impacts of climate change, and would in any case face diplomatic obstacles that may well be insurmountable.

DECARBONISATION

NET ZERO... NEXT MOVES FOR CEOS

How leaders can invest in a sustainable future and navigate near-term energy pressures successfully. Net zero doesn’t have to mean zero sum.

In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey partner Anna Moore and senior partner Humayun Tai talk to global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about the “devilish duality” leaders have faced since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine— and about how to follow through on longer-term decarbonization commitments while managing short-term energy disruptions successfully.

After, hear how investors can use their capital and influence to help reverse the impact of climate change, from Columbia professor Bruce Usher. He spoke with us about his book, Investing in the Era of Climate Change (Columbia University Press, October 2022), as part of our Author Talks series.

THE SERPENTINE PATH TO NET ZERO

Lucia Rahilly: A little more than a year ago, leaders around the globe gathered at COP26 and made clear commitments to reach net-zero emissions goals. How disruptive do you expect the war in Ukraine to be, in terms of those commitments and, by extension, our collective progress toward net zero?

Humayun Tai: The long-term direction doesn’t change: the commitment is to net zero.

The Ukraine crisis does bring into question this “duality” we talk about: on the one hand, we’re pushing toward net zero; on the other, we ask how the system can function in terms of affordability, energy security and supply, and system resiliency,

when fully pushed into renewables and other kinds of alternative energy. Another issue would be around the macro shocks—inflation, short-term supply chain constraints—that many companies and governments are experiencing. We’re being asked, “Can you actually still progress on net zero while trying to address those issues?”

There’s definitely a disruption right now. We knew this path moving to net zero would never be linear, that we would have setbacks and step forwards—technology, innovation, regulation, and the like.

Anna Moore: We have to ask ourselves, can we continue to allocate capital in a way that still makes that long-term trajectory Humayun was describing a reality? We need to be sure we’re continuing to allocate capital toward decarbonization investments. The economics of green-hydrogen projects have come forward as a result of comparative investments and conventional fuels looking more expensive now. That doesn’t mean that you necessarily have capital inflows shifting.

These are long-term projects, so we need to be sure that we’re actually allocating capital accordingly. This also highlights a broader point around tradeoffs along the path to net zero. We have trade-offs between different sustainability goals—for instance, decarbonization versus water consumption. We have trade-offs, of course, with respect to job creation and job preservation. We have this near-term trade-off in the context of the Ukraine crisis. But I think it highlights a broader set of trade-offs and decisions we need to make at the company and society level about, “What does ‘good’ look like?”

Humayun Tai: The 2020s is a critical decade. Because those investments, to Anna’s point, are going to last a long time; the outcome will lead to decarbonization over the next 20 to 30 years. The longer these investments get delayed— and we do see live investments getting delayed—the harder it will be to hit the 2050 net-zero number. So when we think about long term versus short term, this is quite material. What happens now is not just about the short run; it sets the path to a long-term target for 2050.

DECARBONISATION

BALANCING CHANGE WITH PRACTICALITIES

Lucia Rahilly: Let’s take up this issue of short- versus long-term trade-offs. As you said, we’ve talked about affordability as an example of the tension between shortterm shocks and longer-term imperatives, when gas prices spiked as an effect of the war. How do you view the economic calculus for leaders? Does net zero really have to be “zero sum”?

Anna Moore: In the long term, of course not. We’ve published research about the $9 trillion to $12 trillion a year we believe will be created by the 2030s in new green value pools.3 That covers everything from carbon management to sustainable materials to new energy and new-energy infrastructure, et cetera. We believe that for companies, the window of opportunity on many of these areas is time bound.

I’ll take sustainable materials as one example: we see a 50 percent to 60 percent supply–demand gap for low-carbon steel by 2025. That gap will close to about 35 percent by the 2030s and, by the end of the 2030s, close entirely because we’ll have more capacity online. So steel producers who want to scoop up that additional margin and capture that green value pool will be those who bring investments online now.

We would say, as we advise clients typically, to invest during a downturn. That’s particularly acute right now, especially because so many investments are being delayed. That doesn’t mean that you don’t also need to keep the lights on in the core business while we go through this transition. We explore in our article what this means, practically, for CEOs. I would highlight, recognizing that there’s not going to be one successful technology pathway, for instance, that we will need to invest in maintaining and preserving the core business while also investing in the new. The article puts particular emphasis on the CEO’s role in balancing those investments.

Lucia Rahilly: The transition to net zero, as you’re saying, requires massive up-front investment in a variety of areas. Where can CEOs look to find that capital?

Anna Moore: Part of this is investors changing their investment criteria and capital allocations toward more sustainable technologies. The most famous example, of course, is Mark Carney and GFANZ [Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero], and the $130 trillion of assets under management that are committed to a net-zero pathway: fantastic. And in the first half of 2022, we saw $120 billion in net new money going to sustainable funds.

So we indeed have capital that’s flowing toward the green transition, as well as to new green investments. In the spirit of introducing and acknowledging some of the nuance, we also continue to have capital flows toward conventional technologies and energies.

So where is the capital coming from to fuel the transition? It’s coming from investors focusing more on sustainability and shifting their asset allocation. But we will continue to have capital flows toward conventional technologies as well, and it becomes a question of how we manage that balance over time.

So where is the capital coming from to fuel the transition? It’s coming from investors focusing more on sustainability and shifting their asset allocation – Anna

Moore

Lucia Rahilly: Anna, can you share a client example of a green transition?

Anna Moore: I work with a client in cement and building materials. Cement is a notoriously high emitter of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

In the cement world, there’s a real tradeoff between new materials, alternatives to cement, versus decarbonizing existing production. And so, as a management team, this client has needed to think through, one, “What does this mean for our M&A strategy?” And two, “What does it mean for the scale of decarbonization investments that we make in our existing facilities? If it costs us hundreds of millions for every asset to decarbonize, how do we do that? Over what phasing?”

And three, “How do we think about cannibalizing ourselves or not? If there are real alternatives and substitute materials, do we do that to ourselves now? Do we wait for others to bring this to the market?” And, “Do we grow some of that internally through our own R&D? Or do we buy in or partner with existing, exciting start-ups that are coming from the wider ecosystem? That also means a shift in how we think about our workforce and in the types of skills and partnerships that we need.”

This is an illustration of how one business is thinking about this, but it also gives you a sense of the range of areas where these kinds of trade-offs show up in the decisions the management team needs to make. Humayun Tai: The stepup on both the public and private side will be important. There’s a whole public-sector theme here as well, particularly when we talk about Global North and Global South.

From a Global South perspective, policy and governments are stepping in to really push decarbonization investments, as well as, of course, the conventional investments that are needed. On the private side, there are certainly dedicated funds toward decarbonization that are increasing. There has been a lot of debate and controversy recently around ESG [environmental, social, and governance] funds, and this is quite different regionally. When you talk about North America, the nuance is different than when you talk about Europe or Japan, for example.

Another source is private-sector funds. That incumbent source of capital, using those balance sheets, is going to be another large piece of the capital infusion that’s going to come into new-growth businesses or decarbonization businesses. So this is traditional businesses reinvesting in new businesses.

From a Global South perspective, policy and governments are stepping in to really push decarbonization investments, as well as, of course, the conventional investments that are needed – Humayun Tai

And, of course, there’s the VC [venture capital] private equity infrastructure of fund financing and sovereign-wealth capital that is really now focused on green investing, decarbonization investment—that’s another slug of capital that will come in. So at the end of the day, there will be blends of public–private funding—again, very nuanced by region.

DECARBONISATION

HOW TO PLAY OFFENSE RISK VERSUS REWARD

Lucia Rahilly: What does what we’re calling “playing offense” look like in this context?

Anna Moore: One signifier is making longterm investments while preserving the short term. Another is capturing a green premium and being laser focused on where there truly is market share gain, or green premium to be had, from new, sustainable value pools.

We see a premium for steel. We don’t see such a premium, for instance, for green copper, simply because the existing market is already quite tight. Companies need to be quite granular in assessing, “Where do I truly have premium or market share gain as a consequence?” And then steer their strategy around that.

I would call out, for instance, carbon management as a fundamentally new sector in the economy that we estimate will be $100 billion to $200 billion a year. You also see tooling and machinery companies shifting from serving oil and gas to serving renewables. It’s tweaking the existing asset base to match where the direction of travel is around sustainability.

The final marker of playing offense successfully is building the partnership muscle. There’s so much uncertainty that the best way to manage it is to share it with your supply chain partners. Take automotive OEMs. They’ve been increasingly working with steel producers, aluminum producers, and plastics manufacturers to design decarbonized cars and share a little of the risk: signing long-term supply agreements, redesigning together what they want the automobile to look like, what it’s going to be made out of, how they’re going to price it, what they think consumer willingness to pay looks like, and how they share that value across their value chain. So it’s about getting quite specific with your supply chain partners to share the risk and the benefit.

Humayun Tai: Think about some of the traditional oil and gas companies seeing long-term decline in the need for oil in various forms. They are now turning to a real balance sheet commitment to a clean-fuels build-out and assessing different businesses in the clean-fuels broader spectrum. We see utilities that have now committed completely to going from building fossil to renewables. And in many cases, it’s a bit of a blend, particularly in regard to the Global South.

Other examples are technology companies on the chip side and advanced-electronics companies committing more capital and resources to building out services and technologies for energy transition. Smart investors are building that before the full demand gets there, taking that kind of risk and going on the offense.

Lucia Rahilly: Humayun, how should CEOs think about risk and reward when they’re allocating investments to this green transition?

Humayun Tai: There are a couple of different elements to consider. The first is purely financial: “If I decarbonize and shut down my coal power plant, and now I’m building a renewables power plant, what’s the economics of that, given the marginal cost?” So that’s clear.

Second, what are the policies that then shape stranded-asset risk? In many different jurisdictions, there are subsidies or funds—for example, government funding that companies can access to ameliorate the challenge of the stranded asset. In many cases that ecosystem pushes policy to at least negotiate what that strandedcost transition is.

Third is when you lean forward and say, “It may not make financial sense right now in the short run. But when we do our calculations, and we look at the uptick in the market demand for green steel, for example— customers willing to pay a premium in ten to 15 years—it actually makes sense.”

That’s not a cost-of-capital issue, necessarily; that’s a revenue line issue is the way I would think about modeling the cash flows of that investment. That then requires foresight, intuition, and some risk taking to say, “How will markets shape up, how will customer demand shape up, how will policy shape up to actually create that level of offtake, to create the policy conditions in which we or others that rely on our products will have to build muscle and understanding to actually buy a zero-carbon, or close-to-zero-carbon, product?”

Anna Moore: As companies think through risk–reward trade-offs, there’s clearly a question around timing, scale, and return on green investments, but also questions around, more fundamentally, “How does the business model need to shift?” And “How do my skills to support that need to adjust?” And “Where could I have stranded-sustainable-asset risk in addition to carbon-asset risk?”

Let’s take an example from telecoms: previously, many cell phone manufacturers effectively built their business around replacing your phone every year or two. If you think forward to 2050, where we’re consuming fundamentally less, that business model needs to change. “How I get value” needs to fundamentally shift. If you consider the built environment, of course we need to decarbonize cement and concrete, and we also need to despecify buildings. That also means getting engineers and regulators to be comfortable with using less cement and concrete. And that means changing professional liability, it means reskilling.

The second area of uncertainty is around competition between different decarbonization investments or pathways. Humayun mentioned the stranded-asset risk for many existing carbon assets. I think we’re also going to have stranded-sustainable-asset risk. You can think through areas where there’s competition between different decarbonization pathways: for example, cross-laminated timber versus green cement and concrete. We will presumably have a mixture of both, but to what extent? You’re going to have competition between those different materials and potentially stranded-asset risk.

In Europe there’s a huge debate around using biomass, and surely, at least in the near to medium term, we’re going to use biomass as an energy source. But ultimately, we will evolve beyond that, and so you also end up with stranded-transitional-technology risk.

THE STAKES OF STAGNANCY

Lucia Rahilly: When you’re talking to CEOs, does the notion of declining consumption and declining demand resonate? How do CEOs respond to that potentiality?

Humayun Tai: There’s no longer any doubt that fossil-based energy will decline. That is now table stakes conversation. The question is when. Is this a 30-year transition? Is it a 50-year transition? We’re back to timing.

Anna Moore: Those who don’t grapple with the way we need to reduce consumption risk are finding that they haven’t made the progress they need to. We’re starting to see more acute changes in the climate and in the livability of our world. Such changes will lead to much sharper and more challenging policy shifts. Then they will end up with a disorderly transition.

Companies can get ahead of that by thinking through, “What does a sustainable 2050 business model look like, and what would it look like in order to fundamentally reimagine my business?”

Humayun Tai: We know the Global South is going to bear more of the cost of this transition. So adaptation is important, and it becomes an opportunity in some ways.

The other thing is biodiversity—water and some of the nature-based capital aspects. How do we get ready for impacts on biodiversity and water? What opportunities are there for companies to play an increasingly important role there, as the carbon budget may fall short?

Lucia Rahilly: Great discussion. Anna and Humayun, thank you so much for joining us today.

Humayun Tai: Thank you, this was fun.

Anna Moore: It was a pleasure.

Roberta Fusaro: Now, let’s hear from Columbia professor Bruce Usher, author of the book Investing in the Era of Climate Change, about how investors should leverage their capital and influence to reverse the impact of climate change.

Bruce Usher: The most valuable companies globally are tech companies. Now let’s forward 30 years, because that’s what matters to investors. What will impact business and investors more than anything in the next three decades? My answer is climate change.

We’ve got three decades to completely rebuild this entire global economy that we just spent the last 300 years creating. That’s going to require extraordinary amounts of investment capital. Estimates are $100 trillion to $150 trillion dollars. Investing that capital is going to create, for investors, new risks and new opportunities. The actions that investors take over the next few decades are going to change the planet. They’re going to remake that global economy and reduce emissions to meet those science-based targets. How they go about doing that, how quickly that capital is invested and how effectively it’s invested is going to make all the difference in terms of allowing us to avoid catastrophic climate change. The reality is that the capital exists, but mobilizing and investing that capital is a pretty significant challenge. In the context of many of the other great challenges that society faces, we actually have at hand the ability to solve this one. In the past with electric vehicles, there was nothing we could put on the highway, so golf carts were about as far as you could go. Today that situation has completely changed. We have technologies and business models that already exist to reduce more than half of global emissions, and those products are commercial, and they are scalable today. We also already have technologies to reduce the other half of the emissions we need to get down to zero. Those technologies exist, but they didn’t a couple decades ago. They’re not yet commercial, but they’re under development and many of them are already being financed by venture capitalists and other early-station investors.

So, for investors, understanding how different sectors of the economy are going to change, and which companies are going to be successful as those changes manifest themselves, is challenging. I would recommend that investors follow five different tactics.

The first recommendation: take the long view. Bill Gates famously said a number of years ago, we tend to overestimate the changes that are going to occur in the next two years, and we underestimate the changes that are going to occur in the next ten.

The second recommendation I have is, beware of greenwashing. A lot of companies are making promises that they cannot meet or do not intend to meet. The third recommendation is a phrase I learned years ago when I worked as a trader in finance: “The trend is your friend.”

The fourth recommendation is to avoid businesses that anticipate a change in human behavior. Human behavior is very set in its ways. Beyond Meat does not try to say to people, you shouldn’t eat meat. It’s saying, we’ve got a product for you that tastes an awful lot like meat. And the last piece of advice, which is similar to the first one, is that it’s better to act early than late.

What I found in researching for the book was that the connections between these sectors are really important. Renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy storage, green hydrogen, and carbon removal: these are very separate industries. But, in fact, they’re very closely connected. And more important, as we see growth in one sector, it has serious ramifications for these other sectors. In fact, they turbocharge growth in the other sectors for both technology reasons and having to do with capital and how these sectors work together.

And that’s really important because, ultimately, we have to move all of this in the same direction.

Source: mckinsey

RENEWABLE-ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN A NET-ZERO WORLD: DISRUPTED SUPPLY CHAINS

Global supply chains have been under enormous pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis. In the wind and solar sectors, these pressures are compounded by industry-specific challenges.

s countries around the world work to meet aggressive decarbonization goals, energy from wind and solar sources are a beacon of hope. Carbon-free, inherently abundant, and increasingly affordable, these renewable sources remain a vital pathway to achieving global net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. McKinsey estimates that between 2021 and 2030, planned global electricity generation from committed solar and on- and offshore wind projects (excluding China) will more than triple, from 125 gigawatts to 459 gigawatts.

This could further accelerate as countries seek to make renewables part of their strategy to address the current geopolitical energy crisis. The European Commission’s recent REPowerEU proposal, for instance, seeks to boost the continent’s share of electricity generation from renewables to 45 percent by 2030 (up from a target of 40 percent).2 In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a comprehensive package of financial incentives for renewable-energy development, could also stimulate additional wind and solar capacity.

Such rapid growth requires stable markets and resilient supply chains. In recent years, renewables markets have experienced high volatility because of fluctuations in the supply and prices of raw materials, as well as frequent changes in regulations (Exhibit 2). This lack of continuity has made long-term capacity planning and the practice of securing favorable prices for large quantities of raw materials very difficult.

DECARBONISATION

Renewables developers and OEMs will have to tackle several challenges in order to mitigate risk and build a more resilient supply chain. Renewables developers face three core supply chain challenges. In today’s volatile conditions, renewables developers and OEMs will have to tackle several challenges in order to mitigate risk and build a more resilient supply chain.

SECURING ACCESS TO RAW MATERIALS AND RARE EARTH METALS AT STABLE PRICES

The commodity squeeze challenging the wind and solar industries will only get tighter as demand increases from global decarbonization efforts. The rare earth metals neodymium and praseodymium, for example, are needed as high-power magnets in both wind turbine generators and electric vehicles. Yet McKinsey estimates that these materials will face a 50–60 percent shortage in 2030.7 Recycling will play an increasingly important role but is expected to meet only 10 percent of total demand. Green steel offers another example. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements are driving up wind and solar industries’ interest in steel produced with minimal or zero CO2. But ramping up production of steel with hydrogen instead of fossil fuels faces multiple hurdles. The construction of new large-scale facilities often involves lengthy efforts to obtain subsidies and to design and develop unique equipment. In parallel, steel producers have to install capital-intensive electrolyzers or secure hydrogen supply through (long-term) contracts. On top of that, significant infrastructure developments are required, such as the construction of a network of pipelines to transport large quantities of H2.

SCALING MANUFACTURING CAPACITY TO MEET REGIONAL DEMAND

The growing demand for renewables has been pushing up factory utilization rates in the industry. Unless additional capacity is added, this can make supply chains more vulnerable to unplanned events. The COVID-19 lockdowns, factory accidents, and floods that affected poly-silicon manufacturing, for instance, have helped increase capacity utilization rates to 100–110 percent since 2020, causing shortages and price hikes.8 Across renewables supply chains, extensive investments are needed to grow capacities in line with demand and avoid large-scale imbalances between supply and demand. In addition, the dominance of one region and the relatively small number of suppliers weaken the resilience of renewables supply chains. In the case of polysilicon, 79 percent of global capacity is located in China, and half of that is concentrated in the province of Xinjiang, making wind and solar players across the globe especially vulnerable to disruptions in this area. Additionally, the top ten suppliers of polysilicon, only three of which are outside China, have a total capacity of more than 90 percent of global capacity (Exhibit 3). The fact that many of these suppliers have announced capacity expansions in recent years will likely only boost their share of the market.

DECARBONISATION

The installation of new wind and solar capacity is going to require a lot of talent and a lot of machinery. Yet developers often face a shortage of both. Over the past two years in the United States, for example, qualified engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) capacity for large-scale, one-gigawatt-plus solar plants has faced a gap of about one to two gigawatts per year.9 Unable to hire enough talent, EPC contractors have been bidding selectively on fewer projects, which has eroded competition and increased prices for developers. Instead of the usual six to eight bids for projects, many developers are receiving one at a higher price. EPC contractors have grown their margins, while solar developers have had theirs squeezed. Another area of limited capacity is the vessels used to install offshore wind turbines. Although the wind turbines for large offshore projects have gotten bigger, a limited number of vessels have been upgraded for the task of transporting and installing them. In 2020, the Global Wind Energy Council identified a total of only nine large-scale (more than ten megawatts) turbine vessels.10 The companies in a position to add this urgently needed capacity are limited to a small circle of established players. Only three companies plan to own more than three heavy lift and jack-up installation vessels. Considering that the construction of one vessel takes several years, and vessel capacity will likely need to double to build twice as many offshore wind projects in 2025, this poses a real threat to the 20 offshore wind farms, representing a capacity of 42 gigawatts, that have already passed the final investment decision stage.

In order to build resilient supply chains and thus achieve ambitious expansion targets, sourcing needs to become a strategic priority. While there are a wide range of approaches and solutions, we see three key success areas.

BUILDING UP LOGISTICS AND INSTALLATION CAPACITIES HOW TO MAKE SOURCING A STRATEGIC PRIORITY MAKING RISK MANAGEMENT

Long-term partnerships, targeted acquisitions, and shareholder agreements can be critical levers for securing raw materials and decreasing the price volatility of key components. The electric-vehicle-battery industry offers a potential road map. Tesla forged a parts-purchasing agreement with the Chinese neodymium magnets manufacturer JL MAG in 2020 and struck a long-term agreement to buy nickel from the Brazilian mining company Vale SA earlier this year. The company has also announced deals with mining companies in China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for cobalt and lithium. These arrangements promise to give Tesla a steady supply of some of the highest-demand raw materials needed for electric vehicles. At the Financial Times’ 2022 Future of the Car conference, CEO Elon Musk summarized the strategy: “It’s not that we wish to buy mining companies, but if that’s the only way to accelerate the transition, then we will do that.”

In the renewables sector, Ørsted, the multinational Danish power company and the world’s largest developer of offshore wind, has pioneered a similar approach. In a strategic partnership with German steel producer Salzgitter AG, announced in early 2022, Ørsted will supply the hydrogen and zero-carbon electricity (from wind) that Salzgitter needs to produce green steel, which Ørsted will then purchase for its wind turbines. In addition, scrap from decommissioned Ørsted wind turbines will cycle back to Salzgitter’s steel production process. This arrangement not only reduces resource consumption and promotes circular-economy principles but also reduces the need for green-steel production capacity, thus helping to ease pressure on the supply chain.

Long-term partnerships, targeted acquisitions, and shareholder agreements can be critical levers for securing raw materials and decreasing the price volatility of key components. Partnering with suppliers to boost manufacturing capacity

Given the vulnerability of global supply chains, renewables developers may benefit from partnering with their suppliers to build additional manufacturing capacity. This could include the insourcing of critical components, the expansion of manufacturing facilities, or the creation of new facilities. In many countries, governments are eager to help in this effort and have created policies and incentives that seek to promote clean-energy manufacturing within their borders. For example, in 2022, Italian utility Enel pursued both these options in an effort to support the growth of the national renewable-energy supply chain in Italy. The company announced a 15-fold increase in its production of bifacial photovoltaic modules at its factory in Sicily, from 200 megawatts per year to three gigawatts per year by 2024.15 In addition, Enel entered into a strategic partnership in 2022 with engineering firm Comal to build a factory for the production of solar trackers, which direct solar panels toward the sun. This facility will support up to one gigawatt per year of photovoltaic-energy production with all-Italian tracking systems.16 Similarly, in the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act seeks to support the growth of a national renewable-energy supply chain. It allocates an estimated $30 billion in production tax credits to accelerate US manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and criticalminerals processing.

Tools such as price hedging and long-term agreements that secure the cost of raw materials such as steel can significantly mitigate the effects of sharp price increases. The fact that wind and solar suppliers were caught off guard by the recent increases indicates that risk management capabilities are not sufficiently developed among renewable-energy OEMs. Developers should work with their suppliers to jointly invest in upskilling employees in risk identification and price hedging for raw-material purchases. This will be particularly important when suppliers are committing to long-term offtake agreements. Risks and appropriate countermeasures will need to be integrated into the design of these partnerships. For developers, early and proactive risk identification should become an important part of the evaluation and management of suppliers, with consideration given to future capacity constraints, price volatility, and access to raw materials and rare earths even before a supplier is awarded with a contract. In particular, access to rare earths could be established as a bidding criterion. Among OEMs, initiatives to secure access to raw materials are a point of differentiation rather than an industry-wide standard.

Source: mckinsey

HOW TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION IN NEW GREEN BUSINESS BUILDING

Companies that want to scale quickly must cultivate deep market knowledge and a culture that embraces learning through failure.

India-based industrial biotechnology company Praj Industries has spent decades making innovation and growth fundamental to its business while also being mindful of how its actions affect the planet, people, and local communities. Consequently, the organization has been able to scale up in numerous locations worldwide. In an interview with McKinsey’s Pablo Hernandez, Praj Industries founder and executive chairman Dr. Pramod Chaudhari discusses what he’s learned along the way, how to build custom solutions, and how the next generation of start-ups can approach sustainability.

Key insight #1: Maintain a balanced view of people, profit, and the planet. Emphasis on one area should not come at the expense of another.

Pablo Hernandez: Sustainable growth is clearly a priority for you at Praj Industries. How do you balance that vision while also trying to run a profitable business?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: Entrepreneurs can adopt green practices in their business to help create new opportunities. For example, if they come from a manufacturing background, they could build models that show how green manufacturing approaches, such as using renewable power, can minimize their carbon footprint. By embedding these ideas in the company from the beginning, entrepreneurs can strike a good balance among people, planet, and profit. Unfortunately, right now the people element is suffering across many companies, especially as digital technology evolves. Automation, for instance, is having a big impact on employment as its use increases. At the same time, technology is also responsible for a lot of new professions and businesses emerging worldwide. The question is, how can we get people interested in learning how to embrace these new opportunities and strike the right balance?

Key insight #2: Make passion, purpose, and innovation through failure foundational to your business.

Pablo Hernandez: What are your most significant insights from running such a large company? Is there anything you would recommend to other start-up leaders?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: You must base your business on purpose and passion, and we can all learn how to do this better. After that, finding the right people and motivating them to get on board is important. When you have the right mix of passion and purpose and the right people, you can get them to do extraordinary things because they will work hard. Of course, leaders must also empower their teams and give them freedom to explore lots of opportunities for innovation—this is often forgotten. Praj Industries is no longer a small garage company, but we make sure that we have a strong R&D focus, which helps us discover, introduce, and commercialize new technologies. By finding the right mix of innovation, people, purpose, and passion, we can grow even faster than normal businesses. Ultimately, innovation should minimize cost, create easier access to customer intelligence, and deliver best-in-class technology.

Pablo Hernandez: In many of your writings, you emphasize the relevance of finding the right people. What characteristics do you look for in the people you work with? What attributes do you value most?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: Conventional attributes such as being hardworking and sincere and having dignity are the most important, especially for people who want to build a career in our organization. They must also not be afraid to fail. Failures are encouraged, as long as we learn from them, because if people can explore more ideas and approaches, then we can innovate quickly. We also value people with intrapreneurship qualities who have the mindset of an entrepreneur, meaning they embrace risk and are results-oriented and cost-conscious. A person with unique viewpoints and imagination can also help us find solutions that are effective and efficient. But it’s affordability and innovation that play important roles in accelerating the commercialization of technology.

Key insight #3: Develop a deep understanding of local environments, talent, and culture so you can build custom solutions.

Pablo Hernandez: Your company has a footprint in more than 100 countries across five continents. How did you manage this? How would you advise other entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: In our business, biotechnology is influenced by the local environmental conditions. We come from a tropical climate, and that’s the setting in which we gained experience, built on it, and found success. It wasn’t until later that it became important to offer bespoke solutions. Finding custom solutions requires developing an understanding of the subject and the physical area in which you’re working. When our intrapreneurs go outside India, they look for local knowledge. They need to know about the available logistics, the culture, and the economy of an area so they can adapt to those conditions. Therefore, we created a process to understand the local economy and costs of materials to adapt our products accordingly. We need to know how much this would cost in Africa, in India, in Southeast Asia. Taking the time to do this work shows customers that we are flexible, and it helps us arrive at a solution that is more suitable to a specific location.

Pablo Hernandez: Finding the right people to fuel growth in certain markets is challenging. What is your approach?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: You cannot do everything centrally. You need to have the right blend of decentralization and centralization, which is why we sometimes rely on the skills of people in certain markets to help develop our products. For example, in Brazil, the locals’ expertise in manufacturing fabricators was similar to or better than what we could offer in India. Our business approach has always been to think “glocal”—that is, think global and act local.

DECARBONISATION

Key insight #4: Cultivate an optimistic mindset. This will help you come back from failure and find new solutions quickly.

Pablo Hernandez: During the many years of running and scaling up your business, you faced challenges and even some failures. What did you learn from these experiences?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: Optimism is of paramount importance for entrepreneurs. I consider myself lucky in that regard because I am a robust optimist. When you’re optimistic, it’s easier to be innovative and find creative solutions. Of course, the focus should always be on the customer and how quickly and effectively we can satisfy their needs. At one point, most of my company’s business depended on countries in Southeast Asia. Then, in the late 1990s, those countries went through a currency crisis. We had a strategy mismatch with existing products in new markets and new products in existing markets, so our company suffered. But we learned lessons from that situation, and I changed how we do business. Running a company is an endurance game and a team sport.

Pablo Hernandez: How do you manage to push ahead in these challenging and complex moments?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: We focused on innovation, which helped us explore manufacturing in a different way, and we also began exploring new markets. Our focus shifted from Southeast Asia to South America, and then we ended up in Colombia. We saw that the country was importing oil and exporting sugar, so we said, “Why don’t you use this extra sugar to make fuel?” By working with local authorities and developer trade organizations, we helped them create their own ethanolblended fuel. From 2003 to 2007, several products in that market reached almost 100 percent market share, which was huge. Because of our success in Colombia, we knew we could go to new markets and find the right technology solution to solve their specific problems. So from there we started working in developed countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This is just a small example, but with optimism, resilience, and an open mind for solutions, you can transform every failure into a lesson and seize the opportunity to grow successfully.

Key insight #5: Learn how to anticipate problems so you can solve them swiftly; multiple solutions for the same challenge may exist.

Pablo Hernandez: With the growth of your company, you’ve been able to do a lot of new-business building, R&D, and product development. How do you balance creating new things while focusing on the performance of the current business?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: You need to train your team to “change the wheel while the car is running.” You also need to get a feel for what the upcoming problems or challenges are so that you can be proactive about finding solutions. These practices can help you face challenges more confidently and comfortably. We have a strong conviction that our future growth drivers stem from R&D; hence, maintaining a healthy innovation pipeline is critical to business growth. In the hustle and bustle of running a business, we have always kept a steady eye on our R&D performance.

Pablo Hernandez: Today, being “green” is a priority globally, with many initiatives running in parallel. If you were to start a new business, where would you start?

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari: Genetically modified crops don’t exist in most markets, except in the United States, though they are starting to take off in Europe. I think there should be a greater global effort to create affordable, scalable, and higher-quality genetically modified products that have a more robust life cycle. This way, we can use the same area of land but have more value-add products per each square meter of land. These improved crops may need less water, may not require pesticides, and could produce more and better yields. In this and other areas, biology plays a very important role. We cannot stop the growth of our population, but we can find ways and means to support [people] while not allowing the planet to suffer. Biobased solutions can address both of these needs. Whenever I get the chance, I like to create awareness about climate action and solutions because each challenge brings the potential opportunity to find multiple solutions for the same problem. If everyone looks at things this way, then you can help yourself and others prosper.

SOLAR PANELS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND ARE SUITABLE FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT

et latest articles and stories on World at Latest LY. Australia's renewable energy transition has fuelled the construction of dozens of large-scale solar power projects (PLTS). Although this trend reduces the dependence of Kangaroo Country on fossil fuels, the construction of PLTS also increases the need for land to install solar panels. Melbourne, Feb 20 (The Conversation) Australia's renewable energy transition has fuelled the construction of dozens of llarge-scale solar power projects (PLTS). Although this trend reduces the dependence of Kangaroo Country on fossil fuels, the construction of PLTS also increases the need for land to install solar panels. The same trend has also occurred in Indonesia, which has begun to boost the construction of large-scale PLTS. PLTS projects are mostly located in rural areas. A number of parties are concerned that land use for PLTS has the potential to erode agricultural production and disrupt wildlife habitats. Actually there is a way to expand the PLTS infrastructure wiithout disturbing humans or other creatures. For example, thre is an agrivoltaic PLTS project that operates between agricultural crops or livestock. So, how is the concept of convoltaic PLTS – a combination of efforts to conserve biodiversity with solar energy? My recent research examines whether PLTS can be used to support the conservation of native species in an area. As a result, I found solar panels to be a useful habitat for wildlife, as well as beneficial for soil fertility and farmers. New house Our wild landscapes continue to diminish. In Australia, protected areas such as national parks cover only 9 per cent of the total area. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the number of protected areas on land is only equivalent to 12.2 per cent of the total area. Many of the trees in the farm area were cut down to become pasture for livestock. This means that wild animals that depend on trees have lost most of their habitat. For this reason, we must provide new places so that wild animals can find food, rest, shelter, and breed. My research examines whether PLTS areas located on agricultural land or livestock can also be used as wildlife habitat.I conducted surveys and investigations using

camera traps (hidden cameras) to identify plants and animals between solar panels. I also noted how long it took them to colonise, and what steps needed to be taken to support them. My research results also try to come up with a new term for this dual land use: convoltaic. I also cite other studies that conclude the benefits of PLTS for conservation. Of course we still need further research on this matter. The three-dimensional structure of the solar panels (and the supports) adds to the richness of the structure in a landscape of agricultural land. This power plant also functions as a place for animals to take shelter from predators, just like artificial reefs in lakes and oceans. Solar panels can also be a great place to house animals. PLTS infrastructure also creates a mosaic of sunlight and shadows. This condition allows the area around the PLTS to become a micro habitat for plants and animals. Studies conducted in Europe show that largescale PLTS can increase the biodiversity and number of plants, grasses, butterflies, bees and birds. The vegetation that grows between the solar panels also serves as a route for animals to travel , a breeding ground, as well as shelter for wild animals. Good management is the key My study also recommends management strategies to optimize the benefits of solar panels for wildlife. Land managers must provide a variety of flowering plant species to stimulate the arrival of

pollinating insects (pollinators). The grass that grows between the solar panels should also not be trimmed frequently or too short. Pollinating insects prefer tall vegetation for foraging. Also don't be too high so as not to block the solar panels from absorbing sunlight. If possible, reduce the use of herbicides or other chemicals. PLTS must also be connected to other vegetation areas, such as hedges or tree rows. The goal is for wildlife to move from the PLTS area to other habitats. Land managers who com bine PLTS with wildlife habitat can also take a number of advantages. They can reap income from obtaining environmental credits through carbon sequestration projects and increasing biodiversity. Landowners can also increase soil fertility by increasing the number of pollinating insects. They can also provide habitat for birds through nest boxes or perches to control insect populations. Even so, we need more studies to understand the various potentials of this convoltaic PLTS. Step forward We already know the benefits of renewable energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Now, we need more research to see the benefits of PLTS to wildlife. We also lack research on how to best place, configure and manage PLTS to boost biodiversity. Collaboration between industry, land managers and experts is needed so that clean energy production and conservation can go hand in hand.

Source: latestly.com

COMPARISON BETWEEN PERC, TOPCON, AND HJT TECHNOLOGIES IN SOLAR INDUSTRY

There are two upcoming technologies in the module manufacturing industry named as TOPCon and HJT. Chinese module manufacturing giants have already adopted TOPCon and HJT and in India also we’re in the transition phase of adopting the same. Indian module manufacturers have already installed PERC in the past 2-3 years and will shift to TOPCon and HJT in the upcoming 2-3 years. We, at Navitas Solar, a leading module manufacturing company, have the installed capacity of 500 MW p.a. of PERC technology which will be upgraded to the TOPCon technology in the upcoming 2-3 years. In our recent expansion, we have launched new modules Bonito which are available in 9 & 10 Bus Bars in 144 & 156 cells with the capacity to generate 430 to 600 watts per panel.

Considering TOPCon technology, TOPCon(Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar cell is treated as the next-generation technology of PERC. TOPCON has an N-Type Silicon substrate and a thin tunneling oxide is applied, followed by a layer of highly doped with n or p poly silicon that contacts the metal at the ends. These tunneling oxide blocks one type of carrier and thus they are called passivating contacts. By changing the substrate material from P-Type silicon to N-Type silicon material the existing PERC line in the market can be upgraded to TOPCON structure by just adding the tunneling passivation layer. Talking about HJT technology, Heterojunction technology (HJT) is a method for solar module manufacturing that is rising over the last 10 years. Nowadays, it is the most effective process for achieving the highest efficiency and power output. HJT technology is a combination of crystalline silicon and amorphous thin-film silicon. The top layer of amorphous silicon catches sunlight before it hits the crystalline layer, the middle layer turns out most of the sunlight into electricity and the last layer of crystalline silicon captures the remaining photons that surpass the first two layers. Three-layered technology allows more energy to be harvested resulting in achieving efficiencies of 25% or higher. TOPCon cell can reach 28.7 % efficiency whereas HJT can reach 27.5% and PERC can reach 24.5% theoretically. From mass production efficiency, PERC has reached 23% while TOPCon and HJT have reached greater than 24%. There is still a long way to reach theoretically proven efficiency and there’re still many chances for improvements in the manufacturing line.

PERC is the most mature technology of the time, while TOPCon needs to add diffusion, etching, and deposition equipment to the PERC production line. Basically, in the PERC production line, TOPCon technology can be incorporated with some modifications. The cost of these modifications required in the PERC line for TOPCon technology is small. On the other hand, HJT solar cell process is the simplest but needs to completely replace the whole PERC manufacturing line in which more capital is required.

PERC Industrialization is the fastest and the cheapest while TOPCon solar cell has the highest compatibility, it can be upgraded from PERC/PERT technology followed by IBC. For HJT, a completely new line is required to install. Talking about cost perspective, the highest investment is required in installing the HJT line followed by TOPCon followed by the PERC line. In other words, TOPCon and PERC technology are highly compatible with additional equipment for deposition. Upgrading the PERC line with TOPCon will cost-effectively lengthen the equipment life cycle. Currently, the efficiency of mass production has improved significantly. Discussing the number of processes, PERC has 8 processes while TOPCon has 10 processes whereas HJT only has 4 processes. The production cost of an HJT solar cell is Rs. 10.73/watt which is higher than the cost of PERC which is Rs. 8.34/watt.

More domestic players are preferring HJT line equipment which leads to the continuous decline in the price of core equipment. Both old and new players are entering in HJT and so the expansion of HJT in the solar industry has been accelerated nowadays. There is a lot of space for efficiency improvement in HJT solar cells as well as a lot of room for equipment reduction cost also. As soon as inventory opens up in the solar market, leading manufacturers will be benefitted from TOPCon upgradation. For the HJT line, a lot of effort is required to localize and make it mainstream technology. The cost of Manufacturing HJT cells is higher than PERC cells. In HJT, Double sided symmetrical structure increases the power generation rate. Also, low-temperature co-efficient (low heat loss), more stability, and low light attenuation are added advantages of HJT technology. The degradation rate is also lesser in HJT technology.

Some manufacturers across the solar industry have expansion plans to shift to N-type technology production lines. We foresee that in the next 3 years, the manufacturing capacity for TOPCon will increase by 20%.

Autore of this article Mr. Ankit Singhania, Director & Co-Founder, Navitas Solar

INDIA TO FOCUS ON ENERGY-RELATED ISSUES IN ITS G20 PRESIDENCY

Recently, while inaugurating India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Bengaluru, Prime minister Narendra Modi mentioned how India's energy demand has significantly increased and will reach 11 per cent of the global demand as compared to 5 per cent currently. The plethora of opportunities for energy firms to invest in India comes from the increased demand and energy transition commitments. Renewable energy investment in India is vital for meeting its international and domestic climate goals. India during its ongoing G20 presidency has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council to further promote the adoption of energy efficiency and sustainable practices in the region, the Asian Lite reported. India's power secretary Alok Kumar said the member countries responded positively to the need for energy security and diversified supply chains. In India's Budget for the year 2023 also, Rs 35,000 crores were allocated as a priority capital investment toward energy transition in line with the government''s objective to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2070. These vital policy decisions are being taken to keep India's energy transition in mind. However, India's policies and commitments are also citizen-oriented. The climate change mitigation policies need to be affordable, secure and sustainable. By focusing on the hard-to-abate sectors where decarbonisation options are limited or expensive, Green hydrogen will play a major role in achieving a net zero, the Asian Lite reported. India is also aiming to become a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Rs 19,444 crore has been allocated for green hydrogen aiming at producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. India has made significant progress in its transformation from a country that relied heavily on coal to a potential leader in the renewable source of energy. As per the latest data published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India stands at 4th position in the world in terms of installed Renewable

Energy capacity, reported News on Air. Schemes like PM-KUSUM which aims to provide financial and water security to farmers through harnessing solar energy or National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) are key initiatives of the government. The government's flagship initiative, the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) also aims at synchronizing elec tricity produced from renewable resources, such as wind and solar, with conventional power stations. According to the data published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as of December 31, 2021, works related to the installation of transmission towers and their stringing for an aggregate of approx. 8468 km have been completed, and substations of aggregate capacity of approx. 15268 MVA have been charged. India has consistently backed the switch to renewable energy sources, and one of its initiatives in this direction is the International Solar Alliance. During her visit to India, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta handed over the signed copies of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, paving the way for New Zealand's membership of this initiative. Further, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued a tender for a 1000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in October 2021 to enable DISCOMS to use stor age facilities on an on-demand ba sis. BESS, one of the most important emerging technologies in the Indian renewable energy market, can provide both peak-time power supply and 24hour electricity to help overcome renew able energy's unsteady nature. In addi tion, International Energy Agency's India Energy Outlook 2021 also projected that India could potentially have 140-200 gigawatt (GW) battery storage capacity, the largest for any country, by 2040.

The plethora of opportunities for energy firms to invest in India comes from the increased demand and energy transition commitments. Renewable energy investment in India is vital for meeting its international and domestic climate goals.

DOUBLE-BURNER SOLAR COOKTOP A GREEN, EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR COOKING NEEDS: PETROLEUM MINISTER HARDEEP PURI

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said a double-burner solar cooktop which can provide green, clean, effective and permanent solutions for cooking needs of families is being launched

He said that this has high replicability in the countries of global south and the rest of the world. Speaking at the inauguration of the India Energy Week in Bengaluru, the petroleum minister said that the government is taking transformative measures to increase domestic exploration and production of traditional hydrocarbons. The Minister also welcomed everyone to the first edition of India’s flagship energy event and said, “India has already pledged to become net-zero in emissions by 2070 and cut down the emission by 1 billion tonne by the end of 2030.” “These commitments come despite India’s historical contribution to global emissions (since 1890) is about 4 per cent, despite being the fifth largest economy and home to 17 per cent of the world’s population and despite India’s per capita emissions ranking lowest amongst the G20 countries and about half of the global average,” he added.

As India’s first comprehensive Energy event, covering the entire value chain, in its year of G20 presidency, IEW 2023 is a key discussion platform in the G20 calendar. Global South is a term generally used to identify countries in the regions of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Against this backdrop, the minister said India carved out an energy agenda which is inclusive, market-based, and climate-sensitive. “We continue to underscore the importance of oil and gas yet our commitment to climate change mitigation goals remains unabated.” According to the minister, last year marked a tumultuous period in energy prices globally and created challenges to global development and sparked uncontrolled inflationary and recession fears. The Minister said, “This comes against the backdrop of considerable volatility in energy prices. From the pandemic time, Crude Oil price increased by over 500 per cent [from around USD 20/bbl (per barrel) in April 2020 to over USD 120/bbl in June 2022]. Global LNG Prices also surged exponentially from around USD 2/MMBtu to USD 50/ MMBtu (metric million british thermal unit).”

Puri said more than 60 million people visit the petrol pumps in India on a daily basis. “A nation of 1.4 billion plus has to be insulated against the global price rise so that energy is accessible at affordable cost. This is the primary focus of India’s energy needs,” the Minister said. The Minister said the India Energy Week was borne out of PM Narendra Modi’s long-standing vision for India’s role in the global energy transition while ensuring energy security, affordability, and accessibility for her citizens. He said it captures India’s dreams and aspirations of an ‘Amrit Kaal’, whilst also underlining her role in the 21st Century global economy as a ‘Vishwaguru’ following ideals of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

The launch of three landmark initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was witnessed. Firstly, a double burner solar cooktop was being launched. Secondly, the Minister said to phase out single-use plastic items, the country has launched the largest initiative in the world to reuse and recycle 100 million PET bottles per year. He said this also resonates with global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) movement launched by PM Modi. “PET bottles will be converted into cloth for the front line workers of oil marketing companies (OMCs), non-combat uniforms for Armed Forces and other institutions and retail sales,” the minister said. Thirdly, the Minister said, “India achieved blending of 10 per cent ethanol in petrol, five months in advance during June 2022. We also advanced the availability of E20 blended petrol to 2025, five years from earlier planned in 2030.”

He said the country was witnessing the launch of E20 fuel and a green mobility rally by PM Modi, which is also advanced by two months. The Green mobility rally will showcase various types of vehicles capable of having E20, E85, hydrogen fuel, CNG and other new-age fuels.

Source: ANI

UP ANNOUNCES UP TO 50% SUBSIDY ON SOLAR-POWERED FOOD UNITS

In an attempt to boost the food processing sector, Uttar Pradesh government has decided to extend up to 50 per cent subsidy to the interested investors. The decision assumes significance in view of the fact that the state is one of the leading producers of various foodgrains, sugarcane and several fruits and the Yogi Adityanath Government since its first term has laid special emphasis on promoting agricultural products and food processing to increase the products’ presence in domestic and foreign markets. Official sources said that the state government has brought the UP Food Processing Industry Policy-23, providing many concessions and subsidies to the entrepreneurs in different segments in order to promote the products. Besides, the new policy also exempts investors in the food sector from payment of stamp duty on setting up of a unit, mandi fee and development fee, while reducing the loss incurred by investors and using startups in production. As food processing industries are typically micro and small scale, mostly located in rural areas, independent power industrial feeders for them would not be a viable option and therefore, the Yogi Government has decided to give subsidy 50 per cent subsidy to investors for setting up solar power plants of up to 75 KVA. The government has also decided to give a 90-per cent subsidy to food processing units owned and operated by women.

Since Uttar Pradesh is a land locked state, the government has also decided to provide transport subsidy of 25 per cent of the actual transport cost of exports of food stuff to the entrepreneurs to make the food processing industry more competitive in the state. The transportation cost will cover the shipping of the food product from the place of manufacturing/production in the state to the port of the importing country. Besides, 35 per cent capital subsidy will be given to entrepreneurs on their expenditure on plant, machinery and technical civil works for the establishment of food processing units in the state with the maximum limit of Rs five crores. Not only this, capital subsidy of 35 per cent will be given on the expenditure related to plant, machinery and technical civil work for the expansion of the units with the maximum limit of Rs 1 crore.

According to the new UP Food Processing Industry Policy-23, if the Chak Road comes at the place where the food processing unit is set up, an investor won’t be required to pay 25 per cent of the amount on the circle rate. Earlier, for this, the investor had to pay 25 per cent of the value of the land along with giving land at another place equal to the land on Chak Road. Similarly, earlier, entrepreneurs setting up food processing industry on CLU (Conversion of Land Use), were charged 20 percent circle rate on the agricultural land, who will now get 50 per cent exemption on this.

The Yogi Government has also announced 75 per cent exemption in External Development Fee for entrepreneurs. Earlier, the External Development Fee, in most cases used to be more than the rate of the land. The investors have also been exempted from paying stamp duty for setting up a food processing unit. This will be reimbursed by the Food Processing Department through the budget. Furthermore, the mandi fees and cess will also be waived on agricultural products brought from other states for processing as it would increase employment and the revenue tax.

Source: PTI

RENEWABLES, HYDROGEN TO MAKE INDIA WORLD’S 3RD LARGEST ECONOMY: PM NARENDRA MODI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out his vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy with a focus on renewable energy, biofuels and hydrogen as he pivots a roadmap to cut reliance on imported oil and gas. Modi met top oil and gas industry leaders for the annual brainstorming to discuss ideas and initiatives to put India on a sustainable growth path, sources aware of the matter said. The meeting on the sidelines of the India Energy Week here saw the Prime Minister outline his vision to make India the world’s third-largest economy from the current fifth-largest. For this, the fuel needed should come from renewables, biofuels and hydrogen. Sources said at the meeting Modi spoke of using 100 per cent renewable energy and increasing blends of ethanol and biofuels in traditional fuels.

Also, he talked about making India the world’s largest hydrogen-producing nation. Hydrogen is the cleanest known fuel which on burning emits only water and oxygen. Sources said heads of international oil companies such as BP plc of UK, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies participated. Rosneft head Igor Sechin too attended the meeting. Heads of Indian public sector companies, as well as international Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol, too attended the meeting. Mining billionaire Anil Agarwal as well as Tullow Oil CEO Rahul Dhir were also present. Sources said industry leaders spoke of imperatives for making India the world leader.Some wanted taxes in the oil and gas sector to be brought down to global levels of 40 per cent from the current 70 per cent, while others talked about enabling ease of doing business through self-certification.

Source: PTI

The Adityanath government has brought the UP Food Processing Industry Policy-23, providing many concessions and subsidies to the entrepreneurs in different segments in order to promote the products.

According to sources, Modi spoke of using 100 per cent renewable energy and increasing blends of ethanol and biofuels in traditional fuels

K’TAKA GENERATES NEARLY 50% OF COUNTRY’S RENEWABLE ENERGY: BOMMAI

TATA POWER TO OPERATIONALISE SOLAR CELL, MODULE FACILITY

BY DEC: CEO SINHA

Stating that Karnataka has 15,000 MW in-stand renewable energy, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the sector will gain importance in the next five years. Bommai said ‘The Global Investors’ meet had provided an opportunity to nine companies to invest Rs 3 lakh crore in green hydrogen production, of which Rs 2 lakh crore in renewable energy. “Karnataka has been at the forefront of generating renewable energy and the maximum number of research in Electric Vehicles and EV transport vehicles is going on. The aim is to become number one in the manufacturing of EV in the country. As a prelude, the investor-friendly EV policy has been implemented,” he said. Bommai said: “The state stands first in producing ethanol, a biofuel. Since Karnataka has several sugar factories, a young entrepreneur, Vijay Nirani, is into producing ethanol on a big scale in the whole of the country. The state will make a big contribution to producing ethanol.” “In Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Amrit Kal’,they aim to develop the energy sector on a big scale. It will be achieved through the slogan ‘maximum fuel’, and ‘minimum pollution’,” he said. Thanking the Prime Minister and Union Energy Minister for holding ‘India Energy Week-2023’ in Bengaluru, the CM said: “The definition of life has changed after Covid with new aims, achievements, and stand.” “Having successfully run the Gujarat government, PM Modi has brought revolutionary changes in the field of energy. With this experience, he has made many important changes,” Bommai said.

In July 2022, Tata Power inked a pact with the Tamil Nadu government to invest Rs 3,000 crore for setting up a new facility to manufacture solar cells and modules in Tirunelveli district of the state. The construction work is going on in full swing. The equipment to set up the unit have already been ordered. The aim is to make the plant operational by December-end of this year, Sinha told PTI. He made the remarks in a reply to a question on the timeline of the project. As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government, Tata Power company has to set up a greenfield 4GW solar cell and 4GW solar module manufacturing plant in the southern state.

“We expect the module plant to be ready by AugustSeptember and roll out the modules September onwards. We are at a very advanced stage of implementing the cell lines that will also be ready by the end of this year,” he said. On the 225 MW hybrid project in Karnataka, he said the company awaits regulatory approval and clearances from the regulatory commission for purchase of power. In December 2022, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, had received a letter of award (LoA) from Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) to set up the wind and solar hybrid power project in Karnataka. TPDDL is a joint venture of Tata Power and the NCT of Delhi.

Source: PTI Source: PTI

Speaking at “Indian Energy Week-2023” inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Bommai said: “Karnataka is in the first place for generating nearly 50 per cent of the country’s total renewable energy. Now, the state is focusing on various kinds of storage, such as pump storage, for the collection of renewable energy.”

Tata Power aims to operationalise its solar cell and module facility being set up in Tamil Nadu by December-end of this year, the company’s CEO & MD Praveer Sinha said

INDIA MOST SUITABLE DESTINATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENTS: PM MODI

“Today India is the most suitable place in the world for your investment”, he said. Modi gave a detailed exposition of his government’s emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation and green technologies in the new budget and noted that ₹35,000 crore has been kept for priority capital investment to push energy transition and net-zero objectives. He also said that ₹10 trillion worth of overall capital expenditure will provide a boost to green hydrogen, solar, road infrastructure, among others. In the last nine years, he said, India’s renewable energy capacity has risen to about 170 gigawatts from 70 gigawatts, in which solar power increased by 20 times. Modi said that India was number four in wind power capacity. “We are aiming to have 50% non-fossil fuel capacity by the end of this decade. “We are also working very fast on biofuel, and ethanol blending. In the last 9 years, we have increased ethanol blending in petrol from 1.5 percent to 10 percent. Now we are moving towards the target of 20 percent ethanol blending”, the prime minister added.

He also said that 20% ethanol blended petrol would be rolled out cover 15 cities and within two years it will be expanded to the entire country. Talking of the energy transition in India, Modi said, “This is happening in two ways. Firstly, fast adoption of renewable sources of energy and secondly, adoption of effective methods of energy conservation…More than 3 crore households will have access to solar cooktops within the next 2-3 years. With more than 25 crore families in India, this will bring a revolution in the kitchen.” Speaking on the recently approved national green hydrogen mission, he said that the mission would give a new direction to India of the 21st century and bring about an investment opportunity worth over ₹8 trillion. He also added that India will increase the share of green hydrogen to 25% by replacing grey hydrogen. The prime minister during the day also launched uniforms under the ‘Unbottled’ initiative of Indian Oil, wherein the uniforms are made of recycled PET bottles. He also dedicated the twin-cooktop model of Indian Oil’s Indoor Solar Cooking System and flagged off its commercial rollout.

Later he launched E20 fuel at 84 retail outlets of oil marketing companies in 11 states and union territories along the lines of the ethanol blending roadmap. He flagged off the Green Mobility Rally where vehicles running on green energy sources will participate and help create public awareness for green fuels. On the government’s plans to boost exploration and production in the country, he said global players should look at opportunities in the E&P space in the country. Citing data from International Energy Association, Modi said that India’s energy demand will be highest in the present decade which presents an opportunity for investors and stakeholders of the industry. He said India’s share in global oil demand is 5% which is expected to rise to 11%, while demand for gas is expected to rise up to 500%. He underlined that new opportunities for investment and collaboration are being created by the expanding energy sector of India.

Source: PTI

Inviting global investors to India’s energy space, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country was the most suitable destination for investments in renewable energy space. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the India Energy Week 2023, the prime minister urged stakeholders to explore every possibility related to India’s energy sector and get involved with it.

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR ON THE BOARD OF AZURE POWER GLOBAL LIMITED

Azure Power Global Limited (the “Company” or “Azure”) (NYSE: AZRE), an independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India, announced appointment of Mr. Jean-François Boisvenu as an Independent Non-Executive Director based in Mauritius on the Company’s Board effective February 08, 2023. This appointment expands the Board to eleven directors, all of whom are Non-Executive and a majority of whom are independent directors.

Mr. Boisvenu has extensive experience in corporate and commercial matters, with particular expertise in international banking transactions, lending and debt capital markets transactions and financial institutions regulation. Mr. Boisvenu is a partner at Eversheds Sutherland (Mauritius), where he has been heading the banking and finance practice since 2017. Prior to that, he was Group Head Legal at AfrAsia Bank Limited and worked at BLC Robert. Before moving to Mauritius in 2009, Mr. Boisvenu was a partner at the Canadian law firm McCarthy Tétrault (Banking and Insolvency Department), where he had practiced in the Montreal office. Mr. Boisvenu is a Member of the Quebec Bar (Canada) and a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Mauritius.

Speaking on this occasion, Alan Rosling, Chairman of the Board, Azure, said, “We are excited to welcome Jean-François Boisvenu to the board. His experience and expertise will bring a fresh perspective and provide valuable guidance to all of us. We look forward to working with him on the Board.”

Jean-François Boisvenu said, “I am excited to join Azure Power and am looking forward to work with the team to drive growth and success at this important player in the clean energy space.”

Commenting on the occasion, Rupesh Agarwal, Acting CEO, Azure, said, “We are delighted to have Jean-François Boisvenu on our Board. His extensive knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in driving our company forward. I look forward to working with him and achieving Azure goals together.”

TELANGANA RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTALLED CAPACITY IS 6159 MW: MIN

Telangana Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy informed the Assembly that the state’s Renewable Energy installed capacity currently stood at 6159 MW as on January 31, 2023.

Replying to questions raised by the members of the House during the question hour, Reddy said the state Government was giving top Priority to increase the utilization of Renewable Energy resources like solar, wind and waste to energy. Stating that the State Solar Power policy is innovative, the Minister said distributed solar tender, online application, tracking for solar rooftops connections, provision of availing net metering have helped to make the State a pioneer in Renewable Energy Capacity additions.

Reddy said, the State has been actively encouraging Rooftop Solar addition through a transparent and user friendly application process enabled by online tracking and monitoring of applications. This has helped TSDISCOMs to achieve 287 MW of solar rooftop capacity. He said, the quantum of solar and wind power generated in the state during the last seven years as on January 31, 2023, Solar Power-5748, Wind Power-128 MW. About 2500 MW of Renewable Energy Projects (Solar-Power) will be commissioned in the next two years, the Minister added.

Source: PTI

100 ZERO EMISSION E-BUSES TO BE INDUCTED IN DTC’S FLEET BY APRIL THIS YEAR

Delhi Transport Corporations’ (DTC) electric bus fleet will get 100 new buses by March end or April this year, taking the total number of such buses to 400, senior officials said. This year, the Delhi government is planning to procure 1500 electric buses taking take the total number of e-buses to 1800. By 2025, the government is planning to procure 6,380 buses.

“We will receive the first batch of 100 buses by March end or the first week of April. DTC MD Shilpa Shinde had recently visited the Tata Motors plant in Karnataka to inspect the buses that are equipped with security features like CCTV cameras, panic buttons. After the configuration and registration process, they will likely be on the roads in April or May,” said an official privy to the development.

These low floor zero emission electric buses will be inducted this year in a phased manner. “All 1500 buses will be inducted into the transport department’s bus fleet by the end of 2023 after which the total number of electric buses in Delhi’s public transport fleet will be 1800. This will be the highest in any state within the country,” he said.

The official said that the addition of these buses will also provide a shot in the arm in the fight against pollution. The DTC is also trying to procure 1000 buses by September before the G-20 Summit begins in the city. Last month, in January, during the flagoff of electric buses, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that by end of 2025, 80 per cent of Delhi’s total bus fleet will be electric. Sharing a roadmap for procurement of electric buses, he had said the government will be buying 1,500 such vehicles in 2023 and by 2025, 6,380 electric buses will be bought.

Source: PTI

ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IS GOVT’S PRIORITY: POWER MINISTER R K SINGH

India is committed to providing reliable and affordable power supply to people while keeping environmental concerns as the core priority,” Singh, who is also the Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), said in a statement. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Indian Power Stations 2023 conference being organised by NTPC Ltd at Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State of Power, said as the need for power increases in the country, there is also a need to tackle certain challenges that comes along with it.

Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC Limited, said reliable and sustainable power is more important than plant load factor or the generation. Going forward, the challenges with renewable energy and thermal power will become more severe as the requirements for the grid will have to be taken into consideration, he added.

Source: PTI

Union Power Minister R K Singh said addressing environmental concerns will remain a priority for the government.

TWO YEARS FROM NOW, INDIA WILL SEE BIGGEST PERCENTAGE GROWTH IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION: IEA

BAsia will consume half of the world’s power for the first time by 2025. y 2025, Asia will consume half of the world’s power for the first time, noted a new forecast released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Nearly 70 per cent of the increase in the world’s power demand is estimated to come from developing countries, with China, India and Southeast Asia leading the way, the Paris-based body said in February 2023. In terms of absolute growth, China is anticipated to dominate with a rise of 58 Terawatt-hour (TWh) from 2022 to 2025. India is expected to see the biggest percentage growth, with an increase of 81 per cent. India’s power consumption increased far more quickly than China’s in 2022. This difference might be attributed to several variables, including Zero-Covid policy, population growth, economic progress and rising urbanisation.

China’s Zero-Covid policy, which affected the country’s economy as a whole, slowed down the increase in power consumption. On the other hand, “In India, the robust postpandemic recovery continued to support strong electricity demand of over 8.4 per cent in 2022,” the report noted. The combined demand for energy of the two countries accounted for over 70 per cent of the region’s total consumption of 13,500 TWh, or about 50 per cent of global consumption. However, Africa’s consumption is still far lower than its proportion of the world’s population. Only three per cent of the world’s total power consumption in 2025 will come from Africa, which is home to over a fifth of the planet’s nearly eight billion people, highlighted IEA. For the next three years, most of the world’s electricity supply growth will come from nuclear power and renewable sources like wind and solar. This will significantly impact the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, said the document.

The good news is that renewables and nuclear power are growing quickly enough to meet almost all this additional appetite, suggesting we are close to a tipping point for power sector emissions,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

Drastic reductions in emissions from all sources are urgently needed to prevent the average world temperature from increasing by 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, according to scientists. Since temperatures have already risen by more than 1.1°C from the reference period, the 2015 Paris climate agreement’s stated goal seems more improbable. A complete switch from fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil to low-carbon energy sources is one option to achieve the target. Nevertheless, while some areas are using less coal and gas to generate energy, others are increasing their usage, the IEA said in a press release. “Governments now need to enable low-emissions sources to grow even faster and drive down emissions so that the world can ensure secure electricity supplies while reaching climate goals,” said Birol.

Along with the high cost of electricity production, extreme weather events posed a threat to the world’s power networks in 2022. “In addition to the drought in Europe, there were heatwaves in India, where the hottest March in over a century was recorded, resulting in the country’s highest ever peak in power demand,” the report read. Power systems also faced challenges in multiple regions in 2022 due to such events. “Heatwaves and droughts strained the supply situation in both China and India,” the report added. In India, the demand for electricity increased significantly in 2022 by 8.4 per cent, driven by a combination of the slowdown in economic growth brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic and the peak of the summer season. “We expect demand growth to continue at close to 5.6 per cent on average per year during 2023-2025,” the agency said.

Source: PTI

UBER TO INTRODUCE 25,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN INDIA AMID CLEAN CAR PUSH

ber Technologies will introduce 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in India for ridesharing over three years, its country head said, its first move to adopt clean cars. The EVs will be bought by Uber’s fleet partners from Tata Motors, India’s biggest electric carmaker, Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia told Reuters.

We are going to be a big catalyst in accelerating the (EV) ecosystem, Singh told Reuters.

India’s federal and state governments are pushing for greater electrification of shared taxis, an area currently dominated by Uber’s local rival BluSmart, an electric mobility start-up.

Source: Reuters

NHLML, JODHPUR DISCOM SIGN PACT TO SET UP 11 SOLAR POWER PLANTS ON SECTION OF AMRITSAR-BHATINDA-JAMNAGAR EXPRESSWAY

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between both the parties during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Usha Sharma, according to a statement. Under this, 11 solar power plants will be developed on the Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Expressway at a total of six places in three districts — Hanumangarh, Bikaner and Jodhpur — of the state.

These power plants with a total capacity of 27.43 MW will be set up under Saur Krishi Aajeevika Yojana (PM Kusum). These plants will come up at Kolha village in Hanumangarh district, Malkisar-Gopalyan road, Naurangdesar and Rasisar villages in Bikaner district and Bhikamkor village in Jodhpur district and will cover 8 substations. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has prepared the action plan through NHLML, a special purpose vehicle of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), where solar panels will be installed along the national highways and express highways. The scheme will be developed on the basis of PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode. In the meeting, various issues related to the development of solar infrastructure and various topics related to national highways and express highways were discussed in detail between the NHAI and the state government.

Source : PTI

The EVs will be bought by Uber’s fleet partners from Tata Motors, India’s biggest electric carmaker, Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia said.

The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and Jodhpur Discom have signed an agreement to set up 11 solar power plants at six places in a section of the Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Expressway passing through Rajasthan.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

CCI GIVES NOD TO KKR PURCHASING STAKE IN HERO FUTURE ENERGIES GLOBAL

The purchase of stakes concerning Hero Future Energies Global is approved by the competition commission of India or CCI for Ardor Holdings II Pte. Ardor Holdings II Pte is a special vehicle for investment at the firm KKR and Co inc. in other words, Ardor Holdings II Pte is a vehicle that is indirectly owned by vehicles or investment funds. In addition, Ardor Holdings II Pte is managed by a KKR & Co. Inc subsidiary.

RELIANCE WILL SET UP 10 GW OF RENEWABLE CAPACITY IN UTTAR PRADESH

The group plans to invest Rs 75,000 crore across multiple business segments, including renewable energy, in Uttar Pradesh.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani said on February 10 that his group plans to set up 10 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in Uttar Pradesh and start a bio-energy business in the state. Reliance Industries (RIL) will invest Rs 75,000 crore across multiple business segments, including renewable energy, in the state over the next four years, Ambani said at the Uttar Pradesh Investor Summit.

Commenting on the occasion, Rupesh Agarwal, Acting CEO, Azure, said, “We are delighted to have Jean-François Boisvenu on our Board. His extensive knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in driving our company forward. I look forward to working with him and achieving Azure goals together.”

Source: PTI

Hero Future Energies Global Limited is a private corporation from England as well as Wales. The main target of this business is to set up and acquire projects for plants that are engaged in solar power and wind power generation. This business also operates in India (Hero Future Energies Private Limited India) under Indian Companies Act, 1956. These shares will be subsequently converted into equity shareholding. Official releases stated that the competition commission of India or CCI had approved shares of convertible preferences of Hero Future Energies Global Ltd. HFE is the right hand for renewable energy of The Hero group. In a press release, the regulator also stated and confirmed that Shobana Kamineni had bought 20% of Keimed Pvt Ltd’s equity share capital. The capital was acquired through Prime Time Logistics Technologies Pvt Ltd or PTL.

The acquisition of shares and capital concerning Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd is based on the combination related to the business of pharmaceuticals, sales, wholesale, etc. A few other deals beyond the threshold are yet to be approved by the competition commission of India or CCI. The proverb of these deals will be based on promoting fair and clean competition in the market as well as keeping practices related to unfair business aside.

Source: PTI

EVE WILL INVEST RMB 15.5 BILLION TO ADD 43GWH OF BATTERY PRODUCTION CAPACITY VIA TWO PROJECTS

On January 18, Chinese battery supplier EVE released several notices concerning its latest capacity expansion projects. All in all, EVE plans to invest RMB 15.5 billion to add 43GWh of production capacity in Jianyang (Sichuan Province) and Qujing (Yunnan Province). These notices were first picked up by other Chinese renewable energy news websites.

According to the information provided by the notices, EVE has signed an investment framework agreement with the government of Jianyang for a production base. The base will be mainly used to manufacture Li-ion batteries and battery packs used in EVs and energy storage systems. However, it could also churn out batteries for consumer electronics. The production capacity of the base is set at 20GWh per year. Furthermore, the site of the base will host office buildings, dormitory, cafeteria, and other related facilities. The investment in this project is estimated at RMB 10 billion. The development period is expected to last two years. EVE said a local subsidiary will be established to fund, build, and manage the base in Jianyang. The registered capital of this wholly-owned subsidiary will be at least RMB 100 million. Moreover, the investment related to the fixed assets of this project will be at least RMB 6 billion.

The notices also provided an update to the project in Qujing. Specifically, EVE has amended and re-signed an investment agreement that it previously arranged with the government of Qujing and the administrative committee of the Qujing Economic Development Zone. According to the amended agreement, EVE will build a base with a total production capacity of 23GW per year for cylindrical LFP batteries used in EVs. The project now entails an estimated investment of around RMB 5.5 billion, of which around RMB 4.5 billion will be related to fixed assets.

Source: energytrend

COMMIT RS 5,300 CRORE INVESTMENTS IN TN, TO ROLL OUT 6 NEW MODELS INCLUDING EVS

The fresh round of investments would witness roll out of six new models between the two companies including — two electric vehicles — representing the two global brands, Nissan Global chief operating officer and Member, Alliance Board Ashwani Gupta said here. Currently, both the auto makers produce four models at the Chennai plant located at Oragadam about 45 kms from here. According to Gupta, the Renault-Nissan manufacturing facility would also become 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2025 with use of renewal energy.

Gupta, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Renault India Country CEO Venkatram Mamillapallee exchanged memorandum of understanding with Tamil Nadu government promoted nodal agency Guidance Bureau MD and CEO Vishnu Venugopal at an event here.

Source: PTI

France-based automobile manufacturer Renault and Japan-headquartered Nissan committed investments of USD 600 million (around Rs 5,300 crore) in the country 15 years after foraying into the Tamil Nadu automobile industry.

SK ON AND URBIX WILL COLLABORATE ON DEVELOPING NEW ANODE MATERIALS

SK On announced that it has signed an agreement with Urbix to collaborate on developing new anode materials that not only offer a better performance but are also environment-friendly. SK On is a supplier for EV power batteries from South Korea, whereas Urbix is a graphite processor from the US. nder the agreement, SK On and Urbix will jointly research and develop new anode materials. SK On will procure the successfully developed products from Urbix and use them at its battery manufacturing plants located in the US. The effective period of the agreement is two years but can be further extended. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Arizona, Urbix specializes in processing natural graphite. The company has finished setting up a commercial pilot production line and configuring the equipment of the line. The line is capable of outputting 1,000 tons per year, and the company plans to upgrade it to 28,500 tons per year by 2025. Urbix is recognized for its coated purified spherical graphite (CSPG). This material and the associated processing technology offers significant advantages in terms of product quality, production cost, energy consumption, production time, and facility space. CSPG is specifically designed for the anode of high-performance EV power batteries. Urbix is now rapidly expanding its production capacity as it aims to meet 30% of the graphite demand from EVs in the US and Europe by 2030.

SK On stated that it continues to strengthen its supply chain. In order to make the incoming flow of lithium materials more stable, SK On already inked supply agreements with Chile’s SQM and Australia’s Lake Resources and Global Lithium Resources in 2021. SK On added that successes in its partnership with Urbix will extend and smooth out its local supply chain in North America. This, in turn, will improve the supply situation with respect to graphite and help rapidly scale up production. These benefits will then translate to improved competitiveness for the battery manufacturer.

Source: energytrend

ADANI POWER’S RS 7K CR DEAL TO BUY DB POWER ASSETS FALLS THROUGH

Adani Power Ltd’s Rs 7,017-crore deal to buy thermal power assets of DB Power has fallen after the initial pact expired. “We wish to inform that the long stop date under the memorandum of understanding dated August 18, 2022, has expired,” Adani Power said in a regulatory filing

Earlier in August 2022, Adani Power had informed the bourses that it has agreed to acquire DB Power Ltd (DB Power), which owns and operates a running 2×600 MW thermal power plant at district Janjgir Champa in Chhattisgarh. Queries regarding the status of the deal sent to Adani Power did not elicit any response. This assumes significance in view of allegations of fraud against Adani group by the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research. This issue rocked Parliament also earlier this month and opposition had demanded Joint Parliamentary Committee as well as a Supreme Court monitored probe into the issue. The initial term of the MOU (memorandum of understanding) was October 31, 2022. Later the deadline for the transaction got four extensions till November 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, January 15, 2023 and February 15, 2023.

DB Power is engaged in the business of establishing, operating and maintaining a thermal power generating station in Chhattisgarh. DB Power has long and medium-term power purchase agreements for 923.5 MW of its capacity, backed by fuel supply agreements with Coal India Ltd, and has been operating its facilities profitably.

Source: PTI

RELIANCE, TATA POWER BID FOR ₹19,500-CRORE SOLAR MODULE INCENTIVE

The financial assistance is part of PM Modi’s aim to turn the nation into a manufacturing powerhouse, creating more jobs in the economy and reducing imports that can drain foreign exchange

Solar module makers including Reliance Industries Ltd. and Tata Power Co. are among bidders for Rs 19,500 billion ($2.4 billion) in financial incentives that India is offering to expand domestic manufacturing and curb panel imports from dominant producer China. Others showing interest include U.S. firm First Solar Inc. and Indian companies JSW Energy Ltd., Avaada Group and ReNew Energy Global Plc, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named as the information hasn’t been made public. The embattled Adani Group, one of the country’s largest solar panel makers, was not among the bidders, the people said. The financial assistance is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim to turn the nation into a manufacturing powerhouse, creating more jobs in the economy and reducing imports that can drain foreign exchange. His “Make in India” campaign is an effort to showcase the country as an alternative to China amid a global push to diversify supply chains in the wake of the pandemic.

The government is offering grants to take the country’s module-making capacity to as much as 90 gigawatts, enough to meet its own requirements and serve export markets. Still, the bids come amid concerns that the focus on domestic manufacturing is slowing down renewable power projects, undermining India’s transition targets. Power Minister Raj Kumar Singh said last month that his ministry is considering temporarily “relaxing” a key barrier to module imports to speed up projects. Spokesmen at Reliance, Avaada Group and JSW Energy declined to comment. The renewables ministry, as well as Adani, Tata Power, ReNew and First Solar, didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. The bids, being conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corp., closed Feb. 28, after being extended multiple times. Details on incentives and projects aren’t yet available.

Source: PTI

TATA POWER JOINS HANDS WITH ENEL GROUP TO POWER DIGITALISATION, AUTOMATION IN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION

The agreement towards the same was signed by Robert Ronald Denda – CEO Gridspertise Srl, and Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, in New Delhi. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the official visit of the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni. Under the agreement, Tata Power’s distribution arm Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL), serving 1.9 million customers in north Delhi, will work closely with Enel Group affiliated company Gridspertise, jointly controlled by Enel Grids and CVC Capital Partners, on project implementation.

The first pilot project will focus on to accelerating digitalisation and automation of secondary substations and see Tata Power joining the international co-creation programme of Gridpertise’s proprietary QEd – Quantum Edge Device. This collaborative programme will virtualise grid functionalities and enable protection and control, automation, real-time fault detection and service restoration of the network. The other project is aimed at deploying Gridpertises’ metering technology on a pilot basis in the Delhi power distribution network. It focuses on testing and evaluating the new hybrid smart metering technology featuring dual communication channel, via hybrid Power Line Communication (PLC) and Radio Frequency (RF).

It offers a robust, efficient and secure communication channel by auto-switching between PLC and RF channels depending on real time field conditions. Both the projects are in line with Tata believe that these tech advancements will pave the way for sustainable and future-ready discoms in the country.” Tata Power is spearheading major transformation in the Indian power distribution landscape via focussed tech interventions and manages a distribution network of more than 0.4 million circuit kilometres with 12 million customers across India via its discoms. It has also reached a milestone of installing 0.5 million smart meters.

Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel Grids, commented, “The agreements announced during the India Italy Business Roundtable result from years of close collaboration between the Enel Group and leading Indian power sector organisations.”

Source: PTI

Tata Power said that it has collaborated with Enel Group to power digitalisation and automation of India’s distribution network.

“Tata Power joined hands with Enel Group — one of the largest integrated players in the global power and renewable markets — for implementing two key pilot projects through former’s Delhi based distribution business,” a company statement said.

EV STARTUP SIMPLE ENERGY RAISES $20 MN FROM INVESTORS IN BRIDGE ROUND

Electric vehicle startup Simple Energy announced raising $20 million (about Rs 165 crore) from a clutch of investors as a part of its ongoing Bridge round

The funds will be utilised in a phased manner to ramp up production of the company’s maiden e-scooter Simple ONE, which has not yet been delivered to a single customer even after 18 months of its launch. The company has been deferring deliveries of the vehicle since December 2021.

GERMANY-BASED UNIPER SIGNS PACT WITH GREENKO TO SOURCE GREEN AMMONIA FROM INDIA

Germany-based Uniper has signed an agreement with Greenko ZeroC to source green ammonia from the latter’s Kakinada facility in Andhra Pradesh. “Under the MoU, the two companies intend to negotiate pricing, supply and tenure structure for a supply and purchase agreement for 2,50,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia (GASPA) based on the heads of terms,” parent Greenko Group said in a statement.

Uniper and Greenko ZeroC signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and heads of terms during the ongoing India Energy Week in Bengaluru in presence of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Greenko CEO Anil Chalmalasetty, Uniper CCO Niek den Hollander and other senior company officials, the statement said. Greenko’s Kakinada project is a multi-phase green ammonia production and export facility which is in the process of adding up to 1 MTPA of green ammonia production capacity by 2027. At present, Kakinada unit produces green ammonia based on an electrolyser powered by round-theclock electricity produced by 2.5 GW of renewable assets. CCO of Uniper Niek den Hollander said decarbonisation is one of the major challenges of our time and needs quick action. The Greenko Kakinada project is a very promising opportunity to source green ammonia and secure the supply of low carbon hydrogen products for Germany.

We have received a phenomenal pre-booking response, and to cater to the demand, we are raising funds in a timely manner. The funds raised will be strategically used to aid the production ramp-up and for a quicker delivery commencement, said Suhas Rajkumar, founder and CEO of Simple Energy.

The company claims that it has received over one-lakh bookings for the e-scooters. “We have successfully de-bottlenecked product constraints and are confident that we will soon start deliveries of Simple ONE,” Rajkumar said. The company recently inaugurated its new facility in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu, with an initial Rs 100 crore investment, Simple Energy said in the statement.

Source: PTI

Besides green ammonia, Uniper and Greenko also intend to collaborate on the deployment of similar flexible renewable electricity to other hydrogen products such as e-methanol and sustainable aviation fuels. Greenko CEO and MD Anil Chalmalasetty said: “We are working towards decarbonisation solutions for a low-carbon economy. We in partnership develop largescale green molecule projects in India. Uniper through this offtake agreement for our project will eventually displace LNG imports and strengthen India’s green molecule ambitions as part of a wider renewable energy programme that will see India run the world’s largest energy transition programme.”

Source: PTI

INDORE BECOMES FIRST CIVIC BODY TO LAUNCH GREEN BONDS; TO RAISE RS 244 CRORE FOR 60-MW SOLAR PLANT

Germany-based Uniper has signed an agreement with Greenko ZeroC to source green ammonia from the latter’s Kakinada facility in Andhra Pradesh. “Under the MoU, the two companies intend to negotiate pricing, supply and tenure structure for a supply and purchase agreement for 2,50,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia (GASPA) based on the heads of terms,” parent Greenko Group said in a statement.

The public issues of the green bonds will be open for subscription from February 10-14, Pushyamitra Bhargav, mayor of Indore, and Divyank Singh, chief executive of the Indore Smart City Development Commission, told reporters. The issue will be listed on the National Stock Exchange, they added.

Source: PTI

AHEAD OF MATURITY IN SEP 2024, ADANI GROUP TO PRE-PAY $1.1 BILLION

Adani Group said that the promoters will pre-pay USD 1,114 million for the release of pledged shares of its firms ahead of the maturity in September 2024

These shares belong to Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones, Adani Green Energy and Adani Transmission, a statement said.

“This is in continuation of promoters’ assurance to pre-pay all sharebacked financing,” it said. This statement assumes significance in view of the allegations of fraud and stock manipulation by a short-seller against the Adani Group, which led to a steep fall in the share prices of group firms.

“In light of the recent market volatility and in continuation of promoters commitment to reduce the overall promoter leverage backed by Adani listed companies shares, we are pleased to inform that promoters have posted the amounts to pre-pay USD 1,114 million ahead of its maturity of September 2024”, the statement said. On pre-payment, 168.27 million shares of Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones representing 12 per cent of the promoter’s holding will be released. In the case of Adani Green, 27.56 million shares representing 3 per cent of the promoter’s holding will be released. Also, 11.77 million shares of Adani Transmission representing 1.4 per cent of the promoter’s holding will be freed.

Source: PTI

FRANCE AND UAE ANNOUNCE COOPERATION INITIATIVE UNDER TRILATERAL FRAMEWORK

INDIA,

The trilateral initiative will serve as a forum to expand cooperation between the three countries on projects in the fields of defense, energy, climate change and technology, among others.

India, France and the UAE announced a formal trilateral cooperation initiative in the areas of defence, nuclear energy and technology. The Foreign Ministers of the three countries held a telephonic meeting to adopt a roadmap for the implementation of this initiative. A joint statement released by the three sides said the trilateral initiative will serve as a forum to promote the design and execution of cooperation projects in the fields of energy, with a focus on solar and nuclear energy. It also said defence is an area of close cooperation between the three countries and efforts will be undertaken to further promote joint development and co-production. It added that the countries will discuss further collaboration and training between its defence forces. The Foreign Ministers of India, France and the UAE met for the first time in a trilateral format on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 19, 2022. There, the three ministers put forward their shared desire to promote international stability and prosperity, and to further build upon the constructive and collaborative ties that exist between the three countries. It was then that they decided to

establish a formal trilateral cooperation initiative, with the aim of expanding cooperation in various fields of mutual interest.

The initiative will also focus on the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. The three countries will explore the possibility of working with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to pursue concrete, actionable projects on clean energy, the environment, and biodiversity. To strengthen the ties between the countries, a range of trilateral events will be organised during India’s G20 Presidency and the United Nations Climate Change Conference which will be held in the UAE this year. Other areas where the countries agreed to collaborate include measures against infectious diseases, technological innovation and promoting cultural cooperation.

Source: PTI

GOVERNMENT TARGETS TO LAUNCH INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERS OF IREDA, WAPCOS BY THE COMING FISCAL, CONFIRMS DIVESTMENT SECRETARY

The proceeds from the stake sales would form part of the Budgeted disinvestment kitty of Rs 51,000 crore for the next fiscal.

The government is targeting to launch the initial public offering (IPO) of clean energy lender IREDA and state-owned engineering consultancy firm WAPCOS in the next fiscal, DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said.

The proceeds from the stake sales would form part of the Budgeted disinvestment kitty of Rs 51,000 crore for the next fiscal. “IREDA is lined up for Initial public offering (IPO) next fiscal. DRHP for WAPCOS has already been filed,” Pandey told PTI. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) manages government equity holding in public sector companies.

BATTERO TECH CAPTURES ORDER FOR 3GWH OF BATTERY CELLS

Battero Tech and Sinotek New Energy held a conference on February 3 to discuss joint opportunities across the Li-Ion battery industry chain. Topics that they covered include fundraising activities, material procurements, battery cell supply, energy storage solutions, and integrated manufacturing. At the conclusion of the event, both parties signed a strategic cooperation agreement and a framework agreement for the procurement of 3GWh of battery cells in 2023.

Battero Tech was established in December 2020 and is headquartered in the Jiashan County Economic Technological Development Zone. It is a holding subsidiary of REPT Battero, which is under the control of China’s leading nickel supplier Tsingshan Holding Group. Battero Tech focuses on the development, manufacturing, and sales of Li-ion batteries purposed for NEVs and energy storage systems. Jiashan County is a located in China’s Zhejiang Province and administered by the prefecture-level city of Jiaxing.

Battero Tech’s primary technology path is LFP battery, and its offerings include cells, modules, and packs. Regarding cells, Battero Tech mainly supplies aluminum-cased prismatic LFP cells with a wide range of nominal capacity specifications (e.g., 50Ah, 70Ah, 100Ah, 115Ah, 230Ah, 280Ah, 302Ah, and 322Ah). In terms of capacity expansion, Battero Tech signed the agreement to develop the second phase of its battery base in Jiashan County on January 28 this year. Encompassing additional production capacity and a R&D center, the second phase entails a total investment of RMB 2.56 billion. Battero Tech will spend RMB 640 million in building the R&D center that will facilitate the formation of the company’s internal battery industry chain. As for the setup of the additional capacity, the second phase will build on the foundation of the first phase and add another 16GWh per year of production capacity for Li-ion cells and modules. The investment in the new production capacity is set at RMB 1.92 billion. Battero Tech and the government of Jiashan County inked the deal for the development of the battery base in November 2020. For the first phase, Battero Tech agreed to invest RMB 5.5 billion to build up 16GWh per year of production capacity for cells and modules. Going forward, with the second phase, the base will be able to ramp to 32GWh per year.

“IREDA is lined up for Initial public offering (IPO) next fiscal. DRHP for WAPCOS has already been filed,” Pandey told PTI. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) manages government equity holding in public sector companies.

Source: PTI

Besides the base in Jiashan County, REPT Battero is also planning to set up manufacturing projects in other regions of China, including Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province), Foshan (Guangdong Province), and Liuzhou (Guangxi Province). Established in October 2017, REPT Battero supplies Li-ion power batteries used in commercial, passenger, and specialty vehicles. Its technology paths include LFP and ternary batteries. The company first achieved mass production and shipments of its products in April 2019. On December 14, 2022, the HKEX disclosed that REPT Battero had submitted its prospectus and application for listing on the main board of the exchange. Morgan Stanley and CITIC Securities are serving as its sponsor for the IPO. According to the prospectus, the net proceeds from the IPO will be mainly used to fund capacity expansion, support R&D of core technologies, pay back bank loans, supplement working capital, and meet general expenses. The core technologies refer to advanced Li-ion batteries, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Source: energytrend

DONGWEI TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS INTO FIELD OF HJT CELLS BY

SIGNING STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH SPIC

Dongwei Technology announced on January 30 that it has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with two subsidiaries of SPIC. Under the agreement, they will jointly develop a processing solution for placing copper-plated busbars onto HJT cells. The signing of the agreement was first reported by other Chinese renewable energy news websites. The two subsidiaries of SPIC are SPIC Energy Technology Co. Ltd. and SPIC New Energy Technology (Longgang) Co. Ltd. The latter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the former.

ongwei said once the agreement comes into effect, it will be able to expand further into the market for the vertical processing equipment used to manufacture HJT cells, especially the processing equipment that vertically electroplates copper continuously on the busbars of HJT cells. This, in turn, will help the company in raising sales and revenue. All in all, the agreement fits into the company’s growth strategy. Kunshan Dongwei Technology Co. Ltd. (KSDW) designs, builds, and sells highprecision equipment related to electroplating and other industrial processes. Its main offerings include the followings: vertical continuous electroplating equipment for rigid PCBs, sheet-tosheet vertical electroplating equipment for flexible PCBs, roll-to-roll vertical electroplating equipment for flexible PCBs, horizontal desmear equipment, gantry plating equipment, and rolling plating equipment for continuous production lines.

Dongwei has accumulated the technological know-hows pertaining to the copper plating equipment used in the manufacturing of PV products. Its second-generation systems for the PV copper plating process have been qualified by its clients and deployed for mass production. Currently, the company is proceeding with the full-scale launch of the third-generation systems. Reaching a throughput of 8,000 pieces per hour, the third-generation systems are being touted by the company as a “revolutionary innovation” for the industry and a “milestone” in the company’s history. All in all, the third-generation systems are expected to significantly raise efficiency and drive down cost across the PV industry chain. According to Dongwei’s financial results for 2022, its realized annual revenue grew by 25.54% year on year to RMB 1.018 billion thanks to the strong demand for the plating equipment related to new energy applications. Also, the annual profit attributed to the parent company came to RMB 216 million, showing a year-on-year growth of 34.3%. In the same reporting period, considerable growth occurred in both the hardware and new energy segments. In particular, orders for the plating equipment related to new energy applications surpassed expectations in terms of volume. The confirmed revenue from the new energy segment skyrocketed by 1,462.26% year on year.

Source: energytrend

SUNSOURCE ENERGY COMMISSIONS A SOLAR POWER PLANT AT MAX HOSPITAL, VAISHALI, GHAZIABAD

The solar power plant, will supply almost 11 GWh of clean power to the hospital over its technical lifetime, offsetting over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emission

As a part of its endeavor to conserve energy, promote green initiatives towards a sustainable future, and decrease carbon footprint, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad has installed a 392.4 kWp Solar Power Plant on the hospital’s rooftop. The project has been developed by SunSource Energy, a leading provider of solar-based energy and storage solutions to commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. Spread across two different towers on the hospital, this rooftop solar power plant is set to optimise and supply clean energy to the hospital for the next 25 years according to its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SunSource Energy. It will cater to a significant part of the overall electricity needs of the hospital, reducing its dependency on fossil fuel-based power for its operations. The said solar plant project, developed under the OPEX model, will help the hospital save almost 40 per cent in INR on the energy consumed from it as compared to GRID power cost. The Solar Power Plant will supply almost 11 GWh of clean power to the hospital over its technical lifetime, offsetting over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emission.

Nandan, CoFounder, Managing Director, and CEO, SunSource Energy said, “We are delighted to partner with Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali as they work towards reducing their GHG emissions and creating a more sustainable future. As one of India’s leading solar power developers, we have been facilitating the energy transition of Healthcare and Pharma companies for more than a decade with our on-site and off-site solar solutions.”

Uttar Pradesh being India’s most populous state has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the recent past with the state accounting for a tenth of the country’s overall power demand. In the last decade, the peak electricity demand has more than doubled in the state and is expected to keep growing significantly in the coming years.

Speaking on the energy conservation initiative undertaken by the hospital, Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, Senior VP and HeadOperations, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad said, “Maintaining steady and uninterrupted power supply in hospital is critical for smooth operations. We are committed to conserving energy as well as increasing renewable source of energy by adopting suitable technology, methods and business solutions. Installation of a solar power plant at our hospital will not only help meet our power demand but will also reduce our carbon footprint”.

Being a leading healthcare provider in the state of Uttar Pradesh, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali has been actively taking steps to conserve energy by using energy efficient products and adopt environment friendly measures to help build a sustainable future.

For over a decade, SunSource Energy has been working in the renewable energy space supporting Commercial and Industrial customers in their energy transition journeys. With a presence in 24 states in India, SunSource provides integrated solar solutions to clients across various industry verticals such as Food and Beverage, Automobiles, Cement, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Data Centers.

Kushagra

GOLDI SOLAR PLANS TO RECRUIT 5,000 PEOPLE BY FY25: MD ISHVER DHOLAKIYA

Green energy company Goldi Solar has plans to recruit 5,000 people over the next two fiscals in the area of solar manufacturing and after-sales services, company’s MD Ishver Dholakiya said.

SOLIS WAS ONCE AGAIN HONORED FOR ITS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Solis has just won the National First (Set of) Equipment Award for its S6EH1P(7.6-11.4)K-H hybrid energy storage inverter, making this further proof of the S6 inverter’s leadership in technology and innovation.

First (set of) equipment refers to the first (set of) or first batch of equipment, system and core components with independent intellectual property rights and major breakthroughs in varieties, specifications or technical parameters after innovation. They are an acknowledgement of a manufacturer’s in-house competency and ability to do independent research and development across the country. The S6-EH1P(7.6-11.4)

K-H independently developed and produced by Solis has been re-certified to the latest UL 1741 SB test standard and is qualified for installation across North America. Customers will be able to monitor their entire home via hybrid inverters, smart breakers, and an updated SolisCloud. Solis manufactures products (the Power Hub and new apps) to give customers more control and information about decisions they make for their own energy usage. These products will allow home owners to be independent of the grid so that they can power their entire home during a power outage. In addition, the Power Hub solution has been specifically developed to form a backup system for the whole house, as required by consumers in the North American market. This completely green backup power supply was made to meet and exceed customer expectations.

As the energy industry evolves, Solis is committed to driving sustainable development to the future with technological innovation backed by a strong R&D focus. The company is aligned with the global goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, which will require the fast development of an energy storage market. This is especially true since the installed capacity of global energy storage is estimated to be 209 GWh in 2025, with demand for PV energy storage inverters up to 104 GW. Solis plans to continue to increase investment in R&D, to continuously enhance the innovation and core competitiveness of its products and solutions. As a top global player , Solis remains committed to developing technology to power the world with clean energy.

The Gujarat-based company is in process of investing Rs 5,000 crore to expand its module manufacturing capacity to 6 gigawatt (GW). ”Goldi Solar plans to create jobs at the grassroots level. The skill development programme will help the company’s vision to recruit over 5,000 people across various functions by FY25,” Dholakiya said after signing an agreement with L&T Public Charitable, the philanthropic arm of infrastructure major Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

Goldi Solar has partnered with L&T Public Charitable to train a skilled workforce in solar manufacturing space, a company statement quoted him as saying. On the partnership, he said the two organizations will be able to increase solar manufacturing’s skilled workforce and enhance employability to a great extent.

This collaboration will enable us to impart skills to the young generation and prepare them for the upcoming opportunities in the solar sector. The programme prepares students for a smooth transition from vocational to professional work culture by providing theoretical and practical industrial training and experience, K Ramakrishnan, Trustee of L&T Public Charitable Trust, said.

Source: PTI

RIL UNVEILS INDIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN COMBUSTION ENGINE TECHNOLOGY FOR HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS

Unique and affordable, this indigenously developed technology solution will have the potential to redefine the future of green mobility

eliance Industries Limited (RIL) unveiled India’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine technology solution for heavy duty trucks flagged off by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Energy Week in Bangalore. The Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) powered trucks will emit near zero emissions, deliver performance on par with conventional diesel trucks and reduce noise and with projected reductions in operating costs thus redefining the future of Green Mobility. As part of its Net carbon Zero vison, Reliance with its vehicle partner Ashok Leyland and other technical partners are engaged in developing this unique technology since the last year with first engines running in early 2022. Going forward, Reliance will first extensively test and validate the H2ICE technology for heavy duty trucks before its first commercial deployment at scale initially across its captive fleet. Simultaneously Reliance is pursuing the opportunity to create an endto-end Hydrogen eco system for mobility.

EV BATTERY GIANT CATL TO ADOPT TOYOCOLOR’S BATTERY MATERIALS

Toyocolor Co., Ltd., the colorants and functional materials arm of the specialty chemicals company Toyo Ink Group of Japan, announced that the company’s Lioaccum™ conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions has been selected by the world’s largest battery manufacturer CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) for use in CATL’s next-generation high capacity li-ion batteries (LiB). Lioaccum CNT dispersions are scheduled for installation into mass-produced vehicles beginning 2024.

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ith governing bodies around the world tightening emission restrictions on gas-powered vehicles in an effort to achieve carbon neutrality, the percentage of EVs in the new vehicle market is expected to jump from 8% in 2022 to 30% in 2030. China’s EV market, one of the three largest automobile markets in the world, is broadly divided into the sub-markets of budget models for running short distances and high-end models that require longer cruising ranges. Highcapacity LiBs are critical to extending cruising range for high-end vehicles. The Lioaccum dispersion adopted by CATL is a key material that contributes to the expanded capacity and energy density of LiBs through the adoption of highly conductive CNTs. While the stable distribution of high-performance carbon nanotubes was once considered difficult to accomplish, Toyocolor succeeded in applying its proprietary dispersion technology to overcome technical hurdles and achieve highly stable CNT dispersions of high quality.

In line with CATL’s supply needs, the Toyo Ink Group will be expanding the capacity of its dispersion production base, Zhuhai Toyocolor Co., Ltd., in Guangdong, China. Lioaccum dispersions manufactured here are expected to be incorporated into massproduced vehicles beginning 2024.

GOLDI SOLAR AND L&T PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST JOIN HANDS TO PROVIDE SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING IN THE SOLAR PV MANUFACTURING

Goldi Solar and L&T Public Charitable Trust will unite for their common objective to provide the solar industry skilled workforce

A special curriculum is devised to fulfil the current shortages in the solar industry, and Goldi Solar will provide weekend workshops and on-floor training to the students of Anil Naik Technical Training Center (ANTTC) on emerging technologies to bridge the skill gap and make them industry ready

Goldi Solar, India’s most quality-conscious solar brand, announced the collaboration with L&T Public Charitable Trust on the skill development program. Both entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a curriculum for a fast-paced skill development program specific to solar PV manufacturing. It will be the first-of-its-kind initiative to fill the industry’s gap in the trained and certified workforce. Together, the two organizations believe close cooperation would benefit the local community by enhancing their skills and employability.

On this occasion, Capt. IshverDholakiya, Founder & Managing Director of Goldi Solar, said, “Together, these organizations will be able to increase solar manufacturing skilled workforce and enhance employability to a great extent. The industry is growing at an incredible pace with a mission to fulfil the vision of Make In India. As a result, a skilled and industry-ready workforce will be nurtured, bringing the nation closer to its goal of being energy independent with renewable energy.”

Announcing the training program, Mr. K Ramakrishnan, Trusteeof L&T Public Charitable Trust, said,” This collaboration will enable us to impart skills to the young generation and prepare them for the upcoming opportunities in the solar sector. The program prepares students for a smooth transition from vocational to professional work culture by providing theoretical and practical industrial training and experience. We have designed a state-of-the-art facility and developed an industry-friendly curriculum. A dedicated faculty team will teach the intensive program, followed by on-the-floor training at Goldi Solar.”

Speaking on the initiative, Mr Bharat Bhut, Co-Founder & Director of Goldi Solar, said, “Skilled workers are hard to find, posing a significant hurdle to economic growth. It is intended that the unique curriculum will be developed and delivered at Anil Naik Technical Training Center (ANTTC), while the practical aspects will be conducted at Goldi Solar Navsari. As a result, companies working in the solar sector will receive a skilled and trained workforce ready to deliver from day one.”

Goldi Solar plans to create jobs at the grassroots level. The skill development program will help the company’s vision to recruit over 5000 people across various functions by FY 2025.

AMP ENERGY INDIA COMMISSIONS ITS 4TH SOLAR OPEN ACCESS PROJECT IN MAHARASHTRA

This is a 5 MW solar open access project supplying power to Bharat Serum and Vaccines Limited (BSV) in Osmanabad, Maharashtra.

Amp Energy India is the largest Solar Open Access service provider in the state.

Amp Energy India, a leading renewable energy transition platform in India, has commissioned a 5 MW solar power plant for one of India’s leading vaccine biopharmaceutical majors- BSV. This state-ofthe-art solar project, commissioned in the last quarter of 2022 supplies solar power to BSV’s manufacturing facility in Ambernath, Maharashtra from Amp’s Open access facility in Osmanabad district, Maharashtra. This partnership will service about 65% of BSV’s annual energy needs that will help it achieve 35% savings on its overall energy costs on a year-on-year basis. In addition to these economic benefits, the plant will also be instrumental in reducing about 6,560 Metric tons of CO2 per annum thereby ensuring that BSV achieves one of its sustainability targets through carbon mitigation.

We are happy to partner with Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd on their renewable energy transition journey. We believe that this partnership will provide the right impetus for pharmaceutical industry to become environmentally conscious and switch to RE for reducing their energy costs and meeting their sustainability target as BSV is the leading biotech and pharmaceutical company in India. We are the most sought-after renewable energy transition partners to Pharma & Healthcare companies in India as and are currently serving about 7 customers in this category. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the BSV team for their support in timely delivery of the project., said Mr. Pinaki Bhattacharyya MD & CEO Amp Energy India.

As we remain committed to building a future ready and sustainable BSV, we are confident that our efforts to reduce carbon footprint will enable us to achieve our sustainability goals and contribute towards our country’s commitment of achieving 40% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030. Through this partnership with Amp Energy India, we re-affirm our efforts towards mitigating the effects of climate change. We are confident that this partnership will continue to yield a measurable outcome in our journey towards sustainability and we look forward towards a continued association with them, “said Chirag Mehta, Chief Financial Officer, BSV.

UNION MINISTER SHRI RK SINGH CALLS UPON G20 PARTNERS FOR UNITED FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE

First G20 Energy Transitions Working Group Meet begins in Bengaluru.

International seminar on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage(CCUS) held on the sidelines. Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shri R.K. Singh has called upon the G20 member countries to join together in countering the challenges posed by global warming and climate change. Delivering the key note address at the first Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting in Bengaluru today, the Minister said that India now stands committed to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 level. He said, the country also aims to achieve close to 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. Noting that India has been ranked amongst the top five performing countries in the Climate Change Performance Index, Shri R.K. Singh informed that the country’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are far below the world average of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020. Various energy saving schemes of the Government have led to 267.9 Million Tonnes of CO2 reduction per year, resulting in an estimated cost savings of $ 18.5 Billion, he added.

Later, addressing media persons the Minister said that India will not compromise with the present availability of energy base and will explore all feasible sources to achieve energy security. The ETWG Meeting will serve as a preparatory forum to draft roadmap for this, he added. In his special address, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines Shri Prahlad Joshi underlined the need for international collaboration to achieve universal access to clean energy. “Indians believe in nature-friendly lifestyle and practices rather than its exploitation. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts of our life; and Circular economy is an integral part of our culture and lifestyle”, the Minister added.

Shri Prahlad Joshi recalled Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s announcement at the COP26 in Glasgow on Mission LiFE – Lifestyle For Environment – as a mass movement for “mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption” to protect and preserve the environment. The first ETWG Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency will focus on six major priority areas such as Energy Transition through Addressing Technology Gaps; Low-cost Financing for Energy Transition; Energy Security and Diversified Supply Chains; Energy Efficiency, Industrial Low Carbon Transitions and Responsible Consumption; Fuels for Future (3F) and Universal Access to Clean Energy and Just, Affordable, and Inclusive Energy Transition Pathways. “One Earth, One Family and One Future” is the theme of the event.

Shri Renato Domith Godinho, Head of the Renewable Energy Division, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Brazil, Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary (Power), Shri Abhay Thakur, India’s G20 Sous Sherpa and Shri V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Ayog spoke. More than 150 participants including G20 countries and nine special invitee guest countries are participating in the three-day event along with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and many other international organisations. On the sidelines, a high-level international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)’ was organized. The seminar focussed on highlighting the importance of carbon capture, utilization, and storage, considered vital for achieving net-zero targets.

INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE AND WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL HOSTS 13 AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN NEW DELHI TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES IN SOLAR DEPLOYMENT

India’s experience in energy would be very useful for the growth of energy ecosystems in the world, Shri R. K. Singh, Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy.

Shri R K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy & President of ISA Assembly, interacts with delegates from West Africa

Sixty participants from thirteen African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo are in the Indian capital to learn of India’s success in planning & implementation of solar energy generation facilities

International Solar Alliance (ISA), in collaboration with Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid-India) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), is hosting delegates from the West African Region in New Delhi, India, from 14th to 18th February. Sixty participants from thirteen WAPP countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo will participate in a knowledge sharing and study tour highlighting aspects of solar energy implementation.

Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy & President of ISA Assembly, appreciating the importance of knowledge sharing and capacity building, said, “India’s journey in energy has been comprehensive, satisfying and thrown up experiences that are very useful for the growth of energy ecosystems in the world. The global challenge is to enable energy access for 800 million people and thereby give them a better standard of living. Energy access, therefore, is of primary importance. We have prioritised universal access in India by adding generation capacity. We have connected the whole country on one grid. We have also been successful in energy transition. Renewable energy’s advantage is that it is cheaper and can be distributed for off the grid areas. In developing countries, renewables plus storage is the route to

Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA, highlighted the need to encourage capacity building and disseminating of best practices to increase solar deployment globally. He noted, “ISA is working towards making solar power a priority for nations across the world. Since its establishment, ISA is scaling up efforts to implement its existing pipeline for solar projects, share knowledge, and build capacity across the solar value chain. Theoretical learning combined with practical knowledge through personal experience leads to a deeper understanding, and ISA has provided tailored capacity-building support adapted to the local context. In collaboration with Grid-India and WAPP, this programme will set standards and help strengthen the solar ecosystems in all ISA Member Countries. It will also trigger policy change and help in the creation of financial and human capacity. Unhindered exchange of knowledge and information between countries can vastly benefit ISA member countries and the fight against climate change”

The Knowledge Sharing session also witnessed the presence of missions from WAPP countries. Also present on occasion were Shri S.R. Narasimhan, Chairperson & Managing Director, Grid Controller of India Limited and Mr Mamadou Alpha SYLLA of WAPP.

Mr Narasimhan, CMD, Grid India, said, “India-West Africa partnership is both unique & defining. Both are considered the cradle of human culture and civilisation. Both are on an upward trajectory with renewed confidence. India began its journey on the integration of grids way back in the 1960s, and the national synchronous grid provided the perfect ecosystem for integration. Policy thrusts, technical standards, Grid Codes, regulatory framework and market mechanisms followed soon thereafter. Today we have 60 GW solar capacity (out of which 7 GW is rooftop) and 42 GW wind capacity, and we have already reached 32% instantaneous MW penetration of wind and solar. This knowledge exchange and study tour is the first step towards creating a long-lasting partnership and collaboration between WAPP and India. I am confident that the participants would find it useful listening to our journey, and it would also be great to learn about the WAPP journey in grid interconnections and Renewable Energy integration.”

Mr Mamadou Alpha SYLLA of WAPP said, “Africa will account for one-fourth of the world population by 2040. There is fast increasing electricity demand, but the industrialisation rate is low. In the WAPP countries, the challenge is to promote integrated economic development and provide energy for all. In addition, we need to secure financing for the realisation of utility-scale renewable energy projects in West Africa, integrate variable renewable energy into the WAPP power grid and bridge the green skills gap in the electricity sector. With this ISA-led knowledge-sharing opportunity, we also intend to pick up the essentials of regulatory functions in securing a secure electricity market.”

The programme participants include officials from ministries, statutory, regulatory bodies, and utility companies from participating African nations. The tour highlights include classroom sessions and interactions in New Delhi and Bengaluru, visits to Pavagada Solar Park, Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre, and Southern Regional Renewable Energy Management Centre. The programme agenda will help participants with insights into global and Indian solar energy scenarios, policies, guidelines, and regulations overview for renewable energy in India from a solar energy perspective. The study tour will be conducted in three batches over February and March 2023.

EMMVEE GETS IN TO A CONTRACT WITH FRAUNHOFER ISE AS TECHNOLOGY PARTNER FOR ITS NEW MEGA CELL LINE

Emmvee Group, a global manufacturer and supplier of PV Modules, has signed a contract with Fraunhofer ISE, the largest solar research institute in Europe. The MoU appoints Fraunhofer ISE as Emmvee’s solar technology partner for its upcoming solar cell manufacturing facility near Bangalore. The collaboration aims to set up a 1.50 GW integrated Mono PERC/TOPCon cell production facility.

Partnering with Fraunhofer ISE will help us to improve our skill, quality and efficiency and allow us to produce high quality cells and modules in the industry. This association will help us to enhance our product portfolio to develop and build new cell configurations and module sizes, said Mr. Manjunatha, Managing Director, Emmvee. “Fraunhofer ISE’s expertise in advanced cell manufacturing technologies, complex process interactions, and profound engineering approach is as unique as Emmvee practices. We are proud to be the first Indian solar company to associate with Fraunhofer ISE. We strongly believe that this collaboration allows us to deliver the industry leading efficiency within the timelines.” said Mr. SuhasDonthi, Director, Emmvee.

SOLARSPACE ANNOUNCES LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH PING AN& ARIEL RE

Solar manufacturer SolarSpace has announced a long-term partnership with the insurance company, Ping An (Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd.) and Ariel Re syndicate 1910 at Lloyd’s of London (the reinsurer), to provide 25-30 years of insurance coverage for the power output warranty of the module products of SolarSpace.

Solar manufacturer SolarSpace has announced a long-term partnership with the insurance company, Ping An (Ping AnInsurance (Group) Company of China Ltd.) and Ariel Re syndicate 1910 at Lloyd’s of London (the reinsurer), to provide 25-30 years of insurance coverage for the power output warranty of the module products of SolarSpace. Underwriter from Ariel Re syndicate 1910 commented, “SolarSpace’s high-efficiency PV module products have undergonerigorous underwriting process to be eligible for the insurance. We believe this cooperation not only improves the confidence of customers about the quality and durability of PV products but also strengthen the facilitation of financing and risk management of PV projects.”

Emmvee and Fraunhofer ISE have mutually signed the agreement for the entire project timeline which spans over more than 36 months, said Dr. JochenRentsch, Head of Department Production Technologies – Surfaces and Interfaces at Fraunhofer ISE “The project stages include technical evaluation of process equipment and consumables, training of employees in cell production, ramping up and optimization of production lines as well as a TOPCon upgrade with cell line optimization.”

With the joint efforts of all the employees, SolarSpace has the opportunity to cooperate with Ping An and Ariel Re. The collaboration indicates that the quality and performance of our products have beenhighly recognized. Furthermore, SolarSpace will put more emphasis on offering reliable and efficient solar products and solutions to customers. Through this insurance agreement with Ping An and Ariel Re, it achieves our commitment to provide unparalleled protection to our valued customers. Said James Hu, Vice President of SolarSpace.

Currently, SolarSpace has reached 35 GW cell capacity and 6 GW module capacity. The goal of 60 GW cellcapacity and 6 GW module capacity could be reached by the end of 2023. It is expected that SolarSpace will increase its market share significantly and become more competitive in the market due to this insurance agreement.

LONGI PLANS TO START FULL-SCALE PRODUCTION FOR HPBC CELLS IN 2023 AND INJECT RMB 2 BILLION INTO SUBSIDIARY THAT IS DEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY

LONGi, a major Chinese integrated manufacturer for PV products, announced on February 6 that it will inject RMB 2 billion into its subsidiary Xixian LERRI. The subsidiary is in charge of developing a project for manufacturing hybrid passivated back contact (HPBC) cells. The announcement was first picked up by other Chinese renewable energy news websites.

LONGi as a listed company will be raising RMB 2 billion and transfer it to LONGiLERRI, which will increase the capital of Xixian LERRI. This amount will be counted as an additional paid-in capital for LONGi-LERRI and Xixian LERRI. Neither LONGi-LERRI nor Xixian LERRI will see a change in their respective figures for registered capital after the capital injection. LONGi said that the capital injection will fund the efforts of its wholly-owned subsidiary in the development of the related project. Through Xixian LERRI, LONGi is currently setting up an annual production capacity of 29GW for high-efficiency mono-Si. Xixian LERRI’s project has incorporated the in-housed developed HPBC technology. In terms of scheduling, Xixian LERRI is expected to complete the project and put it into full-scale operation by September 2023.

Previously, Xixian LERRI set the scale of the project at 15GW per year. However, the scale of the project was adjusted up to 29GW in January this year following the confirmation that Xixian LERRI will be deploying the HPBC technology. This expansion schedule aligns with LONGi’ operating principal that a new wave of capacity-building activities comes after securing a leadership in technological advances. According LONGi, the in-house developed HPBC technology has reached maturity and is ready for commercialization. Furthermore, mass-produced HPBC cells are now able to deliver a conversion efficiency rate of more than 25%. The company believes the HPBC technology can be applied to rooftop PV systems, ground-mounted utility-scale PV systems, and PV products for many other settings.

The competition in the PV market continues to intensify, and several next-generation cell technologies are up for wider adoption or even poised to overtake rival solutions. Individually, the major cell suppliers and integrated manufacturers have banked on certain technologies, such as the more familiar N-type cells and TOPCon cells. In the case of HPBC, it has the advantage of having a front side without busbars. LONGi touts that HPBC cells are more stable and reliable compared with other N-type cells. Industry analysts have pointed out that there are significant differences among crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV cells with respect to raw materials, design, and manufacturing process technologies. Phosphorus-doped N-type cells currently have notable advantages over boron-doped P-type cells in terms of conversion efficiency and power output. Nevertheless, analysts have also emphasized that no cell technology has a dominant market share at this moment. The success of a particular path depends on product differentiation and cost-to-performance ratio.

SUNPURE WON THE SOLARBE AWARD OF “MOST INFLUENTIAL PV O&M ENTERPRISE”

This award proves that Sunpure full scenario robotic cleaning solution is widely trusted by the industry. With keen industry insight and technical innovation, Sunpure has accumulated rich experience in PV module cleaning field, and the products have been delivered in 12 countries and regions such as the Middle East and India, with application scenarios including deserts, mountains, hills, water, roofs, etc., covering nearly 3GW of installed capacity.

Sunpure intelligent PV cleaning robot helps power plants to significantly reduce the pressure of O&M, and lower the LCOE, thus, is gradually becoming the essential equipment for PV power plants. The summit and awards ceremony has been a flagship event and a grand gathering in the solar PV industry in China for the past decade. Speakers and participants include influential experts, leaders and industry players from political and business sides. With this honor, Sunpure will continue to innovate technology, accelerate product upgrading and iteration, and further support the sustainable development of PV power plant customers.

GREENKO SUPPLIES 4950 KVA OF GREEN ENERGY FOR HYDERABAD E-PRIX

The event, held on 11 February, saw JeanEric Vergne of DS PENSKE emerge victorious. However, the significance of the event transcended beyond the racetrack, as it highlighted India’s leadership in energy transition and decarbonisation, according to an official statement. To minimize the carbon footprint of the event, Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix incorporated several sustainability initiatives. As part of the green initiatives and awareness of decarbonisation, the Nissan Formula E Team drivers, Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato visited Greenko’s Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP) in Kurnool. The Greenko Group has a massive renewable energy project in Kurnool with solar, wind, and pumped storage capacities, which also provided energy to power the racing event.

Greenko has an installed renewable energy capacity of 7.5 GW and a presence in 15 states in India. The company is committed to developing 100+ GWh connected Digitized Cloud Storage across India by 2027 through Intelligent Renewable Energy Storage Platforms. To enable deeper decarbonization, Greenko is also entering the green molecule sector.

The 10th Solarbe Solar Industry Summit & Awards Ceremony was held on Feb 16th in Suzhou, China. With the strong innovation, excellent quality and service, and outstanding brand influence, Sunpure won the Solarbe award of “Most Influential PV O&M Enterprise”.

Renewable energy company Greenko, title partner of the recently concluded Hyderabad Formula E-Prix championship race, supplied a total of 4,950 KVA of clean energy to the grid to support an impressive array of sustainable energy needs of the event.

Source: livemint

YAHUA INDUSTRIAL GROUP TO PROVIDE LG

CHEM WITH 30,000 TONS OF LITHIUM HYDROXIDE OVER FOUR-YEAR PERIOD

Yuahua Industrial Group announced on February 7 that it wholly-owned subsidiary Yahua Lithium (Ya’an) and LG Chem have entered into a long-term supply agreement. Under the agreement, Yahua will deliver 30,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide (monohydrate) to LG Chem during the period from 2023 to 2026.

Established in January 1947, LG Chem, which is under the South Korean conglomerate LG, is involved mainly in petrochemicals, advanced materials, sustainable materials, and biotechnology. A major part of its portfolio consists of battery materials.Yahua stated that this deal not only opens another sales channel for its lithium salts but also forms a stable supply partnership for both parties. Furthermore, as Yahua builds up its production capacity for lithium salts, long-term supply agreements such as this will enable the company to effectively turn over its inventory and expand its market share. All in all, this deal contributes to Yahua’s efforts in realizing its strategic aims.Earlier on November 1, 2022, Yahua Lithium inked a long-term supply agreement with SK On (Shanghai). SK On is a subsidiary of another South Korean conglomerate SK Group, and it focuses on EV power batteries. According to the agreement between Yahua Lithium and SK On, the former will ship no less than 20,000 tons and no more than 50,000 tons of lithium salts to the latter during the period from 2023 to 2025. The annual shipment quantity will increase over the years.Also, Yahua Industrial Group disclosed in December 2020 that Yahua Lithium had secured an order from Tesla for battery-grade lithium hydroxide. With an effective period from 2021 to 2025, the contract is estimated to be worth USD 630-880 million. Currently, Yahua Industrial Group is the main supplier to Tesla for lithium salts. In particular, Yahua’s lithium hydroxide is used in Tesla’s 4680 cylindrical batteries.

The two main businesses of Yahua Industrial Group are explosives for civilian applications and lithium products. However, the company is also involved in many other fields such as transportation and logistics. In recent years, Yahua has been committing more and more resources into the business related to lithium products because it has made significant financial gains from the rapid growth of the market for new energy vehicles. The focus of the company has been steadily shifting towards lithium products. Furthermore, the company continues to build up its production capacity for lithium salts and obtain sources of lithium resources that are located outside China. Yahua Industrial Group currently possesses a total production capacity of 43,000 tons per year for various lithium salt products. In 2021, the company initiated projects to add 50,000 tons per year for battery-grade lithium hydroxide and 11,000 tons per year for lithium chloride. Among these projects, the second phase of Yahua Lithium’s capacity building is scheduled to enter operation by the end of 2023. The second phase comprises 30,000 tons per year for battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Yahua Industrial Group forecasts that its total production capacity for lithium salt products will reach above 100,000 tons per year by 2025.

In order to reach the 2025 capacity target, the company completed to two major acquisitions in 2022. The first deal involved buying a stake in Australia-based ABY. ABY’s key asset is the Kenticha lithium mine in Ethiopia. The second deal involved buying a 70.59% stake in Pude Technology. With this transaction, Yahua is able to indirectly own a 60% stake in Pude’s subsidiary Kamativi Mining Company (KMC). Kamativi is a mining town in the northern part of Zimbabwe. KMC has rights to numerous metal mining sites.

Besides the two aforementioned acquisitions, Yahua’s subsidiary Yahua International sealed a share purchase agreement with China-Africa Industrial. Under this agreement, Yahua International will acquire a 70% stake each in SSC Afrique and Indusmin Africa. These targets are wholly-owned subsidiaries of China-Africa Industrial. Yahua said the planned spending on this deal is capped at USD 145 million. SSC Afrique and Idusmin Africa together have rights over four mining sites in Damaraland, Namibia. The four sites span a total area 720 square kilometers. With this deal, Yahua Industrial Group will have a 70% indirect ownership in each of these four mining sites. Yahua Industrial Group recently released its financial results for 2022. According to its presentation, its net profit for 2022 is estimated to have reached CNY 4.5-4.7 billion, reflecting a YoY growth rate of 380.45-401.1%. The company said last year’s profit growth was mainly attributed to the boom in the market for new energy vehicles. The demand for lithium salts from EV power batteries kept rising, while prices of lithium salts remained relatively high. Also, the company ramped up efforts to manufacture and sell its products during the reporting period, thereby posting a massive profit growth.

Source: energytrend

KARNATAKA CROSSED 2030 RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION TARGET SET BY PM IN 2021 ITSELF

Over half of Karnataka’s total installed capacity is through Renewable sources and the State is attracting a lot of investments in the green energy sector. The State has the right mix of thermal, hydel, Solar & wind energy and the mixed source of energy generation is an advantage for the state to tide over any crisis, though the emphasis is on moving on to green energy in the long term, G Kumar Naik, senior IAS officer who was Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, told TNSE editors and staff during an interaction.

EXCERPTS

How is the power situation in Karnataka?

We are extremely comfortable. Power is a commodity which is supplied and consumed immediately. If I say it is surplus today, it is only for today. If the demand increases tomorrow, whatever surplus we call will vanish and it will become a deficit depending on the availability of source. In January, there was a demand for 14,962 MW at one particular time, which is an all-time high and we were able to meet it. In Karnataka, demand will be more from January to March. However, in April, there might be high demand in Ballari, whereas in Bengaluru, summer showers would have come and demand might have come down. At the same time, agricultural demand in summer would have come down. If I plan to supply and meet all the demands, I am self-sufficient. Karnataka is able to meet it.

How is the situation for the power supply during summer?

Absolutely no problem. The last summer months have been managed quite well without load shedding even though the entire country was facing coal shortage.

What is Karnataka’s installed capacity?

Our installed capacity to generate power is more than 31,000 MW all these do not necessarily come at one time. Certain sources come only during one particular time like solar in the day time and wind energy during morning or evening hours. This means, at any given time, I only plan for 15,000 to 18,000 MW of peak to be met. Depending on the needs, I can reduce energy generation from coal plants and go for more friendly renewable sources. We can customize it according to the requirements.

What is the status of renewable energy generation?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a robust target of 50 per cent of power generation through renewable energy by 2030. Karnataka has already achieved it in 2021. Out of the total installed capacity of 31,669 MW in Karnataka, 15,909 MW is from renewable energy sources. This was possible as Karnataka has notified a separate policy for solar energy in 2011. Later, in 2018, it implemented a firstof-its-kind 2,050 MW Solar Park in Pavagada and distributed generation of 20 MW in each of 109 taluks. There is also a biomass/co-generation energy source, most of which sugarcane industries themselves are using.

Over half of Karnataka’s total installed capacity is through Renewable sources and the State is attracting a lot of investments in the green energy sector.

How are domestic users involved in producing energy?

European countries are leading when it comes to domestic users producing power. In India, the Central government is giving a 40 per cent subsidy on the installation of solar panels. The efficiency of solar panels has increased. At present, in Karnataka, 280 MW of energy is generated through the rooftop of which over 40 per cent is from domestic households, most of which are in Bengaluru and Mysuru. The cost of installing domestic rooftop solar panels is around Rs 56,000 to Rs 66,000 per KW.

What is the status of power generation through hydro and thermal units?

We are in a good position. A huge amount of water is stored in places where hydel energy is generated. We generate around 3,798 MW through hydro stations. We have received good rains in the last few years and getting good rains will make us feel safe. Hydro machines are very flexible and can work very conveniently. You can start and stop as and whenever you want. The advantage of having a thermal station is that one can go on adding coal and need not have to depend on any particular season. Coal is abundant. However, it takes time to start or stop the operations. Unlike hydel power stations, thermal power cannot be started or stopped immediately. It becomes expensive.

Karnataka faced a coal shortage sometime back. How is it now?

There was a coal shortage across the country. India tried importing coal and sorting out the issue. In Karnataka, we do not solely depend on coal as we have mixed sources of energy generation. If there is no coal, we have alternatives. That is why we could overcome the issue despite the coal shortage. Since we do not depend on just water and coal, we are in a better position. We have wind and other means as well. Ideally, we should have a sufficient stock of coal or we should be in a place where we can access coal immediately. Ballari and Raichur are hundreds of kilometres away from coal fields. Anything can happen... There can be strikes at coal fields, rain, and railway wagon issues and it can spoil days together.

In the long term, we have to do away with coal …

Long-term is a really long term and we do not know when. Right now, the consensus across the country is that we should not add additional or new capacities of thermal. At present, we are thinking of reducing coal usage or stress on not putting additional thermal units and focusing more on renewable energy. Even to do this, we have many challenges, including rethinking topography and transmission systems. We need to reorient our electrical system. When we say energy generation, we are not using electricity alone. We need energy more than electricity and we think of green energy, for which we need renewable sources, including solar and wind. The batteries used for vehicles need to be charged and the energy

What is the per capita energy consumption?

In other countries, people are consuming more energy per capita as compared to India. If we are going to follow a similar lifestyle pattern, we will also be consuming more and more energy. Just domestic consumption, the national average is 1,200 units, whereas in Karnataka it is moderate. In Bengaluru, consumption is more, whereas outside, in some places, just a light bulb is sufficient, not gadgets.

In the Global Investors Meet (GIM), many companies signed MoUs for energy generation. What is the status?

Most of the investments in the recent GIM (Global Investors’ Meet) were related to renewable energy and green hydrogen. We are following it up.

Is our transmission system equipped to handle the additional load?

The transmission system has to be improved substantially. Energy should be transferred from internal part of Karnataka or some other places where high RE sources are installed to Coastal area near ports to convert energy into hydrogen. The transmission lines should pass through eco-sensitive western Ghat forest area and getting forest clearance is a very huge challenge. In Karnataka, we have limited coastal regions and the hydrogen plants are to be established in these areas and exported to different countries in huge tanks. But the challenge is the topography. If we want to get energy from internal areas of the State to Coastal Karnataka, it has to pass through the eco-sensitive western Ghat forest area. Maybe technological solution will help to mitigate this issue.

What is the percentage of loss in transmission and distribution?

Over a period of time, this loss has been reduced drastically. It was more than 25 per cent sometime back when KEB was there. Now it has reduced to 11 per cent. Commercial loss can vary including not billing properly, not paying bills or power theft.

Why can’t we have cables underground?

It is very expensive. The underground cables are more than many times costlier as compared to overhead lines. Underground cables are safe and power transmission can be uninterrupted underground. But it comes with a huge cost.

What about supplying power to farmers?

Power supply to farmers is based on the availability of water and their need for a particular crop. Each crop needs different requirements. Agriculture demand is huge. They are demanding power supply during the daytime. Solar has come in handy for us. Karnataka is the first State to start the programme of distributed generation where solar power panels were installed at each taluk with 20 MW capacity. After we did, the government of India came up with a subsidy to put panels near farming land. They are encouraging people to take it up.

Any plans to collaborate with other agencies to put up charging stations on highways to charge electric vehicles?

Many are coming forward. There is a plan.

What made you choose IAS?

At home, we had government officials and all of them looked up to IAS. They said if you become an IAS, you can do so many changes.

THIS NEW CHINESE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BRAND AIMS TO TAKE ON TESLA

AND BYD

Chinese carmaker Geely is planning to step up its EV game to make up for the lost ground to leading EV makers like Tesla and BYD. The company has announced the launch of a new sub-brand called Geely Galaxy, which will manufacture high-end electric cars. Geely, which also owns the Swedish auto giant Volvo Cars, took covers off at least two concept electric cars. It said at least seven new models, including three fully-electric vehicles, will be launched by the new sub-brand in the next two years.

GROWTH OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR

The expansion of the worldwide GDP over the last several years has been largely attributed to the 11% global tourist industry. Due to Covid-19, the sector has been severely impacted, however it has recently rebounded by 7% over the past year.

Geely is expected to launch the Galaxy L7 first. It is a plug-in hybrid SUV which is likely to hit the markets soon. Geely said it will start shipping L7 SUV during the second quarter. The second model to be launched by Geely Galaxy is likely to be a plug-in hybrid sedan called L6. By the end of the year, Geely Galaxy also plans to launch the Galaxy E8, its first electric car. It will be based on a dedicated smart electric platform which is also used in other EV models like Zeekr 001. Zeekr is another electric vehicle brand launched by Geely in 2021. Last year, Zeekr has sold more than 70,000 units of the 001 model. Geely also announced that it is working on EV and EV batter tech. The company said that Aegis battery safety system can increase battery life by 20 per cent. It has also developed Nordthor 8848 hybrid powertrain which claims to improve fuel economy by up to 15 per cent. Geely’s Galaxy NOperating System software, which will use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 to connect its vehicles to 72 satellites for cloud operations, is expected to be launched in the next two years.

Source : hindustantimes

Even while the business creates a lot of jobs and has a significant positive economic impact on local communities and social development, the environmental impact of increased transportation on global climate change and tourism destinations is extremely worrisome for long-term sustainability. A study reveals that the total CO2 emissions from all forms of transportation worldwide are about 22.2%. As a result, the importance of alternatives like electric cars is made clearer. Adopting electric modes of transportation can benefit the tourism sector in a variety of ways. Let&#39;s talk about this more briefly. The reality is that one of the most visited tourist places in the country is the Taj Mahal which restricts petrol and diesel automobiles near it displaying the seriousness of the government’s anti-pollution approach. The restriction is pertinent within a 500-meter distance from the spot. Despite these restrictions, the availability of Electric Vehicles cabs in the region has enabled a hassle-free travel experience for visitors. In addition, many topline hotels in the city of Agra provide tourists with access to e-bikes to get around. This is not only economical due to the avoidance of fossil fuels, but it also limits the problem of traffic congestion and pollution in alike tourist-centric cities. Electric vehicles can help travellers by enabling them to reach secret trails that are typically unavailable via normal transportation as well as vacation destinations. Additionally, smart EV charging infrastructure is expanding in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Goa, and others, making the use of electric vehicles more acceptable.

VARIOUS IMPACT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Economic Impact: At present, with fuel prices high in India, there is a notable impact on transportation costs that are necessary for tourism activities. Due to the rise in the taxi fares and other transport modes, the large division of budget tourists would ignore unnecessary trips, decreasing visits to several tourist places and lowering overall footfalls and spends. Transformation to Electric vehicles can lower the costs of transportation, and along with additional modes of electric mobility like e-carts and low-speed e-scooters etc. It provides more options for commuting.

Environmental Impact: EVs cause nil tailpipe emissions and help decrease air pollution when we use it in large numbers. They release less particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in the air than standard transport systems. Electric Vehicles also make less sound while operating than diesel and petrol vehicles, contributing to noise pollution deduction (1.1 dB). An international survey shows that millennials and Gen Z travellers are more worried about the importance of selecting an eco-friendly travel option in their travels. Thus, adopting Electric Vehicles in the tourism sector will bring greater sustainability and also prove to be potentially profitable for the overall business.

Currently, the country is looking forward to establishing enough charging infrastructure in all public place, which enabling EV users to cover long-distance travel and search EV charging facilities with ease. The Government has stated its sight of having Electric Vehicle Charging facilities every 25 km on highways and every 3 km inside the cities, while several firms and startups are building EV charging infrastructure as Electric Vehicle sales slope up. Accessibility of EV Charging space on highways and within tourist hubs will be key to realising the goal of a cleaner and more accessible mobility driving tourism in the future. At eBikeGo Float, we aim to empower Hospitality businesses with a fleet of robust and durable, connected, high-quality 2-Wheeler Electric Vehicles in order to provide an additional business model to the business owners. Offering 2-Wheeler Electric Vehicles on the go will be a lucrative value-added service for all stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector who can facilitate the same to their guests/customers and customers can find a one-stop solution at the venue itself while they are looking for sustainable and affordable options to commute around the city during their stay.

The effect of the EV revolution on the tourism and travel sector will be massive in the coming years. Increasing the range of Electric Vehicles, making it easier to charge during journeys, and providing readily reachable charging facilities in hotels, tourist hubs, and other hotspots will bring greater faith among travellers. For this, local governments need to work with businesses, communities, and EV ecosystem players in ensuring that infrastructure and Electric Vehicles on roads are steadily ramped up in the years to come.

Source : TOI

ELECTRIC VEHICLE

WTICABS TAKES A LEAP BY DEPLOYING 100 ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN BANGALORE

WTiCabs recently deployed electric vehicles for a large IT client. The corporation is reportedly investing in this endeavour, according to sources. The company has made significant contributions over the years to the provision of a fully functional and staffed EV Depot (electric vehicles and charging stations) by providing emission-free people transportation solutions. WTiCabs effectively manages ground transportation services, giving employees a complete, safe, and enjoyable mobility experience. To provide the most effective services for the benefit of society, the company has been successfully using sustainable, repeatable, and proven procedures. Inspiring its contemporaries to take a cleaner and more sustainable approach to providing services that support a healthy and clean environment, WTiCabs has been maintaining a presence across all of India – facilitating clients to attain their Sustainability scores and ESG criteria.

As you choose WTiCabs for their advanced workplace commute services and induct EVs for your employee’s commute, you are indirectly contributing your share to a pollution-free environment. Throughout the years, many companies have already joined WTiCabs on an initiative wherein, apart from inducting EVs, they are collectively committed to planting a tree for each commuter that gets to the platform.

Ashok Vashist, the CEO and Founder of WTiCabs put light on the vision and future endeavours of the company. He says, “Each one of us can actively be a part of building a pollution-free environment that leaves a legacy behind for the world and the generations to come. The thing is, we are not only thinking or talking about going green, but we are also actually doing it. 15 per cent of our services are run by electricity and we intend to raise this percentage by 35 per cent by the end of the next financial year. Sustainability is the motto of the company. The effort to build the foundation of a better future will never be compromised until we are dedicated and passionate about it. Join us in this initiative for a future secured by positivity, & powered by innovation.”

Source: PTI

WTiCabs deploy electric vehicles for a large IT client, marking the efficiency of the company towards delivering emissions-free staff transport services.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE

TATA MOTORS NON-COMMITTAL ON RAISING FUNDS FOR ITS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BUSINESS

At the Auto Expo 2023, Tata Motors showcased its new models, while being confident to be able to cater to the growing demand for electric vehicles in India, using the existing capacity at its three facilities.

Other than Tata Tiago, Tata Motors’ portfolio of electric vehicles includes Tata Nexon, Tata Punch and Tata Ace. The company shall soon be venturing into Generation-2 series products, while the Generation-3 series cars are expected to be pure electric vehicles.

While speaking to CNBC-TV18, the MD of the auto major, Shailesh Chandra, said that Tata Motors now clocks a production milestone of 5 million cars from March 3. However, he remained non-committal on rumours of a stake sale to further fund its EV business adding that they have enough cash for the next 2-3 years.

India is in the nascent stages of electrification, with electric vehicles forming about a percent of the passenger vehicle industry in India. Electric vehicles which constitute nearly 8 percent of Tata Motor India’s passenger vehicle volumes, exhibit their potential to gain further share as the adoption of the electric vehicle rises in India. It intends to expand its electric passenger vehicle portfolio to 10 by FY26, from less than 5 currently. At the Tata Motors launch event in September 2022, the Tiago EV showcased its stirring appeal of being available at a reasonable price at sub-Rs 10 lakhs. Tiago EV is a modified version of the existing Tiago ICE, along similar lines as the Nexon and Tigor EVs.

Tata Motors has sold an excess of 5,000 cars in the fleet segment and interestingly is the only player in India to provide electric vehicles in the fleet segment. The company is looking at expanding its electric vehicle availability to 165 cities from about 85 cities today, owing to expectations of good acceptance of Tiago EV in tier two and three cities. Additionally, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Uber, which is 24-30 months shall deploy these vehicles from Tata Motors. New opportunities hold for the company with vehicle replacements, as modalities for vehicle replacement schemes were announced in Union Budget this year and are yet to be finalised. This could potentially provide a big trigger for electric vehicles. While FY23 was an exceptionally good year for the company owing to pent-up demand and easing of supply-side challenges of semiconductor availability, it expects to clock single-digit growth in FY24. Sales in the domestic and international markets for February 2023 stood at 79,705 vehicles, compared with 77,733 units during February 2022.

Source: PTI

TECHNOLOGIES OFFER INCREASING ARRAY OF LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE OPTIONS

For several years, lithium-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage landscape for electric utilities, but one of the limitations of lithium-ion batteries is the limited amount of storage hours they can provide. And there have also been safety concerns raised about fires occurring at lithium-ion facilities. There is a wide array of storage technologies that differentiate themselves from lithium ion by offering longer storage durations, which is becoming increasingly important as intermittent renewable energy sources continue to expand across the U.S. power grid.

“The value of long-duration energy storage, which helps address variability in renewable energy supply across days and seasons, is poised to grow significantly as power systems shift to larger shares of variable generation such as wind and solar,” a report posted on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory notes.

IRON FLOW BATTERIES

One of the companies making a splash in the iron flow battery space in recent months is ESS Inc. Two California public power utilities, SMUD and Burbank Water and Power, in 2022 announced agreements with ESS.

SMUD and ESS on Sept. 20, 2022 announced an agreement to provide up to 200 megawatts (MW)/2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of long duration energy storage that will be provided by ESS. The agreement calls for ESS to deliver a mix of its long-duration energy storage technology for integration with the SMUD electric grid beginning in 2023.

In November, ESS and Burbank Water and Power entered into an agreement for ESS to deliver BWP’s first utility-scale battery storage project. Under the agreement, a 75 kilowatt (kW)/500 kilowatt hour kWh ESS “Energy Warehouse” will be installed and connected to a 265 kW solar array on BWP’s EcoCampus. The iron flow battery will support the increased use of renewable power and allow excess renewable energy to be stored and used as baseload energy for Burbank, improving the resilience and reliability of the grid.

IRON AIR AND COMPRESSED AIR BATTERIES

In late January, Form Energy announced that it had entered into definitive agreements with investor-owned Xcel Energy to deploy Form Energy’s iron-air battery systems at two of Xcel Energy’s retiring coal plant sites. Xcel Energy–Minnesota will deploy a 10 MW/1,000 MWh multi-day storage system at the Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, Minnesota. Xcel Energy–Colorado will deploy a 10 MW/1,000 MWh multi-day storage system at the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo, Colorado. Both projects are expected to come online as early as 2025 and are subject to regulatory approvals in their respective states.

While lithium-ion technology has been king of the hill when it comes to energy storage options for utilities, this year could prove to be a key inflection point for the emergence of alternative energy storage technologies in the U.S. if recent developments are any indication.

In December, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced that Form Energy will partner with the state of West Virginia to build its first iron-air battery manufacturing facility on 55 acres of property in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Meanwhile, California community choice aggregator Central Coast Community Energy in January said that it signed a 25-year power purchase agreement for a compressed air energy storage project with Hydrostor. The nearly $1 billion power purchase agreement calls for the delivery of 200 megawatts, 1,600-megawatt hours of energy storage to 3CE from Hydrostor’s planned Willow Rock Energy Storage Center that will use the company’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage technology. Hydrostor says the project, when completed, will abate up to 28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Hydrodstor’s technology combines elements of a compressed air storage system with a pumped hydro system. The process stores energy as compressed air but captures and stores the heat of compression for future use. The compressed air is stored in a purpose-built underground cavern that uses a water reservoir to maintain constant pressure. The facility discharges energy by reversing the process, using the stored heat and pressure to power a conventional turbine generator. The system has no performance degradation over its 50-year plus expected lifetime, Hydrostor said. Hydrostor said its technology offers the same services as a natural gas plant while having zero emissions because it uses surplus electricity as fuel. The company is targeting high value grid applications such as transmission deferral and fossil fuel generation replacement.

HYDROGEN

In early January, Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. and California investor-owned utility Pacific Gas and Electric announced the companies are partnering to deploy and operate a utility-scale battery plus green hydrogen long-duration energy storage system with a minimum of 293 megawatt-hours of dispatchable energy. The system is designed to power downtown and the surrounding area of the City of Calistoga, Calif, for a minimum of 48 hours during planned outages and potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which is when the powerlines serving the surrounding area must be turned off for safety due to high wildfire risk. PG&E submitted the project contract for review and approval to the California Public Utilities Commission on December 30, 2022, with a request for the issuance of a final resolution approving the project by May 15, 2023. The energy storage system will be owned, operated and maintained by Energy Vault while providing dispatchable power under a longterm tolling agreement with PG&E. The system’s capacity may be expanded to 700 MWh, which would allow it to operate for longer without refueling, enabling further flexibility for PG&E and the City of Calistoga. Energy Vault’s system will replace the typical, mobile diesel generators used to energize PG&E’s Calistoga microgrid during broader grid outages. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 with commercial operation expected by the end of second quarter of 2024. Upon completion, this project is expected to be the firstof-its-kind and the largest utility-scale green hydrogen project in the United States.

LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power told Public Power Current that it recognizes the benefits of green hydrogen as a “power-to-gas” long-duration energy storage solution, through the use of electrolyzers, a system that uses electricity to break water into hydrogen and oxygen in a process called electrolysis. LADWP was asked to provide additional details on where things currently stand in terms of LADWP’s possible pursuit of green hydrogen for storage. As a purchaser of power produced by the Intermountain Power Project (IPP), LADWP is involved in installing two, 420 MW each, combined cycle generating units at IPP that will be capable of using hydrogen fuel (blended with natural gas) when placed in service in July 2025. The hydrogen will be produced using renewable energy and electrolyzers, and then stored in salt caverns for long-duration energy storage that can store and provide a seasonal supply of hydrogen, LADWP officials noted. LADWP does not plan to be directly involved in the production of green hydrogen in the Los Angeles area at this time, but it will work with energy developers to implement green hydrogen projects to provide grid reliability and a zero carbon energy source. LADWP officials said that its strategic long-term resource plan includes options for eventually purchasing green hydrogen from the market to spur development of green hydrogen capacity in the Los Angeles area. The utility believes this technology is necessary to ensure the power system remains resilient during emergency events, such as an earthquake, wildfire, or other situations when clean dispatchable generation capacity may be necessary to maintain grid reliability and resiliency as it transitions to 100% clean energy. LADWP officials said the utility is looking at a variety of energy storage technologies as well as green hydrogen as its transition to a 100% clean energy future. The officials said the utility will need energy storage to mitigate the intermittent generation challenge posed by renewable resources (variable wind and solar) and to provide resources for periods of low renewable generation, high energy demand periods, and loss of generation and/or transmission lines to maintain grid reliability and resiliency.

LADWP officials point out that there are trade-offs with different technologies: Batteries are limited in their ability to store large quantities of energy economically and shift the energy beyond the daily or hourly timeframe. Pumped hydro is limited by location (it is challenging to find new sites for large hydroelectric plants) and is constrained by water availability, the officials noted. Green hydrogen offers the potential for long-duration energy storage that uses excess renewables available in the spring when electricity demand is low to produce hydrogen for use in the summer when electricity demand is high — referred to as seasonal storage, they said. Another benefit is that, in some cases, the existing power generating units can be modified to use green hydrogen. As the green hydrogen economy scales up, LADPW expects that it will become a viable, low-cost solution for seasonal energy storage that offers the flexibility to decarbonize the electric grid and other sectors of the economy.

ENERGY STORAGE

ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION EXPLORES DEPLOYMENT OF LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY

In early January, Florida public power utility Orlando Utilities Commission said it will explore deployment of a long-duration energy storage facility as a way in which to help achieve the utility’s net-zero carbon emission goals. The facility will be provided by Malta Inc. Malta’s storage technology converts excess electricity into thermal energy that is stored in salt and coolant. When needed, the plant regenerates gigawatt hours of electricity for residential and commercial use. The Malta facility would be situated at OUC’s Indian River Plant in Brevard County on Florida’s East Coast. Malta’s more than 100-megawatt utility-scale system provides more hours of energy storage than lithium-ion batteries and could provide energy storage diversity for OUC. The increased duration facility has the potential to help OUC ensure grid reliability despite the variable nature of clean and renewable energy resources like solar.

WISCONSIN UTILITY PILOT PROJECT TESTS NEW FORM OF LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE

In early February, WEC Energy Group, a Wisconsin-based investor-owned utility, announced that the company will lead a pilot project at its Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee to test a new form of long-duration energy storage. WEC Energy Group is collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute and CMBlu Energy, the developer and manufacturer of the long-duration battery based in California and Germany. This 1-to-2-megawatt-hour pilot project will be one of the first to test this type of energy storage system on the U.S. electric grid, WEC Energy Group said. The CMBlu Organic SolidFlow energy storage system uses a proprietary flow battery technology with components from recyclable materials. The project will test the performance of the battery system, including discharge durations of five to 10 hours — up to twice as long as the typical lithium-ion batteries in use today. The pilot project is planned for testing in the fourth quarter of this year. Findings will be shared with the utility industry. EPRI will share a complete analysis of the project in early 2024.

Another public power utility pursuing long-duration energy storage technology is the New York Power Authority. In April 2021, NYPA signed an agreement with Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. and the University at Buffalo for the planned deployment of Zinc8’s zinc-air energy storage system, marking a first demonstration of a long-duration use in New York State and a development that could support further integration of renewable power sources into the electric grid. In January 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Zinc8 will relocate its $68 million manufacturing facility and U.S. headquarters to Kingston, N.Y. Zinc8’s technology has been developed around the utilization of zinc as the anode fuel, which is expected to offer advantages over other metals due to its high energy density, abundant availability, low cost, and ease of storage and handling. When the system is delivering power, the zinc particles are combined with oxygen drawn from the surrounding air. When the system is recharging, zinc particles are regenerated, and oxygen is returned to the surrounding air. The regenerative system does not require fuel replacement and offers scalable energy capacity through the simple introduction of additional fuel tanks.

APPA STORAGE TRACKER

The American Public Power Association’s Public Power Energy Tracker is a resource for association members that summarizes public power energy storage projects that are currently online.

APPA ENERGY STORAGE WORKING GROUP

APPA’s Energy Storage Working Group (ESWG) is part of a cooperative agreement between APPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to lower barriers to integrating battery storage with the operation of fossil fuel generation assets. In 2022, the ESWG developed a report on energy storage challenges, solutions, and opportunities for public power. APPA is continuing to convene members to get feedback, advice, and other input on the energy storage challenges and opportunities for integrating energy storage. The next ESWG virtual meeting is scheduled for February 23, 2023, from 2 – 3:30 PM ET. The main goal for the meeting will be to discuss the baselines for an energy storage maturity model framework.

NYPA SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF ZINC-AIR STORAGE SYSTEM

SOUTHEAST ASIA’S LARGEST ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

OFFICIALLY OPENS

Commissioned in six months, the Sembcorp Energy Storage System (ESS) is Southeast Asia’s largest ESS and is the fastest in the world of its size to be deployed.

The utility-scale ESS will support active management of electricity supply and demand for grid stability

Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) officially opened the Sembcorp Energy Storage System (ESS). The Sembcorp ESS is Southeast Asia’s largest ESS and spans across two hectares of land in the Banyan and Sakra region on Jurong Island. Commissioned in six months1, the facility started operations in December 2022 and is the fastest in the world of its size to be deployed2. The event was officiated by Guest of Honour, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng; together with Chief Executive of EMA, Mr Ngiam Shih Chun, and CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia of Sembcorp Industries, Mr Koh Chiap Khiong. The utility-scale ESS has a maximum storage capacity of 285 megawatt hour (MWh), and can meet the electricity needs of around 24,000 four-room HDB households3 for one day, in a single discharge. Its rapid response time to store and supply power in milliseconds is essential in mitigating solar intermittency caused by changing weather conditions in Singapore’s tropical climate. It can also provide reserves to the power grid, which frees up power generation plants to generate more electricity to meet demand, when needed.

Mr Wong Kim Yin, Group President & CEO of Sembcorp Industries, said: “ESS is rapidly growing in demand, to support power system reliability, especially for the integration of intermittent renewable energy. Sembcorp already operates one of the largest fleets of ESS in the UK. This 285MWh ESS is the largest in Southeast Asia. At 709MWh, Sembcorp is now one of Asia’s largest and fastest-growing ESS operators with strong technical capabilities.”

FAST RESPONSE BATTERIES TO MAINTAIN GRID RELIABILITY

Mr Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority, said: “Energy Storage Systems (ESS) such as the Sembcorp ESS will play a significant part in supporting Singapore’s transition towards cleaner energy sources. This large-scale ESS marks the achievement of Singapore’s 200MWh energy storage target ahead of time. It will complement our efforts to maximise solar adoption by storing and delivering energy given the intermittent nature of solar power. The ESS will also enhance our power grid stability and resilience by managing mismatches between electricity demand and supply.”

The Sembcorp ESS is an integrated system comprising more than 800 large-scale battery units. It uses lithium iron phosphate batteries with high energy density, fast response time and high round-trip efficiency to maximise energy storage, making them suitable for maintaining grid stability. A central control system manages the batteries’ charge and discharge cycles according to the grid’s supply and demand. The integrated system also includes the liquid cooling systems or built-in air conditioning systems to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Live monitoring through extensive use of intelligent sensors, security cameras and dashboards tracks the key performance indicators to ensure safe, reliable and optimal performance. Please refer to Annex A for details on technological features built into the ESS and Annex B for photos of the Sembcorp ESS.

EMA’s Accelerating Energy Storage for Singapore (ACCESS) programme facilitates ESS adoption in Singapore by promoting use cases and business models with industry partners and other government agencies.

Source: sembcorp

ENERGY STORAGE CLEAN ENERGY ASSOCIATES ACQUIRED BY BRITISH QUALITY ASSURANCE FIRM INTERTEK

Supply traceability firm Clean Energy Associates (CEA) has been acquired by British testing, quality assurance and certification company Intertek as it looks to provide Total Quality Assurance (TQA) solutions for solar PV and energy storage products.

Announced today (29 July), the acquisition will see CEA benefit from Intertek’s global network and customer base, facilitating expansion opportunities into new geographies, the company said.

FLUENCE NISPERA

BECOMES LEADER IN

As the solar energy market expands, the pace of decarbonisation intensifies and the regulatory environment becomes more complex, it is clear that demand for mission-critical, end-to-end Total Quality Assurance (TQA) solutions will continue to grow, said Andre Lacroix, CEO at Intertek.

London-based Intertek said CEA – which has offices in both Colorado, US and Shanghai, China – had a strong track record of production monitoring, quality assurance, supply chain management, traceability services and technical support across the 65 countries in which it operates. Indeed, at this year’s Intersolar event in Munich, CEA representatives told PV Tech Premium it was experiencing strong demand for its services given the increased need for supply chain transparency and developers’ own ESG commitments.CEA’s senior director of technology and quality, George Touloupas, and its vice president of marketing and sales, Darryl Parker, discussed with this site how its traceability protocol works, its on-the-ground presence in China and the impact of the US anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) case on demand for its services.

“With key operating locations in the US and China, its subject matter experts deliver worldwide services in support of solar project developers, engineering, procurement and construction companies (EPCs), financiers, power plant owners and independent power producers (IPPs),” said Intertek.

The company added the acquisition would “complement not only Intertek’s global network of industry experts, but also the company’s existing TQA services such as product testing and certification, in-field inspections, asset management and condition monitoring”. “This dynamic combination will allow Intertek to further strengthen and expand support to solar energy stakeholders and help them mitigate risks across the PV and energy storage lifecycle,” Intertek said.

Source: pv-tech

ASSET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND RENEWABLES, WITH 267 MW

/ 948

MWH STORAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT GLOBALLY

The cloud-based asset performance management software is now operational for energy storage and all categories of renewables including solar, wind, and hydro.

Fluence Energy, Inc. (“Fluence”) (NASDAQ: FLNC), a leading global provider of energy storage products and services, and cloudbased software for renewables and storage, announced that Fluence Nispera™ has expanded to provide real-time performance monitoring, AI-enabled performance analysis, and optimization of energy storage assets, and is currently operational on five energy storage assets totaling 267 MW / 948 MWh globally. The cloud-based asset performance management (APM) software is now available for energy storage and all categories of renewables including solar, wind, and hydro. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, the global deployment of renewables is expected to grow by 2,400 GW between 2022 and 2027. The energy storage solutions needed to flexibly and reliably integrate renewable energy into the power system are also estimated to grow significantly: BloombergNEF estimates an increase of 387 GW / 1,143 GWh of energy storage capacity between 2022 and 2030. This accelerated growth of clean energy generation and storage brings an increasing need for digital solutions such as Nispera to allow asset owners to scale their portfolios without scaling their resources. Nispera gives storage and renewables asset owners visibility into what, where, when, and why performance issues and trends are occurring and helps prioritize action to resolve it.

For years, Nispera has been the leading global APM solution for renewables. By expanding into energy storage, Nispera is now further driving the APM software industry forward by offering asset owners and operators with access to the most comprehensive set of assets for renewables and storage available. This includes wind, solar, hydro, and energy storage from any technology provider, anywhere in the world,” said Fluence Global Head of Digital Asset Management Gianmarco Pizza.

Nispera integrates asset performance and financial data with intelligent machine learning models and visualization tools to help renewable asset owners uncover hidden performance issues and boost energy production. Nispera’s advanced optimization functionalities allow users to prioritize the highest impact performance and O&M interventions. For example, a PV Digital Twin uses geographically accurate maps and animated videos to compare actual and AI-modeled producible energy and show the exact location of and reasons for component issues.

From the start, Nispera was built by renewables’ asset managers who know the challenges facing owners and operators looking to scale their renewables portfolio. Now, Fluence’s deep expertise in energy storage operations has been built into Nispera’s storage asset management capabilities, said Fluence SVP & Chief Digital Officer Krishna Vanka. “We’re thrilled to bring this cuttingedge monitoring and analysis software to our Fluence energy storage customers and to owners and operators of diverse portfolios of energy storage and renewables globally.”

Nispera’s functionality for energy storage helps storage asset owners identify, prioritize, and act on asset performance issues to reduce downtime and maximize revenue. Already operational on energy storage assets across the world, the software automates asset- and component-level analyses of real-time and historical production, time-based availability, state of charge, state of health, energy exchanged, and more. Asset owners can drill deeper into performance trends over time and across assets using a drag-and-drop analysis builder of more than 20 key energy storage asset performance variables. Instead of manual and computationally intensive analysis, users can easily and quickly compare, for example, average state of charge over a week across multiple storage assets and identify a priority asset for performance intervention. Nispera is currently operational on more than 8.5 GW of renewable and energy storage assets across 28 markets. Fluence is a leader in Software-as-a-Service products for managing renewable energy and storage assets, with Fluence IQ, an advanced digital platform which includes both Nispera and Fluence Mosaic™, intelligent bidding software for renewables and energy storage.

ENERGY STORAGE

INVESTING IN ENERGY STORAGE DELIVERS MULTIPLE BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES

THE volatile international energy markets of the last 12 months have shown us in the UK that the only way to avoid reliance on such markets is through continued build out of renewables infrastructure, linked to an increasing amount of energy storage. Energy storage is a rapidly growing sector, but it’s not just for utility companies and large corporates – investing in energy storage can deliver tangible benefits for many enterprises and forwardthinking business owners are getting in on the act. Investing in energy storage facilities obviously has financial benefits, but it can also bolster a business in the face of unforeseen crises and help to balance the grid, as well as helping with individual and wider net zero efforts.

STORAGE WILL BE ESSENTIAL

As sectors such as heat and transport move away from fossil fuels and towards electrification, there will be higher electricity demand peaks, while electricity generation will become even more variable as levels of wind and solar generation increase. Currently, on the windiest days, National Grid ESO is forced to cap the amount of power coming from intermittent sources, with the owners being paid to turn them off. In 2022, a year characterised by extraordinary rises in energy prices, the UK spent £215m on turning windfarms off, and then another £717m turning on gas power plants to replace the lost wind power on days when the wind was not blowing. The result was an extra 1.5 million tonnes of CO2. One of the ways to deal with this surplus energy is to increase demand and either use or store it during times of peak renewables generation. This can be done by retrofitting or co-locating battery storage systems with renewables projects. Batteries can soak up cheap renewable energy when it’s abundant, and discharge it when congestion has eased.

Renewable energy company, Dulas, installed its first battery storage project over 25 years ago, and has been helping businesses to harness renewable energy ever since. Donald Speirs, Business Development Manager, commented:

“In some cases, there are tangible commercial benefits for business owners having battery storage on site. Energy storage can be used to lower consumption from the grid at peak times and the grid also financially rewards those who can reduce consumption and/or feed into the grid within a short space of time. Battery storage can help a business become more energy resilient and, if linked to generation on site, it helps the business to operate in a greener way. We have also seen that optimisation technologies and finance can now be combined so that owners start to benefit immediately from having storage on site, without having to take an immediate financial hit. With the pace of renewable energy generation continuing and the growth of other systems that put demand on the grid, such as EVs, we can only see the demand and value of energy storage systems increasing further.”

In addition to generation, owners of hybrid projects can facilitate energy shifting applications with variable capacity and consumption patterns, allowing developers to shift dispatch to times of higher prices. Energy technology company, GridBeyond, created the world’s first hybrid battery and demand network, and are a leading provider of demand side response services and battery optimisation technologies.

Chris Smith, Asset Development Director, explained: “A range of grid-balancing services provide opportunities to earn revenue by supplying stored energy to the ESO. There are also opportunities to trade energy from battery storage on the wholesale market to capitalise on fluctuating prices. But with multiple markets on which to trade, the landscape for battery storage is a complex arena. However, understanding how and where you can stack revenues and provide an automated response is the key to proving the business case and unlocking maximum revenue from battery assets. Trading is already a big part of the value stack and, for some projects, represents the majority of income generated. This means real-time and continual modelling, that takes into account variables including weather variability and overall demand uncertainty, is required to assess the most likely range of returns, allowing you to place your asset into the best available market.”

The energy storage sector is growing rapidly as the imperatives of net zero become clearer and investors are increasingly recognising that projects can be cost-effective and profitable. National Grid estimates that by 2050, we will have 35GW of battery storage across the whole of the UK (National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios) and RenewableUK reported last year that the battery storage pipeline had doubled in 12 months. The benefits of energy storage and flexible generation are well worth exploring.

Source: scottishbusinessnews

TECHNOLOGIES OFFER INCREASING ARRAY OF LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE OPTIONS

hours of energy storage to 3CE from Hydrostor’s planned Willow Rock Energy Storage Center that will use the company’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage technology. Hydrostor says the project, when completed, will abate up to 28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Hydrodstor’s technology combines elements of a compressed air storage system with a pumped hydro system. The process stores energy as compressed air but captures and stores the heat of compression for future use. The compressed air is stored in a purpose-built underground cavern that uses a water reservoir to maintain constant pressure. The facility discharges energy by reversing the process, using the stored heat and pressure to power a conventional turbine generator. The system has no performance degradation over its 50-year plus expected lifetime, Hydrostor said.

FWhile lithium-ion technology has been king of the hill when it comes to energy storage options for utilities, this year could prove to be a key inflection point for the emergence of alternative energy storage technologies in the U.S. if recent developments are any indication. or several years, lithium-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage landscape for electric utilities, but one of the limitations of lithium-ion batteries is the limited amount of storage hours they can provide. And there have also been safety concerns raised about fires occurring at lithiumion facilities. There is a wide array of storage technologies that differentiate themselves from lithium ion by offering longer storage durations, which is becoming increasingly important as intermittent renewable energy sources continue to expand across the U.S. power grid. “The value of longduration energy storage, which helps address variability in renewable energy supply across days and seasons, is poised to grow significantly as power systems shift to larger shares of variable generation such as wind and solar,” a report posted on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory notes.

IRON FLOW BATTERIES

One of the companies making a splash in the iron flow battery space in recent months is ESS Inc. Two California public power utilities, SMUD and Burbank Water and Power, in 2022 announced agreements with ESS. SMUD and ESS on Sept. 20, 2022 announced an agreement to provide up to 200 megawatts (MW)/2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of long duration energy storage that will be provided by ESS. The agreement calls for ESS to deliver a mix of its long-duration energy storage technology for integration with the SMUD electric grid beginning in 2023. In November, ESS and Burbank Water and Power entered into an agreement for ESS to deliver BWP’s first utility-scale battery storage project. Under the agreement, a 75 kilowatt (kW)/500 kilowatt hour kWh ESS “Energy Warehouse” will be installed and connected to a 265 kW solar array on BWP’s EcoCampus. The iron flow battery will support the increased use of renewable power and allow excess renewable energy to be stored and used as baseload energy for Burbank, improving the resilience and reliability of the grid.

IRON AIR AND COMPRESSED AIR BATTERIES

In late January, Form Energy announced that it had entered into definitive agreements with investor-owned Xcel Energy to deploy Form Energy’s iron-air battery systems at two of Xcel Energy’s retiring coal plant sites. Xcel Energy–Minnesota will deploy a 10 MW/1,000 MWh multi-day storage system at the Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, Minnesota. Xcel Energy–Colorado will deploy a 10 MW/1,000 MWh multi-day storage system at the Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo, Colorado. Both projects are expected to come online as early as 2025 and are subject to regulatory approvals in their respective states. In December, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced that Form Energy will partner with the state of West Virginia to build its first iron-air battery manufacturing facility on 55 acres of property in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Meanwhile, California community choice aggregator Central Coast Community Energy in January said that it signed a 25-year power purchase agreement for a compressed air energy storage project with Hydrostor. The nearly $1 billion power purchase agreement calls for the delivery of 200 megawatts, 1,600-megawatt

Hydrostor said its technology offers the same services as a natural gas plant while having zero emissions because it uses surplus electricity as fuel. The company is targeting high value grid applications such as transmission deferral and fossil fuel generation replacement.

HYDROGEN

In early January, Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. and California investor-owned utility Pacific Gas and Electric announced the companies are partnering to deploy and operate a utility-scale battery plus green hydrogen long-duration energy storage system with a minimum of 293 megawatt-hours of dispatchable energy. The system is designed to power downtown and the surrounding area of the City of Calistoga, Calif, for a minimum of 48 hours during planned outages and potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which is when the powerlines serving the surrounding area must be turned off for safety due to high wildfire risk. PG&E submitted the project contract for review and approval to the California Public Utilities Commission on December 30, 2022, with a request for the issuance of a final resolution approving the project by May 15, 2023. The energy storage system will be owned, operated and maintained by Energy Vault while providing dispatchable power under a long-term tolling agreement with PG&E.

The system’s capacity may be expanded to 700 MWh, which would allow it to operate for longer without refueling, enabling further flexibility for PG&E and the City of Calistoga. Energy Vault’s system will replace the typical, mobile diesel generators used to energize PG&E’s Calistoga microgrid during broader grid outages. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 with commercial operation expected by the end of second quarter of 2024.Upon completion, this project is expected to be the first-of-its-kind and the largest utility-scale green hydrogen project in the United States.

ENERGY STORAGE

LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power told Public Power Current that it recognizes the benefits of green hydrogen as a “power-to-gas” long-duration energy storage solution, through the use of electrolyzers, a system that uses electricity to break water into hydrogen and oxygen in a process called electrolysis. LADWP was asked to provide additional details on where things currently stand in terms of LADWP’s possible pursuit of green hydrogen for storage. As a purchaser of power produced by the Intermountain Power Project (IPP), LADWP is involved in installing two, 420 MW each, combined cycle generating units at IPP that will be capable of using hydrogen fuel (blended with natural gas) when placed in service in July 2025. The hydrogen will be produced using renewable energy and electrolyzers, and then stored in salt caverns for long-duration energy storage that can store and provide a seasonal supply of hydrogen, LADWP officials noted. LADWP does not plan to be directly involved in the production of green hydrogen in the Los Angeles area at this time, but it will work with energy developers to implement green hydrogen projects to provide grid reliability and a zero carbon energy source. LADWP officials said that its strategic long-term resource plan includes options for eventually purchasing green hydrogen from the market to spur development of green hydrogen capacity in the Los Angeles area.

The utility believes this technology is necessary to ensure the power system remains resilient during emergency events, such as an earthquake, wildfire, or other situations when clean dispatchable generation capacity may be necessary to maintain grid reliability and resiliency as it transitions to 100% clean energy. LADWP officials said the utility is looking at a variety of energy storage technologies as well as green hydrogen as its transition to a 100% clean energy future.

The officials said the utility will need energy storage to mitigate the intermittent generation challenge posed by renewable resources (variable wind and solar) and to provide resources for periods of low renewable generation, high energy demand periods, and loss of generation and/or transmission lines to maintain grid reliability and resiliency. LADWP officials point out that there are trade-offs with different technologies: Batteries are limited in their ability to store large quantities of energy economically and shift the energy beyond the daily or hourly timeframe. Pumped hydro is limited by location (it is challenging to find new sites for large hydroelectric plants) and is constrained by water availability, the officials noted. Green hydrogen offers the potential for long-duration energy storage that uses excess renewables available in the spring when electricity demand is low to produce hydrogen for use in the summer when electricity demand is high — referred to as seasonal storage, they said. Another benefit is that, in some cases, the existing power generating units can be modified to use green hydrogen. As the green hydrogen economy scales up, LADPW expects that it will become a viable, low-cost solution for seasonal energy storage that offers the flexibility to decarbonize the electric grid and other sectors of the economy.

ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION EXPLORES DEPLOYMENT OF LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY

In early January, Florida public power utility Orlando Utilities Commission said it will explore deployment of a long-duration energy storage facility as a way in which to help achieve the utility’s net-zero carbon emission goals. The facility will be provided by Malta Inc. Malta’s storage technology converts excess electricity into thermal energy that is stored in salt and coolant. When needed, the plant regenerates gigawatt hours of electricity for residential and commercial use.

The Malta facility would be situated at OUC’s Indian River Plant in Brevard County on Florida’s East Coast. Malta’s more than 100-megawatt utility-scale system provides more hours of energy storage than lithium-ion batteries and could provide energy storage diversity for OUC. The increased duration facility has the potential to help OUC ensure grid reliability despite the variable nature of clean and renewable energy resources like solar.

NYPA SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF ZINC-AIR STORAGE SYSTEM

Another public power utility pursuing long-duration energy storage technology is the New York Power Authority. In April 2021, NYPA signed an agreement with Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc. and the University at Buffalo for the planned deployment of Zinc8’s zinc-air energy storage system, marking a first demonstration of a long-duration use in New York State and a development that could support further integration of renewable power sources into the electric grid. In January 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Zinc8 will relocate its $68 million manufacturing facility and U.S. headquarters to Kingston, N.Y. Zinc8’s technology has been developed around the utilization of zinc as the anode fuel, which is expected to offer advantages over other metals due to its high energy density, abundant availability, low cost, and ease of storage and handling. When the system is delivering power, the zinc particles are combined with oxygen drawn from the surrounding air. When the system is recharging, zinc particles are regenerated, and oxygen is returned to the surrounding air. The regenerative system does not require fuel replacement and offers scalable energy capacity through the simple introduction of additional fuel tanks.

WISCONSIN UTILITY PILOT PROJECT TESTS NEW FORM OF LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE

In early February, WEC Energy Group, a Wisconsinbased investor-owned utility, announced that the company will lead a pilot project at its Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee to test a new form of long-duration energy storage. WEC Energy Group is collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute and CMBlu Energy, the developer and manufacturer of the long-duration battery based in California and Germany. This 1-to-2-megawatthour pilot project will be one of the first to test this type of energy storage system on the U.S. electric grid, WEC Energy Group said. The CMBlu Organic SolidFlow energy storage system uses a proprietary flow battery technology with components from recyclable materials. The project will test the performance of the battery system, including discharge durations of five to 10 hours — up to twice as long as the typical lithium-ion batteries in use today. The pilot project is planned for testing in the fourth quarter of this year. Findings will be shared with the utility industry. EPRI will share a complete analysis of the project in early 2024.

The American Public Power Association’s Public Power Energy Tracker is a resource for association members that summarizes public power energy storage projects that are currently online.

Source: publicpower

EASY RECYCLING OF HIGH-VALUE BATTERY MATERIALS BY SIMPLY SOAKING IN ALKALINE WATER WITH A LITTLE SHAKING

The demand for batteries has been rising alongside trends of energy transformation and net-zero emission, where major materials contained within batteries, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite, are becoming increasingly scarce and exorbitant, which is why the recycling of batteries has become an emphasis for the future. US scientists have managed to develop a li-ion battery that is not only eco-friendly and safe throughout production, but can also separate high-value materials simply by soaking it in alkaline water with a little shake and twist.

The technology developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory allows simple separation of high-value materials and other components within li-ion batteries just by soaking them in alkaline water, followed by a little shake and twist. These separated components can then be used for new batteries after filtering and air-drying. The research team discovered the potential of quick-release binders when studying lithium-sulfur batteries. Binders are important gelatinous substances within li-ion and alkaline batteries, and are structural materials that are responsible for fixating active materials of batteries at the correct location. The research team combined two polymers, PAA and PEI that are available on the market, and connected the positively charged nitrogen atoms of PEI with the negatively charged oxygen atoms of PAA. Once the aforementioned binder is placed with alkaline water that contains sodium hydroxide, sodium ions would penetrate into the binder and separate the two polymers, which is why electrode parts can then be separated.

This type of binder costs 1/10 of commercial binders. Postdoctoral researcher Chen Fang believes that the particular material can also be applied on batteries of various sizes ranging from small batteries adopted for smartphones to ultra-large li-ion batteries used for energy storage grids. It is also a simpler recycling method. The existing technology requires shredding and grinding of batteries, before heating and combustion, in order to separate metals and other elements within the batteries. Recycling companies are usually driven by high-efficiency recycling, and that recycled materials would remain energy intensive and expensive, not to mention the release of toxic chemical substances that would require subsequent disposals. Gao Liu, head of the Berkeley Lab Energy Storage Center, commented that all resources, including cobalt and nickel mines, will be seeing severe shortages before a complete depletion within the next decade as the market catches up in battery demand, if batteries are being constantly burned or disposed at landfills without any recycling, which is why the recycling of batteries has now become indispensable.

Source: energytrend

STEPS BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AT OPTIMUM COST FOR PRODUCTION OF GREEN HYDROGEN

On 4th January 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an outlay of ₹ 19,744 crore. The Mission inter alia proposes to encourage indigenous competitive manufacturing of electrolysers by providing financial incentives under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme. The Mission also proposes a comprehensive R&D programme inter alia to support development of efficient and affordable electrolysers in India.

RENEW TO EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HYDROGEN SEGMENT: CHAIRMAN SUMANT SINHA

ReNew will explore investment opportunities in the green hydrogen space as the clean energy firm is expanding its business portfolio, its chairman Sumant Sinha said. Sinha made the remarks on the sidelines of an event organised in the national capital for re-branding his company ReNew Power as ReNew. ReNew is one of the largest independent power producers (IPPs) globally, producing renewable energy through solar and wind-based projects. Asked whether the company is looking to increase its presence in the hydrogen value chain, including manufacturing of electrolysers and green ammonia, Sinha replied in affirmative. Green ammonia is basically a downstream product of green hydrogen, it is a way to transport the green hydrogen. Besides, manufacturing of electrolysers is also something which ReNew is looking at, he told PTI.

On the rationale behind re-branding the firm, Sinha explained, “I think as a company earlier focus was on the electricity sector and therefore our name of ReNew Power was quite appropriate, but I think going forward, we are looking at a number of different sectors (like) green molecules, downstream of green fuels are the areas we are looking as well.” The company is also eyeing segments like digital energy services and carbon markets, so it was felt that “the name ReNew fits very well, so we decided to remove Power from our name,” said Sinha, who is also the founder and CEO of the company.

Source: PTI

The Government of India has been taking a number of steps to ensure availability of renewable energy at optimum cost for production of Green Hydrogen. These, inter-alia, include: Waiver of inter-state transmission charges has been granted for a period of 25 years to the producer of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia for the projects commissioned before 30th June 2025.

The Electricity (Promoting Renewable. Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022, notified in June 2022 have specified provisions for facilitating supply of renewable energy through Open Access for Green Hydrogen production.

The Green Energy Corridor Scheme (Phase I with an outlay of ₹ 10,141.68 crore and Phase II with an outlay of ₹ 12,031.33 crore) includes laying of transmission lines and creation of new sub-stations for evacuation of renewable power.

This information was given by Shri R.K Singh Union Minister for Power and MNRE in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

As ReNew expands its line of business, it will look at investment opportunities in the green hydrogen sector.

INDIA: EIB BACKS GREEN HYDROGEN DEPLOYMENT AND JOINS

INDIA HYDROGEN ALLIANCE

EIB and India Hydrogen Alliance to bring industry, investors and government agencies together on green hydrogen hubs and projects

Indicative funding of €1 billion for large-scale projects in the public sector

EIB working with the Indian government on a credit facility to provide critical public-sector investments supporting the development of the green hydrogen industry

In Mumbai Kris Peeters, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, formally agreed to join the India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) and increase support for large-scale green hydrogen hubs and projects across India with indicative funding of €1 billion, subject to Indian government and EIB approvals.

Jillian Evanko, President and CEO of Chart Industries and Founding Member of IH2A, said: “We are de lighted to partner with the EIB to bring much needed funding to help develop the green hydrogen econo my in India. Funding for large-scale green hydrogen projects is nascent and the EIB’s participation will help solve a key ecosystem problem. We look forward to working closely with the EIB, investors, industry and the government to help commercialise hydrogen at scale over the next half decade. This is essential to getting the first few steps of the hydrogen transition right, before we look at 2030 scenarios.”

EIB Vice-President Kris Peeters said: “The European Investment Bank recognises the huge potential of developing and reducing the cost of green hydrogen in India. Together with industry, national government and state authorities we are exploring how the EU bank might play a role in supporting India’s National Hydrogen Mission to enable the use of green hydrogen to decarbonise energy, industry and transport. Increased cooperation through the India Hydrogen Alliance will help to implement a national green hydrogen roadmap that delivers India’s energy transition and net-zero carbon plans while strengthening energy security in the years ahead. Joining IH2A builds on the EIB’s global climate engagement and support for climate action in India over the last three decades.”

EU Ambassador to India Ugo Astuto said: “In September the First EU-India Green Hydrogen Forum was held in Delhi during European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson’s visit, strengthening EUIndia clean energy cooperation. The European Investment Bank joining the India Hydrogen Alliance today further highlights a Team Europe approach for a green and resilient future, underpinning the EU Global Gateway strategy.”

The European Investment Bank is the world’s largest international public bank and the globe’s leading financier of renewable energy and climate action. As a longstanding partner for renewable energy in India and the largest climate financier in the world, the new memorandum of understanding with IH2A will enable the EIB to further support clean energy investment and back the development of green hydrogen in India. IH2A is focusing on attracting global climate finance for large-scale hydrogen hub development in India, working with the government of India, state governments, global hydrogen players and Indian companies. This memorandum of understanding underpins the Indian government’s confirmation of a $2 billion public finance allocation for the National Hydrogen Mission.

HYDROGEN

This will support IH2A in bringing together global climate finance players and funding agencies to work with industry players and government agencies to plan and execute large-scale green hydrogen projects and develop the green hydrogen economy in India. The EIB is currently exploring a credit facility with the Indian government to provide investments in key public sectors supporting the development of the green hydrogen industry. This facility would support the Indian government’s efforts to commercialise upcoming green hydrogen technologies and reduce costs through long-term investment in innovation, R&D, green hydrogen hubs, and pilot projects. The EIB finances green hydrogen investment in Europe and works closely with partners across Africa, Latin America and Asia to accelerate large-scale green hydrogen investment. This project, supporting climate action, forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative supporting projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors.

Source: eib

ACME GROUP AND IHI SIGN MOU TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN GREEN HYDROGEN AND ITS DERIVATIVES

Diversified renewable energy company ACME Group and Japan’s comprehensive heavy-industry manufacturer IHI Corporation announced signingof a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the potential business opportunities of green hydrogen.

The intent of this MOU is to jointly study and evaluate potential projects with respect to collaboration opportunities across the green hydrogen and ammonia value chain, including production, handling, transportation, distribution, and power generation. The MoU allows IHI to participate as an investor or take offtake in one or more project of ACME in Oman, India, USA or Egypt. Both the Companies will also explore opportunities to jointly offer a complete integrated solution to customers from green ammonia supply, bunkering and products or solutions for various applications.

Mr. Manoj K Upadhyay, Founder & Chairman, ACME Group said, “I would like to thank IHI for their commitment to develop renewable projects with us. We will together explore opportunities across the green hydrogen and ammonia value chain, including production, handling, transportation, distribution, and power generation.”

Mr. Kenji Konno, Country Head Japan, ACME Group said, “This collaboration will strengthen ACME Group’s innovative problem-solving approach by leveraging IHI’s technologies in ammonia value chain. We hope that this collaboration will pave the way to achieve our early global implementation of green and sustainable energy transition.”

Mr. Jun Kobayashi, Executive Officer, IHI Corporation said, “ACME and IHI have a shared vision to develop innovative solutions to produce and supply clean energy to users around the world. With ACME’s extensive experience in developing renewable energy projects and solutions, IHI’s understanding of the green ammonia value chain, and both companies’ passion and willingness to proactively tackle societal challenges and be at the forefront of infrastructure development, we possess the capability to lead the transition to carbon-free ammonia usage across a wide variety of industries.”

ABERDEEN EXTENDS HYDROGEN FLEET

The contract, initially for 35 vehicles will see the Council operating the largest fleet of hydrogen vehicles in the UK. ULEMCo has supplied heavy duty vehicles to ACC previously, and these have been running successfully on the roads for over a year. This new order, part of a Fleetwide Conversion commitment includes further refuse collection vehicles and road sweepers, but also a wide variety of other utility trucks including tippers and tractors. It demonstrates the flexibility of ULEMCo’s H2ICED hydrogen dual-fuel technology in offering a practical route to saving up to 40% of CO2 emissions across whole fleets today. The converted vehicles will create significant demand for the growing Hydrogen Hub in the region, supporting the Council’s commitment to deliver a thriving hydrogen economy in the area, and creating the demand for more highly skilled jobs.

Part of the contract allows for vehicles to be converted locally, which both contributes to employment in Aberdeen and improves the logistics of moving the vehicles to Liverpool for the upgrade. Hydrogen Hubs make sense in consolidating demand, creating scale and making hydrogen a cost-competitive solution for the decarbonisation of back-to-base fleet operations. Having benefited from investment by Edinburgh-based angel investment syndicate Equity Gap, and with Scotland’s national economic development agency Scottish Enterprise as a shareholder, ULEMCo sees Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland as key areas for investment for their conversion centre roll-out programme. ACC is targeting the assets that are hard to decarbonise such as tractors and tippers, as well as converting further refuse vehicles and sweepers in lieu of any commercially available ‘zero-emission’ alternatives, which are not expected for some time yet.

We’re delighted to announce our first fleetwide conversion contract with Aberdeen City Council, where, over the next 18 months, we shall be enabling 35 vehicles to run on hydrogen dual fuel, with more in planning, says Amanda Lyne (pictured) Managing Director of ULEMCo. “These include vehicles in the existing fleet as well as some new ones that would otherwise be on the road for the next 10 years or so running on standard diesel only. The Council’s investment in our ‘here and now’ solution will help build significant demand for hydrogen, which in turn creates base load demand for scaled investment for infrastructure suppliers to provide more refuelling etc.”

Source: aberdeencity

ULEMCo, the hydrogen fuelled vehicle pioneer, has been awarded a fleet-wide contract by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) for its hydrogen dual-fuel utility vehicle conversions.

THE DAWN OF GREEN HYDROGEN

As the world is moving towards achieving “net zero emission targets”, Green hydrogen is the most promising solution for carbon neutrality/low carbon economy, as it is produced using renewable resources to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Few of the major challenges for the adoption of green hydrogen is its cost (60% cost of hydrogen constitute of Renewable energy cost), and lack of infrastructure for producing, transportation and storage of hydrogen. To tackle the challenges, certain trends and developments are happening in industry:

1. Cost reduction: reducing the cost of renewables and this trend is expected to continue, which proportionally decrease the cost of green hydrogen.

2. Increase in demand: through multiple end use such as green hydrogen to be used as fuel for transportation, heating, and industrial processes, and as a storage medium for renewable energy. Even European Union has set a target of producing 40 GW of renewable hydrogen by 2030. These targets in turn increases the demand and decrease cost of green hydrogen.

3. Innovation: Through improving the efficiency of electrolysis, developing better catalysts, and reducing the amount of electricity needed.

4. Infrastructure Investment: By building new electrolysis facilities, pipelines for transporting hydrogen, and storage facilities, governments and private companies are expected to invest.

The industrial sectors are likely to adopt green hydrogen as feedstock and drive demand in the long term are as following:

5. Transport sector: long-haul heavy-duty trucking, maritime shipping and high-speed long-haul passenger ferries, boats, and cruising applications.

6. Energy carrier: for process heating applications will depend on the economics of appropriate blending concentrations in existing pipelines and creation of dedicated infrastructure in the long term.

Factors that drive the techno-economics of the green hydrogen supply chain:

1. Renewable energy resource availability and economics of round-the-clock power supply: This includes geographical location and proximity of RE resources, CAPEX and OPEX of round the clock power supply designed for optimum CUF (>70%) w.r.t electrolyzer stack load, interstate / intra-state transmission/wheeling charges, banking, and other grid support charges if any.

2. Electrolyzer system efficiency, stack durability and economics: This includes CAPEX and OPEX of electrolyzer stack, water supply, treatment, and balance of system. Energy consumption per unit of H2 production (efficiency) at different load factors, stack durability and response for intermittent supply also affect the economics of production operations. This component typically accounts for 30-40% in the overall LCOH.

3. Energy efficiency and economics of compression and storage: This includes CAPEX and OPEX for compression system, energy efficiency and consumption, pressure vessel, type of pressure vessel, end-use pressure requirement, days of autonomy for sizing pressure vessel, etc. This component typically accounts for up to 25% of overall LCOH.

India's National Green Hydrogen Mission is a government initiative aimed at promoting the use of hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source in the country, and it has just received INR 19,700 crore rupees as a part of the national budget 2023. Overall, the future of green hydrogen looks promising. As the world works to decarbonize its energy systems, green hydrogen is likely to play a crucial role in achieving that goal.

1. Ammonia production

2. Iron and steel production

3. Crude oil refining

4. Methanol production

INTEREST SOARS FOR S AUSTRALIA’S HYDROGEN MEGAPROJECT

The state government has set aside A$595million to build a hydrogen power station, electrolyser and storage facility by December 2025, with the project to include 250 MWe of electrolysers, 200 MW of power generation and hydrogen storage. The government is hoping that the successful delivery of the project will help to unlock a pipeline of renewable energy developments in the region, and will catalyse other hydrogen projects in development, including those focused on hydrogen exports. Furthermore, the green hydrogen power plant will provide ‘firming services’ to renewable generation facilities, a process of maintaining electricity production from an intermittent power source such as wind or solar for a guaranteed period of time, thereby ensuring consistent output of supply.

The RfP process is calling for industry partners to help develop the Whyalla project, and focuses on the supply, construction and operation of the hydrogen plant and equipment as well as seeking interest in purchasing green hydrogen produced at the facility. The Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia has noted that international interest in the project has been high, with more than 200 organisations engaging in the RfP process since it opened.

Source: miningweekly

HONDA’S AGING HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS GET NEW LIFE IN DATA CENTER

That’s the message Honda sent with a peculiar announcement: It’s putting some old Clarity fuel cells back to work, combining them into a backup power system for its data center just south of Los Angeles. This is just a “proof of concept,” Honda told TechCrunch, but it aims to commercialize the tech and sees potential applications beyond helping data centers keep the lights on. The used fuel cell systems in Honda’s backuppower demonstration once powered leased Clarities (via an electrochemical reaction that combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity). Honda retired these used fuel cells for transport, but they apparently still work well enough to drive its server farm in case of a power failure. Previously, Honda relied on diesel for backup power at the facility. (Honda said it uses this particular data center to “securely maintain and access its proprietary data,” because “automotive design is data intensive.”)

It’s nice to hear that Honda found a use for its old fuel cells, but crucially, this demonstration isn’t as environmentally friendly as it could be. The company told TechCrunch that it isn’t exclusively using green hydrogen in the pilot, which means at least some of it was generated via fossil fuels. This is the trouble with using hydrogen to generate electricity: Fuel cells do so while spitting out only water and heat as exhaust, but they’re still indirectly pollutive if that hydrogen comes from dirty sources (as most hydrogen fuel does). Correcting this demands a whole lot

more green hydrogen production, on top of whatever infrastructure is needed to deliver the hydrogen. This is why some automakers don’t believe in the future of hydrogen-powered cars; they argue it’s simply too much work to go that route. But! Honda still believes in hydrogen-powered cars. In fact, this demonstration is also kind of an ad for Honda’s next-generation fuel cells, which the company developed with General Motors.

As Honda tells it, the next-gen fuel cell systems will power its upcoming hydrogen-powered vehicle, which is “based on the Honda CR-V” and is due in 2024. Honda also plans to use these new fuel cell systems for backup power as it scales the tech. That means this effort won’t be as circular, if at all, when it’s commercialized. Yet, on the upside, Honda said it intends to exclusively use green hydrogen when it commercializes the backuppower units. Beyond data centers, Honda added that it’s considering other applications, including “peak shaving.” This means Honda thinks industrial customers could use its generators at peak times, when electricity is priciest and grids are strained. Honda said it aims to develop its proof of concept into a “new business model.” Yet, the pilot is also a convenient way for the company to talk up its new fuel cells. As battery-electric cars permeate the U.S. market, Honda has an interest in keeping hydrogen in headlines.

Source: techcrunch

The Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia was continuing with its request for proposals (RfP) process for the Whyalla green hydrogen project, with the process expected to close on March 14.

Honda bailed on the Clarity — its only hydrogen-powered car in the U.S. — but the automaker hasn’t quit on fuel cells.

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