Chart of the Week
Annual Change in Renewable Electricity Generation (Terawatt-Hour)
In 2024, renewables collectively generated 49 percent more terawatt-hours of electricity compared to the previous record in 2022. enewables met 75 percent of the growth in electricity demand, with solar driving the largest increase. [Ember]
Energy Transition
Mainspring Energy Inc. raised $258 million to develop generators that produce electricity through a flameless reaction of air and fuel, offering data centers with a reliable, flexible energy solution. These generators, which can run on various gaseous fuels including cleaner options like hydrogen, ensure both energy reliability and clean energy sources.[Bloomberg (Subscription)]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) agreed to provide high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to support next-generation nuclear technology, reduce U.S. reliance on global nuclear fuel markets, and address HALEU scarcity. One of the awardees, Kairos Power is currently collaborating with Google to deploy 500 megawatts of new capacity by 2035, promising significant advancements in clean energy production and safer reactors. [Utility Dive]
AI tools developed by companies like Kraken and ADNOC are significantly enhancing energy efficiency by tracking and predicting emissions, optimizing energy transmission, and managing energy resources to shift consumption to off-peak times. Kraken’s AI optimization avoided the emission of over 16 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2024, while ADNOC's AI tools helped abate around 1 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions in 2023. [The Economist (Subscription)]
Green Mobility
Sierra Northern Railway (Sera) completed testing a hydrogen-fueled, zero-emissions switching locomotive in West Sacramento, California.The testing validates the locomotive's use for short lines, which are crucial for local freight deliveries, and Sera plans to build three more hydrogen locomotives with an additional $20 million in new funding by the end of 2027.[H2 View]
Eco2Flyaims to produce up to 100,000 tons of hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide from Holcim's cement plant in Spain. The new facility in Toledo plans to capture more than 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide annuallyto be used to produce SAF, significantly reducing the carbon footprint from aviation. [H2 View]
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved draft rulesmandating reductions in vessel emissions, while the European Union started imposing surcharges on ships that do not meet emissions standards. This incentivizes the development of new technologies aimed at cutting ship emissions through the deployment of high-tech sails, onboard carbon dioxide capture systems, and real-time ocean condition monitoring using Spotter buoys. [Bloomberg (Subscription)]
Sustainable Materials & Products
Heidelberg Materials received planning approval to build a $522 million carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at its Padeswood cement plant in Flintshire, North Wales. Scheduled to begin operations in 2029, the facility will capture up to 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually from cement production, significantly advancing the UK's industrial decarbonization efforts and supporting the government's net zero goals.[ESG News]
Costco and Unilever are significantly boosting the credibility of refillable packaging in personal care and household cleaning products. Costco's agreement to merchandise Clean Cult's refillable aluminum bottles and Unilever's acquisition of Wild, which sells deodorant in refillable containers, are part of a broader movement aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste.[Trellis]
Mitsubishi Corporation will support the development of a three-ton per-hour hydrogen-based ironmaking plant using Primetals Technologies technology. The project marksthe world's first direct reduction processwhich involves removing oxygen from iron oxides to obtain metallic iron. [H2 View]
Notable Corporate Commitments
LEGO invested $1 billion towards its new Vietnam factory that will run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2026, integrating on-site rooftop solar panels and featuring Vietnam's first large-scale battery storage solution.The factory is also the first LEGO facility to receive LEED Platinum certification and will exclusively use paper-based bags.[ESG News]
AstraZeneca inaugurated a $130 million biomethane plant built by Future Biogas in Lincolnshire, UK. This plant, the first unsubsidized facility of its kind dedicated to serving the life sciences sector, will supply 100 gigawatt hours of renewable gas annually to AstraZeneca's UK operations, helping the company achieve 100 percent renewable energy use in its UK R&D and manufacturing. [Trellis]
Global Climate Commitments and Progress
Egypt and France signed a $7.6 billion agreement to develop and operate a green hydrogen production facility. This agreement aims to help shore up Egypt's grid stability and strengthen strategic partnerships between the two countries, with Egypt aiming to capture 5 to 7 percent of the hydrogen market by 2030 and initially planning to export 100 percent of its hydrogen as green ammonia.[H2 View]
Iran's grain farmers are turning to solar energy to ensure a steady supply of electricity during power shortages. This initiative follows government orders and supports farming activities, with Iran boasting nearly 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in 2024, the highest in the Middle East. [S&P Global]
Multimedia Insights
An April 9th release of Volts emphasizes the state of clean electricity globally and reveals that clean electricity surpassed 40 percent of global generation in 2024, driven by record solar deployment and significant growth in wind power. This growth highlights the rapid deployment of solar power and the overall trends shaping the global electricity landscape.
An April 15th release of The Energy Gang discusses the challenges and opportunities in maintaining momentum in cleantech investment, highlighting the importance of breakthroughs in emissions-reducing technologies amidst technological, economic, and policy challenges. Featuring insights from Amy Duffuor of Azolla Ventures and Melissa Lott from Microsoft, the conversation emphasizes the role of catalytic capital and the need for cleantech startups to articulate their broader significance within the energy system and economy.
Climate Events
ClimaTech
Dates: May 13 – 14, 2025
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Preview: ClimaTech is an event for those shaping the climate tech landscape, advancing sustainable solutions and unlocking profitable business ventures. This year’s featured talks and solutions will cover pressing climate innovation topics such as clean energy, sustainable mobility, circular economy, low-carbon manufacturing, and carbon capture and storage.
2025 United Nations Ocean Conference
Dates: June 9 – 13, 2025
Location: Nice, France
Preview: France and Costa Rica will co-host this year's UN Ocean Conference, which focuses on supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to sustainably use and conserve marine resources, seas, and oceans. The conference focuses on the theme of "accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean" and identifying opportunities to further support the implementation of SDG 14.
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