[USA] PG&E announces comprehensive hydrogen study and demonstration facility

On May 2, 2022, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that it is launching a comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen study and demonstration facility to examine the potential of zero-carbon hydrogen as a renewable energy source.[1] Called Hydrogen to Infinity, the study will blend hydrogen and natural gas in a standalone transmission pipeline system. The facility will allow PG&E and its partners (Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), Siemens Energy, the City of Lodi, GHD Inc., and the University of California at Riverside) to conduct a study of different levels of hydrogen blends in a natural gas pipeline that is independent from its current natural gas transmission system. The 130-acre facility in Lodi, California will also allow for a controlled and safe study of hydrogen injection, storage, and combustion of different hydrogen blends in several end-uses. NCPA’s Lodi Energy Center power plant, located near Hydrogen to Infinity, will accept a hydrogen-natural gas blend for electric generation in the Siemens Energy 5000F4 Gas Turbine.

The project will focus on several areas, including technical, operational, and safety needs; market development; energy resiliency and flexibility; commercial and government partnerships; unprecedented functional test environment for ongoing research; and training environment for new technology. The utility is considering this facility being the centerpiece for a potential Northern California Hydrogen Hub.

[1] https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/media-newsroom/news-details.page?pageID=66b8ed99-3175-48da-95d6-1a1fde0a4f18&ts=1651764930381

[Japan] TRENDE, the University of Tokyo, and the Frontier Research Center of Toyota Motor Corp. Completed a Demonstration Test for a Next-Generation Peer-to-Peer Electricity Trading System

On November 13, 2020, TRENDE (Headquarters: Tokyo), a subsidiary of TEPCO Ventures; the University of Tokyo; and the Frontier Research Center of Toyota Motor Corp. (Toyota, Headquarters: Aichi Prefecture), which develops robotics and technologies for medical care and energy, announced that they had completed a demonstration project for a peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading system.

The system uses blockchain technologies to enable P2P electricity transactions between customers who are using distributed energy resources (DER), including solar generation systems, battery storage, and plug-in hybrid (PHV). The transaction is conducted based on consumers’ electricity consumption and generation forecasts created through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The demonstration test was conducted from June 17, 2019 to August 31, 2020 at Toyota’s Higashifuji Technical Center in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and in the surrounding areas. The test examined the performance of the P2P electricity trading system and its impact on lowering electricity bills for commercial and residential customers. The demonstration test verified that the system enabled homes and businesses to trade electricity from DERs and contributed to reducing electricity bills by approximately 9% among residential participants.

TRENDE, the University of Tokyo, and Toyota plan to provide the system to households and EV users. They expect that it will contribute to reducing electricity bills and CO2 emissions, as well as enhancing disaster resiliency. The team is also considering collaborating with various companies and universities for overseas expansion.[1][2]

[1] https://www.tepcoventures.co.jp/news/news-367/

[2] https://trende.jp/news/press/20201113/

[USA] DOE Announces $24 Million in funding for commercialization of battery and methane detection technologies

On September 16, 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $24 million in funding for two projects as part of the first stage of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) program.[1][2] The two SCALEUP “Fast-Track” teams are Natron Energy and Bridger Photonics. Natron Energy will receive $19 million in funding to scale up production of Natron Energy’s (Natron) Prussian blue electrode sodium-ion batteries by 30-fold to 18,000 trays per year. Natron’s primary product is an 8-kilowatt, 50-volt battery tray to be used in data centers to manage peak computer load and provide backup power. Bridger Photonics will receive $5 million in funding to commercialize its Gas Mapping LiDAR (GML) which scans oil and gas infrastructure to detect and quantify leak magnitude using an aerial platform. The technology eliminates the need for costly ground crews.

The SCALEUP program is a first-of-its-kind initiative that builds on ARPA-E’s primary focus of supporting the scaling up and commercialization of high-risk and potentially disruptive new technologies. The program works to take promising energy technologies to the pre-pilot stage of the path to market and ultimately lead to commercialization. ARPA-E developed the “Fast-Track” in response to disruptions caused by COVID-19.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-24-million-commercial-scaling-battery-and-methane-detection-technologies

[2] https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=scaleup-launch-pad

[Japan] NEDO will Establish a Demonstration Research Site for Carbon Recycling Technology at Osaki Power Station

On August 5, 2020, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO, Headquarters: Tokyo) announced that it will establish a demonstration research site to promote the commercialization of carbon recycling technologies. The facility will be built within Osaki Power Station, a coal-fired power plant owned by Chugoku Electric Power (‎EnerGia, Headquarters: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture), located in Osakikamijima, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Osaki Coolgen[1], a clean coal technology subsidiary funded by EnerGia and Tokyo-based Japanese power producer J-Power, is currently demonstrating the feasibility of Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle (IGFC) and CO2 separation and capture technologies at the station with the support from NEDO. The decision to establish the new demonstration research site for carbon recycling technologies at the station is part of NEDO’s plans to aggregate multiple R&D capabilities at Osaki Power Station to accelerate the commercialization of carbon reduction technologies. NEDO will lead the establishment of the site in partnership with Osaki Coolgen.

NEDO will also fund the following additional projects to support the R&D and demonstration of CO2 utilization technologies.

·  Research and demonstration for producing concrete utilizing CO2 / EnerGia, Kajima, and Mitsubishi

·  Research and demonstration of synthesis technology for chemical products using carbon recycling / Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Osaka University

·  Development of Gas-to-Lipids Bioprocess / Hiroshima University, EnerGia

NEDO has provided total funding of approximately $5.7 million from FY2020 to FY2024 to support the creation of the demonstration research site and the three R&D projects.

NEDO’s funding for the site is part of a broader Japanese governmental effort to mitigate climate change through promoting carbon recycling technologies. In June 2019, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) issued a Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies, which identified challenges and opportunities for the use of CO2 as fuel or raw materials.[2] In September 2019, METI established the Carbon Recycling 3C initiative, which identifies concrete activities that the Japanese government can carry out to accelerate the technological development of carbon recycling and utilization.[3] In January 2020, the Government of Japan issued the Innovative Environmental Innovation Strategy, which aims to develop technologies that will enhance global carbon neutrality and reduce CO2 emissions by 2050.[4][5]

[1] https://www.osaki-coolgen.jp/

[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/06/20190607002/20190607002.html

[3] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/09/20190925005/20190925005.html

[4] https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/energy_environment/kankyo_innovation/index.html

[5] https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101342.html

[USA] DOE to provide $30 million to develop small-scale solid oxide fuel cell systems and hybrid energy systems

On May 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) announced up to $30 million in funding for cost-shared research and development projects for Small-Scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems and Hybrid Energy Systems.[1] The new funding supports the development of technologies that can advance the present state of small-scale solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) hybrid systems, which produce electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel, using solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technologies. The development of advanced technologies will increase the commercial readiness of hydrogen production and power generation. The funding will solicit applications for multiple areas of interest, corresponding to the research outline in DOE’s 2019 Congress report, Report on the Status of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program.[2] The three primary areas of interest are small-scale distributed power generation SOFC systems, hybrid systems using solid oxide systems for hydrogen and electricity production, and cleaning process for coal-derived syngas to be used as SOFC fuel.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-provide-30-million-develop-small-scale-solid-oxide-fuel-cell-systems-and-hybrid-energy

[2] https://www.energy.gov/fe/report-congress-status-solid-oxide-fuel-cell-program

[USA] DOE announces $28 million to develop ultrahigh temperature materials for gas turbine applications

On April 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $28 million in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program called ULtrahigh Temperature Impervious Materials Advancing Turbine Efficiency (ULTIMATE).[1][2] The goal of the ULTIMATE program is to improve the efficiency of gas turbines by increasing the temperature capability of the materials used in parts such as the turbine blade. Blade material temperature capability has improved steadily over the last few decades to 1100 ºC, the DOE believes there are opportunities to discover, develop, and implement novel materials that work at temperatures significantly higher than industry standard superalloys. ULTIMATE projects will develop and demonstrate ultrahigh temperature materials that can operate in high temperature and high stress environments of a gas-turbine blade. The ULTIMATE program will target enabling gas-turbines blades to operate continuously at 1300 ºC in a material test environment—or with coatings, with turbine inlet gas temperatures of 1800 ºC or higher. According to the DOE, improving gas turbine efficiency will create opportunities to generate more energy savings, lower carbon emissions, and benefit the economy.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-28-million-develop-ultrahigh-temperature-materials-gas-turbine

[2] https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-programs/ultimate

［USA］DOE Announces up to $38.5 million for new ARPA-E program

On February 18, 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $38.5 million in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR) which will address aging pipeline infrastructure.[1] [2] Pipelines were built with cast iron and wrought iron when gas utilities began operation in 1800s. In the 1930s, bare steel pipes began to replace these outdated pipelines. Although legacy cast iron and bare steel pipes make up only 3% of the utility pipes in use, they account for a disproportionate number of leaks and failures. The REPAIR program will solve this issue by sponsoring new technologies to rehabilitate old natural gas distribution pipes by creating a new pipe inside the old pipe. Effective technologies will meet regulatory requirements, have a minimum life of 50 years, and have sufficient material properties to operate throughout its service life. The technologies in REPAIR will work towards a 10 to 20-times reduction in cost per mile.  Current pipe excavation and replacement costs range up to $10 million per mile.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-385-million-develop-technology-rehabilitate-natural-gas

[2] https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-programs/repair

［USA］ Department of Energy Announces $125.5 Million in New Funding for Solar Technologies

On February 5, 2020 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $125.5 million in new funding for research to advance solar technology through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Office.[1] DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Program (SETO 2020) will help to continue the steady decline in solar costs. In addition, projects will tackle a variety of challenges facing the solar industry, including enabling solar and storage, enhancing cybersecurity protections, manufacturing, developing solar-powered microgrids, and siting solar with agriculture. The solar funding announcement follows a series of other funding opportunities recently announced be EERE. On February 4, 2020, EERE announced up to $43.8 million to advance geothermal research and development, and on January 23, 2020 the office announced $300 million investment in sustainable transportation.[2] [3] [4] These funding opportunity announcements total more than $463 million and is the largest EERE investment made this early in the fiscal year over the past six years.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-1255-million-new-funding-solar-technologies

[2] https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-announces-188-million-hydrothermal-and-low-temperature-geothermal

[3] https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-announces-25-million-enhanced-geothermal-systems-research

[4] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-nearly-300-million-sustainable-transportation-research

［USA］DOE Awards $28 Million for Wind Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Projects

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on October 22, 2019 that it selected 13 wind energy projects with a total of $28 million in funding. This follows an announcement by the DOE in March calling for concept papers and full applications for the funding. The 13 selected projects cover the full spectrum of technology development, from testing to integration, and include all three sectors of the wind energy industry: distributed, offshore, and land-based utility-scale wind. As of October 2019, utility scale, land-based wind energy had grown to 96 gigawatts in the United States. Despite this growth, the DOE still sees significant opportunities for improvements in cost through projects that focus on upgrades in current infrastructure, developing innovative technologies, and supporting rural electric utilities. Daniel R Simmons, DOE’s Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, commented, “These projects will be instrumental in driving down technology costs and increasing consumer options for wind across the United States as part of our comprehensive energy portfolio.”

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References：DOE, Oct. 22, 2019, DOE, Mar. 28, 2019

[USA] “Department of Energy Announces $95 Million in Small Business Research and Development Grants”

(Department of Energy, 16 July 2018)

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will provide 95 grants amounting to $95 million to 80 small businesses spanning 26 states; each award averages about $1,000,000. These grants are given for research and development efforts and are part of Phase II in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). As mentioned by the DOE, “The SBIR and STTR programs were created by Congress to leverage small businesses to advance innovation at federal agencies.” The funders (within the DOE offices) of these awards are the Offices of: Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, and Nuclear Energy. These awarding offices within the DOE hint at the priorities of the DOE and their industry preferences.