[USA] FERC, NERC to investigate outages following severe cold weather in central U.S.

On February 16, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) announced that they will open a joint inquiry into bulk-power system operations during the polar vortex that has hit states in the Midwest and central South.[1] FERC and NERC will investigate all regions impacted by the polar vortex, including the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). The severe weather across the Midwest, Oklahoma and Texas, which began on February 11, 2021, led to a spike in demand on the night of February 14, 2021. Coinciding with this event, there was a drop in supply. As a result, ERCOT, SPP, and MISO directed generators to begin rolling blackouts starting on February 14, 2021 in order to avoid negative system impacts.

On February 14, 2021, President Biden declared a state of emergency in Texas and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts.[2] On February 16, 2021, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott (R), directed his state's legislature to investigate ERCOT following the outages.[3] According to officials, increased electricity demand due to the extreme weather, limited gas supplies, frozen wind turbines, and frozen thermal plant instrumentation lines equipment were the major contributors to rolling blackouts across ERCOT.[4] According to a news release from ERCOT on February 18, 2021, roughly 40,000 MW of generation, including 23,500 MW of thermal generation, remains on forced outage due to the extreme weather event.[5]

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-nerc-open-joint-inquiry-2021-cold-weather-grid-operations

[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/14/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-texas-emergency-declaration/

[3] https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-declares-ercot-reform-an-emergency-item

[4] http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/225369

[5] http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/225742

[USA] 14 states call for Biden to reinstate Keystone XL permit

In a letter sent on February 9, 2021, a coalition of 14 Republican attorneys general led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen urged President Biden to reinstate the Keystone XL pipeline’s permit to cross the Canadian border.[1] The letter was also signed by attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia. In their letter to the president, the coalition hinted at possible legal action over Biden’s January 20, 2021 executive order that rescinded the permit for the pipeline, stating, “Please be aware that the states are reviewing available legal options to protect our residents and sovereign interests.” The Republican coalition emphasized the economic harm that the permit cancellation will bring. According to the state attorneys, states had relied on the expected tax revenue from the pipeline. In Montana, for instance, the state will lose approximately $58 million in annual tax revenue due to Biden’s decisions. The coalition also noted that more than 1,000 pipeline workers were laid off after the executive order.

[1] https://dojmt.gov/attorney-general-knudsen-leads-coalition-calling-on-biden-to-reinstate-keystone-xl-permit/

[USA] California utilities plan to spend nearly $15 billion on reducing wildfire risk in 2021 and 2022.

According to annual wildfire mitigation plans filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on February 5, 2021, PG&E, Edison International's Southern California Edison (SCE) and Sempra Energy's San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) plan to spend $15 billion in 2021 and 2022 to reduce the risk of live wires sparking wildfires.[1] The CPUC began requiring utilities to file annual wildfire mitigation plans after power lines ignited a series of fires in 2017 and 2018. PG&E’s 2021 plan will cost $5 billion in 2021 and $5.2 billion in 2022. The utility will use a new fire risk model to prioritize its wildfire mitigation work, including system hardening and tree trimming. SCE plan outlines strategies such as installing an additional 1,000 to 1,400 miles of insulated powerlines and installing 375 weather stations in its service territory. SCE expects to spend $3.5 billion in 2021 and 2022. SDG&E plans to spend over $646 million in 2021 and nearly $670 million in 2022 on wildfire mitigation. The utility will continue with many of the programs it initiated last year, including expanding outreach to vulnerable communities and strengthening data collection and analyses processes. All three utilities aim to reduce the impact of public safety power shut-offs (PSPS) on their customers.

[1] https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/wildfiremitigationplans/

[USA] MISO study concludes 50% renewables in region is achievable but challenging

On February 10, 2021, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), an Independent System Operator (ISO) that monitors the electric grid in 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba, published its Renewable Integration Impact Assessment (RIIA).[1] RIIA’s purpose was to better understand the long-term impacts of renewable energy growth in the Eastern Interconnection bulk electric systems with a focus on the MISO footprint, provide examples of integration issues, and examine potential solutions to mitigate them. The report examined renewable penetration levels in 10% increments up to 50%. As of 2021, about 13% of MISO’s systemwide energy is generated from renewables, including 26 GW of wind and 1 GW of solar. There are agreements in place for an additional 6GW of wind and 10GW of solar, bringing renewables penetration up to 20% of total energy. MISO predicts that 30% renewable penetration could be achieved by 2026.

RIIA found that renewable penetration under 30% would be manageable within MISO’s existing framework. However, beyond 30%, transformative thinking and coordinated action between MISO and its stakeholders will be required to manage the challenges associated with renewable penetration such as resource adequacy and reliability. The report also notes that renewable growth is not happening uniformly and nearly 80% of renewable resources in MISO are in the northwest region of its footprint, which concentrates current integration challenges to one area. Reaching 30% penetration, though, would mean that those challenges will be system wide. The study concluded that 50% renewable penetration is achievable, but will require changes in planning, operations, and markets to accommodate more variable energy sources.

[1] https://cdn.misoenergy.org/RIIA%20Summary%20Report520051.pdf

[USA] National Academies report maps path to zero-carbon goa

On February 2, 2021, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), a private, nonprofit organization of researchers, released a report that provides a road map for achieving a carbon-free economy by 2050.[1] The report estimates that by decarbonizing, the U.S. economy could add 1-2 million jobs and Americans could be paying roughly the same share of income for energy as they do today due to declining costs for technology. The report notes that the road map is "technologically feasible… But it is on the edge of feasibility” and that the plan may not be as feasible politically.

Under the road map, direct federal budget support for clean energy would total $350 billion over 10 years. The report identified 5 technology goals: 1) get to 75% of energy from non-carbon emitting sources by 2030, 2) reduce energy use by new buildings by 50% by 2030, 3)50% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, 4) increase transmission capacity by about 40% by 2030, and 5) triple federal investment in research development, and demonstration (RD&D) of emerging technologies such as advanced nuclear reactors, carbon capture and sequestration, and hydrogen fuel. The report also proposes policy actions necessary to benefit affected communities, workers hit with job losses, and lower-income families. The report proposes a federal green bank which could provide funding for economic redevelopment. The report also recommends the adoption of a $40 per ton carbon tax, increasing by 5% annually, with rebates to protect lower income customers.

[1] https://www.nap.edu/resource/25932/interactive/index.html#tech-goals

[USA] Supreme court to hear PennEast pipeline case on eminent domain

On February 3, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a 2019 ruling from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prevented PennEast Pipeline Co. LLC from suing New Jersey to seize 42 parcels of state-owned land to build a 116-mile natural gas pipeline between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.[1] Under a provision in the U.S. Natural Gas Act (NGA), pipeline companies can use the federal government’s eminent domain power. After gaining approval for the pipeline from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 2018, PennEast sued to gain access to land that is either owned or partially controlled by New Jersey. The 3rd Circuit, which is based in Philadelphia, found that while the AGA lets companies use eminent domain, it does not allow them to sue states to enforce that power. The panel cited the 11th Amendment of the Constitution, which limits the situations in which private entities can sue states without their consent. In recent friend of the court briefs, PennEast and other industry groups claim that the 3rd Circuit decision overturned precedent and would be disruptive to the energy industry.[2] The Supreme court will hear arguments in April 2021, with a ruling likely by late June 2021.

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-03/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-appeal-from-penneast-pipeline

[2] https://www.eenews.net/stories/1062692321/

[USA] National Academies report maps path to zero-carbon goal

On February 2, 2021, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), a private, nonprofit organization of researchers, released a report that provides a road map for achieving a carbon-free economy by 2050.[1] The report estimates that by decarbonizing, the U.S. economy could add 1-2 million jobs and Americans could be paying roughly the same share of income for energy as they do today due to declining costs for technology. The report notes that the road map is "technologically feasible… But it is on the edge of feasibility” and that the plan may not be as feasible politically.

Under the road map, direct federal budget support for clean energy would total $350 billion over 10 years. The report identified 5 technology goals: 1) get to 75% of energy from non-carbon emitting sources by 2030, 2) reduce energy use by new buildings by 50% by 2030, 3)50% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, 4) increase transmission capacity by about 40% by 2030, and 5) triple federal investment in research development, and demonstration (RD&D) of emerging technologies such as advanced nuclear reactors, carbon capture and sequestration, and hydrogen fuel. The report also proposes policy actions necessary to benefit affected communities, workers hit with job losses, and lower-income families. The report proposes a federal green bank which could provide funding for economic redevelopment. The report also recommends the adoption of a $40 per ton carbon tax, increasing by 5% annually, with rebates to protect lower income customers.

[1] https://www.nap.edu/resource/25932/interactive/index.html#tech-goals

[USA] Supreme Court to hear PennEast pipeline case on eminent domain

On February 3, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a 2019 ruling from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prevented PennEast Pipeline Co. LLC from suing New Jersey to seize 42 parcels of state-owned land to build a 116-mile natural gas pipeline between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.[1] Under a provision in the U.S. Natural Gas Act (NGA), pipeline companies can use the federal government’s eminent domain power. After gaining approval for the pipeline from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 2018, PennEast sued to gain access to land that is either owned or partially controlled by New Jersey. The 3rd Circuit, which is based in Philadelphia, found that while the AGA lets companies use eminent domain, it does not allow them to sue states to enforce that power. The panel cited the 11th Amendment of the Constitution, which limits the situations in which private entities can sue states without their consent. In recent friend of the court briefs, PennEast and other industry groups claim that the 3rd Circuit decision overturned precedent and would be disruptive to the energy industry.[2] The Supreme court will hear arguments in April 2021, with a ruling likely by late June 2021.

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-03/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-appeal-from-penneast-pipeline

[2] https://www.eenews.net/stories/1062692321/

[USA] Colorado regulators approve Xcel’s $110 million transportation electrification plan

On January 11, 2021, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) formally approved Xcel Energy’s $110 million “2021-2023 Transportation Electrification Plan,” which includes installing approximately 20,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at residential, commercial, and public sites across Xcel's Colorado service territory.[1][2] Xcel’s plan, which was first filed in 2020, comes as a result of a bipartisan bill passed in 2019 that directed Colorado’s electric utilities to file applications to enable the deployment of EV charging stations and support EV adoption. Colorado has set a goal of having 940,000 EVs on the road by 2030 and Xcel has stated that their plan is designed to help the state achieve that goal. Xcel's plan includes an emphasis on ensuring EV adoption for all customers, with approximately 15% of the program budget directed toward equity-focused programs. The approved plan includes a $5 million pilot to provide rebates to income-qualified customers to support low-income adoption of EVs. Through this pilot, Xcel will offer upfront $5,500 rebates for new EV purchases and $3,000 for used EVs for qualifying customers. Xcel’s plan also includes adding programs and rates to help manage the new charging load. According to Utility Dive, Xcel's plan will add about 67 cents to monthly customer bills.

[1] https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI_Search_UI.Show_Decision?p_session_id=&p_dec=28011

[2] https://www.nrdc.org/experts/miles-muller/colorado-approves-110m-transportation-electrification-plan

[USA] EIA: Wind and solar will make up 70% of new capacity in 2021

According to a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) update on the latest inventory of electricity generators, wind and solar will represent more than two-thirds of new energy production to come online in 2021, while battery storage capacity is set to quadruple over the next year.[1] 39.7 GW of new electricity generating capacity is set to start commercial operation in 2021. 15.4 GW of that capacity will be solar photovoltaic (PV), making it the largest source of new capacity at 39%. More than half of new utility-scale solar PV capacity is planned for four states: Texas (28%), Nevada (9%), California (9%), and North Carolina (7%). 12.2 GW of wind capacity is scheduled to come online in 2021, putting it at 31% of new capacity with more than half of additions in Texas and Oklahoma. This is a decrease from 2020, which saw 21 GW of wind come online. 4.3 GW of battery power capacity additions are expected to come online in 2021 which will more than quadruple battery storage capacity. About 3% of the new capacity in 2021 will come from the new nuclear reactor at the Vogtle power plant in Georgia. Planned natural gas capacity additions are set at 6.6 GW, with more than 70% of these planned additions in Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

[1] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46416

[USA] Gov. Cuomo announces largest procurement of offshore wind by a state

On January 13, 2020 during a multiday series of State of the State speeches, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the largest award of offshore wind contracts by a U.S. state as part of the state’s broader plan to scale up renewable power over the next decade.[1] New York selected Equinor and incoming strategic partner bp to develop two new offshore wind farms about 20 miles off the coast of Long Island.[2] Empire Wind 2 will provide 1,260 MW of renewable offshore wind power and another 1,230 MW of power will come from Beacon Wind 1. Equinor has not released expected commercial operations dates for these projects, yet. Combined with Equinor’s existing commitment to provide 816 MW of renewable power from Empire Wind 1—expected to come online in 2024—Equinor will provide 3.3 GW of offshore wind power to New York. According to Cuomo, the newly announced wind farms will bring $8.9 billion in investment and create more than 5,200 jobs. Cuomo also announce that New York will contract 23 solar farms and one hydroelectric facility in 2021, which will produce more than 2,200 MW of clean power.  When the large-scale renewable and offshore wind facilities are complete, more than half of the state’s electricity will come from renewable sources, putting the state ahead of schedule for reaching its goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030.

[1] https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2021-Announcements/2021-01-13-Governor-Cuomo-Outlines-2021-Agenda-Reimagine-Rebuild-Renew

[2] https://www.equinor.com/en/news/202101-us-offshore-wind.html

[USA] U.S. federal government says SolarWinds hack hit fewer than 10 agencies

In a joint statement on January 5, 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Office of The Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Security Agency (NSA)—which make up the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG) task force—said that the compromise of IT service provider SolarWinds in 2020 was part of an ongoing information gathering effort and was likely Russian in origin.[1] The massive breach started in March 2020 when hackers compromised IT management software from SolarWinds. The breach compromised an email system used by senior leadership at the Treasury Department and systems at several other federal agencies. According to the joint statement, of SolarWinds’ 18,000 customers, USG believes that “a much smaller number” were targeted following the initial hack. Additionally, USG said that fewer than ten agencies were targeted by the hack and the task force is now working to identify and notify nongovernment entities that may have also been affected.

The joint statement also outlined USG’s actions and the next steps of the investigation. The FBI will remain focused identifying victims, collecting evidence, analyzing the evidence to determine the group responsible, and sharing results with stakeholders. CISA will focus on sharing information quickly and has created a free tool for detecting unusual and potentially malicious activity related to the SolarWinds hack. ODNI is coordinating the intelligence community to ensure the UCG has the most up-to-date intelligence and is also providing information to key stakeholders. Finally, the NSA is supporting the UCG by providing intelligence, cybersecurity expertise, and actionable guidance to the UCG partners.

[1] https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/01/05/joint-statement-federal-bureau-investigation-fbi-cybersecurity-and-infrastructure

[USA] Dominion and Duke release plan to dismantle cancelled Atlantic Coast Pipeline

In a filing dated December 16, 2020 but made public on January 5, 2020, developers of the now canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline—Dominion Energy and Duke Energy—proposed a plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for dismantling the project.[1] The Atlantic Coast Pipeline was an $8 billion natural gas project that would have crossed West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, but was cancelled in July 2020 due to delays from legal proceedings. The plan outlines a two-year timeline for decommissioning parts of the pipeline that were nearly complete and restoring effected land. It also defines where the developers intend on clearing felled trees and where they plan to leave the area alone. The plan includes abandoning roughly 31 miles of pipe that has already been placed in the ground. The developers noted that an additional 83-mile stretch of terrain has been cleared but have no pipe laid. According to spokesperson Aaron Ruby, Dominion will not release easement agreements with landowners to use their property.[2] Land seized through eminent domain also remains in Dominion and Duke’s possession despite landowners fighting the eminent domain proceedings in court.

[1] https://atlanticcoastpipeline.com/resources/docs/public_acp%20disposition%20and%20restoration%20plan.pdf

[2]https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2021/01/06/stories/1063721877?utm_campaign=edition&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eenews%3Aenergywire

[USA] DOE releases its first energy storage strategy

On December 21, 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) released the Energy Storage Grand Challenge Roadmap, the DOE’s first comprehensive energy storage strategy.[1] Announced in January 2020 by Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, the Energy Storage Grand Challenge (ESGC) seeks to increase domestic production of energy storage and create American leadership in storage. DOE also released two companion ESGC reports, the 2020 Grid Energy Storage Technology Cost and Performance Assessment and the Energy Storage Market Report 2020, to provide easily accessible data and information to energy stakeholders.

DOE’s roadmap includes a goal to develop and domestically manufacture energy storage technologies that can meet all U.S. market demands by 2030. To achieve this, DOE has a suite of initiative including promoting continued research, boosting the manufacturing and supply chain for batteries, providing relevant energy storage data, and enhancing workforce development programs. The DOE aims to achieve a $0.05/kWh levelized cost of storage for long-duration stationary applications, which include utility-scale battery storage facilities that can store energy for 10 hours or more, by 2030. The reduction would be a 90% reduction in costs and would help facilitate “commercial viability” for storage across a wide range of uses. The DOE also aims to lower the costs of battery packs for EVs with a driving range of 300 miles to $80/kWh by 2030, which is 44% lower than current battery packs. If achieved, the DOE projects that electric cars would be competitive with standard gasoline cars.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-releases-energy-storage-grand-challenge-roadmap

[Japan] JERA Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ExxonMobil and the People’s Committee of Hai Phong City to Participate in an Integrated LNG to Power Project in Northern Vietnam

On October 28, 2020, JERA announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ExxonMobil Hai Phong Energy (EMPHE, Headquarters: Texas, the United States), and the People’s Committee of Hai Phong City, Vietnam to jointly work on an Integrated Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Power Project. The project aims to establish an LNG value chain that consists of an LNG import terminal and an LNG-fired power plant in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. JERA is one of Japan’s major energy companies and was established through a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Fuel & Power (Headquarters: Tokyo) and Chubu Electric Power (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture).

Hai Phong City is the largest port city in northern Vietnam. The city has seen fast economic growth over the years and its annual power consumption is expected to double over the next decade. EMPHE aims to meet the city’s future electricity demand with cleaner energy. EMPHE has submitted an application to the Vietnamese government for the project to be considered and potentially included in Vietnam’s National Power Development Plan (PDP), which sets out the long-term vision for Vietnam’s energy security and development.

The project is being conducted as part of the Japan US Strategic Energy Partnership (JUSEP), a Japan-US collaborative framework that facilitate economic growth and global security through developing an affordable and reliable energy supply in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. [1] The MOU was signed at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum hosted by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, with the presence of government officials from Japan, the U.S., and Vietnam.

JERA aims to become a provider of cutting-edge solutions to solve global energy problems. Through this mission, JERA will contribute to addressing energy challenges in Vietnam by leveraging its experience in LNG value chains.[2] [3]

[1] https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2017/pdf/1107_001a.pdf

[2] https://www.jera.co.jp/information/20201028_545

[3] https://www.jera.co.jp/english/information/20201028_545

[USA] NC Supreme Court rules Duke won’t foot $9B coal ask cleanup bill, shareholders may still pay half

On December 11, 2020, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Duke Energy and its shareholders will not have to bear the full brunt of the coal ash cleanup costs.[1] In January 2020, Duke reached a settlement with environmental groups that requires the utility to excavate a total of 124 million pounds of coal ash from Duke’s coal plant sites over the next 10 to 15 years.[2] Duke estimates the total cost of the cleanup to cost $8-9 billion. Duke has repeatedly said that absorbing these costs would likely weaken its balance sheet.[3] The CEO has also said the company would be unwilling to reach a settlement with environmentalists on whether the utility can profit from the cleanup.

The NC Supreme Court decision partially upholds the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s (NCUC), the government agency that regulates utilities in the state, initial ruling that coal ash costs should be included in the cost of service used to establish the utilities’ retail rates, essentially putting the cost on Duke’s ratepayers. The NCUC’s decision was challenged by the state’s attorney general who argued that Duke should bear the costs of the cleanup and filed a brief in the NC Supreme Court to appeal the decision. The court also ruled that the NCUC should reconsider its rejection of North Carolina Public Staff’s “equitable sharing” proposal. The NC Public Staff’s, which helps consumers resolve disputes with utility companies, proposal would split the cost of cleanup between ratepayers and shareholders and extend the timeline for paying off the costs, but would not allow the utility to profit from the cleanup. The court's ruling does not mean the NCUC has to implement the NC Public Staff’s proposal, only that the commissions needs to consider "all potentially relevant facts."

[1] https://appellate.nccourts.org/opinions/?c=1&pdf=39826

[2] https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/n.c-settlement-results-in-largest-coal-ash-cleanup-in-america

[3] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/uncertainty-over-earnings-return-for-8b-north-carolina-coal-ash-cleanup-we/583267/

[USA] Biden picks two-term Michigan Governor Granholm to lead DOE

According to Politico on December 15, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden will pick former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be the head of the Department of Energy (DOE).[1] Granholm, who served two terms as Governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2011, has been a strong advocate for zero-emissions vehicles and has argued that the U.S. risks being left behind by other countries if it does not develop alternative energy technologies. In an op-ed in the Detroit News, Granholm wrote, “[T]he private sector needs greater support and political will from our policymakers to help us fully realize the potential of a zero-carbon future. The economics are clear: The time for a low-carbon recovery is now.”

Picking Granholm for DOE secretary is a clear sign that Biden wants the department to play a central role in achieving the targets of Biden’s climate plan. While the DOE’s budget is primarily devoted to maintaining the U.S.’s nuclear weapons arsenal, it also operates 17 national labs that help develop advanced technology used in renewables, nuclear energy and fossil fuel production. Under the Obama administration, the DOE oversaw tens of billions of dollars in loan guarantees and grants that expanded the adoption of solar and wind power and helped drive down the costs of renewables. The DOE also sets appliance standards, conducts research on innovations like electric heat pumps, and oversees building and residential energy efficiency programs, all of which will be key to reducing emissions from buildings.

[1] https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/biden-to-tap-former-michigan-gov-granholm-to-lead-energy-department-445782

[USA] GE Renewable Energy announces first U.S. wind turbine blade recycling program

On December 8, 2020, GE Renewable Energy announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Veolia North America (VNA), a consulting firm that provides solutions to promote sustainability and a circular economy, to recycle blades removed from its onshore turbines in the U.S. during upgrades and repowering efforts, the first program of its kind in the U.S.[1] GE plans to use this agreement to recycle the majority of blades that are replaced during repowering efforts. Once the blades are removed from the turbines, they will be shredded at VNA’s processing plant in Missouri and then used as a replacement for coal, sand, and clay at cement manufacturing facilities. Nearly 90% of the blade material, by weight, will be reused as repurposed material for cement production. More than 65% of the blade weight will replace raw materials and about 28% of the blade weight will provide energy for the chemical reaction that takes place in the kiln. Environmental impact analysis by Quantis U.S. found that the process will make while reducing CO2 emissions from cement production by a net 27%. According to the GE press release, similar recycling processes in Europe have been effective at a commercial scale. GE has committed to reducing the environmental impacts of its products throughout their life cycles. To this end, GE announced a pledge in 2019 to decarbonize its operations and achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2020.

[1] https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ge-renewable-energy-announces-us-blade-recycling-contract-with-veolia

[USA] NRDC Report: LNG as bad for climate as coal over next 20 years

According to a report released on December 8, 2020 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit environmental advocacy group, projected increases in U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are likely incompatible with holding the rise in global temperature at 1.5° Celsius.[1] [2] The report, titled “Sailing to Nowhere: Liquefied Natural Gas Is Not an Effective Climate Strategy”, found that although greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from U.S. LNG are lower than coal over a 100-year time span, methane’s more immediate impact compared to CO2 means the "near-term" climate effect of LNG over the next 20 years is similar to coal. The emissions from the LNG industry will generate up to 213 million metric tons of new GHG emissions by 2030, which is equal to the annual emissions of 28 to 45 million fossil fuel-powered cars, according to the report. Much of LNG’s climate impact also comes from the extraction, transport, liquefaction, and re-gasification of LNG. The report also emphasized that the long lifespan of LNG infrastructure “locks in” fossil fuels instead clean energy which prevents of clean energy technologies like wind and solar, which produce significantly lower life-cycle GHG emissions, from expanding. The report concluded that the estimated social cost of U.S. LNG exports was $8.1 billion in 2019 and would be $30.5 billion per year by 2030.

[1] https://www.nrdc.org/resources/sailing-nowhere-liquefied-natural-gas-not-effective-climate-strategy

[2] https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/sailing-nowhere-liquefied-natural-gas-report.pdf

[USA] LBNL releases annual studies on wind and solar, solar gaining ground

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) released its annual wind energy data update in August 2020 and its annual utility-scale solar data update in November 2020.[1] [2] During a webinar on December 8, 2020 that compared the data from these studies, Mark Bollinger, one of the lead authors on the studies, concluded that solar is gaining ground on wind and natural gas in terms of projects seeking approval to connect to the grid.[3] On average, although solar is still more expensive, it delivers a greater net financial benefit to customers on average, according to Bollinger.

LBNL noted that new solar projects are benefiting from a growing trend toward "hybrid" combinations of renewable generation with battery storage which help with the “duck curve” challenge. This growing trend is helped by the federal investment tax credit, for which solar and battery hybrid projects are eligible while wind and battery pairings are not. However, whether wind or solar power is cheaper depends heavily on the region due to varying environmental conditions. The lab also emphasized that wind and solar still total no more than 10% of U.S. electricity output and there are several issues that could slow renewable market growth. Phaseouts of federal tax credits could significantly slow down market growth. Bollinger also added that in regions where the two power sources compete, "they tend to cannibalize their own market value” which could further slow down renewable growth.

[1] https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/wind-energy-technology-data-update

[2] https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/utility-scale-solar-data-update-2020

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUXDG7SzIl8