Saturday, August 27, 2022

NYTimes: Donald Trump Is Not Above the Law

Donald Trump Is Not Above the Law https://nyti.ms/3cnU2bm 

Friday, August 26, 2022

Friday, August 19, 2022

Fwd: A hydrogen breakthrough


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bloomberg Green <noreply@mail.bloombergbusiness.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 8:04 AM
Subject: A hydrogen breakthrough
To: <mbannerman@tnag.net>


By Swati PandeyA small Australian research lab tucked away in a coastal town, 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Sydney, says it has develope
Bloomberg

By Swati Pandey

Startup's Hydrogen Breakthrough May Give New Life to Coal Plants

A small Australian research lab tucked away in a coastal town, 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Sydney, says it has developed a patented technology using a catalyst that can turn hydrogen and oxygen into superheated steam capable of driving a power-station turbine.

"Our model works on heat from hydrogen," said Andrew Horvath, chairman of Star Scientific Ltd. The system is "plug-and-play," he said at the company's research facility in the town of Berkeley Vale. "It is quickly deployable, it's a lot smarter to work with."

Wearing high-vis jackets and safety goggles, Chief Technology Officer Steve Heaton and another member of the team demonstrated an experimental model that looks like a French coffee press. Bottled hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a glass cylinder containing the secret catalyst, which quickly turns orange as it heats up to around 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 Fahrenheit). If the technology can scale up, it could ultimately allow power plant operators that burn coal to retrofit generators to run on green hydrogen without having to construct a completely new plant. 

The catalyst glowing hot as hydrogen and oxygen are passed over it during a demonstration. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

"We think there are a lot of opportunities in existing steam turbines that have some longevity," said Horvath, citing the example of Japan where 70% of its turbines still have 40 years of life left. "Why would you throw them away? They're already connected to the grid."

In January 2021, the company signed an agreement with the Philippines government to study retro-fitting coal-fired power plants in the Southeast Asian nation.

Star Scientific's system differs from traditional ways of generating heat from hydrogen, such as through combustion or in fuel cells, according to Horvath, who as a child would spend weekends in the lab of his nuclear physicist father, experimenting with the gas.  "We don't burn hydrogen and that's going to be the real key that we've been driving and people are taking notice of," he said.

Staff are fielding dozens of emails a day from prospective clients, he said, and the company is in talks with water-treatment companies, brewers, dairy firms and abattoirs about using the system. "There's so much demand, the market's coming to us," he said.

A pilot project to test the system at a factory run by a local unit of Mars Inc. is awaiting regulatory approval, which Horvath expects will come in 2023.

Andrew Horvath Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

The technology "offers enormous potential across the food manufacturing industry," said Bill Heague, general manager of Mars Food Australia. "Thermal energy is crucial to the business of cooking food and this technology has the capability to create limitless heat without any combustion and zero emissions."

Star Scientific was started 25 years ago to commercialize nuclear fusion work done by Horvath's father Stephen that used heavy hydrogen containing unstable sub-atomic particles called muons. During the research, the team unexpectedly discovered a way to convert hydrogen into heat without burning it, a breakthrough patented as the Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser, or HERO.

"Star Scientific's technology can be scaled up and used for a variety of different applications either direct energy generation through a turbine or just thermal heating," said Scott Donne, a professor at the School of Environmental and Life Science in the University of Newcastle, near Star Scientific's lab. "Around where we are in Newcastle, there are four very large coal-fired power stations that basically use steam to actually drive their turbines. At the moment, it's done with coal-fired power but it could conceivably be done with hydrogen using the existing infrastructure." 

Click here to read more about the latest hydrogen breakthrough.

Like getting the Green Daily? Subscribe to Bloomberg.com for unlimited access to breaking news on climate and energy, data-driven reporting and graphics and Bloomberg Green magazine.

Calling all filmmakers: Bloomberg Green Docs is accepting submissions for one more month. We want to see your short documentaries on climate change. Submit your film by September 16 and compete to win a $25,000 grand prize, plus the opportunity to showcase your work at a special screening in Los Angeles on October 26.

Going big on carbon capture

9,000,000
That's how many tons of carbon dioxide Saudi Aramco wants to potentially store per year, from 2026, as it looks to tap the blue hydrogen market. 

Where the winds are blowing

"I think UK hydrogen production needs to be offshore."
Martin Bradley
Head of infrastructure investments for Macquarie Asset Management in Europe, Middle East and Africa
Macquarie Group Ltd. is betting the North Sea's shallow waters and gusty winds are a boon for the renewable electricity needed to make green hydrogen.

Other reads...

Despite the dire environmental consequences, the world has never produced more plastic — some 500 million tons annually — and experts predict that to double by 2040. One reason is that plastic is cheap and useful. Another is the success of industry-led campaigns that say we can use it sustainably. A Bloomberg Green investigation finds that an initiative backed by Coca-Cola, Unilever and Danone to recycle the plastic waste in Ghana is better at deflecting blame and avoiding regulation than actually recycling.

A Jamestown community in Accra, Ghana, on July 5, 2022. Photographer: Nipah Dennis /Bloomberg
  • One answer to Europe's energy crisis? More electric cars. EVs en masse are great for storing renewable electricity and sending it back to the grid.
     
  • Billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes is urging Australia to act more on climate, even as the new government begins to strengthen emissions cuts.
     
  • US President Joe Biden's big goal of decarbonizing the nation's electricity system is clashing with a plan to prolong the life of some coal plants.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2022

NYTimes: A Victory for Biden, and a Bet on America’s Future

A Victory for Biden, and a Bet on America's Future https://nyti.ms/3zVoOjO 

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The New York Times: New York Developers Rush to Reduce Emissions as Hefty Fines Loom

The New York Times: New York Developers Rush to Reduce Emissions as Hefty Fines Loom.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/16/business/new-york-real-estate-climate-change.html 

CNN: The West's historic drought is threatening hydropower at Hoover Dam

CNN: The West's historic drought is threatening hydropower at Hoover Dam.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/16/us/hoover-dam-hydropower-drought-climate/index.html 

SciTechDaily: Physicist Claims To Have Solved the Mystery of Consciousness

SciTechDaily: Physicist Claims To Have Solved the Mystery of Consciousness.
https://scitechdaily.com/physicist-claims-to-have-solved-the-mystery-of-consciousness/ 

The Associated Press - en EspaƱol: Biden signs massive climate and health care legislation

The Associated Press - en EspaƱol: Biden signs massive climate and health care legislation.
https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-climate-health-bill-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875 

Fwd: Competitive Tier 2 Request For Proposals Launch


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Renewable Energy Standard <res@nyserda.ny.gov>
Date: Tue, Aug 16, 2022, 2:46 PM
Subject: Competitive Tier 2 Request For Proposals Launch
To: <boconnor@arcstarenergy.com>


To view this email as a web page, click here.

LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES
Competitive Tier 2 Request for Proposals Launch
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Dear Industry Partner,

We are excited to share with you that today Governor Hochul announced the third solicitation under the Competitive Tier 2 Program to support existing renewable energy resources in New York State. Today's announcement underscores the importance of the State's baseline energy generation as a critical part of supporting New York State's goal to obtain 70 percent of the State's electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Under this Request for Proposals (RFP), NYSERDA seeks to purchase Competitive Tier 2 Renewable Energy Certificates from eligible facilities, which include land-based wind and privately-owned hydroelectric generating facilities located within New York State that entered commercial operation prior to January 1, 2015.

NYSERDA's procurement approach will further expand market interest for RECs from Tier 2 generators, promote greater in-state competition to help the State achieve the lowest possible cost of renewable energy for New Yorkers, and allow Community Choice Aggregations to continue to voluntarily negotiate the best price and terms on energy supply, products, and services.

Proposals are due by September 15, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. ET. Interested proposers can apply on NYSERDA's website.

NYSERDA will hold a webinar for interested parties on August 23. Registration is required to join this event.


Competitive Tier 2 Proposers Webinar
Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET

Register for Webinar




Thank you for your continued interest and engagement in large-scale renewables development in New York State. Additional information specific to this opportunity and NYSERDA's Competitive Tier 2 Program is available on NYSERDA's website.

Sincerely,
NYSERDA's Large-Scale Renewables Team

 
 
CONNECT WITH US
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About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.
 

1-866-NYSERDA | info@nyserda.ny.gov  | 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203

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Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Utility Dive: California becomes first state to roll out submetering technology to spur EV adoption

Utility Dive: California becomes first state to roll out submetering technology to spur EV adoption.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-puc-ev-electric-vehicle-submetering/629043/ 

Wall Street Sees Fed Bond-Runoff End Well Before Powell Timeline (early 2023)

Builders Are Stuck With Too Many Houses as US Buyers Pull Back - demand destruction - what we needed to see re inflation

Container Lines Are Set to Smash Year-Old Profit (gouging) Record by 73%

Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)?

Sunday, August 7, 2022

BBC News: Flash flooding swamps California's Death Valley

BBC News - Flash flooding swamps California's Death Valley
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62455325 

CBS News: Senate passes Democrats' sweeping climate, health and tax bill, delivering win for Biden

CBS News: Senate passes Democrats' sweeping climate, health and tax bill, delivering win for Biden.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-passes-inflation-reduction-act-vote/ 

Friday, August 5, 2022

Climate bill could cut microgrid costs 10% to 50%, speed industry growth

InsideEVs : Tesla Powerwalls Create Huge 'Distributed Battery' For Grid Reliability

InsideEVs : Tesla Powerwalls Create Huge 'Distributed Battery' For Grid Reliability.
https://insideevs.com/news/602480/tesla-powerwall-pge-worlds-largest-distributed-battery/ 

TechCrunch: Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy backs Terabase’s robot-built solar farms

TechCrunch: Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy backs Terabase's robot-built solar farms.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/04/bill-gates-breakthrough-energy-terabase-robot-solar-farms/ 

pv magazine International: Global energy storage deployment may hit 500 GW by 2031

pv magazine International: Global energy storage deployment may hit 500 GW by 2031.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/08/03/global-energy-storage-deployment-may-hit-500-gw-by-2031/ 

CNN: 2 dead, 2 injured by lightning strike near White House

CNN: 2 dead, 2 injured by lightning strike near White House.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/04/politics/white-house-lightning-strike/index.html 

Popular Science: Best home wind turbines of 2022

Popular Science: Best home wind turbines of 2022.
https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-home-wind-turbines/ 

Electrek.co: Here’s how gas stations can be transformed into superfast EV charging stations

Electrek.co: Here's how gas stations can be transformed into superfast EV charging stations.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/04/gas-stations-ev-charging/ 

Thursday, August 4, 2022

pv magazine USA: Battery storage operation under net billing provides “virtually no grid value”: Berkeley Lab study

pv magazine USA: Battery storage operation under net billing provides "virtually no grid value": Berkeley Lab study.
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/08/03/battery-storage-operation-under-net-billing-provides-virtually-no-grid-value-berkeley-lab-study/ 

CleanTechnica: Connecticut’s Largest Solar Power Plant Completed

CleanTechnica: Connecticut's Largest Solar Power Plant Completed.
https://cleantechnica.com/2022/08/02/connecticuts-largest-solar-power-plant-completed/ 

The Driven: Hyundai rolls out 27 heavy-duty hydrogen trucks in Germany

The Driven: Hyundai rolls out 27 heavy-duty hydrogen trucks in Germany.
https://thedriven.io/2022/08/04/hyundai-rolls-out-27-heavy-duty-hydrogen-trucks-in-germany/ 

Mapping Cooling Climate Solutions in Cities Facing Brutal Heat Records

Fwd: Important update - RFQL 4922 proposal due date has been extended to September 12


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: NYSERDA Energy & Climate Equity Team <PublicEngagement@nyserda.ny.gov>
Date: Thu, Aug 4, 2022, 4:06 PM
Subject: Important update - RFQL 4922 proposal due date has been extended to September 12
To: <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>


To view this email as a web page, click here.

UPDATE: The Request for Qualifications (RFQL) 4922 proposal due date has been extended from August 16, 2022 to September 12, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. ET. This was first announced on the RFQL 4922 Informational Webinar held on July 27, 2022. Please share broadly with your networks.

SHAPE A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE
Request for Qualifications (RFQL) 4922
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Play an active role in helping NYSERDA advance the transition to a just, clean energy future in New York State.

NYSERDA is working to fulfill the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by helping overburdened and underserved communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy - but we can't do it without the lived experiences and knowledge of the communities that are most affected.

NYSERDA is announcing the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQL) to establish a Disadvantaged Communities Stakeholder Services Pool as a way for organizations that represent historically marginalized communities to be compensated for their time and expertise when engaging with the Authority around energy issues that matter to our communities.

Once selected, organizations with expertise in various communities may provide input on NYSERDA programs including identifying community barriers to participation, collaborative design of new programs, providing facilitation and translation services, serving on advisory groups or steering committees, and more.

By working with organizations that reflect the diversity of New York State communities, NYSERDA can better understand and address the challenges faced by historically marginalized communities and create solutions for an inclusive clean energy economy. We encourage you to review the RFQL 4922 and apply and/or share it with other organizations in your network.

We Hear You!
Thank you to all of those that submitted public comments in response to our Request for Information (RFI) 5082. We received some incredibly insightful feedback and suggestions, some of which have been incorporated into this solicitation. View all comments and NYSERDA's responses on our webpage.

Have Questions or Want to Learn More?
If you have contractual or programmatic questions concerning this solicitation, email Lisa Romero or call (518) 862-1090, ext. 3243.

 
 
CONNECT WITH US
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.
 

1-866-NYSERDA | info@nyserda.ny.gov  | 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203

To stop receiving email messages from NYSERDA related to this topic, you may unsubscribe.
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Mortgage Rates in US Drop Below 5% to Lowest Since Early April

Tuesday, August 2, 2022