Green Energy

Austrian Airlines is the latest carrier to adopt a carbon-neutral stance with mounting concerns over the environment. The European airline today announced that it would use the new year to begin growing in a climate-conscious manner and cited three pillars that will help it to achieve its goal. But are its plans enough?

Austrian Airlines tackles CO2 emissions

Austrian Airlines is standing firm in its commitment to the environment. Today the airline announced the three key facets of a new plan to start carbon-neutral growth in 2020. In a press release, Austrian Airlines said that it will:

• modernize its fleet,
• reduce fuel consumption, and
• run a scheme to compensate for passenger CO2 emissions.

In the release, the airline said:Advertisement

“Starting in the coming year, Austrian Airlines aims to grow in a CO2 neutral manner. The Austrian national carrier committed itself to achieving this goal within the context of the so-called “CORSIA*” agreement.”

The airline has already agreed to the CORSIA agreement which is a policy by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that aims to reduce carbon emissions. It does so by adopting jet fuel alternatives and introducing more carbon offsetting projects.

Working towards a modern fleet

The first priority on Austrian Airlines’ agenda is to modernize its fleet. The airline has 83 aircraft in its fleet at the moment from a mixture of airframe manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer. The airline said that it is committed to operating a modern fleet however it seems like it’s going to need to do a lot to get itself there.

The airline’s fleet has an average age of 15.4 years, according to Planespotters. Now that’s not particularly young. What’s more, Austrian Airlines only has one of the eight most fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet as ranked by an ICCT report and that’s the Airbus A321. With an aging fleet that’s lacking in fuel efficiency, Austrian Airlines has got a long way from reaching peak modernization.

But the airline did say that it’s already experienced fuel savings by switching its Fokker aircraft to the Embraer ERJ-195. It said it was able to conserve 10,000 tons of fuel preventing 51,000 tons of CO2 emission releasing into the atmosphere. At least it’s made some headway to achieving its goals. But can we expect a big aircraft order in the near future?

Reducing fuel consumption

But it’s not just aircraft that’s helping Austrian Airlines reach its carbon goals. It’s the way that aircraft are used too. It says that it will reduce the weight carried onboard its aircraft as well as employing fuel-saving tactics on the ground. Pilots will shut off one engine upon landing to taxi to the gate. This is a strategy that cuts fuel burn in half. Apparently, this tactic among others saves Austrian Airlines 11,000 tons in CO2 emissions each year, according to the press release.

But whilst the news of Austrian’s carbon-neutral goals sounds like a drastic strategy shake-up, the press release from Austrian Airlines seems slightly vague. It does not expand on the broader details of how it’s going to achieve such an important move. We can only hope that it is confident in its own carbon-emission plans. We contacted Austrian Airlines for more information on the specifics of the plans but the airline was unable to comment at the time of publication.

Is Austrian’s commitment a fair pledge?

One particularly noticeable facet of Austrian’s environmental commitment is that it will allow passengers to compensate for their CO2 emissions. Carbon offsetting is nothing new with many airlines like easyJet and Air France already behind the movement. And it’s also not a new move for Austrian Airlines. But the airline has not had much success with the project. CEO at Austrian Airlines, Andreas Otto had this to say on the matter:

“Passengers can also compensate for the CO2 emissions of their flights but unfortunately only less than 1% of all passengers have actually done so up until now.”

If the airline is serious about paying for the impact of CO2 emissions, it will need to start actively engaging its customers. Yet despite this dismal adoption, the airline still seems to hold out hopes for the project. The aim is for customers to fund schemes run by an organization Austrian Airlines is partnered with which will invest in reforestation and cleaner fuel alternatives.

The number of people installing solar panels or other renewable energy to generate their own electricity continues to rise in Michigan.

The Public Service Commission reported that the installations increased by nearly 57% in 2018. Participation in the state’s net metering program has grown every year since 2006.

There were more than 5,200 customers who participated, up from more than 3,200 in 2017. The projects still represent a tiny portion of Michigan’s total electricity sales.

Solar power is by far the most popular type of what is called distributed energy generation. About 94% of participants installed solar projects.

When plans for new solar power development start piling up in gigawatts instead of megawatts, it’s time for natural gas stakeholders to start worrying. That’s the case in Nevada, where natural gas still maintains a tight grip on electricity generation but solar power is coming on strong.

More Solar Power For Nevada, Less Coal

Nevada has an advantage when the topic turns to renewable energy from the sun. It ranks high among US states for solar potential, and it is living up to its standing. Nevada currently holds the 4th highest slot in the US for installed solar capacity (up from 5th place last year), with a hair over 3.5 gigawatts.

The latest news about solar power in Nevada concerns NV Energy. The company has just won approval for a plan to add 1.19 more gigawatts of solar power to the state’s renewable energy profile.

The firm has had its ups and downs with solar advocates and environmental organizations over its solar power policies, but the new announcement is a big step forward for the renewable energy transition.

The new solar additions will replace two coal power plants scheduled for shutdown. Last December, the state’s Pubic Utilities Commission approved a plan for NV Energy to retire one of the plants four years ahead of its former schedule, in 2021. The other plant will close in 2013, pending approval.

The two coal plants, North Valmy units 1 and 2, have a combined capacity of 522 megawatts. They are the last two utility-owned coal power plants in Nevada.

More Solar, Less Gas

Coal is falling into the dustbin of history for power generation in the US. Natural gas is the next domino to fall, but that’s going to be a tough row to hoe, especially in Nevada.

As of 2017, 70% of the state’s electricity generation came from natural gas, and as of last December NV Energy was leaving open the option of converting North Valmey Unit 2 to natural gas.

That idea seems to be fading away, though. Last spring Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed a new state law that required energy companies to get their portfolio up to the 50% mark for renewables by 2030.

The 1.19 gigawatts in new solar capacity will be spread among three projects in southern Nevada, near the Las Vegas area. Here’s the rundown from NV Energy (condensed for an easy read):

Arrow Canyon Solar Project — 200 megawatts, located in Clark County, 20 miles northeast of Las Vegas on the Moapa Band of Paiutes Indian Reservation, developed by EDF Renewables North America.

Southern Bighorn Solar & Storage Center — 300 megawatts, also located in Clark County on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, developed by 8minute Solar Energy.

Gemini Solar + Battery Storage Project — 690 megawatts, also located in Clark County, on 7,100 acres of federally-owned land under the management of the Bureau of Land Management, developed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners in collaboration with Arevia Power.

What About Energy Storage?

All three projects include a copious amount of energy storage, including the Arrow Canyon project.

That’s what should really set gas stakeholders’ hair on fire. At utility scale, the solar-plus-storage trend is beginning to nudge into the natural gas space for 24/7 electricity delivery.

That’s where things get interesting. In reaching the decision to achieve the three new solar power projects, Nevada PUC relied on analysis by The Brattle Group.

Brattle just broadcast its finding to the rest of the world yesterday. The company ran down the factors supporting solar-plus-storage in Nevada and came up with this list:

1. Demand for firmed solar generation as a capacity resource (and growing reluctance to contract for new gas capacity) is evidenced by recent utility procurements.
2. Efficiencies of co-location reduce costs and increase revenues of solar-plus-storage investments.
3. Declining costs of both solar and storage make the hybrid resources increasingly competitive with other resources.
4. The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides up to a 30% reduction in storage costs, if paired with solar.
5. State solar and storage mandates prioritize deployment of those resources, reflecting priorities of policymakers and regulators.

That’s not all. Brattle found that co-location is not the only pathway for increasing the interplay between solar power and energy storage. Standalone energy storage projects are beginning to compete with solar-plus-storage hybrids on cost, providing energy stakeholders with more options for siting storage projects.

CleanTechnica is curious about the competition between the standalone and the hybrid approach, so we’re reaching out to Brattle for its insights. Stay tuned.

Formula 1, the world’s most important auto racing championship, has decided to turn the page and aim for carbon neutrality with the support of its teams, drivers and the whole racing circus.

It’s time for a change in Formula 1. From being a sport with a considerable environmental footprint (remember the V12 engine?) characterised by its opulence, to one aiming to reach net zero carbon emissions.

The announcement was made on 12 November by Chase Carey, president and CEO of the Formula One Group, which will strive to make all the its cars, activities and events achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The plan was revealed after a twelve-months collaboration with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and experts in the field of sustainability, as well as F1 teams and sponsors.

How Formula 1 will reduce its emissions

The motorsport has always been a lab for innovation. Throughout the years, the entire industry has benefited from new technologies coming out of Formula 1. Among these, aerodynamic inventions, safety developments, energy recovery systems and navigation tools. Formula 1’s composite materials have been adopted by many automobile companies as in other sectors too.

“Few people know that the current F1 hybrid power unit is the most efficient in the world, delivering more power using less fuel, and hence CO2, than any other car,” Carey highlights. “We believe F1 can continue to be a leader for the auto industry, and work with the energy and automotive sector to deliver the world’s first net zero carbon hybrid internal combustion engine that hugely reduces carbon emissions around the world”.

To reduce the emissions of the whole circus to zero, it won’t be enough to focus exclusively on the cars themselves. The paddock, logistics and transoceanic journeys are to be considered, without forgetting all the events taking place during race weekends. Formula 1’s official website states that sustainable materials will be used during these functions and that all disposable plastic will be removed, favouring the use of recycled materials instead. In addition, the circus will work on ways to provide incentives and means for fans to travel to races in the most ecological way possible.

2nd and 3rd generation biofuels for the future of Formula 1 

The next step for the sport is to implement the use of second generation fuels, which don’t impact the food chain as they originate from food waste and biomass such as forestry or even household waste. “Finally, there are third generation biofuels, sometimes called e-fuels or synthetic fuels, and without going into too much chemistry, these are the more advanced fuels,” explains Pat Symonds, Formula 1’s Chief Technical Office. “They’re often called drop-in fuels because you can effectively just put them into any engine without modification,” he goes on to explain.

Even among drivers there’s a renewed attention towards climate change. F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, for example, recently announced his switch to veganism, as well as his decision to sell his private jet and ban disposable plastic from his home and office.

“It’s not the easiest because, yes, we’re travelling around the world and we’re racing Formula One cars. Our carbon footprint for sure is higher than the average homeowner that lives in the same city,” Hamilton told Reuters. “But it doesn’t mean you should be afraid to speak out about things that can be for a positive change”.

Clean energy has been the focus of many sectors, from technology to transportation. Around the world, governments are tapping into renewable sources to fuel the growing demand for energy. As a result, more solar parks, wind farms and hydroelectric power plants are being built.

Renewables are sources of energy that can be replenished using naturally occurring processes.

Common renewable energy sources are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower.

Renewable energy — A bespoke concept

However, not all countries have the same potential for clean energy or the right environment for certain energy infrastructure. Each harness the environment according to its unique surroundings, and not all nations have the same policies.

More countries pledge to reduce their carbon footprint

As the energy race is bolstered by international goals such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal for Affordable and Clean Energy, more and more countries are aiming to bring their carbon footprint to zero by 2050.

As the world shifts to renewable energy, economic and population growth mean global energy demand will continue to increase. Renewables might be the key to not only meet the demands of today, but also tomorrow.

Now that offshore wind developers Vineyard Wind have won over state officials, the details on jobs and expenses is the next big question.

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Thursday that the bid from the Massachusetts-based company has been selected to advance to contract negotiations with the state’s electric distribution companies to provide 804 megawatts of offshore wind through its Park City Wind Project.

The company has said it wants to use Bridgeport’s harbor as part of its staging area and promised the project would bring jobs to the city.

“Today’s announcement takes Connecticut one step closer to being the epicenter of the new offshore wind industry, with thriving ports in both Bridgeport and New London,” said Lars Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind, in a press release.

The Park City Wind project will now enter into negotiations with the state’s two electric utilities, The United Illuminating Company and Eversource Energy, for a contract with a 20-year term. The negotiated contracts will be subject to review and approval by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Vineyard Wind beat out two other bidders vying for the same contract from the state, which had a standing order for up to 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy.

This is the second large-scale contract Vineyard Wind secured in the past two years. The first was to build an 800-megawatt offshore wind farm for Massachusetts in 2018.

According to DEEP, the selection will more than double the amount of new zero-carbon renewable energy procured by DEEP to date. Vineyard Wind’s project is slated to provide roughly 14 percent of the state’s electricity supply.

“In this process, bidders really had to sharpen their pencils in order to come out in the winner circle,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Park City Wind ranked highest on the whole complement of elements that we were prioritizing in this (request for proposals).”

That included a commitment to economic development for the state. The project is expected to go online in 2025 based on DEEP’s announcement and includes an estimated $890 million in direct economic development in Connecticut, including Bridgeport Harbor and the local supply chain.

The company wants to turn 18.3 acres of harborfront land in Bridgeport into an assembly hub for a wind farm that would be built south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Beyond initial construction and usage of the site, Vineyard Wind plans to use the facility for future projects, including having the Bridgeport site serve as the operations and maintenance hub for its offshore turbines for the next 30 years, company officials said.

Vineyard Wind had stated in its proposal that the project would generate around $1.6 billion in direct economic benefits and create up to 12,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with construction and operation of the site

According to Pederson, roughly 70 percent of jobs created from the project are slated to be in and around Bridgeport with work divided among construction of the facility, manufacturing of the turbines and following operations and maintenance.

The future job creation projections caught the attention of local and state officials before and during the bid review process.

“This is very significant — our most significant — investment to date,” said David Lehman, Commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. “I think there are real benefits as it relates to climate but also the economy. We also feel that a renewable energy and further clean technology will be built out in the State of Connecticut and that’s the tech that hopefully those investments will continue to bear fruit overtime.”

DECD also participated in the review process.

Vineyard Wind still has to get local, state, and federal permitting to move forward with the project, but construction in Bridgeport is projected to started in 2021 in order to begin building offshore in 2023, according to Pederson.

Vineyard Wind partnered with Seymour-based power cable maker Marmon Utility in October, promising to use the company’s Kerite cable brand as its preferred cable supplier for at least 50 percent of the project.

The supply contract was contingent on Vineyard Wind being chosen and is slated to bring $40 million in direct expenditures to the state, along with dozens of new jobs to the Seymour manufacturer.

“This is a great day for us at the Vineyard Wind Team in getting our second project in the U.S.,” Pederson said. “For many reasons, this is a very exciting project for us, and we look very much forward to working with all the stakeholders and DEEP on this exciting project.”