Renewables overtake oil

Twin_Moose

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First wave of ships explore green hydrogen as route to net zero

LONDON (Reuters) - Developers across the world are for the first time testing the use of hydrogen to power ships as the maritime industry races to find technologies to cut emissions and confidence grows the fuel is safe to use commercially.

To reach goals for the shipping industry set by the United Nations, industry leaders say the first net-zero ships must enter the global fleet by 2030. Ships powered by green hydrogen could help meet the target.

Made from electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable energy, green hydrogen is emissions free.

Oil major Royal Dutch Shell last month reiterated its commitment to hydrogen, which it saw as "advantaged over other potential zero-emissions fuels for shipping".
While hydrogen's green credentials make it attractive to industrial users, including ship owners and oil majors, it is far less dense than other fuels, meaning more onboard fuel storage capacity is needed. That makes it more feasible, for now, for use in vessels on short voyages.

Swiss-headquartered technology group ABB is working on hydrogen fuel cell systems, including for passenger and cargo ships. One of its projects involves developing a fuel cell-based power and propulsion system for a new-build river vessel along France's Rhone river.

"ABB sees short-distance shipping as the first adopters of the fuel cell technology," said Juha Koskela, division president, ABB Marine & Ports.

FUEL SYSTEM PILOTS

Green hydrogen fuel costs around 4-8 times the price of very low sulphur fuel oil, estimates by risk management firm DNV GL find.

Other types of hydrogen are cheaper, but that is because they are produced using fossil fuel, which means they are not emissions free.

Green hydrogen is expected to fall in price over the next couple of decades as the cost of renewable energy and electrolysers falls.

For companies to invest en masse, however, the associated infrastructure for refuelling and transportation, including electrolysers, compressors, storage, tanks and pipelines, must also be in place.

Christos Chryssakis, of DNV GL, said it took around 20 years to establish liquefied natural gas refuelling infrastructure. He said the process could be quicker for hydrogen, but industry estimates find many billions in investment would be needed.

In Norway, regulations could accelerate the process.

Cruise ships and ferries sailing through the country's heritage-protected fjords must be emissions-free by 2026, which is prompting shipping companies to consider fuel combinations including hydrogen.

Norwegian-headquartered ship designer and ship yard Ulstein is working on building a support ship for the offshore oil sector that would use hydrogen as one power option.

"Rather than wait for hydrogen bunker infrastructure to be matured, we went for a hybrid design using a containerised solution for the hydrogen storage tanks," Ulstein's Nick Wessels said.

The company is also working on a separate hydrogen project for wind installation turbine vessels, he said.......More
 

petros

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LONDON (Reuters) - Developers across the world are for the first time testing the use of hydrogen to power ships as the maritime industry races to find technologies to cut emissions and confidence grows the fuel is safe to use commercially.
They alredy run on hydrogen. Smattamitchew?
 

Twin_Moose

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Canada’s support for Keystone XL ‘unwavering’ regardless of U.S. election: O’Regan

As the Canadian government waits to see what the outcome of the U.S. election will mean for a number of key bilateral initiatives, the country's Minister of Natural Resources says the government will continue to advocate for the Keystone XL pipeline project, regardless of who is in power.

In an interview with The West Block's Mercedes Stephenson, Seamus O'Regan said the federal government is "unwavering" in it's support of the Keystone project.

"There is a very, very strong argument for the Keystone project that continues regardless of who the president of the United States is," he said. "And we will continue to make that argument strongly."

Read more: Trump administration gives approval for Keystone XL pipeline on U.S. land

Earlier this year, Democratic candidate Joe Biden vowed to rip up U.S. President Donald Trump's approvals of the expansion if elected.

"I've been against Keystone from the beginning," Biden said in an interview with CNBC. "It is tarsands that we don't need — that in fact [are a] very, very high pollutant."

Biden said claims that shutting down the Keystone pipeline would do undue damage to the oil industry are "just not rational," adding that the arguments do not make any environmental or economic sense........More
 

Twin_Moose

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Canada’s support for Keystone XL ‘unwavering’ regardless of U.S. election: O’Regan

As the Canadian government waits to see what the outcome of the U.S. election will mean for a number of key bilateral initiatives, the country's Minister of Natural Resources says the government will continue to advocate for the Keystone XL pipeline project, regardless of who is in power.

In an interview with The West Block's Mercedes Stephenson, Seamus O'Regan said the federal government is "unwavering" in it's support of the Keystone project.

"There is a very, very strong argument for the Keystone project that continues regardless of who the president of the United States is," he said. "And we will continue to make that argument strongly."

Read more: Trump administration gives approval for Keystone XL pipeline on U.S. land

Earlier this year, Democratic candidate Joe Biden vowed to rip up U.S. President Donald Trump's approvals of the expansion if elected.

"I've been against Keystone from the beginning," Biden said in an interview with CNBC. "It is tarsands that we don't need — that in fact [are a] very, very high pollutant."

Biden said claims that shutting down the Keystone pipeline would do undue damage to the oil industry are "just not rational," adding that the arguments do not make any environmental or economic sense........More
 

Twin_Moose

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In the article they are expecting big profits from the sale of excess energy to fund other green projects, once reality hits they will realize that they still need even more tax dollars to pay for everything
 
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petros

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In the article they are expecting big profits from the sale of excess energy to fund other green projects, once reality hits they will realize that they still need even more tax dollars to pay for everything
Panels have a ten year lifespan. Theyll break even and return to 10 years of debt.
 
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B00Mer

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In the article they are expecting big profits from the sale of excess energy to fund other green projects, once reality hits they will realize that they still need even more tax dollars to pay for everything

The future is “Quantum Glass” Battery worth trillions.. it'll be worth trillions by the end 2030.


 
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petros

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Ottawa delays small nuclear reactor plan as critics decry push for new reactors​

By Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press — Nov 18 2020



TORONTO — Canadians will have to wait a little while longer to see the federal government's plan for the development of small nuclear reactors, seen by proponents as critical to the country's fight against global warming.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day virtual international conference on Wednesday, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of natural resources said the plan will lay out key actions regarding the reactors. Its launch, Paul Lefebvre said, would come in the next few weeks.

"We're still putting the finishing touches on it," Lefebvre said. "The action plan is too important to be rushed."

Small modular reactors — SMRs — are smaller in size and energy output than traditional nuclear power units, and more flexible in their deployment. While conventional reactors produce around 800 megawatts of power, SMRs can deliver up to 300 megawatts.

Proponents consider them ideal as both part of the regular electricity grid as well as for use in remote locations, including industrial sites and isolated northern communities. They could also play a role in the production of hydrogen and local heating.

"SMRs will allow us to take a bold step of meeting our goal of net-zero (emissions) by 2050 while creating good, middle class jobs and strengthening our competitive advantage," said Lefebvre.

Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan had been scheduled to speak at the conference but did not due to a family emergency.

Industry critics were quick to pounce on the government's expected SMR announcement. They called on Ottawa to halt its plans to fund the experimental technology.

While nuclear power generation produces no greenhouse gas emissions, a major problem facing the industry is its growing mound of radioactive waste. This week, the government embarked on a round of consultations about what do with the dangerous material.

Dozens of groups, including the NDP, Bloc Quebecois, Green Party and some Indigenous organizations, oppose the plan for developing small modular reactors. They want the government to fight climate change by investing more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"We have options that are cheaper and safer and will be available quicker," Richard Cannings, the NDP natural resources critic, said in a statement.

Lefebvre, however, said the global market for SMRs is expected to be worth between $150 billion and $300 billion a year by 2040. As one of the world's largest producers of uranium, Canada has to be part of the wave both for economic and environmental reasons, he said.

"There's a growing demand for smaller, simpler and affordable nuclear technology energy," Lefebvre said.

Joe McBrearty, head of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, told the conference the company had signed a host agreement this week with Ottawa-based Global First Power for a demonstration SMR at its Chalk River campus in eastern Ontario. A demonstration reactor will allow for the assessment of the technology's overall viability, he said.

"When talking about deploying a new technology like an SMR, building a demonstration unit is vital to the success of that process," McBrearty said. "Most importantly, it allows the public to see the reactor, to kick the tires so to speak, and to have confidence in the safety of its operation."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2020.

Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press


Why? This makes no sense unless they are bullshitting aboot Climate Change and fossil fuels.
 
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