Mux Weekly Newsletter - 5th Edition

Stay Charged !

Author

Mux Energy
March 31, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Greetings, Earth Champions!

Welcome to the fifth edition of “Renewable Insights Weekly”—your compass in the ever-evolving world of sustainable energy. As we embark on this eco-adventure, we’ll unveil the latest discoveries in wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen cells, and energy storage solutions.

Stay curious, stay green, and let’s ride the renewable wave together!

Read previous editions here: https://muxenergy.beehiiv.com/

Table of Contents

Wind Power Wonders

1. European Wind Supply Chain in Crisis

The European wind supply chain faces critical challenges. Approximately 80 GW of onshore wind projects are stuck in permitting procedures, while offshore wind projects grapple with long lead times. Escalating commodity costs, supply chain bottlenecks, and auction design issues further compound the situation. Additionally, competition from Chinese manufacturers poses a threat. To address these challenges, the European Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan must provide robust solutions, ensuring Europe remains an attractive investment destination for clean energy industries.

Source: Rysted Energy Report, State of European Wind Energy Supply Chain

2. China is racing ahead in the race!

China will dominate wind turbine manufacturing for 2023, with Goldwind leading at 16.4 GW, followed by Envision (15.4 GW), Vestas (13.4 GW), Windey (6.8 GW), and Mingyang (6.5 GW). These companies shape the global wind energy landscape, while China’s home market accounts for 98% of their deployments.

3. Norway Offshore Retreat

Norway opened the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Tampen. Located 140 km off the Norwegian coast, it taps into strong, stable winds far offshore. The project aims to reduce gas usage for the Snorre and Gullfaks oil and gas fields, offsetting emissions while serving as a testbed for innovation.

4. Big win for Orsted and New Yorkers!

The U.S. government approved Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind project off the Massachusetts coast. This project will be the largest U.S. offshore wind project, powering over 320,000 homes and contributing to New York’s 70% renewable energy goal by 2030. The project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Solar Spotlight

1. Molten Salt leak leaves the Solar thermal Plant Halted

The Noor-Ouarzazate Solar Complex in Morocco, which includes the NOOR III concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, recently encountered a significant issue. A leak in the hot molten salt tank has forced the plant offline. The breakdown is estimated to cost around $47 million and downtime till November 2024. The operator, ACWA Power, is actively addressing the issue and aims to repair the storage system, which may involve building a new storage tank.

2. A new definition of efficiency in solar panels 

Scientists created a flexible solar cell for wearables, combining organic and CIGS layers. It’s super efficient, converting 27.46% of sunlight into electricity. Imagine it as a superhero cape for your gadgets.

Source: Schematic of Solar Cell / Image Future University Egypt

Hydrogen Horizons

1. Airbus is experimenting with the green flight sustainable experience

French aerospace company Airbus is currently exploring hydrogen engines and fuel cells in parallel for its first H2 planes, which are planned to enter commercial service in 2035. Flight tests are scheduled to begin in late 2026. The firm aims to validate one of these technologies at the lab level by 2026 or 2027 and demonstrate its use in a relevant environment (such as a flight test) before formally launching the program in 2028 or 2029.

2. Can we start using e-diesel ?

The world’s first commercial-scale e-fuel plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, produces e-diesel by combining green hydrogen with captured CO₂. This innovative fuel is a drop-in replacement for existing Amazon trucks, contributing to a more sustainable future. Investors like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos support this project. The facility is a demonstration plant, and Infinium’s Project Roadrunner aims to scale up eFuel production significantly.

3. Green steel is reality forward, a Big win for the Renewable Industry

SSAB, a steel company, leads in sustainable steel production. They offer SSAB Zero™, a recycled steel with no fossil carbon emissions. Their fossil-free steel using HYBRIT® technology aims to be market-ready by 2026. SSAB’s commitment contributes to a greener future.

Energy Storage Excellence

1. Big Corporation tieing knots for a sustainble future

Google, Microsoft, and Nucor Corporation have joined forces in an exciting initiative to aggregate demand and scale the adoption of advanced clean electricity technologies. Their collaborative efforts aim to address barriers to early-stage commercial project deployment and accelerate the development of groundbreaking projects.

2. The European Union recognizes the need for energy sources

The momentum behind energy storage in Europe is indeed undeniable. The European Union acknowledges that energy storage plays a critical role in ensuring flexibility for an electricity system that increasingly relies on low-carbon energy sources. While the UK continues to be the largest energy storage market, other EU Member States, including Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland, are also actively contributing to this trend.

3. Is China successful in the EV market by Government subsidies?

China disputes the assertion that its EV industry’s success is solely due to subsidies. Instead, it points to other factors such as battery supply chain dominance, innovation, and competitive pricing within its crowded domestic market. The European Union’s pursuit of clarity underscores the growing significance of electric vehicles in the global automotive landscape

Market Insights

1. Unlocked potential of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy: Earth’s hidden treasure. Imagine tapping into the planet’s cosmic furnace—always-on, emissions-free power. It’s like having New York City energized 687 times over. Let’s unlock this sustainable gem !

2. Growing momentum in the European Green outlook

According to the EU energy regulatory agency Acer, wind energy has made significant strides in the European Union, becoming the second-largest power source in 2023. This achievement is pivotal as wind output surpassed coal-fired and gas-fired power generation for the first time. The EU’s commitment to increasing renewables usage and reducing energy demand aligns with its goal of phasing out Russian gas by 2027 and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 20501.

2. Why was the Portuguese not affected by the Energy crisis ?

Unlike many other European countries, Portuguese consumers were remarkably shielded from the energy crisis. The reason? A robust reliance on renewable energy and well-regulated tariffs.

3. Is China playing a power-up in Serbia? does it play a threat to EU ?

Serbia's strategic alignment with China has implications for its EU accession process. While Chinese investments in Serbia contribute to economic development, concerns arise regarding transparency, environmental standards, and human rights. Balancing cooperation with China while maintaining EU compatibility is crucial. Meanwhile, the EU aims to boost renewables to 42.5% by 2030, but supply chain bottlenecks and permitting delays challenge wind energy targets. Striking the right balance between reliance on Chinese wind turbines and protecting the European wind industry is essential for Europe's energy transition.

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