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1.Siemens Gamesa Workers in UK Threaten Strike Over Pay Dispute

Siemens Gamesa workers in the UK are preparing to strike due to dissatisfaction over changes to their pay and incentive structure. The trade union Unite is representing the workers in this dispute with the company.

Key Details:

• Approximately 300 Siemens Gamesa workers are "angry" over changes to their incentive scheme, according to the trade union Unite.

• The workers, who are based at Siemens Gamesa's facilities in Hull and Nottingham, are threatening to strike over the pay dispute.

• Unite has confirmed that the workers have voted in favour of industrial action, though no strike dates have been set yet.

• The dispute centres around changes to the workers' incentive scheme, which they claim has resulted in reduced pay.

2. World Bank Announces New Loan to India

The World Bank is aiming to scale up investments in green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure in India to support the country's climate goals and clean energy transition. They had announced a new $1.5 billion loan to support the development of a "vibrant" market for renewable hydrogen in India

Loan Details

• The loan will go towards programs that support the production of hydrogen via electrolysis, as well as the manufacture of electrolyser units.

• The loan is expected to result in the production of at least 450,000 tons of renewable hydrogen and 1.5 GW of electrolysers per year from 2025-26.

• It will also significantly help to increase renewable energy capacity and support reductions in emissions by 50 million tons per year.

Purpose of the Loan

• This loan is part of the World Bank's Hydrogen for Development (H4D) Partnership and is meant to help India achieve its net-zero target while creating clean energy jobs.

• Shortly after the loan was finalized, India's Solar Energy Corporation announced a new renewable hydrogen subsidy scheme to support the production of 450,000 tons per year of electrolytic hydrogen.

3. IRENA Urges 16.4% Annual Renewable Surge to Limit Global Warming

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has called for a 16.4% annual growth in renewable energy to meet the targets set for COP28. This growth is essential to achieve the goals outlined for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Key Highlights:

• IRENA has stated that this level of renewable energy growth is essential to achieve the goals outlined for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

• The 16.4% annual growth in renewable energy is needed to put the world on track to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as per the Paris Agreement.

• This rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and others, is crucial to decarbonize the global energy system and meet international climate targets.

• IRENA's call for accelerated renewable energy deployment comes as countries prepare for the crucial COP28 climate summit, where further commitments to emissions reductions are expected.

4. Amazon Hits 100% Renewable Energy Goal 7 Years Ahead of Schedule

Amazon has achieved its goal of powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy, seven years earlier than originally planned.

The key points are:

• Amazon had previously committed to reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030, but has now accomplished this milestone in 2023.

• This means that all of Amazon's business activities, including its retail operations, Amazon Web Services cloud computing, and logistics network, are now powered by renewable energy sources.

• The company reached this target through a combination of investments in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind farms, as well as power purchase agreements.

• Amazon has become one of the world's largest corporate buyers of renewable energy, with over 310 renewable energy projects across 21 countries.

• This achievement supports Amazon's broader climate goals, including reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 as part of its Climate Pledge.

1. Air Liquide Joins ExxonMobil's Low

Air Liquide, a major industrial gas company, has joined ExxonMobil's low-carbon hydrogen project in Baytown, Texas. The project aims to produce up to 9,000 tons per day of oxygen and 6,500 tons per day of nitrogen.

Investment and Facilities

Air Liquide will invest up to $850 million to build, own, and operate four large air separation units that will provide nitrogen and oxygen feedstock to ExxonMobil for producing hydrogen and ammonia. This investment represents Air Liquide's largest-ever industrial investment.

Environmental Impact

The air separation units will use 25% less electricity per ton of oxygen produced, further reducing the carbon footprint of the feedstock when powered with low-carbon or renewable electricity.

Market and Partnerships

The low-carbon ammonia produced at the Baytown facility will be used in power generation applications. SK Inc. Materials has agreed to be an off-taker for imports to Korea. JERA, which recently conducted successful ammonia co-firing trials at the Hekinan power plant in Japan, is also considering part-ownership and off-take from the Baytown project.

2. Developing Import Capacity for Low-Carbon Fuels in Europe

Fluxys and Advariohave issued a call for market interest in ammonia import capacity at their new, open-access terminal at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The terminal will be built at the existing Advario Gas Terminal site.

Ammonia Import Terminal in Antwerp-Bruges

• Fluxys and Advario are developing a new open-access ammonia (NH₃) import terminal at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, with plans for it to begin commercial operations in 2027.

• The companies are seeking expressions of interest from stakeholders to gauge capacity needs and determine the required supporting infrastructure, such as ammonia transport pipelines.

Hydrogen Market Development in Belgium

• The ammonia import terminal is part of a broader initiative to develop a hydrogen market in Belgium, led by Fluxys, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and Hinicio through the HyBex project.

• The HyBex project aims to establish a commodity trading hub for hydrogen and explore the necessary infrastructure and certification requirements for a nationwide hydrogen network, starting with imports at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Green Fuels Corridor between Ireland and Rotterdam

• The Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Shannon Foynes in Ireland have announced a partnership to develop a green fuels corridor, linking wind-powered production in Ireland with import terminals in Rotterdam.

• This initiative targets a variety of off-takers in Europe, including maritime fuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), fertilizers, and other direct users like the steel industry.

 3. Albania's 300 MW Solar Tender Attracts Lowest Bid of €0.0397/kWh

The latest solar tender in Albaniahas attracted a record-low bid of €0.0397/kWh for a 300 MW project. This bid, submitted by an unnamed bidder, represents a significant milestone for the country's renewable energy ambitions.

Key Highlights:

Largest Solar Tender in Albania: Albania launched a 300 MW solar tender, the largest such procurement in the country's history. 

Record-Low Bid Price: The lowest bid received was €0.0397/kWh, setting a new benchmark for solar power prices in Albania.

Driving Renewable Energy Transition: This record-low bid demonstrates Albania's progress in transitioning towards renewable energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Attracting International Investors:  The competitive tender has attracted interest from international renewable energy developers, indicating Albania's growing appeal as an investment destination for solar projects.

Potential for Further Cost Reductions: The record-low bid suggests that solar power is becoming increasingly cost-competitive, paving the way for further deployment and integration into Albania's energy mix.

1. Adding fire to e-fuels

E-fuels, also known as Electro-fuels or synthetic fuels, are produced by combining green hydrogen made from renewable electricity with captured carbon or nitrogen. They can decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation, shipping and heavy transport without requiring early retirement of existing equipment.

Challenges to scaling e-fuels

The main challenge is achieving commercial viability. Green hydrogen and CO2 capture are still expensive, and the conversion process to make e-fuels is energy and capital intensive. E-fuels must compete with much cheaper incumbent fossil fuels.

Keys to e-fuel success

• Locations with the lowest-cost renewable electricity and CO2 sources will have an advantage

• Green hydrogen costs are still high but are expected to decline as the industry scales up

• CO2 sourcing costs will rise as more e-fuel plants are built and rules tighten on eligible CO2 sources.

2. Sinonus Develops Energy-Storing Carbon Fiber Composites

Sinonus has developed carbon fiber-based structural batteries that not only store energy but also become an integral part of a product’s structure. Their possible span of energy density is said to be around 25-50% of a conventional lithium-ion battery at current technology level.

Structural and Energy Storage in One Material

Sinonus, a spin-out from Chalmers Technical University in Sweden, has created a carbon fiber composite that can act as both a structural material and an energy storage device.

Enabling "Weightless Batteries"

• By substituting part of the structural material in systems with this multipurpose composite, it's possible to add electrical storage capacity without increasing weight and volume, or to decrease system weight and volume while maintaining battery capacity.

• The energy density of the material depends on the required structural and electrical properties, with a potential range of 25-50% of a conventional lithium-ion battery.

Expanding Applications

• Sinonus has demonstrated the technology in low-power products and aims to expand it to larger applications like IoT devices, drones, computers, vehicles, and even airplanes.

• The goal is to enable "weightless batteries" by integrating energy storage directly into the structure of various systems and devices.