Dear reader,
According to the “World Energy Investment 2024” report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global investment in clean energy will be almost twice as high as that in fossil fuels this year, despite the pressure on financing. The increase in funding will be favoured by more cost-effective renewable energy technologies and improved supply chains.
Investment in clean energy, such as renewables, storage, electric vehicles, low-emission fuels, and efficiency improvements, is reaching new records of over $2 trillion, even in challenging economic conditions, underscoring the momentum of the new global energy economy.
The rise in clean energy spending is underpinned by strong economic conditions, continued cost reductions and energy security considerations. But there is also a strong industrial policy element as major economies compete for advantage in the new clean energy supply chains. The increase in investment is mainly due to new policies and financing in the US, Europe and China, as well as in some Latin American countries.
A study entitled “The impact of refrigeration on food losses and associated greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain” by the University of Michigan (USA) concludes that around 620 million tonnes of food waste could be saved through fully refrigerated supply chains. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), around 800 million people suffer from hunger. Fully refrigerating food supply chains – creating ‘cold chains’ – could reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste by 41 per cent globally, the study found. “I was surprised by the scale of the opportunity to reduce food loss and waste globally,” said Aaron Friedman-Heiman, lead author in the press release. About eight per cent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are due to food loss, UMichigan said. The study focused on losses in the post-harvest supply chain to retail, rather than losses at the household or farm level. More on the topic of food waste at: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/231426/improved-refrigerated-supply-chains-could-save-nearly-half-of-global-food-waste-says-new-study/
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that its forecasts for a tripling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in 2024 to 1.9 billion litres (1.5 million tonnes) are on target. This would represent 0.53% of aviation fuel demand in 2024. To accelerate the use of SAF, governments could take various policy measures. https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-06-02-03/
Paris-Vatry SAF, the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production project is being developed at Paris-Vatry airport, in partnership with leading alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology provider LanzaJet, Haffner Energy said. The project, supported by Haffner Energy, will offer an initial capacity of 30,000 tonnes of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) per year, with the possibility of tripling production. Paris-Vatry SAF is the first in a series of new SAF projects with Haffner Energy solutions. https://www.haffner-energy.com/wp-content/uploads/pr-vatry-website-20240516.pdf
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released a summary report on a September 2023 Request for Information (RFI) on building supply chains to meet the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge goals. The SAF Grand Challenge was launched in 2021 by the DOE, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the goal of supplying enough SAF to meet all aviation fuel needs in the U.S. by 2050 and reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to conventional fuel. https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/articles/us-department-energy-releases-rfi-findings-building-supply-chains-meet
To promote the use of SAF, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the United Arab Emirates has announced that it will establish a SAF registry to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels by mandatorily recording and reporting emissions reductions achieved through SAF. Seventeen airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and one fuel manufacturer are already supporting efforts to develop the registry. https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-06-02-02/
Cathay and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a variety of sustainability initiatives. These joint efforts aim to drive the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Asia-Pacific region – a key lever for decarbonising the sector – and share best practices to enhance sustainability performance. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/cathay-and-singapore-work-together-for-saf/
Neste announced that Vietnam Airlines has completed its first flight using Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel with an Airbus A321. Neste produced the SAF at its refinery in Singapore, and after blending the SAF with conventional jet fuel, the fuel blend was delivered to Vietnam Airlines via Neste’s integrated supply chain to Changi Airport. More on this story. https://www.neste.com/news/neste-enables-vietnam-airlines-first-flight-using-sustainable-aviation-fuel
In France, the deep-tech start-up SUBLIME Energie, which emerged from the Energy Environment Process Center (CEEP) of Mines Paris-PSL, is revolutionising the use of biogas by developing a globally unique technology: the liquefaction of biogas. By efficiently transporting and pooling the biogas production of several farms, it reduces their initial investment and operating costs, opening up access to unused biomass deposits, increasing the resilience of farms and territories and providing a way to decarbonise the agricultural and transport sectors. https://www.energyglobal.com/product-news/05062024/sublime-energie-unveils-on-farm-biogas-liquefaction-technology/
In Finland, Valtra, a global tractor manufacturer owned by AGCO Corporation, has achieved a significant milestone by using a total of 5 million litres of Neste MY Renewable Diesel as a factory fuel, in testing and in its factory forklifts at its Suolahti plant in Finland, saving 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. https://www.neste.com/news/neste-helps-valtra-save-over-15-000-tons-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-at-its-suolahti-factory-with-the-supply-of-5-million-liters-of-neste-my-renewable-diesel
The UK Sustainable Biomass Programme (SBP) has announced that Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, has completed an assessment of the revised SBP standards (v2.0) and concluded that they are consistent with the land criteria set out in the statutory framework of the following programmes: Renewables Obligation, Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in Tariffs, Smart Export Guarantee and Green Gas Support Scheme. More at: https://sbp-cert.org/news/
In New Zealand, a two-year research project has shed light on the promising opportunities for regional New Zealand to adopt short rotation forestry (SRF) for bioenergy production. The findings show that leveraging short rotation forestry will not only diversify regional economies, but also contribute to sustainable land management and generate environmental benefits as New Zealand looks for ways to transition to a circular bioeconomy and meet its net-zero emissions targets by 2050. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/short-rotation-forestry-holds-key-to-lowering-fossil-fuel-dependency-scion/AGIUQ35X3FBNRBYWN7NE3YOETQ/
Ceres has received a further order for the second phase of its collaboration with Shell. This involves collaboration on the development of a SOEC (“Solid Oxide Electrolyzer”) module for use in large-scale industrial applications such as synthetic fuels, ammonia and green steel. Ceres has been working with Shell since 2022, resulting in the deployment of a 1 MW SOEC system at Shell’s research and development facility in Bangalore, India. https://www.ajbell.co.uk/articles/latestnews/276709/shares-ceres-power-climb-extends-collaboration-shell
HD Hyundai Oilbank in South Korea has certified its biofuel production technology with the International Sustainability & Carbon Certifications (ISCC), and received a global standard for recycled and bio-based materials. https://www.ajupress.com/view/20240528171341608
In Finland, Neste welcomed the authorisation of the free sale of 100% renewable diesel fuels according to the fuel standard DIN EN 15940 in Germany. The sale of unblended diesel fuel produced from renewable raw materials was previously only permitted in certain segments, such as non-road vehicles and public transport, according to Neste. https://www.neste.com/news/neste-welcomes-the-unrestricted-sales-allowance-of-100-percent-renewable-diesel-in-germany
Praj starts planning its additional grain-based ethanol plant for Fermap Industria De Alcooin in Brazil. The Fermpa plant will produce 63,000 litres of ethanol per day from corn, while the new Be8 plant will be ten times larger. https://themachinemaker.com/news/praj-industries-pioneers-grain-based-ethanol-plants-in-brazil
Bangchak wants to buy more B100 at the request of the Ministry of Domestic Trade to support palm oil prices. The ministry will set the price BBGI will pay for the crude palm oil, which will be based on palm oil prices, and Bangchak will then buy the B100 from BBGI. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2804926/bangchak-to-stabilize-palm-oil-prices-with-b100
In response to the growing demand for price transparency in the fuel supply chain as part of the energy transition, Argus has recently introduced freight rates for biofuels and biofuel feedstocks in the UK. Argus’ 60 new weekly assessed ‘specialised’ rates cover biofuels and biofuel feedstocks. https://www.argusmedia.com/en/about-argus/media-centre/press-releases/argus-launches-global-biofuels-and-feedstocks-freight-assessments
In the United Arab Emirates, AD Ports Group, Transmar and Orascom Construction have signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a green methanol storage and export facility in Egypt. https://www.portseurope.com/ad-ports-to-build-green-methanol-facility-in-egypt/
Fluid Quip Technologies (FQT) proudly announces the integration of its groundbreaking Distillers Corn Oil (DCO) Technology at the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson, Minnesota. This innovative technology promises to deliver an average 20% increase in distillers corn oil yields and reduce energy costs through enhanced solids control in evaporators. http://www.morningsun.net/stories/fluid-quip-technologies-announces-installation-of-distillers-corn-oil-dco-technology-system-at,133965?
Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd (GET) and PSA Singapore (PSA) announced that they have successfully completed the first Methanol for Container Ships at Tuas Port, a Methanol Bunkering and Offloading Operation (SIMOPS) in Singapore on 27 May 2024. https://safety4sea.com/singapore-achieves-one-methanol-fuel-milestone-after-the-other/
In Spain, Enilive Iberia announces the completion of the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Atenoil, a company operating in the petrol station sector. The transaction, which has been approved by the relevant authorities, includes 21 petrol stations in the regions of Madrid, Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. https://www.eni.com/en-IT/media/press-release/2024/06/pr-eniliveIberia.html
Axalta Coating Systems (AXTA), a global coatings company, has launched a powder coatings line. This new offering aims to reduce the environmental impact of the coatings industry by utilising organic non-food waste as a raw material. https://www.axalta.com/industrialcoatings_global/en_US.html
Umea University reported that a recent study on the production of cement and quicklime showed that the use of renewable fuels in this process can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent. The production of cement and quicklime is energy-intensive and causes high carbon dioxide emissions. https://www.umu.se/en/news/new-research-shows-how-biofuels-affect-cement-production_11944698