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Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil company, with an annual profit of 112 billion euros, continues to rely on the combustion engine and is convinced that even in 2050, half of all cars will still be powered by liquid fuels of all kinds. It would be incredibly expensive for the EU and the world to completely eradicate combustion engines or do without them. Says the Deputy Managing Director of Saudi Aramco. When I look at the alternatives, I also believe that “combustion engines” will be around for a very, very long time. In May 2024, a joint venture was established between Renault and Chinese car manufacturer Geely to develop and build new powertrains, combustion engines and hybrid systems. Saudi Aramco recently paid 740 million euros for a 10% stake in the company. Renault, Geely and Saudi Aramco assume that the demand for combustion engines will remain for a long time, even if the traditional car industry no longer develops and produces combustion engine technology. The only option will then be to buy combustion engines, such as Horse Powertrain. https://horse-powertrain.com/
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest event on renewable energy and efficient energy use in Europe, took place in Brussels in June 2024 under the theme “Net-Zero competitiveness driving the EU energy transition”. The hybrid conference focused on driving effective solutions for the EU’s clean energy transition and improving its energy competitiveness. During the sessions, policy makers, industry representatives, businesses, civil society organisations and citizens exchanged views to unlock valuable knowledge, propose policies that can make a difference and inspire decisive action to achieve the EU’s energy and climate goals. Read more about EUSEW 2024 and take a look at the various sessions. https://sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu/news/european-sustainable-energy-week-2024-another-edition-another-step-closer-net-zero-europe-2024-07-04_en
India-based IIT Kanpur and NSI Kanpur will set up a centre of excellence for biofuels to advance research and technology in the areas of ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, aviation fuel and green hydrogen production from biomass. NSI Kanpur has been in this field for over 60 years and understands the market dynamics and technology requirements. IIT Kanpur has a deep understanding of the science and technology behind chemistry and other related fields. The aim is to combine the strengths of both institutions to create a state-of-the-art centre that will help India become a leader in biofuels. https://iitk.ac.in/new/establish-a-centre-of-excellence-for-biofuels
A new study by economists at UC Berkeley and the U.S. Naval Academy has found that California motorists could save 20 cents per gallon if the state allowed the sale of E15 fuel at gas stations – a blend of 15 percent ethanol (E15) that is already legal in all 49 other states. https://kfgo.com/2024/07/12/california-drivers-could-save-2-7-billion-annually-with-e15/
bp invest €44 million to acquire a 15% stake in China’s Lianyungang Jiaao New Energy, a producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company is owned by Zhejiang-based Jiaao Enprotech, reports S&P Global. Jiaao Enprotech has a SAF capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year, with China potentially announcing SAF mandates in the near future. https://biofuels-news.com/news/bp-to-invest-in-china-based-saf-producer/
DHL Express has signed an agreement with CIMB Group Holdings Berhad to include the banking group in its GoGreen Plus programme. The partnership will enable CIMB to utilise the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce CO2e emissions associated with its international shipments. As part of the partnership, CIMB will roll out the programme in Malaysia and Singapore. DHL’s GoGreen Plus service facilitates the path to greener operations and helps expand the SAF ecosystem, the company said. “Many of our customers now view sustainability as a business imperative. In Asia Pacific alone, more than 12,000 customers have signed up for our GoGreen Plus service, and that number continues to grow.” https://www.dhl.com/my-en/home/press/press-archive/2024/dhl-express-and-cimb-join-forces-to-reduce-co2e-through-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html
Luis Gallego, chief executive of British Airways IAG told the Financial Times that airlines in Europe will have to raise fares to compensate for more expensive clean fuels as the sector tries to cut emissions. Due to the EU’s net-zero targets, stricter emissions controls and the requirement for a higher proportion of sustainable fuels to be used by airlines, European companies could lose some of their competitive advantage, Gallego added. https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/British-Airways-Owner-Sustainable-Aviation-Fuels-to-Raise-Fares-Lower-Demand.html
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Greenergy Halo Holdings III Limited of the UK by Trafigura Group Pte. Limited of Singapore. The transaction relates primarily to the supply of biodiesel, ethanol, and bioethanol. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_24_3703
Ricardo, a global strategic environmental and engineering consultancy, has been selected by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to lead a consortium that will establish the first European Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Clearinghouse. Together with the other members of the consortium – Trinity College Dublin, Intertek, Politecnico di Torino, ENVISA and Spark Legal and Policy Consulting – Ricardo’s experts will establish a network of European and international testing facilities and support fuel manufacturers in assessing the environmental impact of their products and meeting stringent approval criteria. The EU’s SAF clearing house has already received its first sustainable aviation fuel and is currently testing it. Through the EU SAF Clearing House, EASA aims to ensure that the fuel industry receives the necessary support to successfully develop SAF. https://www.ricardo.com/en/news-and-insights/press-releases/2024/ricardo-supporting-easa-to-establish-eu-sustainable-aviation-fuels-clearing-house
A consortium of 5 banking groups have signed a syndicated loan totalling 100 million euros. The three-year syndicated loan, which can be extended to five years, will accelerate Waga Energy’s international development, particularly in the United States, and strengthen the Group’s financial structure. This “green” loan will be used to finance projects that make a significant contribution to climate protection in line with the European green taxonomy and in line with the challenges of decarbonisation. https://waga-energy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-08_PR-Corporate-Financing.pdf
The Nigerian Ministry of Innovation and Technology in co-operation with Montserrado Investments and the Federal Institute (FIIRO) have signed a collaboration agreement to establish a cassava-based ethanol plant in Ekiti State. The minister said the initiative underscored the ministry’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s bioenergy value chain and sustainable development, according to the report. https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigeria-eyes-domestic-ethanol-production-with-cassava/
The National Marine Manufacturers, together with Suzuki Marine, Hyperfuels and LyondellBasell, organised an event at St Andrews Marina to launch the first pilot programme for sustainable marine fuels. The new research programme that will explore the portfolio of technologies to further reduce the 0.1% of global carbon emissions from recreational boating. Due to the many different types of boats and their varying uses, current research shows that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to reducing carbon emissions from recreational marine propulsion. https://marinefabricatormag.com/2024/07/10/sustainable-marine-fuels-pilot-program-rolls-out-in-florida/
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on South Africa to mobilize its experience, resources, and infrastructure to accelerate the development of SAF production. https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-07-03-01/
X-Press Feeders has started Europe’s first scheduled feeder network in which the vessels are powered by green methanol, a sustainable marine fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%. The industry milestone coincided with today’s naming and christening ceremony in Rotterdam of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/x-press-feeders-launches-europes-first-green-methanol-powered-feeder-network/
Vattenfall, together with Shell, took the initiative to develop the HySkies project to accelerate the transition to aviation electric fuels (SAF). Now, Vattenfall and Shell have agreed to pause their collaboration and invite other potential partners to join Vattenfall. While Shell sees a future in the project that also offers opportunities for future collaborations, there are currently differing views on the timeline for the realisation of the project. https://www.safinvestor.com/news/145415/e-saf-project/
ExxonMobil has launched a six-month trial in which 12 dnata airside vehicles and generators will be fuelled with renewable diesel. The trial uses Esso Renewable Diesel R20 (R20), a high-quality fuel with an estimated 15.4 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel. R20 consists of at least 20 per cent renewable energy sources and can be used in existing diesel engines. It is available at selected Esso petrol stations and through bulk deliveries to commercial customers. https://www.dnata.com/media-centre/dnata-partners-with-exxonmobil-to-lead-renewable-diesel-trial-at-singapore-changi-airport/
In Brazil, Vale and Komatsu have signed a collaboration agreement with Cummins to develop and test dual-fuel transport vehicles that run on a mixture of ethanol and diesel. They will be the world’s first trucks of their size with a payload of 230 to 290 tonnes to run on ethanol. https://vale.com/w/vale-komatsu-and-cummins-develop-dual-fuel-trucks-to-reduce-co2-emissions/-/categories/5
Chevron Renewable Energy Group will lay off employees at its Oeding plant in northern Germany from 1 August. The plant, which has been shut down for months due to imports of Chinese used cooking oil, will be closed. The German government will cover part of the employees’ salaries during the lay-off. The plant was recently modernised to expand the feedstocks it can process, including UCO. https://biofuels-news.com/news/chevron-reg-implements-short-time-work-at-german-biodiesel-plant/
The Renewable Fuels Association reports that US ethanol exports reached an all-time high of 154.4 million gallons (154 million litres) in May. In contrast to recent trends, exports targeted just twelve markets, and Canada was the largest importer for the 38th consecutive month. https://ethanolrfa.org/media-and-news/category/trade-monitor/article/2024/07/u-s-ethanol-and-ddgs-exports-strong-in-may
A leading provider of sustainable solutions for the compression and decompression of biogas and biomethane, recently announced its expansion into Europe. The Vontier Group plans to bring its industry-leading technology to the EU market, building on its already well-established reputation as an expert in the field of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compression in Europe. https://www.bioenergy-news.com/news/angi-energy-systems-expands-into-europe/
The green gas association ADBA congratulates the Labour Party on its election victory and welcomes the new government’s focus on tackling climate change through the rapid growth of renewable energy. ADBA will urge the new Minister for Energy and Climate Change to implement his ten-point green gas programme in the first year of government. https://www.bioenergy-news.com/news/adba-presents-new-uk-government-with-10-point-biogas-roadmap/
Naturgy and the Lecta Group have signed a renewable gas supply agreement that will facilitate the efficient decarbonization of the industrial group’s activity. Biomethane, a renewable gas obtained from the treatment of different types of waste with qualities similar to those of natural gas, will be used by Lecta’s production centers located in Leitza (Navarra) and Zaragoza. https://www.lecta.com/en/news/Pages/Lecta-commits-to-renewable-gas-and-moves-forward-with-its-decarbonization-plan.aspx
Shell Catalysts and Technip Energies announced an agreement to accelerate the commercialisation of Technip Energies’ Bio-2-GlycolsTM technology for the bio-based production of monoethylene glycol (MEG) from glucose. MEG is traditionally produced from fossil feedstock to produce various types of polyesters for packaging materials, such as plastic bottles, and for apparel. https://greenchemicalsblog.com/technip-energies-acquires-shells-bio-glycols-technology/