1. ClearPath's Savita Bowman on "The Carbon Copy"
Our program manager Savita Bowman appeared on "The Carbon Copy" podcast with Stephen Lacey. The two talked about the future outlook of carbon removal deployments.
Stephen and Savita dove into:
- Recent announcements by the DOE on the first round of DAC Hubs winners and the Carbon Negative Shot Pilot projects;
- Draft language regarding carbon removal solutions issued by the UNFCCC; and
- The complex web of carbon markets, the current policy momentum within the U.S., and notable projects making tangible progress.
What’s clear: America is at the forefront of carbon dioxide removal advancements, leading the charge toward reducing global emissions.
Plug in: Listen to the 25-minute podcast here.
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2. Massive hydrogen plant with CCS planned for West Virginia
Texas-based energy company Fidelis New Energy LLC unveiled plans for the $2 billion Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) in Mason County, West Virginia which would produce hydrogen for data centers, steel production, transportation, and other uses.
- The project will be divided into four phases, each producing over 500 metric tons of “net-zero carbon hydrogen” each day – on scale with production at America’s largest planned sites.
- The project is expected to yield 4,200 construction jobs and 800 full-time jobs.
- The hydrogen will be produced using a mix of natural gas with carbon capture and renewable energy.
What's clear: Hydrogen has the potential to connect the electricity, industrial, and transportation sectors to maximize resources in the overall energy system, but an efficient permitting process is key to the rapid deployment of clean energy. Once in full operation, the facility will sequester 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
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3. Oklo launches landmark plan with Centrus
Oklo and Centrus Energy Corporation announced a new plan to deploy two of Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse reactors to power much-needed advanced nuclear fuel production in Southern Ohio.
- Oklo would purchase the HALEU fuel from Centrus’ planned production in Piketon, Ohio.
- Centrus would purchase electricity from two Aurora powerhouses. These two power plants are designed to power thousands of homes and businesses in addition to the HALEU production facility; similarly, the HALEU production plant is designed to be scaled up to support hundreds of reactors.
In other news -
The U.S. Department of the Air Force, in partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, released a request for proposal for the Eielson Air Force Base Micro-Reactor Pilot Program.
- This is an important first step toward developing the next-generation energy technology and informing future initiatives to power national security infrastructure.
- This continues the DOD’s interest in how nuclear energy benefits the U.S. Military.
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4. ClearPath visits Form Energy following battery announcement
Grid-scale battery company Form Energy announced it will install a 10-megawatt, iron-air battery system in New York following a $12 million state grant.
- Right now, the Form Energy battery would be the only multi-day storage project in NY.
- NY officials are looking to have six gigawatts deployed by 2030.
What’s clear: As power sector decarbonization accelerates, energy storage has emerged as an essential technology to maximize grid reliability and integrate renewable energy. Long-duration storage can help enable high levels of intermittent renewables on power grids.
Plug in: The ClearPath team recently visited the Form Energy campus in Somerville, Massachusetts. Team members saw Form’s innovative manufacturing process and met with their executive team. Learn more about their technology in this short video: A "Reversible Rust” Battery That Could Transform Energy Storage.”
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5. ClearPath in the Clean Energy Leadership Institute Fellowship
Congratulations to ClearPath’s Senior Research Associate Casey Kelly on her admission into the 2023 Clean Energy Leadership Institute fellowship class!
Casey is one of 200 fellows from four cities, including D.C., networking with other young professionals on the shared mission to reduce global emissions.
Congratulations, Casey!
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6. New nuclear coming to Michigan
American nuclear innovators Holtec and Hyundai E&C signed a deal to build two to four new reactors at the site of the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan to provide electricity by 2029.
- Holtec is a U.S. nuclear power plant design and manufacturing company
- Hyundai E&C will be in charge of the construction.
- The companies plan to start construction by 2026 on the $3 billion project.
What’s clear: Nuclear energy is making a comeback — in America and worldwide. In the U.S., nuclear utilities are calling for 90 GW of new nuclear power by 2050, nearly doubling our nuclear energy capacity in the next 30 years — and American innovators like Holtec are up to the challenge.
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7. The WORLD wants new nuclear
Nuclear energy is far more popular than you may have guessed. One of the largest research projects around nuclear energy sentiment conducted in recent history confirms this including:
- 5:1 people support new nuclear globally
- New nuclear is supported by all ages – especially younger generations
- New nuclear support is nonpartisan
Plug in: For more, read our former intern Makennah Troy and policy advisor Natalie Houghtalen's latest blog.
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8. Unlocking geothermal across the country
There is enough geothermal energy in the United States to power the entire country. Some are now trying to tap the hot granite that houses this energy including Utah FORGE and the Houston-based Fervo.
- Currently, geothermal only produces 0.4 percent of America’s electricity.
- Drilling deeper and hotter can make projects more cost-effective. Existing oil and gas equipment wasn’t designed for temperatures above 350 degrees, which is why designs for new tools are so crucial for unleashing this energy.
- Permitting delays and unequal treatment for geothermal drilling versus oil and gas has jeopardized potential growth.
What's clear: With increased interest around the world, diverse investment flowing in, and the application of new breakthrough technologies, geothermal could supply 12 percent of America's electricity by 2050.
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9. ICYMI
- Carbon removal is an emerging clean energy technology, and some of America’s largest tech, oil, and gas companies are joining the development front.
- The cement industry is working to lower carbon dioxide emissions through many outlets. Check out our take on reducing emissions through innovating cement and concrete production.
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