1. Investment in CDR tech helps build first pilot-scale facility
An innovative carbon dioxide removal (CDR) startup from California, Heirloom Carbon Technologies Inc., has received $53 million in investments to help build their first pilot-scale facility.
- The technology utilizes a cheap and widely available resource: limestone.
Plug in: Direct air capture (DAC) technology has historically been costly due to the expensive solvents needed to separate carbon dioxide from the air. Heirloom’s limestone technique uses a similar process without the use of these expensive solvents.
What’s clear: CDR is just one piece of the push to reduce emissions. Ultimately, we need both mitigation and removal if we are going to meet goals to lower emissions.
|
2. Nuclear energy to meet global goals
Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) is beginning to site a new small modular reactor (SMR), Canada’s first grid-scale project of this type, using American technology.
- The project will use GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300.
- The new reactor will be adjacent to one of OPG’s existing nuclear plants.
- The project is expected to break ground later this year.
What’s clear: The International Energy Agency projects global nuclear generation needs to double by 2050 to meet net-zero emissions goals.
Nearly 50 countries have markets for advanced nuclear power, a potential ~$360 billion per year market opportunity. U.S. innovators are on the cusp of capitalizing on this opportunity.
Plug in: Global investment in nuclear energy continues in Europe:
|
3. Rep. Graves wants clean, secure, affordable energy
Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) appeared on Just the News to discuss American clean energy efforts amid rising energy prices and what House Republicans are working on. Topics included:
- Supply chain security amid the Russian-Ukrainian conflict;
- The importance of sourcing critical minerals and other resources here in the U.S.; and
- Prioritizing nuclear power as a crucial source of clean energy.
What’s clear: Conservatives are working on solutions to solve the climate challenge and eliminate dependence on foreign sources of energy.
|
4. Record venture investments highlight nuclear energy
The private sector is paying close attention to nuclear: Venture funding for both nuclear fission and fusion startups spiked last year at $3.4 billion.
What’s clear: The multiple advantages to nuclear power have become clear as climate concerns increase.
- Nuclear energy can provide power 24/7, zero-carbon emissions, and help forge a path toward American energy independence.
- Record investments in both fission and fusion energy show that investors see them as key technologies.
|
5. ICYMI
|
|
