The Week in Cleantech: 4 June 2023

Last week witnessed a surge of news from the renewable energy sector. RWE will build Germany's largest battery storage facility with a capacity of 220MW, EDF Renewables and Simply Blue Group partnered to develop floating wind projects in Ireland, and Shell bought a 1.1 GW solar portfolio in Spain from Isemaren. Meanwhile, researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University achieved a record 19.31% efficiency with organic solar cells.

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Plug Power to build three green hydrogen plants in Finland with 2.2GW combined electrolyser capacity by 2030. The plants will produce 850 tonnes of green hydrogen per day and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. (NS Energy and 8 other sources)

Elon Musk visited Tesla's Giga Shanghai factory and met with senior Chinese officials, marking his first trip to China in over three years. The CEO's reported visit comes as Tesla aims to expand Giga Shanghai's annual production capacity to 1.75 million units and faces increasing competition in the Chinese EV market. (InsideEVs and 7 other sources)

Consortium submits application for 2.5 GW offshore wind project in Australia. Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power, AGL, and DIRECT Infrastructure have submitted a feasibility license application for a 2.5 GW offshore wind development off the coast of Victoria, Australia, which has the potential to create over 8,600 full-time equivalent jobs and generate more than AUD 3.7 billion economic value added. (Offshore Engineer and 6 other sources)

Redflow lands one of its largest orders ever for 20 MWh zinc bromine flow battery system to power Rolling Hills Casino in California, funded and approved by the California Energy Commission to support grid reliability and clean energy transition targets. The project will be one of the largest zinc-based battery projects in the world and will represent the largest single sale and deployment of Redflow batteries globally to date. (CleanTechnica and 5 other sources)

AES adds 238 MW wind generation with Chevelon Butte wind farm in Arizona. The project will have a total capacity of 454 MW when its second phase goes live in 2024. (Renewables Now and 3 other sources)

RWE builds Germany's largest battery storage facility with 220MW capacity. The €140m plant will balance out fluctuations in the electricity grid. (Recharge and 3 other sources)

Stellantis plans additional battery factories in the US amid favourable investment conditions, says CEO. The automaker aims to produce 400 GWh of battery cells by 2030, with 120 GWh covered by three European factories and two North American factories already announced. (Electrive and 3 other sources)

Lithuania concludes inaugural offshore wind tender with two bids received. The proposals will be assessed by Lithuania’s National Energy Regulatory Council. (Renewables Now and 2 other sources)

ACEN to build Australia's largest battery storage project at 1.4 GW/2.8 GWh in New South Wales. The project will supply on-demand energy for 175,000 homes and will be linked to a 720 MW solar farm. (Renewables Now and 2 other sources)

BlueFloat Energy enters Taiwan's offshore wind market to help the country meet its net-zero goals. The company plans to focus on a floating wind farm demonstration project and developing large-scale floating offshore wind ventures aligned with Taiwan's ambitious plans. (CleanTechnica and 2 other sources)

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Fisker Ocean Extreme SUV certified for US sales with 360-mile range. Deliveries to begin this month for top-tier trims. (Elektrek and 7 other sources)

Volkswagen brings back the Microbus to North America. The all-electric minivan will be available in 2024, with two battery sizes, faster DC fast charging, and an enhanced infotainment system. (InsideEVs and 5 other sources)

Freewire to integrate Tesla's North American Charging Standard connector to its Boost Chargers from 2024, eliminating the need for an adapter for Tesla owners. Freewire CEO commends Tesla and Ford's agreement to make NACS charging accessible to more vehicles, and plans to make NACS connectors available on Boost Chargers by mid-2024. (InsideEVs and 4 other sources)

Australian Li-S Energy develops GEN3 lithium sulfur battery cells with higher energy density and enhanced safety, suitable for high-value partners in the drone and eAviation sectors. The battery market for these sectors is expected to exceed $32bn p.a. by 2035. (Battery Industry and 4 other sources)

Argonne National Laboratory develops low-cost catalyst for clean hydrogen production. Cobalt-based catalyst replaces iridium, making hydrogen production cheaper and more sustainable. (AZO Cleantech and 5 other sources)

PowerX unveils the world's first Battery Tanker, which will transport surplus electricity generated from renewable sources. The ship is equipped with 96 containerized marine batteries and is expected to commence field testing in 2026. (Inceptive Mind and 3 other sources)

BayWa r.e. adds Tesla Powerwall to its solar distribution arm in the US. The Powerwall stores excess energy produced by a solar system, reducing electric bills and carbon footprint. (Solar Builder Magazine and 2 other sources)

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EDF Renewables Ireland and Simply Blue Group partner for floating wind projects in Ireland. The Western Star and Emerald projects will have a total capacity of up to 2.65 GW. (Offshore WIND and 7 other sources)

RINA and Eni partner to decarbonize maritime transport with renewable diesel and other energy carriers. The agreement also includes developing new energy supply models and certified methods for emissions benefits calculation. (Bioenergy International and 6 other sources)

Equatic to provide Boeing with 60,000 metric tons of CO2 removal and 2,100 metric tons of carbon-negative hydrogen. Equatic's ocean-based direct air capture technology amplifies the natural process of oceans to permanently sequester CO2 while producing carbon-negative hydrogen to generate clean energy. (ESG Today and 5 other sources)

Iberdrola sells minority stake in 1.2 GW Spanish wind and solar portfolio to Norway's NBIM. The deal valued the entire portfolio at €1.2bn ($1.28bn) and included 137 MW of operational power plants and 1,128 MW of projects in development in various regions of Spain. (Renewables Now and 4 other sources)

Ibereólica to supply clean energy to Cepsa's green hydrogen plants in Spain. The Spanish renewable energy company will provide up to 5GW in clean energy projects, including wind, solar, and hybrid wind-photovoltaic projects, expected to be operational in 2026. (Power Technology and 4 other sources)

Neste and ITOCHU extend collaboration to promote renewable diesel in Japan. The partnership aims to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels and increase knowledge sharing on renewable diesel. (Green Car Congress and 4 other sources)

Ford and Uber launch EV leasing program for rideshare drivers in LA, San Francisco, and San Diego. The Ford Drive program offers short-term leases for the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with lessees having access to a mobile app for payments and services. (EVMagz and 4 other sources)

NKT to deliver export power cables for two Swedish offshore wind farms. The agreement covers up to 210 km of cables for Galene and Triton projects. (Offshore WIND and 3 other sources)

Enercon to supply turbines for 260 MW wind farms in Turkey. The projects were successful in Turkey's Renewable Energy Resources Zone tender programme and Kalyon Enerji will develop and operate the wind farms. (Renewables Now and 3 other sources)

ElDorado National to supply Foothill Transit with 19 hydrogen fuel cell buses for zero-emissions fleet. The Axess EVO-FC buses have a range of 400 miles and refuel in 12-20 minutes. (Green Car Congress and 2 other sources)

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Accenture acquires Green Domus to accelerate net-zero transitions and enhance sustainability services. The acquisition will enable customized plans to lower carbon emissions and support clients in building resilient futures. (Environment + Energy Leader and 2 other sources)

OX2 to sell 27 MW Italian wind farm to Glennmont Partners. The Swedish renewables developer will remain the owner of the project during construction. (Renewables Now and 2 other sources)

Semco Maritime acquires Wind Multiplikator to strengthen offshore wind service offering. The acquisition includes OWS Off-Shore Wind Solutions and adds 250 employees to Semco's workforce. (Offshore WIND and 2 other sources)

Shell buys 1.1 GW solar portfolio in Spain from Isemaren. The deal strengthens Shell's presence in one of Europe's largest solar power markets. (Renewables Now and 2 other sources)

Mytilineos to acquire five solar projects in Canada, marking entry into North American market. The portfolio is expected to have a combined capacity of 1,410 MWdc and generate 2.1 TWh of renewable energy annually. (Renewables Now and 1 other source)

Ørsted North America acquires full ownership of New Jersey's first offshore wind farm. PSEG will provide limited transition services for construction management and environmental permitting. (Offshore WIND and 1 other source)

TenneT takes over Hollandse Kust Noord platform from Equans-Smulders joint venture. The platform is ready for commissioning and will be operated by Shell and Eneco's CrossWind consortium. (Offshore WIND and 1 other source)

Bulk Express Transport acquires Attaway Hauling and Choice Bulk Carriers. The acquisition expands Bulk's geographic footprint throughout the Southeastern U.S. and establishes the company as one of the leading environmental, waste services, and industrial transportation providers in the region. (Waste Advantage Magazine and 1 other source)

Canadian Solar sells 100 MWp Azuma Kofuji solar park in Japan. The park generates 110 GWh of clean energy annually and sells to local utility Tohoku Electric Power. (Renewables Now and 1 other source)

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GM and Posco Future M invest over $1bn in Ontario cathode factory. The investment will increase CAM production and precursor materials to support GM's EV strategy. (Elektrek and 5 other sources)

CleanJoule raises $50m to produce more cost-effective sustainable aviation fuel (ESG News and 5 other sources)

Australian and Japanese energy companies have committed $81.8m to the Central Queensland Hydrogen project, which will produce up to 800 tonnes of green hydrogen per day for export to Japan and use in local industry. The project is being developed by Queensland government-owned generator Stanwell in conjunction with the Japanese energy companies and Sydney-based energy infrastructure business APA Group, and will eventually include 3 GW of electrolyser capacity. (pv magazine and 4 other sources)

SMBC invests $10m in Closed Loop Circular Plastics Fund for US and Canada recycling. The fund focuses on resin types such as PE, PP and flexible plastics, and aims to spur further investments in recovery and recycling offerings and infrastructure. (Environment + Energy Leader and 3 other sources)

Nexamp secures $400m to build 250 MW of solar and battery storage. The 49 projects will generate electricity for up to 40,000 homes in six US states. (Renewables Now and 3 other sources)

NexWafe secures $32m for wafer factory in Germany and new manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. The German wafer manufacturer plans to raise additional funds in H2 2022. (pv magazine and 3 other sources)

US awards $46m to eight nuclear fusion energy companies for pilot plants. The Energy Department hopes to help develop pilot-scale demonstration of fusion within a decade. (Energy Now and 2 other sources)

Lucid raises $3bn via stock sale and Saudi Arabia's PIF investment. The EV startup will use the funds for capital expenditures and working capital. (Elektrek and 2 other sources)

Cordelio Power completes financing for 171 MW wind project in Illinois. The project will sell all of its power to Microsoft under a long-term agreement. (Renewables Now and 1 other source)

ZEV Stations gets $4m funding to build a first-of-its-kind multimodal medium- and heavy-duty hydrogen station in Palm Springs, California. The station will initially be a testbed for hydrogen fast fueling on par with diesel fueling to serve as a basis for a rollout, and the first phase is planned to be gaseous hydrogen fueling and later subcooled liquid hydrogen fueling will be added. (Green Car Congress and 1 other source)

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Absolut Vodka trials paper-based bottle with lower carbon footprint in UK stores. The 500ml bottle is made from 57% paper and can be recycled as paper through normal household waste. (ESG Today and 3 other sources)

Biotalys' Evoca biocontrol product shows promising field trial results against fungal diseases. The product is a viable alternative to chemical applications and has no adverse impact on wine quality. (iGrow News and 2 other sources)

International researchers develop novel design for highly efficient solar cells. The inverted all-perovskite bilayer solar cells incorporate bilayer heterojunctions with different perovskite materials, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 24.83%. (pv magazine and 1 other source)

PolyU researchers achieve record 19.31% efficiency with organic solar cells. (Tech Xplore and 1 other source)

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science develops technology to maximize green hydrogen production. Researchers have developed a titanium dioxide protective film that can extend the lifespan of photoanodes and maintain optimal electrical conductivity, resulting in a hydrogen production efficiency of over 85%. (Tech Xplore and 1 other source)

Port of Aberdeen partners with Subsea7 to explore subsea hydrogen storage. H2Shore project aims to develop a business case and identify an offshore location. (H2 View and 1 other source)

Fraunhofer IGD awards contract for offshore research platform amid vessel shortage. The Nienhagen platform is part of the Digital Ocean Lab for marine technology testing. (Offshore WIND and 1 other source)

Subsea7 and OneSea Energy to investigate floating hydrogen production system. The Scottish government has granted £150,000 to the collaboration to explore the technical feasibility and commercial value of coupling a large-scale floating hydrogen production unit with a floating offshore wind farm. (Offshore Energy and 1 other source)

Green Energy Park and ChemiTek Solar successfully test anti-soiling coatings for PV panels in Morocco. The coatings resulted in significant efficiency gains and reduced water usage for cleaning. (Power & Energy Solutions)

Over Easy's vertical bifacial rooftop PV system passes wind resistance tests at 47 meters per second. The system can function without ballast or fastening to the rooftop, and the company plans to collaborate with production partners in China and Spain to begin manufacturing the solar modules. (pv magazine)

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Georgia leads US electric vehicle revolution with new $4.3 billion EV battery joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, despite public officials' opposition to ESG investing. The joint venture will produce batteries for 300,000 EVs per year, helping to meet the demand for zero-emission mobility in the US. (CleanTechnica and 7 other sources)

North America leads in lithium-ion cell manufacturing growth, surpassing Europe, according to a report by Clean Energy Associates. The Inflation Reduction Act has fueled the growth, and global battery cell manufacturing is expected to triple by 2025. (InsideEVs and 4 other sources)

Tesla Model Y leads European EV sales for 6th consecutive month, while Volkswagen's ID.4 takes second place. Plugin vehicle sales in Europe grew by 25% YoY in April, with BEVs gaining momentum and representing 64% of plugin registrations. (CleanTechnica and 2 other sources)

Solar PV leads global renewable capacity expansion, accounting for 65% of growth in 2023. The IEA predicts that solar PV additions will continue to grow, reaching almost 310GW in 2024, with China leading the increase in manufacturing capacity. (PV Tech and 2 other sources)

Tesla Model Y tops Norway's electric car registrations in May with 10,773 new EVs registered, representing 80.7% of the total new car registrations, while plug-in hybrids continue to decline. However, the May figures should be approached with caution due to discrepancies in the data. (EVMagz and 2 other sources)

India's rooftop solar capacity grows by 485 MW in Q1 2023. Residential segment accounts for 58% of the capacity, driven by delayed projects. (pv magazine and 2 other sources)

Wind turbine manufacturers receive record orders in Q1 2023, signaling a turning point for the industry, with China leading the way, according to Wood Mackenzie. Although wind installations continue to lag in the US, the uptick in order activity suggests installations will pick up next year, and the Q1 surge in orders signals a potential return to profitability for US wind turbine manufacturers. (Utility Dive and 2 other sources)

Franchise dealerships to spend $5.5bn on EV infrastructure, says NADA. The estimate is not broken down by brand or timeline, but some automakers have asked dealerships to invest between $100,000 and $1m in chargers and other upgrades to sell EVs. (Green Car Reports and 2 other sources)

U.S. biofuel capacity grows by 381 MMgy in March, with gains in renewable diesel, ethanol, and biodiesel. Biofuel producers consumed 27.087 billion pounds of feedstock in March, up from 24.537 billion pounds in February. (Biomass Magazine and 1 other source)

Poland adds 4.7 GW of solar power in 2020, aims for 6 GW this year. The country's cumulative installed solar power has surpassed 13 GW, with potential for 18 GW. (pv magazine and 1 other source)

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Delta Air Lines faces lawsuit over false carbon neutrality claims. The airline relied on the voluntary carbon market to offset emissions, leading to credibility issues. (ESG Today and 4 other sources)

ONGC to invest $12.09bn for net zero carbon by 2038, aiming to boost renewable energy capacity to 1GW by the end of this decade. (Recharge and 3 other sources)

Walmart to replace plastic mailers with paper bags in sustainability push. The retailer is also introducing right-sized packaging technology and allowing customers to consolidate online orders. (ESG Today and 3 other sources)

SEIA releases new resources for solar power consumers amid Inflation Reduction Act incentives. The materials include updated factsheets, residential consumer guide, and a consumer protection video course. (Solar Power World and 2 other sources)

"New Business Guide to Net-Zero Emissions Strategies and Goals" - A comprehensive guide for corporations to achieve net-zero emissions targets. The report outlines key considerations, challenges, and opportunities for businesses to create credible net-zero targets. (edie and 1 other source)

HSBC and Arabesque AI launch AI-backed ESG Index for sustainable investment. The ESG Index uses data from ESG Book to monitor over 1000 global companies and predict potential positive financial performance based on their ESG risk metrics. (FinTech Global and 1 other source)

UK's Drax faces Ofgem investigation over biomass sustainability reports. The energy regulator will examine the accuracy of the company's sustainability reports relating to the sourcing of its wood pellets. (The Guardian and 1 other source)

Valent U.S.A. launches Sustainable Solutions Criteria for sustainable agriculture. The framework evaluates and defines sustainable solutions for growers and customers to achieve higher levels of sustainability in their crop production operations. (Environment + Energy Leader and 1 other source)

Leading fashion brands research most effective waste management system to reduce environmental impact. The report recommends clarifying the scope of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and creating a consistent definition of the "obligated producer" to help the transition to a circular economy for textiles in the EU. (Circular and 1 other source)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' environmental record is a mix of praise and disappointment. He has proposed billions of dollars to restore waterways and state treasures like the Everglades, but has also pushed legislation banning local environmental regulations and rejected climate change. (The Daily Climate)

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S&P Global appoints Dr. Richard Mattison as Vice Chair and Chris Heusler as President of S&P Global Sustainable1. The appointments aim to drive market engagement, innovation, and growth to support clients' sustainability priorities. (ESG News and 1 other source)

Scout Motors hires key Jeep designer to lead EV rollout. Chris Benjamin will oversee the design of Scout's rugged, all-purpose electric truck and SUV. (Elektrek and 1 other source)

Great Wall Motor appoints Steffen Cost as CCO for Europe; company plans to establish production facilities on the continent. Cost, who has previously held high-ranking positions at Renault, Nissan, and Kia, will report directly to Henry Meng, the President of GWM Europe. (EVMagz and 1 other source)

Former Enel CEO Francesco Starace joins private equity group EQT, expects no reversal of Enel's energy transition strategy under new management. EQT aims to accelerate momentum towards net-zero and drive decarbonisation of power, utilities, transportation, and logistics sectors. (Recharge)

Keith Riley resigns as Executive Director of Hydrogen Utopia International. HUI specializes in turning non-recyclable mixed waste plastic into hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels. (FuelCellsWorks)

Morrow Batteries appoints Atle Knudsen of Å Energi as new board member. Knudsen believes in Morrow's innovative battery technology and aims to contribute to speeding up the energy transition. (Batteries News)

Century Lithium announces board changes and new senior management appointment, including the departure of non-executive Chair and director, Cassandra Joseph, and the appointment of Todd S. Fayram as Senior Vice President Metallurgy. The company is focused on developing its Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada, with the goal of becoming a domestic producer of lithium for the electric vehicle and battery storage market. (Batteries News)

UNDP appoints Joe Hooper to lead Global Centre for Technology in Singapore Hooper, a Canadian with 22 years of UN experience, will focus on sustainability solutions. (Eco-Business)

Waste Pro appoints Jon Snyder as Tri-State Divisional Vice President. Snyder will lead operations in Tennessee, Arkansas, and parts of Mississippi. (Waste Advantage Magazine)

Oman Cement names Zhu Yaping as new CEO. Yaping has over 30 years of experience in the cement industry and has held various management positions, including corporate maintenance manager and general manager of Huaxin Maintenance Company. (CemNet)

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Insurers including Lloyds, AXA, Sompo, Allianz and Scor have left the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA), a UN-backed initiative that aims to accelerate the global transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The decision was due to pressure from US Republican politicians warning against legal infringements stemming from involvement in climate-focused alliances. (FinTech Global and 2 other sources)

UK government accused of trying to scupper Scotland's deposit return scheme. The Scottish DRS will launch next year, but glass cannot be included in the scheme. (Circular and 2 other sources)

U.S. agriculture commissioners urge EPA to increase biomass-based diesel volumes in RFS rule. The commissioners argue that the proposed rule ignores investments made by farmers and biofuel producers and restricts the opportunity for biofuels to meet U.S. energy independence and carbon reduction goals. (Biomass Magazine and 1 other source)

UK to advise households to be more selective in recycling choices to tackle "wishcycling." The government aims to improve waste management and increase recycling rates. (Energy Live News and 1 other source)

EU approves Paks II contract amendments for Russian-built nuclear units in Hungary. Hungary's project with Rosatom to install new nuclear capacity continues despite other EU countries ending nuclear energy links with Russia. (World Nuclear News and 1 other source)

Japan passes bill to extend nuclear reactors' operation beyond 60 years. Reactors can operate longer if shutdowns are for safety inspections or court injunctions. (Nuclear Engineering International and 1 other source)

UK government reviews spatial considerations for Celtic Sea floating wind tender. Crown Estate to update developers on next steps for refining areas into project sites. (Offshore WIND and 1 other source)

Colorado aims to have nearly one million electric vehicles on its roads by 2030. The state is offering a $5,000 tax credit for residents who purchase an electric car, which can be stacked with other incentives, and is considering a program that would give participants an instant $6,000 rebate on a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle by trading in a conventional car with an internal combustion engine. (CleanTechnica and 1 other source)

Ford commits to keeping AM radio in new vehicles following proposed legislation. The bipartisan bill aims to mandate AM radio inclusion in new vehicles to ensure public safety information accessibility. (EVMagz)

UK's "low-traffic neighbourhoods" (LTNs) have been effective in reducing emissions and making roads safer, but have faced criticism from some news outlets. A 2022 study suggests rebranding and better public consultation, while complementary measures like protected bike lanes and better public transit options are needed. (The Energy Mix)

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NAHMMA Annual Conference 2023 in Tempe, AZ: Training, Tours, Networking, and Transformative Energy. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions, facility tours, and the annual NAHMMA HHW Olympics, and network with other attendees. (Waste Advantage Magazine)

2023 Global Energy Show Strategic Conference to address energy transition challenges. Global energy leaders will focus on disruptive industry reinvention, diverse workforce, geopolitical impacts, investment landscape, and transformative technologies to build a sustainable energy future. (Energy Now)

BLUETTI to showcase new power solutions at The Smarter E Europe Exhibition in Munich. The leading energy storage provider will display its latest products, including the recently launched AC180 and the upcoming EP760. (Batteries News)

ASEAN Summit 2023 in Indonesia goes all-electric with 395 EVs, including BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, and Wuling models. Wuling's Air EV, already popular in Indonesia, is used as small footprint SUVs and taxis, showing the country's commitment to clean energy. (CleanTechnica)

Opel to be sole Stellantis brand at IAA Mobility event, showcasing electrification shift. Opel will unveil Astra Sports Tourer Electric and Corsa Electric with two powertrain options, plus a surprise third model. (EVMagz)

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