The Week in Cleantech: 7 May 2023

Last week continued an earlier trend of new deals and partnerships announced across different cleantech sectors. United Airlines partnered with 24 corporations to triple its sustainable aviation fuel usage by 2030, Daimler launched a joint venture to develop charging and hydrogen-fueling infrastructure, and Aqua Metals and 6K Energy joined forces to create low-carbon battery materials. Meanwhile, the US Senate voted to restore tariffs on solar panels produced in Asian countries, which could threaten 30,000 American jobs.

Cerulean Winds to build North Sea Renewables Grid, a floating wind-powered transmission system for oil and gas platforms to access clean power. The GBP 20bn project will develop three 333 sq km sites of hundreds of turbines, producing multiple GW of electricity, and could remove millions of tonnes of production emissions. (Offshore WIND and 4 other sources)

New South Wales awards four renewable energy projects worth $2.5bn, including a 50 MW/400 MWh big battery, to deliver almost 1.4 GW of capacity capable of generating over 4,000 GWh of renewable energy. The successful projects have long-term energy service agreements to provide revenue certainty for developers to accelerate the state's energy infrastructure transformation. (pv magazine Australia and 4 other sources)

The Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub coalition submits $2bn clean hydrogen hub plan to DOE for approval. The hub will use carbon-free nuclear power to produce over 100 MT of hydrogen per day, serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. (H2 View and 3 other sources)

Oleo-X launches renewable diesel and aviation fuel feedstock facility, appoints new CEO. The facility in Mississippi has the potential to produce up to 300 million gallons per year of premium feedstock, using advanced pretreatment technology to innovate exceptionally clean, high-quality renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks. (Biomass Magazine and 2 other sources)

Stanley Black & Decker unveils 4.3 MW solar farm in Kentucky, powering its facility. The project is part of the company's ESG initiatives towards carbon neutrality by 2030. (Solar Power World and 2 other sources)

EnerVenue's metal-hydrogen batteries complete UL 9540A testing, proving safer than lithium-ion alternatives. The batteries require no additional packaging or modification to prevent explosion or fire propagation, making them suitable for residential and commercial applications. (Hydrogen Fuel News and 5 other sources)

Westinghouse launches its small modular reactor AP300 based on AP1000 technology. The ultra-compact, modular unit aims to deliver power to the grid within a decade. (World Nuclear News and 5 other sources)

Kenworth and Toyota launch Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle with 450-mile range. The T680 FCEV offers one of the longest driving ranges of any zero-emissions trucks on the market and is set to be delivered to customers in 2024. (Energy News and 3 other sources)

Hyundai unveils Xcient Fuel Cell Truck Tractor for eco-friendly commercial vehicle business in North America. The hydrogen-powered truck can travel over 1,000 km on a single charge, and the company plans to build a "hydrogen value chain" to maximize synergies with local partners. (Energy News and 3 other sources)

Full Harvest expands online marketplace to all produce grades, reducing food waste faster. The platform provides valuable data and insights to digitize the entire supply chain. (Global Ag Tech Initiative and 1 other source)

Pattern Energy selects Quanta Services and Hitachi Energy for SunZia wind and transmission project. The project will enable access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity across Western states (REVE and 6 other sources)

United Airlines to triple sustainable aviation fuel usage to 10 million gallons in 2023, with new agreements to introduce blended product at San Francisco International and London Heathrow airports. The airline also added eight new partners to its Eco-Skies Alliance programme, taking the total to 24 corporations contributing to the airline’s SAF purchases to help offset the emissions of flights by their own employees. (GreenAir and 4 other sources)

Jet2 invests in UK's first sustainable aviation fuel plant in major deal with Fulcrum BioEnergy. The leisure travel group will receive over 200 million litres of SAF, resulting in 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions reductions over a 15-year period. (Bioenergy International and 2 other sources)

Daimler, NextEra Energy Resources, and BlackRock Alternatives have launched a $650m joint venture called Greenlane to develop charging and hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty commercial trucks. The initial focus will be on EV charging, followed by hydrogen stations and access for light-duty vehicles to the sites. (Green Car Reports and 2 other sources)

Aqua Metals and 6K Energy partner to create low-carbon battery materials. The partnership aims to develop cost-effective production methods for sustainable lithium-ion batteries, reducing environmental impact and increasing supply independence. (Recycling Production News and 2 other sources)

Verbio to acquire South Bend Ethanol plant, expand into biorefinery with $230M investment. The plant will integrate ethanol production with renewable natural gas production for higher efficiencies and improved sustainability. (Biomass Magazine and 4 other sources)

Covanta acquires Circon in largest deal in 20 years, doubling its wastewater footprint. The deal expands Covanta's engineered fuels business and hazardous waste sector. (Waste Dive and 2 other sources)

TIPA acquires Bio4Pack to expand its sustainable packaging range. The deal also provides a foothold in the Netherlands and Germany. (Packaging News and 1 other source)

EPA seeks information to invest $4B in clean ports and transportation. The Clean Ports Program and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program will boost zero-emission equipment and infrastructure. (NGT News and 1 other source)

Brookfield Renewable to invest up to $1bn in Avaada Ventures for green hydrogen and solar PV modules. Avaada Group raises a total of $1.07bn for its green hydrogen and green ammonia ventures in India. (NS Energy and 1 other source)

MicroHarvest partners with Simon Capital to fuel growth in biotech protein ingredients. The €1.5M investment will help the company achieve key commercialization milestones and build a pilot plant in Lisbon. (AgriTech Tomorrow and 1 other source)

US Department of Energy funds geothermal heating and cooling system designs in 11 communities. The initiative aims to reduce fossil fuel use and potentially save money on heating and cooling. (Smart Cities Dive and 1 other source)

Investors managing $10tn in assets call on companies to reduce plastic use. The statement, coordinated by Investors for Sustainable Development, targets intensive users of plastic packaging, including Coca-Cola, Costco, P&G, Nestlé, Unilever, and Target. (ESG Today and 1 other source)

Volvo partners with Waste Management for electric excavator pilot project. The mid-size electric excavator will be tested at a WM facility on the East Coast. (Waste Advantage Magazine and 2 other sources)

Alaska Airlines partners with ZeroAvia to develop a zero-emission plane, retrofitting a Q400 aircraft with hydrogen-electric propulsion. The companies aim to expand the reach of zero emissions flight tech, with a test flight expected in 2024. (Hydrogen Fuel News and 2 other sources)

ExxonMobil orders equipment from FuelCell Energy for carbon capture demo. The modules will use carbonate fuel cells to efficiently capture and concentrate carbon dioxide streams. (FuelCellsWorks and 1 other source)

New method breaks down old clothing to create sustainable coatings. The process could help reduce textile waste and create a circular economy. (ScienceDaily and 1 other source)

US Senate votes to restore tariffs on solar panels, threatening 30,000 American jobs. President Biden plans to veto the legislation. (Elektrek and 13 other sources)

The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing its Green Guides, which establish guidelines for companies’ environmental advertising and labeling claims, and this could have a significant impact on recycling policies across the country. The review includes concepts such as “net zero” related to greenhouse gas emissions, biodegradability, sustainability, and organic products, but recycling is front and center in the FTC review, which comes amid a global recognition of a plastic crisis. (Mother Jones and 1 other source)

NY poised to ban fossil fuel combustion in most new buildings. The law would take effect in 2026 and 2029, and could prevent up to 6.1 million metric tons of carbon emissions by 2040. (CNBC and 1 other source)

Plastics Recycling Show Europe 2023: The two-day event will showcase new technologies and applications for recycled plastics, with over 320 exhibitors and more than 60 expert speakers. The conference sessions will cover design for recycling, chemical recycling, and global market factors. (Recycling Magazine and 1 other source)

BBI International and CAAFI collaborate to host North American SAF Conference & Expo. The event will provide two days of content for the sustainable aviation fuel industry, including presentations on fuel certification, SAF research and development, and the current SAF marketplace. (Biomass Magazine and 1 other source)

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