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Global Electricity Consumption Set To Surge While Europe Lags
Power Engineering International
Global Electricity Consumption Set To Surge While Europe LagsThe world’s electricity consumption is forecast to rise at its fastest pace in recent years, with a large chunk of the demand coming from China and the US. However, the forecast for Europe is a lot less robust. The IEA’s latest report, Electricity 2025, predicts that global electricity consumption will grow at close to 4% annually through 2027, with the surge in power demand driven chiefly by the increased use of air conditioning, EVs and the expansion of data centres, as economies embrace AI and chip production increases. However, the forecast is a little more conservative across the pond, with Europe expected to only reach 2021’s pre-energy crisis consumption levels by 2027. Also, industrial electricity consumption has roughly remained flat according to the IEA, with growth in the primary materials and chemicals sector offset by the machinery and automotive sectors. Have you read?Global coal demand set to remain at record high until 2027 finds IEAChina’s wind turbine OEMs advance global dominance shows report As expected, emerging and developing economies will account for a large chunk of this growth, 85%, with China, India and South East Asia taking the lead. China’s electricity consumption is expected to grow by around 6% through 2027, fuelled by industrial activities and manufacturing, as well as EVs, data centres and 5G network roll outs. Electrification is progressing rapidly in China, where the share of electricity in final energy consumption (28%) is much higher than in the United States (22%) or the European Union (21%). However, the IEA also predicts increased consumption in advanced economies, marking a change from the relatively flat growth rate noted recently. In the US, manufacturing, building and data centre sectors will be the major drivers of demand. The IEA highlights that US electricity demand is expected to add the equivalent of California’s current power consumption to the national total over the next three years. IEA director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori commented in a statement: “The acceleration of global electricity demand highlights the significant changes taking place in energy systems around the world and the approach of a new Age of Electricity. But it also presents evolving challenges for governments in ensuring secure, affordable and sustainable electricity supply. “While emerging and developing economies are set to drive the large majority of the growth in global electricity demand in the coming years, consumption is also expected to increase in many advanced economies after a period of relative stagnation. Policy makers need to pay close attention to these shifting dynamics, which will be addressed at the international Summit on the Future of Energy Security that the IEA is hosting with the UK government in London in April.” 🚨 The world is in a phase of unprecedented electricity demand growth 🚨By 2027, it's set to add the equivalent of the entire current demand of the EU & Japan combined – driven by rising needs for industry, cooling, EVs & AI data centresNew from @IEA: https://t.co/VIOktgyto9 pic.twitter.com/pBcBfNmBqI According to the report, the increased demand will be largely met by renewables and nuclear power, with solar PV forecast to meet roughly half of global electricity demand growth through 2027. The IEA suggests that the growth of low-emissions sources will see carbon dioxide emissions from global electricity generation plateau in the coming years after increasing by about 1% in 2024. The report however did emphasise the need for greater resilience in electricity systems, as extreme weather and droughts become more commonplace. Also, the report highlighted the rising trend of negative electricity prices, which demonstrates a lack of flexibility in the system due to technical, regulatory or contractual reasons. This should encourage more effective use of demand response strategies and storage.
powerplant
Feb 14, 2025
Mitsubishi Power Wins Gas Turbine Order For Al Wahda Plant In Morocco
Power Engineering International
Mitsubishi Power Wins Gas Turbine Order For Al Wahda Plant In MoroccoMitsubishi Power has won an order for two M701JAC gas turbines and auxiliary equipment for the Al Wahda Open Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant in Morocco. The plant, owned and operated by The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), will contribute 990MW to the Moroccan grid once fully operational. The Al Wahda Power Plant will play a pivotal role in stabilising Morocco’s national grid, according to Mitsubishi Power. The plant is designed to operate with maximum availability, providing continuous power output to meet the country’s growing energy demands and contributing to goal of reaching more than 52% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030. Mitsubishi Power’s advanced gas turbines are able to handle rapid load variations and frequent start-ups and shutdowns to maximise grid reliability. The M701JAC gas turbines are capable of co-firing hydrogen with natural gas, thereby supporting Morocco’s future decarbonisation. In addition, Mitsubishi Power signed a long-term service agreement with ONEE for the provision of parts, repairs and services, to ensure high availability and sustained reliability of the equipment. Have you read?GE Vernova completes mammoth turbine upgrades in IraqHVO-fueled turbine to power SSE Thermal’s Tarbert Next power station The Al Wahda Power Plant is expected to begin operation in 2027. Tarik Hamane, chairman of The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), said: “The Al Wahda Power Plant is a vital step in our energy strategy and through our partnership with Mitsubishi Power, we are pleased to harness the efficiencies and benefits of the company’s gas turbine technology to drive operational excellence and sustainability.” Energy Transitions podcast: Greening US gas assets for a decarbonised future Javier Cavada, president and CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mitsubishi Power, commented: “This collaboration not only reinforces our dedication to delivering cutting-edge, hydrogen-ready solutions but also marks a significant step forward in supporting Morocco’s broader vision for a sustainable, resilient energy future. We are excited to continue accelerating our ability to deliver clean, reliable and efficient power generation solutions that support our customers in powering the lives of communities in Morocco and across the region.”
powerplant
Feb 14, 2025
Lightsource Bp Enters Japanese Market With 15Mw Solar Acquisition
Power Engineering International
Lightsource Bp Enters Japanese Market With 15Mw Solar AcquisitionRenewable energy developer Lightsource bp has entered the Japanese market with the acquisition of a 15MWp solar project in Hokkaido, marking the company’s expansion in the APAC region. The acquisition forms part of Lightsource bp’s broader APAC growth strategy and lays the groundwork for further growth in the region. Adam Pegg, chief operating officer for APAC at Lightsource bp, commented: “Our entry into Japan reflects our commitment to contributing to the region’s energy transition. By combining our international experience with local partnerships, we aim to support Japan’s renewable energy goals while building a strong and sustainable pipeline of renewable energy projects. This is just the beginning of our operations in Japan, and we’re excited to support the nation’s ambition for a low-carbon future. Have you read?Why advanced time series data is pivotal for enhancing APAC’s offshore wind resourcesSouth Korean researchers enhance microgrid optimisation for power balancing “As a global organisation, our success depends on fostering collaboration and creating long-term value for the communities we work with,” Pegg added. “We’re committed to building partnerships in Japan that deliver shared benefits – for the economy, the environment, local communities, and our partners.” Lightsource bp has a global solar development pipeline of over 58GW of mature and early-stage projects, of which nearly 8GW are in APAC. The Japanese renewable energy strategy aims to increase solar capacity as part of its broader commitment to decarbonisation and energy diversification. According to independent think tank Ember, Japan still relies heavily on fossil fuels in its energy mix, however, the country’s largest source of clean electricity is solar (11%).
powerplant
Feb 14, 2025
Hydrogen Power Generation Solution Launched For Data Centres
Power Engineering International
Hydrogen Power Generation Solution Launched For Data CentresEnergy and materials company Modern Hydrogen and power solutions firm Mesa Solutions have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a hydrogen power solution for data centres. The agreement aims to leverage Mesa Solution’s new genset which runs on 100% hydrogen. This will be coupled with Modern Hydrogen’s on-site solution that converts natural gas into hydrogen and carbon solids. The solution, states the partners in a release, will ensure data centres have access to reliable hydrogen power on-site without requiring the buildout of additional hydrogen-related infrastructure. Modern Hydrogen CEO Tony Pan commented in a statement: “Dispatchable, reliable power is the backbone of data centre operations, and our partnership with Mesa Solutions ensures that data centres can generate clean energy onsite without waiting for the electricity grid. This partnership represents the next step in adopting hydrogen for onsite energy by leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure already in the ground.” Have you read?Ticking the boxes to make green hydrogen viable at scaleIberdrola and bp break ground on Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant According to the partners, the solution will be modular, scalable to the facility’s requirements and can leverage existing natural gas infrastructure, which will reduce costs and maximise ROI. Another positive emphasised in the release is the on-site nature of the solution, which means grid congestion and transmission delays will be avoided. Mesa Solutions CEO Scott Gromer added: “Mesa has spent years optimising on-site power generation solutions for high-demand applications. By integrating Modern Hydrogen’s innovative hydrogen production, we’re creating a new model for data centres that doesn’t compromise on reliability or cost.” The partners signed the partnership agreement at POWERGEN International in Houston, Texas, US. One of the key topics addressed at the event was the significant rise in the development of data centres and how exponential rise in power demand will be met. Energy Transitions podcast: Greening US gas assets for a decarbonised future One of the questions to be addressed is whether the power demand will be met with clean energy or with traditional energy sources such as coal or gas, and based on recent announcements, it appears as if all sources will be considered to meet the explosive power demand. Earlier this year Hallador Energy Company – owner and operator of a 1GW coal-fired plant in Indiana, took a step closer to a final agreement that would provide power for a leading data centre’s operations. In December last year, Meta announced it is releasing a request for proposals (RFP) to nuclear developers, targeting 1 to 4GW of new nuclear generation to power its data centres and AI, starting in the early 2030s. And in October 2024, US utility Evergy announced plans to build two new 705MW natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants in Kansas. Utility officials said the new units would support reliability as the region faces significant electricity demand growth, driven in part by new data centres.
powerplant
Feb 13, 2025
Eib Announces €420M For Infrastructure And Energy Projects In Ukraine
Power Engineering International
Eib Announces €420M For Infrastructure And Energy Projects In UkraineThe European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced four projects worth €420 million ($433.4 million) in Ukraine to help restore critical infrastructure and services and ensure a stable energy supply to the country. Nearly three full years since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the package – part of the European Union’s €50 billion ($51.6 billion) Ukraine Facility – will be disbursed to new public-sector projects to restore and protect energy supplies, heating systems and other critical infrastructure that has been damaged. The projects announced include: Commented Calviño in a release: “This is my first official visit outside the European Union since taking up office as President of the EIB Group last year. “Support for Ukraine is a top priority and that is why I am so pleased to be here to announce new major projects for SMEs, energy, water and other essential services that will help people to continue with their daily lives and support the country’s economic resilience, while also laying the foundation for a stronger Ukraine on its path to EU membership.” Have you read:DTEK expands Tyligulska wind farm to 500MWHow Ukraine is evolving its energy system by building grid resilience Another element of the package is a €40 million ($41.3 million) EIB loan for the planned rollout of the EU’s common 112 emergency number and call system across Ukraine to enhance public safety, complemented by a €12 million ($12.4 million) EU grant and funding from Member States under the EU for Ukraine Fund. The EIB is also signing a €16.5 million ($17 million) grant from the German government with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine to promote renewable energy. The grant comes through the EIB’s International Climate Initiative Fund and is part of the Ukraine Energy Rescue Plan announced by the EIB in October 2024. The grant will help integrate renewable energy systems into public buildings undergoing renovation works under EIB municipal loans. This will upgrade social infrastructure and make energy more reliable, cleaner and less costly. The grant will also help to decentralise energy generation, ensuring that critical public buildings in towns and villages are less reliant on electricity supplies from large power stations, making them less vulnerable to blackouts in the event of an airstrike. Commenting in a release was Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba: “We deeply value the strong cooperation with the European Investment Bank, in particular under the recovery programmes, which are playing, since 2014 a key role in supporting more than 100 communities across the country. “The grant for renewable energy, which we also signed today, will play a vital role in ensuring that critical buildings, like hospitals, can continue serving the population amidst power cuts. Together, these initiatives not only accelerate our recovery but also help us build a more resilient and sustainable future for our country.” Said Berthold Goeke, Director-General for Climate Action, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK): “Through the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) is helping smaller Ukrainian communities — those most affected by the war and in urgent need — to implement climate-friendly technologies. “This support enables Ukraine to reduce energy costs and modernise outdated infrastructure in public buildings, laying the foundation for a stable and renewable energy future. In this way, the German government is addressing two critical challenges in Ukraine’s energy system. “First, we are supporting the development of a decentralized and resilient energy supply, particularly for essential public infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. Given the ongoing Russian aggression and the destruction of central energy infrastructure, this is vital for ensuring stability and security. Second, our initiative contributes to Ukraine’s long-term energy transition by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, paving the way for a climate-neutral energy system.” Originally published on smart-energy.com
powerplant
Feb 13, 2025
Call To Strengthen Gb’S Electricity Network For Industrial Decarbonisation
Power Engineering International
Call To Strengthen Gb’S Electricity Network For Industrial DecarbonisationBritain’s electricity network needs strengthening to meet the demand for electrification for industrial decarbonisation, a new policy brief indicates. The brief from the UK Energy Research Centre and the Aldersgate Group with modelling from the University of Leeds indicates that industrial decarbonisation through electrification would increase the sector’s power use by 78% between 2024 and 2050. However, without a clear plan to accommodate for this increase in electricity use, 42% of large industrial sites would experience power constraints in 2030, increasing to 77% in 2050. Most constrained would be dispersed sites and the most affected industrial sectors would be glass, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals and food and drink. Have you read?Industrial decarbonisation to grow hydrogen economy shows reportEnergy Transitions podcast: Building a grid backbone for a net-zero Europe Industrial decarbonisation is considered fundamental to delivering net zero and driving future economic growth. Peter Taylor, Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems in the Schools of Earth and Environment and Chemical and Process Engineering at Leeds and co-author of a new study on decarbonisation options for industry, says that industrial decarbonisation is challenging compared to other sectors. “For the UK, if we don’t decarbonise industry, we won’t meet our climate change targets and ultimately industry will move elsewhere because, in the long term, people will be looking for products made in a clean, green way and if our industry can’t produce these then it will become the industry of the past, not the industry of the future.” The UK’s £217 billion ($1.25 billion) manufacturing sector, which directly employed 2.6 million people in 2024, could deliver more than 40% of the greenhouse gas reductions through electrification to help reach the UK’s net zero target. Thus investment in critical grid infrastructure is vital to enable this change, states the policy brief, calling on government to ensure that electricity networks are strengthened according to these new demands. In particular, policymakers must ensure that the pattern of future industrial electricity demand is considered in analysis to inform distribution network strengthening and that anticipatory investment in networks is enabled. To inform network operator scenarios, the government needs to provide clarity on industrial electrification and the policies that will support it and data needs to be strengthened to create an accurate picture of future needs. Without this policy intervention, network constraints could seriously hinder industrial decarbonisation, the brief concludes. European Industrial Energy Days will bring stakeholders together from across Europe to exchange best practices in industrial energy use. Get involved in this pioneering event. The University of Leeds study, which was published in the journal Joule, found that the decarbonisation of industrial sectors is likely to require a combination of bespoke technologies. Technologies with medium to high maturity, such as carbon capture and storage or fuel switching to hydrogen or biomass could save nearly 85% of emissions on average in most industrial sectors. Low-maturity electric technologies – such as such as electric steam crackers used to produce petrochemical products – can theoretically decarbonise from 40% to 100% of direct sectoral emissions including from energy-intensive processes. Further research, development, and demonstration is therefore needed for low- and medium-maturity technologies accompanied by large-scale infrastructure development to accelerate the decarbonisation of industrial sectors, the paper indicates.
powerplant
Feb 13, 2025
Marine Energy Could Deliver Significant Benefits In Scotland – Report
Power Engineering International
Marine Energy Could Deliver Significant Benefits In Scotland – ReportA new study from the University of Edinburgh finds that the marine energy sector could bring benefits of more than £8 billion to the economy of Scotland and support 15,000 UK jobs by 2050. The report, which was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and Wave Energy Scotland, indicates that nearly 9GW of tidal stream and wave energy could be deployed in Scottish waters by 2050. Coupled with other deployments totalling around 3.6GW elsewhere in the UK, the presence of marine energy developers in Scotland indicates these projects could generate over £8 billion ($9.9 billion) in economic benefit to the Scottish economy by 2050, the report finds. It adds that over the same period, the global export market for marine energy with potential deployments up to 300GW could be worth as much as £28 billion to Scotland and that the sector could create up to 62,000 jobs in Scottish companies, including more than 15,000 jobs in the UK and a further 46,000 worldwide. Have you read?UK marine energy company unveils ‘shell-like’ tidal systemEnergy Transitions Podcast: Marine energy – From bathtub to the big blue Suzanne Sosna, Director of Energy Transition, Scottish Enterprise, commented in a statement: “These findings really drive home the need to take action now if we want to reap the potentially sizeable economic benefits of remaining a world leader in marine energy.” To ensure that the projects are delivered by Scottish companies, the report recommends support for device developers in the form of long-term market support, the need for sustained technology innovation funding and the establishment of a competitive domestic supply chain. To develop the essential infrastructure needs to include skills development, cross sector collaboration and prioritising infrastructure upgrades such as in ports and the national grid. The delivery of innovation support in Scotland also is needed, utilising the extensive experience of its well-established enterprise and innovation support organisations to deliver on sustained device development and the modernisation of domestic supply chain capabilities. If successful, Scotland stands poised to become the nation synonymous with leading the successful development and deployment of innovative tidal stream and wave energy devices and farms, the report concludes.
powerplant
Feb 12, 2025
Project Aerosub To Develop Robots For Offshore Wind O&M
Power Engineering International
Project Aerosub To Develop Robots For Offshore Wind O&MThe Horizon Europe supported project AEROSUB has launched to develop robotics solutions to support operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms. AEROSUB (Automated Inspection Robots for Surface, Aerial and Underwater Substructures), which launched in December 2024, is proposed to revolutionise the operation and maintenance of fixed and floating offshore wind farms with solutions that reduce the operating costs of such infrastructures in extreme environments. To achieve this goal, the project intends by 2030 to equip several robotic solutions including vehicles operating both underwater and on the surface as well as drones, with AI and data analysis technologies. “This fully robotic solution will increase the number of annual operating windows of offshore wind farms across Europe by 40%,” anticipates Andry Maykol Pinto, Assistant Professor in Engineering at the University of Porto and project coordinator at INESC TEC. “AEROSUB also seeks to reduce existing technological and regulatory barriers, thus accelerating the adoption of robotics for inspection, maintenance and repair tasks in offshore wind farms.” Have you read?EMEC announces winners of offshore wind innovation callNovel autonomous vehicles to improve offshore wind maintenance AEROSUB is proposing what it describes as the first fully unmanned robotic solution for both under water and aerial inspection and intervention, with demonstrations planned at two different locations. These are the test centre in Portugal of the earlier ATLANTIS project, which also was coordinated by INESC TEC, and OceanWinds’ WindFloat Atlantic commercial offshore wind farm off the coast of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal. The first site will be used to validate robotic and AI technologies, while the second site will be used to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of robotic solutions in a fully real-world environment, influenced as it is by the Atlantic Ocean’s weather conditions. The integration between robotics, AI and data analysis has been estimated to have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from the normal operation and maintenance of wind farms by up to 15Mt through the decrease in the consumption of fossil fuels inherent to the logistics capacity currently used. It should increase the O&M operational efficiency by 40% and reduce the associated downtime by 60% and the risk exposure of workers by 90%. The expected cost savings are estimated at €2,400/MW/year ($2,475) leading to a lowering of the levelised cost of electricity of offshore wind energy by about 2.5%. AEROSUB runs for four years with a total budget of €12 million ($12.4 million). Originally published on enlit.world
powerplant
Feb 12, 2025
Fortum Explores New Potential Pumped Hydro Storage Plants In Sweden
Power Engineering International
Fortum Explores New Potential Pumped Hydro Storage Plants In SwedenFinnish clean energy company Fortum has initiated a two-year feasibility study to explore prerequisites for new pumped hydro storage plants in Sweden. The company has said it will examine commercial, technological, environmental and regulatory conditions for the new plants. The feasibility study will focus on thorough assessments of three areas in Sweden and will explore whether building new pumped hydro storages fulfils the company’s criteria of economic viability and environmental requirements while contributing to the security of energy supply for the society. The geographic focus of the feasibility study are in Lekstjärnen, next to Fortum’s hydropower plant in Trängslet in Dalarna County, and Bastvålen and Höljessjön in Värmland County. Currently, Fortum operates three pumped storage power plants; Kymmen, Letten and Eggsjön in Värmland, Sweden, with an installed capacity of 89,5MW. The future potential power increase from pumped storage plants will be analysed in the feasibility study. Have you read:Fortum upgrades 113-year-old Untra hydro plant to boost capacityFortum to pilot hydrogen production in Finland According to Fortum in a release, the objectives of the feasibility study are in line with Fortum’s strategy to provide reliable clean energy and drive decarbonisation in industries in the Nordics, and to contribute to a successful energy transition which supports the competitiveness of the Nordic region going forward. The volatility in the power market will increase as the share of weather-dependent renewables increases in the energy system. The role of flexible solutions, such as flexible pumped hydro storage, will be crucial in an expanding energy system to meet the increasing electricity demand, balance the energy system and help mitigate short-term changes in demand. Commenting was Mikael Lemström, EVP Fortum hydro: “Pumped hydro storage offers much-needed flexibility to the Nordic energy system and increases predictability for households and industries. “Pumped hydro storage has the ability to both produce, store and consume electricity during long periods of time and in great amounts, reaching up to thousands of megawatts. Fortum owns and operates three pumped hydro storage plants in Sweden since years and we have deep in-house expertise in the technology.” In Finland, Fortum’s associated company Kemijoki Oy is exploring pumped storage hydropower plants in northern Finland. In total, between Finland and Sweden, Fortum has a total of 124 hydropower plants. Earlier this month, advisory firm AFRY released the results of a study, conducted on behalf of the Swedish Association of Engineers, showing that Sweden has up to 4000MW of capacity to unlock from existing hydropower assets.
powerplant
Feb 11, 2025
Iberdrola And Bp Break Ground On Spain’S Largest Green Hydrogen Plant
Power Engineering International
Iberdrola And Bp Break Ground On Spain’S Largest Green Hydrogen PlantThe bp and Iberdrola España joint venture has started construction work on Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant, located in Castellón. The joint venture between bp and Iberdrola España has announced the start of construction work on Spain’s largest green hydrogen project with 25MW. The plant could create up to 500 jobs during its construction and approximately 25 Spanish companies will be involved in the work. The first phase consists of earthworks and the development of an approximately 20,000 m2 plot of land next to the bp refinery in Castellón. The civil works will begin in the second quarter of the year. The next milestone of the project will be the reception and installation of the first main equipment, including the electrolysers, which is expected to take place in the second half of 2025. This equipment allows the production of green hydrogen through a chemical process (electrolysis) capable of separating the hydrogen and oxygen molecules of which water is composed using electricity from renewable sources. Commenting in a release was Carolina Mesa, bp’s Vice President of hydrogen for Spain and new markets: “The start of construction of the largest green hydrogen plant in Spain is great news, because it allows us to see tangible progress in an important industrial decarbonisation project. The bp refinery in Castellón consolidates itself as a model for the transformation of refineries into integrated energy hubs.” Jorge Palomar Herrero, Director of Hydrogen Development at Iberdrola said: “This project is already enabling the real development of the hydrogen value chain in our country with key equipment manufactured in Spain and contracting more than 25 local companies. The project also brings in 200 GWh/year of renewable energy from Iberdrola’s wind and photovoltaic plants in Spain and meets all EU requirements to ensure that the hydrogen produced is green hydrogen”. Have you read:Amazon and Iberdrola expand PPA partnership with 476MWIberdrola signs solar PPA with Italian steel producer Acciaierie Venete bp and Iberdrola’s collaboration on green hydrogen goes back to 2022, with the greenlight for the 25MW project granted in September 2024. The project has an investment of more than €70 million ($72.2 million) and is being developed jointly by bp and Iberdrola España through Castellón Green Hydrogen S.L., a company equally owned by both companies. The plant is expected to be operational in the second half of 2026. The 25MW electrolyser will be powered by renewable electricity through a power purchase agreement (PPA) supplied by Iberdrola from photovoltaic and wind farms. The production of 2,800 tonnes of green hydrogen a year is expected to replace part of the grey hydrogen currently used by the refinery in its processes and is expected to prevent the emission of approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, or the same amount as 5,000 cars produce in the same period. In later phases of the project, the green hydrogen produced could also be used in key industries that are difficult to decarbonise in the Valencian Community, like ceramics, to replace the natural gas used in their processes, in chemical industries and in heavy transport. This initiative, with the participation of the Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía (ITE), has obtained funding equivalent to €15 million ($15.5 million) from the Innovative Value Chain and Renewable Hydrogen Knowledge support programmes within the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, with funds allocated by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU. The companies recently awarded the manufacture and supply of the transformer to the Spanish company Imefy. Based in Toledo, the La Mancha-based company will manufacture, supply and supervise assembly and commissioning of the three-phase power transformer, with 37MVA of power and 66/30kV of transformation ratio. It will be supplied in the first quarter of 2026. This award demonstrates the confidence of bp and Iberdrola, through the company created for the Castellón Green Hydrogen project, in Spanish companies in the development of the renewable hydrogen value chain, strengthening industry in the region and creating industrial and innovation opportunities in a growing market, acting as a lever for development.
powerplant
Feb 11, 2025
Ticking The Boxes To Make Green Hydrogen Viable At Scale
Power Engineering International
Ticking The Boxes To Make Green Hydrogen Viable At ScalePamela Largue speaks to one of the co-founders of an Australian hydrogen project that is showing green shoots of success. While green hydrogen has a massive contribution to make in reaching our decarbonisationgoals, ensuring that projects are commercially viable can be challenging. The cost associated with producing green hydrogen can be significant, with equally significant amounts of renewable energy and water required. Furthermore, it’s critical to establish a well-functioning supply chain, from electrolyser manufacturing to the transport of hydrogen derivatives. One initiative thinks it has ticked all these boxes, and as such has a winning recipe for success: the Green Springs hydrogen project located south of Tennant Creek in Australia’s Northern Territory. Green Springs is the brainchild of founders David Green, Nicholas O’Day and James Leong, who, under the banner of project developer and fund manager CIC, are committed to proving the commercial viability of green hydrogen. The project includes a 10GW network of modular renewable hydrogen production units functioning off-grid, and will produce more than 500,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen every year. Green explained that it all started with a joint venture integrating solar and batteries, “before batteries even became fashionable. “We got to thinking about how you could develop the green hydrogen industry at scale using renewable energy.” The team began assessing governments’ policies around decarbonisation and establishing a green hydrogen global industry and trade framework. It was through this continued assessment that Green and the team identified the criteria for a successful hydrogen project. Said Green: “We didn’t have assets we needed to protect like oil and gas companies, or royalties that we need to protect like governments that make money from selling or from exporting coal and gas and oil. “We were able to start with a clean sheet of paper and determine what was needed for a successful project, and to be successful you need to be able to compete directly with the carbon-based fuels on price and volume.” About 70% of the cost of producing green hydrogen comes from the electricity, explained Green, so renewable resources would be key to keeping costs low. “We looked all over the world, and it happens that Australia really sits right at the top with a couple of other locations as having the best solar resource.” Have you read?How to take the brakes off hydrogen and realise its potentialGreen hydrogen industrial park to be developed in Spain Green said that choosing the right location for the project was critically important because being off-grid raised the question of how to get your product to market. “The Green Springs Project site covers 3,000km2, 1.4 times the size of Singapore, someone told me. “A critical factor for us was to identify a site which had existing infrastructure that we could utilise and therefore avoid having to build that cost into the cost base.” The Green Springs location is ideal, added Green, as the national freight rail runs right through the land, as does the National Highway. LNG gas pipelines, which are feeding in from depleting gas fields, run on the western side of the land. “It’s certainly the best you’ll get in Australia. “When you add the total distance between our project by rail to the port, and then by ship to Japan or Korea, we’re still the closest of any of the export locations.” And one final consideration, said Green: “We have positioned the project outside the cyclone path in the northern part of Australia”. However, location was not the only factor to be considered, said Green. A thorough multi-factor analysis would consider water availability too. As the climate changes, the amount of rainfall will change, as well as where it falls. Also, said Green, desalination is increasingly difficult to deploy, and is environmentally damaging. Said Green: “[Hydrogen] projects are often announced in water-stressed areas, as those areas have better solar radiation. The question becomes, how do you capitalise on that?” Water stress means these projects are significantly disadvantaged as time goes on, explained Green, as is their ability to continue to produce at a reasonable cost. To mitigate water scarcity, Green and the CIC team came up with a novel idea, using technology well known throughout the Western world. That technology is atmospheric water generators. CIC, together with partners GE Vernova, have developed a closed system of modules that each contain solar power generators, atmospheric water generators and electrolysers that allow for clean hydrogen generation to take place almost anywhere. “If you think about this atmospheric water generator as a different version of an air conditioner, it’s a simple way to describe it. There are a couple of different approaches to dewatering air, but one that we’re all very familiar with is air conditioning whereby water is the waste product.” With this atmospheric water generator technology in hand, the team developed a strong supply chain around the ability to access water. “We have designed it in a modular form together with a 2.5MW electrolyser module that includes everything needed to produce hydrogen totally off the grid.” The solution functions independently of any support infrastructure, said Green. And the only significant space needed is for the solar power, around 7.5 hectares for a unit. Ultimately, the Green Springs project aims to achieve a US$2.00 hydrogen production price. In order to achieve this, CIC is working to reduce what Green refers to as “dead weight capital” by optimising the equipment used in the project. “What has been done in the past for large-scale energy projects is simply not going to work. There are many projects to produce hydrogen, but not hydrogen at the right price, and therefore subsidies are needed from government. “Our philosophy is to design a project that is commercial in its own right.” Green explained that the modular approach contributes to managing largescale infrastructure risk, and because the system functions off-grid, CIC selected equipment that could effectively manage intermittent energy. That removes the need for capital spend on batteries, said Green. Furthermore, the atmospheric water generator negates the need for the electrolyser to have a water purification unit. According to Green, the team has identified multiple sites around the world with the right sort of climatic conditions and infrastructure to support projects like Green Springs – for example, areas in the Middle East, northern Africa, and places like Spain, Portugal and Greece where the solar radiation is good. What is needed, however, is a functional supply chain and a regulatory framework that can support its growth, said Green. CIC is currently building a product and a strong delivery team, “and the intent is for the supply chain to follow us,” with manufacturing facilities located strategically to support projects. Green hydrogen is going to be required in staggering volumes, said Green, referencing the aviation sector’s increasing demand for sustainable aviation fuel as well as the requirements of the maritime industry and other hard-to-abate sectors like steel. “Our 10GW project is a tiny drop in the ocean of the demand. Our view has always been that transition takes time, but you need to be early in and working with the right partners. “The Green Springs project will produce just over 650 million tonnes of carbon offsets over the life of the project. If we can replicate that in a number of places around the world, that’s a huge contribution to decarbonisation.” However, emphasised Green, people will only start using green hydrogen when it can genuinely compete on price, and Green Springs aims to make green hydrogen competitive. “We are building a coalition of the willing: people who genuinely see that no one is able to solve this problem alone. It’s a matter of finding the right people to work alongside, rather than trying to cannibalise each other.” Green hopes that projects like Green Springs will create a blueprint and a business case worthy of government’s attention, and will ultimately spur faster development of future projects.
powerplant
Feb 10, 2025
Britain To Accelerate Smr Deployment
Power Engineering International
Britain To Accelerate Smr DeploymentBritain is bringing nuclear to the fore with the plan to remove current planning restrictions and enable widespread SMR deployment where they are needed. Up to now potential nuclear programmes have been limited to eight designated sites but the removal of this restriction along with others including more streamlined environmental and regulatory assessment should open the way for deployments anywhere in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland being devolved). While the only nuclear programme currently under construction is Hinkley Point C in southwest England, a large scale 3,200MW facility that has seen multiple delays, the new rules also open the way for the widespread deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) that can be built more rapidly and cheaply. As such they should support the drive for decarbonisation, particularly of industry. Have you read?IEA predicts record nuclear growth but calls for de-risking sectorThe EU Energy Projects Podcast: Nuclear Energy – Solution or Pandora’s Box? “Build, build, build – that is what Britain’s clean energy mission is all about,” said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. “The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long – and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity. Nuclear power creating thousands of skilled jobs. That is what this government will deliver.” Alongside reforms to the siting process, a specialist taskforce is being formed to lead on ensuring nuclear regulation incentivises investment, delivering new projects more quickly and cost efficiently and speeding up the approval of new reactor designs, including those approved in other countries. The proposals have been widely welcomed across the industry. Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said this is the strongest signal yet that new nuclear is critical to the growth and clean power mission. “A more streamlined planning system will give certainty to investors, the supply chain and communities, and will enable us to get on with building new nuclear plants on more sites and at pace for a cleaner, more secure power system. “We need to make Britain the best possible place to build new nuclear, both large-scale and SMRs, which means avoiding unnecessary stumbling blocks and ensuring regulations are proportionate to our urgent need for low carbon power, energy security and good jobs.” Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Nuclear, which is coordinating the country’s nuclear industry, describes nuclear energy as a powerful tool for growing the UK’s economy. “By expanding the range of sites where safe, secure, reliable, and clean nuclear energy plants can be built, there is huge potential to positively transform areas facing economic uncertainty. He highlighted also the opportunities it presents to co-locate nuclear energy generation on data centre sites and to decarbonise industrial processes. As part of its work, Great British Nuclear is currently in contract negotiations to progress the small modular reactor competition with the four shortlisted companies, GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls Royce SMR and Westinghouse. Alistair Black, Senior Director, UK at X-energy, which with Cavendish Nuclear has indicated plans to build a fleet of up to 40 SMRs in the UK, said that opening up new siting opportunities will help unlock tens of billions of pounds of investment and growth across the country. “We welcome this step today, and the intent to streamline assessment processes whilst ensuring robust regulatory standards continue to be met.” X-Energy has just closed a $700 million funding round, with investors including Amazon, to advance its Xe-100 80MWe advanced SMR technology. The initial plant is under development at Dow’s UCC Seadrift Operations manufacturing site on the Texas Gulf Coast and expected to be the first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor deployed to serve an industrial site in North America. The proposals are out for consultation until 3 April.
powerplant
Feb 10, 2025