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Today’s newsletter:
🔝Today’s Top Story: The Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have committed a combined $50 million to the new Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program.
📊 Today’s Data Point: Global Geothermal Energy Data.
🌳 Climate Insider Intelligence: Canada’s Geothermal Potential – Pathway to Global Leadership.
Alberta Invests $50M in Industrial Energy Efficiency: New SEMI Program to Boost Competitiveness and Cut Emissions
Government Funding and Program Overview
The Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have committed a combined $50 million to the new Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program. Launched on October 17, 2024, the program will help Alberta’s industrial and manufacturing sectors improve energy efficiency, lower costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will receive training, expertise, and funding for capital retrofits until March 2027. The SEMI program supports various industries, including agriculture, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and more.
Impact on Alberta’s Industrial Competitiveness
By offering financial and technical support, the SEMI program will strengthen Alberta’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. Organizations will benefit from energy management assessments and recommendations, which can lead to significant reductions in energy costs and emissions. Leaders, including ERA CEO Justin Riemer, emphasize that improving efficiency is one of the quickest ways for industries to stay competitive while also supporting Canada’s net-zero targets.
Industry and Environmental Benefits
The SEMI program is designed to accelerate decarbonization in Alberta’s key industrial sectors. Eligible companies can invest in energy-saving technologies and advanced practices, helping them reduce their carbon footprint. ERA’s long-standing support for energy efficiency initiatives, combined with the SEMI program’s focus on facility readiness assessments and retrofits, aims to drive sustainable economic growth while enhancing environmental performance. Read More
Market Movers
- Hometree has secured an additional £50m from CPP Investments, complementing a £250m facility from Barclays, to finance solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps for 35,000 UK homes, advancing its goal to decarbonize over one million homes by 2030. Read More
- Exit Ventures has raised $4.5 million in Series A funding for Solubag, a company offering water-soluble alternatives to single-use plastics that are competitively priced, positioning itself to capitalize on the rapidly growing $16 billion plastic alternatives market driven by sustainability demand. Read More
- Italian gas grid operator Snam has announced a €14.5 billion investment to repurpose its infrastructure for green fuels like hydrogen and CO₂ between 2028 and 2032, addressing environmental concerns about asset obsolescence from new LNG projects while aligning with national and European energy standards. Read More
Tech Spotlight
Carbon Recycling International’s E-Methanol Production Project: A Landmark Agreement in China
Source: Carbon Recycling International (CRI), Global
Carbon Recycling International (CRI) has signed a significant agreement with Tianying Group to implement its methanol synthesis technology in a large-scale E-methanol production project in Liaoyuan, marking a milestone as China’s first commercial-scale application of CRI’s technology for E-methanol derived from carbon dioxide. This facility will be the third of its kind in China, demonstrating the growing importance of carbon recycling in sustainable energy production.
Commercial Viability
Market Impact:
The project leverages captured carbon from biomass and renewable hydrogen to produce E-methanol, positioning it as a vital component for the chemical industry and green fuels market. With an initial capacity of 170,000 tons per year and a target start date of 2025, this project highlights the increasing demand for sustainable fuel alternatives.
Cost-Effectiveness:
CRI’s proprietary technology will help mitigate the costs typically associated with methanol production. The use of green hydrogen from renewable-powered electrolysis enhances the economic feasibility, suggesting potential for competitive pricing against traditional methanol sources.
Technical Viability
Technology Challenges:
The plant will be designed for flexible operations to adapt to variable wind energy inputs, addressing logistical challenges in utilizing renewable energy sources. CRI’s ETL technology has already proven effective in two other commercial plants, validating its reliability for this ambitious project.
Efficiency Consideration:
By integrating advanced carbon capture methods with renewable hydrogen, the project aims to enhance operational efficiency. This synergy is essential for overcoming the barriers of high costs associated with traditional methanol production processes.
Environmental Viability
Sustainability Alignment:
This initiative represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions through sustainable practices. By converting biogenic carbon into E-methanol, the project supports efforts to decarbonize both the chemical and fuel sectors.
Climate Impact:
With the potential to significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions, this project emphasizes the role of innovative technologies in climate mitigation. It exemplifies how collaboration can lead to substantial advancements in sustainable chemical production.
Scaling Potential
Investment Strategies:
The partnership includes CRI’s technology licensing and engineering support, showcasing a model for future investments in green technologies. This collaborative approach underlines the necessity for both public and private sector funding to drive innovation in sustainable energy solutions.
Future Expansion:
As the E-methanol market evolves, this project could set a precedent for further developments in carbon recycling initiatives across China and globally. It signals a promising pathway for scaling E-methanol production as a key player in the energy transition.
Long-Term Implications
Reevaluating E-Methanol’s Role in Sustainability:
This agreement positions E-methanol as a crucial element in the quest for sustainable energy. It encourages a diversified strategy in energy production, integrating various renewable technologies for broader environmental impact.
Strategic Vision for Growth:
The collaboration between CRI and Tianying signifies a commitment to innovative and sustainable practices in energy production. As emphasized by CRI’s CEO Lotte Rosenberg, this project aims to set new standards in both operational excellence and environmental responsibility. Read More
Policy Pulse
This section includes global updates on climate change policy, governance and regulation.
Denmark’s biochar strategy and the road to a carbon-negative economy.
Denmark’s innovative biochar strategy aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and a carbon-negative economy by 2050, utilizing this sustainable carbon sequestration method to enhance soil fertility, bolster agricultural productivity, and fulfill its climate commitments while fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate technology deployment.
Why it Matters: This strategy matters because it positions Denmark as a leader in sustainable innovation, demonstrating a scalable approach to carbon removal that not only supports national climate goals but also promotes environmental stewardship and agricultural resilience. Read More
Today’s Climate Data Point
Geothermal energy remains a critical but underutilized resource, with only 32 countries operating geothermal power plants. These plants collectively boast an installed capacity of 16,318 MW across 198 geothermal fields, comprising 673 individual power units. This report highlights the current state of geothermal power and its potential for future growth in the global energy landscape.
Source: Global Geothermal Energy Data
The operational capacity is predominantly composed of flash-type units, which account for nearly 37% of the total units with a capacity of 8,598 MW (52.7% of the overall capacity). Binary ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) units follow, representing 25.1% of the installed capacity. The leading countries in geothermal energy generation include the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Türkiye, which collectively produced 96,552 GWh of electricity, achieving an average annual capacity factor of 67.5%. This output corresponds to approximately 0.34% of global electricity generation.
Key Findings:
Global Distribution: Geothermal power is operational in only 32 countries, underscoring its limited but significant role in the renewable energy sector. The leading producers are the U.S., Indonesia, the Philippines, and Türkiye.
Capacity and Technology: Flash-type units dominate the geothermal landscape, accounting for over half of the installed capacity, followed by binary ORC systems. The reliance on hydrothermal reservoirs is evident, with an estimated 3,700 production wells averaging nearly 3 MWh per well annually.
Electricity Contribution: In at least seven countries, geothermal energy constitutes over 10% of total electricity generation, with Kenya, Iceland, and El Salvador at the forefront, demonstrating the resource’s potential in meeting local energy needs.
Implications:
Underutilized Potential: Despite the relatively small share of global electricity generation, the operational capacity and efficiency of geothermal power present opportunities for expansion, particularly in regions with existing geothermal resources.
Climate Goals Alignment: As global urgency to limit temperature rise below 1.5 °C intensifies, there is significant potential for growth in geothermal energy. Continued investment and development in this sector could play a vital role in achieving climate targets.
Policy Recommendations:
Investment in Infrastructure: Governments should prioritize investments in geothermal infrastructure to maximize resource utilization and increase generation capacity.
Research and Development: Encouraging R&D can enhance the efficiency of geothermal power plants and explore innovative technologies to tap into deeper geothermal resources.
Support for Emerging Markets: Providing technical assistance and financial incentives to countries with untapped geothermal potential can diversify the global energy mix and enhance energy security.
Conclusion: The current data underscores the importance of geothermal energy as a stable and reliable renewable energy source, which, if harnessed effectively, could significantly contribute to global energy needs and climate goals. The growth trajectory of geothermal power hinges on strategic investments and supportive policies to unlock its full potential in the fight against climate change.
Climate Insider Analysis: The data reveals the critical role geothermal energy can play in the transition to sustainable energy systems. As the world seeks to mitigate climate change impacts, enhancing the capacity and efficiency of geothermal resources will be essential. Investing in this sector not only promotes energy diversification but also supports global efforts to maintain temperature increases within safe limits. Read More
Climate Insider Intelligence: Canada’s Geothermal Potential – Pathway to Global Leadership
This #WorldGeothermalDay, Climate Insider highlights Canada’s vast yet underutilized geothermal potential. With its immense resources across the Canadian Cordillera and sedimentary basins, geothermal energy could play a pivotal role in Canada’s energy transition. However, unlocking this opportunity will require overcoming challenges— from high upfront costs to regulatory barriers. Read More
