1.) The Biden administration selects Occidental Petroleum and Battelle Memorial Institute to receive the first two grants – totaling $1 bn – to support direct air carbon capture.

2.) New England's largest energy utility, Eversource, announces cancelation of American Gas Association membership, stating it will ”redirect costs to more targeted associations and memberships with a focus on decarbonization to support our company-wide operations.”

3.) Steel manufacturer Nucor Corporation and renewable developer NextEra Energy Resources sign 250 MW Kentucky Power PPA, with  local Nucor steel used for racking systems.

4.) Tesla and DERMS provider EnergyHub join forces for ConnectedSolutions program enrollment via Tesla app. Utility customers with Powerwall batteries in National Grid, Rhode Island Energy, Eversource and Cape Light Compact customers with on-premise Tesla Powerwall batteries in Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island can sell services from connected batteries and earn up to $1,500/year.

5.)Siemens takes $2.4 bn loss for large turbine failures, admitting it rolled out platforms “too fast.”

6.) Offshore developers propose four new projects off New Jersey as far as 37 and 40 miles out to sea. 

1.) Gravity storage company Energy Vault completes construction of 25 MW/100 MWh storage system in China, with expected Q4 commissioning date. 

2.) LNVG rail company in Germany’s Lower Saxony moves away fron hydrogen fuel-cell trains (it had bought 14, for $85 mn) saying battery-electric trains are cheaper to operate. Next round of trains to include 102 battery electric models and 27 electrics using overhead lines.

3.) 25% of vehicles sold in California during Q2 are electric, totaling 125,939. Cumulative numbers for California and U.S. stand at 1,623,211 and 3,916,106, respectively.

4.) Subsidiary of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems submits application to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for Limited Work Authorization, that would allow it to start early construction activities by mid-2025 for siting future modular nuclear reactors.

5.) Reuters reports that BP and partner Equinor are renegotiating terms of power supply agreements from 3,300 MW East Coast offshore wind projects - Empire and Beacon Wind – to meet 6% to 8% investment thresholds.

6.) From last month: AES will build Mississippi’s first utility-scale wind farm, with 41 4.5 MW turbines to serve Amazon. Southeastern US has relatively low wind speeds, but higher hub heights and larger turbines address problem. 

1.) Yet another NY lithium ion battery installation ignited last week, the third in a month – this third one in Jefferson County, where four trailers caught fire. In response, NY governor Hochul announces creation of Fire Safety Working Group with immediate inspections of storage sites across the state. 

2.) Maine surpasses target of installing 100,000 heat pumps by 2025, sets new goal of 175,000 by 2027.

3.) Maine Legislature approves bill calling for the state to purchase 3 GW of offshore wind generation by 2040, equal to about half of Maine’s current usage.

4.) PG & E launches distributed energy management system (DERMS) in partnership with Schneider Electric and Microsoft.

5.) Japan’s Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation signs an agreement with SanFrancisco battery swap company Ample to develop a battery swap technology pilot project for electric trucks in Japan.

6.) BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis announced JV to establish N. American public fast-charging network w/minimum of 30,000 high-speed EV chargers operable by 2030. First U.S. units to be ready by summer 2024.

7.) The US DOE to devote $20 million to program to improve solar energy installations and increase reduction, reuse and recycling of solar materials. 

1.) As of 2024, Nissan will make available a Tesla NACS charging adapter for its Ariya models. Starting in 2025, Nissan’s EVs in U.S. and Canadian markets will have NACS ports. 

2.) Energy storage company Energy Dome raises another $60 million. The company’s technology stores energy in pressurized, liquified CO2, in large dome structures. Italian utility A2A has committed to a 20 MW plant with 10 hours of duration, w/planned commissioning in 2024.

3.) Liquid metal battery company Ambri signs agreement with Xcel Energy for 12-month trial of 300 kWh battery in Colorado.

4.) Sustainable aviation fuel start-up Twelve breaks ground at Washington State facility, expected to be operational by 2024. Twelve uses electricity to make synthetic fuel out of water and waste CO2 emissions. 

5.) U.S. to hold first offshore wind power auction in the Gulf of Mexico next month, with one lease area of 102,000 acres offshore Lake Charles, LA, and two additional locations totaling nearly 200,000 acres offshore Galveston, TX.

6.) NV Energy to submit $1.8 bn plan for approval to transition 500 MW North Valmy coal-fired facility to natural gas and install a utility-owned 400 MW solar farm/400 MW battery storage facility. 

7.) Utility holding company Energy Northwest and small modular reactor developer X-Energy Reactor Company ink joint development agreement for up to 12 small modular reactors in central Washington State yielding up to 960 megawatts of electricity. First unit expected online by 2030.

8.) Advanced geothermal company Fervo Energy demonstrates commercial viability of its drilling technology, generating 3.5 MW of geothermal energy. Full-scale commercial pilot in northern NV laterally drilled 3,250 foot horizontal double-well system, with a water injection well tied to a production well within a high-temperature, hard rock geothermal formation.

1.) Germany’s offshore wind lease bidding process yields 12.6 bn Euros ($13.8bn US), for 7,700 MW across four sites in the North and Baltic Seas.

2.) Province of Ontario to work with Ontario Power Generation in planning and licensing work on three more 300 MW GE Hitachi small modular nuclear reactors.

3.) VW Group with subsidiary Elli are first auto company to trading on German electricity market of Europe's largest power exchange, Step 1 of plan to “anchor the growing storage capacities of electric cars and batteries in the energy system.”  

4.) School bus maker Blue Bird rolls out latest e-school bus with a 196-kWh battery and warranty, allowing for double the amount of lifetime energy throughput at 360 MWh, especially for vehicle-to-grid applications.

5.) DTE Electric plans to shutter coal generation plants by 2032, three years ahead of earlier proposal, while adding 3,800 GW of renewables by 2030. billion.

6.) Exxon Mobil Corp to buy Texas-based oil and gas producer Denbury Inc for $4.9 billion, in part to acquire 1,300 mile Gulf Coast CO2 pipeline.  

7.) Ameresco to build 379 MW of battery projects co-located at CA gas power plants owned by Middle River Power to optimize the gas plant efficiencies, cut emissions and increase capacity on California’s grid.

8.) Ameresco also announces series of battery projects with CO cooperative United Power totaling 78.3-MW and 313-MWh at eight substation sites coop’s electric distribution system.

9.) In late June, two separate battery storage systems totaling 8 MW and 34 MWh ignited in Warwick, NY, a result of storm-related issues.

10.) San Diego starts construction on first of eight microgrids to support police and fire stations, and community centers, stabilizing electricity supplies for days during grid emergencies. 

1.) New York's first offshore wind farm, the 130 MW South Fork Wind, installs its first monopile foundation, with offshore substation soon to follow.

2.) The New York power grid operator selects $3.26 billion, 3,000 MWtransmission project to transport offshore wind being brought ashore on Long Island.

3.) Freja Offshore, a JV between Hexicon and Mainstream Renewable Power, submits 2 - 2.5 GW Swedish offshore wind application w/turbines as large as 30 MW each.  

4.) Chinese battery giant CATL announces $1.4 bn investment in two plants to develop Bolivia's lithium reserves.

5.) Texas officials requires EV charging sites supported by state funds to include Tesla connectors, in response to recent decisions by Ford, GM, and Rivian to adopt Tesla’s NACS protocol. 

6.) The U.S. DOE Loan Programs Office issues conditional $9.2 billion loan to Ford for construction of three battery factories. Ford plans to make 2 million EVs annually by 2026, vs. 132,000 in 2022.

7.) Stellantis stops shipping ICE vehicles to 14 states that follow California’s strict emissions regulations.

8.) Q1 U.S. hydrogen fuel-cell car sales in the United States, fell almost 30 percent YOY to 752 units. 257,507 EVs sold during same time period. RIP hydrogen vehicles…

1.) Northeastern States ask to DOE to support formation of Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission for offshore wind transmission development.

2.) San Francisco and the Bay Area become the first U.S. metro area in which EVs and hybrid cars make up over 50% of new car sales.

3.) With California’s Net Energy Metering 3.0 rule inplace, SunRun says 85% of new CA residential solar customers are adding batteries – up from 20% prior to NEM 3.0.

4.) Calistoga, CA to get 8 MW of hydrogen fuel cells for back-up power in the event of outages.

5.) Scale Microgrid Solutions to develop a solar-powered microgrid system to serve California’s Cadiz Water Conservation, Recovery, and Storage project. Each of 25-30 water production wells will have a 1.12 MW ground-mounted solar array joined with a 634 kW / 2.66 MWh battery, and 380 kW low-emission CHP.

6.) First Solar unveils new thin-film bifacial solar panel in its Series 6 release – a first for thin film technology.

7.) Solar and battery remanufacturing company Terrepowercommissions TN plant capable of re-manufacturing 125,000 panels annually.

8.) Mercedes-Benz signs supply agreements and plans to use more than 200,000 tons of low-carbon steel from European suppliers annually by 2030.

9.) The EU promulgates a broad set of new rules for batteries, including carbon footprint declaration label, waste collection requirements, and minimum levels of recycled content in new batteries.

10.) Renault moves into bi-directional EVs, and offers Mobilize V2G service to help Renault 5 drivers to cut costs and sell electricity services to grid.

1.) Tesla’s NACS charging protocol may well become North American charging standard. GM follows Ford in tying in with Tesla’s charging network, and integrating NACS standard into its future EV charging port architecture.

2.) Per Wood Mackenzie, U.S. solar industry enjoys a strong Q1, at 6.1 GWdc of capacity, up 47% over Q1 2022. Forecast over next five years sees approximately 236 GWdc of new solar capacity.

3.) Ørsted will partner with solar recycling startup Solarcycle to process and recycle used crystal silicon modules from its U.S. – based projects. Cost per panel expected around $20 to $30, versus landfilling at $1-2.

4.) While 800 MW Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts begins driving pilings, concern w/r/t other NorthEast offshore wind deals grows, as developers of four NY contracted projects totaling over 4,000 MW seek to revisit agreements owing to cost pressures.

5.) The California Institute of Technology successfully beams a small amount of solar power from its satellite in space to other targets in space and on Earth.

6.) Exxon announces deal with U.S. steel producer Nucor to capture, transport and store up to 800,000 metric tons per year of CO2 from Nucor’s direct reduced iron plant in Louisiana.

1.) As of June 2, passengers can book the inaugural electric flights on Sweden’s SAS airlines - trips on 30-seater planes sometime in 2028.

2.) Constellation Energy notches world record for operating an existing turbine on a hydrogen/methane blend, with H2 levels hitting 38% during a day-long test.

3.) Constellation Energy heralds its $1.75 bn purchase of NRG Energy’s 44% ownership stake in the 2.6-GW South Texas nuclear Electric Generating Station outside of Houston.

4.) 8 Rivers claims that its proprietary “Allam cycle” process can separate hydrogen from methane, while capturing 99% of the CO2 emissions. 8Rivers is developing a pilot, after raising $100 million from Korea’s SK group in March.

5.) The U.S. Department of Energy announces $46 million in grant funding to eight fusion companies to advancing designs and R&D.

6.) NY’s Green Bank surpasses $2 billion in financial commitments, catalyzing up to another $5.5 billion in public and private investments, with 123 completed transactions to date.

7.) The California Energy Commission approves a new flexible load shifting goal of 7,000 megawatts, up 2x from previous target.

8.) CA Governor Gavin Newsom proposes purchases of renewable energy made directly by the state, rather than through its utilities, utilizing California’s purchasing power to support large projects that utilities might not otherwise support.

9.) The city of Cohoes NY applies for environmental permits to build a $5.9 million, 3.2 MW floating solar panel array on municipal reservoir. There are an estimated 24,000 municipal reservoirs nationwide.

10.) Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng announces that 1st generation solid-state battery is entering mass production, with the pilot production line having an annual capacity of 4GWh.

International Energy Agency review of existing and announced global manufacturing capacity shows that solar and battery manufacturing capacity now on track to meet the 2030 targets established in the IEAs net zero by 2050 scenario. 

1.) In a separate announcement, the IEA notes that 2023 cleantech investments will total $1.7 trillion, while about 1.0 trillion will be dedicated to coal, gas, and oil. Solar investments will outpace oil, at $382 bn to $371 bn. 

2.) Exxon Mobil to invest over $100 million in lithium drilling rights on 120,000 acres in Arkansas.

3.) Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions commit to a $4.3 billion, 30 GWh battery facility in GA.

4.) Storage developer Powin selects Florida-based Jabil to manufacture its battery storage product, w/initial annual capacity of 2 GWh by year’s end ramping to 4 GWh.

5.) Battery tech company Sakuu ready to license its high-energy, high-power density, solid-state cell chemistry for manufacturing. The cells can be 3-D printed.

6.) Ford’s EV drivers will be able to access 12,000 Tesla superchargers in the U.S. and Canada next spring.

7.) EV manufacturer and charging company NIO now has 1,400 battery swap stations. Drivers have already swapped batteries over 22 million times, with about 50,000 transactions daily.

8.) Modular nuclear reactor developer Oklo plans to build its second and third commercial 15-MW reactors in southern Ohio, as early as 2028. 

9.) JP Morgan Chase signs agreements with carbon capture start-ups worth $200 million to capture and store 800,000 metric tons of CO2. Investment is meant to stimulate industry growth. 

1) Montgomery County, Maryland will generate hydrogen at its main transit center, supported by a microgrid developed by AlphaStruxure that includes 5 MW of rooftop solar, a 2 MW/7.35 MWH battery storage system, and electrolyzers creating sufficient hydrogen to fuel 13 fuel-cell-powered transit buses.

2) Orange and Rockland Utilities commissions 12MW/57 MWh battery system to support distribution grid and provide sub-station back-up.

3) S&P Global Commodity identifies 39 U.S. gas utility hydrogen pilot projects, with over 50% involving blending low- or zero-carbon hydrogen with methane into pipeline networks.

4) Microsoft to buy CO2 credits from Orsted for gases captured at two Danish biomass cogeneration power plants, with carbon to be stored in geological reservoirs under the North Sea. 

5) After five additional attempts, Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility unable to replicate experiment yielding net positive energy.

6) North American Reliability Corporation issues separate warnings related to both upcoming summer grid reliability as well as winter preparedness. Winter Level 3 warning unprecedented.

7) PJM tells federal regulators almost 50% of its black-start units lack firm fuel supplies, while being spread unevenly across the grid. Asks for designated black-start incentives.

1.) EPA proposes new, stricter, greenhouse gas rules for power generating plants.

2.) DOE issues Notice of Intent inviting "interested entities" to propose for designation specific National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor routes.

3.) Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs bill setting 3,000-MW target for energy storage.

4.) Sweden advances plans to build electric roads for EV charging, designating major highway for electrification by 2025.

5.) Dow selects 4,700 acre Texas Seadrift Operations manufacturing site for small modular reactor project with X-Energy Reactor Company.

6.) Microsoft inks PPA with nuclear fusion startup Helion to purchase 50 MW of electricity in 2028.

1.) Xcel Energy receives approval from Minnesota’s Public Utility Commission to offer microgrids and other resiliency projects to large customers requiring high degrees of reliability.

2.) Connecticut regulators adopt performance-based regulation framework for electric distribution utilities

3.) The U.S. Department of Commerce extends May 1 deadline for final ruling in the solar anti-circumvention tariff investigation to August 17.

4.) International Energy Agency reports 2022 EV sales notch new record, of over 10 million vehicles, up 55% over 2021.

5.) Boston Public Schools put its first 20 Blue Bird Vision electric school buses into service, as part of goal to electrify entire 750-bus fleet.

6.) Deutsche Post DHL Group procured 30,000 EVs in 2022, while ordering 12 fully electric cargo planes.

7.) Hyundai and SK On partner to build a $5bn, 35 GWh EV battery plant in Georgia, expected to start production by Q2 2025 and support production of 300,000 EVs.

8.) GM and Samsung SDI join up to build $3 billion U.S. battery cell plant by 2026.

9.) VW Group to build Ontario battery plant that could scale up to 90 GWh by 2030.

1.) Scania and Northvolt jointly develop lithium ion battery cell capable of powering a truck for almost one million miles.

2.) Chinese battery giant CATL announces‘Condensed Battery’ cell technology with energy density of 500 Wh/kg.

3.) North American battery company Electrovaya says tests show its battery delivered 9,000 charge/discharge cycles, retaining 87% of initial capacity.

4.) Beverly, MA adds third school bus to its vehicle to grid program. Another bus V2G project starts in Vermont this summer.

5.) West Virginia’s GreenPower Motor Company receives $15 mn order from state of West Virginia for 41 all-electric school buses. 

6.) Food distributor Sysco building an EV charging hub at Riverside, CA facility to power 40 EV trucks and 40 hybrid-electric refrigerated trailers.

7.) Enel X Way to add at least two million North America EV charging ports for home, commercial and public charging segments by 2030.

8.) Sunnova gets a $3 billion conditional loan from DOE for a new low-income solar/storage loan channel.

9.) 900 MW, 700-mile Labrador – Island Link transmission line finally commissioned after lengthy delays and billions in cost overruns.

10.) Maine jury OKs Avangrid construction of 145 miles of NECEC transmission line to bring 1,200 MW of Quebec hydropower to Massachusetts.

11.) Pentagon concerned Biden administration offshore wind locations along central Atlantic US coast will conflict with military operations.

12.) CAISO reports net electricity demand hit - 63 MW at 12:20 PST on 4/16. Following Sunday CAISO notches a lower number, dropping to - 203 MW at 1:10 PM

1) Biden administration’s EPA proposes strict new auto tailpipe emissions limits.

2) China sets aggressive 2023 renewables targets, plans on 160 GW of wind and solar.

3) U.S. interconnection queues get lengthier, with projects now averaging five years. A total of 10,000 projects totaling 1,350 gigawatts capacity is languishing in queues.

4) Bureau of Land Management approves 732-mile transmission line to deliver 3 GW of wind from Wyoming to Nevada.

5) PacifiCorp files IRP with renewables (20 GW), storage (7.4 GW), and at least two nukes. Efficiency (798 MW) and DR (661 MW) also in the mix.

6) ISO-New England notches new record low demand (6,814 MW, in system w/32,600 MW of installed capacity).

7) Toyota plans on plug-in hybrid with about 125 miles of range (vs today's Prius Prime, at 44 miles).

Dept of Treasury releases guidance on EV domestic battery components and critical minerals; Advanced battery co Amprius touts 3rd-party verification of high-density lithium-ion cell; SC Dept of Ed'n to buy 160 Thomas Built electric school buses; Ford w/4th increase in a year on base price of F-150 Lightning; Battery recycling co Cirba Solutions plans $300 mn Phase One investment in a li-ion battery recycling facility in SC; EU reaches provision agreement requiring 42% of H2 in existing industrial applications be green by 2030; European Council sets regs to cut road transport emissions, w/zero emissions from new cars by 2035; CATL making M3P batteries, outperforming nickel and cobalt-based tech on price and range; Norway electrolyzer co HydroPro to build 500 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer factory in TX.

1) Department of Treasury announces IRA EV subsidy battery component and critical minerals eligibility requirements, with minimum amounts rising over time.

2) Advanced battery company Amprius completes third-party verification of its high-density lithium-ion cell.

3) SC Dept of Education orders 160 electric school buses from North American Daimler subsidiary Thomas Built Buses.

4) Ford raises price on its base F-150 Lightning for the fourth time in a year, to over $61,000 (Incl destination chg).

5) Battery materials/recycling co Cirba Solutions announces $300 mn Phase One investment in SC lithium-ion battery recycling facility.

6) EU reaches provision agreement requiring 42% of all hydrogen used in existing industrial applications to be green by 2030. 

7) European Council sets regs to cut road transport emissions, with zero emissions from new cars by 2035. 

8) Global battery giant CATL begins manufacture of M3P batteries, that will outperform nickel and cobalt-based variants on price and range. 

9) Norway electrolyzer company HydroPro touts a new 500 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer factory in Texas.

GE Hitachi, TVA, OPG, and Synthos Green Energy join to advance progress on GE/Hitachi SMR for global deployment; Ford Motor Company expects 2023 EV division loss of $3 billion; China auto OEM JAC shows off EV w/sodium ion battery; LGES w/$5.6 billion investment for AZ battery factory; Albemarle Corp will build $1.3 bn SC lithium processing plant – enough to supply 2.4 mn EVs; Convenience store 7-11 developing network of level 3 fast-charging stations in U.S. & Canada; Level Ten Energy and Google Cloud announce new platform to accelerate PPA contracting; IRENA reports that 83 % of new 2022 global generating capacity came from renewables. 

1) GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, Ontario Power Generation, and Synthos Green Energy teaming up w/up to $400 mn of support to advance progress on GE/Hitachi 300 small modular reactor and promote global deployment. 

2) Ford Motor Company projects 2023 EV division loss of $3 billion, as it gears up for the future, anticipating 8% EV margins by 2026.

3) Chinese automaker JAC unveils test version of EV equipped w/sodium-ion batteries (no lithium or cobalt).

4) LG Energy Solution plans on $5.6 billion investment for a battery factory in AZ, to produce EV and energy storage batteries on separate lines.

5) Albemarle Corp will build $1.3 bn S. Carolina lithium processing plant – enough for 2.4 mn EVs annually. Inputs to come from ore mined in NC and used batteries.

6) Convenience store chain 7-11 plans a network of level 3 fast-charging stations in the US and Canada addressing CCS, ChadeMo, and Tesla.

7) Level Ten Energy and Google Cloud collaborate on new platform to accelerate power purchase agreement contracting process from a year to as little as 2-3 mos.

8) International Renewable Energy Agency reports that 83 % of new generating capacity last year came from renewables, warns numbers need to triple by 2030 to meet climate goals.

GE developing 18 MW offshore turbine; MNR co NuScale must increase MW commitments by 3X in order to proceed w/first facility; Controlled Thermal Resource and Fuji Electric ink $1.4 bn deal for geothermal plants and lithium prod’n in Salton Sea; Invenergy to invest in 5 GW Ohio PV facility making LONGI panels; VW’s ID.2 concept vehicle to have 280 miles of range and cost $27K; Entergy LA files for approval of 3 GW of solar gen; Texas appellate court rules PUC exceeded authority in setting $9,000/MW price during 2021 winter storm; CT utilities launch next 100 MW phase of customer-sited storage projects; Biden Admin to dole out $2.5 bn in add’l EV charging funding, targeted at municipalities/rural areas; President Biden and EU President von der Leyen issue statement to include EU in IRA domestic content provisions; Oman signs 40-yr deals worth $20 bn for green H2 w/15,000 MW of electrolyzers.

1) GE's Renewable energy armed Vernova is developing a 17 - 18 MW offshore wind turbine. 

2) Modular nuclear company Nuscale needs to triple subscription levels by February 2024 in order to proceed w/first plant.

3) Controlled Thermal Resources and Fuji Electric Corporation in $1.4 billion deal for up to 330 MW of geothermal plants and 150,000 metric tons of lithium from CA's Salton Sea. 

4) Invenergy with investment of $600 mn in 5-GW PV module plant in OH to make LONGi solar panels.

5) Volkswagen plans on ID.2 EV, w/range of 280 miles and targeted base price of $27,000. 

6) Entergy LA files w/regulators to add 3 GW of solar power to gen portfolio. 

7) Texas appellate court says PUC exceeded authority during 2021 Winter Storm Uri in setting maximum $9,000 per MWh price on 2/15 and 2/16.

8) CT utilities initiate 100 MW phase of on-site energy storage projects in 580 MW program (1st 50 MW tranche of incentives in early 2022 was quickly subscribed).

9) Biden administration offers $2.5 bn in EV charge funding w/focus on cities, towns, and rural areas.

10) President Biden and EU President von der Leyen issue joint statement committing parties to negotiate w/respect to critical minerals and IRA domestic content requirement. 

11) Oman signs 6 40-yr green H2 deals worth $20 billion, to result in deployment of 15,000 MW of electrolysers.

Advanced geothermal co Eavor gets €91.6 mn grant for 8.2 MW geothermal project in Germany; advanced geothermal co Fervo tests energy storage system in NV using fracking tech to inject H2O into deep wells to create pressure for turbines; U Rochester researchers create new superconductor w/superior properties; NRC proposes a new draft review and licensing framework for advanced nukes; HECO issues RFP for 500-700 MW of “firm” renewables, such as biofuels, geothermal, and trash-to-energy by 2033; NJ w/3rd offshore wind solicitation for betw 1.2 & 4.0 GW of wind energy; BNEF study says meeting global climate goals may call for 94 million-mile supersized grid - 2X the length of today's grid; WA State carbon auction settles at $48.50/ton, (recent California/Quebec auction price at $27.85); Equinor & Air Liquide formally abandon potentially landmark liquified hydrogen shipping fuel project.

1) Eavor Technologies, an advanced geothermal company, nabs European Innovation Fund €91.6 million grant for 8.2 MW geothermal project in Germany. Drilling to start July, w/commissioning Q4 of 2024. 

2) Advanced geothermal company Fervo proving up new underground energy storage system in NV, using fracking tech to create fractures in deep hot rock and pumping in H2O to create storable/dispatchable power. 

3) Scientists from U of Rochester create superconductor that can function at room temperatures and at lower pressures, that could dramatically cut T&D losses, improve batteries, and help contain fusion process. 

4) NRC proposes new draft review/licensing framework for advanced nuclear reactors, based on risk and performance, and meant to be flexible and applicable to a variety of new technologies. 

5) HECO RFP calls for 500-700 MW of “firm” renewables, such as biofuels, geothermal, and trash-to-energy by 2033. Current HECO supply approx. 40% renewables today, w/50% of that from customer side of the meter. 

6) NJ opens third offshore wind solicitation, for 1.2 - 4 GW of offshore wind. Decisions expected by the end of 2023. 

7) BNEF study say a 94 million-mile supersized grid may be needed to meet climate goals, over twice size of today's grid (long enough to reach the sun).

8) WA State’s 1st carbon auction settles at $48.50/ton - much higher than the recent joint California/Quebec auction at $27.85/ton – and raises $300 million.

9) Equinor and Air Liquid formally pull plug on Aurora project - once hailed as landmark liquified H2 shipping fuel project - citing high prices, lack of interest, and competition from green hydrogen-based ammonia or methanol.

CA Energy Commission approves staff recommendation to extend life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant to 2030 for grid reliability; Western municipal utilities OK plan to buy energy from 462 MW NuScale modular nuclear plant, despite price jump from $58 to $89/MWh; Dow and nuclear startup X-energy to develop small nuclear plant at Dow industrial site on Gulf Coast; Startup Universal Hydrogen successfully flies 40-seat plane - powered mainly by hydrogen - during short test flight; China’s Sinopec breaks ground on $831 mn, 390 MW, green H2 project in Mongolia; Saudi 2.2 GW green H2 project lines up $8.5 bn in construction financing; Tesla moving forward on V2G, perhaps as early as 2025; U.S. Postal Service to buy 9,250 commercial off-the-shelf EVs - the Ford EV Transit - and 14,000 charging stations; China’s Farasis Energy to supply low-density sodium ion batteries to Jiangling Motors, Chinese EV maker owned largely by Renault; Toyota plans on KY auto plant for 100% made-in-US EV.

1) The CA Energy Commission approves a staff recommendation for extension 2.2 of 2.2, GW Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant citing grid reliability.

2) Despite price increase from $58 to $89/MWh, consortium of western municipal utilities continues commitment to buy energy from NuScale’s 462 MW modular nuke. 

3) Dow and nuclear startup, X-energy will develop small nuclear plant at a Gulf Coast Dow industrial site. 

4) Startup Universal Hydrogen flies 40-seat plane mainly on hydrogen during part of 15-minute test flight. Goal is commercial hydrogen-powered flights by 2025. 

5) Chinese refining co Sinopec initiates $831 mn, 390 MW, green H2 project in Mongolia, supplied by 270 MW of solar & 450 MW of wind. 

6) Saudi Arabia's 2.2 GW green H2 project gets $8.5 bn in financing. Project will use 4.6 GW of solar & wind energy to make ammonia for U.S. co Air Products. 

7) Tesla to offer bi-directionality in its models over next two years. 

8) USPS to buy 1st 9,250 Ford EV Transits - and 14,000 charging stations – as part of plan to buy over 66,000 electric vehicles.

9) China’s Farasis Energy will provide lower-density sodium ion batteries to Jiangling Motors, Chinese EV co owned largely by Renault. Mass production to begin by mid-year.

10) Toyota to build Kentucky plant for 100% made-in-USA EV, w/target of 200,000 US EVs/year.