This week in cleantech and energy news, the UK implements a fleet of hydrogen trains, the wind industry thrives with new investments, and the EU and Alaska pledge emissions cuts.

What news have you been reading this week? Share with us @GreentownLabs!

 

Cleantechnica – No Electricity? No Problem! UK Hopes To Solve Diesel Train Problem With Hydrogen

• The UK has recently decided to implement the conversion of a fleet of electric trains to hydrogen, meaning that the hydrogen will be used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity on board. This eliminates the expense of overhead electrification while reducing the diesel fuel usage.

“Less than 50% of the U.K. rail network is electrified. At the moment the 321s run on that. With the hydrogen conversion they will be independently powered and bring the benefits of electrification to areas of the network that do not have a power supply, replacing diesel trains.”

 

The Conversation – Why The Offshore Wind Industry Is About To Take Off

• Massachusetts is about to build one of the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farms just southwest of Martha’s Vineyard, which will be able to power as many as 150,000 homes and is just one of the several offshore wind projects that could transform the grid.

“Despite Cape Wind’s demise, Massachusetts became the first state to set offshore wind goals in 2016. It aims to install at least 1,600 megawatts of electricity – enough to power over 600,000 homes – by 2027.”

 

CNBC – Vestas Partners With Vattenfall On Large Wind Energy Project In Sweden

• The wind turbine specialist Vestas just entered into a new partnership in Sweden for a 353 megawatt wind energy project and 85 new wind turbines. Turbine installation begins in 2021 and is funded with around 350 million euros ($412.34 million).

“The cost of renewable energy is going down, which is making the market more competitive and creating new opportunities,” Anders Runevad, Vestas’ president and CEO, said in a statement. “In this dynamic market, we continue to leverage our deep expertise across the entire value chain to develop solutions with our customers that produce the lowest cost of energy.”

 

The Guardian – Wind Power Overtakes Nuclear For First Time In UK Across A Quarter

• During the first three months of 2018, windfarms were seen to have provided more power to the UK than their eight nuclear power stations, producing 18.8% of electricity second only to gas, and suggesting numerous possibilities in the future of wind energy.

“At one point overnight on 17 March, wind turbines briefly provided almost half of the UK’s electricity. Wind power helped during the cold snaps, too, supplying 12-43% of electricity during the six subzero days in the first three months of the year.”

 

Reuters – EU Targets 30 Percent Cut In Truck CO2 Emissions By 2030

• The EU’s first ever CO2 target for trucks will be at least a 30% reduction by 2030.  This will be implemented with an intermediary target of 15 % as well as an incentive system of credits for those who invest in low-carbon technologies.

“A 30% target would cut about 54 million tonnes of CO2 from the bloc’s emissions from 2020 to 2030, or roughly the size of Sweden’s yearly output, according to the Commission’s estimates. It argues that the benefits outweigh the technological cost of meeting the new CO2 standards, leading to lower fuel consumption, reduced transport company bills, job creation and a more competitive auto industry.” 

 

The New York Times – ‘Impossible to Ignore’: Why Alaska Is Crafting a Plan to Fight Climate Change

• As a major oil and gas producer, Alaska is finally beginning to create its own plan to address climate change. This will include cuts on state emissions by 2025 as well as a tax on companies emitting CO2.

“In addressing climate change, Alaska will have to grapple with its own deep contradictions. Roughly 85% of the state’s budget is funded by revenues from the production of oil, which is primarily exported to the rest of the United States, and local politicians have largely been unwilling to curtail the supply of fossil fuels.”

 

Cleantechnica –  Lloyds Banking Group Launches £2 Billion Clean Financing Initiative

• The British bank, Lloyds Banking Group, has committed £2 billion to their now £3 billion Clean Growth Finance scheme, which offers discounted finance to commercial banking clients who wish to invest in reducing their environmental impact while also boosting their businesses productivity.

“Our funding will support small improvements in production, heating, transport, or environmental impact, right through to large scale renewable energy infrastructure. By building on our commitments to help clients with discounted finance for investments in sustainable business, we will in turn support the UK’s goals for clean growth.