Carbon capture and removal projects hit a record high in 2022
By Maria Virginia Olano, Canary Media, May 19, 2023
“The recent growth is driven in part by new U.S. policies incentivizing carbon capture and removal, moves significant enough that BloombergNEF estimates the country could host nearly half of all global CCS capacity by 2030. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021, includes $3.5 billion in funding for direct-air-capture regional hubs, plus additional funding for other carbon-capture projects. And the landmark 2022 Inflation Reduction Act also includes incentives for carbon capture in the form of tax credits of up to $85 per metric ton of captured CO2. Experts say these new incentives will bring the costs down enough in the U.S. to make the tech workable, possibly solving one key barrier.”
5 potential paths to a fusion energy breakthrough
By Saul Elbien, The Hill, May 21, 2023
Potential options include: a star in a bottle, a magnetic donut, a twisted donut, rapid ignition, and a fusion engine.
“‘And that means you can build them faster, you can learn more, and you can build power plants sooner.’
How soon? In the 2017 Rolling Stone interview, Kirtley predicted fusion electricity within 10 years — a prediction that he is now financially obligated to (more or less) fulfill.
In early May, Helion committed to provide Microsoft with 50 megawatts of fusion power by 2028, and the company faces financial penalties if it fails.”
DOE offering $250M to support Electric Heat Pump Manufacturing
Energy Tech, May 19, 2023
“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $250 million funding opportunity to accelerate the manufacturing of electric heat pumps in the country.
The funding will be used to build a clean energy economy, create well-paying manufacturing jobs, and help households save money on their energy bills. The program aims to promote the use of electric heat pumps, which provide a more affordable and reliable option for heating and cooling, resulting in lower energy costs for households and businesses while also creating healthier indoor spaces using clean energy technologies made in the U.S.”
10 reasons the energy mix matters now more than ever
By Merilee Kern, Oilwoman Magazine, May 2023
Not to be confused with the power generation mix, which refers only to generation of electricity, the energy mix applies to all direct uses of energy, such as transportation and housing. Last year, natural gas fueled over a third (38%) of U.S. electricity generation, up from 37% in 2021, while Coal-fired electricity generated 20%. Key to our nation’s energy security, a viable energy mix helps thwart system and supply disruption.
World’s first thermal energy storage “gigafactory” opens
By B. David Zarley, Freethink, May 6, 2023
“We’re Israeli—we’re building technologies that can reach up to 1400°F in the middle of the desert—we know a thing or two about harnessing heat, and we’re ready to share that knowledge with the world,” founder and CEO Avi Brenmiller said.
