$3 Billion Planned for Next-Generation Hydrogen Power Plants

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Three power plants planned in New York, Virginia and Ohio will test whether hydrogen can one day replace natural gas in electric generation.

Power producers Danskammer Energy, Balico and EmberClear are paying Mitsubishi Power Americas Inc. more than $3 billion for the facilities, which will collectively generate 3,284 megawatts of electricity. While the plants will initially run on natural gas alone, they’ll eventually shift to burning green hydrogen produced and stored on-site. They’re designed to make it easier to ramp up hydrogen use as production increases, Mitsubishi Power Americas CEO Paul Browning said.

As power producers transition to using green hydrogen, it becomes essential to maintain consistent output levels to meet the growing demand for electricity. This transition necessitates robust systems that can handle fluctuations in fuel supply and energy generation, making it vital for facilities to incorporate advanced technologies that enhance reliability.

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) plays a crucial role in safeguarding against power outages and ensuring the seamless operation of essential equipment during the transition. Moreover, reliable operations directly influence the stability of the power grid and consumer confidence. Any disruption in electricity supply can have far-reaching consequences, from affecting industrial production to impacting everyday life for consumers.

Therefore, investing in infrastructure that supports both traditional and emerging energy sources, while integrating solutions like UPS systems, is paramount for power producers.

Green hydrogen — produced by stripping the gas from water using electrolyzers powered by wind and solar — is seen as key to eliminating carbon emissions from the industrial sector that now relies on natural gas as both a fuel source and a feedstock.

Other electric generators also are exploring integrating green hydrogen into their power production in an effort to slash emissions as more states set renewable-energy mandates. Utility NextEra Energy Inc. in July announced it will run one of its Florida power plants, in part, on hydrogen, using solar power to strip the gas from water.

“There is clearly an opportunity five to 10 years from now to displace the last 10% of the carbon emissions out of the electric sector by manufacturing hydrogen with renewables,” Jim Robo, NextEra’s CEO, said during an earnings call in July.

Volvo Helps Expand Options for Electric Truck Charging

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Volvo Trucks North America took a step toward the widespread usage of electric trucks by expanding charging options, the company announced Aug. 26.

The Combined Charging System CCS2 connector was designed around the unique needs of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks. The Volvo LIGHTS project and its partners secured a safety certification for the system, which means more charging options for fleet operators.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and interest from the prospective customers that are saying, how do I get started?” Keith Brandis, vice president of partnerships and strategic solutions at Volvo Group, told Transport Topics. “Officially we have not made our commercial launch. That’s going to happen later.”

Volvo LIGHTS is a collaboration among different organizations to develop a blueprint to successfully introduce battery-electric trucks and equipment into the market at scale. REMA EV Connections manufactures the charging system and is one of the partners on the project.

The Underwriters Laboratories verified that the charging system meets North American safety standards. This certification enables fleet operators to purchase the system directly from suppliers such as Volvo LIGHTS vendor ABB.

Lion Electric Gets 50-Truck Order From CN Rail

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The announcement of the CN purchase of 50 Class 8 trucks is the first time Lion Electric has presented a tractor configuration.

The Lion Electric Co. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CN Rail to acquire 50 zero-emission battery-electric drayage tractors. CN says it will place the trucks into last-mile urban service in the Canadian cities of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

In April of 2019, CN launched a pilot program to test the use of custom-built electric trucks engineered by Quebec-based The Lion Electric Co. These zero-emission trucks, slated for intermodal use, will be tested in a variety of situations and environments across the CN network, from urban delivery and container shuttle service, to port operations. Lion Electric says the trucks will remove 100 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the road annually.

Mercedes-Benz to Deliver 1,800 EVs to Amazon Fleet

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Amazon says it is adding more than 1,800 electric vehicles (EVs) from Mercedes-Benz Vans to its delivery fleet in Europe this year. Mercedes-Benz also has joined The Climate Pledge, which calls on signatories to be net-zero carbon across their businesses by 2040 – a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goal of 2050.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we have set ourselves the ambitious target to make the transformation of mobility a success story. By joining The Climate Pledge, we are building on our goal to consistently pursue emission-free mobility and sustainable vehicle production,” says Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG.

“We stand with Amazon, Global Optimism and the other signatories of The Climate Pledge, in a commitment to being net-zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of The Paris Agreement. I am pleased that we will be able to gain even more momentum on our sustainability offensive with this step,” Källenius adds.

DOE Awards SoCalGas Funding to Advance Clean Automotive Transportation

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Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) says the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded over $7.1 million in funding to three projects advancing clean automotive transportation technologies supported by the utility.

SoCalGas’ Research, Development & Demonstration department will provide $730,000 in additional funding for the projects, which are led by Cummins Inc., GTI and West Virginia University Research Corp. The projects will advance fuel cell technology for on-road trucking and transit, near-zero-emissions natural gas technology for rail locomotives and best practices to reduce maintenance costs for alternative fuel vehicles.

“SoCalGas is committed to being an integral part of California’s energy future, and as we work on achieving our goal to be the cleanest gas utility in North America, supporting the research and development of clean transportation technologies is key,” says Yuri Freedman, senior director of business development at SoCalGas.

DOE: US biodiesel production at 1.9 billion gallons in 2018

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The U.S. Department of Energy published data on Aug. 24 showing that 1.9 billion gallons of biodiesel was produced in the U.S. in 2018. Facilities producing the fuel were located across 34 states.

Iowa was the top producer of U.S. biodiesel in 2018, with 365 million gallons, followed by Texas with 227 million gallons and Missouri with 216 million gallons.

The data used by the DOE was sourced form the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s State Energy Data System (SEDS): 1960-2018, published in June 2020.

New sparks for the electric vehicle industry

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Thinking back to the beginning of 2020 can seem like a lifetime ago. Before the pandemic took root on a global level, the transportation industry was already in the midst of a great and exciting transition. The move to electric vehicles (EVs) was intensifying.

Take General Motors, for example. In early March, the company announced it would have 20 new EVs by 2023. It also is tackling ambitious innovations with its Ultium battery and propulsion system that could enable a GM-estimated range up to 400 miles or more on a full charge with 0 to 60 mile-per-hour acceleration as low as three seconds.

And then COVID-19 hit. Sales for all vehicles plummeted. But new consumer revelations were (and are) occurring on a daily basis — and it is good news for the EV market.

People are appreciating how skies can be clearer and bluer with fewer cars on the road. We’re learning the value of our time and resources with lessons in how to shop more efficiently with fewer trips. With a growing unease in taking public transportation, the demand for electric bikes and cars is also skyrocketing.

While governmental incentives for the EV market in the United States are minimal, the private sector is jumping on board to continue the momentum and meet the new consumer demand.

In June, Lyft announced that every vehicle on its platform will be electric by 2030. Despite a setback in the construction of its factory during the shutdown, Rivian will debut its electric pickup truck and electric SUV next summer. The company is also on track to manufacture more than 100,000 electric vans for Amazon. And GM isn’t shying away from its announcement and commitment to EVs, stating in May that it is continuing at full speed.

But there is still much more that needs to change and be done.

The present and future opportunities for EVs
What can be done to propel the EV industry even further despite the current global climate with COVID-19? Like anything in today’s landscape, it’s complicated — but it’s possible to achieve new inroads.

Let’s be honest. EV design and manufacturing comes with an entirely different set of challenges, even without a global pandemic as a backdrop. From EV design to manufacturing and battery optimization and production, we must address needed changes head-on for a radical, new approach to design and manufacturing.

DOE funding for vehicle technology shows ‘parity for propane’

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Industry leaders are hailing Department of Energy (DOE) research funding totaling more than $9 million for vehicle technologies utilizing propane. They are also recognizing the years-long path to get LPG on an equal playing field with other energy sources in the top level of government.

“There’s been a concerted effort between PERC and NPGA to reengage with the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO),” says Cinch Munson, senior vice president of business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). “PERC and NPGA coordinated our efforts well, and what we saw happen this year was the fruits of that labor.”

Six propane-related projects were part of DOE’s July pledge of $139 million for 55 projects selected to advance innovative vehicle technologies. The VTO, an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office that supports research, development and deployment of efficient and sustainable transportation technologies, made the funding available to applicants in specific topic areas. But the annual appropriations process in Congress makes the funding possible.

“We have been working on this for several years to ensure there is parity for propane compared to other alternative fuels when it comes to research and development funding opportunities,” says Mike Caldarera, senior vice president of advocacy and technical services at the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).

In its meetings with legislators charged with determining the levels of funding authorized for each agency, NPGA conveys the value and environmental benefits of propane and highlights potential projects where the funds could be used, Caldarera says.

The amount awarded for propane-related projects in fiscal year 2020 – $9,017,921 – nearly doubled the $5 million the industry received in appropriations funding for propane engine technology in 2016.

Republic Services, Aria Energy and bp Partner on RNG Project

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Republic Services, a company that specializes in recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal, and energy partners Aria Energy and bp have partnered on a landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) project at the Tennessee-based South Shelby Landfill. The project directly supports Republic’s commitment to send 50% more landfill gas to beneficial reuse by 2030.

South Shelby Landfill is one of 189 active, modern-day landfills managed by Republic Services, the second-largest recycling and waste services provider in the country. Aria operates the project, processing and purifying biogas from the landfill into RNG. bp will transport the RNG into the interstate natural gas pipeline grid and market it to renewable energy customers. This is Aria and bp’s fourth RNG project at a Republic Services landfill.

“The South Shelby RNG project upholds our ongoing commitment to converting low-carbon fuel sources like landfill gas into renewable energy for vehicles, homes and businesses,” says Richard DiGia, president and CEO of Aria Energy.

Natural Gas, Alternative Fuels Use for Truck Fleets Said Accelerating

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Alternative fuels use in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is accelerating in nearly all U.S. transportation sectors, according to a new report.

The Sustainable Fleets Report issued Tuesday was completed by a consortium headed by consultants Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA).

The study looked at natural gas vehicles (NGV), propane, battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell EVs in the medium- and heavy-duty fleets. The report was sponsored by Daimler Trucks North America, Penske Transportation Solutions, Shell Oil Co. and Exelon Corp.

Researchers said diesel and gasoline would continue to dominate the commercial fleet market. However, about 98% of the fleet companies surveyed expect to increase or continue at the same level their use of sustainable vehicles and fuels.

Investments are increasing for NGVs, propane, BEVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Fleets also confirmed there was “no material performance loss” when switching to most renewable fuels.

GNA concluded that near-zero emission, ultra-low greenhouse gas emission NGVs have “achieved a level of technological and commercial maturity.” NGV fleet sales grew by 13% last year, hitting an all-time high of 6,000 vehicles sold. Renewable natural gas and gas used in transportation increased 30% from 2015 through 2019.