13 December 2021

Norway to pay half of households electric bills when prices are spiking

The Norwegian government has decided to subsidise half of household electric bills when the average electricity price exceeds NOK 0.7 during the months December to March, with a cap of 5000 kWh per month. This marks the first time this has been done according to Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) when presenting the government’s crisis package for electricity customers. Preliminary estimates show that the newly implemented system will cost NOK 5 billion, with the possibility of being much higher if electricity prices spike during the winter. The system solely targets households and is administered by the Energy Regulatory Authority (RME) (Montel).

Biofuels tested in turbojet engines: Effective and strategic

The Swedish Defence Research Agency (Swe: FOI) has shown that Swedish biofuels have several advantages following the examination of five different fuels in the French Microturbo TRI-60 turbojet engine. The results showed that biofuels – specially the Swedish-produced biofuel – had higher energy content than the remaining fuels, and more importantly, lower levels of soot. The lower soot-levels help reduce emissions and cloud formations when operating in high altitudes. Another advantage of the Swedish biofuel regards the production which can happen locally and on a smaller scale (Press release).

Sonya enters partnership with Doconomy: Climate impact monitoring

Sonya, the Norwegian climate and expense management developer, and Doconomy have entered a partnership to provide digital solutions for a sustainable living. Doconomy’s solution, called DO, enables users to understand the impact of their daily choices based on climate impact calculations. With the partnership, Sonya aims to provide its customers with the ability to measure and monitor the carbon footprint from card transactions. Additionally, the partnership will aim to accelerate Sonya’s commitment in assisting clients in the transition towards a sustainable living (Crowdfund insider).

Maersk unveils design details of methanol-fuelled ships

Maersk has revealed some of the details of its 16,000 teu (twenty-foot equivalent) methanol-fuelled box ships ordered at Hyundai Heavy Industries – allowing 20% improved energy efficiency per transported container and an expected saving of circa 1 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions. The series, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, comes with a dual-fuel engine which operates on both methanol and conventional low-sulphur fuel. The first vessel is scheduled to be in operation at the start of 2024 (Shipinsight).

Several companies eye Dalarna for wind power projects

Dalarna’s county administrative board has several applications from companies interested in building more wind turbines in Dalarna according to Veronica Driberg, Environmental Expert at the County Administrative Board of Dalarna County. Dalarna County is second only to Norrbotten County in its expected production capacity of wind power by 2040, with Norrbotten forecast to produce 10 TWh and Dalarna 7.5 TWh (SVT).

What we’re reading

• The ESG Mirage (Bloomberg)
• John Kerry: Carbon border tariffs are a legitimate idea to have on the table (Euractiv)
• Record EU carbon price boosts clean fuel economics (Financial Times)

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