14 December 2021

Volvo Cars and Northvolt eye expansion on global market

Volvo Cars and Northvolt seek to take their European battery venture to the Asian and American market. This follows an announcement by the companies to create a centre for research and development in Gothenburg, Sweden. Additionally, as a part of the SEK 30 billion investment, a new battery factory somewhere in Europe is to be built and start production within five years. According to Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson, there is nothing in the partner’s collaboration agreement that limits them to Europe (DI).   

EUDP supports green energy technology in Denmark: DKK 554 million

The Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP), the Danish Agency’s R&D arm, has allocated DKK 554 million to 28 energy projects. Among the 28 projects, elected from a total of 90 applicants, three types of projects are highlighted – the Molten Salt Energy Storage, Bifrost and Greensand (Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage projects), and an indoor-climate project. The half-billion in funding was allocated in accordance with the EUDP’s focus areas.

1. Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS): DKK 323 million.
2. Increase of green electricity – and for more areas of use: DKK 73 million.
3. Green process energy: DKK 55 million.
4. Heating and heat storage: DKK 33 million.
5. Heavy transportation and Power-to-X: DKK 29 million.
6. Passenger transport and light transportation of goods: DKK 22 million.
7. Energy efficiency: DKK 18 million.
8. Remaining projects: DKK 2 million (Press release).

Xolta enters collaboration agreement with Ultegra: Battery solutions in Australia

Xolta, a developer of battery systems for storing solar energy, has entered a collaboration agreement with Ultegra for the implementation of battery solutions in the Australian electricity grid. Xolta’s 79 kWh modular battery systems can be expanded in line with an increased demand of electricity, to complement Australia’s increasing demand for renewable energy. Ultegra will be responsible for the resale and installation of the systems, as well as the service and maintenance that ensues. Australia is experiencing a significant increase in solar cell installations, where the next logical step is to offer the opportunity to store excess energy in batteries, according to Craig Willebrand, Pre Contracts Manager at Ultegra (Leder Idag).  

Better Energy joins PtX project: Triangle Energy Alliance (TEA)

Better Energy, Vejle Erhvervshavn and Blackbird Air have entered as partners in the Triangle Energy Alliance (TEA) – collaborating on sustainable energy production for heavy transportation. With a total of 24 partners, the alliance aims to establish industrial scale Power-to-X (PtX) facilities and produce green hydrogen that is subsequently used for the production of green fuels such as ammonia and methanol. Better Energy has up-scaled Northern Europe’s largest solar park with a capacity of over 200 MW and boasts a 6 GW project portfolio for new solar power capacity. For the Triangle region in which the TEA operates, Better Energy is targeting a capacity of more than 500 MW renewable energy, according to Lildholdt Kjær, CEO of Better Energy (Energy Supply).

Vestas continues increasing investments in technology by 2022

Vestas has already invested up to EUR 1 billion in the development of new technology in 2021 – a figure that will increase in 2022 according to Anders Nielsen, CTO of Vestas. Vestas has an interest in developing technologies including onshore- and offshore wind technology, Power-to-X technology, and storage technology, Nielsen continues. One of the large financial items in the development budget regards Vestas’ new V235-15.0 offshore wind turbine, which will be installed as a prototype in 2022, and ready for commercial production by 2024 (Metal Supply).

Vattenfall receives permit to build offshore wind in the North Sea

The British government decided to award Vattenfall a permit to build the offshore wind park, Norfolk Boreas, in the North Sea. The project, expected to start producing electricity by 2025, has an installed effect of 1.8 GW – enough to supply the equivalent of two million British households. Additionally, Vattenfall is awaiting the next allocation round by UK Contract for Difference (CfD) for a permit regarding its other project in the Norfolk zone, Norfolk Vanguard. The final investment decisions for both offshore wind parks will be taken once the CfD-processes are passed (Press release).

Absolicon prepares pilot solar collector field for ADM in Germany

Absolicon has signed an agreement with ADM International SÀRL (ADM) for the preparation of a solar pilot collector field in ADM’s factory. The 660 sqm installed solar collector field will showcase how Absolicon’s solar thermal technology contributes to ADM’s long-term sustainability goals and reduced fuel costs. By implementing the solar thermal solutions, ADM will gradually replace parts of its natural gas use with sustainable solar energy by purchasing the produced energy with a heat purchase agreement. Following the pilot facility, Absolicon and ADM will explore the opportunity of constructing an 8,000 sqm installation in Germany as a second step (Solenerginyheter). 

Quantron delivers hydrogen vehicles to Norway

H2, the Norwegian truck project, has entered a collaboration agreement with Quantron, in a row of collaboration agreements with green hydrogen producers, and manufacturers of vehicles and equipment – targeting a fleet of 100 hydrogen vehicles and a filling station network to accommodate it. Under the agreement, Quantron will design and deliver dozens of hydrogen trucks for the H2 project in Norway by 2023 (Kontrast). 

What we’re reading

• World Bank under fire for being ‘missing in action’ on climate change (Financial Times)
• Australian firm signs off on designs for AUD 10.7bn green hydrogen project in Pilbara (RenewEconomy)

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