This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate in 15 minutes or less featuring John Engel and Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.
This week’s “Cleantecher of the Week” is Elliot Coad, founder of 30×30 United Kingdom and Ecologi, who shared research that stated the world is losing 4-14% of its staple crops due to microplastics, since they are hindering plant photosynthesis. Researchers say this problem could increase the number of people at risk of starvation by 400M in the next two decades. Thanks to Elliot Coad for sharing this new information, and kudos to Damian Carrington at The Guardian for reporting on the research.
1. The Biggest US Banks Have All Backed Out of a Commitment to Reach Net Zero — WIRED
At S&P Global’s Energy Conference CERAWeek, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright pledged a “180-degree pivot” from the Biden administration’s energy policies. He argued that fossil fuels help alleviate global poverty and that moving too quickly to decarbonize will just raise energy prices. Other oil executives agreed with this claim, stating that “billions of people still live in energy poverty” and that “affordability has left the conversation.”
Just one year ago, Jennifer Granholm told the CERAWeek crowd that the transition to cleaner energy like wind, solar and batteries was unstoppable.
Read here.
2. This Startup Has A Way To Make Cheap, Clean Hydrogen–Without Federal Subsidies — Forbes
Graphitic Energy, a Santa Barbara-based startup, has developed a process to produce clean hydrogen from natural gas. Most hydrogen produced today is “grey hydrogen” made from natural gas, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Graphitic has figured out a way to instead capture that carbon in the form of valuable graphite, and it does not need federal funding.
Graphitic’s method converts the carbon into synthetic graphite, which sells for over $2,500 per metric ton and is currently mostly sourced from China. By using the hydrogen it produces to power its process, Graphitic reduces electricity consumption, making the technology viable even in areas without access to renewable energy. The company estimates its process cuts CO2 pollution by 90%.
Read here.
3. Solar Energy, Criticized by Trump, Claims Big U.S. Gain in 2024 — The New York Times
In 2024, the U.S. added 50 GW of new solar capacity, the largest addition of any electricity source in over two decades, according to a report from SEIA and Wood Mackenzie. This surge in solar power comes amid criticism from Chris Wright at CERAWeek. But the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects solar and battery storage to continue leading new capacity installations on U.S. electric grids in 2025.
Read here.
4. Khosla Backs Startup Aiming to Pull Carbon From Air in New Mexico — Bloomberg
Spiritus, a startup focused on direct air capture, or DAC technology, has raised $30 million in Series A funding from investors to help build a plant in New Mexico, set to begin operations in late 2025, with the capacity to capture 1,000 tons of CO2 annually. Unlike other DAC systems, which rely on energy-intensive fans to pull air through sorbents to capture CO2, Spiritus uses a passive approach, potentially reducing both energy consumption and costs.
The captured CO2 will be released from Spiritus’s novel material and stored underground. While some companies use captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, Spiritus intends to sell its CO2 for projects that convert it into fuel.
Read here.
5. US Considers Emergency Powers to Restart Closed Coal Plants, Doug Burgum Says — Bloomberg
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the U.S. is considering emergency authority to reopen closed coal plants and prevent future shutdowns. The plan aims to address concerns about grid stability, particularly in light of expected rising electricity demand. The Sierra Club argues this plan will only increase electricity prices and make pollution worse.
Since 2000, about 770 coal-fired units have retired, and another 120 are set to close in the next five years. Coal accounts for about 15% of U.S. power generation today, down from more than half in 2000.
Read here.
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