Products,Market Research,Industry Updates
Schneider Electric | December 08, 2022
Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and ORPC, an internationally recognized leader in marine energy technology, innovation and operational excellence, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on microgrid projects to advance marine energy as a commercially-viable renewable energy source.
Through this collaboration, ORPC and Schneider Electric will install microgrid systems that include Schneider Electric’s energy storage and smart microgrid controllers with ORPC’s RivGen Power Systems to provide communities worldwide with highly predictable baseload electricity in renewable energy form, enabling the global transition towards net-zero societies.
“The ability to provide exciting, cutting-edge, sustainable solutions, like ORPC’s RivGen Power System, works as part of a portfolio of microgrid systems for our customers. It paves the way to establish marine energy as a commercially viable solution in the renewable energy mix,” said Bala Vinayagam, SVP Microgrid Line of Business from Schneider Electric. “The path to net zero includes many forms of decarbonization and having microgrid systems with ORPC’s technology only widens the impact on what our solutions can provide.”
Schneider Electric and ORPC are already working on implementing this solution in partnership with the remote, tribal community of Igiugig, Alaska. When this project is completed in the summer of 2023, the integrated system will form the grid for the community, moving the existing diesel generators to back-up and enabling the village to operate without diesel for between 60% and 90% of the time. In Igiugig, ORPC’s RivGen Power System has proven successful operating through three winters with temperatures going as low as -40 degrees C. As a result of environmental monitoring of the Igiugig project, comprising hundreds of hours of data, not a single injury or mortality to marine or aquatic life has been observed. Schneider Electric supplied Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation to enable use of River Gen system for diesel reduction. This is achieved by leveraging the Grid forming capability of the Schneider Electric BESS.
ORPC has already received inbound interest in its power systems from over 40 countries. Schneider’s global operations include offices in over 100 countries which will enable the two companies to build a global pipeline of projects.
‘’Nearly 1 billion people globally have no access to electricity and another 700 million rely on diesel-fueled off-grid systems. These communities pay up to 15 times more for electricity than grid-connected areas do, and deal daily with the noise, poor air quality and environmental risk resulting from diesel fuel use,” said ORPC CEO Stuart Davies. “We are so pleased to join forces with Schneider Electric, recognized as a leader for microgrid technology and sustainability (2022 Verdantix report) to better respond to the market inquiries we’ve been receiving and together provide baseload power solutions to these areas of the world with the greatest need.”
“The combination of ORPC’s RivGen Power System and Schneider Electric’s energy storage and smart microgrid controller can serve as a powerful tool to address climate change. For communities already using diesel generators, this system can provide a baseload energy solution and replacement for existing systems,” said Alexandre Paris, Senior Vice President & COO, ORPC. “Developing economies can build out their electricity networks economically without using expensive, centralized grids reliant on fossil fuels.”
“This partnership is an important step forward in our company’s journey to provide everyone, everywhere with access to clean, reliable electricity from sustainable sources such as marine renewable energy. The combination of Schneider Electric’s microgrid technology and ORPC’s power system solution offers an innovative path to bridge progress and sustainability – and empowers remote communities to help lead the energy transition and preserve the natural environment on which they have built their lives. I am proud of this collaboration and excited to see the new pathways we create together.”
Frederick Morency, VP Sustainability, Strategic Initiatives & Innovation, Schneider Electric.
About ORPC
Headquartered in the U.S., with subsidiaries in Canada, Ireland and Chile, ORPC is a recognized leader in marine energy technology innovation and operational excellence. A developer of clean, renewable power systems that harness energy from free-flowing rivers and tidal currents, ORPC’s rise to a leadership position in the worldwide marine energy industry is based on an impressive record of continuous improvement and success.
In 2021, ORPC was honored as "Innovator of the Year," by the State of Maine’s International Trade Center and has a long track record of prestigious awards dating back more than a decade, including “World’s Top Ten Most Innovative Companies in Energy” by Fast Company (2013), and the National Hydropower Association’s Award for Operational Excellence in 2016 (ORPC is the first marine energy company to receive this award).
About Schneider Electric
Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.
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Energy,Economy,Industry Updates
Rivian | December 07, 2022
Rivian and Apex Clean Energy today announced the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the renewable energy company’s proposed Goose Creek Wind farm in Piatt County, Illinois. As Rivian’s first large-scale procurement, the agreement supports the company’s long-term vision of enabling high-impact renewable energy projects that reduce its carbon footprint while also benefiting customers, communities, and the electrical grid.
This purchase, along with other renewable sourcing and on-site generation, will allow Rivian to power as much as 75% of its Normal, Illinois, plant operations with carbon-free energy on an hourly basis. The PPA will also contribute to the company’s commitment to power its Rivian Adventure Network and Waypoints charging with 100% renewable energy. Importantly, this is Rivian’s first major renewable energy purchase and a critical investment in Illinois—supporting homegrown jobs, economic development, tax revenues, and clean energy in the Prairie State.
“About a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, with nearly another third from electricity generation. We have a tremendous opportunity at Rivian to help tackle emissions beyond the tailpipe to support decarbonization of manufacturing and charging of electric vehicles, Long-term success for us means helping to accelerate the transition to carbon-free energy across the entire economy, not just within Rivian’s own footprint.”
Andrew Peterman, Rivian Director of Renewable Energy.
Rivian’s renewable energy strategy combines climate impact, community, and local ecological considerations. Working with The Nature Conservancy and its Site Renewables Right initiative, Rivian aims to support grid decarbonization while also promoting renewable developments that enhance the land, protect critical biodiversity, and improve local economies.
“With Goose Creek Wind, Rivian is modeling an innovative approach to clean energy procurement—one that emphasizes maximum benefit to the local community, economy, and environment,” said Mark Goodwin, President and CEO of Apex. “Apex continues to expand opportunities for corporations committed to strengthening local project areas, reducing carbon impact, and restoring natural habitat—all priorities for Rivian as it continues to build out its vision for the future.”
Within an hour's drive of Rivian’s flagship Normal facility, Goose Creek Wind will put more carbon-free energy on the Central Illinois grid by tapping the region’s largest and most sustainable resource—the wind. Rivian promotes and relies on the growth of clean energy in Illinois, contributing to statewide efforts to increase the proportion of renewables from 11%—compared to the national average of 20%—and reduce marginal emissions of a carbon intensive grid.
Rivian has signed the Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.
Apex is currently in the process of securing local permits and approvals for the 300 MW Goose Creek Project to be built and as a stipulation of the PPA. The project is slated to begin operations in 2024.
About Rivian
Rivian exists to create products and services that help our planet transition to carbon neutral energy and transportation. Rivian designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships.
About Apex
Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of over 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers.
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Energy,Economy,Industry Updates
Genie Energy | December 07, 2022
Genie Energy Ltd.,a leading retail energy and renewable energy solutions provider, provided an update on two company-owned community solar projects totaling 10 megawatts of generation capacity.
Genie Energy's Genie Solar subsidiary has obtained the notice to proceed (NTP) for its first company-owned project, a 4-megawatt community solar farm in Upstate New York.
"This is a major milestone for our vertically-integrated solar strategy, and we're delighted to receive the NTP for our first company-owned community solar farm,The environmental benefit and the economics driving the development of community solar are compelling for the customers and the generators, and we expect to expand from this initial project to additional sites in the coming months."
Michael Stein, CEO of Genie Energy.
Construction of the ground-mount project is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023. Once construction is completed, the start of generation will be contingent upon testing of the interconnection and final approval from the regional utility.
Genie Solar has also completed a Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review (CESIR) for a second company-owned community solar project in upstate New York and expects to achieve the NTP in early 2023. This 6-megawatt community solar project is also slated for construction in 2023.
Stein added, "Community solar plays to Genie's strengths as an integrated solar provider. In our first two projects, we not only obtained control of the sites and are overseeing permitting, we are also financing and managing the construction of the projects. We'll utilize our own designed and manufactured solar panels and our retail arm will identify, enroll and manage the projects' customers.
"This vertically-integrated approach enables us to capture significantly more of each project's realizable economics while delivering a superior value to our customers," Stein concluded.
In this press release, all statements that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate, "target" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors, including, but not limited to, those described in our most recent report on SEC Form 10-K (under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"), which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports on SEC Forms 10-Q and 8-K. We are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Genie Energy Ltd.:
Genie Energy Ltd. is a retail energy and renewable energy solutions provider. The Genie Retail Energy division supplies electricity, including electricity from renewable resources, and natural gas to residential and small business customers in the United States. The Genie Renewables division is a vertically-integrated provider of commercial, community and utility-scale solar energy solutions.
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