SOLAR+STORAGE
businesswire | May 22, 2023
Fisker Inc. driven by a mission to create the world's most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, reaffirms its commitment to sustainability through its renewable-energy charging partnership with Allego B.V. ("Allego").
Fisker Ocean drivers can charge their EVs with 100 percent renewable energy in Europe through Fisker's partnership with Allego. Recognizing that use of renewable energy significantly reduces CO2 footprint over a vehicle's lifetime, Fisker prioritizes "green charging" operators that power their public charging networks with renewable energy. Preferred energy sources are: Solar, Wind, Hydro (small hydro preferred), Geothermal, Ocean movement, Hydrogen and Biomass (from renewable feedstock). By using green charging, Fisker estimates a 40% or more reduction in CO2 footprint during an EV's use phase1.
"Charging matters: it's a significant part of an EV's carbon footprint over its life cycle. Customers are placing greater importance on the sources of electricity they use to charge their EVs, and Fisker will continue to lead the industry in ESG practices and give customers the most sustainable choices," Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said. “We challenge brands in all industries to do the same to help provide a clean future for all."
Fisker partners with Allego, a leading pan-European EV charging network, to provide Fisker Ocean drivers in Europe easy access to renewable-energy charging at all Allego charge points. Every kWh supplied by Allego's charging stations is 100 percent renewable, certified by Guarantee of Origin Certificates (GOs). Through its energy platform, Allego powers its chargers with renewables generated from wind or PV (photovoltaic) farms with long term power purchase agreements.
Using the Fisker Ocean's navigation system and the FISKER FLEXSM Charge app, drivers can seamlessly locate Allego stations and access one year of free charging2 at over 27,000 eligible charging ports.
Fisker's focus on green charging in an EV's use phase is just one aspect of Fisker's overall commitment to sustainability across all phases of a vehicle's life cycle: upstream sourcing of materials, manufacturing, inbound/outbound logistics, use phase, and end of use/recycling. Aligning with Fisker's commitment to transparency, the company will publish the Ocean Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) later this spring. To learn more about Fisker’s commitment to ESG, find our ESG Impact report at www.fiskerinc.com/esg-2021.
The Fisker Ocean, Fisker's ground-breaking all-electric SUV, is available in Extreme, Ultra, and Sport, with the limited edition Fisker Ocean One entirely sold out. Both the Fisker Ocean Extreme and One trims achieve a confirmed combined WLTP range of up to 707 km/440 UK miles 3, which is the longest range of any battery electric SUV sold in Europe today. Both the Extreme and One trims offer dual-motor all-wheel-drive, three driving modes, Revolve 17.1" rotating screen, SolarSky roof, California Mode, Smart Traction, and many first-to-market safety features, including the world's first digital radar.
About Fisker Inc
California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by designing and developing individual mobility in alignment with nature. Passionately driven by a vision of a clean future for all, the company is on a mission to create the world's most sustainable and emotional electric vehicles.
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SUSTAINABILITY
PRnewswire | May 16, 2023
Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern Energy), a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, announced it has signed long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. (Shell Energy) and the Regents of the University of California, for a portion of the power from its 3,500+ MW SunZia Wind project. Construction of SunZia Wind is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2026, when it will start delivering power to western energy markets.
"This wind contract represents another milestone achievement for the University of California," said David Phillips, Associate Vice President of Capital Programs, Energy and Sustainability. "Eight years ago, we signed our first utility-scale contracts for solar and today we are adding another important renewable resource to our portfolio – wind. The University is excited to be part of such a significant renewable project that will reduce carbon emissions and provide more resilience to the California grid."
"We welcome these exciting new relationships with Shell Energy and UC Regents on the delivery of New Mexico wind power," said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. "SunZia is providing access to some of the best wind in the world, which has a powerful generation profile with an evening peak that is a perfect complement to daytime solar. We are committed to harnessing New Mexico's wind to generate clean power for 3 million Americans and continuing to have conversations with interested customers throughout the western region."
SunZia Transmission will open access to the western energy markets to SunZia Wind, the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere, which is comprised of more than 3,500 MW of new wind generation located in Torrance, Lincoln, and San Miguel Counties in New Mexico. SunZia Transmission is a 550-mile ± 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between central New Mexico and south-central Arizona with the capacity to transport 3,000 MW of clean, renewable energy. SunZia Transmission will enable SunZia Wind to supply customers in Arizona and California during the crucial early evening hours when demand is high but the otherwise available renewable energy supply is low.
The SunZia Wind and SunZia Transmission projects have been developed with a deep commitment to local community engagement and environmental stewardship. A key initiative for SunZia has been following through on an extended engagement with local, regional, and national conservation stakeholders. As a result of this commitment and consultation, SunZia Transmission is setting a precedent with a gold standard in environmental mitigation efforts developed hand-in-hand with the environmental community. These range from restoring thousands of acres of wildlife habitat to investing in emerging technology and long-term conservation research. SunZia Wind has established robust environmental best practices to reduce project impacts and study effective habitat restoration strategies in partnership with local and state experts.
Pattern Energy recently announced that the SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind projects are expected to generate $20.5 billion dollars in total economic benefit, which includes over $8 billion of direct capital investment, at no added cost to ratepayers, according to the results of an independent study conducted by research firm Energy, Economic & Environment Consultants LLC. Together, the projects will generate an expected $1.3 billion in fiscal impacts that will go to governments, communities, and schools. These benefits are generated through sales and use taxes, property taxes, community benefit payments, and land payments to federal and state agencies.
The projects continue to work with federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as local jurisdictions and stakeholders, to finalize remaining approvals to allow construction to begin on schedule this year.
About Pattern Energy
Pattern Energy is one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. Its operational portfolio includes 35 renewable energy facilities that use proven, best-in-class technology with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000 MW in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. Pattern Energy is guided by a long-term commitment to serve customers, protect the environment, and strengthen communities.
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SOLAR+STORAGE
Terabase Energy | May 12, 2023
Terabase Energy, the leader in digital and automation solutions for solar power plants, is launching Terafab™, the world’s first automated, digital field factory for solar power plant construction. Terafab transforms solar power plant construction with a modern factory approach, increasing installation productivity by a factor of 2x over traditional methods.
Terabase also announces today the grand opening of its Woodland, California, Terafab manufacturing facility — a “factory to make factories.” The Woodland facility is currently manufacturing the first gigawatt (GW) of Terafab assembly lines with a capacity to build more than 10 GW of Terafabs per year.
The comprehensive Terafab system combines a digital twin of the project site, advanced supply chain and inventory management systems, an onsite wireless digital command center, a field deployed automated assembly line, and specialized installation rovers into a seamless 24/7 operation.
Terafab's key benefits include:
Faster construction: High-throughput, 24/7 operation, and modularity enable rapid ramp-ups and much higher solar field construction speeds, significantly reducing project schedules.
Improved worker health and safety: Terafab eliminates the physical safety risk of construction workers needing to lift heavy solar panels and steel structures (often in harsh weather conditions) by utilizing automation on a climate-controlled assembly line.
Alleviation of labor shortages: Terafab increases labor productivity by 2x, addressing the solar industry’s unprecedented labor shortages.
Reduced construction cost: Terafab's installation efficiency and time savings lower overall project costs, enabling a lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
Scalability: The system supports the solar industry's exponential growth, leveraging a modular design that can be replicated and deployed quickly.
Matt Campbell, CEO and co-founder of Terabase Energy, said, "The Terafab system is a game-changer, offering a comprehensive solution that merges cutting-edge construction automation with a sophisticated digital system to transform the way solar power plants are constructed. We successfully field-tested Terafab last year, building 10 megawatts (MW) of a 400 MW site in Texas. Today’s launch is the next step forward to rapid commercial scale-up."
Sheldon Kimber, CEO and founder of Intersect Power, stated, "Our collaboration with Terabase on their Terafab technology exemplifies our commitment to deliver industrial-scale, clean infrastructure to combat the climate crisis. The Terafab system is also revolutionary for the health and safety of our partners in the field. This technology will allow for higher quality and consistency of finished products and improved handling of packaging and materials, resulting in a more sustainable solar industry for all stakeholders for years to come.”
“Our partnership with Terabase reflects our commitment to supporting innovation in the solar industry,” stated Nextracker Founder and CEO, Dan Shugar. “The Terafab system's potential to significantly advance large-scale solar construction aligns with our vision of a renewably powered world. We applaud Terabase's progress achieved with their terrific team."
Nick Strevel, VP Product at First Solar, said, “Not only does our partnership with Terabase bring advanced installation technology to our next-generation Series 7 solar module, but it also enables a closed-loop packaging recycling system consistent with our vision of responsible solar. The Terafab system is another example of how homegrown American innovation can help accelerate the deployment of solar, enabling our country’s decarbonization ambitions.”
"With emerging technologies and automation at the forefront of Signal Energy’s clean energy engineering and self-perform construction pursuits, Terabase’s solution compliments our deployment strategy to improve in productivity, efficiency, and overall quality for our solar installations,” said Karl Schadlich, Sr. Director of Business Development at Signal Energy. “Above all, the Terabase team is continually looking ahead and pioneering the automation and solutions landscapes for the future of the renewable industry, and we’re excited to have Terabase Energy as a partner to that evolution.”
About Terabase Energy
Terabase Energy is on a mission to reduce the cost and accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar through construction automation and software. The Terabase platform enables rapid deployment of solar plants at more competitive costs, supporting both grid-connected PV plants and the cost-effective production of green hydrogen with PV in the future. Terabase’s suite of products includes PlantPredict: a cloud-based solar plant design and energy modeling tool, Construct: a digital construction management software and power plant control and SCADA solutions.
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