Solar+Storage
Xylem Inc. | September 22, 2023
Xylem Inc. and LORENTZ have entered into a strategic distribution agreement.
The collaboration accelerates the adoption of renewable energy sources for water management, contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective approach.
The partnership enhances Xylem's product portfolio with innovative technology, advancing decarbonization in the water sector.
Xylem Inc., a prominent global water technology solutions provider, and LORENTZ, a renowned German manufacturer specializing in solar water pumps, have jointly announced a strategic distribution agreement aimed at expanding the global accessibility of solar-powered pumping systems. These innovative and sustainable pumping solutions find widespread use in agriculture, irrigation, and drinking water applications. They play a pivotal role in enabling water managers to address decarbonization objectives while simultaneously reducing operational expenses.
The escalating frequency of climate-related droughts and extreme weather events has placed considerable strain on water resources, compelling communities to seek solutions that not only ensure a consistent water supply but also facilitate the transition to cleaner and more energy-efficient systems. Solar-driven pumping technology harnesses renewable energy sources to deliver sustainable and dependable water solutions, even in remote and off-grid locations.
This strategic collaboration represents a significant expansion and enhancement of the sustainable pumping offerings from both Xylem and LORENTZ. Under the terms of this agreement, Xylem will leverage the combined strengths of both companies' solutions, with LORENTZ providing solar-powered and solar/grid hybrid pumping systems to Xylem. Furthermore, LORENTZ's cutting-edge technology will augment solutions in Xylem's existing product portfolio, and the two organizations will work in sync to develop innovative new products under the Xylem brand. Notably, both Xylem and LORENTZ will continue to serve their respective market segments and uphold their existing distribution networks.
Franz Cerwinka, Senior Vice President and President of Applied Water Systems and Business Transformation at Xylem commented,
Innovative technologies offer new ways to protect and optimize water while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LORENTZ's technology is a perfect example.
[Source – Business Wire]
He further explained that this collaboration offers Xylem's customers novel sustainable pumping solutions, assisting them in achieving decarbonization goals and implementing cost-effective, efficient, and resilient water management practices.
Bernt Lorentz, LORENTZ's founder and chief executive, stated that the movement of liquids constituted a highly energy-intensive activity. Employing solar power and solar/grid hybrid connections could aid customers in pursuing their sustainable energy objectives through the use of renewable energy sources. Lorentz further expressed enthusiasm about teaming up with Xylem to contribute to the acceleration of the water sector's progress toward achieving net-zero emissions.
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Grid Environment
Amazon | September 13, 2023
Amazon makes its first investment in direct air capture technology to combat climate change.
Amazon commits to purchasing 250,000 metric tons of carbon removal over a decade from 1PointFive's STRATOS DAC plant.
The Climate Pledge Fund also invests in CarbonCapture Inc., known for modular DAC systems designed for cost-effective CO2 removal.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the need for DAC and other solutions to remove 1 trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
On September 12, 2023, Amazon announced its first investment in direct air capture (DAC), a crucial technology in the battle against climate change. This development aligns with Amazon's Climate Pledge commitment, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
To advance this endeavor, Amazon is supporting the most extensive DAC technology deployment globally. The company has committed to purchasing 250,000 metric tons of carbon removal over a decade from the STRATOS project, 1PointFive's inaugural DAC facility. This quantity is equivalent to the natural carbon storage in over 290,000 acres of U.S. forests, approximately half the size of Rhode Island. The captured carbon will be securely stored underground in saline aquifers, large geological rock formations saturated with saltwater.
In addition to this investment, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund is contributing to CarbonCapture Inc., a climate tech firm renowned for its groundbreaking modular DAC systems. These systems are designed for seamless upgrades with cutting-edge sorbents that extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This adaptability facilitates cost reductions driven by rapid advancements in material science.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the need to remove approximately 1 trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere in this century to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Achieving this objective necessitates organizations evolving their operations by deploying emission-reducing technologies and capturing already-emitted CO2. While restoring natural ecosystems plays a significant role, technological solutions like DAC are essential for capturing and removing substantial volumes of CO2 from the air.
DAC technology involves filtering CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it underground or utilizing it to create construction materials such as concrete, bricks, and cement. These new investments will make DAC a key component of Amazon's broader sustainability strategy, which also encompasses nature-based solutions such as forest conservation and restoration.
Facilitating one of the largest DAC Purchase Agreements
1PointFive is currently constructing the world's largest DAC facility in Ector County, Texas. Once fully operational, it is expected to capture up to 500,000 tons of CO2 annually. The plant will harness Amazon Web Services (AWS) digital infrastructure for real-time performance analysis and operational optimization, thus enabling the firm to implement the learnings in future DAC facilities. This partnership with Amazon represents one of the largest purchase agreements ever for a DAC facility.
Expediting the commercial deployment of DAC
CarbonCapture, a climate tech startup, focuses on expediting innovation and scalability within the DAC industry. Their patented modular open system architecture enables new sorbents, an essential component responsible for CO2 filtration, to be swapped in as they become available. Maximizing sorbent performance is a central strategy in reducing DAC costs over time. Furthermore, besides Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund investment, CarbonCapture is providing up to 100,000 tons of carbon removal credits to Amazon, intended for use by Amazon and its business partners, suppliers, and customers.
Amazon initiated the Climate Pledge in 2019, committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement's timeline. Over 400 companies, including Best Buy, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Siemens, Unilever, Verizon, and Visa, have since joined this initiative. Amazon continues to transform its transportation network towards sustainability by electrifying its delivery fleet and seeking alternative fuels. Presently, over 9,000 electric delivery vehicles from Amazon's global fleet are delivering countless packages worldwide. Since 2015, packaging initiatives have reduced average packaging per shipment by 41%, eliminating the need for over 2 million tons of packaging materials. Additionally, the company is investing $2 billion in developing decarbonizing services and solutions through the Climate Pledge Fund, which currently supports 23 companies and startups across five countries.
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Solar+Storage
ComEd | October 13, 2023
ComEd and SunVest Solar completed four new community solar projects in northern Illinois.
Community solar allows ComEd customers to access clean energy without installing solar panels.
Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) aims to increase renewable energy support.
ComEd and SunVest Solar have recently announced the successful completion of four new community solar projects located in northern Illinois, with two projects in Dekalb and another two in Freeport. This development marks a significant milestone as it brings the total number of community solar projects within the ComEd service territory to 88. This initiative empowers ComEd customers to enjoy reduced electricity costs and contributes to the broader objectives of expanding renewable energy and advancing Illinois' clean energy goals.
The two community solar farms established by SunVest in Dekalb span an impressive 24 acres along Gurler Road and are adorned with more than 9,400 solar panels. Similarly, the two innovative solar farms located in Freeport extend to 23 acres on South Cranes Grove Road, housing more than 11,650 solar panels. Together, these four solar installations possess a combined generation capacity of 12 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, which equates to providing electricity for nearly 1,700 typical Illinois households.
Community solar offers a unique opportunity for all ComEd customers to reap the benefits of clean solar energy, all without the need to invest in solar panels for their own. Participants subscribe to a solar energy farm owned by an independent developer and, in return, receive credits on their monthly ComEd bills corresponding to the energy generated by their share of the project. This generated energy flows into ComEd's grid, contributing to the overall energy supply. Typically, customers subscribe to an amount of electricity that offsets their annual consumption. In most cases, ComEd customers can subscribe to a community solar project within the ComEd region, provided it is not already fully subscribed.
Additionally, ComEd has recently launched a user-friendly community solar calculator. This tool assists customers in determining the most suitable subscription size, providing estimates of costs and potential savings.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of Illinois, enacted in 2021, increases support for renewable energy to achieve 40 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. It creates approximately 9,800 megawatts of new solar capacity and a substantial increase in funding for the Illinois Solar for All program. This program, which extends access to solar power for lower-income customers, has seen its annual funding rise from $30 million to $70 million.
ComEd presented multi-year grid and rate plans to the Illinois Commerce Commission earlier this year in line with this legislation. These plans are instrumental in accelerating the expansion of renewable energy and ensuring that all communities have equitable access to the benefits of clean energy as per the stipulations of CEJA. These plans are aligned with ComEd 2030, the company's recently announced vision for a carbon-free energy future. This vision promises to cater to the evolving needs of customers and deliver benefits to all communities for the remainder of this decade and beyond.
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