PRODUCTS
Maip Group | April 28, 2022
Maip Group, a prominent multinational plastics formulator and compound maker, announces breakthrough compounds for new resins in the automotive sector as part of multi-year strategic cooperation with Eastman. In addition, Maip Compounding, the group's manufacturing subsidiary, announces the launch of the CherbioTM series of molecular recycling products based on Eastman's molecular recycling technologies.
Maip Compounding has introduced a new line of ISCC Plus certified compounded polymers. The new Cherbio (Chemical recycling biobased) collection of products will feature an array of aesthetic and practical products specially developed to incorporate various colors and distinctive effects.
Cherbio T is a polyester renewal material based on Eastman's technology that contains up to 50% certified recycled content* from post-consumer and post-industrial waste streams. Compared to mechanically recovered plastics, it performs as well as virgin plastics.
Cherbio C contains up to 48% biobased material derived from sustainably managed forests. Additionally, Eastman's carbon renewal technique utilizes mixed waste plastics to add 20% to 40% certified recycled content, * resulting in a material that is both biobased and certified recycled.
Eastman has launched a series of investments in molecular recycling facilities to create new sustainable materials. The first facility is scheduled to open in Kingsport, Tennessee, in late 2022, while the second in France is expected to open in 2025.
Eastman's well-established molecular recycling technologies enable genuine circularity for difficult-to-recycle plastic trash traditionally burnt or disposed of in a landfill. With molecular recycling, this difficult-to-recycle trash is disassembled into its molecular building blocks and reassembled to create first-quality material with no performance degradation. Eastman's polyester renewal technology enables materials to have a potentially limitless value by reusing their life cycle after life cycle. Due to the inherent efficiency of the technology and the renewable energy sources accessible in France, materials can be manufactured with up to 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional methods.
To learn more, visit MAIP SRL in Milan, Italy, May 3–6, at the GreenPlast exhibition and conference, PAD 14, Corsia D, Stand 41.
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SOLAR+STORAGE
Duke Energy | December 02, 2021
Duke Energy has filed an agreement with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) that will align solar adopter compensation to utility system benefits and create long-term stability for the residential solar industry in North Carolina.
The net metering agreement was crafted by Duke Energy and the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association; the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Vote Solar and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy; Sunrun Inc. and the Solar Energy Industries Association. It must be approved by the NCUC.
"Duke Energy is committed to finding collaborative paths forward to help with the clean-energy transition and carbon-reduction goals in the Carolinas," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "This deal ensures fair and reasonable treatment for all customers whether they choose to install solar or not."
Duke Energy has encouraged private solar ownership over the past three years with its $62 million solar rebate program, which is expected to continue into 2023. Currently, 24,000 North Carolina customers have private solar systems compared to 6,000 at the beginning of 2018.
The agreement modernizes rooftop solar economics and unlocks benefits for all customers. Net metering has been a contentious issue around the nation, but our stakeholder partners worked together to craft a fair solution that brings financial sustainability to rooftop solar in North Carolina."
Lon Huber, Duke Energy's Vice President of Strategic Solutions
The agreement follows a similar net metering agreement in South Carolina from September 2020.
The filing:
Allows for new net metering tariffs to go into effect for customers submitting applications on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
Will create innovative pricing and incentives for residential solar customers.
Features rate design mechanisms to properly collect costs of the grid infrastructure needed to serve solar customers.
Will include cutting-edge retail rates that vary based on the time of day and when the utility is experiencing peak demand.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues.
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SOLAR+STORAGE
Tesla | March 24, 2021
In South Australia, Tesla has unveiled a new "Tesla Energy Plan" in an attempt to reduce power prices in a country known for high energy costs. A Tesla Powerwall-powered virtual power plant is supporting the initiative. Over the years, South Australia has had several power outages.
Tesla first became interested in providing its Powerpack to Neoen's massive energy storage initiative, named the "Tesla Big Battery."
While in the region during the launch of the big battery, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was interviewed and presented with the significant hardship that Australia's high energy rates are causing low-income families.
As a result of the unstable grid and high electricity costs, some households are forced to choose between keeping the lights on and going hungry.
Musk was visibly moved by the situation and promised that Tesla will “work harder” to help fix the crisis.
Tesla revealed a few months later that it had signed an agreement with the South Australian government to install solar panels and Powerwalls on up to 50,000 houses, many of which were owned by low-income households.
Tesla has been installing more Powerwalls in recent years to expand the virtual power plant, which provides grid services to reduce costs and backup power in the case of a power outage.
Tesla had 1,000 Powerwalls on the network last summer, and they were permitted to install another 3,000 batteries in a new process.
Tesla is now introducing the “Tesla Energy Plan on the Tesla Virtual Power Plant.”
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