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PanXchange and NIHC Announce Partnership for Climate-Smart Agriculture

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PanXchange, the industry market structure solution and benchmark price provider for US hemp, and the Washington DC-based National Industrial Hemp Council of America announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will support the growth of financial incentives for carbon sequestration for the US industrial hemp market.

"NIHC is a leading and unifying voice for the industry, particularly in regulatory issues for industrial hemp, Partnering with a strong hemp membership and advocacy organization like NIHC will help grow industrial hemp markets and related climate-smart agricultural practices across the supply chain," 

- Julie Lerner, founder, and CEO of PanXchange.

The two companies said the partnership would allow hemp farmers to take advantage of PanXchange's deep knowledge of commodity trading and the potential impact of implementing climate-smart practices specifically for hemp growing and processing.

PanXchange is rolling out a transparent carbon program that provides farmers a viable path toward financial rewards for implementing regenerative agricultural practices.  Moreover, Lerner explains that the PanXchange program gives farmers full ownership of the carbon credits earned and full agency to market the credits directly to buyers through its online trade platform.

The company already has 31,000 acres of croplands committed to the program for the 2023 crop year.

Other aspects of the MOU include:

PanXchange's carbon program will be the preferred vendor for NIHC's membership of hemp producers under the new agreement.
NIHC will partner with PanXchange to craft joint educational programming on carbon credits and regenerative agriculture.
PanXchange will serve as the NIHC preferred vendor for research projects involving climate-smart commodity markets and climate-smart practices specifically related to hemp growing and processing.

"Carbon sequestration and the voluntary carbon market are part of hemp's renaissance and will be an important part of North American agriculture. This partnership will be a value-add for American farmers who choose to grow hemp.  Producers and the companies using these raw goods will also benefit alongside American consumers who will ultimately fulfill the promise of hemp's potential to power our climate-smart economy,"

- Patrick Atagi, President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America.

About PanXchange
PanXchange specializes in creating ESG-focused physical commodity trading markets and benchmark pricing for better risk management. The firm is launching a vertically integrated and inclusive agricultural carbon program relying on its strong foundation in regenerative agriculture to generate carbon credits for sale on its platform. In doing so, PanXchange has developed buyer-approved and farmer-friendly carbon project methodologies for croplands and grasslands to lower the cost of entry for the average farmer. PanXchange is the leading benchmark price provider in the US hemp industry and the only institutional-grade trading platform for physical transactions.

About National Industrial Hemp Council
The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. Learn more about the NIHC at the 2022 Business, Research and Farm Summit happening August 22-23 in Corvallis, Oregon, at the Oregon State Global Hemp Innovation Center.

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ELM Companies | October 12, 2023

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EVLO Energy Storage Inc. | October 09, 2023

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Read More

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PR Newswire | October 04, 2023

Cordia, a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions, today announced that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire three microgrids and district energy systems in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from Essential Utilities, Inc. The acquisition is valued at $165 million. The three energy systems included in the agreement are The Pittsburgh International Airport Microgrid, the first of its kind, which allows the airport to operate independent of the electric grid thanks to a 21.25 MW natural gas power plant, making PIT one of the most resilient airports. The district energy system at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) – Wexford Hospital, which provides the 160-bed hospital with all heating, cooling, and primary power needs via steam boilers, hot water boilers, chillers, and a 2.0 MW natural gas generator, along with emergency backup power. The Allegheny County District Energy System, which provides efficient and resilient steam and hot water services to six government buildings including the Allegheny County Courthouse and City-County Building, using seven state-of-the-art steam boilers and one domestic water heater. "We are excited to acquire these three energy systems," said Cordia CEO Earl Collins. They are a perfect fit for our portfolio and will help us to further our mission of providing safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to our customers. We look forward to working with the Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny Health Network, and Allegheny County teams to ensure a smooth transition and continue providing excellent service to their customers. [Source: PR Newswire] The acquisition is a strategic move for Cordia. The acquisition expands the firm's presence in the Pittsburgh region where it currently operates energy systems in Pittsburgh's Uptown and North Shore neighborhoods, and the on-campus energy system for Duquesne University. Cordia's assets have been operating in the region since 1964, and its existing investments in the area allow Cordia to deliver the most efficient solutions to its customers. This acquisition is a testament to Cordia's commitment to growing its regional presence and building on its existing customer base. The three energy systems were developed by Essential subsidiary Peoples, leveraging Southwestern Pennsylvania's abundance of natural gas to deliver safer, more reliable and more resilient energy to some of the region's most critical institutions. All three began operating in 2021. "Our teams at Peoples and Essential should be proud knowing their work to develop these innovative energy systems has made this region better," said Essential Utilities CEO & Chairman Chris Franklin. "Selling these unregulated assets to a skilled operator in Cordia allows us to focus more fully on our core business as a regulated utility." "We are confident our customers will be in good hands with Cordia operating these energy systems," said Peoples President Mike Huwar. "Our team looks forward to providing clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to all three projects for years to come." "This acquisition is a demonstration to Cordia's commitment to providing innovative energy solutions to our customers and growth in the Pittsburgh area," said Collins. "We are proud to be a part of this community and continue to work with our partners to build a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Pittsburgh." The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late 2023 or early 2024. About Cordia Cordia is a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Cordia serves over 700 customers with heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the U.S. Cordia is committed to driving change toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future and empowering people and communities to reach their full potential. Learn more at www.cordiaenergy.com. About Essential Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Read More

Solar+Storage, Energy

ELM with Naked Energy Deploys First Solar Technology in North America

ELM Companies | October 12, 2023

Creighton University's Graves Hall, located on its Omaha campus, stands as the pioneering North American facility to deploy VirtuHOT HD, an advanced solar thermal collector developed by Naked Energy and installed by ELM Solar, an ELM Companies subsidiary and Naked Energy's North American distributor. This innovative technology substantially reduces water heating expenses while bolstering the university's commitment to sustainable practices. Graves Hall, a recently inaugurated residence for 400 first-year students, signifies Creighton's dedication to environmentally conscious initiatives. Situated atop Graves Hall's roof, the VirtuHOT HD collectors harness solar energy to heat the dormitory's water supply efficiently, delivering substantial energy cost savings. These collectors feature a low-profile design, standing at just 10.4 inches in height. They employ a modular layout with angled absorber plates, enabling them to capture more sunlight than traditional solar panels. Consequently, this cutting-edge design optimizes the roof space's potential by generating more energy per square foot than any existing solar technology. The installation at Graves Hall is projected to generate an impressive 237,000 BTU (69.9 kW) of thermal energy, marking a significant advancement in sustainable and cost-efficient energy solutions. ELM Founder and Chairman Lee C. Graves emphasized that solar thermal technology possesses significant potential by relieving buildings from the power grid's burden of heating water, which typically constitutes a substantial energy expense. This leads to cost savings for building owners and alleviates pressure on the power grid. He commended the remarkable work the Naked Energy and ELM teams carried out in designing and implementing this transformative technology. As per data from the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating represents a substantial portion of household energy consumption, making up approximately 20% of total energy use. Furthermore, the surge in grid connection requests by 40% in 2022 has placed additional stress on power grids nationwide, heightening the risk of grid instability. In this context, pioneering solar thermal systems like VirtuHOT HD play a pivotal role by alleviating the grid of water heating demands. This strategic shift offers cost-efficient and sustainable heating solutions and helps optimize grid capacity for various other essential purposes, contributing to grid stability and overall energy efficiency. About ELM Companies ELM Companies, established in 1998, has been at the forefront of developing pioneering solutions in the energy and utility services sector, focusing on enhancing regulatory compliance, grid reliability, and distribution efficiency. With a quarter-century of experience, ELM has consistently engineered innovative technology solutions informed by direct utility industry insights. Their extensive fleet, comprising over 1,100 vehicles, effectively manages over 3,000,000 tickets annually across the U.S. utility industry. ELM's portfolio also includes cutting-edge MicroGrid energy storage solutions deployed for utility companies, the U.S. Military, and major corporations. They provide state-of-the-art, cloud-based utility mapping systems that offer instant access to critical infrastructure data. Moreover, ELM is recognized for pioneering solar equipment with the world's highest energy density, setting new standards in the market.

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