Energy News - Geothermal Power

Can be anywhere as they can drill deeper if needed

 

new tech, from Italy, with small facility operational in Sardinia. Use solar/wind to liquify carbon dioxide, convert liquid to gas to power turbine when the sun goes down. Prototype has a 75% recovery rate for energy in vs energy out

Developers plan to build a first-of-its-kind energy storage system that will set global records: ‘The expansion of energy storage infrastructure is key’ (msn.com)

Alliant Energy and WEC Energy Group, co-owners of Wisconsin’s Columbia Energy Center, will use the funding from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to create the country’s first compressed carbon dioxide long-duration energy storage system.

The idea of the system is that it can turn carbon dioxide gas into a liquid for easier storage when energy is abundant. When energy is needed, it turns the carbon dioxide back into gas, which then powers an electricity-generating turbine. Crucially, the setup operates as a closed-loop system, meaning that it should release no carbon dioxide and require no additional carbon dioxide after it is built out.

In addition to being first in the U.S., the Columbia Energy Storage Project will be the largest compressed carbon dioxide long-duration energy storage system in the world. A much smaller version of the same project is already operational in Sardinia, Italy. The two projects were designed by the same company, Energy Dome, which is based in Italy.

The Sardinia system has achieved an enviable 75% efficiency rate — which the much larger Wisconsin one will hope to match.

 

tidal energy kite, anchored to the seafloor, flying in a figure 8 pattern, delivering over 1 MW energy 24/7

Minesto's first megawatt-scale tidal kite powerplant begins production (msn.com)

Renewable energy firm Minesto's first megawatt-scale tidal powerplant, Dragon 12, rated at 1.2 MW, successfully delivered its first electricity to the national grid of the Faroe Islands following a seamless commissioning process on February 12. "What the Minesto team has achieved today is extraordinary and set a new agenda for renewable energy build-out in many areas of the world. The competitiveness of the Dragon 12 is straight to the point; it's powerful, cost-effective, and feeds predictable electricity to the grid," said Dr Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto, in a statement.
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Dragon 12, measuring 12 meters wide and weighing 28 tons—underscores its robustness. Anchored to the seabed via a rope, this subsea kite navigates an 8-shaped flight path, leveraging the tidal flow for propulsion. Dragon 12 marks a significant advancement, boasting a tenfold increase in scale from its predecessor, Dragon 4, which had a capacity of 100 kW. With competitive performance and cost efficiency, Dragon 12 paves the way for the development of large-scale commercial subsea parks of tidal powerplants, according to Minesto.

In the coastal town of Vestmanna, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Minesto conducted the LARS procedure, proving that the methodology devised for Dragon 4 required no adjustments when implemented for Dragon 12. Minesto claims that the seamless transition is particularly encouraging given the significant disparities between the two models; despite being ten times heavier, three times larger, and utilizing a longer rope, the Dragon 12 can still be accommodated by the existing LARS protocol.
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Both tidal streams and ocean currents primarily comprise low-flow currents. First-generation tidal technologies necessitate strong tidal flows, with mean peak stream velocities of at least 2.5 m/s and installation depths between 25 and 50 meters for commercial viability. Research indicates that technologies like Minesto’s, capable of operating in conditions with mean peak velocities of about 1.5 m/s at depths surpassing 50 meters, amplify the energy extraction potential from tidal streams by a factor of 35, according to Minesto.

 

Florida energy company using solar and water to produce hydrogen is up and running...

State’s ‘first-of-its-kind’ energy project reaches momentous milestone: ‘It … can be used whether or not the sun is shining’ (msn.com)

A Florida energy project reached a major milestone in October: the production of clean hydrogen. The Florida Power and Light Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub is set to use water and solar energy to “help the company explore using clean hydrogen to offset the use of natural gas to run a traditional power plant,” NextEra Energy stated in a news release, calling it the state’s “first-of-its-kind clean hydrogen pilot project.”
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Some of the solar power will be sent to the grid for use by residents, while the rest will fuel hydrogen production equipment, including electrolyzers that split water into hydrogen and oxygen elements. The hydrogen is compressed, stored, and blended with natural gas; the oxygen is released into the air; and the hydrogen produces more electricity for the grid.

“Hydrogen is a ‘no-brainer’ for Florida,” Arif Sarwat, director of the FPL-Florida International University Solar Research Center, said in the release. “As the most abundant element on Earth it can be stored as an energy source that can be used whether or not the sun is shining.” FPL stated that it will use a 5% blend of hydrogen in one of three natural gas combustion turbines to “help the company maximize learning opportunities as it continues to pursue its Real Zero goal of decarbonizing its power-generation by 2045 at the latest.”
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The coolest development in regard to technology powered by the lightest chemical element may just be hydrogen fuel cell airplanes. In March, a 40-seat jet flew for 15 minutes, perhaps marking “the true start to the decarbonization of the global airline industry.” Commercial flights could begin as soon as next year.

 

NRC approves new molten salt cooled reactor

Government approves construction permit for new type of nuclear reactor for first time in decades: ‘Major regulatory milestone’ (msn.com)

For the first time in 50 years, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a construction permit for a new type of nuclear test reactor.

The Hermes demonstration reactor will be built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, by California-based company Kairos Power and will use molten fluoride salt instead of water as a coolant, according to Chemistry World. This change will allow the reactor to operate at a much lower pressure, making it safer and more flexible.

“Molten salt’s got similar liquid properties to water, you can pump it, it’ll flow through pipes, it has really good heat capacity … salt is cheap, it’s very stable, it’s not toxic,” Nicholas Smith, deputy director of the National Reactor Innovation Center, explained to Chemistry World.

 

Helion Energy, backed by Sam Altman and a few other billionaires with $577M in financing, says they are on track to open fusion reactor in 2028.

Microsoft has already contracted to buy the energy they plan to produce

Sam Altman-Backed Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Startup Says It's On Track To Have Its First Plant Live By 2028 (msn.com)

Backed by renowned entrepreneur Sam Altman, Helion Energy Inc. is garnering attention for its ambitious endeavors in nuclear fusion power. With Altman’s substantial investment of $375 million, the company is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize the renewable energy sector. Despite the challenges in nuclear fusion technology, Helion is making significant strides toward its goals. It has already secured its first customer: Microsoft Corp.

Alongside other notable backers like Reid Hoffman and Dustin Moskovitz, Helion has secured a total funding of $577 million, signaling robust support for its vision.
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Last week, Altman posted an update on X sharing where Polaris will soon start installed. Polaris is a pivotal component in the company’s move for sustainable energy solutions. "Polaris is the next big step in commercial fusion development. This machine will have stronger magnets and will pulse up to 100x faster than Trenta, enabling us to achieve improved fusion conditions. If successful, Polaris will be the first fusion machine to demonstrate electricity production from fusion," according to Helion's website.

 

Tesla battery plant is cranking

Tesla reveals enormous growth of business venture — and it could outpace its automotive production (msn.com)

Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2023 Update noted that total energy storage deployments reached 14.7 gigawatt-hours in 2023, a 125% increase compared to 2022, reflecting a more than 50% revenue increase — and that growth is showing no signs of stopping.

Tesla aims to double its energy storage deployments once again this year to meet surging demand for its Megapack battery that the news outlet Teslarati reported on. That demand reflects a strong market appetite for large-scale sustainable backup power.

Expanding the Megafactory that makes these batteries — one of the largest utility-scale battery factories in North America, which produces 10,000 Megapack units every year — will also create jobs.

 

Taiwan building gigafactory to mas sproduce new solid state batteries. 80% charge in 12 minutes, 400 + mile range, lighter, smaller

ProLogium Opens the World's First Giga-level Solid-State Lithium Ceramic Battery Factory (prnewswire.com)

After 17 years of dedicated effort, ProLogium is thrilled to present next-generation solid-state batteries to the world. The Time is Now," said Vincent Yang, the founder and CEO of ProLogium. "Our journey has been a testament to overcoming existing technological barriers and innovating new structures, leading to a fundamental transformation in cell structure and process design. We have overcome the bottlenecks in traditional batteries and this breakthrough combines performance, cost efficiency, and resource circulation, manifesting a new universe for the battery industry. Looking ahead, ProLogium is set to globally promote the achievements of the Taoke factory, propelling the industrialization of solid-state batteries and supporting global automakers and governments in their quest for net-zero emissions."

The Taoke factory, with a planned capacity of 2GWh based on market demand, is poised to supply batteries for up to 26,000 electric vehicles[1]. Since late 2023, the facility has commenced production and plans to distribute high-capacity solid-state batteries for electric vehicles worldwide. This facility is not only a demonstration factory for future global expansion, particularly in Dunkirk, France, but also a significant contributor to the local economy in Taoyuan, potentially creating 1,200 jobs.
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France has included ProLogium in the "France 2030" plan and the preparation for the Dunkirk factory is progressing well. The smooth progress of the first phase public concertation for the construction of the gigafactory in Dunkirk, France, and the official inclusion of ProLogium in the "France 2030" plan, reaffirm that ProLogium aligns with the French government's vision of developing energy-efficient transportation. Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, expectantly stated, "ProLogium has put Taiwan on France's map and put France on Taiwan's map." Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei stated, "I am thrilled to be part of the story, a success story of Taiwan, a story of innovation, creativity and transformation and disruption. He further added, " We are thrilled to be part of the story, a French and Taiwanese success story, a story of innovation, creativity and transformation and disruption.

 

battery storage in Cali up 10 fold in 3years, helping to stabilize the grid during peak demands

New report shows incredible success of grid in one state: ‘[This] proved the only tool ready to … avoid grid outages’ (msn.com)

Solar battery capacity in California has been increasing at an impressive rate in the last four years, and data from the California Independent System Operator has detailed just how much clean power the technology is providing to the state’s grid.

In 2020, battery capacity was providing 500 megawatts of power to the grid from solar sources, but the increase since is remarkable. In May 2023, 5,000 megawatts of clean power was available to use.

In addition to providing pollution-free power, the batteries were able to shoulder the burden of power supply in evening hours during the September 2022 heat wave, according to Canary Media.

The CAISO report revealed that battery storage in California is “coming online faster than any other sort of power plant,” as Canary Media observed, and the publication noted that an order for utility companies to install more energy storage in 2010 has helped the Golden State make significant strides in capacity.

 

As I understand it, there is often excess solar and wind that doesn't go to the grid as it would destabilize the grid.

From your article

The duck curve, however, has created opportunities for energy storage. The large-scale deployment of energy storage systems, such as batteries, allow some solar energy generated during the day to be stored and saved for later, after the sun sets. Storing some midday solar generation flattens the duck’s curve, and dispatching the stored solar generation in the evening shortens the duck’s neck.

 

They have incorporated AI to help read instability in the plasma fields containing the reaction and adjust the fields before they fail.

AI solves nuclear fusion puzzle for near-limitless clean energy (msn.com)

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to overcome a huge challenge for producing near-limitless clean energy with nuclear fusion. A team from Princeton University in the US figured out a way to use an AI model to predict and prevent instabilities with plasma during fusion reactions.

The latest success means another significant obstacle has been passed, with the AI capable of recognising plasma instabilities 300 milliseconds before they happen – enough time to make modifications to keep the plasma under control. The new understanding could lead to grid-scale adoption of nuclear fusion energy, according to the researchers.

“By learning from past experiments, rather than incorporating information from physics-based models, the AI could develop a final control policy that supported a stable, high-powered plasma regime in real time, at a real reactor,” said research leader Egemen Kolemen, who works as a physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory where the breakthrough was made.

“Being able to predict instabilities ahead of time can make it easier to run these reactions than current approaches, which are more passive,” said SanKyeun Kim, who co-authored the study. “We no longer have to wait for the instabilities to occur and then take quick corrective action before the plasma becomes disrupt ed.”

 

Spain has built the world's largest water battery to harvest wind and solar and turn it into on demand hydro

Power company embarks on mission to prove efficiency of century-old ‘water batteries’ — here’s how they could change the future of energy (msn.com)

Pumped storage refers to a system where two reservoirs at different elevations pass water back and forth, storing and generating energy in the process. A pumped storage system “acts similarly to a giant battery, because it can store power and then release it when needed,” according to the Department of Energy.
Iberdrola has built such a system as part of its €1.5 billion (around $1.6 billion) Tâmega hydroelectric complex in Portugal, which harvests both wind and solar, per the Financial Times.

As Diego Díaz Pilas, Iberdrola’s global head of ventures and technology, explained to the Financial Times, while battery storage makes sense for plants harvesting only solar, a plant that deals with both wind and solar energy needs a more comprehensive solution.

 

This one is in Albania but have read several other reports where exploration is identifying sources of pure hydrogen gas that could be harvested similar to natural gas.

Researchers just discovered a massive 'jacuzzi bubbling with almost pure hydrogen' — a lucrative source of clean energy (msn.com)

But recently, a team of researchers uncovered a massive reservoir of hydrogen buried in a mine in Albania that could serve as a source of clean, hydrogen energy.
The reservoir — located in the Bulqizë chromite mine just 25 miles east of Albania's capital, Tirana — vents at least 200 tons of H2 gas per year, the researchers said in their report, published last month in the journal Science. They reported that that's one of the largest recorded flow rates of H2 to date.

"What we have observed deep in the mine is another dimension," Laurent Truche, the study's lead author, told Live Science. The reservoir "turns a draining pool inside a mine gallery into a breathtaking 30-square-meter [323 square feet] jacuzzi bubbling with almost pure hydrogen." But hydrogen is also a highly flammable gas, and the high concentrations within the mine have reportedly caused three explosions that have killed four miners and injured several others since 2011, according to Live Science.
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If the hydrogen in the mine can be safely harnessed, the researchers believe it could be a key energy source. And while large, natural reservoirs of hydrogen similar to this are rare, the researchers note that places with similar geology may be good targets for locating other sources.

The discovery comes just months after President Joe Biden announced an initiative to pour $7 billion into seven hydrogen hubs in the US in regions including the Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Appalachia. One of the initiative's goals is for the hubs to produce "more than three million metric tons of clean hydrogen per year," about one-third of the 2030 US clean hydrogen production goal.

 

Chevron to develop a large green hydrogen furl farm in California to use solar to turn non-potable industrial discharge water into hydrogen fuel for power plants.

Chevron Turns to the Sun to Cash In on This $1.4 Trillion Opportunity (msn.com)

Chevron (NYSE: CVX) recently revealed plans to build its first solar-to-hydrogen production facility in California. The project would turn non-potable water from its existing operations into an emissions-free fuel source with help from the sun. The clean hydrogen will help support the state's growing need for lower-carbon energy.

Chevron plans to develop a 5-megawatt (MW) hydrogen production facility in California. The oil company plans to use solar energy, land, and non-potable water (i.e., unsuitable for human consumption) from an existing oil and gas field in the state. Chevron will use "produced water," which is water produced as a byproduct of its other operations. While that water isn't fit for drinking, it's suitable for producing hydrogen.

The company will produce hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. It uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will then get compressed and transported to facilities that use it as a fuel. Oxygen is the only emission. The hydrogen fuel will, in a sense, act as an energy storage vehicle for solar energy. End users can consume that emissions-free fuel on demand, even when the sun isn't shining. Converting solar into hydrogen is therefore a potential solution to help address the intermittency issues of the renewable energy source.

 

As long as nuclear is considered green, this will fill a large part of amazon commitment to go green and help provide the storage they need for their AI growth. Will private fission to drive data centers ultimately be the way they get built? Using the full potential of the reactor full time is in everybodies ebst interest provided that they still allocate the required maintenance intervals and potential for shutdown. We can't be deciding between investigating a safety problem and keeping a critical data center open, too easy to let the red light blink..

SMR's Small Modular Reactors (think nuclear powered aircraft carrier or submarine but more advanced) are being actively explored for data centers and bitcoin mining..

Amazon goes nuclear, acquires Cumulus Data's atomic datacenters for $650M (msn.com)

The energy provider will also continue to furnish Amazon with direct access to juice produced by the nuclear power plant. In coming years AWS expects to have a maximum of 960 megawatts at its disposal. The cloud giant also has a one-time option to cap its commitments at 480 megawatts.
The scope of Amazon's datacenter project remains unclear – an AWS spokesperson declined to comment on its build out plans.

The deal marks Amazon's latest investment in carbon-free and renewable energy to power its growing datacenter footprint. Last month the e-commerce leviathan signed a power purchase agreement with a wind farm in Gilliam County, Oregon. The operation, run by Avangrid, involves 40 turbines capable of churning out a combined 90 megawatts of power, or about 2.4 megawatts each – when the wind is blowing just right. Amazon has also explored alternatives to traditional power plants. Early last year, it revealed that it planned to power three sites using about 75 megawatts of natural gas fuel cells and had an option to use the tech on a fourth site. These generators work similarly to the hydrogen fuel cells found on spacecraft but produce CO2 alongside electricity and water.

While these generators will initially run on natural gas, they can be converted to run on hydrogen – something that colocation specialist Equinix has been exploring as part of a collaboration with the National University of Singapore.