Global Climate News

The United States hosted a technical program on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) from March 3-5, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. The event featured presentations and discussions on various themes including subsurface storage, site selection, injectivity challenges, and global CCUS implementation. Companies like Net Power, ExxonMobil, and Chevron participated, highlighting advancements in CO2 storage and utilization technologies. The program also included discussions on policy innovations for CCUS in India and a model for developing oil and gas regions globally, such as the Niger Delta.

The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has introduced new \"Mon-Sun Peak Power Futures\" contracts for the Spanish market and short-term futures for the Greek power market, starting February 24, 2025. These aim to facilitate renewables integration by addressing the impact of solar power on electricity spot prices. EEX also extended expiries to ten calendar years for French and Dutch power markets to support renewables integration and provide PPA hedging opportunities.

Global leader in floating energy infrastructure, Höegh Evi, saw a 50% indirect ownership stake sale from funds managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners to funds managed by Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Aequitas Limited retained its 50% shareholding.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has conducted 66 auctions, generating a total of $8,616,386,174.45 in proceeds. Auction 66, held on 2024-12-04, saw 15,943,608 allowances sold at a clearing price of $20.05, generating $319,669,340.40.

Nigeria-based STAR PLUS BATTERY offers solar batteries with a 24-month warranty, highlighting features like high power output, long lifespan, deep discharge performance, and high charge acceptance rate. The company emphasizes their eco-friendly and recyclable nature and provides customer support via phone, WhatsApp, and email.

India's coal imports decreased by 3.1% to 149.39 million tonnes during April-October 2024, compared to 154.17 million tonnes in the same period of the previous year. Coal production saw a positive growth of 6.04%, rising to 537.57 million tonnes. The government aims to reduce dependence on coal imports and enhance energy security.

The United States' eighth liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, Plaquemines LNG, shipped its first cargo on December 26, 2024. This facility, developed by Venture Global LNG, uses mid-scale liquefaction technology and has a nominal capacity of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), expandable to 2.6 Bcf/d upon completion of both phases. Another facility, Corpus Christi Stage 3, also began LNG production in December 2024.

The UK's Ofgem extended Jonathan Brearley’s term as CEO for five more years until 31 January 2030. Ofgem has been leading the transition to a clean power electricity system to reach net zero by 2050, developing and executing changes in energy infrastructure planning, building and supervision, and reshaping the retail market.

India has organized India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25) from February 11-14 in New Delhi, focusing on decarbonization, energy equity, and low-carbon economies. The event featured 70+ CEOs from major energy companies, 20+ foreign energy ministers, and discussions on clean power pathways, grid-scale energy storage, and methane mitigation. IEW’25 also highlighted India’s advancements in renewable energy and technologies like green ammonia and hydrogen production.

The EU's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 7% in 2023 compared to 2022 and by 18% compared to 2013, totaling 3.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents. Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply saw the most significant reduction (43%). Transportation and storage was the only sector with increased emissions (14%). Household emissions also decreased by 14%. The greenhouse gas emissions intensity decreased by 32% from 2013 to 2023.

The European Commission announced that the 2025 EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will focus on "Powering a fair and competitive green transition." The event, scheduled for June 10-12, 2025, will address key energy priorities, including increasing investments in clean energy and technologies. Calls for policy session proposals and EUSEW Awards nominations are open.

The US-based EcoFlow has published a blog post explaining how to get the 30% solar tax credit, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act and is valid from tax year 2023 through 2032. The post details what costs qualify for the credit, how to claim it, and how it works with other incentives and rebates.

The UK government is exploring a smart data scheme for the energy sector, aiming to replicate the success of Open Banking. The scheme would allow customers to securely share their energy consumption data with authorized third parties to receive personalized services, potentially leading to cost savings and increased control over energy usage. The call for evidence will remain open until March 10, 2025.

UK-based Mannington Energy Centre Limited has been granted an electricity generation licence by Ofgem on January 8, 2025, authorizing it to generate electricity.

Modo Energy released version 3.3 of its Battery Revenue forecast for Great Britain. The update includes new intraday price modeling, re-optimized battery dispatch in the intraday market, updated nuclear capacities, and commodity price updates. Gas prices for 2025 are 13% higher than previously forecast.

MIT researchers conducted an experiment in Amsterdam, resulting in households reducing energy expenses by half, and a 75% success rate in alleviating energy poverty. The experiment involved providing energy usage data and coaching, along with smart devices in one version. Electricity consumption decreased by 33% and gas by 42%, lowering bills by 53%. A follow-up experiment will examine the benefits of residential building retrofits to lower energy costs.

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that there are currently no plans to raise water or electricity prices. The government will review water prices within 3 months, considering affordability and user fees. To stabilize prices for the Lunar New Year, gasoline prices will only decrease, and prices for natural gas and bottled gas will remain unchanged until the end of February. Additionally, the price of small packages of sugar and 3-liter bottles of cooking oil will remain stable until the end of February.

The EU's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 7% in 2023 compared to 2022 and by 18% compared to 2013. Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply saw the most significant reduction (43%). Transportation and storage were the only sectors with increased emissions (14%). Household emissions also decreased by 14%. The greenhouse gas emissions intensity decreased by 32% from 2013 to 2023.

UK-based Green Blades Engineering Limited has been granted an electricity generation licence by Ofgem, authorizing it to generate electricity.

The UK's Ofgem is reviewing the gas disconnections framework to ensure it supports the transition to net zero and protects consumers. The review considers the costs of disconnections, the disconnection process, and how to make it easier for consumers to switch to electric heating.