With so much happening in the world of corporate sustainability, SustainabilityOnline has introduced The Sustainability Brief – a regular round-up of some of the top stories making headlines around the world.
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Skyborn signs power purchase agreement for 110.7MW Nordergründe offshore wind farm
Skyborn Renewables has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with InCommodities Asset Management covering electricity, Guarantees of Origin (GoOs) and balancing services for the 110.7MW Nordergründe offshore wind farm in Germany. The agreement covers power generated by the wind farm, located approximately 13 kilometres off the coast of Lower Saxony in the German North Sea. “As offshore wind assets mature, maximising long-term value increasingly depends not only on operational performance, but also on having the right commercial framework in place,” commented Christian Zaum, chief financial officer, Skyborn Renewables.
Hazardous waste capacity shortfalls could reduce US economic output by $82bn, study finds
A shortfall in hazardous waste management capacity could reduce projected US economic output by up to $82 billion by 2033, according to an analysis by Charles River Associates (CRA) commissioned by Veolia. The report, Hazardous Waste Management: A Hidden Input to US Economic Growth, examined the role of hazardous waste management in production across the US economy. It found that a one per cent shortfall in management capacity could reduce projected real gross output in 2033 by $27 billion, while a three per cent shortfall could reduce output by $82 billion.
NIO, Geely agree battery-swapping and charging partnership
Electric vehicle manufacturers NIO and Geely Holding have signed definitive agreements covering their battery-swapping and charging businesses. Geely will contribute 100% of its Yiyi commercial battery-swapping business and RMB640 million (€80m/$94.8m) in cash for a 30% stake in NIO Power. NIO will acquire 10% of Geely’s Haohan Energy. NIO Power is targeting 10,000 battery-swap stations by 2030, while the companies will jointly develop cross-brand swapping standards.
Comstock begins continuous solar-panel recycling operations in Nevada
Comstock Metals has commenced continuous 24/7 operation of its solar-panel recycling production system at its Silver Springs, Nevada facility, according to reports. The company says the plant provides zero-landfill processing for end-of-life photovoltaic modules and is now operating across four shifts. The development moves the facility from preparation and commissioning into continuous production, with the company targeting recovery of materials from the growing volume of retired solar panels.
Mombak targets $150m for second Amazon restoration fund
Brazilian carbon-removal company Mombak has opened its second major funding cycle, targeting $150 million for forest restoration, according to reports. The company has also secured access to a R$200 million credit line through Brazil’s Climate Fund, operated by BNDES, and signed a multi-year carbon-removal purchase agreement with Salesforce. The new fund follows Mombak’s expansion of nature-based carbon-removal projects in the Amazon.
Low Carbon proposes 500MW solar and battery project in Oxfordshire
British renewable-energy company Low Carbon has announced early-stage plans for a 500MW solar photovoltaic project with associated battery storage and electrical infrastructure in West Oxfordshire. The proposed energy park could generate electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of about 145,000 UK homes and avoid up to 154,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. “We are pleased to announce our plans for West Oxfordshire Energy Park, which, if approved, will make an important contribution to the supply of clean, home-grown renewable power in the UK that will support government targets for solar deployment,” commented Ed Perrin, development director at Low Carbon.
Denmark approves three floating solar pilots in Roskilde Fjord
The Danish Energy Agency has approved COWI and the Technical University of Denmark to test three floating photovoltaic systems in Roskilde Fjord, according to reports. The installations will have combined capacity of about 115kW across roughly 920 square metres and will compare technologies from HelioRec, SINN Power and Sunlit Sea. The three-year project will examine energy yield, corrosion, maintenance, marine biodiversity, investment risks and electricity costs.
Romania approves more than 527MW of battery storage capacity
Romania’s energy regulator ANRE approved authorisations covering 593.5MW of new generation and storage capacity in a regulatory round, including 527.2MW of battery storage, according to reports. The package contains 132.65MW of co-located storage and 394.57MW of standalone batteries, alongside 66.25MW of photovoltaic capacity. ANRE also granted commercial-operation licences covering 239.2MW of solar, wind and standalone storage.
