How Far Have We Really Gotten With Alternative Energy

[notsonice + 1,255]

 

the death of coal one solar panel at a time..........................

 

 

Record numbers of solar panels shipped in the US in 2021 – here’s why those numbers will rise

Michelle Lewis

- Sep. 1st 2022 4:06 pm PT

 

@michelle0728

 

 

4 Comments 

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US shipments of solar panels – including imports, exports, and domestically produced and shipped panels – rose to a record electricity-generating capacity of 28.8 million peak kilowatts (kW) in 2021, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). That was up from 21.8 million peak kW in 2020.

 

In 2021, about 80% of US solar panel module shipments were imports, and they primarily came from Asia.

The EIA notes of its data reporting:

US solar panel shipments closely track domestic solar capacity additions; differences between the two usually result from the lag time between shipment and installation. We categorize solar capacity additions as either utility-scale (facilities with 1 megawatt of capacity or more) or small-scale (largely residential solar installations).

The United States added 13.2 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar capacity in 2021. That was an annual record, and it was 25% more than the 10.6 GW of utility-scale solar added in 2020.

Small-scale solar capacity installations in the United States increased by 5.4 GW in 2021, up 23% from 2020, which saw 4.4 GW added. Residential installations made up more than 3.9 GW of small-scale installations in 2021, compared with 2.9 GW in 2020.

As Electrek reported on August 29, Bloomberg NEF (BNEF) reported that US homeowners are expected to install a record 5.6 GW of residential solar in 2022. BNEF predicts that residential solar will outpace commercial solar every year to 2030.

In 2021, five states accounted for 46% of all US solar panel shipments. The top five states were:

1. California (5.09 million peak kW)
2. Texas (4.31 million peak kW)
3. Florida (1.80 million peak kW)
4. Georgia (1.15 million peak kW)
5. Illinois (1.12 million peak kW)

Electrek’s Take

To state the obvious, solar is only going to keep growing in the United States, and there are a number of reasons for this. Electricity costs and fossil fuel prices are surging, and they’re not expected to drop. Contrast this with the declining cost of solar panels, which dropped 11% from 2020 to 2021. And that’s despite project delays and supply chain problems and things like the US Department of Commerce investigation into solar manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

When homeowners buy a solar plus battery storage system, the payments are set over the course of whatever number of years they choose to pay it off, if they don’t pay cash up front. And those payments won’t go up – unlike the cost of electricity or fuels like propane or oil. (This, plus my desire to reduce our emissions, is one of the reasons why I’m about to put solar panels on my roof, along with two Tesla Powerwalls.)

And, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act is expected to create a clean energy boom. Just yesterday, we reported that First Solar, the largest US solar panel maker, announced that it will invest up to $1.2 billion to ramp up production of US-made solar panels. The company’s CEO cited the Inflation Reduction Act as a catalyst for the announcement. Many more new domestic clean energy manufacturing initiatives are bound to follow from other companies.

We look forward to EIA’s report on solar panel shipments in 2021 this time next year. It will undoubtedly set a new record.

[specinho + 470]

On 9/2/2022 at 5:23 PM, notsonice said:

 

the death of coal one solar panel at a time..........................

 

 

Record numbers of solar panels shipped in the US in 2021 – here’s why those numbers will rise

Michelle Lewis

- Sep. 1st 2022 4:06 pm PT

 

@michelle0728

 

 

4 Comments 

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US shipments of solar panels – including imports, exports, and domestically produced and shipped panels – rose to a record electricity-generating capacity of 28.8 million peak kilowatts (kW) in 2021, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). That was up from 21.8 million peak kW in 2020.

 

In 2021, about 80% of US solar panel module shipments were imports, and they primarily came from Asia.

The EIA notes of its data reporting:

US solar panel shipments closely track domestic solar capacity additions; differences between the two usually result from the lag time between shipment and installation. We categorize solar capacity additions as either utility-scale (facilities with 1 megawatt of capacity or more) or small-scale (largely residential solar installations).

The United States added 13.2 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar capacity in 2021. That was an annual record, and it was 25% more than the 10.6 GW of utility-scale solar added in 2020.

Small-scale solar capacity installations in the United States increased by 5.4 GW in 2021, up 23% from 2020, which saw 4.4 GW added. Residential installations made up more than 3.9 GW of small-scale installations in 2021, compared with 2.9 GW in 2020.

As Electrek reported on August 29, Bloomberg NEF (BNEF) reported that US homeowners are expected to install a record 5.6 GW of residential solar in 2022. BNEF predicts that residential solar will outpace commercial solar every year to 2030.

In 2021, five states accounted for 46% of all US solar panel shipments. The top five states were:

1. California (5.09 million peak kW)
2. Texas (4.31 million peak kW)
3. Florida (1.80 million peak kW)
4. Georgia (1.15 million peak kW)
5. Illinois (1.12 million peak kW)

Electrek’s Take

To state the obvious, solar is only going to keep growing in the United States, and there are a number of reasons for this. Electricity costs and fossil fuel prices are surging, and they’re not expected to drop. Contrast this with the declining cost of solar panels, which dropped 11% from 2020 to 2021. And that’s despite project delays and supply chain problems and things like the US Department of Commerce investigation into solar manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

When homeowners buy a solar plus battery storage system, the payments are set over the course of whatever number of years they choose to pay it off, if they don’t pay cash up front. And those payments won’t go up – unlike the cost of electricity or fuels like propane or oil. (This, plus my desire to reduce our emissions, is one of the reasons why I’m about to put solar panels on my roof, along with two Tesla Powerwalls.)

And, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act is expected to create a clean energy boom. Just yesterday, we reported that First Solar, the largest US solar panel maker, announced that it will invest up to $1.2 billion to ramp up production of US-made solar panels. The company’s CEO cited the Inflation Reduction Act as a catalyst for the announcement. Many more new domestic clean energy manufacturing initiatives are bound to follow from other companies.

We look forward to EIA’s report on solar panel shipments in 2021 this time next year. It will undoubtedly set a new record.

If solar panel has existed for more than 60 to 80 years, there is a reason why it is not yet popular. Until you overcome the shortcoming(s), each careless hasten step taken would bring incessant problems ahead.....

massive number of solar panels installation bound to create foreseeable unintended consequences.......... e.g. shortage of raw material, problems of disposal, low efficiency when over heated or under heated, changes to biosphere nearby, land slide over sites on high land etc.

 

shall there is an urgent need to get renewable going, how about creating a water reservoir or a few? You can use that as drinking water, irrigation and for power supply. It might help to mitigate unwanted impact of climate change and water shortage too.

 

[notsonice + 1,255]

11 hours ago, specinho said:

If solar panel has existed for more than 60 to 80 years, there is a reason why it is not yet popular. Until you overcome the shortcoming(s), each careless hasten step taken would bring incessant problems ahead.....

massive number of solar panels installation bound to create foreseeable unintended consequences.......... e.g. shortage of raw material, problems of disposal, low efficiency when over heated or under heated, changes to biosphere nearby, land slide over sites on high land etc.

 

shall there is an urgent need to get renewable going, how about creating a water reservoir or a few? You can use that as drinking water, irrigation and for power supply. It might help to mitigate unwanted impact of climate change and water shortage too.

 

If solar panel has existed for more than 60 to 80 years, there is a reason why it is not yet popular.??????

 

price......now they are popular

$76.67 per watt in 1977

18 cents per watt in 2020 or about $60 for a 350 watt solar panel

 

and now the death of coal completed by  billions of  solar panels, happening alot faster than you think

US shipments of solar panels – including imports, exports, and domestically produced and shipped panels – rose to a record electricity-generating capacity of 28.8 million peak kilowatts (kW) in 2021, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). That was up from 21.8 million peak kW in 2020.

 

means the installation of 80 million solar panels in the US alone in 2021.....not popular??????

you jest.

 

 

have you not been paying attention to the business at all????

You must live under a rock

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by notsonice

[specinho + 470]

On 9/5/2022 at 2:57 PM, notsonice said:

If solar panel has existed for more than 60 to 80 years, there is a reason why it is not yet popular.??????

 

price......now they are popular

$76.67 per watt in 1977

18 cents per watt in 2020 or about $60 for a 350 watt solar panel

 

and now the death of coal completed by  billions of  solar panels, happening alot faster than you think

US shipments of solar panels – including imports, exports, and domestically produced and shipped panels – rose to a record electricity-generating capacity of 28.8 million peak kilowatts (kW) in 2021, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). That was up from 21.8 million peak kW in 2020.

 

means the installation of 80 million solar panels in the US alone in 2021.....not popular??????

you jest.

 

 

have you not been paying attention to the business at all????

You must live under a rock

 

 

1.       imagine what you need for a solar panel........ silica, metal conductor, metal frame, metal wiring etc.... With soaring prices of metal, sand and labour, how do you think the cost is reduced?

        Do you know how is the cost calculated? Per size of individual panel in 1977 vs massive panel divided into individual panel now?

        The heart of administration should to the people. Not particular agenda, policy, movement etc. What the people need is low cost or free energy. Generation of energy is best from free natural resources. The sun, although free, is affected by geographical location. Not every place is suitable. Probably only along the equator where sunlight is available most time of the year? But, over there, they have plenty of rain too. This make hydro a less damaging choice.

      Pretend data can only bring superficial display, not real solution to a problem......

 

 

Edited September 6, 2022 by specinho

[notsonice + 1,255]

14 minutes ago, specinho said:

1.       imagine what you need for a solar panel........ silica, metal conductor, metal frame, metal wiring etc.... With soaring prices of metal, sand and labour, how do you think the cost is reduced?

        Do you know how is the cost calculated? Per size of individual panel in 1977 vs massive panel divided into individual panel now?

        The heart of administration should to the people. Not particular agenda, policy, movement etc. What the people need is low cost or free energy. Generation of energy is best from free natural resources. The sun, although free, is affected by geographical location. Not every place is suitable. Probably only along the equator where sunlight is available most time of the year? But, over there, they have plenty of rain too. This make hydro a less damaging choice.

      Pretend data can only bring superficial display, not real solution to a problem......

 

 

what are you babbling about now???

Do you know how is the cost calculated?

 

of course , it is by $ per Watt output per panel

pretty simple metric

and your comment......Generation of energy is best from free natural resources. ???

Yep sunshine is free which is driving solar electricity generation even in places with less than perfect sunshine as solar power now is one of the cheapest sources of electricty.

Enjoy

 

 

 

[Jay McKinsey + 1,490]

8 hours ago, specinho said:

1.       imagine what you need for a solar panel........ silica, metal conductor, metal frame, metal wiring etc.... With soaring prices of metal, sand and labour, how do you think the cost is reduced?

        Do you know how is the cost calculated? Per size of individual panel in 1977 vs massive panel divided into individual panel now?

        The heart of administration should to the people. Not particular agenda, policy, movement etc. What the people need is low cost or free energy. Generation of energy is best from free natural resources. The sun, although free, is affected by geographical location. Not every place is suitable. Probably only along the equator where sunlight is available most time of the year? But, over there, they have plenty of rain too. This make hydro a less damaging choice.

      Pretend data can only bring superficial display, not real solution to a problem......

 

 

Soaring prices of metal?

Steel and copper are way down on the year:

Edited September 7, 2022 by Jay McKinsey

[Boat + 1,324]

Between China and o’l Sleepy the shot in the arm of money will make up for raised supply chain costs and demand overwhelming supply chains. Nothing like 10’s of billions to put people to work. 
The semi truck is a curious example where range is still weak while battery companies tout breakthroughs. You would think leading semi makers could easily pair with leading battery makers and drive that range up. Anybody have any new news?

[Rob Plant + 2,756]

On 9/7/2022 at 12:50 PM, Boat said:

Between China and o’l Sleepy the shot in the arm of money will make up for raised supply chain costs and demand overwhelming supply chains. Nothing like 10’s of billions to put people to work. 
The semi truck is a curious example where range is still weak while battery companies tout breakthroughs. You would think leading semi makers could easily pair with leading battery makers and drive that range up. Anybody have any new news?

This is a very interesting concept, but concept is all it is.

If they can get to a working battery then it could be the future, but thats a long long way off

https://phys.org/news/2022-08-stable-quantum-batteries-reliably-energy.html

https://phys.org/news/2022-03-quantum-technology-electric-cars-fast.html

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25534030-800-quantum-batteries-strange-technology-that-could-provide-instant-power/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2022-09-08-Quantum-batteri

Edited September 8, 2022 by Rob Plant

[specinho + 470]

On 9/7/2022 at 11:53 AM, Jay McKinsey said:

Soaring prices of metal?

Steel and copper are way down on the year:

 

 

 

there is a possibility that what you see as a shadow or interpreted image might not always represent reality. If we do not have the real image in front of us,  most of us would probably get it wrong.....

More than 10 years ago, steel was probably USD 70 or 80 per tonne ~ RM 0.30 per kg. 5 years ago, it was USD 140 to 180 ~ RM 0.60 per kg. Now, the price is 500 to 800 ~ RM 2 per kg.....

Fully trusting on the expertise of others might no longer be a virtue... 'n'

[Jay McKinsey + 1,490]

1 hour ago, specinho said:

 

 

there is a possibility that what you see as a shadow or interpreted image might not always represent reality. If we do not have the real image in front of us,  most of us would probably get it wrong.....

More than 10 years ago, steel was probably USD 70 or 80 per tonne ~ RM 0.30 per kg. 5 years ago, it was USD 140 to 180 ~ RM 0.60 per kg. Now, the price is 500 to 800 ~ RM 2 per kg.....

Fully trusting on the expertise of others might no longer be a virtue... 'n'

So you are claiming that the hard objective market numbers don't represent reality. No, you got it wrong. Steel is now a little above its ten year average and 10 years ago today steel was $610/tn.:

 

Edited September 12, 2022 by Jay McKinsey

[notsonice + 1,255]

1 hour ago, specinho said:

 

 

there is a possibility that what you see as a shadow or interpreted image might not always represent reality. If we do not have the real image in front of us,  most of us would probably get it wrong.....

More than 10 years ago, steel was probably USD 70 or 80 per tonne ~ RM 0.30 per kg. 5 years ago, it was USD 140 to 180 ~ RM 0.60 per kg. Now, the price is 500 to 800 ~ RM 2 per kg.....

Fully trusting on the expertise of others might no longer be a virtue... 'n'

More than 10 years ago, steel was probably USD 70 or 80 per tonne ~ RM 0.30 per kg. 5 years ago, it was USD 140 to 180 ~ RM 0.60 per kg????

 

 

maybe for scrap.....

 

70 to 80 per tonne for steel ????

USD 70 or 80 per tonne???? late 50's early 1960's

 

cars cost new less than $3000 back then also...average in 1960 was $2600

 

do a little research before you post, if you do not you will be in the same class as EcoChump....the King of the Babbling BSers'

Edited September 12, 2022 by notsonice

[turbguy + 1,545]

As I have said before, it is REALLY hard to compete  with an electric generator that consumes ZERO fuel, consumes almost ZERO water, produces ZERO operational waste, and requires less "heads per MWh".

Except with another  generator that does the same...

Edited September 13, 2022 by turbguy

[Rob Plant + 2,756]

13 hours ago, notsonice said:

maybe for scrap.....

Yep thats probably what he meant, as $70/t for steel is fantasy land, multiply by 10.

[RichieRich216 + 454]

On 3/16/2022 at 11:04 PM, Jay McKinsey said:

In regard to renewable energy? Absolutely I do. 

That might explain why my numbers are right and your numbers are almost always wrong.

I think the reason you won't post the article is because you know it is mostly BS.

Jay why are you not working for the United Nations if you’re knowledge is so valuable and so important with regards to renewable energies! 

[specinho + 470]

On 9/7/2022 at 3:58 AM, notsonice said:

what are you babbling about now???

Do you know how is the cost calculated?

 

of course , it is by $ per Watt output per panel

pretty simple metric

and your comment......Generation of energy is best from free natural resources. ???

Yep sunshine is free which is driving solar electricity generation even in places with less than perfect sunshine as solar power now is one of the cheapest sources of electricty.

Enjoy

 

 

 

there is a happy side to accept that simple calculation and acknowledge that sun light is free and available equally everywhere.... until you are surprised by unseen truth...........

 

This is a double rainbow.. The clearly visible one below is what we normally see and believe it is how it is.

 

The very vague rainbow on top of the red arrow might be the real one that rarely be seen or noticed...... Infrared comes in first hence, the red colour is showing first.

 

What we usually see is most likely a mirror image or reflection of it. I do not know the detail. Whoever notices the same thing and knows about it could probably chirp in, if you do not mind to share.......🤗

Edited September 14, 2022 by specinho

[Jay McKinsey + 1,490]

Investors with $39 trillion urge governments to plan fossil fuel phase out

• Group pushes for more action ahead of COP27
• Group of 532 investors back statement on climate change

BOSTON/LONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Investors managing $39 trillion have called on governments to raise their climate ambition, including setting plans to phase out fossil fuel use and forcing companies to set out science-based transition plans.

Reporting by Simon Jessop in London and Ross Kerber in Boston; Editing by Marguerita Choy

 

[notsonice + 1,255]

The death of Coal one wind turbine at a time.......

 

The UK just set a landmark wind energy generation record

Michelle Lewis

- Nov. 3rd 2022 11:25 am PT

 

@michelle0728

 

 

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The UK’s onshore and offshore wind farms generated more than 20 gigawatts (GW) for the first time yesterday, setting a new record, according to National Grid ESO.

 

Renewables trade association RenewableUK reports today that it’s the second wind energy generation record to be set within the space of a week.

UK wind generation set the record during the half-hour period from noon to 12:30 p.m., when it reached 20,896 megawatts (MW) – providing an impressive 53% of the UK’s electricity.

And in more good news, National Grid ESO reported that yesterday, wind, solar, nuclear, hydro, and storage – all low emissions sources – provided 70% of the UK’s electricity overall.

Yesterday’s wind generation record broke the previous record set just a week earlier, on October 26 between 11:30 a.m. and noon, when it reached 19,936 GW.

It’s welcome news as the UK heads into winter and faces a natural gas supply crunch following Russia’s supply cut following its invasion of Ukraine.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail said:

Generating more than 20 GW of electricity for the first time represents a new milestone for wind energy in Britain. The fact that we’ve smashed the last record within the space of a week shows that wind is consistently generating vast amounts of clean power and becoming the backbone of our modern energy system.

This benefits hard-pressed bill payers too, because wind has become the UK’s cheapest source of new power. It’s also strengthening our energy security at a time when generating our own electricity from home-grown sources has become vitally important.

Although the latest statistics reflect a new electricity generation record, the highest percentage of electricity generated from wind in a half-hour period in the UK is 64% on January 29, 2022.

Read more: Check out London’s new electric tram-buses that charge in only 10 minutes

Photo: “Early Morning Cornwall” by Tony Armstrong-Sly is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

 

 

[RichieRich216 + 454]

Not far, The Green Zealots just don't seem to understand what it takes to produce an EV.

First, you have to dig up tons upon tons of minerals, they need to be washed and separated.

Once that is accomplished they have to be refined and delivered! ALL OF THE ABOVE IS DONE USING FOSSIL FUELS.

When ready they have to be transferred by truck or rail to docks with transport ships awaiting them to be loaded, they travel by either the above to a facility to take the product and build it into a finished product. AGAIN ALL THE ABOVE IS DONE WITH THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

After gathering all finished products then they finally build an EV with the carbon footprint to build being huge.

Lastly they have to charge the EX which for the foreseeable future that power is supplied by fossil fuels.

Welcome to the GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION, That is as dirty if not more then just using fossil fuels.

[notsonice + 1,255]

2 hours ago, RichieRich216 said:

Not far, The Green Zealots just don't seem to understand what it takes to produce an EV.

First, you have to dig up tons upon tons of minerals, they need to be washed and separated.

Once that is accomplished they have to be refined and delivered! ALL OF THE ABOVE IS DONE USING FOSSIL FUELS.

When ready they have to be transferred by truck or rail to docks with transport ships awaiting them to be loaded, they travel by either the above to a facility to take the product and build it into a finished product. AGAIN ALL THE ABOVE IS DONE WITH THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

After gathering all finished products then they finally build an EV with the carbon footprint to build being huge.

Lastly they have to charge the EX which for the foreseeable future that power is supplied by fossil fuels.

Welcome to the GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION, That is as dirty if not more then just using fossil fuels.

more babble from you

they need to be washed and separated.Once that is accomplished they have to be refined and delivered! ALL OF THE ABOVE IS DONE USING FOSSIL FUELS?????

 

 

I have never seen a plant/refinery run off of fossil fuels. The all run off of electricity and that electricity can be sourced from renewables

 

Number one when planning a new mine....is how far do you have to run in high voltage lines.........

Todays mines.....reducing thier carbon foot print on every level

they need to be washed and separated.????? I take it you really have no clue....Washed????? try crushed , milled, then gravity circuit or float circuit  or leached ... none of these are ever done with diesel

washing??? is done in alluvial gold and tin....less than 1 percent of gold is produced from alluvial deposits. I have never seen in 40 years any diesel equipment within mills or refineries except loaders. I have never seen any electolytic copper refinery running off of diesel..........Copper from sulphides is is produced by buring the sulphides and recovering the acid.......no fossil fuels at all.....

 

 

Most big shovels in open pits are run off electricity ...same as drills ....Haul trucks are typically diesel/electrics however in the past 2 years battery haul trucks are now being produced 

and I bet you never have been underground or worked underground.....the only thing you will find underground these days that run off of diesel is older haul trucks that are used in mines with ramps/adits......everything else is electrified..........newer underground haul trucks? check out the latest Sandvik trucks. Hoists ....been all electric since the 1900's 

battery scoops have been around for ever...same as battery undergorund face  drills and bolters.....electric conveyor belts (I never have seen a diesel conveyor belt)....Shotcrete ...all electric....I have never seen any underground diesel pumps  nor any diesel tailing pumps of any kind.......

and lastly .no more oil lamps or candles to light mines........

 

Welcome to the world of electricity......Mining is going all electric faster than EVs on the street

 

Welcome to the GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION.....F(*k Oil

 

 

 

[notsonice + 1,255]

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4483505-fortescue-metals-group-goes-battery-electric-hydrogen

Fortescue Metals Group Goes Battery Electric And Hydrogen

Feb. 02, 2022 8:50 AM ETFortescue Metals Group Limited (FSUGY), FSUMFPLUG25 Comments16 Likes

Summary

• Acquisition by FMG (Fortescue Metals Group) of Williams Advanced Engineering to aid electrification of mining fleet.
• Plans to decarbonize FMG mining and transport operations.
• Major spend by Fortescue Future Industries (FFI, 100% owned by FMG) in hydrogen technology.
• FFI sets up JV with Plug Power for 2 GW Gigafactory to produce large-scale electrolysers.
• FMG pivoting to a low carbon future with a big focus on hydrogen makes this company of interest to those seeking investment in the hydrogen economy.

 

Matt Jelonek/Getty Images News

Fortescue Metals Group (OTCQX:FSUMF) (OTCPK:OTCQX:FSUGY) is a major success story in the development of the Australian iron ore industry. Major shareholder Andrew Forrest has understood the need to urgently decarbonize, and Fortescue has developed a new energy 100% owned subsidiary, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), that is investing substantially in a low carbon future. Here, I discuss initial investments by FFI, with particular reference to seeking to take a substantial position in the emergence of green hydrogen. While currently FMG’s future is still very tied to iron ore and the Chinese market, if the early strategic investments by FFI bear fruit, FMG could look very different quite soon. Investors interested in the emergence of a hydrogen economy could well pay attention to FMG.

As is often the case with billionaire founders, having a lot of cash leads to pet projects. The interest expressed by Forrest in the climate emergency seems more than a pet hobby. He is convinced of the need to transform the global economy, and FMG is making a big splash with its 100% owned subsidiary FFI.

Decarbonizing Fortescue’s iron ore business

I don’t plan to cover FMG’s core iron ore business in this article. Investors wishing to see an update on the core FMG business might refer to FMG’s December 2021 (Q2) investor and analyst call transcript. The company is well-positioned to achieve FY2022 (July 21 to June 22) guidance of 180-185 million tons of iron ore shipped.

 

 

Last month, FMG announced the acquisition for US$230 million of a UK company Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), a company focusing on high-performance battery systems and electrification. The reason for this concerned FMG’s own needs for decarbonizing its business but also as a low carbon business opportunity in the heavy industry sector after the technology is proven. The immediate plan is for FMG and WAE to work together to develop electrification solutions for FMG’s rail, mobile haul fleet and other heavy mining equipment to abate expensive diesel usage across the business. FMG sees this opening up other opportunities for WAE’s technology. Note that FMG has also purchased two battery electric locomotives for delivery in 2023. FMG is hoping that electrification developments for its heavy equipment will align with upgrade of its fleet by ~2025. The company is already advanced with its stationary power needs (e.g., large-scale solar PV). The plan is to displace 85 million litres of diesel annually.

There appear to be some grey areas as to whether the WAE acquisition, which was by FMG, will end up as a part of FFI. It was not part of US$400-600 million guidance for FFI spend. The WAE investment is about battery management systems and fast charging capacity. FMG sees this investment as complementing and enhancing the FFI investments in hydrogen technology. There was some analyst questioning about whether the WAE purchase meant a step away from hydrogen power for the FMG vehicles. Management was a bit ambiguous on that front, although they made clear that they see green hydrogen opportunities in South Korea and Japan which will soak up their green hydrogen production.

Andrew Forrest's interest in developing an energy export business to Asia

I’ve noted previously Andrew Forrest’s 15% founder investment (through Squadron Energy which is owned by the Forrest family private company Tattarang) in a huge solar/wind/battery project in Northern Australia to supply power to Asia. The other founder investor in Sun Cable is Australian billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes (through Grok Ventures). Sun Cable is establishing a US$20+ billion project, the Australia-Asia Powerlink to build a huge solar farm (17-20 GW), a wind farm and a massive battery facility (36-42 GWh) in northern Australia and to send power 24/7 to Singapore using undersea HVDC cabling via Indonesia, to potentially provide 15% of Singapore’s electricity. It involves the world's longest HVDC cabling and the world’s biggest battery facility. This project is now beyond the feasibility stage and it looks as if it will happen.

Tattarang is the company through which Andrew Forrest’s major interest in Fortescue Metals Group is held.

Hydrogen

The natural gas industry is a prominent interested party in the development of a hydrogen-based energy system. This is perhaps not surprising as many in the gas industry are aware of the need to decarbonize, and hydrogen is seen as a potential way of delaying the demise of natural gas use by spiking natural gas with small quantities of green hydrogen. Forrest has been clear that making hydrogen from gas or involving spiking existing gas lines with hydrogen is not a viable option. He has been clear that if a hydrogen economy is to succeed, the hydrogen needs to be “green” and not involve the use of fossil fuels in its manufacture. Unlike many green hydrogen plans, FFI has some reality to its claims to get involved. For example, it recently announced plans (non-binding MOU) to supply German high-tech polymer supplier Covestro with up to 100,000 tons of green hydrogen (including green ammonia) annually beginning to start supply as early as 2024. The proposal is for Covestro to replace its existing grey hydrogen (produced from natural gas). The plan is for FFI to deliver green hydrogen to locations in Asia, North America and Europe.

The announcement indicates that perhaps the companies are a little ahead of reality, in that the announcement talks about 100,000 tons annually as the headline, but further down, the press release from FMG mention is made of plans to produce 15 million tons of hydrogen by 2030.

The above indicates that FFI has ambitions to build a green hydrogen company on the scale of oil and gas supermajors. Forrest has been a big proponent of developing electrolysis-based hydrogen production, using electricity produced from solar PV or wind power.

FFI announces 50:50 JV with Plug Power to build a 2 GW factory to produce large-scale Proton Exchange Membrane electrolysers

Although the Covestro MOU seems overhyped, there is substance to FFI’s plans for hydrogen although again it isn’t easy to see where hype stops and reality intrudes. A major project is the Global Green Energy Manufacturing Centre in Queensland, which involves the first stage of an electrolyser manufacturing facility. The first stage is an ambitious 2 GW/annum capacity with an investment of up to US$83 million.

This is a JV between FFI and Plug Power (PLUG) and the goal is to expand this activity into fuel cell systems and hydrogen-related refueling and storage infrastructure. Plug Power will provide the electrolyser and fuel cell technology and FFI will contribute advanced manufacturing capabilities. The intention is that FFI will be the primary customer of the JV. The agreement involves FFI purchasing 250 MW of Plug Power’s electrolyser solutions to be delivered in H2 2022.

A possible breakthrough technology: Hydrogen from solar photocatalysis?

A joint venture, Sparc Hydrogen Pty Ltd, between ASX-listed, Sparc Technologies (ASX:SPN) and the University of Adelaide, has come out of left field and attracted the interest of FFI which has taken a 20% stake in the JV for $A1.8 million, with stage 2 funding of a further $1.45 million over 4.5 years to earn a total stake of 36% of Sparc Hydrogen. Sparc Hydrogen has an exclusive licence to develop and commercialise next-generation green hydrogen technology from two South Australian Universities (Adelaide University and Flinders University). The ownership after FFI investment will be FFI 36%, Sparc Hydrogen 36%, University of Adelaide 28%). The tiny amount of funding provided by FFI suggests scepticism, but if there is any reality, expect rapid development.

Of course, it is early days, but if this technology got legs, it would change the hydrogen story because no longer would the question be whether to make power from renewables by solar PV and/or wind and then lose a lot of that power to make hydrogen. Instead, Sparc’s ultra-green hydrogen would be a source of power through direct solar conversion of water to hydrogen.

As always, with immature technology, one needs to be cautious because little is known about the Sparc technology. However, there is a mountain of cash available if it looks like it might be competitive. If that became the case, then it would be hard to see a future for existing electrolyser technology companies.

Conclusion

Fortescue Metals Group was founded and remains ~30% owned by Andrew Forrest, a self-made man, now Australia’s 2^nd richest individual. He has shown foresight and persistence in building his iron ore business from an upstart fledgling to one of Australia’s leading mining companies. His interests are broad and transforming, from looking at deep sea minerals exploration to a big focus on green energy. Perhaps his biggest green interest is in the potential for the establishment of a hydrogen economy. Unlike many major companies in Europe and the US, who rely on Government funding, FMG is making significant investments in green hydrogen, including some high-risk speculative investments such as the investment in Sparc Hydrogen outlined here. I’ve been sceptical that a hydrogen economy can develop when green hydrogen manufacture is so wasteful when made from electricity generated from solar PV or wind. The possibility of hydrogen manufacture by solar photocatalysis is intriguing and potentially a game-changer.

I am not a financial advisor but I do follow closely the major shifts happening as the world begins to exit fossil fuels and decarbonize power and transport. I hope my commentary about FMG is of interest to you and your financial advisor as you explore how to participate in the energy transition and the possibility of a hydrogen economy.

[RichieRich216 + 454]

On 11/7/2022 at 3:12 AM, notsonice said:

more babble from you

they need to be washed and separated.Once that is accomplished they have to be refined and delivered! ALL OF THE ABOVE IS DONE USING FOSSIL FUELS?????

 

 

I have never seen a plant/refinery run off of fossil fuels. The all run off of electricity and that electricity can be sourced from renewables

 

Number one when planning a new mine....is how far do you have to run in high voltage lines.........

Todays mines.....reducing thier carbon foot print on every level

they need to be washed and separated.????? I take it you really have no clue....Washed????? try crushed , milled, then gravity circuit or float circuit  or leached ... none of these are ever done with diesel

washing??? is done in alluvial gold and tin....less than 1 percent of gold is produced from alluvial deposits. I have never seen in 40 years any diesel equipment within mills or refineries except loaders. I have never seen any electolytic copper refinery running off of diesel..........Copper from sulphides is is produced by buring the sulphides and recovering the acid.......no fossil fuels at all.....

 

 

Most big shovels in open pits are run off electricity ...same as drills ....Haul trucks are typically diesel/electrics however in the past 2 years battery haul trucks are now being produced 

and I bet you never have been underground or worked underground.....the only thing you will find underground these days that run off of diesel is older haul trucks that are used in mines with ramps/adits......everything else is electrified..........newer underground haul trucks? check out the latest Sandvik trucks. Hoists ....been all electric since the 1900's 

battery scoops have been around for ever...same as battery undergorund face  drills and bolters.....electric conveyor belts (I never have seen a diesel conveyor belt)....Shotcrete ...all electric....I have never seen any underground diesel pumps  nor any diesel tailing pumps of any kind.......

and lastly .no more oil lamps or candles to light mines........

 

Welcome to the world of electricity......Mining is going all electric faster than EVs on the street

 

Welcome to the GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION.....F(*k Oil

 

 

 

You are so full of shit, do you not know how many tons of earth has to be mined just to get a small percentage of the needed minerals!

You have to be the dumbest person on the planet, FOSSIL FUEL is what makes everything possible of EV, additionally FOSSIL FUEL is what will be charging these shit EV’s.

Lastly FOSSIL FUELS are used not just in energy but in medical industry and many more, so take your green revolution and shove it up your ass!

[TailingsPond + 1,009]

19 minutes ago, RichieRich216 said:

You are so full of shit, do you not know how many tons of earth has to be mined just to get a small percentage of the needed minerals!

You have to be the dumbest person on the planet, FOSSIL FUEL is what makes everything possible of EV, additionally FOSSIL FUEL is what will be charging these shit EV’s.

Lastly FOSSIL FUELS are used not just in energy but in medical industry and many more, so take your green revolution and shove it up your ass!

You ignore that fossil fuel exploration, mining, refining, and transport uses up a huge portion of the energy they dig out the ground.

[RichieRich216 + 454]

You are ignoring that fossil fuel is and for the foreseeable future used to make any EV!

[Jeroen Goudswaard + 61]

16 hours ago, RichieRich216 said:

You are ignoring that fossil fuel is and for the foreseeable future used to make any EV!

We consume ~500 kW of energy to produce a solar panel. It doesn't matter whether this energy came from coal (about 1200 kW of coal was consumed to generate the 500 kW of electricity), as the solar panel will create 6000 kW of energy over its operating life.

This one solar panel can then create enough energy to produce 12 solar panels.

So in one generation, 1200 kW of coal would have created 13 solar panels.

In two generations, it created enough energy for 145 solar panels etc.

Yes, it will take time, but we will be considerably less dependent on ff very soon.

Edited November 10, 2022 by Jeroen Goudswaard

[footeab@yahoo.com + 2,192]

On 11/10/2022 at 12:50 AM, Jeroen Goudswaard said:

We consume ~500 kW of energy to produce a solar panel. It doesn't matter whether this energy came from coal (about 1200 kW of coal was consumed to generate the 500 kW of electricity), as the solar panel will create 6000 kW of energy over its operating life.

This one solar panel can then create enough energy to produce 12 solar panels.

So in one generation, 1200 kW of coal would have created 13 solar panels.

In two generations, it created enough energy for 145 solar panels etc.

Yes, it will take time, but we will be considerably less dependent on ff very soon.

Thank you for proving you do not know what a measurement of POWER is.  So glad you are commenting. 

Here is an actual list of power requirements per 1kg of material refined: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/what-is-the-embodied-energy-of-materials.html

Apparently you do not know what 1m^2 of solar pulls in during its lifetime either...  Its not 6000(units you need help)

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DNI.jpg

If solar were so amazing as you claim and others do, then Chile and Australia would be FLOODED by aluminum smelters and covering untold kilometers with solar panels where everyone would be banging down their doors to help fund them.