Alaska, Energy and Water

Twelve and Alaska Airlines to collaborate with Microsoft to advance sustainable aviation fuel derived from recaptured CO2 and renewable energy

Green Car Congress

JULY 15, 2022

Through the first-of-its-kind agreement, Twelve, Alaska, and Microsoft will work to advance production and use of Twelve’s E-Jet, a low-carbon jet fuel produced by a power-to-liquids process leveraging the company’s carbon transformation technology. SAF is a core part of Alaska’s five-part pathway to net zero by 2040. Earlier post.).

Alaska

Alaska Renewable Fuel CO2

New Findings Show Increased Ocean Acidification in Alaska Waters

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 14, 2009

Alaska’s oceans are becoming increasingly acidic, which could damage Alaska’s king crab and salmon fisheries, according to new findings by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist. They show that ocean acidification is likely more severe and is happening more rapidly in Alaska than in tropical waters.

Alaska

Alaska Water Carbon Commercial

DOE awards up to $40M for open-water, grid-connected wave energy testing facility

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 22, 2016

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the award of up to $40 million, subject to appropriations, to design, permit, and construct an open-water, grid-connected national wave energy testing facility. For context, approximately 90,000 homes can be powered by 1 TWh per year.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Grid Connect Connected

Battery-Electric Fishing Vessel Marks A Sea Change For Small Commercial Fishers

CleanTechnica EVs

AUGUST 23, 2023

On a brisk morning this fall, a 46-foot commercial fishing boat will cruise into the cold waters of Sitka, Alaska, and cut the diesel engine. This moment will mark a sea change for Sitka’s small-boat commercial fishing industry: a transition to energy-efficient […]

Commercial

Commercial Alaska Water Electric

PNNL team finds biocrude from kelp and fish waste via hydrothermal liquefaction could be viable fuel for remote Alaskan communities

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 3, 2021

Using existing fish processing plants, kelp and fish waste can be turned into a diesel-like fuel to power generators or fishing boats in rural, coastal Alaska, according to a team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). —“ Kelp Energy Products and Marine Renewable Energy for Coastal Alaska Communities ”.

Waste

Waste Alaska Fuel Mariner

MBL begins first test of tropical seaweed farming for biofuels production

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2021

A team of researchers led by Loretta Roberson, associate scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico and US tropical waters. Facilitating research of this nature will be key for the development of sustainable aquaculture in this area. —Loretta Roberson. Earlier post.).

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Belize Production Mariner

USC study shows promising potential for giant-kelp-based biofuel with depth-cycling approach

Green Car Congress

MARCH 3, 2021

physically moving the macroalgae between deep nutrient-rich water at night and shallow depths within the photic zone during the day to optimize growth. An open-access paper on their work appears in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. The researchers used a depth-cycling approach—i.e.,

Mariner

Mariner Water Utah California

USGS releases first shale-oil and shale-gas resource potential assessment for the Alaska North Slope

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Northern Alaska province showing boundaries of assessment units (AU). Primarily due to economic and infrastructure considerations, production has never been attempted from these Alaska North Slope shales, which span most of the North Slope but are largely absent from the environmentally sensitive Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska

Alaska Oil Gas 2012

Harvey Gulf orders Wärtsilä 746 kWh battery systems for another four LNG-powered supply vessels

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2020

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its advanced Energy Storage System (ESS) to be retrofitted on four Harvey Energy class LNG-fueled Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs). Harvey Gulf’s fleet of LNG-fuelled PSVs are to be fitted with Wärtsilä Energy Storage systems, giving them tri-fuel capability. © Harvey Gulf.

Supplies

Supplies Louisiana Energy Storage Power

DOE awarding $35M to 11 projects for hydrokinetic turbine development; ARPA-E SHARKS

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding $35 million to 11 projects as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Submarine Hydrokinetic And Riverine Kilo-megawatt Systems (SHARKS) program. These methodologies will significantly decrease the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the final HKT design.

Mariner

Mariner Universal Grid Design

US and Japan partnership to test methane hydrate production technologies on Alaskas North Slope

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2011

The US Department of Energy; the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation; and ConocoPhillips will work together to test technologies for producing methane gas from hydrate deposits on the Alaska North Slope. Methane hydrate consists of molecules of natural gas trapped in an open rigid framework of water molecules.

Alaska

Alaska Japan Production 2008

Twelve and Emerging Fuels Technology sign master license agreement to scale SAF production

Green Car Congress

MAY 4, 2023

Twelve has developed an efficient polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) CO 2 electrolyzer that uses proprietary CO 2 -reducing catalysts to split CO 2 with just water and renewable electricity as inputs, syngas (CO and hydrogen) as the output, and pure oxygen as the only byproduct. Twelve and EFT upgrade the syngas to aviation fuel.

Fuel

Fuel Production Alaska Carbon

DOE reports show major potential for wave and tidal energy production near US coasts

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 21, 2012

The US Department of Energy (DOE) released two nationwide resource assessments showing that waves and tidal currents off the nation’s coasts could contribute to the United States’ total annual electricity production. —Mapping and Assessment of the United States Ocean Wave Energy Resource.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico EPRI Energy Alaska

BSEE approves new drilling operations by Eni in Arctic; extended reach drilling

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 29, 2017

The Bureau’s approval allows Eni to move forward with new exploration in federal waters, but only after a review by BSEE Alaska Region personnel to ensure the request met appropriate technical adequacy, safety and environmental sustainability standards.

Alaska

Alaska Oil Water 2016

Obama and Trudeau put majority of US and Canadian Arctic water off-limits to offshore oil and gas leasing

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 20, 2016

US President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau jointly announced sweeping restrictions to offshore oil and gas leasing in the US and Canadian Arctic waters. Obama designated the vast majority of US waters in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas as indefinitely off limits to offshore oil and gas leasing. It’s uncharted waters.”.

Obama

Obama Water Oil Gas

Alaska Native Corporation Proposes Underground Coal Gasification Project with Carbon Capture for Power Generation

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 11, 2009

CIRI), an Alaska Native corporation, is proposing an underground coal gasification (UCG) project that would use the resulting syngas to fuel a new 100 MW combined cycle power plant. CIRI executives presented the plan to state lawmakers at a joint hearing in Alaska on Friday. Source: CIRI. Click to enlarge. Cook Inlet Region Inc.

Alaska

Alaska Coal Corporation Carbon

ConocoPhillips and US DOE project testing production of methane from hydrates via CO2 injection on Alaska North Slope

Green Car Congress

MAY 18, 2011

A fully instrumented well that will test innovative technologies for producing methane gas from hydrate deposits has been installed on the North Slope of Alaska. Methane hydrate consists of molecules of natural gas trapped in an open rigid framework of water molecules.

Alaska

Alaska Production CO2 Canada

Dept. of Interior approves Shell Chukchi Sea oil spill response plan; next steps to shallow-water Arctic exploration

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Shell has proposed drilling up to six wells in the Chukchi Sea during the next two summer open water seasons within the Burger Prospect, located about 70 miles off the coast in approximately 140 feet of water. BSEE is planning an additional exercise with Shell and federal, state and local representatives in spring 2012.

Water

Water Oil Alaska Available

US DOE to award up to $20M for research on methane hydrates

Green Car Congress

MAY 8, 2013

Selected projects will be intended to support program goals to determine the (1) likelihood of methane hydrates as a potential energy resource and (2) their role in the natural environment. DOE-Alaska cooperation on unconventional resources. The volume of methane held in methane hydrate deposits worldwide is immense. Earlier post.).

Alaska

Alaska Gas Climate Insight

BOEMRE awards $5.6M for Arctic environmental study to inform decision-making on potential energy development in the Chukchi Sea; $500K for study on ice fracturing

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today recently signed a cooperative agreement with the University of Texas at Austin and a team of Arctic researchers for a comprehensive study of the Hanna Shoal ecosystem in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast. Study on fracturing of sea ice.

Alaska

Alaska Rhode Island Energy Austin

US DOE Awards $37 Million for Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technology Development

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 27 projects for more than $37 million in funding to accelerate the technological and commercial readiness of emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies, which seek to generate renewable electricity from oceans and free-flowing rivers and streams. Free Flow Energy, Inc.

Mariner

Mariner Energy Alaska New Jersey

Woods Hole awarded $5.7M for seaweed-to-biofuels projects

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2017

million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (MARINER) Program for two projects that develop tools and technology to advance the mass production of seaweed for biofuels and bio-based chemicals. —Scott Lindell, who is leading the research effort at WHOI.

Mariner

Mariner Alaska Connecticut Water

UT Austin to lead $58M study of methane hydrate in Gulf of Mexico; $41M from DOE

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 22, 2014

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $41,270,609, with the remainder funded by industry and the research partners. Methane hydrate—natural gas trapped in an ice-like cage of water molecules—occurs in both terrestrial and marine environments.

Mexico

Mexico Austin Oil-Sands Mariner

DOE to award up to $20M for further studies on methane hydrates; projects worth up to $80M

Green Car Congress

APRIL 14, 2014

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a funding opportunity announcement for up to $20 million ( DE-FOA-0001023 ) for applications for selection and award in FY 2014 that focus on the (1) methane hydrate reservoir-response field experiments in Alaska; and (2) field programs for marine gas hydrate characterization.

Alaska

Alaska Mariner Gas Russia

Obama Administration releases implementation plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 31, 2014

Provide for Future US Energy Security. This entails promoting the development and deployment of available US energy resources such as wind, wave and solar.

Obama

Obama Alaska United States 2016

11 Intriguing Engineering Milestones to Look for in 2023

Cars That Think

DECEMBER 30, 2022

In subsequent years, the Far North Fiber project will lay down a cable through the Northwest Passage, connecting Iceland to Greenland, then Canada, Alaska, and finally Japan. This first microGEO will launch in early 2023 , and start providing service to Alaska, tripling the state’s satellite bandwidth while cutting its cost.

Engine

Engine San Francisco Wind Iceland

DOE awarding $6.5M to 9 large-scale Phase I pilot coal projects

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) have selected nine projects to receive approximately $6.5 will lead a team to design, build, and operate a 200 tonne CO 2 /day large pilot capture system at a coal-fired power plant operated by NRG Energy, Inc.

Coal

Coal North Dakota Illinois Universal

Back to the Arctic: BOEM conditionally approves Shell’s revised Chukchi Sea exploration plan

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2015

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) conditionally approved Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc.’s Shell’s revised EP proposes the drilling of up to six wells within the Burger Prospect, located in approximately 140 feet of water about 70 miles northwest of the village of Wainwright.

Alaska

Alaska Standards Mexico Oil

DOE to fund 14 research projects on deepwater and Arctic methane hydrates; potential future energy supply

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 31, 2012

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 14 new research projects that will be a part of an expanding portfolio of projects designed to increase the understanding of methane hydrates’ potential as a future energy supply. Energy Resource Potential. Methane hydrate can form in Arctic and marine environments. Source: DOE.

Future

Future Supplies San Diego Energy

Cal Energy Commission adopts report outlining how state transforming transportation system to meet climate goals

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

The California Energy Commission adopted its 2014 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) Update, which outlines, among many things, how the state is working to transform the transportation system to zero- and near-zero technologies and fuels to meet its climate and clean air goals.

Transportation

Transportation Climate Energy Gas-Electric

ORNL assessment finds >65 GW of untapped hydropower in US rivers and streams

Green Car Congress

APRIL 30, 2014

The greatest hydropower potential was found in western US states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The US Department of Energy (DOE) tasked ORNL with evaluating the new stream-reach development resource potential of more than 3 million US streams. Source: ORNL NSD. Click to enlarge.

Missouri

Missouri Montana Wyoming Idaho

Expansion of sugarcane crop in Brazil to areas previously occupied by crops or pastureland leads to local cooling

Green Car Congress

APRIL 19, 2011

It does so by reflecting sunlight back into space and by lowering the temperature of the surrounding air as the plants “exhale” cooler water. The researchers used data from hundreds of satellite images over 733,000 square miles—an area larger than the state of Alaska. —Scott Loarie. —Greg Asner. Loarie, David B.

Brazil

Brazil Climate Change Climate Montana

EPA issues final air quality permits to Shell for Arctic oil and gas exploration; fleet emissions reduced 50+% from 2010 permits

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

EPA Region 10 has issued final air quality permits to Shell for oil and gas exploration drilling in the Alaska Arctic. EPA Region 10 proposed the draft permits for public comment on 6 July 2011 and held informational meetings and a public hearing in Barrow, Alaska on 3 and 4 August 2011.

EPA

EPA 2010 Oil Fleet

Foss Maritime to build first three of new Arctic Class of deep-sea tugs for oil and gas industry

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 29, 2012

Foss has worked Alaskan Arctic waters for decades with a well-known. invasive species; Holding tanks for black and gray water to permit operations in no discharge zones (such as parts of Alaska and California); Hydraulic oil systems compatible with biodegradable oil; Energy efficient LED lighting; and.

Oil

Oil Gas Industrial Industry

EPA blocks Pebble copper mine in Alaska to protect Bristol Bay salmon ecosystem

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Final Determination under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) that blocks the development of Northern Dynasty Mineral’s proposed Pebble copper and gold mining project in Alaska. The construction period would last approximately four years, followed by 20 years of operation.

Alaska

Alaska EPA 2001 Water

EPA releases draft air quality permits for Shell and ConocoPhillps Arctic oil exploration activities

Green Car Congress

JULY 22, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released two additional draft air quality permits for Shell Oil Company and ConocoPhillips Company exploratory oil drilling operations in the Alaska Arctic Outer Continental Shelf. Final permits will be issued after public comments are reviewed and considered.

EPA

EPA Oil Alaska 2012

Argonne analysis shows greenhouse gas emissions similar for shale, conventional oil

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 16, 2015

Its production is accompanied by a significant amount of energy product, including natural gas, some of which gets flared or vented off at the well site. to Alaska North Slope crude, to 30.98 The study showed that wells in the gas-rich zone used roughly twice as much energy as wells in the oil-rich zone, which used an average of 1.2%

Oil

Oil Gas Emissions Davis

BSEE authorizes Shell to begin preparatory top-hole activities for drilling in Chukchi Sea; activities limited to non-oil-bearing zones

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 31, 2012

Watson announced that Shell will be allowed to move forward with certain limited preparatory activities on the seafloor for drilling in the Chukchi Sea offshore Alaska; these activities are limited to non-oil-bearing zones of the seabed. During the majority of the season, the wells Shell plans to drill are in ice-fre waters.

Oil

Oil Alaska Water Connect

BOEMRE issues conditional approval for Shell exploration plan for Beaufort Sea

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 4, 2011

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued conditional approval for a revised Exploration Plan (EP) submitted by Shell Offshore Inc. to drill up to four shallow water exploration wells in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea beginning in July 2012.

Alaska

Alaska 2011 Mariner Standards

US offshore oil and gas leasing plan for 2017-2022 focuses on Gulf of Mexico, excludes Arctic

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 19, 2016

US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Hopper released the final plan to guide future energy development for the Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for 2017-2022. The Proposed Final Program includes one sale in the northern portion of the Cook Inlet Planning Area.

Mexico

Mexico 2017 Oil Gas

US and Japan successfully complete Arctic field trial of gas hydrate production technology using CO2-methane exchange within structure

Green Car Congress

MAY 2, 2012

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the completion of a successful test of technology in the North Slope of Alaska that was able to safely extract a steady flow of natural gas from methane hydrates. Conceptual rendering of CO 2 – CH 4 exchange methodology for the production of natural gas from hydrates. Source: NETL.

Japan

Japan Gas Production CO2

EST Editor Calls for Papers on Gulf Spill; Ending the Addiction

Green Car Congress

MAY 30, 2010

The high energy tides (15 ft [4.6 Cold water in Alaska caused oil to biodegrade more slowly and caused fisheries to have lower rates of reproduction and slow recovery times. No energy source comes without risks and environmental impacts, but our addiction to oil is particularly vexing because of the energy insecurity it fosters.

Oil

Oil Iowa Alaska Pennsylvania

US Global Change Research Program Issues Report on Impacts of Climate Change in US; Details Point to Potential Value of Early, Aggressive Action

Green Car Congress

JUNE 17, 2009

The study finds that Americans are already being affected by climate change through extreme weather, drought and wildfire trends and details how the nation’s transportation, agriculture, health, water and energy sectors will be affected in the future. Climate change will stress water resources.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Global United States

Obama sets goal of reducing US oil imports by 1/3 by 2025; domestic and Western Hemisphere production, natural gas, biofuels, electric vehicles, fleet purchases

Green Car Congress

MARCH 30, 2011

Obama was delivering a speech on energy policy at Georgetown University. He said that the Administration has already approved 39 new shallow water permits, and an additional 7 deepwater permits in recently weeks. We’re also exploring and assessing new frontiers for oil and gas development from Alaska to the Mid- and South Atlantic.

Obama

Obama Oil Gas-Electric Purchase

Twelve and Alaska Airlines to collaborate with Microsoft to advance sustainable aviation fuel derived from recaptured CO2 and renewable energy

New Findings Show Increased Ocean Acidification in Alaska Waters

DOE awards up to $40M for open-water, grid-connected wave energy testing facility

Battery-Electric Fishing Vessel Marks A Sea Change For Small Commercial Fishers

PNNL team finds biocrude from kelp and fish waste via hydrothermal liquefaction could be viable fuel for remote Alaskan communities

MBL begins first test of tropical seaweed farming for biofuels production

USC study shows promising potential for giant-kelp-based biofuel with depth-cycling approach

USGS releases first shale-oil and shale-gas resource potential assessment for the Alaska North Slope

Harvey Gulf orders Wärtsilä 746 kWh battery systems for another four LNG-powered supply vessels

DOE awarding $35M to 11 projects for hydrokinetic turbine development; ARPA-E SHARKS

US and Japan partnership to test methane hydrate production technologies on Alaskas North Slope

Twelve and Emerging Fuels Technology sign master license agreement to scale SAF production

DOE reports show major potential for wave and tidal energy production near US coasts

BSEE approves new drilling operations by Eni in Arctic; extended reach drilling

Obama and Trudeau put majority of US and Canadian Arctic water off-limits to offshore oil and gas leasing

Alaska Native Corporation Proposes Underground Coal Gasification Project with Carbon Capture for Power Generation

ConocoPhillips and US DOE project testing production of methane from hydrates via CO2 injection on Alaska North Slope

Dept. of Interior approves Shell Chukchi Sea oil spill response plan; next steps to shallow-water Arctic exploration

US DOE to award up to $20M for research on methane hydrates

BOEMRE awards $5.6M for Arctic environmental study to inform decision-making on potential energy development in the Chukchi Sea; $500K for study on ice fracturing

US DOE Awards $37 Million for Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technology Development

Woods Hole awarded $5.7M for seaweed-to-biofuels projects

UT Austin to lead $58M study of methane hydrate in Gulf of Mexico; $41M from DOE

DOE to award up to $20M for further studies on methane hydrates; projects worth up to $80M

Obama Administration releases implementation plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region

11 Intriguing Engineering Milestones to Look for in 2023

DOE awarding $6.5M to 9 large-scale Phase I pilot coal projects

Back to the Arctic: BOEM conditionally approves Shell’s revised Chukchi Sea exploration plan

DOE to fund 14 research projects on deepwater and Arctic methane hydrates; potential future energy supply

Cal Energy Commission adopts report outlining how state transforming transportation system to meet climate goals

ORNL assessment finds >65 GW of untapped hydropower in US rivers and streams

Expansion of sugarcane crop in Brazil to areas previously occupied by crops or pastureland leads to local cooling

EPA issues final air quality permits to Shell for Arctic oil and gas exploration; fleet emissions reduced 50+% from 2010 permits

Foss Maritime to build first three of new Arctic Class of deep-sea tugs for oil and gas industry

EPA blocks Pebble copper mine in Alaska to protect Bristol Bay salmon ecosystem

EPA releases draft air quality permits for Shell and ConocoPhillps Arctic oil exploration activities

Argonne analysis shows greenhouse gas emissions similar for shale, conventional oil

BSEE authorizes Shell to begin preparatory top-hole activities for drilling in Chukchi Sea; activities limited to non-oil-bearing zones

BOEMRE issues conditional approval for Shell exploration plan for Beaufort Sea

US offshore oil and gas leasing plan for 2017-2022 focuses on Gulf of Mexico, excludes Arctic

US and Japan successfully complete Arctic field trial of gas hydrate production technology using CO2-methane exchange within structure

EST Editor Calls for Papers on Gulf Spill; Ending the Addiction

US Global Change Research Program Issues Report on Impacts of Climate Change in US; Details Point to Potential Value of Early, Aggressive Action

Obama sets goal of reducing US oil imports by 1/3 by 2025; domestic and Western Hemisphere production, natural gas, biofuels, electric vehicles, fleet purchases

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