- FMG takes it green-making machine to the US
- Neometals and Mercedes-Benz to develop sustainable Li-ion battery recycling
- Oil and gas giant BP submits bids for two offshore wind leases in the Netherlands
Fortescue Metals Group’s (ASX:FMG) green machine, Fortescue Future Industries, is looking to give ageing coal plants an extreme makeover – this time focusing on repurposing coal infrastructure for green hydrogen production in North America.
The proposed green hydrogen production plant would enable the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors of the North American economy and support the development of a Pacific Northwest green hydrogen hub.
The Centralia coal-fired power plant adjacent to the Industrial Park at TransAlta (IPAT) project site in Washington State is scheduled to close in 2025.
Subject to the outcome of the feasibility studies, FFI’s intention would be to employ the existing coal workforce for the proposed project, facilitating a transition into the emerging green energy economy.
FFI chairman and founder Twiggy Forrest said repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructure to create green hydrogen to power the world is part of the solution to saving the planet.
The global green energy company said it is also looking to investigate developing hydrogen applications in the Centralia-Chehalis twin cities.
This includes working with bus transit operator, Twin Transit, to decarbonise commuter buses and other heavy transport operations.
Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG) share price today
Neometals (ASX:NMT)
Neometals’ battery recycling joint venture, Primobius, has executed an agreement with Mercedes-Benz recycling subsidiary, LICULAR, to develop a sustainable recycling approach for lithium-ion batteries.
This formal corporation agreement follows an earlier press release by Mercedes-Benz back in March regarding its global strategy for recycling automotive battery systems and Primobius’ role to support those objectives.
The cooperation will begin and become legally binding upon the receipt of an agreed form purchase order from LICULAR to Primobius for the supply and installation of equipment for the construction, commissioning, and operation of a LICULAR Recycling Plant.
Located at Mercedes-Benz’s Kuppenheim Operations in Southern Germany, the plant will be used for battery recycling and waste disposal with a nominal design capacity of 10 tonnes per day (2,500 tonnes per annum), which will be built in two stages.
NMT says the partnership is a strong validation of the Primobius technology, its flexible business models and demonstrates the company’s willingness to tailor commercial agreements to suit the recycling needs of EV car makers, LiB cell-makers and environmental service providers.
Neometals (ASX:NMT) share price today
BP (LON:BP)
British oil and gas major BP has submitted bids for two offshore wind leases in the Netherlands that, together, have the potential for generating 1.4GW.
The company is looking to develop the Hollandse Kust (west) Wind Farm Zone (HKW) sites VI and VII.
HKW is roughly 53km off the country’s west coast and contains two wind farm sites, with a total area of 176sqkm.
Bids for site VI will be evaluated on eco-innovation criteria, where BP proposes creating solutions to enhance the Dutch North Sea ecosystem and includes an unprecedented scale of innovation with nearly €75 million of committed spend to create a positive impact on the marine habitat.
Bids for Site VII will be evaluated on systems integration criteria, with the company’s bid focusing on coupling offshore wind power generation with new, flexible demand.
It proposes to integrate the wind farms with:
- 500MW electrolysis to produce ~50,000 tonnes a year of green hydrogen to meet BP’s Rotterdam refinery demand and support 10,000 barrels a day production of sustainable aviation fuel;
- A new electric powered boiler and super heater for BP’s Rotterdam refinery, and utility scale battery to support the integration of the assets; and
- Newly-developed flexible electric vehicle charging stations with integrated batteries and low carbon multi-energy logistics hubs, complemented by demand shifting solutions.
Buru Energy (ASX:BRU)
Oil and gas producer Buru Energy has 50% operating interests in the Rafael gas discovery and Ungani oilfield in Western Australia’s Canning Basin but the company is also exploring natural hydrogen and helium through its subsidiary, 2H Resources.
2H Resources is focused on undertaking initial prospecting work on its South Australian permits spanning 29,000sqkm, using in-house technology such as hydrogen measuring equipment once all approvals are in place.
As well as 2H Resources, the company is also invested in Geovault, a carbon capture and underground storage project in the onshore Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia, where it recently received a Commonwealth grant to undertake a feasibility study.
In a market announcement this morning, BRU says it has appointed Thomas Nador as CEO, who comes to Buru from his previous role as group executive of development at Beach Energy (ASX:BPT).
Nador will focus on both the commercialisation of the Rafael gas condensate discovery and on driving the company’s energy transition businesses.