Climate change is one of the world’s toughest problems. On one side is how the drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions – whether they’re policy changes, technological advancements, or shifting access to capital – will affect our economic performance. The second is that, if these drivers aren’t successful in delivering the required level of emission reductions, we’re going to have increasingly erratic weather, which can also negatively affect the economy.

When a well-known industrial pump manufacturer needed four fully finished vertical pump bearings within three days to meet an urgent delivery deadline, Thordon Bearings’ Customer Service team orchestrated a solution to deliver the 6in (152.3mm) diameter water lubricated SXL bearings on time.

SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall have commenced building a rock cavern storage facility for fossil-free hydrogen gas on a pilot scale next to HYBRIT’s pilot facility for direct reduction in Luleå, North of Sweden. This is an important step in the development of a fossil-free value chain for fossil-free steel. The investment cost of just over SEK 250 million (about 24 M €) is divided equally across the holding companies and the Swedish Energy Agency, which provides support via Industriklivet.

Anglo American announces a collaboration agreement to complete a feasibility study to develop a “hydrogen valley” anchored in the platinum group metals-rich Bushveld geological area in South Africa. Spearheaded by South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the collaboration agreement also includes energy and services company Engie, the South African National Development Institute (SANEDI) and clean energy solutions provider Bambili Energy (Bambili).

The UK must act now to ensure a stable supply of technology-critical metals (TCMs) essential for its transition to clean energy and the delivery of its ten point plan for a green industrial revolution, according to a new Policy Commission report produced by the University of Birmingham.

Fugro has been selected by Terna SpA, owner of the Italian national transmission grid (NTG) for high and extra-high voltage power, to perform a large multidisciplinary survey for part of the Tyrrhenian Link, a nationally strategic project to install two undersea HVDC electrical power cables connecting the Italian peninsula with the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has congratulated Santos on being awarded an Authority to Prospect (ATP) in the gas-rich Bowen and Surat Basins.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Resources Minister Scott Stewart’s announcement that Santos had been granted a domestic gas ATP was a win for the gas industry and for industrial and household consumers.

Fugro has signed a strategic framework agreement (SFA) with dCarbonX, a pioneering geo-energy resource company, for decarbonisation exploration projects supporting the development of offshore geo-energy resources in the UK and Ireland. The SFA will enable Fugro and dCarbonX to collaborate on decarbonisation exploration projects at the earliest opportunity and to share relevant data, technological insights and operational scheduling.

The production of cement releases large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Only a third of these CO₂ emissions result from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum coke, while the biggest share is released by the calcination of limestone. Depending on quality, limestone – the main component of cement – consists of 35% to 44% CO₂.

Fully involved in a project resulting in the successful acquisition of a 1.7 GW hydroelectric portfolio by Engie and partners Crédit Agricole Assurances and Mirova, Tractebel expertise has contributed to further strengthen Engie’s presence in Portugal and on the Iberian renewable market.

Shell Overseas Investments BV (Shell) has agreed to acquire 100% of virtual power plant (VPP) operator Next Kraftwerke from its consortium of shareholders. The deal is expected to complete during the second quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory approval.

The question of how to best reconcile sustainable technologies in built-up areas with affordable living space is currently being examined in the German city of Jena. As part of a research project, the regional growth initiative “smood – smart neighborhood” is working on innovative solutions for the energy-efficient refurbishment of older neighborhoods.

GeoResources Team Wishes You and Your Families a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2021

Image credits: Thanks to Erik Liebermann, 2020, https://www.liebermann-cartoons.de/

Cimic Group’s UGL has been awarded several contracts in the utilities sector, with a combined value of more than $112 million.

Anglo American announces the award of a ten-year charter contract for four LNG fuelled capesize+ vessels, introducing LNG into its chartered fleet for the first time. The new build LNG vessels offer significant environmental benefits, including a c.35% cut in CO₂ emissions compared to standard marine fuel, while also using new technology to eliminate the release of unburnt methane, or so-called “methane slip”.

Fugro has used their integrated augmented-reality solutions to support Jan De Nul Group’s offshore installation of two monopiles for the first two offshore wind turbine foundations in US federal waters.

Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, in collaboration with the gas networks, has produced a feasibility study that will contribute to the ongoing assessments of the ability to use the existing UK gas transmission and distribution networks to transport hydrogen. The project is the first to bring together all the gas distribution networks, working collaboratively to develop an innovative hydrogen solution that could be an answer to decarbonised energy for heat, transport, industry and power generation, helping the UK meets its target to be net zero carbon by 2050.

Skanska signed a contract with Statkraft Energi AS for the refurbishment and upgrade of four dams and one flood gate. The contract is worth NOK 508 M, about SEK 485 M, which will be included in the Nordic order bookings for the third quarter 2020.

Geosynthetics play a vital role in the containment of solid and liquid waste in landfills, mining, energy, construction and oil & gas applications. To help design engineers accurately specify the materials needed, Solmax has launched an important online resource for engineers – its Geosynthetic Drainage Tool.