Energy Initiatives News

ABS and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are to collaborate on clean energy development in the maritime domain and decarbonization of maritime operations after signing a new memorandum of understanding (MOU).The agreement between the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and ABS is designed to leverage experience and capabilities from both organizations to support emissions reduction initiatives that benefit the maritime industry.“This new agreement allows…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the final air quality permit for Dominion Energy’s 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project located off the coast of Virginia Beach in the United States.Issued on April 9 following a 30-day public comment period, the permit authorizes the construction and operation of the largest offshore wind project in the U.S.

Geir Bjørkeli has made the decision to step down from his role as CEO of Corvus Energy. However, he will continue in his position until at the latest December 31, 2023."After leading Corvus for five and a half years, I believe it is time for the company to have a new leader. Together with the rest of the team, I have dedicated extensive efforts to elevate Corvus into a prominent green industrial company within the maritime sector. The company continues to experience significant growth, with supply issues resolved post-pandemic and record-high order intake.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore on Wednesday announced goals to more than quadruple the state's offshore wind capacity to 8.5 gigawatts - enough to power nearly three million homes - as part of an effort by the state to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035.Moore is working "to establish new lease areas and strengthen the offshore wind supply chain," as well as establish grants to support the effort, the governor's office said in a statement.Maryland is among a growing number of U.S. states to set plans to achieve entirely carbon-free energy in the coming years.

2022 closed with significant developments to advance offshore wind (OSW) and the necessary, related work required at U.S. ports – on the east and west coasts and the Great Lakes. Some of these developments included:Funding – MARAD’s Port Improvement Development Project (PIDP) grants provided over $100 million for wind at four ports.Corporate leadership – Marine giants Foss and Crowley stepped up to lead development projects in California and Massachusetts.New industry focus – The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) started a program called POWERS – “Port Opportunities With Energy…

The Biden administration on Wednesday said it had reinstated bids from a November 2021 Gulf of Mexico sale of offshore oil and gas drilling rights, a requirement buried in U.S. President Joe Biden’s new climate change and drug pricing law.The move comes after a federal judge in January vacated the sale’s results, saying the administration had failed to properly account for the auction’s impact on global warming.The Inflation Reduction act, which President Joe Biden signed into law last month…

No, that’s not the clarinet and saxophone sections in the band. New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) released an RFP (request for proposals) on January 7 seeking a “qualified entity to conduct a feasibility study for a world-class, flagship offshore wind research and development (R&D) testing facility as part of the Authority’s strategy to accelerate innovation for the offshore wind industry.” EDA lists three goals for the proposed Institute:Establish NJ as a leader in offshore wind technology research and innovation…

Intellian received type approval from Inmarsat for its new FB250 and Fleet One L-band terminals, making it one of the first to market with user terminals for operation on Inmarsat’s catalyst L-band network, ELERA. The FB250 is a multi-functional terminal, either acting as a stand-alone primary communications terminal or combining with Intellian’s market-leading GX60NX and GX100NX to create the perfect Fleet Xpress (FX) solution. The Fleet One terminal is designed to provide an easy-to-install…

The Dutch tank storage company Royal Vopak,  Groningen Seaports and Whitehelm Capital announce their intention to jointly invest in a 27 MW solar park. The solar photovoltaic field will be one of the largest currently in the Netherlands.The new solar park will be situated on 19 ha of land adjacent to Vopak Terminal Eemshaven, land which is currently already leased by the terminal. The produced green electricity will be made available for local use in Groningen and Vopak terminals.Based on the available energy infrastructure, Groningen and especially Eemshaven are considered strategic locations for production and storage of renewable energy in the Netherlands.

Australia's Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) is continuing to progress its renewable energy initiatives, with a tidal turbine deployed at its Barney Point Terminal in Gladstone.It is part of a six month trial aimed at demonstrating how tidal flows at the Port of Gladstone can be harnessed to produce electricity, according to a press release from the Queensland's largest multi-commodity port and the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia.GPC has partnered with MAKO Turbines Pty Ltd for the demonstration, which is the first of its kind in Australian tropical waters using port infrastructure.Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said it is an exciting day to see the turbine in action at one of Queensland’s largest trading ports.“GPC may be best known for facilitating trade, but this is

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division's (NSWC PHD) Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS), ex-Paul F. Foster went underway for final-phase testing of two alternative fuels, May 31. The SDTS traveled to San Diego, where it took on approximately 30,000 gallons of two types of alternative fuels. The ship then proceeded on a normal cruise, demonstrating that the alternative fuels could function as a drop-in replacement, requiring no changes to equipment or operating procedures.

ExxonMobil has signed an agreement to become a founding member of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), a unique collaboration aimed at working together to advance and explore the future of energy. MIT President Rafael Reif and TJ Wojnar, Jr., president of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE), launched the collaborative effort during a ceremony at MIT. “At MIT, we find that working closely with industry alerts us to real-world problems and opportunities for progress. There is simply no better way to ensure that our research has an impact in the world,” said MIT President Rafael Reif. “That concept is at the heart of our long and successful relationship with ExxonMobil. “ExxonMobil has had a long and productive relationship with the outstanding faculty and students at MIT.

As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to create American jobs, cut carbon pollution and develop domestic energy sources, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced today it has taken an important step toward issuing a research lease for a facility to test utility-scale wave energy devices in federal waters off Oregon. The non-competitive lease would be for the offshore area where the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center at Oregon State University (Center) would site the hydrokinetic energy research project.

Eniram Limited, a provider of energy management technology and data analytic services to the shipping industry, announced an advanced fuel-saving product based on the Eniram vessel platform. •    Collection of the most critical data for LNG operators and owners such as boil-off and reliquification plant efficiency. •    Offers the possibility for onshore analyses of one vessel, as well as the possibility to compare the energy management performance on several vessels or on the entire fleet. •    Constant performance evaluation.

Traveling to both Brisbane and the Australian capital Canberra, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met with U.S. and Australian government and military officials to reinforce the alliance between the two countries. Mabus' visit represents a continuation of the Department of the Navy's focus on building partnerships designed to help distribute the burden of securing the global maritime domain based on alliances, shared values and mutual trust. "The United States and Australia have an historic and extensive relationship…

World crude production may rise and fall, but the historical trend shows a steady increase in the price of a barrel of oil, and with it, the price of a ton of fuel. Add the demands of shareholders and charterers to increase operational efficiency and profitability, as well as increasing international pressure to reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. It is no wonder that ship owners have seen a steady rise, as well, in the availability of technologies — from ship design to propulsion and HVAC systems to hull coatings — that are purported to reduce fuel consumption.

Military Sealift Command launched its redesigned public website and blog July 16 and 17. The new website is available at www.msc.navy.mil and includes a dynamic, user-friendly interface with updated content about the command's mission, vision and support to warfighters worldwide. "These updates are designed to inform the general public and members of the media about MSC: who we are, what we do, and why our Navy needs its noncombatant fleet," said Rear Admiral T.K. Shannon. "MSC is committed to delivering meaningful and current information on its global operations while garnering feedback from its customers, and our website serves that purpose," Shannon said. As part of its new online presence, MSC's blog interface was updated as well.

An early glimpse into the 2013 Annual Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that increased generation from renewable energy is expected to account for 32% of the overall domestic growth in electricity generation from 2011 to 2040. With this insight and reports of global growth forecasts in renewable energy from both financial and market analysts in mind, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics today announced its initiatives for composite bearings applications in renewable energy markets.

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) hosted the Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, to discuss Navy and Marine Corps energy initiative programs. The committee members toured exhibits showcasing new green technologies which will help the military conserve energy and improve consumption efficiency. Each exhibit provided a glimpse of environmentally friendly equipment that will enhance operational, tactical and fuel efficiency which is critical to the today's military.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii – The Navy’s energy future was the focus of a two-day NAVFAC Conference and Industry Day, held March 26-28 at the Koa Malina Officers Club, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay. The Navy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, will select three ocean energy power developers to occupy Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) moorings at Kaneohe Bay. "The Navy is committed to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and is leading the way on the development of viable, renewable energy sources,” said NAVFAC Pacific Vice Commander Capt. Pete Lynch. “NAVFAC Pacific is working on ways to make the Navy’s shore infrastructure more energy independent and strengthen our energy security position. The ocean is an untapped resource and possible source of renewable energy.

Speaking at awards ceremonies recently at the United States Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C., senior officers and civilian officials said new energy initiatives will reduce defense spending without sacrificing capabilities. “Taking the long view is really important,” said Monica Medina, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta responsible for energy and environmental matters. Cutting costs and increasing efficiencies through environmental and energy programs is a priority in the secretary’s office and for the Navy, she said. Her comments came after Senate and House committees voted in May against the Navy’s biofuel plans.

In three years Maersk Line says it has saved almost USD 90 million in energy costs by measuring the performance of individual vessels, thus raising awareness on consumption. Other business units are to follow suit. Maersk KPIs, Key Performance Indicators, have for years been a way of measuring how well one did in the past year. Since 2009 however, KPIs have also made their way on to the vessels in a mission to boost performance. The vessel KPIs have evolved in a close dialogue between the vessels…

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued his formal disapproval to United States Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton for the licensing of the BHP “Cabrillo Port” LNG deepwater port planned for construction off the coast of Ventura County, California. The Governor did however make it clear that he supports the state’s need for an increased LNG supply. While I believe strongly that California needs to expand its access to natural gas resources, specifically Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), I am disapproving this application based on my review of the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) that are required by state and federal law, respectively.