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Search results for: “renewables”

  • Renewable diesel: the economics?

    Renewable diesel: the economics?

    Our base case is that a US renewable diesel facility must achieve $4.6/gallon sales revenues (which is c$200/bbl) as it commercializes a product with up to 75% lower embedded emissions than conventional diesel. Similarly, a bio-diesel facility must achieve $3.6/gallon sales on a product with 60% lower embedded emissions.

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  • Energy transition technologies: the pace of progress?

    Energy transition technologies: the pace of progress?

    This data-file captures over 250,000 patents (ex-China) to assess the pace of progress in different energy transition technologies, yielding insights into batteries (high activity), autonomous vehicles and additive manufacturing (fastest acceleration), wind and solar (maturing), fuel cells and biofuels (waning) and other technologies.

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  • Super-capacitors: technology leaders?

    Super-capacitors: technology leaders?

    This data-file screens for the ‘top twenty’ technology leaders in super-capacitors, by assessing c2,000 Western patents filed since 2013. The screen comprises capital goods conglomerates, materials companies, an Oil Major with exposure and specialist companies improving SC energy density.

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  • Green Hydrogen Economy: Holy Roman Empire?

    Green Hydrogen Economy: Holy Roman Empire?

    We model the green hydrogen value chain: harnessing renewable energy, electrolysing water, storing the hydrogen, then generating usable power in a fuel cell. Todayโ€™s costs are very high, at 64c/kWh. Even by 2050, our best case scenario is 14c/kWh, which elevates household electricity bills by $440-990/year compared with decarbonizing natural gas.

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  • Hydrogen vehicles and fuelling stations: where’s the IP?

    Hydrogen vehicles and fuelling stations: where’s the IP?

    We cleaned 18,600 patents into hydrogen vehicles and vehicle fuelling stations. Technology leaders include large auto-makers, industrial gas companies, Energy Majors and hydrogen specialists. Overall, the patents indicate the array of challenges that must be solved to scale up hydrogen fuel in transport.

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  • Green hydrogen trucks: delivery costs?

    Green hydrogen trucks: delivery costs?

    We have modelled full-cycle economics of a green hydrogen value chain to decarbonize trucks. In Europe, at $6/gallon diesel, hydrogen trucks will be 30% more expensive in the 2020s. They could be cost-competitive by the 2040s. But the numbers are generous and logistical challenges remain. Niche adoption is more likely than a wholesale shift.

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  • Solar power: decline rates?

    Solar power: decline rates?

    This data-file tabulates the ‘decline rates’ of 3,200 US solar power plants going back to 2001. The median YoY decline is found to run at 2.5%. However, the data are volatile and variable. Hence this data-file gives full granularity, asset by asset. Decline rates could detract c4pp from the IRRs of future solar projects and…

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  • Floating offshore wind: what challenges?

    Floating offshore wind: what challenges?

    This data-file ranks the greatest challenges for the floating offshore wind industry, by reviewing 50 recent patents, filed by leading companies. The challenges are relatively immutable. They likely double capex and levelized costs, compared with traditional offshore wind.

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  • Electrolysers: how much deflation ahead for hydrogen?

    Electrolysers: how much deflation ahead for hydrogen?

    For green hydrogen to become competitive, total electrolyser costs must deflate by over 75% from current levels around $1,000/kW. This 14-page note breaks down the numbers and the challenges, based on patents and technical papers. We argue 15-25% total cost deflation may be more realistic if manufacturers also strive to make a margin.

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  • Solar power: what challenges?

    Solar power: what challenges?

    This data-file reviews 70 patents filed by leading solar manufacturers in 2020. We expect double-digit deflation to continue, while solar panels will also gain greater efficiency and longevity. The cutting edge is now in current collectors. Examples and improvements areas are described for each company.

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