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☆ AI’s Power-Guzzling Habits Drive Search for Alternative Energy Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Belle Lin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Crusoe Energy, which began as a cryptocurrency mining operation, converts flared gas into electricity that powers its data centers. Photo: Crusoe EnergyThe immense amount of energy needed to power generative artificial intelligence models, like the one behind ChatGPT, is creating a new market for data centers that run on alternative energy sources. Supply of electricity, which currently powers the vast majority of data centers, is already strained from existing demands on the country’s electric grids. AI could consume up to 3.5% of the world’s electricity by 2030, according to an estimate from IT research and consulting firm Gartner .

Organizations: Energy, Gartner

☆ In a Warming World, Clean Energy Stocks Fall While Oil Prospers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Jeff Sommer | More About Jeff Sommer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the stock market doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo. Instead, the shares of a broad range of clean energy companies have been crushed lately, in a rout that encompasses just about every alternative energy sector, including solar, wind and geothermal power. At the same time, rather than weaning themselves off oil, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, the two biggest U.S. oil companies, are doubling down. The evidence that carbon emissions are warming the planet is persuasive. Yet the stock market, which is supposed to be forward-looking, is treating alternative energy companies with disdain and big oil companies with respect.

Persons: Hess Organizations: Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Exxon, Natural Resources

The Toyota logo is seen on the bonnet of a newly launched Camry Hybrid electric vehicle at a hotel in New Delhi, India, January 18, 2019. India taxes EVs at just 5%, while the levy on hybrids is as high as 43%, just below the 48% imposed on petrol cars. Indian giants Tata Motors (TAMO.NS) and Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHM.NS) are backing EVs, while Toyota and Honda Motor (7267.T) want support for hybrids. Toyota has begun developing EVs while also championing hydrogen-powered cars, saying a "multi-pathway" approach is needed to solve the climate crisis. In its letter, Toyota also asks India to bring hybrid cars under a government incentive programme that offers discounts to buyers, a scheme now available only for EVs.

Persons: Anushree, Narendra Modi's, Modi's, Vikram Gulati, Gulati, Aayog, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Aditi Shah, William Mallard Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda, EVs, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, policymaking, Toyota's India

Toyota Motor Corporation's cars are seen at a briefing on the company's strategies on battery EVs in Tokyo, Japan December 14, 2021. The Japan Mobility Show, which opens on Thursday, comes at a critical moment for the domestic industry. Toyota (7203.T), the world's top-selling automaker, this year announced a strategic pivot to battery EVs, including plans to commercialise advanced batteries and adopt die-casting technology pioneered by Tesla (TSLA.O). Toyota's shift has helped silence criticism that it was too slow to embrace battery EVs. In contrast to the darkening outlook in Japan, data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation shows that the auto market in Southeast Asia has been growing.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Koji Endo, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Companies, Japan, Japan Mobility, Tesla, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, BYD, HK, BMW, Honda, SBI Securities, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, ASEAN Automotive Federation, EV upstarts, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, China, Southeast Asia, Thailand

☆ Tesla whistleblowers filed a complaint to the SEC in 2021, but the agency never interviewed them. Here's what the complaint said
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +22 min

With a "goodwill" repair, Tesla essentially foots the bill for labor, parts or accessories given to keep a customer happy. "Were Tesla to accurately categorize its 'goodwill' repairs as warranty repairs, it would likely need to restate earnings for every quarter since at least 2017," the tipsters wrote in their submission. In one example, the tipsters said screenshots showed other Tesla employees changed the status of material used in manufacturing from "scrap" to "work in progress." In another example, the complaint said screenshots showed Tesla employees had manually changed the status of "used" cars to "new" in a program that tracked vehicle deliveries data. In correspondence to the agency expanding on their complaint, the whistleblowers alleged this raises questions about the firm's independence and objectivity in judging Tesla's financials.

Persons: Brandon Bell, Elon, Tesla's, Tesla, Musk, Ann Lipton, Lipton, Karen Nelson, Nelson, Nicholas Parks, it's, Oxley, restate financials Organizations: Getty, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, CNBC . Agency staff, CNBC, Twitter, Tulane Law School, University of Chicago Law School, Securities, Sarbanes, Oxley, Texas Christian University, Public Company, Tesla, Parks, Nelson, Business, Exchange, Board, SpaceX, The Boring, California Alternative Energy, Transportation Financing Authority Locations: Austin , Texas, Tesla, California, U.S, Delaware

☆ Plug Power CEO: The future of gas turbines is going to go away
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPlug Power CEO: The future of gas turbines is going to go awayAndy Marsh, Plug Power CEO, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss issues in innovation in alternative energy, the future of hydrogen, and more.

Persons: Andy Marsh

☆ IMF fiscal chief: U.S., China must rein in debt, face different challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

IMF Director of Fiscal Affairs Vitor Gaspar speaks to reporters at the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, U.S., October 12, 2022. Continuing along their projected fiscal paths will ultimately cause difficulties for the world's two largest economies, Gaspar told Reuters in an interview. The U.S. and China are fueling a projected return to higher debt levels after two years of falling debt-to-GDP ratios as a post-COVID growth surge fades. DEFICITS RISINGGaspar said the challenge for the United States was persistently high and growing budget deficits. GROWTH FADESChina faces different challenges, the largest of which is slowing economic growth.

Persons: Vitor Gaspar, James Lawler Duggan, Gaspar, David Lawder, John Stonestreet Organizations: Fiscal, International Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Rights, Monetary Fund Fiscal, Reuters, U.S, Congressional Budget Office, Social, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Rights MARRAKECH, Morocco, U.S, China, United States, Washington

☆ Dislocation in utilities has created an attractive buying opportunity, says KeyBanc's Sophie Karp
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDislocation in utilities has created an attractive buying opportunity, says KeyBanc's Sophie KarpSophie Karp, utilities and alternative energy analyst at KeyBanc, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss how rising rates hurt the utilities sector dividend yield, dislocation in utilities prices creating opportunity for investors, and utilities recovering the cost of capital by passing on rates to consumers.

Persons: KeyBanc's Sophie Karp Sophie Karp

☆ Why superyacht builders are investing in solar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Early tech adopters are investing in a new toy: solar-powered electric yachts. "I believe electric yachts and electric motors will be the main propulsion of pleasure yachts and even cargo vessels in the near future." The company says it has an order book of 160 million euros ($168 million), with prices ranging from 3.2 million euros for its 60-foot yacht to 30 million euros for the fully equipped version of its 120-foot vessel. "The smallest boat is around 1.5 million euros and on the upper range there really is no limit. "We think there is a sweet spot for solar electric boats between 50 and 120 feet," said Kress.

Persons: Mike Horn, Michael Köhler, it's, Heiki, Stephan Kress, Sunreef, Rafael Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Nicola Lapp, Kress Organizations: SuperYacht Times, of Yachting, ForSea Ferries, Allied Market Research, Silent Yachts, Yachts, Formula Locations: SuperYacht Times ', North America, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Gdansk, Poland, Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, Sunreef

☆ Solar energy shines in global survey with 68% support
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Anthony Deutsch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAMSTERDAM, Sept 15 (Reuters) - More than two-thirds of the world's population favours solar energy, five times more than public support for fossil fuels, a global poll has found. With 68% support, solar power was the most popular energy source, trailed by wind (54%), hydropower (35%) and nuclear (24%), with only 14% of respondents saying they favoured fossil fuels, the survey found. Fossil fuels, however, still accounted for 77% of global energy consumption in 2022, said Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer at Global Citizen. "This 'production gap' highlights a concerning paradox: despite strong public support for renewable energy, fossil fuel production remains prevalent," he said. Global energy demand rose 1% last year and record renewables growth did nothing to shift the dominance of fossil fuels, the most recent Statistical Review of World Energy report said.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Glocalities, Michael Sheldrick, Anthony Deutsch, Kate Abnett, Miral Fahmy, Jane Merriman Organizations: House, REUTERS, Rights, Global Citizen, Initiative, Pew Research, Government, Democrat, World Energy, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn , New York, U.S, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United States, Europe, Ukraine, Paris

☆ EU economics chief says Europe is gripped by a ‘double crisis’ — but it can avoid a recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Europe is facing the impact of a "double crisis," but the region can avoid a recession, Paolo Gentiloni, the European Commissioner for economic affairs, told CNBC on Saturday. "I think we are we facing the impact of the double crisis," Gentiloni said in reference to the geopolitical impact from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent economic hit to the European continent. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year sparked serious fears in Europe that the region would enter a significant economic slowdown. The euro area, in the end, grew at a rate of 3.5% in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund. "The slowing down started from the last quarter of 2022 and it is there, but please don't call this a recession, because I think we can avoid a recession, we are avoiding recession," he said.

Persons: Paolo Gentiloni, Gentiloni, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick Organizations: CNBC, International Monetary Fund, Ambrosetti Locations: Europe, Ukraine, U.S, Germany, Russia, China

What young investors wantRecent survey data indicates that Cohen isn't alone. And active young investors are willing to give up returns to see that goal through. Nearly a fifth of the Gen Z investors said they would accept returns between 9% and 11.8%, rather than the full 12% average return. The data comes as accountability measures and standards for ESG investing are hotly debated. "What we see with ESG investing is that it creates something that you can signal to other people."

Persons: Hannah Cohen, Cohen, Cohen isn't, X, Gen, boomers, Matthew Ivler, I'm, Ivler, Joe Biden, Julie O'Brien, O'Brien Organizations: Energy ETF, Global, Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF, U.S . Bank, Chevron, Edison International, Resources ETF, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Rock Center, Corporate Governance, Hoover Institution, U.S . Department of Labor, Republicans Locations: Washington

☆ These 11 funds have performed as well as tech stocks over the past 5 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Look beyond tech But there are opportunities beyond tech: Morningstar data reveals the funds outside of tech and growth sectors that have also outperformed over the last five years. Top holdings include Home Depot, Johnson Controls International, Floor & Décor and Trane Technologies. Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund : This fund picks companies in the alternative energy sector, with at least half of the business dedicated to renewable energy or energy efficiency. Global X Lithium and Battery Tech ETF : The ETF comprises lithium producers and lithium battery makers — all essential to electric vehicles. Top holdings include United Airlines, Marathon Oil, Tyson Foods, Best Buy, and Synchrony Financial.

Persons: James Demmert, Hubbell, MasTec, Invesco Russell, Russell, Vanguard Baillie Gifford Organizations: Street Research, U.S . Federal, Morningstar, Enphase Energy, Fidelity, Housing, Home, Johnson, Trane Technologies, Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund, Schneider, NextEra Energy, Shelton Sustainable Equity Fund, Bunge, Battery Tech ETF, Samsung SDI, Trust, Industrial Renaissance, SPX Technologies, Sterling Infrastructure, Global, U.S . Infrastructure Development, Holdings, Rockwell Automation, United Rentals, Deere, Co, United Airlines, Marathon Oil, Tyson Foods, Synchrony, Heptagon, Equity Fund, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, TransMedics, FTAI Aviation, Vanguard, Moderna, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Coursera, Water Resources, Nasdaq, Water Locations: Luxembourg, Eaton, Albemarle

☆ An Energy Correspondent Hunts for Alternatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Ivan Penn | More About Ivan Penn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A small number of Americans use the batteries in their electric vehicles to power their homes during an outage. And as heat waves began smothering much of the Southern United States earlier this summer, the time seemed right. I’m based in Los Angeles, in part because California has become a hub for clean energy technologies. But for our article, which was published last week, we wanted to see how alternative energy technology was being used in other areas of the United States. We picked Nashville, a place not known for electric vehicles, home batteries or solar panels.

Organizations: The New York Times, Energy, Business, Southern United Locations: Southern United States, Los Angeles, California, United States, Nashville

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi arrives to inspect the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant with Japanese officials on July 5, 2023. The report found the wastewater release plan will have a “negligible” impact on people and the environment, adding that it was an “independent and transparent review,” not a recommendation or endorsement. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi during an inspection in Fukushima, Japan, on July 5, 2023. “This is the DNA of the IAEA – to be the nuclear watchdog for nuclear operations, the nuclear watchdog for nuclear safety and security. “If there was one lesson that came clearly after the Fukushima accident, it’s that the nuclear safety standards should be observed to the letter,” he added.

Persons: Tokyo CNN —, Rafael Grossi, “, ”, Hiro Komae, Grossi, Fumio Kishida, ” It’s, –, ” Grossi, Ukraine – Organizations: Tokyo CNN, United Nations, CNN, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, ”, Pacific Islands Forum, AP International Locations: Tokyo, ” Japan, South Korea, China, Fukushima, Japan, – Japan, United States, Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Seoul, Ukraine

☆ 63 cruise ships owned by Carnival Corporation released more toxic sulfur gasses than all the cars in Europe, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Hannah Towey | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

63 cruise ships owned by Carnival Corp. emitted more sulfur oxides than all the cars in Europe in 2022. The cruise industry is investing in alternative energy sources such as LNG fuel and shore power. Though the IMO rule slashes the sulfur emissions of individual ships, it has done nothing to limit the increasing number of cruise ships in recent years. Compared to 2019, cruise ships are also spending more time at European ports and consuming more fuel, per the report. As a result, cruise ships overall emitted 9% more sulfur oxides in 2022 than in 2017, according to Transport & Environment.

Persons: MIGUEL MEDINA, Robert Rohde, — Dr, We're Organizations: Carnival Corp, European Federation for Transport, Environment, Carnival Corporation, International Maritime Organization, Transport & Environment, Cruise, Carnival Locations: Europe, Venice, AFP, Berkeley, Paris, New, York

☆ The world’s most eco-conscious airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Elissa Garay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Most sustainability experts will scoff at the idea of “sustainable” and “airlines” in the same sentence. In 2022, an Airbus wide-body Beluga XL transport aircraft was filled with Sustainable Aviation Fuel" (SAF) for the first time. WiderøeNorway-based Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, says it is on track to become one of the world’s first fully emissions-free airlines. Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines has invested heavily in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty ImagesWhile most major global airlines are targeting 2050 for net-zero carbon emissions, Alaska Airlines intends to meet that target as soon as 2040.

Persons: ”, Pedro Piris, Sola Zheng, Sina Schuldt, Nicolas Jammes, ” Akbar Al Baker, “, Zheng, –, that’s, it’s, Beata Zawrzel, Fabrizio Gandolfo, Nicolas Economou, Bauer, Griffin, It’s Organizations: CNN, Environmental Defense Fund, International Council, Clean Transportation, Commercial, International Air Transport Association, UN, Airbus, Beluga XL, Sustainable Aviation, Qatar Airways, SAF, European Union, Google, Environmental Defense, Airlines, United Airlines United, Aerospace, United, Flight Fund, Widerøe Norway, Widerøe, Royce, SAS SAS, Scandinavian, SAS, Wizz, Wizz Air, Etihad Airways Etihad, Getty, Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates, Boeing, Etihad, Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines, Aviation Fuels, AaronP, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada Canadian, Air Canada Locations: Europe, Denmark, Sweden, ICCT, Scandinavia, Norway, Canada

☆ State leaders targeting climate investing have quiet stakes in the fossil fuel industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Fitzpatrick is among a group of powerful Republican state leaders who have waged similar fights against environmentally conscious investing as they held personal investments in, or saw political support from, the fossil fuel industry. Some of the state officials have received campaign donations from fossil fuel companies or their executives. "He has never 'had private briefings tied back to the fossil fuel industry' nor does he personally direct or execute trades himself. Hegar co-signed an open letter in 2021 with other state financial officers that was addressed to the U.S. banking industry and defended the fossil fuel industry. He also co-signed the 2022 letter to Biden from a slate of other state financial officers defending the fossil fuel industry.

☆ CEOs like Jamie Dimon, Warren Buffett, and Elon Musk want the government to fight inequality and 'reignite the American dream'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Ethan Dodd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

His proposals include investing in American industry, teaching students workplace skills, and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Forecasting "storm clouds ahead," Dimon wants the government to drive economic growth by subsidizing industry, investing in the workforce, and reducing income inequality. Following in Buffett's footsteps, Dimon said JPMorgan owes its business success to the "extraordinary conditions our country creates" for economic growth. Akin to Musk, Dimon said he didn't want the government to micromanage industry, believing "Adam Smith's invisible hand still prevails." He suggested expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, a tax refund that allows lower-income working individuals and families to keep more of their earned income.

☆ Column: Europe's stunted hydro & nuclear output may hobble recovery drive
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

PHASED OUT & DRIED UPNuclear and hydro power accounted for an average of 40% of total electricity generation in Europe from 2000 to 2020, Ember data shows. But that proportion of electricity generation dropped to less than 35% in 2022 as a combination of drought in key hydro areas alongside planned shutdowns of outdated nuclear capacity dealt a double-whammy to hydro and nuclear generation assets. Record low snowfall and precipitation over the past winter looks set to drive hydro generation potential even lower in 2023. France, Europe's top nuclear power producer, is also struggling with sharply lower nuclear power generation. If conditions stay dry and nuclear output remains curtailed, Europe's electricity producers will struggle to increase overall electricity generation without resorting to increased use of fossil fuels.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration is determined to oust current CEO Francesco Starace, several sources told Reuters. OPPORTUNITYWith almost 60 Gigawatt (GW) of installed capacity, Enel is one of the world's biggest players in renewable energy. The company, which has been hit by soaring gas prices and government measures capping bills to shield consumers, saw net profit slip to 5.4 billion euros last year, from 5.6 billion euros in 2021. In November Enel unveiled its updated strategy to 2025, pledging to cut net debt by 21 billion euros via asset disposals, while at the same time investing 37 billion euros and increasing installed renewable capacity by 21 GW. You can't have an Italian only Enel, it would be such a step back," de Lamaze said.

☆ German Vice Chancellor Habeck arrives in Ukraine on surprise visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, April 3 (Reuters) - German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has arrived in Ukraine on a surprise visit, Germany's energy and economy ministry said on Monday, in his first trip to the country since the outbreak of war. On the agenda is the reconstruction of Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since Moscow invaded the country in February 2022, and cooperation in the energy sector, the Spiegel news magazine reported. A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed the visit, saying Habeck, who also serves as minister for energy and the economy, arrived in Kyiv early on Monday. Ukraine's energy sector has repeatedly come under Russian attacks during the conflict, at times leaving millions of people without power. The war also triggered an energy policy overhaul in Berlin, which was forced to look for alternative energy partners after abandoning its close economic relations with Russia.

☆ Big Oil Eyes New Deals in North Africa Amid Rising Energy Demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Chao Deng | Benoit Faucon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

North Africa’s massive oil-and-gas reserves and its proximity to Europe make it an attractive alternative energy supplier to Russia. CAIRO—After years of underinvestment in North Africa’s energy infrastructure, global oil-and-gas giants from Halliburton Co. and Chevron Corp. to Eni SpA are ramping up their presence in the region as demand from Europe grows. Executives in the industry are betting it is worth drilling again in some of the hardest places to do business in the world as Europe increasingly turns to other sources for its energy needs after shunning its main supplier, Russia, over the invasion of Ukraine. In recent months, a string of European officials have visited the region to help advance talks over potential supply deals.

☆ GOP House Oversight chairman James Comer criticizes Silicon Valley Bank as 'one of the most woke banks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

James Comer attributed Silicon Valley Bank's failure to its "woke" ESG investments. "This could be a trend and there are consequences for bad Democrat policy," Comer said on Sunday. Silicon Valley Bank's clients started running for the exits after the bank's management sold $21 billion worth of bonds at a $1.8 billion loss. It has become the biggest bank failure in the US since the 2008 financial crisis. Representatives for Comer and Silicon Valley Bank did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

☆ Where Paul Wick, seasoned tech stock investor, is raising his bets now
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

So when a position opened up at the Seligman Communications and Information fund, the firm's then-chief investment officer asked Wick to take it over. Today, the Columbia Seligman Technology and Information fund (CCIZX) that Wick began running on New Year's Day in 1990, has $8.5 billion in assets under management. "It's really hard to guess how will the technology industry change in five years. By now, Wick has relationships going back decades in the tech industry. As of January, the Technology and Information fund held 2.96% of its assets in Bloom, up from 2.36% in October.

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