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☆ Column: Germany goes all in on energy transition with nuclear shutdowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | 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

To combat that vulnerability, and ensure Germany's energy system can accommodate a recovery in power demand from last year's stunted levels despite lower gas-fired and nuclear output, Germany's power producers must continue to retool the country's entire power system at record pace. FIT FOR PURPOSEThe key near-term challenge for Germany's energy producers is to generate as much power and electricity as was delivered before Russia's incursions into Ukraine upended power markets. The lower electricity generation totals also indicate that power producers may be struggling to lift overall generation levels given the falling supplies of nuclear power output and continued tight availability of natural gas. The extent of coal's demand growth will be determined by overall power demand needs in Germany over the coming months. But with low-emitting nuclear power now off the table, more coal use looks inevitable, at least over the near term.

☆ Don’t Expect Mass Adoption of Electric Cars Anytime Soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Ted Nordhaus | Ashley Nunes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, shown at a trade event in Los Angeles in 2019, is the third-best selling electric car in the U.S. but costs $15,000 more than its gas-powered equivalent. If you believe the hype about electric vehicles (EVs), the internal combustion engine will soon be a thing of the past. Congress, under the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act, has extended generous subsidies to buyers of EVs. President Biden wants EVs to account for 67% of auto sales by 2032, and California plans to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in 2035. Soon enough, proponents suggest, EVs will be sitting in every American driveway, ending our love affair with the internal combustion engine, breaking our centurylong dependence on oil and allowing the U.S. to deeply cut its carbon emissions.

Ford officials declined to say whether the plant will assemble five EV models, as agreed with Unifor during the 2020 contract talks. The Oakville plant currently builds combustion Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus SUVs. Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley has said Ford will have the ability to assemble 2 million EVs globally by 2026. Ford officials said Oakville will build the automaker's next-generation EVs, which Ford executives have said will have to be more efficient, easier to assemble and more competitive with the Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) vehicles that currently lead in North American market EV sales. Battery cells for the Oakville-built EVs will come from a factory Ford and battery partner SK On plan are building in Kentucky, Nowicki said.

☆ Ford to invest $1.3 billion to build EV manufacturing hub in Canada
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

DETROIT – Ford Motor will invest 1.8 billion Canadian dollars (about $1.3 billion) in its Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, to transition the facility into a new electric vehicle hub, the automaker said Tuesday. The plant, which will be renamed the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex, will build the company's next-generation EVs that are expected to arrive to market around mid-decade. The retooling is expected to take six months and begin in the second quarter of next year, Ford said. Ford declined to disclose the plant's expected production capacity or how many electric vehicle models the retooled facility will build. The Oakville plant will continue to build the gas-powered Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus crossovers up until the plant's downtime next year.

☆ Renewable Diesel Booms Despite Concern Over Effect on Food Prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Bob Henderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Annual production of renewable diesel tripled in the past few years and is projected to keep climbing. U.S. production of renewable diesel hit 5 million gallons a day for the first time in January, according to recent U.S. Energy Information Administration data, continuing a two-year boom. The biofuel is a key part of federal and state government plans to mitigate climate change by cutting carbon emissions. Production has swelled since 2021. Incentives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of California, combined with pandemic-depressed demand for conventional fuels, motivated many energy companies to start retooling refineries to make renewable diesel.

☆ Volkswagen not planning new combustion engine Golf, Automobilwoche reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Volkswagen AG FollowBERLIN, April 2 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) does not plan to develop a new combustion engine generation of its legendary Golf car, brand chief Thomas Schaefer told autos publication Automobilwoche on Sunday, marking the end of the line for a vehicle on sale since 1974. The Golf 8, currently in production, will be the last combustion engine version of the hatchback car, with one more series of updates expected next year. The Volkswagen brand, part of the Volkswagen Group, is targeting 80% electric sales in Europe and 55% in North America by 2030. The group is targeting 50% electric sales globally by then. It is due to launch 10 new electric models by 2026, including a battery-electric car for under 25,000 euros($27,000).

☆ Column: The ironic side effects of the rapid global energy transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | 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

This chorus of support for the energy transition has ignited an almost frantic renewable energy development spree across the world, with green energy generation capacity growing at a record pace in every major economy. On January 1st, 2020, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) implemented ship emissions standards that slashed the maximum level of sulfur allowed in shipping fuels. As sulfur levels dropped more radiation was absorbed. Old solar panels face a similar predicament, especially ones that lack the efficiency of newer models and in the eyes of resellers are not worth collecting from old sites and homes. They can also face volatile market prices for the recycled and reclaimed materials they do manage to gather.

☆ Column: Future of nuclear power growth lies outside Europe and N. America: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | 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

Nuclear power generation by key regionThese divergent trends are being fuelled by contrasting and somewhat contradictory views of nuclear power's role in the global energy mix. In Western economies, nuclear power is commonly characterized as an outdated and potentially harmful component of a legacy energy system that requires urgent overhaul if ambitious climate targets are to be achievable by 2050. Similarly, the most recent expansion phase for nuclear power in the United States was in the late 1980s, meaning that many of the country's youngest plants are already in their fourth decade of deployment. China, by far the world's most aggressive renewable energy deployer, is also leading the charge in terms of planned expansions to nuclear power. The country is expected to account for 44% of the prospective total increases in nuclear capacity, which would see it handily leapfrog the United States as the global nuclear leader.

☆ Stellantis to invest $155 million in U.S. to produce new electric drive modules
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowMILAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Tuesday it will invest a total of $155 million in three plants located in Kokomo, Indiana, to produce new electric drive modules (EDM) that will be fitted in electric vehicles which the carmaker will assemble in North America. "With the investment, more than 265 jobs will be retained across all three plants," it said. Stellantis aims to have battery electric vehicles (BEV) account for 50% of its sales in the U.S. by 2030. Stellantis was created through the $52 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA in 2021. Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Column: Europe's industry to feel the sting of high & rising carbon costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | 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

EU carbon credit pricesTwo-thirds of Europe's emissions stem from just three sectors: energy supply (24.2%), domestic transport (20.7%) and industry (20.7%), according to European Environment Agency (EEA) data from 2020, the latest available. Industry accounts for 25% of Germany's total energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), so any successful retooling of Germany's energy systems will likely set trends across Europe. That would mark a 42% drop in only 8 years, and compares to an 18.7% reduction in total emissions from 2010 to 2022. However, given the expected shuttering of Germany's remaining coal plants and least efficient gas-fed power stations, the energy sector's target may be reachable. Germany industry energy use by power sourceCertain sectors are banking on the roll-out of clean hydrogen for use as a fuel instead of natural gas.

☆ Explainer: What's known about Tesla's "Project Highland"?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The automaker has not commented on the new version, codenamed Highland. With the new model, Tesla is aiming to cut production costs and boost the appeal of the five-year-old electric sedan, Reuters reported in November. Building permits filed with the city of Fremont concerning changes to its factory have referenced "Highland" since last June. Apart from the Cybertruck, it is the only new model that Tesla is retooling assembly lines for this year. Tesla fans and armchair analysts speculate that "Highland" could be a reference to Ford Motor Co's (F.N) Highland Park plant, where Henry Ford launched his moving assembly line.

☆ Luxury brands diverge: Tapestry stock rises while Capri slides after earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tapestry , the company behind Coach and Kate Spade, beat analyst expectations Thursday for its second quarter earnings and raised its annual profit forecast. Though, it was a different story for its competitor Capri Holdings , whose brands include Michael Kors and Versace. Tapestry's gains, sending the stock up over 3% Thursday, came a day after Capri's disappointing third quarter earnings report. Rick Patel, managing director at Raymond James, said both Tapestry and Capri have "done a great job" bringing new, younger customers into their brands through social media and website appeal. Tapestry reported per-share earnings of $1.36 on Thursday, topping estimates of $1.27, according to a survey of analysts conducted by Refinitiv.

☆ Indonesia says BASF, Eramet near $2.6 bln deal to process nickel for EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A logo is seen on the facade of the BASF plant and former Ciba production site in Schweizerhalle near Basel July 7, 2009. Indonesia's investment ministry cited BASF chief executive Martin Brudermüller as saying the project investment would be worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.59 billion). Eramet spokeswoman Fanny Mounier said the project was subject to a final investment decision and further details would be disclosed if a decision was made. The planned plant would produce mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) from nickel through a high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) plant. Investment into MHP production in Indonesia has so far been dominated by Chinese companies such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan Holding Group.

☆ BASF, Eramet near $2.6 bln Indonesia deal to process nickel for EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JAKARTA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Germany's BASF (BASFn.DE) and French miner Eramet (ERMT.PA) are finalising a $2.6 billion partnership deal to invest in a facility in Indonesia to process nickel for use in batteries for electric vehicles, Indonesian officials said. The project investment would be worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.59 billion), the investment ministry said, citing BASF chief executive Martin Brudermüller. BASF and Eramet's investment plan was in line with the government's "aspirations to set up Indonesia as world-class EV player," said Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. Indonesia is also finalising agreements with Chinese automaker BYD Group and Tesla (TSLA.O) to invest in EV production facilities, a senior cabinet minister said on Tuesday. Investment into MHP production in Indonesia has so far been dominated by Chinese companies such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan Holding Group.

☆ Zelenskyy and Putin promise victory in contrasting New Year speeches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The attacks followed a barrage of more than 20 cruise missiles fired across Ukraine on Saturday — and many bombardments earlier. “The main thing is the fate of Russia,” Putin, dressed in a dark suit and tie, said. Reiterating that the West is supposedly intent on “destroying Russia” by using Kyiv, Putin vowed he will never allow that. While Putin immediately blamed Kyiv for orchestrating the powerful blast, Ukraine had not previously claimed responsibility for it — or any other attacks inside Russia, since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. We’ve shouted all the prayers,” Zelenskyy said.

☆ Zelenskiy, Putin promise victory in contrasting New Year speeches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Lidia Kelly | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses Ukrainian people on the New Year eve, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released December 31, 2022. We say: we have no other option than to win," said Zelenskiy, dressed in his trademark khaki outfit and standing in darkness with the Ukrainian flag fluttering behind. The attacks followed a barrage of more than 20 cruise missiles fired across Ukraine on Saturday - and many bombardments earlier. "The main thing is the fate of Russia," Putin, dressed in a dark suit and tie, said. Reiterating that the West is supposedly intent on "destroying Russia" by using Kyiv, Putin vowed he will never allow that.

☆ Column: Why G7 aims to crack Vietnam's coal fix with $15.5 billion deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Between 2017 and 2021, Vietnam's power sector emissions from burning fossil fuels jumped by 65.3% to more than 121 million tonnes of CO2 or equivalent gases, data from Ember shows. That's the fastest growth in all of Southeast Asia, and places Vietnam as the second largest power sector polluter in the region behind Indonesia (another target of JTEP efforts). Export earnings topped a record $330 billion in 2021, up from $70 billion in 2010, International Monetary Fund data shows. According to data from Ember, 64.3% of Vietnam's electricity was generated from fossil fuels in 2021 (52% coal, 12% gas), while 35.7% came from clean energy sources (30% hydropower, 5% solar). In addition, due to its proximity to other fast-growing economies with similar ambitions to develop manufacturing hubs - including the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia - any successful retooling of Vietnam's energy system can be used as a template elsewhere.

☆ Wall Street Journal insiders are buzzing about what a leadership shake-up could mean for Murdoch world
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Steven Perlberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sunday Times editor Emma Tucker is expected to replace Journal editor Matt Murray, Semafor reported. News Corp insiders believe Murdoch might make changes ahead of a possible recombination of News Corp and Fox. Is Rupert Murdoch planning to move his editorial chess pieces ahead of a potential recombination of News Corp and Fox? Last month, Semafor reported that Wall Street Journal editor Matt Murray is expected to be replaced by Emma Tucker, who leads fellow News Corp title The Sunday Times in London. That report followed the October disclosure that Murdoch is considering recombining News Corp with Fox Corp, with both companies convening special committees to review options.

☆ There is a growing shadow campaign to defend Joe Biden from House Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Seitz-Wald-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alex Seitz-Wald | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Three new "war rooms" have sprung up in the past two weeks to combat the House Republican investigations, each backed by multimillion-dollar dark money budgets and some of the best-known operatives in the Democratic Party. Every White House has faced congressional investigations. The White House itself has been preparing for months for the barrage of inquiries, adding both legal and public relations firepower to the White House Counsel’s Office, which is quarterbacking its effort, and encouraging federal agencies to take similar moves. And the White House prefers to stay above the political fray, anyway. I also think it’s the story of Joe Biden as an empathetic father.”

☆ Philadelphia Eagles: How Eagles became Super Bowl contenders with franchise-best undefeated start to season
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Although they had a decent season last year, no one could have predicted the Eagles would become Super Bowl contenders behind an inexperienced quarterback and a second-year head coach. Despite the disappointing end to the season, there were good signs to go off for the 2017 Super Bowl winners. After Thursday's victory over the Texans and setting a franchise-best start to the season, Hurts was in no mood for getting ahead of himself. "I know it's special for the city of Philadelphia," Hurts, who has at least thrown two touchdowns in the last three games, told reporters. After such a start, many are penciling in the Eagles to come out of the NFC conference and challenge in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.

☆ Toyota’s new, new EV plan suggests smarter driving
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Oct 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Toyota Motor (7203.T) may be driving towards its third electric-car reboot in just 13 months as it tries to catch up with Tesla (TSLA.O), Reuters exclusively reported on Monday. But the $218 billion Japanese carmaker’s latest overhaul suggests it’s getting serious about addressing missteps with more speed. Electric-vehicle sales, especially in the past two years, have put the lie to that belief; growth has easily outpaced that of Toyota’s hybrids. The plan would involve slowing down the rollout of electric vehicles already in development so that Toyota could devise a more efficient manufacturing process. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterEditing by Robyn Mak and Thomas ShumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ How one GM auto plant's UAW union workforce is learning to make EVs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Orion plant, in operation since 1983, was beginning to transition from making a variety of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs. "We started slowly introducing the Bolt on the assembly line," he said, a process that can take up to a year while working out the bugs. There's specialized training required for all the assembly workers on how to deal with those potentially dangerous connections in a safe manner, he said. In essence, "it takes more of an electrician than it does a mechanic" to assemble an EV, Brown said.. The recently upgraded center houses manufacturing laboratory facilities that simulate steps along the assembly line, including robotics and sheet metal fabrication.

☆ Honda to build JV U.S. battery plant, retool Ohio plants
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaWASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) and LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) on Tuesday announced Ohio as the site of their planned $4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant. Honda will separately invest $700 million to retool three Ohio plants and add 300 new jobs, as it seeks higher electric- vehicle production. The plant is the latest in a string of battery plants announced as automakers race to shift gas-powered production to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden praised the Honda-LG announcement, saying the companies were "committing more than $5 billion toward electric vehicle battery manufacturing and factory retooling across the state." Honda plans to begin production and sales of EVs in North America in 2026, based on its new Honda e:Architecture.

☆ HBO renews 'House of the Dragon' after more than 20 million watch first episode
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-26 | by ( Jack Stebbins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

'House of the Dragon' series logo displayed on a phone screen and HBO Max website are seen in this illustration photo taken on August 16, 2022. "Game of Thrones" prequel series "House of the Dragon" has been renewed for a second season, HBO said Friday. The announcement comes after more than 20 million people have now watched the first episode, according to Nielsen and first party data collected by HBO. The success of the show is being closely watched, as many see it as a barometer for HBO's success in the streaming wars. The debut of "House of the Dragon" also comes as Amazon nears the release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" series.

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