Energy / Automotive News December 18, 2024 Latest; 2025 will test the pace of green transition
London, December 18, 2024 (Oilandgaspress) –-A reminder of how fast climate politics have shifted in the US, where Trump is expected to gut a string of Biden era environmental achievements. But the Azerbaijan COP also highlighted this: the US may not be alone. Elections are due or possible in at least four other sizeable economies where relatively green governing parties face rivals that want to rein in, water down or reverse climate action. Consider Canada, where an election is due by October and polls show Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government trailing far behind Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. Trudeau has launched a series of climate measures since he was first elected in 2015, including a 2019 system to put a rising price on carbon that has been hailed as a progressive green policy poster child and a top driver of projected emission cuts. Global surveys shows that voters want more climate action and national governments are not everything. Solar, wind, electric cars and grid battery storage soared again this year Read More
Volue acquires PowerBot to consolidate its position as an energy software leader
Volue, a leader in technologies and services that enable its customers to succeed in the energy transition, has completed a deal to acquire PowerBot GmbH, a leading algotrading software provider based in Vienna.
The acquisition of PowerBot’s scalable and open platform complements Volue’s strong existing enterprise-grade trading solutions by addressing the needs of a growing class of quantitative power traders across Europe.
PowerBot is a certified Independent Software Vendor (ISV) at EPEX Spot, Nord Pool and various other European energy exchanges. The company will benefit from Volue’s resources and expertise to further accelerate its development and improve its customer experience over the coming years. Volue’s commercial teams will bring the PowerBot platform to existing customers across its portfolio. On the deal, Trond Straume, CEO, Volue, said: “This deal is a significant milestone on the next stage of our growth journey. PowerBot’s innovative platform uniquely complements Volue Algo Trader Power by extending our offering to quants and accelerating our growth beyond Western Europe. Our firm objective is to become the leading SaaS provider to the global energy system by 2030 and this deal consolidates our already strong position.” The acquisition will see PowerBot employees join Volue. From January 2025, PowerBot will join Volue’s product portfolio. Read More
Octopus Energy and SNG deliver first ‘Zero Bills’ homes for social housing residents
Octopus Energy and SNG customers become the first social housing residents to move into homes with no energy bills for at least 5 years. At Nexa Fields in Exeter, six social housing residents will pay absolutely nothing for their energy, thanks to state-of-the-art green technology that makes their homes eligible for Octopus Energy’s pioneering ‘Zero Bills’ initiative. Launched in 2022, ‘Zero Bills’ is a world-first energy tariff from Octopus Energy that allows customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with a heat pump, a battery and solar panels, with no energy bills guaranteed for 5-10 years. Developed by Verto Homes, a multi-award winning housebuilder, for SNG, the second largest developer amongst housing associations, the homes at Nexa Fields are the most energy-efficient in the UK. Each property has an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a score of 129 – currently the highest in the country. It comes as SNG presses ahead with its ambition to deliver 25,000 new, highly sustainable, homes over the next ten years. This bold programme is underpinned by its Homes & Place Standard, a holistic benchmark for sustainability and liveability that SNG co-created with its customers to uphold the highest standards for its new and existing affordable homes. Octopus Energy aims to deliver 100,000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes by 2030, and has already rolled out the initiative in Germany and New Zealand, as well as the UK. Read More
Octopus Energy and Sainsbury’s Smart Charge make electric vehicle charging easy for shoppers
Festive shopping just got a whole lot greener and easier for electric car drivers thanks to a new partnership between Octopus Energy’s Electroverse platform and Sainsbury’s Smart Charge. Drivers can now access over 560 Smart Charge ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at 68 Sainsbury’s UK stores nationwide at just a tap of their Octopus Electroverse card.
These chargers can power up an EV in under 30 minutes, charging batteries to the brim in the time it takes to pick up groceries.
As an added bonus, between 16 December and 10 January, every £1 spent on charging earns drivers 5 Nectar points*, unlocking savings on customers’ festive shopping. Smart Charge powered by Sainsbury’s launched at the start of this year, with 100% of its sites having fully accessible bays and a reliable service with +99% uptime. It joins over 1,000 charging brands for drivers to use in over 40 countries on Octopus Electroverse, giving drivers access to more than 920,000 chargers around Europe. Octopus Electroverse’s pioneering ‘one card, one app’ model drastically simplifies public charging, eliminating the faff of downloading multiple apps. The disruptor is now Europe’s largest consumer charging platform.
This comes as a record number of nearly 90,000 public EV chargers are installed in the UK. Research also shows four in five EV drivers have had a good experience with public charging in the UK*. Read More
Octopus Energy accelerates take-off of clean air travel with new investment
Octopus Energy’s generation arm today announces a new investment in sustainable fuels expert Nordic Generation Fuels (NGF) to help speed up the journey to clean air travel.
The investment will enable NGF to develop two new fuel production facilities in Finland. These will generate enough fuel to power nearly 2,000 flights from London to New York a year.
Construction of the facilities is expected to start in the next few years, with one aiming to be operational in 2030.
The sustainable aviation fuel will be produced by capturing biogenic CO2 – carbon emitted by biological material – and combining it with green hydrogen, both abundant in Finland.
This fuel will be supplied to airlines and fuel companies, meaning that in the coming years, flyers can look forward to seeing planes take off with a lower environmental impact.
NGF, which has multiple other projects in its pipeline, is also backed by Business Finland, Finland’s government agency for trade and investment promotion. This effort is part of the aviation industry’s broader push to become greener. Currently, sustainable aviation fuel makes up less than 1% of all jet fuel worldwide. However, the market is expected to grow significantly, with EU and UK initiatives requiring airlines to increase this to 6% and 10% by 2030 respectively*. This latest investment was made on behalf of the Octopus Energy Transition Fund (OETF) and Sky Fund (ORI SCSp), managed by Octopus Energy Generation. It marks Octopus’ most recent investment in Finland, where it manages two onshore wind farms and is creating new wind and solar power through its investment in developer NorGen. Read More
The world is set to use more coal than ever before
Global demand for the fossil fuel is expected to hit a record 8.77 billion tonnes in 2024, and stay near that level for the next three years, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday.
Growth in renewables is forecast to drive down coal use in the longer term, but this year its impact will be more than offset by strong demand for the carbon-heavy resource in the two Asian giants.
Demand in China, by far the world’s largest coal consumer, is likely to grow by 1% in 2024 to reach 4.9 billion tonnes, nearly a third higher than in the rest of the world combined. The country is set to import 500 million tonnes, more than double the previous import record.
One in every three tonnes of coal used worldwide is burned at a power plant in China to cope with the country’s enormous electricity demand, the report said. India is also expected to consume more coal than the EU and the US combined as demand in the Asian nation rises by more than 5% to 1.3 billion tonnes, a level previously only reached by China, the report said. Read More
Subsea 7 S.A.announced that, in accordance with the authorisation given to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 18 April 2023, the Board has resolved to cancel 2,588,272 shares held in treasury, representing approximately 0.9% of the total number of issued shares. The cancellation has now been effected and, as a result, the issued share capital of the Company has been reduced by USD 5,176,544 to USD 599,200,000 represented by 299,600,000 common shares. Read More
Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares isn’t backing down from the decisions that led to his resignation. In his first interview since voluntarily exiting the company, he effectively double-downed on his stance that conflicted with the Stellantis board members. At the same time, he voiced concerns that China was far ahead in the electric fold, essentially forcing European brands into survival mode. Read More
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed at banning sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2035. The incoming Trump administration is likely to try to reverse the action. Read More
Automotive supplier Brose plans to significantly reduce its workforce due to low capacity utilization at its plants and a slump in sales.
Brose announced Tuesday that it intends to reduce indirect personnel costs by 20%. In a first step, 700 jobs are to be cut in Germany by the end of next year, 200 of them at the company’s headquarters in Coburg and 200 in Bamberg, with further expected in Würzburg. Read More
SP Energy Networks, which is a subsidiary of ScottishPower, is submitting plans to energy regulator Ofgem for the period April 2026 to March 2031, in which it is pledging to spend £10.6 billion on new and upgraded transmission infrastructure in central and southern Scotland.
This will include, the firm said, 12 new transmission substations, 450km of upgraded existing circuits, 87km of upgraded overhead lines and 35km of underground cables, all of which it said will help increase the country’s power transmission capacity. Making this crucial investment now will drive a positive impact that will help to stabilise and lower consumer energy bills in the longer term. The Plan also outlines a programme of investment to further increase network resilience, maintain existing assets and help connect up to 19GW of new clean, green power to the grid, as well as contributing to reduced constraint costs, leading to a £167 saving per household every year by 2030. Read More
The Italian industry minister, Adolfo Urso, announced that Italy will spend over a billion euros to support its automotive sector, putting an end to strained relations with Stellantis. The head of European operations at the company, Jean-Philippe Imparato, promised that the company will keep all Italian plants operational, and from 2026 onwards, it will increase production by introducing new models. He added that in 2025 alone, the company will invest 2 billion euros in Italy. In 2028, production of at least two compact models based on the STLA Small platform is to begin at the Pomigliano factory. Meanwhile, in Melfi, southern Italy, SUVs using the STLA Medium platform – Jeep Compass, Lancia Gamma, and DS7 – will be manufactured. Stellantis has also devised a plan for the Mirafiori factory, which produces the electric Fiat 500 and struggles with cyclical shutdowns due to weak demand. A hybrid version is soon to be added to the electric lineup. Read More
Stellantis Chairman John Elkann und Xavier Chéreau, Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Heritage and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, visited the premises in Rüsselsheim and reaffirmed their support and commitment for the long-term future of the site. Together with Florian Huettl, Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director, they visited yesterday the production plant, where the best-selling Opel Astra in all drive variants and the DS4 from its sister brand DS Automobiles are manufactured. They also received an insight into Opel’s future model portfolio in the Design Centre. Furthermore, they took time to talk to employees and social partners. Read More
During yesterday’s Stellantis roundtable with Minister Adolfo Urso at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer for the Enlarged Europe region, reaffirmed the Group’s unyielding commitment to Italy and its industrial and social fabric. Specifically, the Stellantis COO emphasized the leading role to be played by Lancia. In fact, the brand is currently going through a Renaissance in terms of new models, rebranded showrooms, and an internationalization process which is sure to firmly reestablish its presence on the premium market. Notably, Stellantis reaffirmed its promise to produce the new Lancia Gamma at its Melfi plant starting in 2026. Recognized as one of the company’s centers of excellence, the iconic factory was chosen for its superior production quality and its strategic role in the transition towards electric mobility.
The decision to produce the new Gamma in Melfi reflects Stellantis’ commitment to promoting Italian-made products. This choice not only strengthens Lancia’s connection to its Italian roots but also underscores the importance of investing in local territories to create innovative, cutting-edge products and galvanize the entire local and national economy.
The new Gamma: 100% Made in Italy and available in hybrid and electric versions
Designed and developed in Italy, the new flagship will be produced at the Stellantis plant in Melfi (Potenza) starting in 2026. It embodies the Italian brand’s commitment to sustainability and high performance, while celebrating the unmistakable elegance that has defined Lancia for decades. Specifically, the new model will be built on the new STLA Medium multi-energy platform, which allows for the integration of hybrid and electric engines. The decision to provide the new model with electric powertrain is a direct response to current market dynamics and will allow the vehicle to satisfy any kind of mobility need, leading to likely growth in production and a subsequent increase in the brand’s competitiveness on the global market.
The Melfi plant, the crown jewel of Italian manufacturing
The Melfi plant, located in Basilicata, is a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and technological innovation. Opened in 1994, Melfi has been a cornerstone of national and international automotive production, blending Italian artistry with the most advanced manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, with its highly automated production processes and a strong focus on sustainability, the plant will continue to play a pivotal role in Stellantis’ electrification strategy. Notably, the New Gamma marks Lancia’s return to this facility where the second generation of the Ypsilon was previously produced between 1995 and 2003. Read More
Alfa Romeo will be featuring at the 101st Brussels Motor Show, due to take place from January 10-19, 2025, with two world premieres: the fascinating INTENSA special series and the brand-new Junior IBRIDA Q4. It is the greatest example of the determination and audacity of the Italian global brand, now preparing to experience a very intense and exciting 2025 with the launch of a wide range of major innovations, ready to excite Alfisti fans all over the world.
The spotlight will be on the debuts of the Tonale and Stelvio INTENSA, representing the new INTENSA special series – available throughout the line-up. It pays homage to the brand’s identity by means of exclusive features and details, combined with the best technological solutions to provide a unique driving experience. Stelvio and Tonale INTENSA will be on display at the show, as two models full of appeal, expected to intrigue visitors and excite the brand’s fans. Read More
Stellantis announces its participation in the 101st edition of the Brussels Motor Show 2025 from January 11 to 19 with an impressive line-up of its brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, FIAT, FIAT Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Leapmotor, Opel, Peugeot & Stellantis Pro One.
Citroën will present a completely renewed and 100% electrified range. All new Citroën C3, spearhead of the Brand, allows customers to experience an all-electric affordable car, with a modern style, offering best in class comfort with Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspensions. Thanks to the modular SmartCar platform it’s versatile and multi-energy.
Visitors will also be able to discover the Belgian premiere of the New Citroën C3 Aircross, which will soon arrive in Citroën points of sale; the multi-energy compact SUV on the market offers strong character, space and comfort on board, and is capable of accommodating up to 7 people.
The New C4 will also be unveiled, adopting the Brand’s new identity with the new front end, it exudes modernity and strength. New Advanced Comfort® seats and a new instrument panel enhance the on-board comfort experience. Available in hybrid and electric versions, it offers simple and affordable solutions to facilitate the transition to electrification.
The C5 Aircross Concept expresses a vision of what the Brand’s next SUV in the C-segment could be. It offers an intelligent response to the needs of customers looking for an accessible and characterful SUV, offering space on board, comfort and great practicality for families. Read More
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