Cheap, safe hydrogen storage, 90% energy self-sufficiency at -45C and fashion’s faux pas
In this issue:
A 19th Century solution to a 21st Century problem
We love stories where simple, old and cheap technologies gain new applications to solve modern problems. The latest is the application of a 19th Century technique to solve the modern day hydrogen storage problem. As we know, hydrogen is difficult to store and transport but Swiss scientists from ETH Zurich have applied a steam iron technique to store it cheaply, safely and without material loss. The hydrogen gas is pumped into a stainless steel reactor, where rust or iron ore is maintained at 400C. The hydrogen extracts oxygen from the iron oxide to make water and iron. When the hydrogen is needed, steam is run through the reactor reversing the process to form rust and release the hydrogen. So far, the team has stored a 10 MWh reserve of hydrogen for several months without loss.
The timber building that’s 90% energy self-sufficient at -45C
That’s the claim of the designers of a new cultural and education hub in Kautokeino, Norway, above the Arctic Circle. The wooden structure is 90% energy self-sufficient thanks to 40 geowells reaching 250 metres into the ground that supply two heatpumps providing heating and cooling. For those super-cold days there is a supporting electric boiler.
More efficiency support across the ditch
On the back of the recent announcement of Federal support for cheap loans for home efficiency and electrification through the HEUF, this week the Queensland and Federal governments announced an AU$116 million ($NZ126m) investment to upgrade social housing in the state. The initiative covers upgrades such as thermal shell improvements, air cooling solutions, ceiling fans, solar PV, energy-efficient hot water systems and fixed appliance upgrades across 32,000 public and community housing dwellings.
Fashion not on trend
Fashion Revolution reports 47% (117) of the world’s main 250 fashion brands now have recognised science based targets and 22% (56) reported emissions reductions this year. 7 reported increases in scopes 1 and 2 emissions and 42 reported increases in scope 3. 59 of the 250 brands scored zero in the ‘decarbonisation’ section, meaning they do not disclose SBTi-verified targets, progress or targets for renewable energy and coal phase-out. Named and shamed among the 32 poorest performers were Billabong, DKNY, Longchamp, Nine West, Quicksilver and Reebok. The best performers were, in order, Puma, Gucci and H&M.
Another largest wind turbine (for now)
As if 18MW isn’t enough, Mingyang Smart Energy has just announced it has installed a 20MW wind turbine in Hainan, China. With a diameter stretching to 292 metres and a swept area of 67,000 sq m. This single turbine is expected to produce 80 million kWh of electricity a year, equivalent to powering 96,000 homes. The unit is built to withstand level-17 typhoons, that’s wind speeds of up to 287 km/h. And yes, there are plans for a 22MW unit.