SBTi for buildings, AI to save billions and world’s biggest heatpump
In this issue:
Science Based Targets for Buildings
This week, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) announced a new framework to help the built environment set 1.5°C-aligned emissions reduction targets. The package includes target setting tools and building criteria assessment indicators that encompass operational efficiency, embodied emissions and retrofits. The framework is targeted at owners, developers and those who finance developments and has taken three years to develop.
China hits target early
China’s race towards a renewable energy system has just hit a healthy milestone as it reports it has achieved its 2030 renewables target 6 years early. The target was to have installed 1,200 GW of renewables by 2030 and that has now been achieved. It’s not all good news with coal fired plant continuing to be commissioned and some other metrics, such as carbon intensity, lagging but at least the power generation profile is improving dramatically.
What about others?
While China leads the world in renewables investments, the remainder is picking up the pace too. A recent report from BloombergNEF tells us 40% of the world’s electricity was generated from zero carbon sources last year and that in 2023, 91% of new capacity was from solar and wind. Hydro remains the largest component of that renewables chunk, accounting for 14.7%, just ahead of solar and wind, which makes up 13.9%, with nuclear contributing 9.4%.
AI to save billions in generation
A new report from DNV indicates effective digitisation and use of AI will lead to billions of dollars saved in energy generation costs. It estimates that by 2050, AI will support a US$1.3 trillion (NZ$2.1 trillion) decrease in clean energy generation costs and reduce grid equipment costs by US$188 billion (NZ$300 billion). The survey canvassed the views of nearly 1,300 senior energy professionals with nearly half indicating their company would be using AI in the next 12 months. Perhaps worryingly, 37% said their companies were not good at digitalising. The report is available free on the link below.
World’s biggest heatpump unveiled
MAN Energy Solutions of Germany is to build the world’s largest heatpump to keep Helsinki warm. The CO2-based air to water heatpump with a capacity of up to 33MW can operate in temperatures as low as -20°C and can deliver heat up to 90°C. It is to be part of a district heating system that, together with two 50MW electric boilers, will service 30,000 homes.
The latest refrigerant gas is …… air
A team from the Korea Institute of Energy Research has developed a cooling system using air as the refrigerant rather than climate damaging Freon gas or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Founded on high frequency compression and expansion, the system has already been used to cool air down to -60°C, with -100°C theoretically possible. Interestingly, at temperatures below -50°C, it is also more efficient than traditional vapour compression systems.
Non-electric heat transfer breakthrough
Scientists from Nagoya University have developed a loop heat pipe (LHP) that can transfer 10kW of heat without the need for electricity, a world record. Transferring heat without the need for an electrically driven pump will save energy and maintenance costs. The innovation will have applications in industrial waste heat recovery, EV thermal management and data centre cooling, among others.
