Brazil to issue hydrogen regulations in 60 days
Brazil's national energy policy council (CNPE) plans to issue hydrogen regulations by late June as part of a national hydrogen strategy.
The mines and energy ministry, the science and technology ministry and government-controlled energy research company Epe are drafting the regulatory framework to address production, storage, transport and distribution infrastructure and safety.
The hydrogen regulations are part of a broader government initiative – dubbed "Future Fuel" – that aims to encourage the use of low-carbon fuels, including green naphtha, biokerosene and renewable marine fuels. It would replace diesel by creating "green corridors" where heavy vehicles will have guaranteed access to biomethane, LNG or natural gas to fuel trucks.
Because Brazil's electricity generation mix is already 83pc renewable, the country has the potential to become a global low-cost hydrogen supplier, mines and energy minister Bento Albuquerque says.
The new regulations will also address the potential for blue hydrogen and carbon storage. Green hydrogen is derived from renewable energy such as solar and wind farms, while blue hydrogen uses natural gas combined with carbon capture and storage.
The national hydrogen plan will analyze domestic demand potential for hydrogen, including the energy, transport, fertilizers, chemicals and steel industries.
Three preliminary green hydrogen projects have surfaced just over the past month, involving state-controlled utility Eletrobras and Germany's Siemens; Australia's Enegix Energy with the Ceara state government; and Australia's Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Brazil's port operator Prumo Logistica.
The government announced the hydrogen plan as a US-sponsored international climate summit gets underway. This week Brasilia also proposed a $1bn/yr international payment to fight Amazon deforestation.
Elsewhere in South America, Chile is advancing hydrogen regulations and funding to support emerging projects as well.
Related news posts
Harris selects Minnesota's Walz as running mate
Harris selects Minnesota's Walz as running mate
Washington, 6 August (Argus) — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota governor Tim Walz (D) as her running mate, elevating a Midwestern voice who has championed ambitious policies on climate change and clean energy during his two terms as governor. Walz, who was a schoolteacher before serving in the US Congress and then as governor, only recently emerged on the national stage as a favorite of progressives who could take on Republicans. Harris said she chose Walz as her running mate based partly on his "convictions on fighting for middle class families" and his efforts to deliver for "working families like his own." Harris will appear with Walz today at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the first event the campaign says will be a "five-day barnstorm" to introduce the Democratic ticket to voters in battleground states. The Harris campaign today touted Walz's service in the military and election in a conservative-leaning district as a sign of his broader political appeal. In 2021, Walz made Minnesota the first state in the Midwest to adopt California's tailpipe standards, and last year he signed a law requiring Minnesota utilities to switch entirely to wind, solar and other carbon-free electricity sources by 2040. Walz signed a separate law in June that would expedite the state's permitting process for renewable power projects. The campaign for Republican nominee Donald Trump today said Walz was a "West Coast wannabe" who as governor replicated California's policies on the environment. "From proposing his own carbon-free agenda, to suggesting stricter emission standards for gas-powered cars and embracing policies to allow convicted felons to vote, Walz is obsessed with spreading California's dangerously liberal agenda," Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Minnesota does not produce any crude or natural gas and has no coal mines. As of 2022, coal-fired power plants represented 27pc of Minneosta's in-state electricity generation, nuclear generated 24pc of electricity and renewable resources supplied 31pc of electricity. Minnesota is the fifth-largest ethanol producer in the US and has a production capacity of 1,400mn USG/yr. Environmentalists applauded Walz's selection as a running mate who has sought ambitious policies related to climate change and clean energy, in addition to signing a law last year providing $2bn for environment, climate and energy. The Harris-Walz ticket "isn't afraid to tackle climate change head-on," Sierra Club executive director Ben Jealous said. Harris' vice presidential selection meant passing over Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro (D), who was also being vetted as someone who could help Harris win the battleground state. Democrats hope the selection of Walz will offer a contrast to Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, who Walz has criticized as "just weird" for positions such as faulting women for not having children. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Delek idles three biodiesel plants
Delek idles three biodiesel plants
Houston, 6 August (Argus) — US independent refiner Delek is temporarily idling three biodiesel plants in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi as it explores alternative uses for the sites. The refiner's Crossett, Arkansas, Cleburne, Texas, and New Albany, Mississippi, plants produce a combined 2,600 b/d of biodiesel from feedstocks such as cooking oil, fats, greases and vegetable oils such as soybean and canola oil. The company reported a $22mn impairment in its second quarter earnings released today as it temporarily idles the plants and explores "viable and sustainable alternatives". Delek did not disclose when the facilities were idled, but noted the decision was driven by a "decline in the overall biodiesel market". US biodiesel producers are facing worsening production economics , as evidenced by a deteriorating correlation between the soybean oil-heating oil (BOHO) spread and biomass-based diesel D4 renewable information number (RIN) credits. Although a relatively small amount of production, Delek idling its biodiesel plants follows several refiners pivoting away from prior investments in renewable fuels. Chevron said earlier this year it was closing indefinitely two biodiesel plants in Wisconsin and Iowa due to market conditions. US specialty refiner Vertex plans to pause renewable fuels production at its 88,000 b/d Mobile, Alabama, refinery by the end of the year, returning a converted hydrocracker predominantly making renewable diesel to produce what it says are wider-margin fossil fuel products. By Nathan Risser Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indian urea stocks slide in July, monsoon rains rise
Indian urea stocks slide in July, monsoon rains rise
Amsterdam, 6 August (Argus) — Indian urea sales rose to 4.65mn t last month and monsoon rains have accelerated, supporting domestic consumption, with inventories pressured lower. Indian domestic urea sales rose to 4.65mn t in July from 4.53mn t in the same month last year, the latest provisional data show. Production was also higher, rising to 2.65mn t from 2.48mn t in July last year. The rise in domestic consumption resulted in a further drop in countrywide stocks, to 8.7mn t at the end of the month. Inventories had stood at around 10mn t in mid July, down from 11mn t at the end of June and 11.3mn t at the end of May. Domestic urea demand is expected to remain supported in August, with monsoon rains accelerating to 533.3mm by 6 August since the start of June, up by 6.6pc on the long-term average. The country's meteorological department forecast last week that rainfall for the remainder of the monsoon season in August-September will be "above normal", or higher than 106pc of the long-term mean. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chile 1H24 sulacid imports fall to three-year low
Chile 1H24 sulacid imports fall to three-year low
London, 6 August (Argus) — Chile's imports of sulphuric acid totalled 1.62mn t in January-June, down by 14pc on the year, representing the lowest level for the past three years, GTT data show. The decline reflects logistic and discharge issues at the key Mejillones port, which suffered the worst heavy swell period since records began, and a lack of fresh demand towards the end of the third quarter. This season's heavy swells period started in early December last year, a month earlier than expected, and lasted until the end of April this year. This resulted in a bulging import line-up and demurrage costs for endusers, which dissuaded them from entering the spot market. Peru shipped 539,000t in January-June, down by 21pc on the year, as logistical issues stemming from congestion at Mejillones and some unplanned output issues affected overall shipments to date. Imports from Asian countries recovered sharply from last year's drop in shipments, reflecting already-contracted cargoes covering annual commitments in Chile. China's shipments to Chile jumped 151pc on the year, with 492,000t shipped in January-June. South Korea's exports rose by 8pc to 247,000t during the period, while Japan-origin acid imports totalled 205,000t in January-June, up by 41pc on the year. The decline in shipments was most notable in June, with imports dropping 30pc on the month to 168,000t — the lowest monthly value since January 2021 due to ample inventories at the port and a lack of fresh import demand. Chilean buyers refused to enter the spot market owing to market length and rising Chinese fobs prices, which gained nearly 50pc during June as OCP entered the Asian market to secure acid cargoes for third quarter delivery. By Lili Minton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more