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Uniper targets green hydrogen production in UK

  • Market: Fertilizers, Hydrogen
  • 16/09/21

German energy firm Uniper and consortium partners have secured funding from the UK government to produce hydrogen at the port of Immingham by 2025.

Uniper won the funding from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) along with Associated British Ports, energy technology company Siemens Energy, and the trading arm of Toyota Group, Toyota Tsusho.

Project Mayflower is a 20MW green hydrogen production facility. Hydrogen from the site will be used to replace the use of fossil fuels at the port or be used in producing hydrogen-based marine fuels like ammonia.

Hydrogen-based fuels have been backed by the World Bank and the IEA as promising marine fuels to decarbonise shipping.

Ammonia has a higher energy density than hydrogen and is easier to use aboard vessels, but hydrogen is the preferred fuel for fuel cell technology on ships.

The companies will now undertake a full feasibility study, reviewing the technical and economic requirements for the project including the conversion of existing infrastructure for hydrogen generation and storage.

Uniper will lead the feasibility study, with engineering designs expected to commence in 2022, and potential financial investment decisions taking place in 2023.

The electrolyser will be developed by Siemens Energy and is probably going to be a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). PEM is a newer technology and offers more flexibility than older alkaline electrolysers, but is more expensive.

The facility could source renewable electricity nearby from Uniper's Killingholme power station, Uniper said. Toyota Tsusho will assess how to upgrade port infrastructure for hydrogen.

The port of Immingham is the biggest in the UK by tonnage and a hub for road, rail and sea transport, making it a good location for the hydrogen facility.

The CMDC is part of the UK government's transport decarbonisation strategy. The competition will contribute £20mn ($27.55mn) in investment from the government to reduce emissions in the maritime sector.

Uniper and the Port of Rotterdam are advancing their 100MW green hydrogen production facility at the Maasvlakte site in Rotterdam.


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23/08/24

Union plans new rail strike despite order: Update

Union plans new rail strike despite order: Update

Adds additional comment from Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Washington, 23 August (Argus) — The status of rail freight in Canada remains uncertain after a Canadian labor union today issued a new strike notice to Canadian National (CN), less than a day after the federal government ordered all parties to participate in binding arbitration. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) today issued notice to CN that members will go on strike at 10am ET on 26 August. The union had not issued a strike notice to CN earlier this week, but employees could not work yesterday after the CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) locked them out. The union said it moved to strike to "frustrate CN's attempt to force arbitration", and protect workers' rights to collectively bargain. CN had previously sought a federal order for binding arbitration. The government's back-to-work order yesterday sidestepped the collective bargaining process, and "undermined the foundation on which labour unions work to improve wages and working conditions for all Canadians", union president Paul Boucher said today. "Bargaining is also the primary way our union fights for rail safety — all considerations that outweigh short-term economic concerns," Boucher said. The union was more optimistic in its strike notice to CN this morning. "We do not believe that any of the matters we have been discussing over the last several days are insurmountable." It said it would be available to discuss issues to avoid another work stoppage. CN indicated it was frustrated with the union's action. "While CN is focused on its recovery plan to get back to powering the economy, the Teamsters are focused on returning to the picket line and holding the country hostage to their demands," the railroad said. CN last night had begun implementing a recovery plan to restore service . The union has not yet responded to inquiries about its action today. The office of labour minister Steven MacKinnon declined to comment. Rail operations at CN and CP stopped at 12:01am ET on Thursday after the union launched a strike at CPKC and both railroads locked out employees. That action ended late Thursday afternoon with the federal government directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to manage binding arbitration on the railroads. CIRB, an independent agency, has not yet said if it will accept the government's order. CN began moving some freight early on 23 August, but the new strike order issued soon by the union today could disrupt those plans. The union has also challenged the constitutionality of MacKinnon's order regarding CPKC operations pending the outcome of a new ruling by the CIRB. CPKC's rail fleet remains parked in the meantime. CPKC said late Thursday it was disappointed in the minister's decision and sought to meet with CIRB to discuss resumption of service. CPKC said the union "refused to discuss any resumption of service, and instead indicated that they wish to make submissions to challenge the constitutionality of the Minister's direction." A case management meeting with CIRB occurred last night and another was scheduled for early today. Hearings are also underway to address preliminary issues, the union said. But the Teamsters said it was prepared to appeal the case to federal court if necessary. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Union plans new rail strike despite arbitration order


23/08/24
News
23/08/24

Union plans new rail strike despite arbitration order

Washington, 23 August (Argus) — The status of rail freight in Canada remains uncertain after a Canadian labor union today issued a new strike notice to Canadian National (CN), less than a day after the federal government forced all parties to participate in binding arbitration. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) today issued notice to CN that members will go on strike at 10am ET on 26 August. The union had not issued a strike notice to CN earlier this week, but employees could not work yesterday after the CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) locked them out. "We do not believe that any of the matters we have been discussing over the last several days are insurmountable," the union said today in its notice to CN. It said it would be available to discuss issues to avoid another work stoppage. CN indicated it was frustrated with the union's action. "While CN is focused on its recovery plan to get back to powering the economy, the Teamsters are focused on returning to the picket line and holding the country hostage to their demands," the railroad said. CN last night had begun implementing a recovery plan to restore service . The union has not yet responded to inquiries about its action today. The office of labour minister Steven MacKinnon declined to comment. Rail operations at CN and CP stopped at 12:01am ET on Thursday after the union launched a strike at CPKC and both railroads locked out employees. That action ended late Thursday afternoon with the federal government directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to manage binding arbitration on the railroads. CIRB, an independent agency, has not yet said if it will accept the government's order. CN began moving some freight early on 23 August, but the new strike order issued soon by the union today could disrupt those plans. The union has also challenged the constitutionality of MacKinnon's order regarding CPKC operations pending the outcome of a new ruling by the CIRB. CPKC's rail fleet remains parked in the meantime. CPKC said late Thursday it was disappointed in the minister's decision and sought to meet with CIRB to discuss resumption of service. CPKC said the union "refused to discuss any resumption of service, and instead indicated that they wish to make submissions to challenge the constitutionality of the Minister's direction." A case management meeting with CIRB occurred last night and another was scheduled for early today. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Canada rail strike ends by forced arbitration: Update


22/08/24
News
22/08/24

Canada rail strike ends by forced arbitration: Update

Adds comments from railroads, Canadian Propane Association and background. Calgary, 22 August (Argus) — A Canadian rail strike that started early Thursday morning will be short-lived as the federal government stepped in to force the union and two railroads into binding arbitration. The federal government is now directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to "assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration," labour minister Steven MacKinnon said Thursday. At 12:01am ET today, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) locked out union members, while the Teamsters Canada Rail conference launched a strike at CPKC . The work stoppage froze ongoing train shipments, even if they have not yet reached their destinations. CN ended its lockout at 6pm ET and initiated its service recovery plan. CN said it is satisfied that the labour action has ended, but it is "disappointed that a negotiated deal could not be achieved at the bargaining table despite its best efforts." CPKC said it would restart operations once it receives orders from CIRB. "Our teams are already preparing for the safe and orderly resumption of our rail network and further details about timing will be provided once we receive the CIRB's order," CPKC said. CPKC chief executive Keith Creel said the railroad regrets that the government had to intervene because he believes in and respects collective bargaining, but "given the stakes for all involved this situation required action." Though the work stoppage lasted less than a day, it may take weeks for rail operations to return to normal. The Canadian railroads last week embargoed shipments of toxic materials and earlier this week stopped loading any new railcars. Instead it focused on delivering already-loaded trains to their destination. Shippers across North America feared the impact of the work stoppages. The Canadian Propane Association today said that for each day that propane is not delivered, there is a sales loss of C$9.82mn and that would rise to $75.2mn after seven days. Labour minister MacKinnon has the authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to mandate the sides return to the bargaining table, a tool the federal government was reluctant to use until now. By Brett Holmes and Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Canada rail strike stopped by forced arbitration


22/08/24
News
22/08/24

Canada rail strike stopped by forced arbitration

Calgary, 22 August (Argus) — A Canadian rail strike that started early Thursday morning will be short-lived as the federal government stepped in to force the union and two railroads into binding arbitration. The federal government is now directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to "assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration," labour minister Steven MacKinnon said Thursday. The minister has the authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to mandate the sides return to the bargaining table, a tool the federal government was reluctant to use until now. Operations for Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) stopped at 12:01am ET Thursday when they could not reach agreements over contract terms with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). Operations will resume at the railroads during arbitration. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Brazilian politicians, judges to advance green agenda


22/08/24
News
22/08/24

Brazilian politicians, judges to advance green agenda

Sao Paulo, 22 August (Argus) — Representatives from Brazil's three branches of government have pledged to work together to advance the country's green agenda by approving legislation, expanding funding and guaranteeing enforcement related to the environment and the energy transition. Representatives from the supreme court (STF) and congress, together with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and members of his cabinet signed an agreement on Wednesday aimed at reinforcing the country's commitment to protecting the environment. On the legislative front, lower house speaker Arthur Lira and senate President Rodrigo Pacheco promised to give priority to legislation that will advance the transition to low-carbon energy. This includes legislation that will create a regulated carbon market, a bill regulating offshore wind projects as well as a proposal that will create blend mandates for advanced biofuels. Pacheco plans to hold a vote for the bill that will create a carbon market in the first half of September, a spokesperson for senator Leila Barros, who is elaborating the text, told Argus . Barros has made significant progress on the new draft of the bill, but is finetuning the final text to address demands from specific sectors of the economy, the spokesperson said. The senate is also finalizing its analysis of the fuels of the future bill, which will create blend mandates for hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as clear the way to increase the mandatory ethanol and biodiesel blends in commercial fuels. Senator Veneziano Vital do Rego presented a draft of the legislation on 20 August and is working to hold a vote in early September on the bill, which passed the lower house in March. Legislation for offshore wind has also made progress in the senate, but a proposal has not yet been presented. A draft of the bill was approved by the lower house last year, but included amendments that would expand subsidies for fossil fuels, potentially raising electricity prices for consumers. As part of the agreement, the executive branch has also promised to make further progress towards guaranteeing financing for energy transition projects. Likewise, the judiciary has agreed to give priority to cases that involve environmental, climate and land ownership. Lula stressed that the agreement among the three branches of the government shows Brazil's willingness to take a leading role to protect that environment as it prepares to host the Cop 30 meeting in Para state in 2025. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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