Articles tagged with "carbon-neutrality"
NIPPON KINZOKU Launches Full-Scale Expansion of “Eco-Product” Using Innovative Composite Metal Forming Technology Based on “Fine Profile” - CleanTechnica
NIPPON KINZOKU CO., LTD. has launched a full-scale expansion of its “Eco-Product” lineup, which leverages its proprietary “Composite Metal Forming Technology” based on its precision profile-rolled products called “Fine Profile.” This innovative technology enables near-final shaping of metal components by combining roll forming, pressing, and other metal processing methods within the company’s own factory. The approach reduces material waste, shortens customer manufacturing processes, and improves material yield, thereby contributing to lower environmental impact and supporting the goal of a carbon-neutral society. Key features of this technology include the ability to create complex cross-sectional shapes with minimal material loss, elimination of multiple customer-side manufacturing steps, and stable high-quality production through continuous coil material forming. By delivering ready-to-use components, NIPPON KINZOKU helps customers increase productivity while reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions associated with transportation and storage. Overall, this development addresses pressing industry challenges related to cost reduction and environmental sustainability
materialscomposite-metal-formingeco-productmanufacturing-efficiencymaterial-waste-reductioncarbon-neutralityprecision-metal-processingChina's giant compressed air energy storage plant gets turbine unit
China’s Huaneng Jintan Salt Cavern Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Phase II project in Changzhou city has successfully completed the installation of its turbine unit, marking a significant advancement for the world’s largest CAES facility. This technology stores energy by compressing air into underground salt caverns during low power demand periods and releasing it to generate electricity during peak demand, thus aiding grid stability and renewable energy integration. The new turbine can ramp up to full load within about 10 minutes, enabling rapid response to peak-shaving demands. The plant is designed to perform approximately 330 charge-discharge cycles annually, with each charge storing 2.8 million kWh—enough to power 100,000 new-energy vehicles—and is projected to save 270,000 tonnes of coal and reduce CO2 emissions by 520,000 tonnes per year. This project is a national demonstration and the first commercial CAES power station in China, developed jointly by China National Salt Group,
energycompressed-air-energy-storageCAESturbine-unitrenewable-energypower-gridcarbon-neutralityKia Marks Japan Debut with PBV "PV5" at Japan Mobility Show 2025 - CleanTechnica
Kia is making its official debut in the Japanese automotive market with the launch of its first Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) model, the PV5, at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo. This marks a significant step in Kia’s global expansion strategy, targeting Japan’s growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) vans driven by the country’s carbon neutrality goals. The PV5 Cargo Long-range model offers an industry-leading driving range of up to 528 km, reflecting Kia’s commitment to sustainable and versatile mobility solutions. Kia’s entry into Japan is supported by a strategic partnership with the Sojitz Group, a major Japanese conglomerate, which will manage sales and service through a new subsidiary, Kia PBV Japan. The plan includes establishing eight dealers and 100 service centers nationwide within the first year, alongside collaboration with local charging partners to build a comprehensive EV charging network. Kia’s PV5 is designed to address Japan’s unique social and logistical challenges, such as an aging population,
electric-vehiclessustainable-mobilitycarbon-neutralityenergy-infrastructureautomotive-technologyEV-charging-networkplatform-beyond-vehicleHamburg Votes To Accelerate Its Carbon Neutral Target - CleanTechnica
Residents of Hamburg, Germany, voted to accelerate the city’s carbon neutrality target from 2045 to 2040, with 53.2% supporting the "Future Decision" proposal. Key measures to achieve this goal include banning internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040, implementing a city-wide speed limit of 30 km/h (18 mph), and promoting renewable heating systems such as heat pumps. The city plans to phase out gas and oil boilers, shut down the gas grid, and encourage rooftop solar installations on public buildings. A transition period of two years will precede full implementation, with an emphasis on socially acceptable and affordable solutions. A report by the Hamburg Institute and the Öko-Institut recommends establishing zero-emission zones (NEZ) starting from the city center and gradually expanding outward, allowing only electric and hydrogen vehicles. The report underscores that achieving climate neutrality will require eliminating ICE vehicles from city roads, except potentially those running on climate-neutral e-fuels if they become viable
energyrenewable-energycarbon-neutralityclean-energyelectric-vehicleshydrogen-vehiclessustainable-cityFerrari To Reveal First Fully Electric Car Technology In October - CleanTechnica
Ferrari is set to reveal significant details about its first fully electric car in October, marking a notable milestone in the brand’s history. Known for its powerful internal combustion engine vehicles with distinctive exhaust sounds, Ferrari’s upcoming electric model is expected to maintain the brand’s racing heritage and emotional appeal, potentially as a supercar. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna emphasized that the electric vehicle will preserve the authenticity and performance associated with the marque while incorporating new technology. To address the quieter nature of electric vehicles, Ferrari engineers are developing unique “sound signatures” to evoke the emotional response traditionally linked to their combustion engines. The company has experience with electrification through hybrid technology and regenerative braking, and the new electric car may follow a layout consistent with Ferrari’s performance-oriented design. Ferrari aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, signaling a major shift toward electrification while still committing to internal combustion engines in the near term. This dual approach may reflect an effort to cater to both traditional enthusiasts and environmentally conscious customers. The
energyelectric-vehiclesFerrarielectric-car-technologycarbon-neutralityautomotive-innovationclean-energyNot so fast: German court says Apple can’t call Watch carbon neutral
A German court has ruled that Apple cannot label its Watch Series 9 as carbon neutral, overturning the company’s earlier claim that the product’s entire lifecycle—from manufacturing to disposal—does not contribute to global warming. Although Apple calculates that each aluminum Apple Watch generates just over 8 kilograms of carbon emissions, it offsets these through carbon credits purchased from a reforestation project involving eucalyptus trees in Paraguay. The court’s decision was prompted by a lawsuit from the German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). The court focused on the nature and duration of the carbon offset project, noting that three-quarters of the eucalyptus plantation area is on leased land with leases expiring in 2029. This short timeframe undermines the credibility of Apple’s carbon-neutral claim because consumers would reasonably expect that carbon offsets should be secured well beyond 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goal to end carbon emissions in the latter half of the century. Without longer-term land security, the plantations could be cut
energycarbon-neutralitycarbon-emissionsApple-Watchenvironmental-lawcarbon-offsetsustainabilityToyota gives old EV batteries a second life to power Mazda car plant
Toyota and Mazda have collaborated to test an innovative energy storage system in Japan that repurposes retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries to power Mazda’s Hiroshima car plant. Developed by Toyota, the Sweep Energy Storage System rapidly manages power flow between batteries of varying ages, chemistries, and capacities—including lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, and lead-acid cells—without needing separate management units. This approach extends the life of high-voltage battery packs from hybrid and electric vehicles, including those damaged in accidents, by using them as stationary energy buffers to stabilize renewable energy supply and reduce waste. The project aims to demonstrate stable, reliable, and efficient charging and discharging performance, contributing to carbon neutrality by regulating fluctuating renewable energy sources. It also supports the creation of a sustainable battery ecosystem in Japan, addressing industry-wide challenges related to resource security and supply chain resilience. This initiative builds on Toyota’s earlier partnership with JERA, which launched a similar battery storage system in 2022 using reclaimed EV batteries
energyelectric-vehicle-batteriesbattery-storage-systemrenewable-energysustainabilitybattery-recyclingcarbon-neutralityAiming to Build Battery Ecosystem, Toyota & Mazda Start Tests of Energy Storage System Using Electrified Vehicle Batteries - CleanTechnica
Toyota Motor Corporation and Mazda Motor Corporation have initiated field tests of Toyota’s Sweep Energy Storage System at Mazda’s Hiroshima Plant in Japan. This system connects the power infrastructure at Mazda’s headquarters—the only automaker-operated power generation system in Japan—with Toyota’s energy management system that utilizes batteries from electrified vehicles. The collaboration aims to verify stable, high-quality, and efficient charging and discharging processes by integrating different battery types and conditions. The primary goal of these tests is to support the regulation of power supply and demand from renewable energy sources, which are inherently variable due to weather and time of day, thereby contributing to carbon neutrality efforts. This initiative is part of a broader industry effort led by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to build a sustainable battery ecosystem. This ecosystem focuses on the stable procurement of critical resources, resilient supply chains, and the sustainable reuse of batteries, including those from electrified vehicles, within Japan. Both companies plan to continue advancing this multipathway approach to enhance carbon neutrality and strengthen the automotive industry's
energybattery-storageelectrified-vehiclesrenewable-energycarbon-neutralityenergy-management-systembattery-ecosystemChina to produce 400,000 tons of green methanol from farm waste
Chinese electrolyzer manufacturer LONGi Green Energy has launched a $325 million project in Inner Mongolia to produce 400,000 tons of green methanol annually from 600,000 tons of agricultural waste. The facility, located in Urad Rear Banner Industrial Park, will operate in two phases: phase one will convert 190,000 tons of biomass such as sunflower stalks and corn stover into methanol via gasification and catalytic synthesis, while phase two will add capacity for another 210,000 tons using hydrogen generated by 100 of LONGi’s 5-megawatt electrolyzers powered by 850 MW of wind and 200 MW of solar energy. The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.2 million tons per year and contribute over 1 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity to the region. This initiative is part of LONGi’s broader strategy to advance low-carbon fuels and support China’s carbon neutrality goals by developing green methanol as a sustainable alternative fuel and
energygreen-methanolbiomass-gasificationrenewable-energyhydrogen-productioncarbon-neutralitysustainable-fuelsWhat's Different About A Net Zero Hotel? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the concept and practical implementation of net zero hotels, highlighting the hospitality industry's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions—over 8 million tons annually—and the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality without sacrificing guest experience. It explains that hotel emissions fall into three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions from gas use), Scope 2 (electricity consumption), and Scope 3 (indirect emissions such as business travel and supply chains). To become net zero, hotels must balance their carbon output with removal or offsets, adopting comprehensive sustainability practices. Key elements of a net zero hotel include waste reduction through closed-loop recycling, sustainable building design using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient architecture, renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind), water conservation via low-flow fixtures, and eco-friendly transportation options for guests. Responsible tourism practices also play a role, emphasizing locally sourced, organic products and community engagement. The article features a case study of the Sugar House Hotel in Winooski, Vermont, an eight-story,
energyrenewable-energynet-zerosustainable-buildingcarbon-neutralitygreen-architectureenergy-efficiencyCarbon to candy: China tech could make food from captured carbon gas
Chinese scientists have developed an innovative enzyme-based method to convert methanol into sucrose (white sugar) without relying on traditional agriculture. This biotransformation system uses in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) to synthesize complex carbohydrates from methanol, which can be derived from industrial waste or chemically converted carbon dioxide. This breakthrough offers a sustainable alternative to sugar production that bypasses the need for land- and water-intensive crops like sugar cane and sugar beets, addressing environmental challenges and food security concerns amid climate change and population growth. The research, led by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved an 86% conversion rate of methanol into sugars, including sucrose and starch, using fast, low-energy enzymatic reactions. This method builds on earlier advances in converting CO₂ into methanol, effectively turning carbon waste into valuable food ingredients. Beyond sucrose, the system can produce a variety of carbohydrates such as fructose, amylose, and cellooligos
energycarbon-capturebiotransformationmethanol-conversionsustainable-manufacturingcarbon-neutralitychemical-engineeringMitsubishi's battery swap network to cut EV charging time to 5 mins
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), Mitsubishi Motors, U.S. startup Ample, and Yamato Transport have launched a major battery swapping initiative in Tokyo to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption and support Japan’s climate goals of reducing emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The project, backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, will deploy over 150 battery-swappable commercial EVs and 14 automated modular swapping stations by September 2025. This follows a successful 2024 pilot in Kyoto that demonstrated cross-brand battery swapping feasibility for commercial deliveries and taxi services. The initiative focuses on commercial fleet electrification, a strategic priority since transportation accounted for about 19% of Japan’s CO2 emissions in 2022. The vehicles involved include MFTBC’s eCanter light-duty electric truck and Mitsubishi Motors’ kei-class Minicab EV, with Yamato Transport as the first major customer for last-mile delivery operations. The key technological advantage lies in Ample’s fully automated swapping stations, which can replace batteries in just five minutes without drivers leaving their vehicles, minimizing downtime and labor challenges. These compact stations are designed for quick deployment in urban environments and may also provide grid services such as renewable energy storage, further contributing to emission reductions. The consortium aims to build a robust battery swapping infrastructure in Tokyo and invites additional automakers, fleets, and logistics companies to participate, expanding the initiative’s impact on Japan’s sustainable transportation future.
energyelectric-vehiclesbattery-swappingMitsubishi-Motorscarbon-neutralitysustainable-transportationEV-charging-infrastructureTNB Malaysia đề xuất EVN hợp tác kết nối lưới điện khu vực qua biển và đất liền
energyrenewable-energyelectricity-transmissioncarbon-neutralitysolar-powerASEAN-cooperationenergy-infrastructure