Most all of the rage by activists has been pointed at CO2 emissions, their capture and sequestration, usually at large regional-type hubs. And while methane emissions have seen some press, it seems limited especially relative to CO2. But methane is 30x times worse for the environment than CO2. Of course, the primary source of methane might very well be the world’s cattle herds, but for practical purposes, most of it is in natural gas. There are a large number of technologies competing for the mantle of standardized methane detection and immediate repair of any detected leaks is being required. But actually capturing the methane and using it in distributed power systems make significant sense in today’s world from economic, environmental, and practical perspectives. It is a fascinating niche and at least one company is capitalizing on all those benefits.

For this Company Spotlight, we interviewed Qnergy’s Chief Executive Officer, Ory Zik. Qnergy helps energy companies systematically and cost-effectively eliminate methane emissions at off- and on-grid production well pads. For more information on Qnergy, please visit www.qnergy.com.

Value Proposition: Qnergy’s PowerGen system provides its customers with the following unique features & benefits: ...............READ MORE

Occidental’s acquisition of Carbon Engineering Ltd will assist Occidental to build about 100 plants using direct air capture (DAC) technology that strips carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to bury underground or for use in making products such as concrete and aviation fuel. The DAC technology is in early stages of commercialization and will require multibillion-dollar investments to prove it can work economically and generate profits. The acquisition enables Occidental to catalyze broader development partnerships for DAC deployment in the most capital efficient and valuable way.

Related Press Release: Occidental buys carbon air capture tech firm for $1.1 billion

CRCL Solutions is the developer of a weather forecasting platform intended to improve forecast accuracy and strengthen power grid resiliency. CRCL Solution’s platform utilizes artificial intelligence to identify when the current wind/solar forecast fails and provide an improved atmospheric forecasting in real time, enabling power traders to capitalize on low-risk, high-return trades and anticipate market movements. By combining CRCL's core technology with Enverus' data resources, CRCL can improve its current product offerings and create entirely new energy forecasting products that were previously not possible. Further, Enverus' resources will accelerate CRCL Solution’s R&D goals and provide access to a much wider audience.

Founded in 1990, Minntronix designs and manufactures transformers, inductors, sensors, coils, chokes, and filters for products focused on cable fiber, smart meters, industrial control and lighting, electric vehicles, and home security markets. The products are used in applications across cable fiber, smart meters, industrial control and lighting, electric vehicles, and home security markets. The transaction will assist Standex in expanding its presence in fast growth end markets in 5G, smart grid, and industrial automation.

Related Press Release: Standex Acquires Minntronix Goals

Verdagy develops water electrolysis technology for the large-scale production of green hydrogen. Its industry-leading solution reduces both upfront capital costs and ongoing operating expenses, to achieve the industry's lowest levelized cost of hydrogen. The new funding will enable Verdagy to accelerate the launch and commercialization of its eDynamic® 20 megawatt (MW) electrolyzer module, which will serve as a fundamental unit to future systems at the 200MW scale and beyond. Following initial commercial unit deployments with existing partners, Verdagy will expand deployment of its novel eDynamic electrolyzer technology to additional customers in heavy industries such as oil and gas, ammonia, steel and e-fuels to support global industrial decarbonization.

Rondo Energy, a leading provider of zero-carbon industrial heat and power, has raised $60 million in a new financing planned to speed the rollout of Rondo Heat Batteries (RHBs) worldwide and to transform the global energy storage market. Declining wind and solar power costs are now becoming cheaper than the fuel industry burns for heat. The Rondo Heat Battery turns these intermittent power sources into the continuous, high temperature clean heat that industry requires, and opens the door to industrial decarbonization at a fraction of the cost of other technologies. In 2023, Rondo Energy began operations of its first commercial unit, lowering the carbon intensity of biofuel produced by Calgren Renewable Fuels. This project was the first commercially operating electric thermal energy storage system in the US, and the highest efficiency, highest temperature energy storage of any kind worldwide.

Advanced Ionics is a technology provider for the production of green hydrogen. Through its water vapor electrolyzer technology, the company seeks to enable the large-scale production of green hydrogen for heavy industry at a low-cost. The new capital will help catalyze Advanced Ionics’ growth and facilitate the initial deployment of its Symbion™ water vapor electrolyzer technology for heavy industry. Water vapor electrolyzers address two of the biggest obstacles to expanding green hydrogen production: cost and electricity requirements.

Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Caelux is a pioneer in utilizing perovskites to make solar energy more powerful and cost-effective. The investment follows Caelux's advancements in perovskite technology, creating a more near-term solution than previously thought possible and allowing for imminent deployment at scale. The funding will be allocated primarily to support the company's factory ramp, research and development, and product launch, allowing Caelux to bring its more powerful, efficient, and affordable solar solution to market.

Verdigris provides a hardware-enabled SaaS solution for enterprises with substantial carbon emissions. By integrating advanced sensor technology, cloud software and AI, its platform delivers real-time, circuit-level energy monitoring and data analysis to enhance operational efficiency and enable precise tracking, monitoring, and reduction of Scope 2 emissions, while maintaining compliance with emerging disclosure requirements. The new funding will accelerate adoption of the AI-powered energy management platform across carbon-intensive enterprises.

Related Press Release: Verdigris Secures $10 Million from DCVC and Solea Energy

GlassPoint builds, owns and operates large-scale solar steam facilities to reduce carbon emissions in hard-to-abate industries such as mining and metals, chemicals, construction materials, desalination and more. The funding comes on the heels of GlassPoint's groundbreaking memorandum of understanding with Ma'aden to develop the world's largest solar process heat plant to convert bauxite into alumina and help Saudi Arabia meet sustainability goals. GlassPoint has deployed more than half of all the solar steam for industry in the world and the company has been reliably producing solar steam for over a decade. GlassPoint will use the investment to expand operations to help industrial companies decarbonize and meet looming net-zero commitments.

ElectroTempo is a software company focused on charging network planning and intelligence for industrial and trucking applications. ElectroTempo’s software forecasts EV charging demand and recommends the most cost-effective equipment and infrastructure investments for its clients. ElectroTempo’s industrial site host customers utilize this software to determine how to establish and operate EV charging networks to maximize utilization of their assets (including vehicles and chargers), thus improving the return on their investments by 20% or more. The funds will be used to expand the geographic coverage of ElectroTempo’s solutions across the U.S., and round out product features to serve industrial site hosts in deploying and operating infrastructure to accelerate truck electrification.

Related Press Release: ElectroTempo Raises $4M in Seed Funding

EDAC Labs uses the electrochemical production of acid and base to decarbonize the world through conventional direct air capture, enabling carbon-negative mining, and by providing technology for other applications such as direct ocean capture, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and enhanced weathering. The funding will enable the company to scale and demonstrate its technology at one ton per day of carbon dioxide capture by the end of 2024.

Captura is a Direct Ocean Capture company headquartered in Pasadena, California. Captura combines innovative technology with the natural carbon removal powers of the ocean to remove CO2 from the atmosphere at large scale and at an affordable cost, providing a critical capability in the fight against climate change. Captura plants can be situated either onshore or offshore. For early commercial facilities, the company expects to co-locate facilities with existing ocean-based infrastructure, such as desalination plants or decommissioned offshore wells. This investment will allow Captura to accelerate its rigorous piloting program while simultaneously continuing to improve the technology.

Related Press Release: EIC Rose Rock Announces Investment Into Captura

Founded in 2021, Equilibrium is combining its deep energy expertise and cutting-edge technology to build a Climate Generation power company, aiming to accelerate society’s transition to clean energy. Equilibrium’s first commercial efforts support the accelerated deployment of grid-scale batteries that balance an increasingly volatile power grid. Its first customer offering, tolling agreements for grid-scale battery developers offered in partnership with Hatch Renewables, provides the firm contractual offtake crucial for battery projects to gain much-needed project financing. Without such financing, widespread grid-scale battery deployments will struggle to be built.

Related Press Release: Equilibrium Energy Launches as Climate Generation Power Company

Energy Technology Musings

Methane is a Distributed Problem that can be Transformed into a Distributed Solution