Suez and Tereos have embarked on an exciting project in Northern France, marking the beginning of construction on a new waste-fired heating plant. Located in Origny-Sainte-Benoite, this plant will utilize solid recovered fuel (SRF) to produce steam, which will be used in Tereos’s sugar refinery and distillery.

Key Highlights:

Project Launch: The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone took place on September 5, 2024, with notable figures including Yves Rannou, COO Recycling & Recovery at Suez, and Olivier Leducq, CEO of Tereos, present at the event.

Energy Efficiency: The new plant is expected to significantly reduce Tereos’s reliance on natural gas by 40% once it begins operation in 2027.

Previous Collaboration: Suez has been supplying steam to another Tereos site in Lillebonne since 2015. This steam is generated by the Ecostu’Air waste-to-energy plant, which Suez operates on behalf of the regional waste association Sevede.

Benefits and Goals:

Sustainable Energy: The SRF plant aims to enhance sustainability by converting waste into valuable energy, thus reducing the environmental impact of the production process.

Operational Efficiency: By using SRF to generate steam, Tereos will achieve significant cost savings and lower its carbon footprint, supporting its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Three leading UK waste-to-energy (WTE) plant operators have reported significant advancements in their carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, marking a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing sustainability in waste management.

Cory's CCS Initiative

British company Cory has made headlines by selecting Shell's Cansolv CO2 capture system for its CCS facility at the Riverside 1 and Riverside 2 plants in Southeast London. This strategic decision comes as part of a partnership with Shell Catalysts & Technologies and Technip Energies. The Cansolv technology was chosen for its cost-effectiveness, high CO2 capture efficiency, and flexibility in accommodating different gas flow rates and CO2 concentrations. Cory's decision underscores the importance of integrating advanced technologies to enhance the environmental performance of waste-to-energy operations.

Technology Benefits

Shell’s Cansolv System: This system is renowned for its low operating costs, making it an economically viable option for large-scale applications. It also boasts a high capture rate, which is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of CCS efforts.

Adaptability: The Cansolv system's ability to handle varying gas flow rates and CO2 levels makes it suitable for a wide range of operational conditions, ensuring flexibility in its application.

Partnership and Progress

The collaboration between Cory, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, and Technip Energies represents a significant milestone in the development of CCS technologies for waste-to-energy plants. By leveraging these advanced technologies, Cory aims to improve the sustainability of its operations and contribute to broader environmental goals.

The adoption of CCS technologies at Cory’s Riverside plants aligns with the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing towards a more sustainable waste management system. This initiative reflects the growing trend among waste-to-energy operators to integrate cutting-edge solutions for environmental protection and operational efficiency.

The flow of natural gas to U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants is set to drop to a two-week low as energy companies cut back feedgas supplies to facilities in Louisiana in anticipation of Hurricane Francine. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that Francine will strike the Louisiana coast later today with maximum sustained winds reaching approximately 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). Louisiana hosts three of the nation's seven major LNG export plants, making this precautionary measure crucial for safeguarding infrastructure and minimizing potential disruptions to the energy sector.

In a significant development for Texas's natural gas sector, the Matterhorn Express Pipeline is set to boost the state's natural gas takeaway capacity starting this month. The new pipeline will have a capacity of 2.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and will transport gas from the Permian Basin to Katy, near Houston.

This addition comes as natural gas production from the Permian Basin has more than doubled since 2018, leading to a surplus that has driven down regional prices. To address this, three other pipeline projects are in development:

• Apex Pipeline: 2.0 Bcf/d capacity, moving gas from the Permian Basin to Port Arthur, Texas. Expected to start in 2026.

• Blackcomb Pipeline: 2.5 Bcf/d capacity, transporting gas to Agua Dulce in south Texas. Anticipated to be operational by 2026.

• Saguaro Connector Pipeline: 2.8 Bcf/d capacity, connecting the Permian Basin to the U.S.-Mexico border. Scheduled to begin service between 2027 and 2028.

These projects, along with others planned to transport gas to Mexico and the Texas Gulf Coast, aim to ease the current price pressures. Prices at the Waha Hub in Texas have been negative for nearly half of 2024, with the lowest recorded price at -$6.41 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in August. The Matterhorn Express Pipeline is expected to alleviate some of this downward pressure, potentially narrowing the price gap between the Waha Hub and the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub.

This increase in pipeline capacity marks a crucial step in managing Texas's growing natural gas production and stabilizing regional prices.

The MV Canopée, the world’s first hybrid wind-powered cargo vessel, made its inaugural U.S. stop at Port Canaveral. Launched in 2022, the French-flagged vessel was designed by ArianeGroup to transport Ariane 6 rocket parts for the European Space Agency. Operated by French company Alizés, the 121-meter ship features four wing sails that reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%. Port Canaveral officials highlighted the vessel’s innovative design and its support for space exploration.