ExxonMobil has signed an MOU with LG Chem to supply up to 100,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, strengthening the domestic lithium supply chain. LG Chem’s Tennessee cathode plant, under construction since December 2023, will have an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons, making it the largest in the U.S. Its strategic location ensures efficient customer deliveries and raw material imports.

This partnership addresses the critical shortage of lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries, while boosting U.S. energy security and economic growth. Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, highlighted the importance of a secure domestic lithium supply, and Shin Hak-cheol, CEO of LG Chem, emphasized its impact on strengthening the global supply chain for critical minerals. With the final investment decision pending, this collaboration sets the stage for a more sustainable future. ⚡

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $2.2 billion to support clean hydrogen development under President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda. The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, led by HyVelocity, will receive $1.2 billion to produce hydrogen using renewable energy, natural gas, and carbon capture technologies, aiming to create 45,000 jobs. The Midwest Hydrogen Hub, led by MachH2, will receive $1 billion to leverage wind, nuclear, and natural gas for industrial decarbonization and heavy transport, with 12,000 jobs anticipated.

These hubs are critical pillars of the DOE’s H2Hubs program, designed to establish a national hydrogen network, reduce carbon emissions, and create tens of thousands of green jobs, all while addressing the climate crisis and strengthening U.S. energy security.

The U.S. natural gas industry is preparing for a strong rebound in 2025 after a challenging year marked by production cuts in 2024. This decline, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, was driven by multi-decade low prices and reduced demand. However, industry leaders are optimistic as global factors shift in their favor.

A significant driver of the anticipated recovery is the rapid expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, with volumes expected to jump 14% in 2025. The surge in international demand for cleaner energy solutions has bolstered confidence in U.S. natural gas as a critical player in the global energy transition. Supporting this trend, spot natural gas prices are projected to rise by more than 40% in 2025 compared to the depressed levels of 2024, creating favorable conditions for increased production.

This renewed momentum aligns with the opening of new LNG export facilities, enabling the U.S. to strengthen its position as a leading energy supplier. Industry experts view this comeback as a pivotal opportunity for U.S. drillers to leverage growing international reliance on natural gas to bridge the energy gap in the shift away from coal and oil.

The Provence Grand Large floating offshore wind project in France has delivered its first power to the national electricity grid. Located 17 kilometers off the Mediterranean coast, the pilot project features three Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines on tensioned line floats designed by IFP Energies Nouvelles and SBM Offshore.

The first turbine was installed in September 2023, with the final unit towed offshore in October 2024. Wind turbine components were manufactured at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Le Havre, while the floating foundations were built by Eiffage Métal in Fos-sur-Mer, with assembly done in partnership with Smulders of Belgium.

Cable installation, burial, and turbine connection to the Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône station were completed by Asso.subsea in April 2024. This project showcases France’s strides in innovative renewable energy, combining advanced technology and international collaboration to harness offshore wind power.

Bright Renewables, a global leader in biogas upgrading systems, and BerQ RNG have announced a partnership to develop four renewable natural gas (RNG) projects across the United States. Bright Renewables, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, has already sold 35 biogas upgrading units in the U.S. and plans significant expansion in the coming years.

The Vancouver office plays a key role in supporting Bright’s local installations and ensuring service excellence, according to Graham Hartlett, Chief Sales Officer at HoSt Bio-Energy Systems NA. The company’s standardized approach allows for efficient and cost-effective system deployment, even in the face of complex project requirements.

Bright Renewables continues to invest heavily in research and development, enhancing its biogas technologies to meet growing demand for RNG solutions. This partnership is expected to further bolster the development of sustainable energy projects in the U.S., aligning with broader renewable energy goals.

Photo Credit: biogascommunity.com