2024 Projects

While 2023 still felt the tremors of 2022's energy market shock, 2024 presents a slightly different picture, albeit with ongoing challenges and complexities. Here's an updated view:

Shifting Landscape:

Relative stability: Power prices have declined compared to 2022, thanks to factors like the rebound of French nuclear production and replenished hydro reserves.
Accelerated transition: Europe continues its push towards renewables, driven by updated regional policies and ambitious national plans. However, meeting these targets still requires additional measures.
Focus on security: Concerns about energy security remain high, prompting a delicate balance between affordability, sustainability, and reliable supply.

Continued Challenges:

Geopolitical tensions: The war in Ukraine continues to cast a shadow, impacting gas supplies and influencing market dynamics.
Cost pressures: Despite some price moderation, energy remains expensive for households and businesses, highlighting the need for long-term affordability solutions.
Market volatility: The reliance on weather-dependent renewables can create grid instability, requiring further investment in flexibility and storage solutions.

Emerging Trends:

Investment surge: Renewables, particularly offshore wind and solar PV, are witnessing significant investment. Battery storage is also gaining traction as a crucial element for grid management.
Policy evolution: The EU is considering market reforms to incentivize further renewable integration and address price volatility. Additionally, policies supporting hydrogen development are gaining momentum.
Technological advancements: Innovations in clean energy technologies like small modular reactors and next-generation storage are being explored for their potential to contribute to a more secure and sustainable future.

Key Takeaways:

While 2024 shows signs of stabilization compared to the dramatic shifts of 2022, the European energy market remains in a state of flux. Balancing security, affordability, and sustainability is an ongoing challenge. Continued investment in renewables, storage, and grid modernization is crucial for Europe to achieve its energy and climate goals. Additionally, geopolitical realities and evolving technologies will continue to shape the market landscape in the coming years.

Battery Energy Storage System - BESS

UK (Confidential)

The coming decades demand 30+GW of multi hour, transmission system connected battery storage at key high voltage grid connection points. Developing these projects requires the traditional tools but a new project execution approach.

Hydrogen

Steel Decarbonisation

Large-scale African Solar-to-Ammonia Project Feasibility

This investigation assesses the economic and logistical viability of a large-scale solar project in Africa, aiming to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis, convert it to ammonia, and ship it to a DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) plant.

Economics:

Potential: Abundant African sunshine offers cost-competitive solar power generation. Electrolysis and ammonia conversion add significant costs, requiring economies of scale.
Challenges: High upfront capital expenditure for infrastructure, including solar panels, electrolyzers, ammonia converters, and dedicated pipelines/shipping capacity. Fluctuating energy prices and potential carbon pricing could impact profitability.
Opportunities: Long-term offtake agreements with DRI plants ensure stable demand and revenue. Carbon credits from green hydrogen production could generate additional income.

Deliverability:

Technical feasibility: Established technologies exist for each stage of the process. However, integrating and scaling them for a large-scale project requires careful planning and expertise.
Logistical challenges: Building infrastructure in remote African locations presents logistical complexities, requiring robust supply chains and skilled labor. Shipping ammonia safely and efficiently over long distances necessitates specialized infrastructure and regulations.
Political and social aspects: Project success hinges on securing government permits, navigating land rights, and engaging local communities through job creation and social development initiatives.

Conclusion:

Building a large-scale solar-to-ammonia project in Africa is technically feasible but faces significant economic and logistical challenges. Careful financial modeling, securing long-term contracts, and addressing logistical complexities are crucial for success. Additionally, the project's impact on local communities and the environment must be carefully considered and mitigated.

Small Modular Reactors

UK Entrant (Confidential)

2022 has seen the next stage in the roll out of SMRs, migrating from technology licensing to the broader project financing for execution. Will we see repowering of existing thermal assets?

SAF Feedstock Development

Jatropha to BioDiesel

Overview of the process of designing and funding a large reforestation project to deliver inedible vegetable oils for subsequent hydrogenation together with voluntary carbon credits. Comparison with known "waste to liquids" processes including Velocys, Fulcrum and other Fischer-Tropsch (FT) pathways.

Waste Plastics Chemical Recycling

PhiGenesis

CM Energy Insight has advised and supported:

Phigenesis -plastics chemical recycling
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
€500m+ capital raise via Alexa Capital
port-located facilities for biofuels & biomass feedstocks
development of international feedstock supply solutions.

EfW / RdF Trading

In the 1990s Chris was part of the Cory PowerGen JV that developed the UK's largest EfW plant (now Riverside), and the Kemsley Waste Paper EfW plant (a large FBC). More recently CMEI has advised clients on the identification of greenfield development sites for EfW projects. Feedstock counterparties have included Geminor, Transwaste, N+P, Andusia and Renewi

Gigafactory, EV Charging Infrastucure, and Storage Development

CM Energy Insight supports market entrants during the rapid cross-geographic growth of their business:

Regulatory framework at a Eu and UK level
Site identification & acquisition
Project development (permitting, regulatory approval, FEED study)
Project procurement & project finance
Teaming & project management / collaboration
Fund Raising

Investment in SRF Supply Chains

Afforestation project investment consisting of Eucalyptus, Poplar, Southern Yellow Pine, and Leylandii for pension backed investment fund wanting long term returns and access to the voluntary carbon credit market.