Latest news with #zeroemissions
Sustainability Times
a day ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'UK Aviation Enters New Era': Scotland's LoganAir Teams Up with ZeroAvia to Launch World's First Zero-Emission Flights
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 LoganAir partners with ZeroAvia to pioneer sustainable aviation through hydrogen-electric technology. partners with ZeroAvia to pioneer sustainable aviation through hydrogen-electric technology. ✈️ ZeroAvia's engines use hydrogen fuel cells , producing only water as a byproduct for zero emissions. , producing only water as a byproduct for zero emissions. 🔧 The Cessna Caravan is chosen as the initial airframe for the ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. is chosen as the initial airframe for the ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. 💡 Hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a promising alternative for smaller aircraft due to their efficiency and potential to reduce maintenance costs. Scotland's regional airline, LoganAir, is embarking on a groundbreaking journey towards sustainable aviation. Partnering with ZeroAvia, the airline aims to integrate hydrogen-electric engines into its fleet, marking a significant step in the aviation industry's shift towards greener alternatives. This collaboration was announced during the prestigious Paris Air Show, highlighting LoganAir's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. By utilizing ZeroAvia's innovative hydrogen fuel cell technology, LoganAir hopes to set a new standard for zero-emission flights. This initiative not only positions LoganAir as a pioneer in eco-friendly air travel but also paves the way for a more sustainable future in aviation. The Promise of Zero-Emission Flights ZeroAvia's cutting-edge technology revolves around hydrogen fuel cells, which power electric motors to drive aircraft propellers. This process results in zero emissions, with water being the only byproduct. This remarkable innovation could revolutionize the aviation industry by significantly reducing its environmental impact. ZeroAvia's engines are designed to operate efficiently at lower altitudes, where regional turboprops typically fly, eliminating the formation of contrails and further minimizing their ecological footprint. LoganAir's collaboration with ZeroAvia represents a bold move towards adopting this technology, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. The partnership aims to retrofit LoganAir's existing aircraft with ZeroAvia's hydrogen-electric engines, starting with the Cessna Caravan as a testbed. This venture underscores LoganAir's dedication to sustainable air travel and sets a precedent for other airlines to follow suit in embracing green aviation solutions. 'It's Like Magic Fabric That Makes Power': Record-Breaking Flexible Solar Cells Deliver Unmatched Efficiency in Any Shape ZeroAvia to Retrofit Cessna Caravan as Launch Platform for ZA600 ZeroAvia has strategically selected the Cessna Caravan as the initial airframe for its ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. This decision underscores the company's confidence in its technology and its applicability to regional aircraft. Since the first sale of the ZA600 to Jetcruzer International in February, ZeroAvia has amassed over 2,000 preorders, including a noteworthy conditional agreement with United Airlines for 100 units. The company is actively pursuing certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority for both its ZA600 and the larger ZA2000 systems, targeting aircraft models like the Twin Otter and ATR series. With LoganAir operating a diverse fleet that includes these aircraft, the airline is well-positioned to leverage ZeroAvia's technology. LoganAir CEO Luke Farajallah expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the airline's commitment to a sustainable aviation future and the promising fit between ZeroAvia's technology and LoganAir's operational needs. 'Green Hydrogen Just Got Cheap': Scientists Achieve Low-Cost Production Breakthrough That Could Transform Global Energy Markets Fuel Cells Better Suited for Smaller Aircraft Due to Size and Weight Limits Despite the higher cost of hydrogen fuel compared to kerosene, its increased efficiency may offset overall fuel expenses. While traditional jet engines currently remain more cost-effective, hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising alternative for smaller aircraft. These cells require a larger and heavier system to match the power output of conventional jet engines, making them ideal for regional turboprops, where power density is less critical. Switching to hydrogen fuel cells eliminates the need for liquid hydrogen storage and complex transportation infrastructure at airports. Additionally, fuel cells have fewer moving parts than traditional engines, potentially reducing maintenance costs. As the technology continues to evolve, the aviation industry could witness a shift towards these more sustainable power sources, furthering efforts to reduce aviation's carbon footprint and environmental impact. 'Dead Batteries Aren't Dead Anymore': US Lab Uses Nano-CT Scans to Revive EV Cells With Shocking Precision The Future of Sustainable Aviation LoganAir's partnership with ZeroAvia represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable aviation. By embracing hydrogen-electric technology, the airline positions itself at the forefront of eco-friendly air travel. This collaboration not only enhances LoganAir's environmental credentials but also sets a benchmark for other regional airlines. The aviation industry stands at a crossroads, with sustainability becoming an increasingly important focus. As hydrogen fuel cell technology advances and becomes more cost-effective, will other airlines follow LoganAir's lead and embrace zero-emission flights? The future of aviation may depend on the industry's willingness to innovate and invest in greener solutions. Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (24)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Craig-Hallum Downgrades Oklo (OKLO) Stock
Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) is one of the 10 Unstoppable Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On June 23, Craig-Hallum analyst Eric Stine downgraded Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO)'s stock to 'Hold' from 'Buy' with a price objective of $59, reflecting an increase from $43. Considering its build, own, operate model, Okla Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) has been articulating a regulatory path in which it would be the nuclear technology provider as well as the project owner, with the company supplying baseload zero emissions power along with heat to end users in the Al data centers and other applications. An engineer conducting tests in a laboratory, looking closely at the latest nuclear fuel technology. The firm's checks have resulted in various degrees of skepticism surrounding the company's regulatory and commercial timelines. Even though the firm believes that it might be possible for Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) to meet its objectives, it also mentioned that this is a path that no company has decided to take. The company targets to deploy the first nuclear power plant at Idaho National Laboratory by 2027 end, or early in 2028 at the latest. The analyst believes that it would be prudent to wait for evidence of tangible progress. Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) announced that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began its review of the company's Licensed Operator Topical Report. This highlights the continued progress in its regulatory strategy and follows Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO)'s recent entry into the NRC's Readiness Assessment Audit for Phase 1 for its Combined License Application. While we acknowledge the potential of OKLO to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than OKLO and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The Skoda Octavia is going electric
A pure-electric Skoda Octavia is shaping up for a 2027 debut, but the combustion-powered hatchback and estate will live on to cover broad customer tastes. The Czech car maker will show a concept previewing the upcoming zero-emissions Octavia in Germany this autumn, as previously reported by Auto Express. And Klaus Zellmer, Skoda's CEO, promises the design takes a radical step forward. Advertisement - Article continues below 'I'm really looking forward to sharing our Octavia concept car: it will give a glimpse of our next-level design strategy. It's going to create a lot of buzz and controversial discussion,' the boss told Auto Express during a meeting at a London hotel. '[The concept] is clearly recognisable as a Skoda, but it's a further step of our 'Modern Solid' design language that we've established with the Skoda Elroq.' The concept will have a sleek estate bodystyle and further develop the building blocks of modern Skoda design. Those include the gloss black 'Tech Deck' grille that houses sensors for driver-assistance systems, and muscular body surfaces gouged by a 'tornado line' that carves its way around the entire body. The Munich show car will give a taste of the technologies and proportions of Volkswagen Group's all-new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). This is designed to replace the MEB architecture beneath electric cars such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Tavascan, and the premium PPE electric platform that underpins the Audi A6 e-tron and zero-emissions Porsche Macan Electric. Skoda introduced the current, fourth-generation Octavia in 2020 and expected it to be the last combustion version of its best-selling car. However, underperforming EV demand has put plans for an electric-only model on ice. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below 'The [next] Octavia [was] originally planned for MEB,' explained Zellmer. But the electric hatchback and estate has been pushed back so that it can use SSP and unlock superior capabilities. 'We pushed that onto the next platform simply because we're convinced we will need autonomous drive possibilities, long range, fast charge and so on, which will come with the next generation.' SSP's proportions will also help the design: MEB estate cars – such as the Volkswagen ID.7 – struggle to hide their higher roofline caused by stowing bulky batteries in the floor. The next-gen platform will likely offer cell-to-body construction, where the pack forms part of the structure rather than being laid in a metal frame. 'MEB is challenging when it comes to the height of sedan cars and that's something we're going to work on with the Octavia,' promised the CEO. The new platform is intended to scale components from the entry-level ID.1 all the way to luxurious Bentleys and Lamborghinis, with the future electric Volkswagen Golf one of the marque's models riding on it. Zellmer hinted that the Octavia will be one of the first electric Skodas to use an existing name. 'If I can send a wish to the universe, we should [use] Octavia. It's so strong as a brand.' Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Until now, the electric Enyaq, Elroq and the forthcoming Epiq baby e-SUV have worn an E-to-q namebadge. 'I think our naming strategy helped a lot internally and externally, but this is also something that you can't run forever,' said the CEO. Skoda has plans in place to extend the life of key combustion models beyond 2030, with the European Union currently due to outlaw the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035. The Octavia, Skoda's best-selling model, is surely top of the list. More than 215,000 were delivered to customers in 2024, ranking it second in its European market segment. 'There's enough volume in the market for us to potentially run the two [Octavias] in parallel,' stated the boss, despite the additional cost and complexity. 'It all depends on what customer sentiment is, especially in the fleet market. [These cars need to offer] lots of miles, lots of space, durability, quality, long range and so on. So we have to see how that pans out and keep the avenues open, while at the same time looking into what a battery electric successor to the Octavia looks like.' VW's Czech outpost now has responsibility for engineering development of the MQB components set, the transverse-engine, front-wheel drive architecture that stretches from Fabia to Superb – with the 4.7m-long Octavia in between. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It's not the only major undertaking outsourced to Skoda: its engineers are also responsible for three and four-cylinder petrol engines, and getting them through the tighter Euro 7 emissions standards. That puts the company in prime position to ensure the Octavia – and other key cars such as VW's Golf and the Audi A3 – can be redesigned and updated to soldier on alongside new electric versions. 'We've kept the avenues open to prolong life cycles of cars, if we see the need for that. I think this is really important.' Skoda will also U-turn on its decision to drop the plug-in hybrid Octavia. The big Superb and Kodiaq both offer PHEVs with more than 62 miles of pure-electric range, and UK company drivers pay reduced Benefit-in-Kind tax on big-battery PHEVs, thanks to CO2 emissions as low as 10g/km. 'From my point of view, we have to bring back the Octavia with a plug-in hybrid,' Zellmer asserted. 'For Europe, plug-in hybrid is the way to go, until we move fully into battery electric vehicles.' He also confirmed that Czech production lines for the Fabia supermini – due a facelift this year – Scala hatch and Kamiq small SUV will keep rolling too. 'Obviously you can't just have the lifecycle extended and think nobody will realise the age,' said Zellmer, addressing the need to keep refreshing the look and technology of the Fabia, Scala and Kamiq. 'This is what we'll do and then we can still decide, in the 2030s, what is going to happen [with phasing them out for EVs]. Running everything in parallel is not cost efficient.' Fancy having your own Skoda Octavia? Take a look at our latest Skoda Octavia deals , or browse our top used Skoda Octavia models ... Find a car with the experts BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal BYD and Octopus Energy team up for 'all-inclusive' EV deal Octopus' 'Power Pack Bundle' includes a leased BYD, a wallbox charger and charging all for less than £300 per month New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand's ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact … Car Deal of the Day: Fully loaded Vauxhall Mokka can be yours for just £175 per month Car Deal of the Day: Fully loaded Vauxhall Mokka can be yours for just £175 per month Our Deal of the Day for 21 June is this top-of-the-range version of Vauxhall's recently updated, style-focused small SUV
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
New York will build first major new US nuclear power plant in over 15 years
Kathy Hochul has announced plans to build a nuclear-power plant in New York, the first major new US plant in over 15 years, and one designed to add to add at least 1GW of nuclear power generation. The governor said in a statement that she had directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in upstate New York to support a reliable and affordable electric grid. 'As New York state electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,' Hochul said. The governor described the plan as 'a critical energy initiative' that would complement the construction of renewable energy and the state agency would 'safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers'. Hochul said that the nuclear plant would add zero-emission baseload power and help to advance New York's goal to achieve a clean energy economy. Renewable energy groups slammed the decision. 'NYPA has the power and mandate to build 15GW of renewables and should not let Trump promises lead New Yorkers away from it. After appointing a Republican to lead NYPA while remaining silent on its mandate to build wind and solar, Hochul's decision to step in based on promises from Donald Trump shows just how unserious she is about New Yorker's energy bills and climate future,' said a statement from the Public Power NY Coalition. It added: 'NYPA should be laser focused on rapidly scaling up their buildout of affordable solar and wind which is the only way to meet the state's science-based climate goals and lower energy bills.' The development will be a test of Donald Trump's executive orders to accelerate nuclear-power development in the US. But a site and reactor design has not been decided. One gigawatt of production is enough energy to power around a million homes. Nuclear plants currently produce about 19% of the country's electricity, down 4% from its 2012 peak. It is expected to decline further, though big technology companies have recently licensed power from ageing reactors to meet the demands of AI computing centers. Only five new commercial reactors have come online in the US since 1991 and electric utilities companies have forecast the US will need the equivalent of 34 new, full-size nuclear power plants over the next five years to meet power requirements. Last year, Microsoft signed a 20-year purchase agreement with the private generator Constellation that will see one of the reactors at Three Mile Island in Pennslyvannia restarted. Amazon signed a deal to purchase nuclear-generated power from the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, also in Pennsylvania, to supply data centers. Separately, Google announced a deal to purchase nuclear energy from small modular reactors (SMRs) and Amazonsaid it had signed agreements to invest in four SMRs in Washington state to power data centers in Oregon. Oracle is designing an AI data center to be powered by three SMRs. Given its geography, water supply and proximity of IBM and university tech research centers, Hochul is supporting plans to develop upstate New York into a tech center akin to Silicon Valley. But the state retired the Indian Point nuclear plant 40 miles from Manhattan in 2021 in part due to environmental concerns and because the hijacker-pilots of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade center used the twin reactor's domes along the Hudson river as sign posts. As one consequence of the closure, New York had to burn more fossil fuels, raising greenhouse-gas emissions even as local and state legislatures demanded a reaction. 'There was no Plan B,' Hochul told the Wall Street Journal on Monday. Trump's order to speed up regulatory approval of new nuclear power production could jump-start an industry that's been in decline for three decades because of safety concerns, cost overruns and an unfavorable political environment. But environmental groups have warned that the push for nuclear could also reduce regulatory controls related to health and safety. Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a plan that would repeal a landmark climate rule that aims to mostly eliminate greenhouse gases from power plants by the 2030s. Hochul told the outlet that she suggested to Trump that Elon Musk's 'department of government efficiency' should turn its attention to streamlining regulatory approval at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 'Why does it take a decade?' she said. 'That's why no one is doing it; the barriers are too high.'
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
New York plans new advanced nuclear power plant upstate, governor says
NEW YORK, June 23 (Reuters) - New York plans to build an advanced nuclear plant with the ability to produce at least 1 gigawatt of power, which would be one of the first new U.S. reactors in a generation, Governor Kathy Hochul said on Monday. U.S. nuclear power is experiencing a renaissance after decades of stagnation, spurred on by record electricity demand from the proliferation of energy-guzzling data centers and the electrification of industries like transportation and manufacturing. "We need electricity that is reliable all day long," Hochul said at a press conference. "Harnessing the power of the atom is the best way to generate steady zero-emissions electricity." New York plans to partially finance the nuclear plant and buy electricity from it. The projected cost of building the project has not been disclosed. The state is looking for partners in the project, which will be built in upstate New York, north of New York City, although the exact location and timeline for construction are still unclear. Hochul said she has directed the state's power authority to move forward with plans to site and eventually construct the nuclear build. The governor launched, opens new tab a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in January to gauge market interest in developing advanced nuclear energy technologies amid rising electricity demand. In late May, U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders directing the country's independent nuclear regulatory commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants.
