The Essex GEOS Clean Slate
Essex GEOS | Global Environmental Opportunities Strategy
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A bi-weekly synopsis of articles and blogs on new technologies, recent developments and other items of interest in the clean tech and new energy arena. This newsletter is intended to provide food for thought and is not intended in any way as an investment recommendation in any of the companies or technologies mentioned herein. Please see further disclosures at the end of this newsletter. Please visit our website at www.essexinvest.com. By clicking on the links below, you will be redirected to websites maintained by third party provider.
ISSUE #9: September 27, 2018
Is This the Future of Trucking?
This month, Volvo introduced Vera, an autonomous, electric truck concept. To call it a truck would be unfair to trucks as it looks more like a sled. In a fully autonomous world, where there is no need for a driver, the design of a truck’s cab can be completely re-thought and re-engineered. Such an approach allows greater functionality and efficiency. In Volvo’s concept, the cab of the truck has been eliminated altogether. But is the world ready for such a truck? Humans are likely to have a sharp, adverse reaction to seeing a completely impersonal, cyborg-like behemoth rumbling down the highway alongside the family SUV. Then again, the traditional family SUV of the future will look a lot different as well.
https://www.trucks.com/2018/09/13/vera-volvo-trucks-electric-autonomous-truck/
Old Solutions…New Technology
Cost effective, large-scale storage of electricity has always been a challenge for electric grids. Historically, there has been a great improvement in grid efficiency with the ability to store energy during periods when demand is low and discharge that stored energy when it is needed. In recent years, the formula has been impacted by the intermittent nature of renewables that can allow storage of electricity not only when it is in low demand, but also when it is cheaper to produce (solar energy when it is sunny and wind energy when it is windy). While new grid storage solutions are using lithium ion batteries, one of the oldest technologies has been pumped hydro storage. This old technology is now getting new life by implementing significant digital advancements such as sensors, software and new turbines.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/a-deep-dive-into-the-evolution-of-pumped-hydro-storage-technology-72909/
A Busy Month for Electric Vehicles
Beyond the carnival act known as Tesla (with “funding secured” tweets, DOJ and SEC inquiries, pot smoking and near emotional breakdowns of the CEO and Model 3 ramp challenges), the electric vehicle world was abuzz with many positive developments. Two new EV startups moved forward with significant funding for factory buildout and model launch: China-based NIO completed an early-September IPO raising $1 billion while US based Lucid Motors secured a $1bn investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Elsewhere, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, VW, and Mercedes all reiterated their significant commitments to electric vehicles and detailed specific model launches. The first to market will be the Audi e-tron, which will retail in 2019 for $74,000.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/17/17869450/lucid-motors-saudi-arabia-deal-tesla
https://www.wired.com/story/audi-etron-specs-comparison-electric-cars/
Transformative Tech at the Gates
Several years ago, tech titan Bill Gates formed a $1bn investment fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, to invest in a number of early and potentially transformative technologies that have the potential to meaningfully change the world and roll back the effects of climate change. This month, the Fund announced one of its first investments in Fervo Energy, a California based startup that is developing technology to improve the harnessing of geo-thermal energy. Also announced this month were investments in solid state batteries, grid storage, carbon storage, advanced fertilizers and biofuels.
Steel Making…in Massachusetts?
Steel has always seemed like one of those energy intensive, highly polluting industries that would never be discussed within these pages. Yet, a new startup, Boston Metal, is seeking to open a new steelmaking facility in our backyard that uses a new steel manufacturing technology requiring fewer inputs and reducing carbon dioxide output by half. This could be revolutionary.
https://futurism.com/steel-pollution-technologies/
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