Hydrogen & Microgrids: What LIES on US Waters? International Security Command Center Dangerous Ports?

COP 26 turned out to be a “cop out.” If all along the intent had been to “phase down” instead of “phase out” fossil fuels, what was the purpose of another UN climate submit? What countries benefited from the “revised deal?” US and China – top two polluters.

Japan, France and Australia also by doing business on the US “green ports,” the major source of pollution in the county.

Green hydrogen buzz word 2050 predictions are CONveniently timed with fossil fuel CEOs pledges. It does beg the question, why would a country like the big polluter, US, have such high expectations of green hydrogen market increase?

Nuclear Power to Fuel Cell Power

Japan, recall the proposed power plant In Long Beach. Could that be in part the result of the “green port policy” or a “green coke” plan with US?  Was port workers’ reported proximity to “green cork” or what some see as high risk environment the price they paid for high salaries? 

The Long Beach Post reported that “The plan has been in the works since 2018, when Japanese car manufacturer Toyota teamed up with Connecticut-based technology firm FuelCell Energy to build a fuel cell plant at the port, where it would produce power and hydrogen from natural gas.”

Japans’ carmaker Toyota had reportedly set its sights on US West Coast Port of Long Beach. Just “green” business or are they taking US for a ride?  Seems carmaker hit a blockade (pun intended). No, no bottleneck but sure appears like just some good old fashion greed and State price fixing. And who better than Utility companies to bring to the deal.

The Long Beach Business Journal ran the story, “SCE Halts Toyota’s Plans For Fuel Cell Power Plant In Long Beach” shortly before the pandemic began. May be why you missed hearing about it. So why the halt?

Alena Maschke, Staff Writer, explains, Southern California Edison “SCE’s concerns focus on the type of fuel used to power the plant, which is commonly referred to as directed biogas…. The term describes biomethane that is collected from waste plants, dairy farms and other facilities that emit methane.”

Environment, worker safety, high rates, and space feasibility come to mind. Consider, “investor-owned utilities have argued that because plants using directed biogas draw from a common pipeline, which includes non-renewable natural gas, they can’t truly be seen as renewable and shouldn’t qualify for incentive pricing. Accepting them into the program, they said, would put an undue burden on ratepayers without advancing the state’s renewable energy goals.”

Both Toyota and SCE address space and feasibility. Maschke notes that Craig Scott, the Director of the Advanced Technologies Group for Toyota Motor North America, “also noted that in a port setting, on-site production of gas from biomass isn’t feasible…”

Utility companies appear to concur. “Under the BioMAT tariff, investor-owned utilities, such as PG&E and Southern California Edison, are required to purchase power produced from renewable resources at a premium,…SoCal Edison has questioned whether the planned facility at the Port of Long Beach qualifies, putting its economic feasibility at risk.”

Japan’s Toyota still seems more focused on the ride. “For Toyota, the main appeal of the project comes from its ability to create hydrogen, which the company plans to use in zero-emission trucks and consumer vehicles…Toyota and truck manufacturer Kenworth announced…a project that has received financial support in the form of $41 million in cap-and-trade dollars from the California Air Resources Board.”

It appears to me there are too many “green” chefs in the $tinken kitchen and port. As far as “near-zero emission vehicles,” it seems ironically absurd given that the purchases of these vehicles are also near-zero. Majority of car buyers continue to purchase gas guzzlers especially SUVs. Seen the lines at the pump?

So which “green” chef recipe did California agree with? “CPUC sided with Toyota and FuelCell Energy on the issue, paving the way for the Long Beach Port plant and others like it to join the state’s power grid, and produce hydrogen to power near-zero emission vehicles.”

Hey, I bet those hydrogens are looking pretty silly sitting on the water. Let’s hope they have not sunken or been pirated. Still, I’d guess those in Connecticut drive German engineered cars, that is the “green” CEOs.

Microgrids? Oui Oui, Monsieur Herr Schneider

It seems the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) was powerless against a biochemical weapon. Yes, but even more concerning was the expensive implementation of the Long Beach Harbor Patrol with its round-the-clock surveillance after 9/11.

Or, the so-called “security” by the “green” Command and Control Center. Seems the only thing green about it is the $ that went into it back in 2014. According to US Department of Energy “A microgrid generally operates while connected to the grid, but importantly, it can break off and operate on its own using local energy generation in times of crisis like storms or power outages, or for other reasons.”  Grid getting hacked?

It appears the focus has been on national security while attempting to transform the polluting ports into green ports.  Oh sure advocates speak of future green possibilities. But what they don’t tell you is about the real present dangers or challenges of grids – instability and uncertainty.

Last week, Smart Energy announced “$125 million Hydrogen Fuel Cell Innovation Center launches in New York state.” However, the reported “lack of hydrogen production, storage and transportation infrastructure” does not inspire confidence.

But wait, wasn’t the plan to have the grid run on hydrogen fuel? No worries, I imagine the Feds will supply funding given that “government announced that is partnering with various organisations to address challenges hindering the market.” Even so, it seems deals have gotten a lot pricier since the one struck three years ago.

Microgrid Knowledge shared in 2018 that “Schneider Electric Wins $5.2M Deal to Build a Microgrid at California’s Port of Long Beach.”  It appears the system itself is not complicated or expensive to build. But what good is having grids claiming to have site operations run on zero-emissions? 

National security. Smart Energy reported that according to the Schneider deal, “The microgrid operators will be based at the port’s critical response facility, the Joint Command and Control Center, which functions as the port’s hub for security.”

Grease Lightening!

I remember a summer of loving when I met a tall, gorgeous Aussie. “Grease Lightening?”  Well, let’s just say the cowboy had the sharpest hat with great timing.

Another Aussie seems to have had great timing. Freight Waves  reports that “Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OOIL) said it had sold 100 percent of Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) for $1.78 billion to a consortium led by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners.

It seems Australia has a crush on US ports. “Macquarie partnerships are major investors in port assets and stevedoring. In North America, they own 90 percent of the largest container terminal in the Port of New York and New Jersey…(YTI) in the Port of Los Angeles. In March one of its partnerships acquired 100 percent of NYK Ports (North America).”

Aussies, seems you too have benefited from China’s COSCO Shipping Tanker dealings with Iran. Did they cut a deal with US or China?  Well, you be the judge.

Feds were fed up and reportedly forced Orient Overseas (International) Ltd. to “sell the Long Beach Container Terminal business in Southern California to a consortium led by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners for $1.78 billion” in 2019. Macquarie Group Limited is an Australian multinational company.

Funny how the Feds were able to force China’s hand into selling the container.  What is not funny is that six months later a virus was unleashed. Blowback?

Soft Words from Soft Men

Men, who reflect on their life and actions have much to say. Some say that a man’s life is determined by the sum of his actions and the actions of those that came before him.

Gentlemen, indeed atonement comes by way of your progeny. It’s been determined.

Fossil fuel industry has denied their toxic effect on earth’s climate and its people for decades. Underlying pillars of instability and uncertainty continue to rise as CEOs continue to push their allegiances further into the future.

All the while their uncertain actions leave dirty paths in the past with signs that point to a dangerous instable future. Where? What lies down under and on the US ports –Australian, French, and Japanese deals.

Yet, uncertainty is predominant in the East and West. Australian economist Robert Dixon remarked, “Uncertainty is present in the decision-making process, not so much because there is a future as that there is, and will be, a past…”

Still, we remind those born of depravity and mendacity that their descendants too will face the consequences of dirty and dangerous deals made amidst crises and opportunities they created. Their treacherous life form will follow your corrupt function.

CEOs regrets? No need to fret. It’s all in the past… Or as Fortescue chairman and former CEO Andrew Forrest recently said, “I think regret is a soft word.” Spoken from experience –mind, body, and soul?  Mark our words, Aussie. There is nothing uncertain of that.