NewzIntel.com

Category: Renewable Energy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Quigley Calls for Protection of National Parks; Highlights Threats They Face

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

    This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), concluded his tenth Climate Change Tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and announced the re-introduction of his National Parks protection legislation, the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act.

    “For a decade, my National Park Climate Change Tours have allowed us a firsthand look at how climate change damages our parks’ plants, wildlife, and waterways. During our visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I visited places like Chilhowee Lake and learned about habitat restoration efforts to protect endangered fish populations and ensure ecological diversity,” said Quigley. “This year, we also spent time visiting with nearby towns that were hit by Hurricane Helene, where we discussed the importance of federal services to rebuilding and fighting severe weather. The Great Smoky Mountains are ultimately just one of the many national treasures threatened by extreme weather, rising carbon emissions, and plastic pollution. We all have to work together to fight that threat.”

    Last month, Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, Doug Bergum, reversed the Interior Department’s policy to phase out single-use plastics across national parks and other public lands. The Biden policy, modeled after Obama-era guidelines, banned the sale and distribution of unnecessary single-use plastic products, like bottles and plastic foam foodware, in protected areas. 

    The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would restore Biden’s policy, codifying a call for the National Park Service to decrease the availability of single-use plastics in parks. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

    “Oregonians and Americans love our national parks, but instead of protecting them from dangerous plastic pollution, Secretary Burgum is dead set on reopening the floodgates to plastic in our parks,” said Senator Merkley, Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. “Single-use plastics threaten our natural treasures and the ability of folks to enjoy their beauty. As the Trump Administration continues to recklessly endanger natural wonders and wildlife nationwide—just like during the first administration—I’ll keep fighting to protect and preserve our parks and public lands so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

    “Our national parks should be full of scenic views and free of plastic pollution,” said Christy Leavitt, Campaign Director at Oceana. “Reducing single-use plastics in our national parks is a win for wildlife and the millions of visitors who come to enjoy these remarkable places. Plastics can persist in our oceans and environment for years and years, fouling the landscape and harming fragile ecosystems. We applaud Sen. Merkley and Rep. Quigley for closing the floodgates of plastic pollution and standing up for plastic-free parks.”

    “We greatly appreciate Rep. Quigley’s enduring leadership in helping to ensure that the National Park Service takes action to reduce plastic disposable waste in our parks, ” said Madeleine Foote, Healthy Communities Program Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “The Park Service had made considerable progress towards their goal of eliminating single-use plastics by 2032, and it’s incredibly disappointing to see this new administration reversing course. We commend Rep. Quigley, and other members like him, who are working to protect our public lands, waters, and special places for generations to come.”

    During his Climate Change Tour of the Great Smoky Mountains, Quigley and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) saw the impacts of climate change on our National Parks firsthand. They also learned from subject matter experts about the tactics deployed to combat the effects of climate change and the measures that could be implemented going forward to help adapt to coming climate impacts. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act is just one federal initiative that will help these experts in their mission to preserve our nation’s precious natural treasures.

    “Our national parks are among our most important American treasures,” said Representative Casten. “I was honored to join my colleagues this past week in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see local efforts to preserve crucial ecosystems and ensure that our parks will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. I also appreciated hearing directly from folks managing the recovery and rehabilitation efforts following Hurricane Helene and look forward to taking what we learned back to Washington to help mitigate the next climate-driven extreme weather disaster.”

    “Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park made one thing clear: our national parks represent the best of America — clean air, clear water, thriving wildlife, and shared spaces for all of us to enjoy. But Trump’s Interior Department would rather flood them with single-use plastics than protect these national treasures. We should be investing in resilience, restoration, and partnerships that strengthen these lands—not selling them out to polluters,” said Representative Huffman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “I’m proud to back Rep. Quigley’s Reducing Waste in National Parks Act to keep plastics out of our parks and ensure future generations inherit public lands that are healthy and thriving.”

    The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would:

    • Restore the previous Interior Department policy of phasing out single-use plastic products across national parks and other public lands. 
    • Decrease the availability of single-use plastic products, like bottles and plastic foam foodware, in protected areas by banning their sale and distribution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will have Americans paying higher prices for dirtier energy

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University

    Congress passed Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill on July 3, 2025. Kevin Carter/Getty Images

    When congressional Republicans decided to cut some Biden-era energy subsidies to help fund their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they could have pruned wasteful subsidies while sparing the rest. Instead, they did the reverse. Americans will pay the price with higher costs for dirtier energy.

    The nearly 900-page bill that President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025, slashes incentives for wind and solar energy, batteries, electric cars and home efficiency while expanding subsidies for fossil fuels and biofuels. That will leave Americans burning more fossil fuels despite strong public and scientific support for shifting to renewable energy.

    As an environmental engineering professor who studies ways to confront climate change, I think it is important to distinguish which energy technologies could rapidly cut emissions or need a financial boost to become viable from those that are already profitable but harm the environment. Unfortunately, the Republican bill favors the latter while stifling the former.

    The Spring Creek Mine in Decker, Mont., is just one mine in the Powder River Basin, the most productive coal-producing region in the U.S.
    AP Photo/Matthew Brown

    Cuts to renewable electricity

    Wind and solar power, often paired with batteries, provide over 90% of the new electricity added nationally and around the world in recent years. Natural gas turbines are in short supply, and there are long lead times to build nuclear power plants. Wind and solar energy projects – with batteries to store excess power until it’s needed – offer the fastest way to satisfy growing demand for power. Recent technological breakthroughs put geothermal power on the verge of rapid growth.

    However, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act rescinds billions of dollars that the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, devoted to boosting domestic manufacturing and deployments of renewable energy and batteries.

    It accelerates the phaseout of tax credits for factories that manufacture equipment needed for renewable energy and electric vehicles. That would disrupt the boom in domestic manufacturing projects that had been stimulated by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    Efforts to build new wind and solar farms will be hit even harder. To receive any tax credits, those projects will need to commence construction by mid-2026 or come online by the end of 2027. The act preserves a slower timeline for phasing out subsidies for nuclear, geothermal and hydrogen projects, which take far longer to build than wind and solar farms.

    However, even projects that could be built soon enough will struggle to comply with the bill’s restrictions on using Chinese-made components. Tax law experts have called those provisions “unworkable,” since some Chinese materials may be necessary even for projects built with as much domestic content as possible. For example, even American-made solar panels may rely on components sourced from China or Chinese-owned companies.

    Princeton University professor Jesse Jenkins estimates that the bill will mean wind and solar power generate 820 fewer terawatt-hours in 2035 than under previous policies. That’s more power than all U.S. coal-fired power plants generated in 2023.

    That’s why BloombergNEF, an energy research firm, called the bill a “nightmare scenario” for clean energy proponents.

    However, one person’s nightmare may be another man’s dream. “We’re constraining the hell out of wind and solar, which is good,” said U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican who is backed by the oil and gas industry.

    Federal tax credits for homeowners who install solar panels will now expire at the end of 2025.
    AP Photo/Michael Conroy

    Electric cars and efficiency

    Cuts fall even harder on Americans who are trying to reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs. The quickest phaseout comes for tax credits for electric vehicles, which will end on Sept. 30, 2025. And since the bill eliminates fines on car companies that fail to meet fuel economy standards, other new cars are likely to guzzle more gas.

    Tax credits for home efficiency improvements such as heat pumps, efficient windows and energy audits will end at the end of 2025. Homeowners will also lose tax credits for installing solar panels at the end of the year, seven years earlier than under the previous law.

    The bill also rescinds funding that would have helped cut diesel emissions and finance clean energy projects in underserved communities.

    Federal tax credits for buying electric vehicles will end on Sept. 30, 2025.
    AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

    Support for biofuels and fossil fuels

    Biofuels and fossil fuels fared far better under the bill. Tens of billions of dollars will be spent to extend tax credits for biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

    Food-based biofuels do little good for the climate because growing, harvesting and processing crops requires fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The bill would allow forests to be cut to make room for crops because it directs agencies to ignore the effects of biofuels on land use.

    Meanwhile, the bill opens more federal lands and waters to leasing for oil and gas drilling and coal mining. It also slashes the royalties that companies pay to the federal government for fuels extracted from publicly owned land. And a new tax credit will subsidize metallurgical coal, which is mainly exported to steelmakers overseas.

    The bill also increases subsidies for using captured carbon dioxide to extract more oil and gas from the ground. That makes it less likely that captured emissions will only be sequestered to combat climate change.

    Summing it up

    With fewer efficiency improvements, fewer electric vehicles and less clean power on the grid, Princeton’s Jenkins projects that the law will increase household energy costs by over $280 per year by 2035 above what they would have been without the bill. The extra fossil fuel-burning will negate 470 million tons of anticipated emissions reductions that year, a 7% bump.

    The bill will also leave America’s clean energy transition further behind China, which is deploying more solar and wind power and electric vehicles than the rest of the world combined.

    No one expected President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to escape unscathed with Republicans in the White House and dominating both houses of Congress, even though many of its projects were in Republican-voting districts. Still, pairing cuts to clean energy with support for fossil fuels makes Trump’s bill uniquely harmful to the world’s climate and to Americans’ wallets.

    This article includes some material previously published on June 10, 2025.

    Daniel Cohan receives research funding from the Carbon Hub at Rice University. He previously received research funding from Project InnerSpace, the Mitchell Foundation, the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

    – ref. ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will have Americans paying higher prices for dirtier energy – https://theconversation.com/big-beautiful-bill-will-have-americans-paying-higher-prices-for-dirtier-energy-260588

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will have Americans paying higher prices for dirtier energy

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University

    Congress passed Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill on July 3, 2025. Kevin Carter/Getty Images

    When congressional Republicans decided to cut some Biden-era energy subsidies to help fund their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they could have pruned wasteful subsidies while sparing the rest. Instead, they did the reverse. Americans will pay the price with higher costs for dirtier energy.

    The nearly 900-page bill that President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025, slashes incentives for wind and solar energy, batteries, electric cars and home efficiency while expanding subsidies for fossil fuels and biofuels. That will leave Americans burning more fossil fuels despite strong public and scientific support for shifting to renewable energy.

    As an environmental engineering professor who studies ways to confront climate change, I think it is important to distinguish which energy technologies could rapidly cut emissions or need a financial boost to become viable from those that are already profitable but harm the environment. Unfortunately, the Republican bill favors the latter while stifling the former.

    The Spring Creek Mine in Decker, Mont., is just one mine in the Powder River Basin, the most productive coal-producing region in the U.S.
    AP Photo/Matthew Brown

    Cuts to renewable electricity

    Wind and solar power, often paired with batteries, provide over 90% of the new electricity added nationally and around the world in recent years. Natural gas turbines are in short supply, and there are long lead times to build nuclear power plants. Wind and solar energy projects – with batteries to store excess power until it’s needed – offer the fastest way to satisfy growing demand for power. Recent technological breakthroughs put geothermal power on the verge of rapid growth.

    However, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act rescinds billions of dollars that the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, devoted to boosting domestic manufacturing and deployments of renewable energy and batteries.

    It accelerates the phaseout of tax credits for factories that manufacture equipment needed for renewable energy and electric vehicles. That would disrupt the boom in domestic manufacturing projects that had been stimulated by the Inflation Reduction Act.

    Efforts to build new wind and solar farms will be hit even harder. To receive any tax credits, those projects will need to commence construction by mid-2026 or come online by the end of 2027. The act preserves a slower timeline for phasing out subsidies for nuclear, geothermal and hydrogen projects, which take far longer to build than wind and solar farms.

    However, even projects that could be built soon enough will struggle to comply with the bill’s restrictions on using Chinese-made components. Tax law experts have called those provisions “unworkable,” since some Chinese materials may be necessary even for projects built with as much domestic content as possible. For example, even American-made solar panels may rely on components sourced from China or Chinese-owned companies.

    Princeton University professor Jesse Jenkins estimates that the bill will mean wind and solar power generate 820 fewer terawatt-hours in 2035 than under previous policies. That’s more power than all U.S. coal-fired power plants generated in 2023.

    That’s why BloombergNEF, an energy research firm, called the bill a “nightmare scenario” for clean energy proponents.

    However, one person’s nightmare may be another man’s dream. “We’re constraining the hell out of wind and solar, which is good,” said U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican who is backed by the oil and gas industry.

    Federal tax credits for homeowners who install solar panels will now expire at the end of 2025.
    AP Photo/Michael Conroy

    Electric cars and efficiency

    Cuts fall even harder on Americans who are trying to reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs. The quickest phaseout comes for tax credits for electric vehicles, which will end on Sept. 30, 2025. And since the bill eliminates fines on car companies that fail to meet fuel economy standards, other new cars are likely to guzzle more gas.

    Tax credits for home efficiency improvements such as heat pumps, efficient windows and energy audits will end at the end of 2025. Homeowners will also lose tax credits for installing solar panels at the end of the year, seven years earlier than under the previous law.

    The bill also rescinds funding that would have helped cut diesel emissions and finance clean energy projects in underserved communities.

    Federal tax credits for buying electric vehicles will end on Sept. 30, 2025.
    AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

    Support for biofuels and fossil fuels

    Biofuels and fossil fuels fared far better under the bill. Tens of billions of dollars will be spent to extend tax credits for biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

    Food-based biofuels do little good for the climate because growing, harvesting and processing crops requires fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The bill would allow forests to be cut to make room for crops because it directs agencies to ignore the effects of biofuels on land use.

    Meanwhile, the bill opens more federal lands and waters to leasing for oil and gas drilling and coal mining. It also slashes the royalties that companies pay to the federal government for fuels extracted from publicly owned land. And a new tax credit will subsidize metallurgical coal, which is mainly exported to steelmakers overseas.

    The bill also increases subsidies for using captured carbon dioxide to extract more oil and gas from the ground. That makes it less likely that captured emissions will only be sequestered to combat climate change.

    Summing it up

    With fewer efficiency improvements, fewer electric vehicles and less clean power on the grid, Princeton’s Jenkins projects that the law will increase household energy costs by over $280 per year by 2035 above what they would have been without the bill. The extra fossil fuel-burning will negate 470 million tons of anticipated emissions reductions that year, a 7% bump.

    The bill will also leave America’s clean energy transition further behind China, which is deploying more solar and wind power and electric vehicles than the rest of the world combined.

    No one expected President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to escape unscathed with Republicans in the White House and dominating both houses of Congress, even though many of its projects were in Republican-voting districts. Still, pairing cuts to clean energy with support for fossil fuels makes Trump’s bill uniquely harmful to the world’s climate and to Americans’ wallets.

    This article includes some material previously published on June 10, 2025.

    Daniel Cohan receives research funding from the Carbon Hub at Rice University. He previously received research funding from Project InnerSpace, the Mitchell Foundation, the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

    – ref. ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will have Americans paying higher prices for dirtier energy – https://theconversation.com/big-beautiful-bill-will-have-americans-paying-higher-prices-for-dirtier-energy-260588

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Support measures for the European fertiliser industry – E-001698/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Fertilisers are highly tradeable internationally and the EU is dependent on imports for most of the inputs they require. Exogeneous developments, such as spikes of natural gas prices or tightening of global supply for phosphatic fertilisers, have a strong impact on production costs.

    The Commission is currently undertaking several initiatives to support the European industry, among which the action plan for Affordable Energy[1] that will benefit energy-intensive industries. In addition, the President of the Commission announced a dedicated action plan for the EU chemical industry[2].

    The Common Agricultural Policy[3] supports the improvement of nutrient management, that includes the substitution of mineral with bio-based fertilisers, closing nutrient loops and therefore reducing dependencies. Such actions are planned for 15.5% of EU farming area by 2027[4].

    A Fertiliser Market Observatory[5] was also established to improve market transparency and monitoring. Fertilisers availability and affordability in the EU improved in 2024, driven by increased nitrogen fertilisers production and lower prices.

    The Commission is currently exploring the simplification potential for rules on EU fertilising products[6], including possible disproportionate burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    Furthermore, SMEs can seek financial support from different EU programmes, like the EU Innovation Fund[7] and the European Hydrogen Bank[8].

    • [1] eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0079.
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/el/read_25_1198.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013, OJ L435, 6.12.2021.
    • [4] https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCapPlan/result_indicators.html#.
    • [5] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/data-and-analysis/markets/overviews/market-observatories/fertilisers_en.
    • [6] Regulation (EU) 2019/ of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 laying down rules on the making available on the market of EU fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R1009.
    • [7] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-funding-climate-action/innovation-fund/what-innovation-fund_en.
    • [8] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0156.
    Last updated: 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can a pizza box go in the yellow bin – or not? An expert answers this and other messy recycling questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pooria Pasbakhsh, Research Fellow in Polymer Upcycling, The University of Melbourne

    ViDCan/Shutterstock

    Have you ever gone to toss something into the recycling bin – a jam jar, a pizza box, a takeaway container encrusted with yesterday’s lunch – and wondered if you’re doing it right? Perhaps you asked yourself: should I scrub the jar with hot water? Scrape the mozzarella off the box? Wash off that palak paneer?

    Research shows most Australians believe they are good recyclers. But only 25% of people separate waste correctly and up to 35% of recycling goes to landfill unnecessarily. And one in four Australians tends not to rinse or empty food containers before sending them to the bin.

    The problem is not helped by different recycling practices between councils, which causes public confusion.

    So just how well does recycling need to be rinsed? What should you do with your plastic lids and pizza boxes? And will robots one day work it all out for us?

    One in four Australians tends not to rinse or empty food containers before recycling them.
    ThamKC/Shutterstock

    The problem of contamination

    Mechanical recycling methods – such as shredding and melting – struggle to operate when food and other residues are present.

    In fact, one spoiled item might ruin the entire cycling batch. Queensland’s Goondiwindi Regional Council, for example, said nearly a quarter of its kerbside recyclables collected in 2022–23 was contaminated and sent to landfill.

    Some councils use “advanced materials recovery” that can tolerate lightly soiled recyclables. These facilities use mechanical and automated sorting processes, including optical sorters and artificial intelligence.

    But other councils still rely on human sorting, or basic mechanical systems, which require items to be relatively clean.

    Some recycling is still sorted by hand.
    Adwo/Shutterstock

    Be a tip-top recycler

    While local recycling capabilities come into play, as a general rule, rinse containers when you can. As well as avoiding contamination, it helps reduce smells and keep bins clean.

    The best pre-cleaning method for recycling depends on the type of packaging.

    Paper and cardboard: these items must be clean and dry – no exceptions. Paper and cardboard absorbs contamination more than other materials. So if it gets wet or greasy, it can’t be recycled – though it may be compostable.

    So for pizza boxes, for example, recycle the clean parts and bin the parts that are greasy or have food stuck to them.

    Unfortunately, traditional cardboard coffee cups are not usually recyclable in Australia. That’s because the plastic lining inside is bonded tightly to the paper, making it difficult to separate during standard paper recycling.

    However in some areas, programs such as Simply Cups collect coffee cups and recycle them into sustainable products such as asphalt, concrete and building products.

    And in some states, such as South Australia and Western Australia, single-use cups lined with polymer are banned and only compostable cups can be used.

    The plastic lining in disposable coffee cups is tightly bonded to the paper, making recycling difficult.
    maxbelchenko/Shutterstock

    Glass and metals: these items are washed and processed at extremely high temperatures, so can tolerate a bit of residue. But too much residue can contaminate paper and cardboard in the bin. So rinse glass and plastic to remove visible food and empty liquids. Just a quick rinse is enough – there’s no need to scrub or use hot water.

    But not all glass and metals can be recycled. Mirrors and light bulbs, for instance, are treated in such a way that they melt at different temperatures to other glass. So check before you chuck.

    Plastics: rinse plastics before putting them in the recycling bin. It’s important to know that the numbers 1 to 7 on plastics, inside a recycling symbol, do not necessarily mean the item can be recycled in your area. The number is a code that identifies what plastic the item is made from. Check if your council can recycle that type of plastic.

    Complicating matters further is the question of plastic lids. On this, guidelines differ across Australia, so check your local rules.

    Some councils recycle plastic coffee-cup lids while others don’t.

    Likewise, the rules on plastic bottle lids differ. Some councils allow bottle-lid recycling, but even then, the processes vary. In the Australian Capital territory, for example, a lid larger than a credit card can be put in the recycling bin, but consumers are asked to remove the lid from the bottle. But Brisbane City Council asks consumers to leave the lids on.

    Meanwhile, organisations such as Lids4Kids collect plastic lids and make them into new products.

    Some organisations collect plastic lids and make them into new products.
    Chutima Chaochaiya/Shutterstock

    The future of recycling

    Recycling methods are evolving.

    Advanced chemical recycling breaks plastic down into its chemical building blocks. It can process plastic types that traditional methods can’t, such as soft plastics, and turn it into valuable new products.

    AI and automation are also reshaping recycling, by improving sorting and reducing contamination. And closed-loop washing systems, which filter and reuse water, can clean lightly soiled recyclables.

    Other innovations are emerging, too, such as dissolvable packaging and AI-enabled “smart bins” that might one day identify and sort materials – and maybe even tell consumers if items need rinsing!

    And goods can also be “upcycled” into higher value products such as “nanomaterials” or hydrogen.

    But upcycling still requires clean, well-sorted streams to be viable. And until all these technologies are widespread, each of us must help keep our recycling systems working well.

    Pooria Pasbakhsh is also affiliated with Monash University Malaysia as an Adjunct Associate Professor. He received funding from CRC-P project entitled “Upcycling of Convoluted Subsea Flexible Flow Lines”, Grant number: 108439.

    – ref. Can a pizza box go in the yellow bin – or not? An expert answers this and other messy recycling questions – https://theconversation.com/can-a-pizza-box-go-in-the-yellow-bin-or-not-an-expert-answers-this-and-other-messy-recycling-questions-258301

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can a pizza box go in the yellow bin – or not? An expert answers this and other messy recycling questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pooria Pasbakhsh, Research Fellow in Polymer Upcycling, The University of Melbourne

    ViDCan/Shutterstock

    Have you ever gone to toss something into the recycling bin – a jam jar, a pizza box, a takeaway container encrusted with yesterday’s lunch – and wondered if you’re doing it right? Perhaps you asked yourself: should I scrub the jar with hot water? Scrape the mozzarella off the box? Wash off that palak paneer?

    Research shows most Australians believe they are good recyclers. But only 25% of people separate waste correctly and up to 35% of recycling goes to landfill unnecessarily. And one in four Australians tends not to rinse or empty food containers before sending them to the bin.

    The problem is not helped by different recycling practices between councils, which causes public confusion.

    So just how well does recycling need to be rinsed? What should you do with your plastic lids and pizza boxes? And will robots one day work it all out for us?

    One in four Australians tends not to rinse or empty food containers before recycling them.
    ThamKC/Shutterstock

    The problem of contamination

    Mechanical recycling methods – such as shredding and melting – struggle to operate when food and other residues are present.

    In fact, one spoiled item might ruin the entire cycling batch. Queensland’s Goondiwindi Regional Council, for example, said nearly a quarter of its kerbside recyclables collected in 2022–23 was contaminated and sent to landfill.

    Some councils use “advanced materials recovery” that can tolerate lightly soiled recyclables. These facilities use mechanical and automated sorting processes, including optical sorters and artificial intelligence.

    But other councils still rely on human sorting, or basic mechanical systems, which require items to be relatively clean.

    Some recycling is still sorted by hand.
    Adwo/Shutterstock

    Be a tip-top recycler

    While local recycling capabilities come into play, as a general rule, rinse containers when you can. As well as avoiding contamination, it helps reduce smells and keep bins clean.

    The best pre-cleaning method for recycling depends on the type of packaging.

    Paper and cardboard: these items must be clean and dry – no exceptions. Paper and cardboard absorbs contamination more than other materials. So if it gets wet or greasy, it can’t be recycled – though it may be compostable.

    So for pizza boxes, for example, recycle the clean parts and bin the parts that are greasy or have food stuck to them.

    Unfortunately, traditional cardboard coffee cups are not usually recyclable in Australia. That’s because the plastic lining inside is bonded tightly to the paper, making it difficult to separate during standard paper recycling.

    However in some areas, programs such as Simply Cups collect coffee cups and recycle them into sustainable products such as asphalt, concrete and building products.

    And in some states, such as South Australia and Western Australia, single-use cups lined with polymer are banned and only compostable cups can be used.

    The plastic lining in disposable coffee cups is tightly bonded to the paper, making recycling difficult.
    maxbelchenko/Shutterstock

    Glass and metals: these items are washed and processed at extremely high temperatures, so can tolerate a bit of residue. But too much residue can contaminate paper and cardboard in the bin. So rinse glass and plastic to remove visible food and empty liquids. Just a quick rinse is enough – there’s no need to scrub or use hot water.

    But not all glass and metals can be recycled. Mirrors and light bulbs, for instance, are treated in such a way that they melt at different temperatures to other glass. So check before you chuck.

    Plastics: rinse plastics before putting them in the recycling bin. It’s important to know that the numbers 1 to 7 on plastics, inside a recycling symbol, do not necessarily mean the item can be recycled in your area. The number is a code that identifies what plastic the item is made from. Check if your council can recycle that type of plastic.

    Complicating matters further is the question of plastic lids. On this, guidelines differ across Australia, so check your local rules.

    Some councils recycle plastic coffee-cup lids while others don’t.

    Likewise, the rules on plastic bottle lids differ. Some councils allow bottle-lid recycling, but even then, the processes vary. In the Australian Capital territory, for example, a lid larger than a credit card can be put in the recycling bin, but consumers are asked to remove the lid from the bottle. But Brisbane City Council asks consumers to leave the lids on.

    Meanwhile, organisations such as Lids4Kids collect plastic lids and make them into new products.

    Some organisations collect plastic lids and make them into new products.
    Chutima Chaochaiya/Shutterstock

    The future of recycling

    Recycling methods are evolving.

    Advanced chemical recycling breaks plastic down into its chemical building blocks. It can process plastic types that traditional methods can’t, such as soft plastics, and turn it into valuable new products.

    AI and automation are also reshaping recycling, by improving sorting and reducing contamination. And closed-loop washing systems, which filter and reuse water, can clean lightly soiled recyclables.

    Other innovations are emerging, too, such as dissolvable packaging and AI-enabled “smart bins” that might one day identify and sort materials – and maybe even tell consumers if items need rinsing!

    And goods can also be “upcycled” into higher value products such as “nanomaterials” or hydrogen.

    But upcycling still requires clean, well-sorted streams to be viable. And until all these technologies are widespread, each of us must help keep our recycling systems working well.

    Pooria Pasbakhsh is also affiliated with Monash University Malaysia as an Adjunct Associate Professor. He received funding from CRC-P project entitled “Upcycling of Convoluted Subsea Flexible Flow Lines”, Grant number: 108439.

    – ref. Can a pizza box go in the yellow bin – or not? An expert answers this and other messy recycling questions – https://theconversation.com/can-a-pizza-box-go-in-the-yellow-bin-or-not-an-expert-answers-this-and-other-messy-recycling-questions-258301

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: American science is in crisis. It’s a great opportunity for Australia to snap up top scientists

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kylie Walker, Visiting Fellow, National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University

    Stellalevi / Getty Images

    Science in the United States in in trouble. The National Science Foundation, a key research funding agency, has suffered devastating funding cuts under the current administration. Critics say the cuts risk losing an entire generation of young scientists.

    In addition, about 280,000 scientists and engineers have been affected by US federal workforce cuts. Billions of dollars in further cuts have been proposed to US hospitals, universities and research institutions.

    The US has long been the global destination for science. But perhaps no longer. The rest of the world, including Australia, is looking to lure scientists from the US.

    And many of those scientists are looking to move. In March, a Nature survey suggested more than 75% of US researchers were considering leaving the country.

    What moves are under way to capitalise on this American brain drain? Where does Australia sit – and, importantly, are we doing enough?

    What are other countries doing?

    In May, the European Commission announced a two-year, €500 million package to woo scientists and researchers called Choose Europe. The announcement of the package highlighted how “academic and scientific freedom is increasingly under threat”, and offers researchers higher allowances, longer contracts and reduced regulatory barriers to innovation.

    Canada also has active efforts. The Toronto-based University Hospital Network, for example, aims to raise C$30 million to attract and recruit clinician scientists and medical talent.

    China, too, is actively seeking US scientists with dedicated recruitment programs and large salaries. This is accelerating the existing trend of Chinese-born scientists leaving the US.

    Programs such as the EU’s and Canada’s ostensibly aim to attract and recruit top talent from “around the world”. Given the timing, however, it’s no secret which country’s scientists they have their eyes on.

    What about Australia?

    In Australia, the scientific community is understandably concerned about events in the US and their impact on Australian research. The US is Australia’s largest research partner, with a conservatively estimated A$386 million in funding for Australian research organisations coming from the US government.

    At the same time, the US cuts represent an opportunity for Australia as for other countries. The Australian Academy of Science recently launched its Global Talent Attraction Program to take advantage of “a rare opportunity to strengthen our nation by attracting world-leading researchers to our shores”. The program will offer relocation packages for selected researchers, together with research funding, access to Australian infrastructure and family relocation support.

    As well as attracting US talent, it may also be an opportunity to reverse the brain drain and bring back talented Australians who may have moved to the US for what were once better career prospects.

    The global picture

    Attracting, recruiting and retaining US researchers and innovators at all levels is the right thing for Australia to pursue right now. But broader international relationships are also worth some effort, including with countries in our region such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as in Europe.

    These can be facilitated through existing initiatives such as the strategic arm of the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund. Backed by the Australian government and delivered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (where I am the CEO) and the Australian Academy of Science, the fund brings together innovators and research initiatives in priority partner countries and Australia. Areas of interest include advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and hydrogen production.

    With the US pulling out of international collaborations, there is a chance for Australia to establish itself as a science and technology hub within our region.

    Australia has much to offer the world. We can provide insights into the behaviour and management of bushfires, floods and droughts. We bring a sophisticated understanding of extreme weather modelling, and are a global gateway to exceptional oceans and atmospheric research.

    We have huge clout in renewable energy and battery technologies. Australian-invented solar panels represent the majority of household solar around the world and Australian batteries technology is among the best.

    Australian researchers, policymakers and citizens are right to be concerned by what’s happening in the US. But we don’t need to wait anxiously. We have an extremely rare opportunity to foster talent in Australia on our terms.

    Kylie Walker is CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and previously worked for the Australian Academy of Science (2011–2016).

    – ref. American science is in crisis. It’s a great opportunity for Australia to snap up top scientists – https://theconversation.com/american-science-is-in-crisis-its-a-great-opportunity-for-australia-to-snap-up-top-scientists-260593

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: CETY Announces Continued Eligibility for Federal Clean Energy Incentives Under New Law, Solidifying Leadership in Advanced Green Technologies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, CA., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: CETY) (the “Company” or “CETY”), a clean energy technology company offering power generation, waste to energy, battery storage, and heat to power solutions to deliver affordable, scalable, and eco-friendly energy, clean fuels, and alternative electricity for a sustainable future, is pleased to announce that its technologies should remain fully eligible for federal clean energy tax incentives following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025.

    Under the new legislation, projects utilizing CETY’s waste heat-to-power, biomass combined heat and power (CHP), and battery storage technologies should continue to qualify for the most Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and Production Tax Credits (PTC) established by the Inflation Reduction Act—up to 30% ITC or 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour PTC—provided they meet updated requirements for zero greenhouse gas emissions, prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards.

    “This legislation reinforces our competitive edge, said Kam Mahdi, CEO of CETY. “Unlike solar, wind, EV, or hydrogen projects, many of which face new limitations, our technologies remain fully supported. This positions CETY as a premier opportunity for shareholders seeking exposure to resilient, profitable clean energy solutions.”

    The OBBBA retains incentives for technologies like CETY’s when:

    Projects began construction by December 31, 2024, qualifying them under existing IRA-era credits.

    New projects meet stricter requirements under Section 45Y (Clean Electricity Production Credit) and Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit), including:

    Demonstrated zero or net-negative lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions

    Compliance with prevailing wage and apprenticeship guidelines

    Use of U.S.-sourced components to satisfy domestic content rules

    No participation by prohibited foreign entities of concern

    The updated tax credits will gradually phase down starting in 2033 and sunset by the end of 2035, creating a limited window for investors and developers to capitalize on these incentives.

    “As the energy landscape shifts, our waste heat recovery, biomass CHP, power generation, and battery storage solutions are essential for industrial and commercial facilities aiming to cut emissions and operating costs,” Kam Mahdi added. “Whether it’s converting agricultural or forestry waste into clean energy through biomass systems, capturing waste heat from industrial processes to generate power, tapping geothermal resources for sustainable electricity, or providing reliable power and storage for high-demand applications like data centers and crypto mining operations, CETY stands ready to deliver cutting-edge technologies that meet—and exceed—the federal government’s latest standards. CETY also anticipates curing Nasadq price deficiency by Novenmber 3rd , 2025.”

    About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY)

    Headquartered in Irvine, California, Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY) is a rising leader in the zero-emission revolution by offering eco-friendly green energy solutions, clean energy fuels and alternative electric power for small and mid-sized projects in North America, Europe, and Asia. We deliver power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. Our principal products are Waste Heat Recovery Solutions using our patented Clean CycleTM generator to create electricity. Waste to Energy Solutions convert waste products created in manufacturing, agriculture, wastewater treatment plants and other industries to electricity and BioChar. Engineering, Consulting and Project Management Solutions provide expertise and experience in developing clean energy projects for municipal and industrial customers and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies.

    CETY’s common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CETY.” For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com.

    Follow CETY on our social media channels: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

    This summary should be read in conjunction with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024, and our other periodic filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain, among other matters, risk factors and financial footnotes as well as a discussions of our business, operations and financial matters, which filings can be located on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the Company’s analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of CETY’s business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

    Investor and Investment Media inquiries:

    949-273-4990

    ir@cetyinc.com

    Source: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

  • Alien planet lashed by huge flares from its ‘angry beast’ star

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Scientists are tracking a large gas planet experiencing quite a quandary as it orbits extremely close to a young star – a predicament never previously observed.

    This exoplanet, as planets beyond our solar system are called, orbits its star so tightly that it appears to trigger flares from the stellar surface – larger than any observed from the sun – reaching several million miles (km) into space that over time may strip much of this unlucky world’s atmosphere.

    The phenomenon appears to be caused by the planet’s interaction with the star’s magnetic field, according to the researchers. And this star is a kind known to flare, especially when young.

    “A young star of this type is an angry beast, especially if you’re sitting as close up as this planet does,” said Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy astrophysicist Ekaterina Ilin, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

    The star, called HIP 67522, is slightly more massive than the sun and is located about 407 light-years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

    This star and planet, as well as a second smaller gas planet also detected in this planetary system, are practically newborns. Whereas the sun and our solar system’s planets are roughly 4.5 billion years old, this star is about 17 million years old, with its planets slightly younger.

    The planet, named HIP 67522 b, has a diameter almost the size of Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, but with only 5% of Jupiter’s mass. That makes it one of the puffiest exoplanets known, with a consistency reminiscent of cotton candy (candy floss).

    It orbits five times closer to its star than our solar system’s innermost planet Mercury orbits the sun, needing only seven days to complete an orbit.

    A flare is an intense eruption of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the outermost part of a star’s atmosphere, called the corona. So how does HIP 67522 b elicit huge flares from the star? As it orbits, it apparently interacts with the star’s magnetic field – either through its own magnetic field or perhaps through the presence of conducting material such as iron in the planet’s composition.

    “We don’t know for sure what the mechanism is. We think it is plausible that the planet moves within the star’s magnetic field and whips up a wave that travels along magnetic field lines to the star. When the wave reaches the stellar corona, it triggers flares in large magnetic field loops that store energy, which is released by the wave,” Ilin said.

    “As it moves through the field like a boat on a lake, it creates waves in its wake,” Ilin added. “The flares these waves trigger when they crash into the star are a new phenomenon. This is important because it had never been observed before, especially at the intensity detected.”

    The researchers believe it is a specific type of wave called an Alfvén wave, named for 20th century Swedish physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Hannes Alfvén, that propagates due to the interaction of magnetic fields.

    The flares may heat up and inflate the planet’s atmosphere, which is dominated by hydrogen and helium. Being lashed by these flares could blast away lighter elements from the atmosphere and reduce the planet’s mass over perhaps hundreds of millions of years.

    “At that time, it will have lost most if not all the light elements, and become what’s called a sub-Neptune – a gas planet smaller than Neptune,” Ilin said, referring to the smallest of our solar system’s gas planets.

    The researchers used observations by two space telescopes: NASA’s TESS, short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS, short for CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite.

    The plight of HIP 67522 b illustrates the many circumstances under which exoplanets exist.

    “It is certainly no sheltered youth for this planet. But I am not sad about it. I enjoy diversity in all things nature, and what this planet will eventually become – perhaps a sub-Neptune rich in heavy elements that did not evaporate – is no less fascinating than what we observe today.”

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi gets warm welcome from Indian diaspora as he arrives in Brasília for state visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora as he arrived in the Brazilian capital for a State Visit. Touched by the gesture, PM Modi described it as a “memorable welcome” and praised the diaspora for staying connected with their roots.

    “Landed in Brasília a short while ago. The Indian community accorded a memorable welcome, once again highlighting how passionate our diaspora is and how connected they remain with their roots,” PM Modi wrote on X.

    PM Modi arrived in Brasília to the beats of a traditional Brazilian Samba Reggae performance after wrapping up a “very productive” visit to Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Summit. The Indian Prime Minister, who is in the capital for a State Visit, was received at the airport by Brazil’s Defence Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho.

    During his stay in Brasília, PM Modi will meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to discuss various issues related to India-Brazil relations.

    PM Modi also shared on X, “At Brasília airport, the Batala Mundo band played some wonderful compositions. Theirs is a global effort to promote Afro-Brazilian percussion, in particular the Samba Reggae from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.”

    Earlier, the Prime Minister described his Rio de Janeiro visit as “very productive”.

    “Now on the way to Brasília for the State Visit. Will hold detailed talks with President Lula on different aspects of India-Brazil ties. The Rio leg of my Brazil visit was very productive. We had extensive deliberations at the BRICS Summit. I compliment President Lula and the Brazilian Government for the work they’ve done through their BRICS Presidency in making this platform even more effective. My bilateral meetings with world leaders will also boost India’s friendship with various nations,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

    Earlier on Monday, PM Modi praised BRICS for prioritising key global issues such as the environment and health security. He underlined these subjects as crucial for humanity’s future, adding that for India, climate justice is not merely a choice but a moral obligation.

    Speaking at the BRICS session on Environment, COP-30, and Global Health, PM Modi said climate change and environmental protection have always been top priorities for India. “For us, it is not just about energy, it is about maintaining a balance between life and nature,” the Prime Minister said.

    “I am glad that under the chairmanship of Brazil, BRICS has given high priority to important issues like environment and health security. These subjects are not only interconnected but are also extremely important for the bright future of humanity.

    “This year, COP-30 is being held in Brazil, making discussions on the environment in BRICS both relevant and timely. Climate change and environmental safety have always been top priorities for India. For us, it’s not just about energy, it’s about maintaining a balance between life and nature. While some see it as just numbers, in India, it’s part of our daily life and traditions. In our culture, the Earth is respected as a mother. That’s why, when Mother Earth needs us, we always respond. We are transforming our mindset, our behaviour, and our lifestyle,” he said.

    He added, “Guided by the spirit of ‘People, Planet, and Progress’, India has launched several key initiatives — such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother), the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Green Hydrogen Mission, the Global Biofuels Alliance, and the Big Cats Alliance.

    “During India’s G20 Presidency, we placed strong emphasis on sustainable development and bridging the gap between the Global North and South. With this objective, we achieved consensus among all countries on the Green Development Pact. To encourage environment-friendly actions, we also launched the Green Credits Initiative.”

    —IANS

     

  • Climate justice a “moral obligation”: PM Modi urges fair tech access and finance for developing nations at BRICS Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underscored India’s commitment to climate action and equitable health security, calling for urgent technology transfer and affordable financing for developing nations to bridge the gap between climate ambition and action.

    Addressing a session on ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’ at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, PM Modi said he was glad that under Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s chairmanship, BRICS has prioritised key issues that are “interconnected and vital for the bright future of humanity.”

    “This year, COP-30 is being held in Brazil, making these discussions timely and relevant,” he said. “For India, climate change is not just about managing energy demands but about maintaining the delicate balance between life and nature.”

    The Prime Minister noted that climate action is deeply woven into India’s culture and daily life. “In our tradition, the Earth is respected as a mother. When Mother Earth needs us, we respond — by transforming mindsets, behaviours, and lifestyles.”

    The PM highlighted India’s flagship initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother), the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance, the Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Big Cats Alliance.

    PM Modi also pointed out that India had fulfilled its Paris Climate Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and was progressing steadily towards its Net Zero target for 2070. “In the last decade, India has seen a 4000% increase in its installed solar energy capacity,” he said.

    Calling climate justice a “moral obligation,” PM Modi emphasised that developing countries must receive fair access to technology and affordable finance. “Bridging the gap between climate ambition and financing is a special responsibility of developed nations. Without this, climate action will remain limited to climate talk,” he said.

    The PM also welcomed the “Framework Declaration on Climate Finance” adopted by BRICS leaders, calling it an “important step in the right direction.”

    On health, PM Modi said the pandemic demonstrated how “viruses do not require visas and solutions cannot be chosen based on passports.” He added that India’s “One Earth, One Health” approach had guided its global cooperation during COVID-19 and beyond.

    Outlining India’s health initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat — the world’s largest health insurance scheme — and the expansion of traditional medicine systems and digital health services, the PM said, “We are ready to share our experience with countries of the Global South.”

    The Prime Minister welcomed the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre, launched in 2022, and the new “Leader’s Statement on BRICS Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases,” saying it would inspire stronger cooperation.

    Looking ahead to India’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026, PM Modi pledged to keep the concerns of the Global South at the forefront and redefine the grouping as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

    “Just as we brought inclusivity to the G20, we will take BRICS forward with a people-centric, ‘Humanity First’ approach,” he said, congratulating President Lula for successfully hosting the summit and for Brazil’s warm hospitality.

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes Reveal Two Faces of a Star Cluster Duo

    Source: NASA

    A riotous expanse of gas, dust, and stars stake out the dazzling territory of a duo of star clusters in this combined image from NASA’s Hubble and Webb space telescopes.
    Open clusters NGC 460 and NGC 456 reside in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. Open clusters consist of anywhere from a few dozen to a few thousand young stars loosely bound together by gravity. These particular clusters are part of an extensive complex of star clusters and nebulae that are likely linked to one another. As clouds of gas collapse, stars are born. These young, hot stars expel intense stellar winds that shape the nebulae around them, carving out the clouds and triggering other collapses, which in turn give rise to more stars.
    In these images, Hubble’s view captures the glowing, ionized gas as stellar radiation blows “bubbles” in the clouds of gas and dust (blue), while Webb’s infrared vision highlights the clumps and delicate filamentary structures of dust (red). In Hubble images, dust is often seen silhouetted against and blocking light, but in Webb’s view, the dust – warmed by starlight – shines with its own infrared glow. This mixture of gas and dust between the universe’s stars is known as the interstellar medium.

    The nodules visible in these images are scenes of active star formation, with stars ranging from just one to 10 million years old. In contrast, our Sun is 4.5 billion years old. The region that holds these clusters, known as the N83-84-85 complex, is home to multiple, rare O-type stars, hot and extremely massive stars that burn hydrogen like our Sun. Astronomers estimate there are only around 20,000 O-type stars among the approximately 400 billion stars in the Milky Way.

    The Small Magellanic Cloud is of great interest to researchers because it is less enriched in metals than the Milky Way. Astronomers call all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium – that is, with more than two protons in the atom’s nucleus – “metals.”  This state mimics conditions in the early universe, so the Small Magellanic Cloud provides a relatively nearby laboratory to explore theories about star formation and the interstellar medium at early stages of cosmic history. With these observations of NGC 460 and NGC 456, researchers intend to study how gas flows in the region converge or divide; refine the collision history between the Small Magellanic Cloud and its fellow dwarf galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud; examine how bursts of star formation occur in such gravitational interactions between galaxies; and better understand the interstellar medium.
    Explore More

    Media Contact:
    Claire AndreoliNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MDclaire.andreoli@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Green energy from industrial emissions: Polytechnic University creates biohydrogen production technology

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Institute of Civil Engineering at SPbPU has created an environmentally sustainable technology based on microalgae that allows the utilization of carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and the production of biohydrogen, a promising renewable fuel. The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, and the technology is described in the material onon the RIA Novosti website.

    The development was carried out under the supervision of Natalia Politaeva, professor at the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering. The technology involves the use of bioponds, where microalgae absorb carbon dioxide, forming biomass, which is then subjected to dark fermentation to obtain biohydrogen.

    The fuel produced in this way can be used in cars, hydrogen fuel cells or to generate electricity and heat. Implementation of the technology in coal power plants will help reduce the harm from carbon dioxide emissions and increase the energy efficiency of enterprises.

    The advantage of the technology is that it combines three functions: carbon dioxide capture, biomass processing and hydrogen production. This makes the system unique in terms of its closed nature and sustainability. Scientists plan to improve the technology after pilot implementation at an industrial facility.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. Secure IUP for Offshore Wind Development in Hecate Strait

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. (“Oceanic”) is proud to announce a major milestone in the advancement of the offshore wind project in Hecate Strait, located just west of Stephens Island. In partnership with Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. (“CTE”), Oceanic has been jointly granted an Investigative Use Permit (IUP) for the first phase of development, targeting a capacity of 600 to 700 megawatts (MW). CTE is a 50/50 partnership of the Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations.

    “This agreement brings Oceanic and CTE a major step closer to realizing Canada’s first offshore wind project,” said Mike O’Connor, President, Oceanic Wind Energy Inc.

    Hecate Strait, in Northwest British Columbia, is home to one of the world’s most powerful and consistent wind resources. With Class 7 wind conditions, low shear and turbidity, average annual wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s, and a winter capacity factor of over 65%, the area offers an unparalleled opportunity to generate clean, reliable energy—especially during BC’s peak demand season.

    Strategically located, the Oceanic Wind Project is uniquely positioned to deliver utility-scale renewable power to a region with growing energy needs and limited alternatives. The project could play a critical role in supporting the energy demands of the Port of Prince Rupert and the expanding industrial and resource sectors across Northwest BC.

    “We look forward to working closely with Oceanic to develop this transformative project,” said Ryan Leighton, Director, Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. “This first phase will help power the region’s growth while creating long-term economic and environmental benefits.”

    In addition to supporting regional development, the project will contribute significantly to Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and reinforce British Columbia’s leadership in cost-effective, green energy generation.

    About Oceanic Wind Energy Inc.
    Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. is a Vancouver-based renewable energy company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange-NEX (TSXV-NEX : NKW.H) The company is focused on developing large-scale offshore wind projects to support Canada’s transition to a clean energy future.

    About Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd.

    Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. (CTE) is a 100% Indigenous owned collaborative undertaking between Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations. The CTE mandate is to promote and develop commercial opportunities for the benefit of the shareholders. Since its founding in 2011, Coast Tsimshian Enterprises has a track record of partnering with First Class organizations to promote the development and implementation of opportunities for Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations.

    An Investigative Use Permit (IUP) is an exclusive type of tenure that allows organizations to occupy and utilize Crown land for the purpose of conducting investigations and collecting data related to a potential project or activity. 

    Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements – This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the business and anticipated financial performance of the Company. These statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, oral or written, made by itself or on its behalf.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    For further information please contact:
    Michael O’Connor, President & CEO
    Oceanic Wind Energy Inc.
    Tel: 604-631-4483
    Email: moconnor@oceanicwind.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac71e99d-50f8-4407-a85e-b1fe634b4964

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund investment in major carbon capture project to boost 3,500 jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund investment in major carbon capture project to boost 3,500 jobs

    Thousands of jobs could be created across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the North West thanks to a £28.6 million National Wealth Fund investment in a major carbon capture project, the Chancellor has announced today, Monday 7 July.

    • National Wealth Fund-backed Peak Cluster project could secure around 3,500 jobs, boosting growth in our industrial heartlands as the government’s Plan for Change puts more money in people’s pockets.
    • Multi-million-pound deal will help decarbonise Britain’s cement and lime industry, securing its future role in rebuilding Britain as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy and delivering on the Plan for Change.
    • Plan for Change in action – boosting economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets – with the investment supporting British industry to decarbonise and expand, helping to rebuild the country and supporting Britain’s transition to a clean energy superpower.

    This funding for the flagship Peak Cluster project is the first step towards the development of a leading carbon capture pipeline between cement and lime companies in the Peak District which will store emissions deep below the Irish Sea – accelerating Britain’s transformation into a clean energy superpower.

    The Peak Cluster project is the world’s largest cement decarbonisation project – preventing over 3 million tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere every year and providing a secure domestic supply of cement and lime products the British construction and manufacturing sectors rely on.

    Backed by £31 million from private partners including Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, SigmaRoc, Summit Energy Evolution and Progressive Energy together with the Morecambe Net Zero project could create and secure 13,000 jobs in the Midlands and North West.

    This investment is the Government’s Plan for Change in action – boosting economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets. Not only could it secure and create thousands of new jobs, but it also supports British industry to decarbonise and expand, helping to rebuild the country and supporting Britain’s transition to a clean energy superpower.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    The National Wealth Fund is a force for growth, investing £3 billion into the British economy and securing 12,500 jobs.

    We’re modernising the cement and lime industry, delivering vital carbon capture infrastructure and creating jobs across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the North West to put more money into working people’s pockets.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    This landmark investment will catalyse our carbon capture sector to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and growth across our industrial heartlands, as part of our Plan for Change.

    Workers in the North Sea and Britain’s manufacturing heartlands will drive forward the country’s industrial renewal, positioning them at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy transition.

    This will be the National Wealth Fund’s first investment in carbon capture since the Chancellor highlighted it as a priority in her new strategic direction for the Government’s principal investor back in March.

    Cement and lime are two of the hardest industrial sectors to decarbonise due to the high levels of CO2 emissions generated in the manufacturing process which cannot be reduced through transitioning to low carbon fuels.

    By investing alongside industry, supporting early development risk reduction and providing the critical financing for Peak Cluster through its development process, the National Wealth Fund will remove some of the barriers for private investment to further develop and construct the project.

    Through its support for Peak Cluster, it is also building the market and stimulating large scale future investments as the project progresses, and facilitating Spirit Energy’s development of the UK’s largest CO2 store for which a carbon capture pipeline is essential.

    The National Wealth Fund will commit at least £5.8 billion by 2030 in hydrogen, carbon capture, ports and supply chains, gigafactories and EV supply chains, and steel. This will help industries decarbonise and to accelerate Britain’s transformation into a clean energy superpower.

    John Flint, CEO of the National Wealth Fund, said:

    Substantial private investment, deployed at risk, will be needed to develop and deliver carbon capture projects across the UK. Through its investments, the NWF is well placed to support this. Capital must be committed now, especially in hard to abate sectors such as cement and lime, to ensure a pipeline of projects is ready for deployment and the UK is able to meet its ambitious carbon capture targets.

    The NWF has played a key role in structuring the transaction to crowd in private sector co-investment while taking early development risk to catalyse future investment. Our involvement demonstrates how we can use our risk capital to solve problems and manage investment uncertainty, amplifying government policy and ultimately removing the barriers for private investors to support this project post-FID.

    John Egan, CEO of Peak Cluster Ltd, said:

    Peak Cluster is focused on securing a sustainable future for the cement and lime industry. Together with MNZ, the UK’s biggest carbon store, we will capture, transport and store CO₂ to support industry to thrive in a low carbon future.

    Through the National Wealth Fund, Government will support the development of essential infrastructure to secure good jobs with good wages, produce sought-after low carbon products here in Britain, grow the UK’s supply chain and skills base, secure private investment and lead the global low carbon technology sector.  Peak Cluster, in partnership with MNZ, ticks every one of these boxes.

    We will work closely with Government to ensure that Peak Cluster and MNZ together can help secure the future of this foundation industry, creating a backbone of industrial opportunity that benefits communities across the Midlands and North West of England – for the UK and beyond.

    Further information

    • The £59.6 million equity investment in Peak Cluster is made up of:
      • £28.6 million from the National Wealth Fund
      • £31 million through a joint venture vehicle between Summit Energy Evolution Ltd (part of Sumitomo Corporation) and Progressive Energy Peak Ltd, as well as each of the Peak Cluster cement and lime producers (Tarmac, Breedon, Holcim, and SigmaRoc)
    • Together, Peak Cluster and Morecambe Net Zero could create and secure 13,000 jobs. The Peak Cluster jobs breakdown is as follows:
      • Over 2,000 existing jobs in the cement and lime industry supported
      • Around 300 new jobs created at manufacturing sites
      • 1,200 temporary jobs created for the construction of the pipeline and capture facilities

    Additional quotes

    Paul Lafferty, Summit Energy Evolution Ltd CEO, said:

    At SEEL, we have a considered focus on new energy and decarbonisation projects, leveraging Sumitomo Corporation’s interest across a broad spectrum of low carbon technologies, including hydrogen and CCS.

    Peak Cluster, as the largest cement CCS project globally, is a hugely compelling opportunity to drive this sector towards sustainability. We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in Peak Cluster alongside the National Wealth Fund.

    Diana Casey, Chair of the Mineral Products Association said:

    Around 40% of all the UK’s vital cement and lime comes from the Peak District and more than 2,000 high-quality, well-paid jobs across the region are reliant on the industry. However, cement is responsible for 7.5% of all human-made CO₂ emissions globally and is not a sector which can be easily decarbonised. If our industry, and the jobs which rely on it, are to survive, and thrive into the future, we must implement carbon capture and storage without delay.

    Centrica Group Chief Executive and Chair of Spirit Energy, Chris O’Shea, said:

    This landmark first investment in carbon capture by the National Wealth Fund is an important and exciting step forward for the UK’s net zero ambitions, and our plans for Morecambe specifically. By transforming the Morecambe gas fields into the UK’s largest carbon store, Spirit Energy will provide the critical infrastructure needed to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries like cement and lime.

    The support of the National Wealth Fund, alongside private sector investment, demonstrates the strength of our collective commitment to a low-carbon future—securing jobs and growth, decarbonising industry, and delivering real progress on emissions reduction.

    Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association said:

    The National Wealth Fund’s significant equity investment of £28.6m in the Peak Cluster is fantastic news for the future of the cement and lime industry in the UK. It is further recognition of the vital role of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) in decarbonising and futureproofing our critical industries.

    CCUS is essential for industries that produce products that enable us to build the homes, hospitals and schools we desperately need. Around 40% of the UK’s cement and lime industry is produced by companies in the Peak Cluster and so this critical project will make significant inroads into cutting CO2 emissions from our cement industry and permanently storing the emissions in the Spirit Energy’s offshore CO2 store – Morecambe Net Zero.  Transitioning industries to low-carbon operations is vital for their long-term viability and competitiveness in the UK, and will protect many thousands of skilled jobs in the region, providing economic growth and security.

    Neil McCulloch, CEO of MNZ’s developer, Spirit Energy, said:

    The NWF’s investment sends a crucially important and thoroughly positive message to those eyeing the UK for investment in the low carbon developments needed to power our economy and help deliver the government’s economic growth and decarbonisation.

    Through our partnership with the Peak Cluster, Spirt Energy’s MNZ carbon store will decarbonise 40% of this country’s cement production, safeguard thousands of traditional jobs and livelihoods, breathe new life into the North West’s industrial heartlands and help create new, highly-skilled jobs for this and for future generations.

    The NWF’s support demonstrates how industry and government can work together effectively to unlock the investment required to make the energy transition happen, and how the UK can show the rest of the world how to get it done.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President highlights investment opportunities at SA-Austria Business Forum

    Source: Government of South Africa

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties with Austria, highlighting a range of mutually beneficial opportunities across key economic sectors.

    Speaking at the South Africa-Austria Business Forum in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of deepening economic collaboration between the two countries.

    “It is my pleasure to address the South Africa-Austria Business Forum at this important time, as we seek to further deepen economic ties between our countries. 

    “Austria and South Africa enjoy strong bilateral trade and investment relations spanning energy, industrial technology, pharmaceuticals and vocational training,” he said.

    The President noted that trade between the two countries has been steadily increasing, with several Austrian companies operating in South Africa through direct investments, distribution, sales offices and service projects.

    “There are many more opportunities for investment by Austrian companies in South Africa. There are opportunities in areas such as renewable energy generation, agro-processing and component manufacturing opportunities. 

    “There are also opportunities in critical minerals beneficiations, pharmaceuticals, technology and innovation, among others,” President Ramaphosa said.

    South Africa, he said, is showing signs of recovery following recent economic challenges. The improvement in electricity supply and a moderation in inflation are among the encouraging signs.

    “We have embarked on a massive infrastructure drive, with key investments concentrated in energy, transport and logistics, water and sanitation, and digital infrastructure,” the President said.

    He detailed the role of the country’s Infrastructure Fund, which has mobilised blended financing to support major projects across several sectors. At the same time, structural reforms are being implemented to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of energy and logistics sectors.

    As the global economy transitions towards greener alternatives, President Ramaphosa said South Africa is positioning itself as a front-runner in the green and digital economy.

    “South Africa has developed a regulatory framework to harness the potential of the hydrogen economy. We are actively developing an industrial plan to support the growth of electric vehicle and battery production,” he said. 

    This industrial strategy includes incentives for manufacturers, investment in charging infrastructure and localisation of components. It is supported by an enabling policy environment, including the expansion of special economic zones and active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

    “Our special economic zones offer an internationally competitive value proposition with an attractive suite of incentives,” he noted.

    President Ramaphosa said the AfCFTA will remove trade barriers and unlock greater investment opportunities, particularly for Austrian businesses looking to enter new markets across the continent.

    “It will drive a wave of industrialisation and create dynamic regional value chains. This presents opportunities for Austrian businesses and investors,” he said.

    Highlighting South Africa’s role as an anchor in regional value chains, he said the country’s manufacturing sector sources inputs from across the continent, which are then exported as finished goods.

    South Africa also offers rich reserves of critical minerals for the energy transition, especially platinum group metals, giving it a competitive edge in producing sustainable energy technologies.

    Beyond investment, President Ramaphosa said, South African businesses are keen to explore Austrian opportunities, particularly in organic food markets, renewable energy, and supply chains across mining, automotive and other sectors.

    “There is high demand for our agricultural products in the EU, including high-quality South African wines and speciality foods like rooibos,” he said.

    On tourism, the President expressed the country’s desire to see more Austrian tourists visiting South Africa and vice versa, with a particular interest in eco, sports, and heritage tourism.

    He also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in the day on technical and vocational training.

    “We want to learn from Austria on how to achieve the delicate balance between building the workforce of the future and growing the skills needed by the economy today,” President Ramaphosa said. 

    Closing his address, the President affirmed the South African government’s continued commitment to private sector collaboration as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.

    “By working together with all social partners, we have embarked on a new era of growth, progress and inclusive, shared prosperity. I am confident that the engagements, discussions and networking sessions from this forum will yield great benefits for both South African and Austrian companies. 

    “It is clear from this Business Forum that there are abundant opportunities for even greater partnership, progress and shared prosperity,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Energy Chamber (AEC) Reaffirms Support for West African Energy Summit (WAES) 2025 Delegation Heads to Aberdeen

    Source: APO

    The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) – the leading voice of Africa’s energy industry – is proud to reaffirm its support for the West African Energy Summit (WAES), scheduled for November 18-19, 2025, in Aberdeen, Scotland. In the lead-up to the event, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC, will visit Aberdeen on July 11 to speak at the OGV Taproom, where he will deliver a keynote address titled Opportunities in Africa – a strategic presentation tailored for the UK supply chain. 

    Organized in partnership with OGV Group, the WAES is positioned as a premier platform for catalyzing investment, technology transfer and cross-border collaboration between African energy makers and global service providers. Ayuk’s visit underscores the AEC’s commitment to cultivating robust energy partnerships between Africa and Europe, particularly in light of Africa’s dynamic oil, gas and energy transition landscape. 

    Ayuk’s July 11 appearance in Aberdeen will preview key themes from African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, the continent’s premier energy event organized by the AEC, which returns to Cape Town from September 29 to October 3, 2025. This year’s edition will host the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, highlighting Africa’s role in the global energy transition and providing a platform for project developers, financiers and service providers to shape the continent’s energy future. 

    WAES 2025 builds on the success of last year’s edition held in Ghana and will showcase some of the most lucrative energy opportunities across West Africa. This year’s event is co-hosted by the Scottish Africa Business Association, in collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Energy Industries Council and the AEC. The two-day summit aims to highlight upstream development, emerging markets, technology deployment and decarbonization strategies that support Africa’s just energy transition. 

    West Africa continues to stand at the forefront of Africa’s energy renaissance, offering a wealth of opportunities for global investors, service providers and strategic partners. From deepwater oil exploration in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to major LNG developments in Senegal and Mauritania, African nations are advancing ambitious strategies to monetize resources, attract investment and strengthen regional energy security. 

    These developments are underpinned by aggressive investment strategies, regulatory reforms and strengthened national oil company participation – creating a competitive environment for foreign capital and technology. As countries across the region seek to reverse production declines, fast-track new discoveries and drive regional energy integration, platforms like the WAES event are critical to forging the cross-border partnerships needed to realize Africa’s goals of energy security, economic growth and a just energy transition. 

    At the event, Ayuk will participate in the high-level Africa’s Opportunity for UK Supply Chain Engagement session, where he will provide actionable insights on the investment-ready landscape across key African markets such as Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, Namibia and Mozambique. He will also outline the AEC’s vision for inclusive growth, local content development and the importance of aligning global expertise with Africa’s long-term energy security goals.  

    “Africa’s energy future depends on strategic partnerships that deliver technology, capital and capacity building. The UK supply chain has a crucial role to play – not as outsiders, but as long-term partners invested in Africa’s growth and resilience,” states Ayuk. 

    The WAES event will provide an essential gateway for UK service companies to align with Africa’s energy ambitions – ranging from deepwater developments and LNG production to renewables and hydrogen deployment. By connecting global innovation with Africa’s resource wealth, the summit aims to unlock sustainable development, economic growth and greater energy access across the continent.  

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Iran-Israel crisis: IAEA chief calls for access to damaged nuclear sites

    Source: United Nations 2

    Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was addressing the agency’s Board of Governors, amid fresh reports of new Israeli missile strikes on Iranian military sites in Tehran and elsewhere earlier on Monday. Iranian weapons fire has also been reported across Israel. 

    Mr. Grossi – who also addressed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday – insisted that the agency’s weapons inspectors should return to Iran’s nuclear sites and account for their stockpiles.

    There is particular concern about 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent by Iran.

    Under the terms of a 2015 nuclear deal with the international community, Iran is permitted to enrich the naturally occurring radioactive material to less than four per cent.

    “Craters are now visible at the Fordow site, Iran’s main location for enriching uranium at 60 per cent, indicating the use of ground-penetrating munitions; this is consistent with statements from the United States,” he told the IAEA Board of Governors. “At this time, no one including the IAEA, is in a position to have fully assessed the underground damage at Fordow.”

    Mr. Grossi said that taking into account the highly explosive payload used in the US attacks, “very significant damage is expected to have occurred” to the highly sensitive centrifuge machinery used to enrich uranium at Fordow.

    Several sites hit

    Fordow is one of several nuclear-related sites across Iran that are known to have been damaged in the strikes by the United States, including those in Esfahan, Arak and Tehran.

    In comments to the UN Security Council in New York on Sunday, the IAEA chief said that although radiation levels remained normal outside these nuclear facilities, deep concerns remained about Iran’s operational nuclear plant at Bushehr.

    Any strike on Bushehr could trigger a massive radiation release across the region –  “the risk is real”, Mr. Grossi said.

    Eleven days after Israel launched air and missile strikes at Iranian military and nuclear sites, some 430 people are believed to have been killed in Iran, most of them civilians.

    According to Israeli reports, 25 people have been killed and more than 1,300 injured by Iranian missile strikes.

    Terror and hoarding

    Inside Iran, many people are sleep-deprived after 10 days of Israeli strikes and afraid that they have nowhere to go.

    Testimonies shared with UN News of events indicate that internet access is extremely limited and that people are queueing for hours to stock up on food and fuel. “Even bread has been scarce at times,” said one Iranian national, who noted that many of those with dual nationality have been leaving the country.

    The crisis has also increased problems for the elderly and infirm – “not for lack of money, but because their caregivers have disappeared”, she added.

    Meanwhile in Israel, civilians impacted by Iranian missile attacks have spoken of their shock at the destruction of their homes, echoing calls for peace in Iran.

    “We came to try to evacuate some equipment left at our flats, which were totally collapsed by the direct heat of the missile yesterday morning,” one Israeli resident said in an online testimony published on Monday. “So, that’s it, the entire house is gone.”

    Another resident explained that he was returning to his apartment which had been “totally destroyed by a missile landed under my window – and luckily I wasn’t here.”

    Explained: Why striking nuclear facilities risks catastrophe

    IAEA safety experts have warned repeatedly that armed attacks on nuclear infrastructure – enrichment facilities or reactors – risk damaging containment systems and could lead to the release of dangerous levels of radioactive or toxic materials.

    “Armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked,” IAEA chief Mr. Grossi told the agency’s Board of Governors on Monday.

    Even well-fortified facilities are not immune from structural or systemic failure when subjected to extreme external force, such as missile strikes, the UN nuclear watchdog has said.

    A range of threats

    The potential consequences include localised chemical exposure and far-reaching radioactive contamination, depending on the nature of the site and the strength of its defensive barriers.

    At enrichment or conversion facilities, the primary hazard often comes from uranium hexafluoride (UF₆). If struck and exposed to moisture, this radioactive compound of uranium and fluorine can break down into hydrogen fluoride – a highly toxic gas that can cause burns and respiratory damage.

    Radiation risks at these enrichment sites are typically lower than at reactors, although chemical hazards can have severe local impacts, IAEA said.

    In contrast, reactor cores and spent-fuel pools hold large inventories of fission products which result from nuclear reactions, such as iodine-131 and cesium-137. A breach here could result in large-scale radioactive dispersal, especially if cooling systems fail. 

    Different sites and risks

    Iran’s nuclear programme includes a range of facilities with varying risk profiles, reports indicate. The Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran’s only operational commercial reactor, remains undamaged but contains significant radioactive material under IAEA safeguards.

    Research reactors including the Tehran facility are smaller, while the Arak heavy-water reactor, struck recently, held no nuclear material at the time.

    Enrichment plants at Natanz and Fordow are fortified and underground, limiting the spread of radiation despite recent damage. However, conversion sites such as Isfahan involve uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), raising the risk of toxic chemical exposure if containment is breached.

    International legal frameworks and UN resolutions strongly prohibit military action against peaceful nuclear facilities. The IAEA stresses that any such strike endangers not just national safety, but regional and global stability.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: AI applications are producing cleaner cities, smarter homes and more efficient transit

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mohammadamin Ahmadfard, Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly transforming how cities generate, store and distribute energy, acting as the invisible conductor that orchestrates cleaner, smarter and more resilient cities.

    By integrating renewables — from solar panels and wind turbines to geothermal grids, hydrogen plants, electric vehicles and batteries — AI can enable cities to manage diverse energy sources as a single, intelligent system.

    One striking example is the Oya Hybrid Power Station in South Africa. Here, AI-driven controls seamlessly co-ordinate solar, wind and battery storage to deliver reliable power to up to 320,000 households. Using AI makes this kind of integration not only possible, but dramatically more efficient.

    Recent research shows AI can also optimize how batteries, solar and the grid interact in buildings. A 2023 study found that deep learning and real-time data helped a boarding school in Turin, Italy increase low-cost energy purchases and cut its electricity bill by more than half.

    Cleaner, smarter energy grids

    AI models are increasingly able to predict weather with greater precision. These predictions allow electric grid operators to plan hours ahead, storing excess energy in batteries or adjusting supply to meet demand before a storm or heatwave hits.

    Using AI to respond strategically to weather is a game-changer. In Cambridge, England, a system called Aardvark uses satellite and sensor data to generate rapid, accurate forecasts of sun and wind patterns.

    Unlike traditional supercomputer-driven weather models, Aardvark’s AI can deliver precise local forecasts in minutes on an ordinary computer. This makes advanced weather prediction more accessible and affordable for cities, utilities and even smaller organizations — potentially transforming how communities everywhere plan for and respond to changing weather.

    solar panels with a city skyline in the background.
    AI models are increasingly able to predict weather with greater precision, allowing electric grid operators to plan ahead, storing excess energy in batteries or adjusting supply to meet demand before a storm or heat wave hits.
    (Shutterstock)

    AI for smarter district heating and cooling

    In Munich, Germany, AI is improving geothermal district heating by using underground sensors to monitor temperature and moisture levels in the ground.

    The collected data feeds into a digital simulation model that helps optimize network operations. In more advanced versions, during winter cold snaps, such systems can suggest lowering flow to underused spaces like half-empty offices and boosting heat where demand is higher, such as in crowded apartments.

    This intelligent, self-optimizing approach extends the life of equipment and delivers more warmth with the same energy input.

    This is a breakthrough with enormous potential for cities in cold climates with established geothermal networks, such as Winnipeg in Canada and Iceland’s Reykjavik.

    Although these cities have not yet adopted AI-driven monitoring systems, they could benefit from AI’s real-time improvements in efficiency, comfort and energy savings during harsh winters — a principle that holds true wherever geothermal district heating and cooling exists.

    a person adjusting a digital thermostat
    Inside the home, AI-managed smart climate systems can factor in how many people are in each room, which appliances are in use, how much natural sunlight each space receives.
    (Shutterstock)

    Smart buildings

    Inside the home, AI-managed smart climate systems can factor in how many people are in each room, which appliances are in use, how much natural sunlight each space receives and how much electricity or heat a home’s solar panels generate throughout the day.

    Based on this, AI determines how to heat or cool rooms efficiently, and can transfer energy from one space to another, balancing comfort with minimal energy use.

    Coastal cities and those in wind-heavy regions are using AI in other creative ways. In Orkney, Scotland, excess wind and tidal energy are converted into green hydrogen. Instead of letting that surplus power go to waste, an AI system called HyAI controls when to generate hydrogen based on wind forecasts, electricity prices and how full the hydrogen storage tanks are.

    When winds are strong at night and electricity is cheap, the AI can divert surplus power to produce hydrogen and store it for later use. On calmer days, that stored hydrogen can power fuel cells or buses.

    Energy storage

    AI is transforming energy storage into a smart, revenue-generating force. In Finland, a startup called Capalo AI has developed Zeus VPP, an AI-powered virtual power plant that aggregates distributed batteries from homes, businesses and other sites.

    Zeus VPP uses advanced forecasting and AI algorithms to decide when batteries should charge or discharge, factoring in energy prices, local consumption and weather forecasts. This enables battery owners to earn revenue by participating in electricity markets, while also supporting grid stability and making better use of renewable energy.

    Utility companies are also using AI to monitor everything from high-voltage transmission lines to neighbourhood transformers, dramatically increasing reliability.

    AI-powered dynamic line rating adjusts how much electricity a line can carry in real time, boosting capacity by 15 to 30 per cent when conditions allow. This helps utilities maximize the use of existing infrastructure instead of relying on costly upgrades.

    At the local level, AI analyzes smart metre data to predict which transformers are overheating due to rising EV and heat pump use.

    By forecasting these stress points, utilities can proactively upgrade equipment before failures happen — a shift from reactive to predictive maintenance that makes the grid stronger and cities more resilient.

    AI-powered public transit and mobility

    Transportation innovation is becoming part of the energy solution, with AI at the centre of this transformation. In New York City, energy company Con Edison has installed major battery storage systems to help manage peak electricity demand and reduce reliance on polluting peaker plants, which supply energy only during high-demand periods.

    More broadly, Con Edison is deploying advanced AI-powered analytics software across its electric grid — optimizing voltage, enhancing reliability and enabling predictive maintenance. Together, these efforts show how combining energy storage and AI-driven analytics can make even the world’s busiest cities more resilient and efficient.

    AI is also powering “vehicle-to-grid” innovations in California, where an AI-driven platform manages electric school buses that can supply stored energy back to the grid during periods of high demand.

    By carefully managing when buses charge and discharge, these systems help keep the grid reliable and ensure vehicles are ready for their daily routes. As this technology expands, parked electric vehicles could serve as valuable backup resources for the electricity system.

    lights moving along a highway
    Transportation innovation is becoming part of the energy solution.
    (Shutterstock)

    AI for clean energy initiatives

    AI is rapidly transforming cities by revolutionizing how energy is used and managed. Google, for example, has slashed cooling energy at its data centres by up to 40 per cent using AI that fine-tunes fans, pumps and windows more efficiently than any human operator.

    Organizations like the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), in collaboration with NVIDIA, Microsoft and others, have launched the Open Power AI Consortium, which is creating open-source AI tools for utilities worldwide.

    These tools will enable even the most resource-constrained cities to deploy advanced AI capabilities, without having to start from scratch, helping to level the playing field and accelerate the global energy transition.

    The result is not just cleaner air and lower energy bills, but a path to fewer blackouts and more resilient homes.

    The Conversation

    Mohammadamin Ahmadfard receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Mitacs Inc. for his postdoctoral research at Toronto Metropolitan University.

    – ref. AI applications are producing cleaner cities, smarter homes and more efficient transit – https://theconversation.com/ai-applications-are-producing-cleaner-cities-smarter-homes-and-more-efficient-transit-256291

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Why relying on technology to keep ASEAN’s coal plants running is risky

    Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Lay Monica, Researcher, Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS)

    shutterstock

    A recent ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) report emphasised that to contribute in tackling climate change, ASEAN countries don’t need to immediately phase out all of their coal fleet.

    The report asserted that coal will continue to be an essential part of the energy transition. It also stated that by allowing ASEAN countries more time to improve electricity grids to accommodate more renewables could help smooth the transition to cleaner energy. Put the two together, and it strongly hinted that coal might be squeezed in to buy said time.

    In order to reduce damage from coal, ACE urged ASEAN member states to use clean coal technologies in coal-fired power plants. It also recommended to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to replace “old, inefficient, and unabatable coal plants”.

    Interestingly, this is also a view promoted by the World Coal Association — now Future Coal – the international coal lobbying group.

    At first glance, this plan seems promising. However, relying heavily on technology oversimplifies potential risks and assumes full delivery of promises without thorough risk assessments. In this article, we provide evidence that ACE’s chosen pathway is not as good as it seems and could face significant problems in the future.

    False solution

    The first “clean coal technology” proposed by ACE – termed “high efficiency, low emissions (HELE)” – is mostly supercritical coal power plant. This means it uses less coal while producing more energy. This is why they’re claimed to be more environmentally friendly than sub-critical or “regular” coal power plants.

    But using supercritical technology doesn’t guarantee the emission problem is solved; it has varying degrees of success in reducing coal emissions.

    For example, a 2019 Australian paper found supercritical coal power plants underperformed against regular power plants with higher breakdown rates, leading to frequent electricity price spikes during 2018-2019. This was a decade after the technology was first launched in 2007.

    Failing to deliver steady electricity supplies would contradict ACE’s stated goal to prevent energy shortage and provide smoother transitions towards renewable energy.

    Risks of carbon capture

    Another technology that ACE advocates is carbon capture and storage (CCS), which captures carbon emissions from power plants and stores them underground.

    However, CCS appears to replicate past project failures. Opponents of CCS often suggest its success rate is relatively small.

    The industry claims the technology can capture 95% carbon from each project. Yet, the 2023 reports from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) found that no current project has consistently managed to capture more than 80% of carbon emissions. Some of them only succeeded in capturing 15% of carbon emissions.

    Leakage from captured carbon underground is the other risk we might bear. This will have tremendous consequences not only by netting off the so-called mitigated emissions but also by contaminating groundwater and risking communities nearby.

    According to carbon capture proponents, when done properly, the risk of leakage is minuscule. Even when it occurs, they claim it will not be catastrophic.

    However, a big enough leak is still possible. The margin of safety is very narrow: even a mere 1% leakage every ten years could pose serious consequences in the long-run, mainly rises in temperature. Keeping the “safe level of leakage rate” requires a rigorous monitoring and supervision. Therefore, the risks could be higher in developing countries like Indonesia, which has chronic problems with regulatory governance.

    Some other evidence suggests that CCS is not economically viable. One of the strongest arguments against CCS is probably the diminishing returns. As one of the leading experts in carbon capture claims:

    The closer a CCS system gets to 100% efficiency, the harder and more expensive it becomes to capture additional carbon dioxide.

    This implies potential future costs for bigger equipment, additional time, and additional energy for CCS to achieve that efficiency level.

    More importantly, chasing increasingly expensive CCS technology merely prolongs the life of coal-fired power plants, which pose significant environmental risks. The same money and effort could be used to build more renewable energy infrastructure such as wind turbines or solar panels.

    In addition to its potential high costs, captured carbon must be sold in the market – for various uses ranging for oil extraction to food preservation – to increase its economic viability.

    However, other than CO₂ conversion to fuels, there is a strictly limited usage of CO₂. Commercial use of CO₂ is less than 1% of the global CO₂ emmissions from energy usage. On the other hand, converting CO₂ back to fuels requires carbon-free energy sources.

    The conversion will also result in approximately 25-35% of energy losses. Although there have been more research on how to improve the efficiency of the process, CO₂ utilisation has yet to be scalable.

    Why the half measure?

    ACE must be wary of its reliance on technological solutions. Instead, the centre should consider a double-down on less-risky and less-capital-intensive solutions with many positive impacts, such as setting up community-based renewable energy, aggressive reforestation, or even better, significant halt of deforestation.

    Community-based renewable energy offers to help people in energy-poor areas to build their own energy sources. Moreover, people living in close geographical proximity can share costs and resources to install and maintain off grid renewables, encouraging more widespread adoption of cleaner energy sources with minimum problem of land use.

    On the other hand, in contrast to CCUS, aggressive reforestation does not require heavy machinery or specialised knowledge and skills to operate complex technology to achieve the same goals of storing emissions. Again, it is an established scientific fact that forests and soil currently store 30% of emissions. Unlike CCS that only stores emissions from sites where it is installed, forests and soil absorb atmospheric carbon emissions. Even well-planned city forests could have more capacity to effectively absorb CO2 than we thought.

    ACE can also reconsider replacing the “old, inefficient, and unabatable coal plants” with renewables, such as solar and wind, especially those for non-industrial electricity facilities. Those electricity generation costs have been falling rapidly for years.

    As most of the ASEAN member states are developing countries, they must carefully select the most suitable technologies to adopt. With limited fiscal capacity, rashly importing an advanced technology that will require substantial startup costs potentially becomes a costly effort, yielding limited benefits.

    It is puzzling why we should replace our old coal plants with new ones. It is like when we are replacing our old mobile phone with a slightly better mobile phone – instead of jumping straight to a smartphone. Why the half-measure?

    The Conversation

    Para penulis tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi di luar afiliasi akademis yang telah disebut di atas.

    – ref. Why relying on technology to keep ASEAN’s coal plants running is risky – https://theconversation.com/why-relying-on-technology-to-keep-aseans-coal-plants-running-is-risky-234918

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Austrian State Visit an opportunity to strengthen relations

    Source: Government of South Africa

    The State Visit to South Africa by Austria President Alexander van der Bellen and his delegation presents an opportunity for the two countries to deepen trade and investment relations.

    This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who welcomed the delegation at the Union Buildings on Friday morning.

    In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa described the visit as a “new chapter in relations”.

    “Through the bilateral consultations we have maintained cordial relations rooted in mutual respect, shared values and a common commitment to multilateralism. We are also committed to deepening investment and trade between our two countries.

    “South Africa is Austria’s largest economic and trade partner in Africa. Our country accounts for almost a third of Austria’s total exports to the continent. There are more than 70 Austrian companies with subsidiaries or agencies in South Africa across a range of sectors.

    “There is significant potential to deepen investment and trade links in areas such as the green economy, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure development and tourism,” President Ramaphosa said.

    He highlighted the two countries’ commitment to a transition towards low carbon climate economies – noting the European country’s move towards green hydrogen which South Africa is also pursuing.

    “As South Africa strives to achieve energy security through investment in renewable and clean energy, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with Austria.

    “We noted with interest the launch of Austria’s first green hydrogen production facility in 2023. We are eager to share our Green Hydrogen Economy Strategy and explore avenues for cooperation,” he said.

    The global environment

    President Ramaphosa noted that the state visit takes place at a time of “heightened global insecurity, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, the climate emergency and conflicts in many parts of the world”.

    “These events reinforce the need for multilateralism to remain at the centre of world affairs. They further underscore the need for the urgent reform of the institutions of global governance, including the United Nations Security Council.

    “South Africa and Austria share a common commitment to a world free of conflict and war, where sustainable development is a reality for all,” he said.

    The President reflected on South Africa’s presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.

    “It reflects our commitment to advancing the African Agenda, multilateral cooperation and the interests of all countries and peoples.

    “Austria is a valued partner of South Africa and we look forward to taking this partnership to even greater heights,” President Ramaphosa concluded.

    The state visit will culminate in the South Africa-Austria Business Forum to be held later on Fridaya. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Why High-Net-Worth Investors Are Turning to BTC Miner for Daily Crypto Returns Amid Market Turbulence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chicago, Illinois, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Introducing BTC Miner — the cloud mining solution designed not for traders, but for wealth builders. For family offices, crypto funds, and large-scale investors seeking dependable yield in a volatile asset class, BTC Miner offers what the market cannot: stable, automated, daily income backed by clean energy infrastructure.

    Not Just Another Crypto Tool — A Full-Scale Income Engine

    BTC Miner isn’t trying to “beat the market.” It’s designed to exit the market’s chaos altogether.

    Here’s what makes it different:

    • Daily fixed payouts — earn even when BTC drops
    • No equipment, no maintenance — just automated profit
    • Powered by wind energy — slashing costs, boosting margins
    • Scalable contracts — grow your income with your capital
    • Withdraw profits or reinvest daily — full liquidity, full control

    In an era where uncertainty is the new norm, BTC Miner gives investors the one thing missing from crypto: certainty.

    $500 Free Contract to Experience the Model — No Capital Required

    BTC Miner’s offer to new users is as aggressive as it is attractive:
    Register and receive a $500 contract at no cost.
     That’s $2 in real, daily income, without any deposit or credit card.

    Reach $200 in accumulated earnings, and you can withdraw — completely free.

    For wealth managers, it’s a way to test BTC Miner’s profitability and user flow before committing real capital.

    Turn Capital into Daily Crypto Cash Flow

    Traditional Bitcoin investment is binary: price goes up, you win.
    BTC Miner rewrites that rule.

    Investors purchase cloud mining contracts that deliver predictable daily yield, regardless of BTC’s price on the open market.

    And the more you invest — and the longer the contract term — the more income you generate, with no ceiling on daily payouts.

    Some investors have integrated BTC Miner into multi-million-dollar portfolios as a crypto cash-flow engine alongside DeFi, real estate, and yield products.

    Wind Energy Infrastructure = Higher Margins + ESG Compliance

    BTC Miner operates global mining nodes powered primarily by wind farms in Northern Europe and Iceland.

    That means:

    •  Energy cost advantage = higher profits for users
    •  ESG-aligned income = ideal for institutional mandates
    • Reduced regulatory scrutiny vs. carbon-intensive operations

    For institutional capital with sustainability requirements, BTC Miner offers green mining with uncompromising returns.

    Earn Passively Through Network Effect

    BTC Miner also rewards user growth with a powerful two-tier referral structure:

    •  7% Level 1 commission
    •  2% Level 2 commission

    Invite others to participate and earn lifetime rewards based on their contract activity — no deposit required to activate this stream.

    Why the Wealthy Are Quietly Allocating to BTC Miner

    It scales: From $500 to $500,000 — the returns model adapts
    It compounds: Reinvest daily for exponential income growth
    It protects: Earn regardless of BTC price
    It’s hands-free: No tech skills, no downtime, no stress
    It’s real: Withdraw anytime. Use your income daily.

    BTC Miner is increasingly being used as a core yield-generating instrument by long-term crypto capital — not for speculation, but for strategic, systematic income generation.

    How to Get Started — and Why You Should

    1. Visit https://btcminer.net
    2. Register and claim your $500 free contract — earn daily with no investment
    3. Explore scalable plans or refer others to grow your passive cash flow

    Whether you’re an accredited investor or managing capital for others, BTC Miner can serve as your turnkey, real-yield crypto asset — with no drawdowns, no counterparty risk, and full daily liquidity.

    Learn More

    Website: https://btcminer.net

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ARENA backs Hunter Valley renewable hydrogen project with $432 million

    Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      04 July 2025

    • Classification

      Hydrogen energy

    Orica’s Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub is set to receive up to $432 million in grant funding as the second recipient of ARENA’s Hydrogen Headstart Program.

    Orica’s Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub (HVHH) will produce renewable hydrogen using a 50-megawatt electrolyser powered by renewable electricity. This hydrogen will replace natural gas in Orica’s ammonia production process, helping to reduce carbon emissions.

    ARENA CEO Darren Miller said that hydrogen has an important role to play in decarbonising heavy industry, particularly where electrification isn’t possible or where other alternatives are limited or don’t exist.

    “Renewable hydrogen is an important decarbonisation lever for applications like ammonia production where hydrogen has traditionally been produced with fossil fuels.”

    “By replacing natural gas-derived hydrogen with clean, renewable alternatives, projects like Orica’s are helping to decarbonise core industrial processes while preserving domestic manufacturing and unlocking new export opportunities,” said Mr Miller.

    “ARENA’s Hydrogen Headstart program is designed to fast-track Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry by supporting large-scale projects that are finding ways to reduce emissions, strengthen industrial competitiveness and position the nation as a global leader in clean energy exports. Orica’s project is a great example of what’s possible.”

    The project represents a major step in decarbonising Orica’s existing Kooragang Island Ammonia Manufacturing Facility and producing low-carbon ammonia and ammonium nitrate for domestic use across mining, agriculture and industrial sectors.

    As part of the funding process, Orica must now work with ARENA to satisfy a number of conditions and demonstrate its ability to meet a range of contractual milestones before the funding is released. Funding under this program is paid based on actual production volumes over a 10-year operating period.

    Orica’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Gandhi said: “We’re grateful for this crucial support, which brings us closer to realising the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub and advancing the decarbonisation of our Kooragang Island facility – a site we’ve proudly operated for over fifty years. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ARENA and other Federal and State government agencies to support the transition of Orica’s Kooragang Island manufacturing facility and help shape a cleaner, more resilient future for the Hunter region.”

    This project follows the announcement of the first recipient of Hydrogen Headstart, with $814 million allocated to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) 1,500 MW Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia. With both projects now announced, Hydrogen Headstart Round 1 has now concluded.

    To date, ARENA has allocated $370 million to 65 renewable hydrogen projects from early-stage research to deployment.

    To find out more about Orica’s project, visit: Hunter Valley Hydrogen Project | Home

    Consultation for Round 2 of Hydrogen Headstart is now open. For more information, visit Round 2 funding page.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 151KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal at landfill pit

    Source: Worksafe New Zealand

    As a WorkSafe prosecution comes to a close, two workers overcome by fumes from a toxic gas pit have for the first time told of their experience of narrowly dodging death.

    The men were doing an excavation, to try to fix the smell of rotting plasterboard at the Taylorville Resource Park near Greymouth in August 2023. The smell was hydrogen sulphide and the workers were not told of dangerously high levels of the toxic, colourless gas measured weeks before at the contaminated waste facility.

    The excavator operator went into the pit to clear a pump blockage but as he was climbing out fell unconscious and face down into black liquid at the base of the pit, known as leachate. His supervisor saw this from above and twice fell unconscious while trying to rescue him. He eventually managed to climb out and call for help.

    The pit at Taylorville Resource Park where two men were overcome by hydrogen sulphide.

    WorkSafe found inadequate risk assessment and planning for the excavation work, workers not being advised of the risks of hydrogen sulphide, and no gas monitors available on site. Two companies were prosecuted for health and safety failures and have now been sentenced in the Greymouth District Court.

    Both survivors have permanent name suppression. The supervisor suffered from toxic gas exposure and now lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    “Every night for the first six months after the incident and now once a week, I wake up suffering flashbacks thinking I am still in the pit, not being able to breathe, and thinking I am going to die,” says the 64-year-old who has not been able to work since.

    Although the man has been left “in a dark financial situation” he says there have been other losses too.

    “My entire social circle consisted solely of my workmates so when I lost my job, I suddenly lost my social network and became socially isolated and alone… losing my social circle has probably been my biggest loss.”

    “This incident has taken away my life, all my goals and aspirations can no longer be achieved. The mental, physical, and financial impacts have had a profound impact in every area of my life and will continue to do so for a long time.”

    The operator suffered chemical burns to his eyes, chemical pneumonitis, atrial fibrillation, and seizures. He is now 38 and has returned to work. He has no memory of the incident, although he says he “feels bad for what happened” to his colleague “and the stress he had to go through when he pulled me out of the leachate”.

    WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe.

    “We salute the courage it has taken for these two survivors to stay strong throughout our investigation and prosecution,” says WorkSafe’s Inspectorate Head, Rob Pope.

    “The experience these men have gone through was both terrifying and completely avoidable. It’s only by sheer luck that both survived. Businesses must manage their health and safety risks, and when they do not we will hold them to account.”

    Read WorkSafe’s guidance on preventing harm from hydrogen sulphide

    Background

    • Taylorville Resource Park Limited and Paul Smith Earthmoving 2002 Ltd were sentenced at Greymouth District Court on 4 July 2025.
    • Taylorville Resource Park was fined $302,500 and Paul Smith Earthmoving $272,250. Reparations of $81,256 were also ordered.
    • Both entities were charged under sections 48(1) and (2)(c) and s 36(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
      • Being a PCBU having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU, while the workers were at work in the business or undertaking, namely carrying out the excavation and associated work to access the base of Cell C (the excavation work), did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed workers to a risk of death or serious injury.
    • The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.

    Media contact details

    For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:

    Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government backs bold ideas to solve real-world challenges

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    From solar-powered hydrogen reactors to wi-fi that works deep underground, 39 research projects have been awarded support through the Albanese Government’s Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Innovate program.

    More than $93 million in grants has been awarded to projects including:

    • A cleaner energy future – The University of Adelaide is working with industry to develop a solar hydrogen reactor that could dramatically cut the cost of green hydrogen production.
    • Smarter farming – The University of Melbourne is developing an affordable soil monitoring system for shallow and deep-rooted crops, helping farmers grow more with less.
    • Safer mining – The University of Sydney is creating a long-range wi-fi system to keep underground workers connected in real time.
    • High-tech weed control – Central Queensland University is teaming up with Aussie businesses to create an innovative weed management system that reduces the need for chemicals.

    These projects are part of a broader push to fast-track commercialisation of Australian research in critical areas like renewables, agriculture, medical technology, defence and critical minerals.

    AEA is designed to bridge the gap between research and real-world application and help researchers partner with industry to take ideas out of the lab and into the economy.

    The Olives the Australian Way project from the University of South Australia is an example of AEA in action. Starting in the Seed round and now progressing to Innovate, the project aims to double Australia’s olive plantations by 2035 and create new jobs in rural and regional areas.

    More than $178 million has now been awarded to Australian innovators through AEA Seed, Ignite and Innovate rounds as part of the $1.6 billion AEA program.

    The next round of Ignite and Innovate grants will open on 23 July, making an additional $150 million available to projects with potential to deliver the next wave of breakthroughs.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “These investments allow our world-class universities and researchers to work on game-changing projects that are good for our economy and good for Australia. 

    “This is a strategic investment that will help to deliver the solutions we need for the challenges ahead.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Peru hold sixth iteration of bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism in London

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK and Peru hold sixth iteration of bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism in London

    The Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean and Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs co-chaired the 6th session of the Peru-UK Political Consultations in London on 3 July.

    The Rt. Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean welcomed Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Felix Denegri to London on 3 July, where the two Ministers co-chaired the 6th session of the Peru-UK Political Consultations.

    A historic relationship rooted in shared values dating back over 200 years, the UK and Peru reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their modern partnership.

    Successes celebrated since the last meeting include the successful ratification of the UK’s CPTPP accession; the signing of a Double Taxation Agreement; and signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Climate Change. The two countries celebrated the  culmination of the 200-year anniversary of Peru-UK relations in 2023 and numerous high-level visits both ways.

    1. On security and defence, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and willingness to jointly tackle global insecurity. The UK and Peru agreed to drive collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding on Security cooperation, addressing transnational drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, corruption and environmental crime.

    2. On growth, the parties celebrated the strengthening of bilateral trade and investment, supported by a growing framework of trade and government-to-government agreements (G2Gs). Peru acknowledged the UK’s valuable contribution to Peru’s infrastructure on health, education and flood defences. This includes the UK’s position as the largest foreign direct investor in mining in Peru. The UK also presented its recently launched Industrial Strategy and the two sides discussed collaboration on Peru’s clean energy transition, including unlocking green hydrogen potential.

    3. The parties highlighted their joint efforts to address climate change, protect the Amazon Rainforest, promote green investment and tackle environmental crime. They celebrated the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Climate and Biodiversity and discussed Peru’s leadership as a key partner in Latin America ahead of COP30. The UK offered to continue supporting Peru in developing a National Bioeconomy Strategy by 2026.

    4. Lastly, the UK and Peru stressed the value of shared cultural experiences as a foundation to the bilateral relationship. They celebrated the promotion of English Language learning through the British Council and academic excellence through the UK’s Chevening scholarships programme. The parties will soon drive this further through the signing of two Memorandum’s of Understanding to collaborate on quality higher education in Peru delivered by the British Council.

    Speaking after the Consultations, Baroness Chapman said:

    The UK and Peru share a warm and historic friendship – over 200 years strong,  grounded in our values, mutual respect and common ambitions.

    Today we are working closer than ever for shared growth and prosperity. The UK is already Peru’s largest foreign investor and I had a fantastic discussion with Ambassador Denegri today on how we can build on this, from trade, to climate and security.

    Vice minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Félix Denegri said:

    We had very fruitful discussions with Baroness Chapman, in which we ratified our commitment to continuously expand and strengthen our bilateral agenda, based on our shared principles, values and interests.

    I am greatly satisfied with the level of bilateral engagement between Peru and the UK, shown in reciprocal ministerial, vice-ministerial and high authorities visits in the last two years. We both highlighted the continuity of our Political Consultations Mechanism, being this the sixth since its establishment in 2018.

    We look forward to welcome Baroness Chapman for our next round of Consultations, in Peru.

    The UK and Peru will continue to strengthen bilateral ties across security, growth, climate and education, invigorated through their new agreements and MOUs. The parties agreed to reconvene in Peru in 2026.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Five UConn Student Teams Innovate Decarbonization This Summer Through Eversource-Supported Challenge

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn is deepening its commitment to a sustainable future through a student-focused innovation challenge designed to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy solutions. In partnership with Eversource Energy, UConn has launched its third annual summer competition aimed at engaging students in the design of the future energy landscape.

    The competition has attracted an impressive group of participants, with five finalist teams comprising 11 students – five undergraduates and six graduates. These talented individuals represent eight diverse departments and schools: the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and School of Computing in the College of Engineering; the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR); the School of Business; and the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Mathematics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

    This multidisciplinary representation brings together diverse perspectives and technical expertise to address the complex challenges of decarbonization and the energy transition across UConn campuses and Connecticut municipalities.

    Each team will receive summer funding and be paired with mentors from UConn faculty and Eversource Energy. The mentorship will support students in refining their proposals and addressing the practical dimensions of their clean energy solutions. This hands-on guidance is designed to help participants explore real-world applications of their research and ideas.

    The culmination of the teams’ work will be presented at the 2025 Sustainable Clean Energy Summit on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. The event will take place alongside the 2025 North American Power Symposium, offering students a valuable platform to present their innovations to an audience of industry professionals, researchers, utility leaders and state officials.

    Following the Summit, the winning team will receive additional funding to continue their work throughout the academic year. This extended support aims to help transform early-stage ideas into actionable and impactful clean energy solutions.

    The continued collaboration between UConn and Eversource Energy underscores a shared commitment to environmental responsibility, climate resilience, and technological advancement. Through this initiative, students are empowered to take an active role in building a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

    The projects and student teams selected for the 2025 Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program are:

    Project 1: Fuel Cell as a Catalyst for Local Economic and Environmental Development

    Students: Songyang Zhou (Master’s Student, Data Science), Jane Torrence ’27 (BUS)

     

    Project 2: UConn’s Wastewater to Bioenergy: Integrated Chlorella Cultivation and Pyrolysis

    Students: Azeem Sarwar (Ph.D. Student, Chemical Engineering), Maham Liaqat (Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry), Muhammad Hassan (Ph.D. Student, Chemical Engineering).

     

    Project 3: Dual Characterization of Innovative Hydropower Systems for Sustainable Energy Storage and Generation

    Students: Jonathan Hylton ’26 (ENG), Safiya Crockett ’26 (CAHNR).

    Project 4: Harnessing Tidal Energy for Shoreside Electrification: A Tool for Sustainable Power in Coastal Connecticut Marine Terminals

    Students: Aryanna Fontanez (Ph.D. Student, Civil Engineering), Yamila Garcia (Master’s Student, Computer Science and Engineering).

    Project 5: Proactive PV Maintenance Using Multi-Modal UAV Imagery

    Students: Nicholas Bailey ’26 (ENG, CLAS), Tyler King ’26 (ENG).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India’s GDP growth projected at 6.4-6.7% for FY26: CII

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has projected India’s real GDP growth to remain in the range of 6.4% to 6.7% in the financial year 2025-26, reiterating the country’s position as the fastest-growing major economy globally.

    Speaking at an industry event in New Delhi on Thursday, CII President Rajiv Memani observed that India continues to be a bright spot amid heightened global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. “Competitiveness is India’s passport to prosperity. But it must be earned through reform, innovation and trust,” Memani said.

    He added that CII remains committed to partnering with the government and industry to strengthen India’s position as a competitive and globally connected economy. “India’s internal growth momentum is resilient enough to weather external shocks,” he said.

    Memani stressed that India must anchor its growth in competitiveness, driven by scale, productivity, innovation and resilience, especially at a time when global trade and technology dynamics are changing rapidly.

    To meet the country’s developmental and infrastructure requirements while maintaining fiscal prudence, CII has suggested calibrated disinvestment of public sector enterprises (PSEs). The industry body noted that PSEs account for nearly 10% of India’s total market capitalisation, estimated at around ₹55 lakh crore.

    “Divesting about 10% of this market capitalisation could potentially generate ₹5 lakh crore, which could be channelled towards enhancing public capital expenditure, retiring government debt, setting up a Sovereign Wealth Fund for overseas strategic investments and acquiring critical technologies,” Memani said.

    To address the challenges faced by India’s ‘missing middle’, CII has proposed a Capital Support Scheme aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector undertaking R&D, technology adoption and job creation.

    Further, to improve the cost efficiency of businesses, CII has suggested the formation of a dedicated taskforce to recommend policies for ensuring land availability at affordable rates, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

    Highlighting India’s energy transition goals, CII called for sector-specific strategies, including for mobility, and advocated the proactive creation of Green Hydrogen and Renewable Energy hubs. The industry body also plans to launch a dedicated Mission on Energy Transition to encourage industries to shift towards low-carbon alternatives.

    (IANS)

  • Astronomers get picture of aftermath of a star’s double detonation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The explosion of a star, called a supernova, is an immensely violent event. It usually involves a star more than eight times the mass of our sun that exhausts its nuclear fuel and undergoes a core collapse, triggering a single powerful explosion.

    But a rarer kind of supernova involves a different type of star – a stellar ember called a white dwarf – and a double detonation. Researchers have obtained photographic evidence of this type of supernova for the first time, using the European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Very Large Telescope.

    The back-to-back explosions obliterated a white dwarf that had a mass roughly equal to the sun and was located about 160,000 light‑years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Dorado in a galaxy near the Milky Way called the Large Magellanic Cloud. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

    The image shows the scene of the explosion roughly 300 years after it occurred, with two concentric shells of the element calcium moving outward.

    This type of explosion, called a Type Ia supernova, would have involved the interaction between a white dwarf and a closely orbiting companion star – either another white dwarf or an unusual star rich in helium – in what is called a binary system.

    The primary white dwarf through its gravitational pull would begin to siphon helium from its companion. The helium on the white dwarf’s surface at some point would become so hot and dense that it would detonate, producing a shockwave that would compress and ignite the star’s underlying core and trigger a second detonation.

    “Nothing remains. The white dwarf is completely disrupted,” said Priyam Das, a doctoral student in astrophysics at the University of New South Wales Canberra in Australia, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

    “The time delay between the two detonations is essentially set by the time it takes the helium detonation to travel from one pole of the star all the way around to the other. It’s only about two seconds,” said astrophysicist and study co-author Ivo Seitenzahl, a visiting scientist at the Australian National University in Canberra.

    In the more common type of supernova, a remnant of the massive exploded star is left behind in the form of a dense neutron star or a black hole.

    The researchers used the Very Large Telescope’s Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, or MUSE, instrument to map the distribution of different chemical elements in the supernova aftermath. Calcium is seen in blue in the image – an outer ring caused by the first detonation and an inner ring by the second.

    These two calcium shells represent “the perfect smoking-gun evidence of the double-detonation mechanism,” Das said.

    “We can call this forensic astronomy – my made-up term – since we are studying the dead remains of stars to understand what caused the death,” Das said.

    Stars with up to eight times the mass of our sun appear destined to become a white dwarf. They eventually burn up all the hydrogen they use as fuel. Gravity then causes them to collapse and blow off their outer layers in a “red giant” stage, eventually leaving behind a compact core – the white dwarf. The vast majority of these do not explode as supernovas.

    While scientists knew of the existence of Type Ia supernovas, there had been no clear visual evidence of such a double detonation until now. Type Ia supernovas are important in terms of celestial chemistry in that they forge heavier elements such as calcium, sulfur and iron.

    “This is essential for understanding galactic chemical evolution including the building blocks of planets and life,” Das said.

    A shell of sulfur also was seen in the new observations of the supernova aftermath.

    Iron is a crucial part of Earth’s planetary composition and, of course, a component of human red blood cells.

    In addition to its scientific importance, the image offers aesthetic value.

    “It’s beautiful,” Seitenzahl said. “We are seeing the birth process of elements in the death of a star. The Big Bang only made hydrogen and helium and lithium. Here we see how calcium, sulfur or iron are made and dispersed back into the host galaxy, a cosmic cycle of matter.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ROSNEFT OIL COMPANY 9M 2024 IFRS RESULTS

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    • 9M 2024 HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION AMOUNTED TO 193.4 MLN TOE
    • 9M 2024 LIQUID HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION EQUALED 138.3 MLN TONS
    • 9M 2024 GAS PRODUCTION TOTALLED 67.0 BCM 
    • 9M 2024 EBITDA AMOUNTED TO RUB 2,321 BLN
    • 9M 2024 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROSNEFT SHAREHOLDERS AMOUNTED TO RUB 926 BLN
    • 9M 2024 FREE CASH FLOW AMOUNTED TO RUB 1,075 BLN
    • 9M 2024 UNIT LIFTING COSTS AMOUNTED TO $2.8/BOE

    Rosneft Oil Company (hereinafter – Rosneft, the Company) announces its results for 9M 2024, prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

      9M
    2024    		 9M
    2023    		 % change
      RUB bln (except for %)
    Revenues from sales and equity share in profits of associates and joint ventures 7,645 6,612 15.6%
    EBITDA 2,321 2,403 (3.4)%
    Net income attributable to Rosneft shareholders 926 1,076* (13.9)%
    CAPEX 1,052 909 15.7%
    Adjusted free cash flow 1,075 1,157 (7.1)%

    * Revised due to completion of the 2022–2023 acquisition price allocation in 2023.

    Igor Sechin, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft said:

    “Due to the Russian Government’s decisions to cap oil production in addition to the quotas set by the OPEC+ agreement, Rosneft’s operating performance in the reporting period was under pressure. In this context, the Company has been taking additional steps to ensure stable financial results as well as aimed at achieving a sustainable corporate business model.

    The key rate increase resulted in the reduced efficiency of refinery modernization projects that require external financing. The outstripping growth of tariffs of natural monopolies and incremental anti-terrorist security costs exerted additional pressure on the refineries’ performance. In order to protect the shareholders’ interests and avoid losses, Rosneft has been considering the need to suspend refinery modernization projects. At the same time, meeting the domestic demand for quality petroleum products remains a priority.

    Continuous changes in the taxation system have a negative impact on the oil industry. In particular, in the reporting period, net income attributable to Rosneft’s shareholders was negatively affected by the income tax rate increase to 25% from 2025. In accordance with IFRS, this resulted in a restatement of a deferred tax with a negative income effect of RUB 0.2 trillion.

    However, efficient execution and improved development parameters of a number of our key projects afforded an opportunity to dramatically reduce the negative effect of these changes on our shareholders.

    The reported net income attributable to Rosneft shareholders was also negatively affected by the exchange rate revaluation of foreign currency liabilities due to the weakening of the national currency. For example, during the third quarter, the ruble weakened against the yuan by more than 10%.

    It is worth pointing out that net income attributable to shareholders adjusted for the non-cash effects mentioned above remained mainly unchanged year-on-year.

    Shareholders’ interests remain one of our key priorities. On November 8, the Board of Directors recommended an interim dividend of RUB 36.47 per share which resulted in the semi-annual dividend yield of 7.6%. In full compliance with the corporate dividend policy, a total of RUB 386.5 bln or 50% of H1 2024 net income is recommended to be distributed as dividends.

    In the context of high stock market volatility and taking into account our shareholders’ rights and interests, the Company has resumed its Share Buyback Program previously approved by the Board of Directors.”

    ESG

    In the reporting period, the Company continued to implement measures to achieve sustainable development goals under the ‘Rosneft-2030: Reliable Energy and Global Energy Transition’ strategy.

    Rosneft applies advanced technologies and state-of-the-art production methods to create a safe working environment and minimize the risk of occupational injuries and occupational illness. In 9M 2024, the Lost Workday Injury Severity (LWIS) improved by 33%.

    In 9M 2024, there were no gas, oil and water shows (release of oil, gas or water to the surface) during drilling operations at Company facilities. As part of efforts to minimize oil and petroleum product spills, measures were taken to replace field pipelines.

    In 9M 2024, as part of the corporate program to eliminate the environmental legacy, the area of contaminated land reduced by 7% and the volume of oily waste – by 12%.

    In October 2024, Rosneft entered the first quartile in the ESG transparency ranking of the Expert RA credit rating agency. The ranking was compiled based on the analysis of public information on the sustainability performance of 124 Russian companies in four main blocks: environment, society, corporate governance and non-financial reporting standards.

    Operating performance

    Exploration and production

    In 9M 2024, Rosneft liquid hydrocarbons production amounted to 138.3 mln tons (3,753 th. bpd). The indicator performance was primarily driven by the production cap in compliance with the decisions of the Russian Government.

    9M 2024 gas production amounted to 67.0 bcm (1,488 th. boepd). Greenfield projects in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District commissioned in 2022 account for over a third of the Company’s gas production.

    As a result, the Company’s 9M 2024 hydrocarbon production amounted to 193.4 mln toe (5,241 th. boepd).

    9M 2024 production drilling footage exceeded 9.1 mln meters. Rosneft commissioned over 2.2 th. new wells, 71% of which were horizontal.

    In 9M 2024, Rosneft conducted 1.2 th. km of 2D seismic and 4.8 th. sq. km of 3D seismic onshore Russia. The Company completed testing of 31 exploratory wells with a success rate of 84%.

    Vostok Oil Project

    As part of the Vostok Oil project, in 9M 2024 the Company completed 0.7 th. linear km of 2D seismic and 0.6 th. sq. km of 3D seismic. Rosneft carried out successful testing of 3 wells with 3 more wells being drilled and 1 more well being tested.

    Pilot development of the Payakha, the Ichemminskoye and the Baikalovskoye fields is in progress: production drilling footage amounted to 64 th. meters, while 10 production wells were completed in 9M 2024.

    Drilling and testing of another high-tech well with the horizontal section of 1,000 meters and 7-stage hydraulic fracturing at the Payakha field resulted in a stable oil flow, which confirms the resource potential of the development targets.

    Work is underway at the ‘Vankor – Payakha – Sever Bay’ trunk oil pipeline. Taking into account local climate patters, preparatory works for pipe laying were carried out during the summer period: more than 24 thousand piles were manufactured and prepared for mounting, over 200 km of the pipeline was welded.

    Construction of logistics infrastructure, building of hydraulic structures, shore reinforcement, expansion of coastal and berthing infrastructure is underway.

    Refining

    9M 2024 refining volume in Russia amounted to 62.6 mln tons.

    The Company has been consistently developing domestic technologies and import substitution. In particular, Rosneft provides Company refineries with proprietary catalysts, which are essential for production of high-quality motor fuel. In 9M 2024, Rosneft produced 1,810 tons of catalysts for hydrotreatment of diesel fuel and gasoline fractions, as well as protective layer catalysts. Rosneft subsidiaries also produced over 133 tons of gasoline reforming catalysts and 272 tons of catalysts for hydrogen production, petrochemicals and adsorbents. 1,002 tons of coked catalysts for hydrotreatment of diesel fuel were regenerated.

    Sustainable supply of high-quality motor fuel to Russian consumers is one of Rosneft’s key priorities. In 9M 2024, the Company sold 32.9 mln tons of petroleum products on the domestic market, including 9.9 mln tons of gasoline and 13.5 mln tons of diesel fuel.

    The Company is an active participant of trading activities at the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX). In 9M 2024, Rosneft sold 7.3 mln tons of gasoline and diesel fuel on the exchange, which is twice the required volume. The Company’s share in the total volume of exchange sales of gasoline and diesel fuel amounted to 37%.

    Financial performance

    Operating performance and the current macroeconomic environment combined with management decisions determined the trend of the Company’s key financial indicators.

    In 9M 2024, the Company’s revenue1 amounted to RUB 7,645 bln, representing an increase of 15.6% year-on-year on the back of higher oil prices. EBITDA reached RUB 2,321 bln, and the EBITDA margin amounted to 30%.

    In 9M 2024, the unit lifting costs amounted to $2.8/boe.

    9M 2024 net income attributable to Rosneft shareholders amounted to RUB 926 bln, which is 13.9% lower year-on-year driven by lower EBITDA, and higher debt financing rates, as well as non-cash factors, including the exchange rate revaluation of foreign currency liabilities and the effect of changes in the income tax rate.

    9M 2024 capital expenditure amounted to RUB 1,052 bln, which was 15.7% higher year-on-year due to the scheduled implementation of the Company’s investment program. At the same time, Rosneft’s free cash flow2 in the reporting period reached RUB 1,075 bln.

    The net debt/EBITDA ratio at the end of September 2024 amounted to 1.2x. The indicator growth was due to payment of final dividends of RUB 307 bln for 2023, as well as depreciation of the national currency.

    1 Includes revenues from sales and equity share in profits of affiliates and joint ventures
    2 Adjustment for prepayments under long-term oil supply contracts, including accrued interest payments thereon, net change in operations of subsidiary banks, and operations with trading securities.

    Department of Information and Advertising
    Rosneft Oil Company
    November 29, 2024

    These materials contain statements regarding future events and expectations that are forward-looking estimates. Any statement in these materials that is not historical information is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to adjust the data contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in underlying assumptions or factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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