Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

That's day 10/31 of Climtober. Breaking down climate topics daily so you know more than most industry insiders.

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

The economics are shifting. Together, these startups are proving we can benefit from preventing emissions instead of paying to create them.

So here's the real question: If waste-to-energy genuinely generates profit while landfills cost billions, who benefits from keeping us in the ground?

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Sierra Energy uses FastOx gasification to turn municipal waste and biomass into fuels or electricity with minimal residue.

WasteFuel converts municipal and agricultural waste into fuels for shipping and aviation, cutting transport emissions.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Despite the challenges, these startups are proving it's possible:

Raven SR converts waste into clean hydrogen and synthetic fuels using a non-combustion process. Partnered with Chevron and Hyzon Motors.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Setup costs hit $40 - 500M+ per plant, most depend on tipping fees and government support to remain viable, public perception remains skeptical from older polluting facilities, feedstock quality varies wildly, and most plants are limited to power generation alone.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Waste stops being trash and becomes what it actually is: stored energy.

But it's not an easy task.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

→ Non-recyclable material goes into incineration, gasification, or anaerobic digestion

→ These processes produce heat, electricity, or biofuels from the waste

→ Leftover ash gets reused in construction while gases are cleaned before release

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Byproducts become construction materials, and advanced plants now produce hydrogen and aviation fuel alongside electricity.

Here's how waste becomes energy:
→ Waste is separated into what can and can't be recycled

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Waste that would release methane for decades gets converted into electricity within days, already generating energy to power over 1.5 million US homes while eliminating those emissions entirely.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

It can. And in hundreds of facilities, it already is.

These plants convert everyday trash (food scraps, paper, plastics, even sewage sludge) into electricity, heat, or clean fuels through incineration, gasification, or anaerobic digestion.

The impact is immediate.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Existing sites reach capacity, communities reject new ones, and disposal costs keep rising.

So cities spend millions shipping waste to distant dumps, kicking the problem down the road.

But what if that same trash could power homes, fuel planes, or produce hydrogen?

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

But that trash doesn't disappear.

Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the US, releasing a gas 80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period.

Meanwhile, we're running out of places to put it all.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Americans generate 265 million tons of waste every year.

Most of it gets buried in landfills where it sits for decades, slowly releasing methane into the atmosphere. Here’s the irony:

We called it 'waste management'. Really, we just hid it underground.

(thread)

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

And that's day 9, of Climtober - 31 days demystifying climate solutions, one topic at a time.

Come back tomorrow for Day 10 and by November 1st, you'll understand this landscape better than most people working in it.

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Projects that couldn't get financed now have buyers. Companies that couldn't access clean energy now have options.

Would your company sign a 10-year contract for clean energy if the price was predictable and lower than grid rates? Drop your thoughts in the comments

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Zeigo simplified SME access. Platform making PPA contracting accessible for mid-market companies previously locked out.

Clean energy procurement is moving beyond tech giants. Digital marketplaces, standardized contracts, and hybrid PPAs turning exclusive corporate deals into scalable infrastructure

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

REDEX (Singapore) solved regulatory complexity. Digital platform helping corporates navigate open access and cross-border clean energy procurement.

ReNew Power (India) addressed generation mismatch. Hybrid solar-wind-storage PPAs aligning with corporate demand, mitigating 4 million tonnes of carbon

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Until these startups stepped up:

LevelTen Energy (US) tackled price volatility. Largest PPA marketplace connecting 500+ developers with corporate buyers, providing price benchmarks and risk analytics.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

→ Long contracts felt risky in unstable markets

→ Regulations around energy procurement stayed murky

→ Solar and wind didn't match when companies actually needed power

→ Small businesses couldn't navigate the complexity

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

In 2023, 36 GW of renewable PPAs were signed globally. Corporate PPAs account for over 50% of deals, led by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

By 2030, corporate PPAs are projected to hit 100 GW.

But these barriers kept most companies out:

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Developers get revenue certainty. Banks approve financing. Projects get built. Buyer locks in clean energy at a predictable price plus renewable energy certificates for carbon accounting.

Simple mechanism. Massive impact.

1 1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

The gap between supply and demand keeps both sides paralyzed.

Power Purchase Agreements solve this.

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract where a buyer commits to purchasing electricity from a renewable generator at a fixed or indexed price, typically for 10-20 years.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Meanwhile, companies have carbon commitments and need clean electricity.

But they can't build their own solar farms or negotiate with every developer independently.

Resulting in billions in renewable projects stuck and companies unable to access clean energy.

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

Renewable energy has a financing problem.

Banks won't finance renewable projects without guaranteed buyers.

A solar farm might generate power for decades, but if there's no committed buyer, lenders see it as too risky. No financing, no project. The renewable energy sits unbuilt.

(thread)

1

Akhila Kosaraju @akhilak.bsky.social · 1d

So here's the real question: if your EV could earn $300/year by letting the grid use 10% of its battery during peak hours, would you do it?

That's day 8/31 of Climtober - breaking down climate topics daily so you know more than most industry insiders.