Construction Challenges and Climate Change

It can’t be an era of all talk and no action. Climate change challenges are becoming more obvious and destructive. Increased wildfires in the west due to drier weather and drought. The increased intensity of hurricanes and El Nino provide a backdrop for even more drastic weather. Scientists have debated and discussed why, now the consensus must be acted upon: carbon-based emissions, especially CO2 must be constrained.
Recognizing the world is in a climate-driven crisis, Black & Veatch, an engineering, construction, and consulting firm, is seeking bold, committed partners to accelerate development of decarbonization solutions through its IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator. The Climate Tech Accelerator is an innovative 12-week virtual program that provides funding and support to startup companies on the cutting edge of climate technology.
 
Launched in 2019, the IgniteX Accelerator program pairs B&V (Black & Veatch) with selected startups, providing opportunities for mentorship, co-development of technology, access to the company’s vast network of subject matter experts, go-to-market support, investor introductions, and up to $50,000 in equity funding. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 3, 2021.
 
Desired topics of innovation include carbon capture and utilization, hydrogen, ammonia, fugitive methane emissions, consulting and road mapping, carbon-neutral construction materials, circular economy, and more. Since its creation, IgniteX has received more than 400 applications, made $1 million in grants, investments, and in-kind services and supported 25 startup companies and emerging technologies.
 
As an example, hydrogen can complement – and even accelerate – the integration of renewable energy and electrification. It also can provide technologically and financially viable pathways as a zero-carbon fuel, feedstock and energy carrier while serving as a method of energy storage.
 
While electrification and advancing renewables can play a huge role in decarbonizing the energy sector and downstream users, hydrogen is needed to accelerate these changes and enable lower carbon footprints of energy-intensive applications and emission sources not reasonably abated through other means. Additionally, hydrogen can leverage existing fossil gas infrastructure in that it can be shipped, stored and used as fuel, all without major impacts to the existing value chain.
So, with hydrogen boasting such clear advantages, why isn’t the energy industry implementing sweeping changes to adopt it as a solution? Simply put, it’s cost.
 
Black & Veatch sees green hydrogen, a carbonless fuel generated with renewable energy, as one of the essential elements to decarbonization and climate neutrality. Given the scale of the investments needed to harness hydrogen’s potential – and the ambiguous costs associated with it.
 
To alert the stakeholders, B&V has a new eBook that provides clarity by examining market forces and financial considerations surrounding hydrogen technology. Offered as a free download, 2021: Market Dynamics of Hydrogen navigates the financial pathways that will put hydrogen on a viable, profitable trajectory.