Editor'snote: From Sunnova's new tool to Rice University's semiconductor research, these are the top headlines that resonated with EnergyCapital readers on social media and daily newsletter this week.
Sunnova Energy taps new fintech platform for collaboration
Sunnova Energy International and Tenet Energy will offer special discounts and financing plans. Photo via sunnova.com
Houston-based Sunnova Energy International, a provider of commercial and residential solar energy services, has teamed up with fintech platform Tenet Energy to help Americans buy electric vehicles and solar power systems.
The two companies will offer special discounts and financing plans to encourage Sunnova customers to switch to electric vehicles purchased through Tenet and Tenet customers to adopt Sunnova’s solar energy systems. Continue reading.
Houston agriculture robotics co. raises $21.5M series A to grow climatetech solution
The series A funding will support the deployment of its biochar machines across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Photo courtesy of Applied Carbon
A Houston energy tech startup has raised a $21.5 million series a round of funding to support the advancement of its automated technology that converts field wastes into stable carbon.
Applied Carbon, previously known as Climate Robotics, announced that its fresh round of funding was led by TO VC, with participation from Congruent Ventures, Grantham Foundation, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, S2G Ventures, Overture.vc, Wireframe Ventures, Autodesk Foundation, Anglo American, Susquehanna Foundation, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, and Elemental Excelerator.
The series A funding will support the deployment of its biochar machines across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Continue reading.
Following years of speculation, Chevron announces HQ move to Houston
Chevron expects all of its corporate functions to shift to Houston over the next five years. Photo via Getty Images
The Energy Capital of the World is adding another jewel to its corporate crown.
With the impending move of Chevron’s headquarters from Northern California to Houston, the Houston area will be home to 24 Fortune 500 companies. Chevron ranks 15th on this year’s Fortune 500.
Oil and gas giant Chevron, currently based in San Ramon, California, will join three Fortune 500 competitors that already maintain headquarters in the Houston area. Continue reading.
Rice University semiconductor researchers join DARPA-funded Texas team
Researchers from Rice University and the University of Texas have teamed up for semiconductor microsystem innovation. Photo courtesy of UT
A team led by the University of Texas at Austin and partnered with Rice University was awarded $840 million to develop “the next generation of high-performing semiconductor microsystems" for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected UT’s Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE) semiconductor consortium to establish a national open access R&D and prototyping fabrication facility.
The facility hopes to enable the DOD to create higher performance, lower power, lightweight, and compact defense systems. The technology could apply to radar, satellite imaging, unmanned aerial vehicles, or other systems, and ultimately will assist with national security and global military leadership. As a member of DARPA’s Next Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing (NGMM) team, Rice’s contributions are key. Continue reading.
Untapped potential: The role of residential energy management in Texas
Despite its high energy production, Texas has had more outages than any other state over the past five years due to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and rapidly growing demand. Photo via Getty Images
Texas stands out among other states when it comes to energy production.
Even after mass rolling blackouts during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the Lone Star State produced more electricity than any other state in 2022. However, it also exemplifies how challenging it can be to ensure grid reliability. The following summer, the state’s grid manager, the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), experienced ten occasions of record-breaking demand.
Despite its high energy production, Texas has had more outages than any other state over the past five years due to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and rapidly growing demand, as the outages caused by Hurricane Beryl demonstrated. Continue reading.