OMNI Features｜NDHU Environmental Monitoring Reveals Solar Panels Reflect Less Sunlight Than Forests．Offshore Wind Farm Orders Resurging; SK oceanplant Actively Enhancing Market Competitiveness．U.S. DOE Announces $127.5 Million in Funding for Carbon Capture and Removal Centers

｜NDHU Environmental Monitoring Reveals Solar Panels Reflect Less Sunlight Than Forests
National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), commissioned by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), has embarked on a 10-year environmental monitoring project. According to Professor Shih-Chieh Chang, research reveals that solar panels have a reflectivity of only 10%, lower than the 15% of forests, challenging common misconceptions about solar panels' sunlight reflection. The university established the nation's first "flux tower" at a Fenglin Township, Hualien County solar power plant. Monitoring results indicate that air temperature above the solar field is higher than in forested areas. NDHU is collaborating with the University of Michigan on climate simulations to study the potential impact on surrounding communities further.

｜Offshore Wind Farm Orders Resume as South Korean Company SK Oceanplant Actively Enhances Market Competitiveness
Hana Securities has noted that SK oceanplant's competitiveness in the offshore wind infrastructure market in Northeast Asia is gradually strengthening. The company is expected to see a steady increase in offshore wind revenue in the second half of 2024 as offshore wind farm orders in Taiwan resume. The Korean government's recent announcement of the "Offshore Wind Competitive Bidding Roadmap" further enhances the visibility of medium- to long-term orders. SK oceanplant's operating profit margin in the year's first half is expected to remain around 8.0%.

｜U.S. DOE Announces $127.5 Million in Funding for Carbon Capture and Removal Centers
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced significant new funding to boost efforts against carbon emissions and climate change. The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) revealed that over $127.5 million in federal funds will support the establishment of test centers dedicated to capturing, removing, and converting carbon dioxide. This initiative targets high-emission sectors, such as cement production and power generation, aiming to reduce emissions from these industries and accelerate progress toward net zero emissions by 2050.

Reference:LTN｜nate.com/｜Carbon Herald