Energy Vid Week 1 Feb 2023: GM Looks to Invest $650 to Gain Access to Large U.S. Lithium Mine

1) First Solar plows add'l $1.3 billion into OH plant, expanding capability to 10.6 GW by 2025, co. nearly fully sold out through 2026. 
2) Advanced geothermal company Eavor Tech completes next-gen geothermal demonstration in NM. Eavor directionally drills 18,000’, two-leg, multilateral well through granite, w/temps close to 500 degrees F, triggers add’l $10 mn investment. 
3) Allete & Grid United plan $2.5 bn, 3000 MW, 385 mile, bidirectional, HVDC transmission link from ND to MT, increasing transfer capacity betw. E and W interconnections. Current linkages total only 1,320 MW. 
4) TotalEnergies & Air Liquide plan network of 100 H2 stations for heavy trucks on highways in France, Benelux, and Germany. 
5) 2022 US car sales sag 8%, but EV sales jump 65% to over 800,000 - 5.8% of all cars sold.
6) Our Next Energy scores $300 mn fund raise & $220 million MI grant to locate battery cell factory in state. 
7) ChargePoint & battery/software co Stem to speed deployment of EV fast-charging, joining chargers w/batteries on US highways, managing utility D charges. 
8) SK Group's EverCharge to deploy EV charging stations at Houston's Bush Airport for Avis Budget Group’ combined rental fleet. Intelligent load balancing software will reduce strains on grid.
9) Travel Centers of America to team w/Electrify America on 1,000 EV DC fast-charging stations at 200 designated highway locations over 5 years, starting 2023; 
10) GM OKs investment of $650 million in Lithium Americas, for exclusive access to Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in Nevada, largest known U.S lithium deposit. 
10) GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Ontario Power Group, SNC-Lavalin, & Aecon Group sign deal for 300 MW SMR in Ontario. Site preparation underway, w/go-live date slated for Q4 2028.