Latest news with #REN
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Portugal to invest $466 million to boost grid management, battery storage after outage
LISBON, July 28 (Reuters) - The Portuguese government plans to invest up to 400 million euros ($466 million) to improve grid management and boost battery storage following a massive blackout across Spain and Portugal in April. Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said on Monday about 137 million euros of the investment would go towards improving the operational and control capacity of the electricity grid to help it deal with complex intermittent renewable power sources such as wind and solar. The Spanish government said in a report last month that grid operator Redeia ( opens new tab had miscalculated the correct mix of energy in the system on April 28, but also blamed some thermal power plants using coal, gas and nuclear, for failing to help maintain an appropriate voltage level. A surge in voltage triggered a cascade of power plant disconnections, leading to the outage that spread to Portugal, which was importing electricity at the time. Portuguese grid operator REN ( opens new tab will install a so-called shunt device to accurately measure electrical current and prevent overloads as well as equipment to regulate voltage, improve power system stability and ensure consistent energy delivery, according to the plan. Carvalho said that unlike in the past, when thermal power plants helped grid management with their stable supply, more renewable sources mean more intermittent and decentralised output which is harder to manage. "We have to make our grid more secure, digital and modern ... to support this new, more complex energy production model," she told a press conference, adding that the government would prepare a decree to speed up implementation of the investments. She also said the planned storage increase aimed to prevent a shutdown of the country, providing greater energy autonomy to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, fire departments, security forces, and other key public administration services. Portugal has only about 13 megawatts of battery storage capacity, and the goal is to reach 750 megawatts, although no timetable has been set yet. According to the latest daily data from REN, electricity consumption in Portugal stood at 115 GWh on June 20. ($1 = 0.8581 euros)
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Could a village in Norway be the EU's rare earths source?
This is an AI- generated image used for representational purposes only With a population of just over 2,000, Ulefoss might not seem like the answer to one of Europe's current economic problems. But this dot on the southern Norwegian landscape happens to perch directly above the continent's largest deposit of rare earth elements. These hard-to-acquire metals are crucial components of many modern technologies and appliances, from fighter jets to electric vehicles, flat-screen TVs to digital cameras. They're so important, in fact, that having a secure supply of them has become a part of European Union law. Because, right now, the EU has no internal supply of its own, Ulefoss holds promise. The hidden deposit known as the Fen complex slumbers as close to the surface as 100 meters (328 feet). It sits right below the community's schools and homes, making it a tricky and potentially controversial operation for the Rare Earths Norway (REN) mining company. One resident who asked not to be named said three of the sites the municipal council is exploring as landfills for the mines are currently ponds. "For me, existing ponds are nearly holy considering the climate problems we have or will be having. Had this been in the 1950s when I was a boy, I could understand it, but when the plans are for 2025, I react very strongly against it." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo But Tor Espen Simonsen, REN's community liaison and a local himself, says the company has worked hard to address the villagers' concerns. "Many people are curious towards new mining activity, hoping that this will bring back jobs and bring people," he said. "And we are working very closely with local businesses to strengthen value creation locally." So far at least, the project has avoided drawing the kind of protests and local government objections that often hamper similar large infrastructure initiatives. The town's past lends itself to this support. Mining is a known quantity for Ulefoss Ulefoss is one of Europe's oldest industrial communities, with a history of iron mining dating back to the 1600s. The last pit shut down in the 1960s, as smaller operations in Norway lost ground to the forces of globalization and international trade. "Growing up in Ulefoss, many people have said that one day there will be new mining activity," Simonsen said. "We just don't know when." But if REN's project proceeds as planned, that day might not be too far off and could become the community's most significant chapter of mining activity. The company says it has identified 9 million tons of rare earth oxides, which puts the deposit on a similar scale to the world's largest active mines in China and the United States. The company hopes to begin full-scale operations in 2030, but it can only extract these rare earth elements if it can do so without affecting or displacing the village above. To do this, REN is planning to create what it calls an "invisible mine." Starting about 4 kilometers away from the town center, it will dig a long, narrow diagonal tunnel directly into the heart of the Fen deposit. Using automated drills, it will then dig out giant, 300-meter-by-50-meter sections of the deposit. That material will be dropped into a crusher directly below the point of excavation. Once pulverized, that will be sent back to the surface on conveyor belts to be separated at the processing site, which will be built near the entrance to the tunnel. How will the underground mining impact the village? The risk with this approach is subsidence. The newly created empty space below ground could cause geological instability, as was the case in Sweden's most northerly town, Kiruna. The Kiruna iron ore mine has left the urban center above it with cracks and ground deformation. So in the early 2000s, it was decided the town would need to permanently relocate, a process that is currently underway. That experience hasn't gone unnoticed in Ulefoss. "There are some people who have seen things from other places. They're scared that our houses will fall in a big crater, or that something will be destroyed," said local resident Eli Landsdal. "But I feel now we have come to a place where more and more people are moving from the negative side to the positive side." To avoid the same fate as Kiruna, REN plans to return around half of its waste material back to the holes left in the Fen deposit, mixed with a binding agent to strengthen the rock. The invisible mine could become a gamechanger for Europe If the company manages to pull off its ambitions, it would be a coup for the EU as it currently rushes to secure an internal supply of the critical materials also used for renewable energy, aerospace and defense, which, for the most part, are currently sourced from China . The supply chains are also firmly under Chinese control, which leaves the EU at the mercy of whatever geopolitical tensions and shifts the future holds. This came into sharp relief in April when Beijing imposed export controls on rare earth elements and magnets. Though Norway is not a part of the EU, it is a close ally with strong trading ties, and the nascent European rare earth supply chain would be the main target for whatever comes out of Fen. "We are far behind, both in the EU and of course in Norway,' said Tomas Norvoll, the state secretary of Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which is responsible for the mining sector. He highlights the importance of not to getting "locked out" of magnet supply chains. "Therefore it is important that we do it with our own resources here." Fen's new mine is still decades away from the company's dream of supplying a third of Europe's estimated demand for rare earth elements. But the company hopes to start a small-scale pilot operation next year. If all goes to plan, that would become the first industrial source of rare earth elements in Europe.
DW
22-07-2025
- Business
- DW
Could a village in Norway be the EU's rare earths source? – DW – 07/22/2025
The sleepy Norwegian town of Ulefoss sits on top of a rare earth deposit. The reserves could help to reduce the EU's dependency on China for the elements needed in tech such as phones. With a population of just over 2,000, Ulefoss might not seem like the answer to one of Europe's current economic problems. But this dot on the southern Norwegian landscape happens to perch directly above the continent's largest deposit of rare earth elements. These hard-to-acquire metals are crucial components of many modern technologies and appliances, from fighter jets to electric vehicles, flat-screen TVs to digital cameras. They're so important, in fact, that having a secure supply of them has become a part of European Union law. Because, right now, the EU has no internal supply of its own, Ulefoss holds promise. The hidden deposit known as the Fen complex slumbers as close to the surface as 100 meters (328 feet). It sits right below the community's schools and homes, making it a tricky and potentially controversial operation for the Rare Earths Norway (REN) mining company. One resident who asked not to be named said three of the sites the municipal council is exploring as landfills for the mines are currently ponds. "For me, existing ponds are nearly holy considering the climate problems we have or will be having. Had this been in the 1950s when I was a boy, I could understand it, but when the plans are for 2025, I react very strongly against it." But Tor Espen Simonsen, REN's community liaison and a local himself, says the company has worked hard to address the villagers' concerns. "Many people are curious towards new mining activity, hoping that this will bring back jobs and bring people," he said. "And we are working very closely with local businesses to strengthen value creation locally." So far at least, the project has avoided drawing the kind of protests and local government objections that often hamper similar large infrastructure initiatives. The town's past lends itself to this support. Ulefoss is one of Europe's oldest industrial communities, with a history of iron mining dating back to the 1600s. The last pit shut down in the 1960s, as smaller operations in Norway lost ground to the forces of globalization and international trade. "Growing up in Ulefoss, many people have said that one day there will be new mining activity," Simonsen said. "We just don't know when." But if REN's project proceeds as planned, that day might not be too far off and could become the community's most significant chapter of mining activity. The company says it has identified 9 million tons of rare earth oxides, which puts the deposit on a similar scale to the world's largest active mines in China and the United States. The company hopes to begin full-scale operations in 2030, but it can only extract these rare earth elements if it can do so without affecting or displacing the village above. To do this, REN is planning to create what it calls an "invisible mine." Starting about 4 kilometers away from the town center, it will dig a long, narrow diagonal tunnel directly into the heart of the Fen deposit. Using automated drills, it will then dig out giant, 300-meter-by-50-meter sections of the deposit. That material will be dropped into a crusher directly below the point of excavation. Once pulverized, that will be sent back to the surface on conveyor belts to be separated at the processing site, which will be built near the entrance to the tunnel. The risk with this approach is subsidence. The newly created empty space below ground could cause geological instability, as was the case in Sweden's most northerly town, Kiruna. The Kiruna iron ore mine has left the urban center above it with cracks and ground deformation. So in the early 2000s, it was decided the town would need to permanently relocate, a process that is currently underway. That experience hasn't gone unnoticed in Ulefoss. "There are some people who have seen things from other places. They're scared that our houses will fall in a big crater, or that something will be destroyed," said local resident Eli Landsdal. "But I feel now we have come to a place where more and more people are moving from the negative side to the positive side." To avoid the same fate as Kiruna, REN plans to return around half of its waste material back to the holes left in the Fen deposit, mixed with a binding agent to strengthen the rock. If the company manages to pull off its ambitions, it would be a coup for the EU as it currently rushes to secure an internal supply of the critical materials also used for renewable energy, aerospace and defense, which, for the most part, are currently sourced fromChina . The supply chains are also firmly under Chinese control, which leaves the EU at the mercy of whatever geopolitical tensions and shifts the future holds. This came into sharp relief in April when Beijing imposed export controls on rare earth elements and magnets. Though Norway is not a part of the EU, it is a close ally with strong trading ties, and the nascent European rare earth supply chain would be the main target for whatever comes out of Fen. "We are far behind, both in the EU and of course in Norway,' said Tomas Norvoll, the state secretary of Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which is responsible for the mining sector. He highlights the importance of not to getting "locked out" of magnet supply chains. "Therefore it is important that we do it with our own resources here." Fen's new mine is still decades away from the company's dream of supplying a third of Europe's estimated demand for rare earth elements. But the company hopes to start a small-scale pilot operation next year. If all goes to plan, that would become the first industrial source of rare earth elements in Europe. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
22-07-2025
- Business
- DW
Could Norway be Europe's rare earths future? – DW – 07/22/2025
The sleepy Norwegian town of Ulefoss is sitting on reserves that could help to reduce the EU's dependency on China for the elements needed in tech such as phones. With a population of just over 2,000, Ulefoss might not seem like the answer to one of Europe's current problems. But this dot on the southern Norwegian landscape happens to perch directly above the continent's largest deposit of rare earth elements. These hard-to-acquire metals are crucial components of many modern technologies and appliances, from fighter jets to electric vehicles, flat-screen TVs to digital cameras. They're so important, in fact, that having a secure supply of them has become a part of European Union law. And because, right now, the EU has no internal supply of its own, Ulefoss holds promise. The hidden deposit known as the Fen complex, slumbers as close to the surface as 100 meters (328 feet). Right below the community's schools and homes. Making it a tricky and potentially controversial operation for the mining company Rare Earths Norway (REN). One resident who asked not to be named said three of the sites the municipal council is exploring as landfill for the mines are currently ponds. "For me, existing ponds are nearly holy considering the climate problems we have or will be having. Had this been in the 1950s when I was a boy, I could understand it, but when the plans are for 2025, I react very strongly against it." But Tor Espen Simonsen, REN's community liaison and a local himself, says the company has worked hard to address the concerns of the villagers. "Many people are curious towards new mining activity, hoping that this will bring back jobs and bring people," he said. "And we are working very closely with local businesses to strengthen value creation locally." So far at least, the project has avoided drawing the kind of protests and local government objections that often hamper similar large infrastructure initiatives. The town's past lends itself to this support. Ulefoss is one of Europe's oldest industrial communities, with a history of iron mining dating back to the 1600s. The last pit shut down in the 1960s, as smaller operations in Norway lost ground to the forces of globalization and international trade. "Growing up in Ulefoss, many people have said that one day there will be new mining activity," Simonsen said. "We just don't know when." But if REN's project proceeds as planned, that day might not be too far off and could become the community's most significant chapter of mining activity. The company says it has identified 9 million tons of rare earth oxides, which puts the deposit on a similar scale to the world's largest active mines in China and the United States. The company hopes to begin full-scale operations in 2030. But it can only extract these rare earth elements if it can do so without affecting or displacing the village above. To do this, REN is planning to create what it calls an 'invisible mine'. Starting about 4km away from the town center, it will dig a long, narrow diagonal tunnel directly into the heart of the Fen deposit. Using automated drills, it will then dig out giant, 300m by 50m sections of the deposit. That material will be dropped into a crusher directly below the point of excavation. Once pulverized, that will be sent back to the surface on conveyer belts to be separated at the processing site due to be built near the entrance to the tunnel. The risk with this approach is subsidence. The newly created empty space below ground could cause geological instability, as was the case in Sweden's most northerly town, Kiruna. The Kiruna iron ore mine has left the urban center above it with cracks and ground deformation. So in the early 2000s, it was decided the town would need to permanently relocate, a process which is currently underway. That experience hasn't gone unnoticed in Ulefoss."There's some people that have seen things from other places. They're scared that our houses are going to fall down in a big crater, or that something is going to be destroyed," said local resident Eli Landsdal. "But I feel now we have come to a place where more and more people are moving from the negative side to the positive side." To avoid the same fate as Kiruna, REN plans to return around half of its waste material back to the holes left in the Fen deposit, mixed with a binding agent to strengthen the rock. If the company manages to pull off its ambitions, it would be a coup for the EU as it currently rushes to secure an internal supply of the critical materials also used for renewable energy, aerospace and defense, which for the most part, are currently sourced fromChina. The supply chains are also firmly under Chinese control, which leaves the EU at the mercy of whatever geopolitical tensions and shifts the future holds. This came into sharp relief in April when Beijing imposed export controls on rare earth elements and magnets. Though Norway is not a part of the EU, it is a close ally with strong trading ties, and the nascent European rare earth supply chain would be the main target for whatever comes out of Fen. "We are far behind, both in the EU and of course in Norway,' said Tomas Norvoll, the state secretary of Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which is responsible for the mining sector. He highlights the importance of not to getting "locked out" of magnet supply chains. "Therefore it is important that we do it with our own resources here." Fen's new mine is still decades away from the company's dream of supplying a third of Europe's estimated demand for rare earth elements. But the company hopes to start a small-scale pilot operation next year. If all goes to plan, that would become the first industrial source of rare earth elements in Europe. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
British skincare brand sold at Boots slashes price of bundles by 40% ahead of closing down – saving shoppers over £56
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH skincare brand sold at Boots has slashed the price of its beauty bundles by a massive 40% - saving shoppers over £56 - as it prepares to shut up shop for good. Fans of the cult-favourite label are rushing to bag final bargains before the shelves are cleared, with some products now at their lowest ever price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Elevate your skincare routine without breaking the bank with REN's massive 40% sale off their bundles and gift sets before they close down for good Credit: REN Clean Skincare The much-loved label REN is preparing to close down this month. The East London brand is best known for leading the pack with a stripped-back, no-nonsense approach to skincare. Founded by Rob Calcraft and Antony Buck, it was ahead of the curve when it came to so-called "clean" beauty. The brand was a trailblazer for sustainable beauty, championing natural ingredients and formulas gentle enough for sensitive skin. Shoppers are acting fast to snap up their favourites at half price before they're gone for good. Big Sale The REN online store is offering 30% off sitewide, giving you the perfect excuse to stock up on clean, effective skincare - including cult favourites Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic and REN Bio Retinoid Youth Cream. And if you're after even bigger savings, don't miss their gift sets and bundles, now going for 40% off - making it easier than ever to elevate your skincare routine without breaking the bank. The Evercalm Gift of Calm gift set is your ticket to stronger, more nourished and deeply hydrated skin. Packed with natural bioactives to soothe and protect your skin, this bestselling Evercalm trio comes with a limited-edition cosmetics bag made from 100% recycled materials. It includes the Evercalm Barrier Support Elixir 30ml, Evercalm Global Protection Cream 15ml and Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm 15ml. Buying these products separately would set you back £106 - but the bundle is just £49.50, saving you a whopping £56.50! That's nearly half price for three bestsellers - a total steal for skincare lovers. Skincare whizz urges beauty fans to hit high street store for £2.49 spray that works a treat to stop spots on hot days Goodbye after 25 years Named after the Swedish word for 'clean,' REN was born in 2000 when its founder's pregnant wife started reacting badly to her usual products. From the beloved Evercalm balm to the barrier-boosting elixir, REN's lineup has always favoured planet-friendly bioactives — ditching parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates and petrochemicals way before it was trendy. REN was acquired in 2015 by beauty giant Unilever, joining its Prestige Brands division. Its eco-conscious ethos set the blueprint for every green beauty brand that came after. REN's gentle, effective formulas have won fans across the board — from teens discovering skincare for the first time, to those battling eczema. While the industry buzzes with greenwashing nonsense, REN has remained a rare trustworthy name in sustainable skincare for 25 years. Biggest beauty mistakes Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty. "No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you're not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted. "There aren't many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime." Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. Using expired products: Best case, they're ineffective and don't deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ - for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the 'POA' symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it's safe once opened. If you can't remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. Best case, they're ineffective and don't deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ - for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the 'POA' symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it's safe once opened. If you can't remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. Not knowing your undertones: If you're using make-up with the wrong undertones, it'll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist - if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they're green, you have warm and if they're a mix you have neutral. If you're using make-up with the wrong undertones, it'll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist - if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they're green, you have warm and if they're a mix you have neutral. Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you're trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you're trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. Not washing your face before bed: it's as simple as this, if you're not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that's been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn't going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you're probably going to end up with dirty pillows too - yuck! Official Statement REN revealed the last time consumers can buy products from its official website on Instagram. They shared the date and a heartfelt message alongside an image which said: "We have some news… News for our fRENds ♥︎ You can still shop with us over at until 31 July 2025. 'After 25 incredible years we will soon be closing our doors. Born in London in 2000, we have been proud to put 'clean' skin care on the agenda, creating positive change for our people and planet. 'We thank you, our community, for your support over the years'.
