🌆 Infra Futures #22

Happy Monday 👋

The US DOE finalized a $9.63B loan for BlueOval SK to build three EV battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky, boosting US EV production. Italian Rail Group announced a $108B investment to modernize infrastructure and expand high-speed rail by 30% by 2029. In Ireland, the world’s first 3D-printed concrete social housing project delivered three homes 35% faster than traditional methods. Lithuania will renovate 700 apartment buildings through a $108M EIB loan, improving energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Slip Robotics secured $28M in Series B funding led by DCVC to advance automated truck-loading solutions. 

What's new?
HolonIQ’s new Green Skills Map and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.

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🏗️ Energy Infrastructure

🔋 DOE Finalizes $9.63B Loan for BlueOval SK EV Battery Plants. The US Department of Energy finalized a $9.63B loan for BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and SK On, to build three EV battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.

☀️ US Engineer Jacobs to Build Massive Solar Farm and Battery System in the Philippines. Jacobs, a US engineering firm, is hired to help build a $3.3B, 3.5GW solar farm and a 4.5GW battery system in the Philippines to help the country cut its dependence on coal for power generation.

🔌 California Announces $1B Electric Vehicle Charger Initiative. The California Energy Commission pledged more than $1B to a four-year plan to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, aiming to add 17,000 chargers. 

🚘 Transport Infrastructure

🚅 Italian Rail Group Plans $108B Infrastructure Investment. Italian Rail Group announces a $108B investment to modernize infrastructure, improve mobility, and expand high-speed rail access by 30% by 2029.

⚡ Zero Emission Port Alliance Releases Guidelines for Upgrading Port Infrastructure. The Zero Emission Port Alliance, an organization focused on sustainable port operations, released key findings and guidelines for upgrading terminal infrastructure and the electricity grid to support zero-emission operations.

🌐 China and Peru collaborate on major infrastructure projects. China and Peru are partnering on a new infrastructure project called the 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) to develop the Chancay port in Peru into a major hub and gateway for Latin America.

🏛️ Buildings

🏠 World's First Printed Concrete Social Housing Project in Ireland. A terrace of three, 3-bedroom social houses made using 3D printing technology is constructed in Dundalk, Ireland. The terrace was finished in just 132 days, 35% faster than traditional construction methods. 

🏠 European firms to build rice-straw houses in Nigeria. Companies from Sweden and Czechia have partnered with the Nigerian government to construct houses partially made from rice straw, investing $250M in establishing 10 factories in Nigeria.

🏫 Social Infrastructure

🏘️ $108M loan from EIB to boost Lithuanian housing renovation. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government of Lithuania have approved a $108M loan to fund housing renovation in Lithuania, for the renovation of 700 apartment buildings. 

🏫 West Virginia School Building Authority Approves $65M for Infrastructure Investments. The West Virginia School Building Authority approved $65M in funding for infrastructure investments. Additional funds will go toward upgrading existing facilities in eight counties.

🛠️ Skills and Workforce

HolonIQ is now tracking reskilling and upskilling initiatives critical in bridging workforce gaps. Impact industries are rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, decarbonization, geopolitical dynamics, and socio-economic factors. To that extent, these sectors require considerable workforce/professional development initiatives to enhance workers' capabilities, boost economic growth, and promote social well-being. Read on for this week’s insights, and discover more in HolonIQ's latest Skills newsletter.

🚗 The Metropolitan Education District (MetroED) has received nearly $1 million in funding for its Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE). The grant, part of the K12 Strong Workforce Program, will help community colleges expand career technical education and workforce training, preparing students for high-wage employment in sustainable industries such as EV technology and clean diesel technologies.

🛠️ Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vishwakarma Institutes and University. This initiative aims to advance concept development, skill-based training, and education. The partnership will provide hands-on training, practical exposure, and real-world experience, while VI&U will adapt its curriculum to meet industry needs.

💰 The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments have allocated $50 million to launch the Melbourne Polytechnic Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence. This center will focus on advanced construction training and Modern Methods of Construction, aiming to enhance workforce productivity and serve as a hub for applied research in the sector.

HolonIQ has launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated for cataloging, evaluating, and contextualizing the different components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.

💰 Infra Deals

🤖 Slip Robotics Raises $28M Series B Funding Led by DCVC. Slip Robotics, a provider of automated truck-loading robots-as-a-service, raised $28M in Series B financing led by venture capital firm DCVC.

🔌 Power Grid Components Acquires Elliott Industries. Power Grid Components, a company in the energy industry, acquired Elliott Industries, a leader in custom electrical equipment for utilities and industrial customers.

🏗️ White Cap Acquires Site Supply, Inc.. White Cap, a leading distributor of construction supplies and safety products, acquired Site Supply, Inc.

🤝 Xylem Acquires Heusser Water Solutions AG. Xylem Inc., a leading global water solutions company, completed the acquisition of Heusser Water Solutions AG, its long-standing distributor in Switzerland.

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Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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