Science and Technology:
¶ “Applying the Pareto Principle: Conversion of Commercial Transportation to Reduce Effects of Climate Change” • With a commitment to just 20% of a set of clean practices, it is possible to reduce a carbon footprint by 80%. That’s what’s known as the Pareto principle. If we apply that to commercial transportation, it could make a big difference. [CleanTechnica]
Port of Barcelona (Andy Mitchell, Wikimedia Commons)
¶ “United In Science 2020 Report: Climate Change Has Not Stopped For Covid-19” • Covid-19 has not slowed climate change. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are at record levels and are increasing. Emissions are heading toward pre-pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NREL Scientists Estimate Global Potential Of Hydro-Linked Floating PV At Up To 7.5 TW” • Researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Lab said that linking solar with hydro in full hybrid systems may result in deployment of up to 7,593 GW for an estimated annual power generation of 10,616 TWh with a 20% reservoir coverage. [pv magazine International]
Hydro site
World:
¶ “Climate change: Warmth shatters section of Greenland ice shelf” • A big chunk of ice has broken away from the Arctic’s largest remaining ice shelf – 79N, or Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden – in north-eastern Greenland. The ejected section covers about 110 square km. “The atmosphere in this region has warmed by about 3°C since 1980,” said Dr Jenny Turton. [BBC]
¶ “Nordex Installs First N149/5.X Turbine” • Nordex has installed the first of its next-generation 5-MW series turbine near Potsdam at the Genshagener Heide wind farm. Mean wind speeds are 6.4 m/s at the hub height, making the site good for testing the 5.7-MW turbine. Nordex said the N149/5.X unit will start operation on schedule this month. [reNEWS]
Nordex turbine (Nordex image)
¶ “BP Says Oil Demand May Have Peaked Already” • BP Plc said the relentless growth of oil demand is over. This makes it the first supermajor to call the end of an era many thought would last for another decade or more. Oil consumption may never return to levels seen before Covid-19 crisis took hold, BP said in a report that breaks from orthodoxy. [Energy Voice]
¶ “I don’t know why they don’t get it.’ Lynham laments Taylor blindspot on renewables” • Queensland state energy minister Dr Anthony Lytham says Australia’s states and territories all agree that the future of Australia lies in renewable energy, and he can’t understand why the federal government is the only one that does not accept it. [RenewEconomy]
Angus Taylor at meeting (Richard Wainwright | AAP)
¶ “Australia’s Renewable Power Generation Set To Overtake Fossil Fuels” • Renewables are set to overtake coal and gas as Australia’s main source of electricity generation, analysis from Rystad Energy says. It says demand for coal and gas for power has peaked, with solar and wind to overtake both fossil fuels for power generation by 2026. [Upstream Online]
¶ “Ireland To Miss 2030 Clean Power Goal” • Ireland will fail to meet its target of 70% renewable energy by 2030 because its planning system is “broken,” a report says. “Building Onshore Wind,” published by the Irish Wind Energy Association, called for urgent changes to reform the planning system and boost the post-Covid economy. [reNEWS]
Wind turbine (Image: Irish Wind Energy Association)
¶ “16-Meter Seawall Planned For Fukushima Daiichi” • The operator of the damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima plans to build a taller seawall to help protect against future high seismic sea waves. The move comes in response to the projection made in April by a government panel on the scale of a potential future tsunami. [NHK World]
¶ “Investors That Manage $47 Trillion Demand World’s Biggest Polluters Back Plan For Net-Zero Emissions” • Climate Action 100+, which represents investors that manage assets totalling over $47 Trillion, has demanded the world’s biggest corporate polluters back strategies to reach net-zero emissions and, it promised to hold them to public account. [The Guardian]
Extinction Rebellion (Barcroft Media | Getty Images)
US:
¶ “US West Coast fires: Wind warning prompts fears of further spread” • The US National Weather Service has issued a “red flag warning” for areas of the West Coast, as high winds threaten to spread devastating wildfires still further. Gusts of up to 40 mph (64 km/h) are expected in parts of southern Oregon, with no rain. Fires have been raging for three weeks. [BBC]
¶ “The Mosquito Apocalypse And The Aftermath Of Hurricane Laura” • The aftermath of Hurricane Laura continues for many in Louisiana. Now, they are dealing with a mosquito apocalypse, while Louisiana has been all but forgotten by the national media. Walt Handelsman, a cartoonist for The Advocate, a Baton Rouge paper, shared an image. [CleanTechnica]
Walt Handelsman cartoon
¶ “Correction: Solar Power Equaled 37% Of New US Power Capacity In 1st Half Of 2020” • Last week’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission report on new generating capacity does not include small installations, such as home systems. Now, we have a report that includes those. It shows 37% of H1 installations were solar. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Connecticut Targets Lower Income Buyers With New Clean Vehicle Subsidies” • Connecticut has drafted its Electric Vehicle Roadmap. It gives more residents than ever incentives for buying an EV. The draft is an attempt to find a best way to incorporate used vehicles into its existing program, and it also is to attract purchasers who have limited means. [CleanTechnica]
Have a swimmingly copacetic day.
geoharvey 