Opinion:
¶ “Green Hydrogen Nail, Meet Shale Gas Coffin (And Nuclear Could Be Next)” • If US President-Elect Joe Biden doesn’t do the fossil fuel industry any favors, he’ll only be following in the footsteps of outgoing President Donald J Trump. Intentionally or not, Trump has already overseen the demise of the domestic coal, oil, and natural gas industries. [CleanTechnica]
Scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory
Science and Technology:
¶ “Virgin Hyperloop Pod Transport Tests Its First Passenger Journey” • Virgin Hyperloop has trialed its first ever journey with passengers in a Nevada desert. The technology uses pods inside vacuum tubes to carry passengers at high speeds. Two company staff reached 107 mph (172 km/h) on a 500 meter course. The ultimate speeds will be six times that. [BBC]
World:
¶ “Octopus Energy And Audi UK Offer Up To 5,000 Free Miles Of Charging And Free Wallbox” • If you are in the UK and considering getting an EV – particularly an electric Audi – you may want to get hooked up with Octopus Energy. It will offer 100% green, renewable energy. And it will provide up to 5,000 miles of free charging. [CleanTechnica]
Audi e-tron (Image courtesy of Audi)
¶ “Disappointing Honda e Sales Prompt Move To Jump Into Tesla EV Credit Pool” • The Honda e was supposed to be the car that allowed the company to avoid heavy fines if its corporate average emissions in Europe exceeded 95 grams of CO₂ per kilometer. But it is not selling. Honda will pay Tesla to join its zero emissions credit pool. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NSW Orchestrates 12 GW Of Renewables And 2 GW Of Pumped Hydro By 2030” • New South Wales published its NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, charting a path to 12 GW of new large-scale solar and wind capacity. It is to attract $32 billion in private investment, create thousands of jobs, and reduce annual electricity bills. [pv magazine Australia]
Sheep and solar panels (Image: Neoen)
¶ “NSW Power Play Sparks Divisions Across Australia’s Energy Sector” • Some of Australia’s largest clean energy investors have thrown their support behind the ambitious strategy to stimulate the construction of new wind, solar, and pumped-hydro projects in NSW, but big power companies say the plan needs further scrutiny. [The Sydney Morning Herald]
¶ “EMEC Adds Storage To Tidal For Hydrogen Boost” • The European Marine Energy Center in Orkney is to use an Invinity Energy Systems flow battery at a tidal energy test site to make green hydrogen. Tidal power and 1.8-MWh of flow batteries will demonstrate continuous hydrogen production from variable renewable generation. [reNEWS]
EMEC facility in Orkney (Image: Orkney Sky Cam | EMEC)
US:
¶ “Tropical Storm Eta Makes Landfall In Florida” • Tropical Storm Eta has hit Florida, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds that forecasters fear may lead to storm surges and flash flooding. Schools, beaches and public transport in much of the southern part of the state were shut before the storm made landfall in the Florida Keys. [BBC]
¶ “Biden Won. What’s Next? Bill McKibben Has Given A Few Suggestions” • Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the US. He has a $2 trillion plan to move the US toward a reduced carbon future. But there are things he needs to do to execute his plan while the Republicans maintain some strength. Bill McKibben has some suggestions. [CleanTechnica]
Joe Biden (Credit: JoeBiden.com)
¶ “Government Scientists Fear For Their Jobs – Another Trump Executive Order” • The journal Nature reported that a senior scientist at the EPA, after reading an executive order signed in October, responded “it’s pretty frightening.” Written broadly, the language seems to make it easier to “get rid of people who don’t toe the right political line.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “APS Commits $127 Million To Navajo Nation, Promises Renewable Energy And Expanded Grid Access” • Arizona utility APS announced a $127 million cash commitment to the Navajo Nation over the next 10 years to provide transitional support to communities affected by the closure and environmental effects of the coal-fired Navajo Generating Station. [Fronteras]
Have a comprehensively nifty day.
geoharvey 
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