Opinion:
¶ “Eco-Terrorism And Renewable Energy In Nebraska: The Two Faces Of Climate Policy” • Nebraska is a prime example of how theory and reality can be odds with one another. On one hand, the state is encouraging a surge in renewable energy. On the other, it is allowing some of its citizens to be poisoned by effluent from an ethanol factory. [CleanTechnica]
Corn fields (Taylor Siebert, Unsplash)
¶ “Failed Insurrection Fails To Stop US Solar Power Juggernaut” • The fallout from last week’s violent attack on members of Congress and the Vice President is still developing, but even so, it seems that the US DOE just can’t contain itself. The agency is showing off consequential renewable energy programs of the last four years. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Bank Of America And BP Are Backing Prince Charles’ New Climate Effort” • Prince Charles is leading a fresh effort to tackle the climate crisis, with the support of several major companies including Bank of America and BP. He is launching a “Terra Carta,” or Earth Charter, and urging other firms to commit to practical action toward sustainability. [CNN]
Prince Charles (Dan Marsh, CC-BY- SA 2.0)
¶ “Solar And Wind Power Growth In UK From 2012–2020 (Charts)” • A set of graphs shows how wind power and solar power grew in the UK as coal collapsed. The charts show the trends of different sources in terms of market share, and a table shows the trends in both absolute terms, by TWh of electricity generated, and in relative terms. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “McLaren Secures A Spot On The 2022 Formula E Grid” • Just as Formula 1 had in the past, its younger cousin Formula E is making big strides both technologically and commercially. Now, thanks to McLaren Racing, Formula E is getting yet another boost – this time the boost is to its credibility as a top-flight racing series. [CleanTechnica]
McLaren 2022 F1 Concept (Courtesy of McLaren Racing)
¶ “Heavy-Duty Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Pilot Launched By New Flyer And Li-Cycle” • With more EVs, we will need more batteries, and that makes it important to do battery recycling. Tesla cofounder and longtime CTO JB Straubel left Tesla to start up a battery recycling company. Now New Flyer And Li-Cycle are also starting projects. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Fastned Charging Stations Extend Into Switzerland And France” • Fastned is one of the largest EV fast charging networks in Europe, and might well be the network with the best designs in the world. Stations are solar powered. Multiple charging ports are offered. Even Tesla adapters are included so a Tesla can get a quick charge. [CleanTechnica]
Fastned charging station (Image courtesy of Fastned)
¶ “Engie And Neoen To Build 1-GW Solar Project, With Batteries And Green Hydrogen Included” • French utility Engie and developer Neoen plan to invest about €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to build a 1-GW solar-powered low carbon energy park in France. It will include green hydrogen production to supply transportation and energy needs. [Greentech Media]
¶ “Coal Power Plant Site In Australia Could Host 700-MW, 2,800-MWh Battery Energy Storage Project” • The integrated energy company Origin Energy Limited issued a call for qualified firms to supply and install a battery storage system of up to 700-MW, 2,800-MWh. It will be built at the site of a retiring coal-burner in New South Wales. [Energy Storage News]
Origin’s 2,880-MW coal power plant (CSIRO image)
¶ “UN Chief Calls For ‘Urgent Transition’ From Fossil Fuels To Renewable Energy” • UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressed the virtual COP26 Roundtable on Clean Power Transition on Monday. He told the conference that building a global coalition for carbon neutrality by mid-century will be the UN’s “central objective.” [indiablooms]
¶ “Renewables To Be ‘Dominant Power Source By 2025′” • Renewables will be the dominant source of power generation by 2025 “at the latest”, ending decades of domination by coal, the International Energy Agency said. Renewables were the only the part of the energy sector showing growth in 2020, IEA executive director Fatih Birol added. [reNEWS]
Wind turbines in the mountains (Charl Folscher, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Climate Change Has Cost The US Billions Of Dollars In Flood Damage, Study Finds” • Intensifying rainfall fueled by climate change has caused nearly $75 billion in flood damage in the US in the past three decades, Stanford University researchers confirmed in a study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [CNBC]
¶ “Renewables account for most new US electricity generating capacity in 2021” • The US Energy Information Administration’s latest data shows developers and power plant owners plan for 39.7 GW of new capacity to start commercial operation in 2021. Of that, 39% will be solar, 31% wind, 16% natural gas, 11% batteries, and 3% will be nuclear. [US EIA]
Expected new generating capacity (US EIA image)
¶ “Renewables And Unions: Biden Rounds Out Energy Cabinet” • President-elect Joe Biden has formed his Cabinet with people who have experience with energy issues and government, as he prepares to take office and enact an ambitious green energy plan. Biden will have to deal with a slim majority in Congress and deep political polarization. [E&E News]
¶ “Register Today for ‘Resilient Home 411’ – The Next Solar Decathlon Virtual Session” • Since 2002, the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® has inspired more than 450 collegiate teams and 23,000 students worldwide. Now, the Solar Decathlon is being shown in a new series of virtual sessions, so it can be visited online. [CleanTechnica]
Have a totally great day.
geoharvey 