Science and Technology:
¶ “Sacred Cow Documentary Makes An Argument For Better Meat” • The documentary “Sacred Cow” explores the ways that ruminants and well-raised meat can play an important role in solving our climate crisis. The film argues that the real threat to our climate and health is industrially processed food, and cows can have important benefits. [CleanTechnica]
Highland cow (James Toose, Unsplash)
¶ “Utility-Scale Batteries And Pumped Storage Return About 80% Of The Electricity They Store” • In 2019, the US pumped-storage facilities operated with an average monthly round-trip efficiency of 79%, and the utility-scale battery fleet had an average monthly round-trip efficiency of 82%, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Coca-Cola Company Trials First Paper Bottle” • Coca-Cola is to test a paper bottle as step toward eliminating plastic from its packaging entirely. The prototype is made by a Danish company from an extra-strong paper shell that still has a thin plastic liner. But the goal is to create a 100% recyclable, plastic-free bottle that can keep the carbonation from escaping. [BBC]
Paper bottle (Coca-Cola image)
World:
¶ “Demand For Brazil’s Solar PV Module Almost Reached 4 GW In 2020” • A recent report from Greener, a Brazilian consultancy, showed that Brazil imported 4.76 GW of PV module capacity last year. Domestic PV module producers had a minor market share at 3.8%, with approximately 190 MW of the solar modules that were shipped in the year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Vestas Unveils World’s Most Powerful Offshore Wind Turbine” • Vestas, the Danish wind turbine company, announced that it has developed a new offshore wind turbine designed specifically for use in typhoon-prone areas. The company’s V236-15.0 MW will produce 15 MW of electricity, the highest output of any wind turbine in the world. [CleanTechnica]
Vestas wind turbine (Vestas Image)
¶ “Wind Industry Responds To Ramaphosa’s Commitment To Renewable Power” • The South African Wind Energy Association, has issued a statement of support for President Ramaphosa’s firm commitment to South Africa’s renewable energy procurement program, which he confirmed in his State of the Nation Address last night. [ESI Africa]
¶ “BYD Lands First Electric Fleet Order In Romania” • BYD reached another landmark in its ongoing expansion in Europe. In January, BYD confirmed its first fleet order of nine pure-electric BYD 12-meter buses in Romania. The Municipality of Buzău placed the order, and Transbus Buzău will operate the new electric buses. [CleanTechnica]
BYD 12 meter bus
¶ “Damage And Crack Found Around Circumference Of Koeberg Power Station” • A utility report reveals that the concrete of the containment buildings at South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has been damaged by 40 years of exposure to sea air. The concrete containment dome was found to have cracked around the entire 110-meter circumference. [CapeTown ETC]
US:
¶ “EVgo Adding 400+ Tesla Connectors At Its EV Fast Charging Stations” • EVgo is expanding its offering so Tesla drivers can charge at more of its stations. It is upgrading hundreds of them with Tesla connectors. EVgo is the only EV charging platform that has both 100% renewable electricity and connectors for all three fast-charging standards. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla at EVgo charging station (EVgo image)
¶ “Tesla And GM Could Get 400,000 More $7,000 Tax Credits” • Congressional Democrats introduced the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now Act. If passed, it will help both Tesla and GM by adding 400,000 units that qualify for each. Tesla and GM have already sold too many cars for their customers to benefit from the old credits. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Scientists And Law Professors Urge Biden To Pull Unlawful Endangered Species Act Rules” • Leading scientists and law professors petitionedsd President Joe Biden today to rescind key policies that restrict the government’s consideration of harm to endangered animals by greenhouse gas emissions under the Endangered Species Act. [Harvard Law School News]
Small turtle (Massimo Negrello, Unsplash)
¶ “Intel Commits To Clean Energy With Portland General Electric” • Intel has signed a 15-year agreement with Portland General Electric to develop the Daybreak Solar facility, which will produce a significant portion of the energy needed to power Intel’s advanced technology development and manufacturing facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon. [Energy Digital]
¶ “Bluebird Backcountry To Be Fully Powered By Renewable Energy” • In Colorado, Bluebird Backcountry is pushing the boundaries that define traditional ski areas. For one thing, they operate with no lifts. Now, they’re adding energy to the list of things they do differently, using Elevated Independent Energy’s SPOT mobile solar units for electricity. [SNEWS]
Bluebird’s SPOT units (Screenshot via Pinit)
¶ “Lawmaker Withdraws Wind Tax Bill Aimed At Helping Coal Plants” • A lawmaker who introduced a bill that would add a new tax on North Dakota wind farms and give the revenue collected to coal-fired power plants has withdrawn the legislation to avoid causing anxiety or uncertainty in the search for a new owner for Coal Creek Station. [Bismarck Tribune]
¶ “Montana Senate Panel OKs Study To Convert Colstrip Coal Plant To Nuclear” • A Montana Senate Committee okayed a bill to see whether it is possible to turn one of the West’s largest coal plants into a nuclear plant. The bill requests an interim study on the feasibility of replacing coal-fired boilers at the Colstrip power plant with small modular reactors. [S&P Global]
Have a triumphantly worthwhile day.
geoharvey 
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