Opinion:
¶ “Appalachia Poised To Be Part Of Shift To Clean Energy” • As federal policymakers design policies to transition and invest in a clean energy economy, it is imperative that Appalachia can rebuild and grow a 21st century sustainable economy that builds shared prosperity. The people of Appalachia need to be at the table, and not on the menu. [CleanTechnica]
Countryside near Chattanooga (David Sager, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “EV Transmissions Are Awesome!” • Upcoming full EV off-road vehicles are going to be awesome. The biggest advantage will be how controllable they are at low RPM. Instead of having to gas-brake-gas-brake over obstacles, you can just use the right amount of power to climb an obstacle smoothly. This advantage is greatly magnified by gear reduction. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Super-Outbreaks Of Fire Thunderstorms Could Change Earth’s Climate, Australian And US Experts Warn” • Fire thunderstorms, which occur in pyrocumulonimbus clouds, not only create their own weather system but may also be powerful enough to actually change the climate, according to scientists from Australia and the US. [ABC]
Pyrocumulus cloud, 2012 (JeremyaGreene, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
World:
¶ “SPR Completes 30-MW Halsary For Tesco” • ScottishPower Renewables has completed construction of the 30MW Halsary wind farm in Scotland, which was built specifically to supply electricity to supermarket giant Tesco. The 15-turbine project in Caithness is now generating enough energy for the equivalent of almost 20,000 homes. [reNEWS]
¶ “‘Most Powerful’ Tidal Turbine Starts Generating Electricity Off Orkney” • A tidal-powered turbine, which its makers say is the most powerful in the world, has started to generate electricity via the grid in Orkney. The 680-tonne, 2-MW Orbital O2 has the capacity to meet the annual electricity demand of 2,000 homes for the next 15 years. [BBC]
Transporting the turbine (Orbital Marine Power)
¶ “The German Storage Model: How It Is Helping Stabilize The Grid” • In Germany, 2020 was notable for the production of renewable energy: Wind, solar PV, and other renewable sources overtook fossil fuels in German power production. Maintaining grid stability is easier because over 300,000 German households have battery storage systems. [Down To Earth]
¶ “Yukon Extends And Expands Innovative And Renewable Energy Initiative” • Yukon is “extending and expanding” its Innovative & Renewable Energy Initiative, saying the changes will make the fund more accessible and reduce the territory’s reliance on fossil fuels. Developers may apply for funding for 75% of eligible costs. [Electrical Business Magazine]
Aurora at Whitehorse (naoh cova, Unsplash)
¶ “Egypt Postpones Nuclear Power Plant Amid Tensions With Russia Over Nile Dam” • Egypt announced the postponement of the completion of the El-Dabaa nuclear plant project to 2030 instead of 2028. An official said this disruption was caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but tensions exist between Egypt and Russia over the Nile dam in Ethiopia. [Al-Monitor]
US:
¶ “Latest Heat Wave Prompts Heat And Air Quality Alerts Across The US” • A high pressure ridge expanded over the US bringing a heat wave to much of the central portion of the country. “Around 75% of the US population will see a high above 90°F over the next week, and 32 million people will swelter above 100°F,” said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen. [CNN]
Sunrise (OpticalNomad, Unsplash)
¶ “Tesla’s Record Earnings: ‘There’s Quite A Bit More To Come In 2022,’ Analyst Says” • Tesla beat analysts’ expectations when it reported earnings, posting a profit of $1.1 billion and making a record-setting number of deliveries for the quarter. Nevertheless, one analyst told Yahoo Finance that the electric car company still has more room to grow next year. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “Minnesota Becomes A Clean Cars State” • Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan celebrated clean car standards taking effect in Minnesota. The new standards reduce carbon emissions, create good-paying jobs, boost Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, and increase the choices Minnesotans have in purchasing cars. [CleanTechnica]
Downtown Minneapolis (Tom Conway, Unsplash)
¶ “Shell To Buy Inspire Energy Capital, Expanding Renewable Power Business In The US” • Shell New Energies US, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, has signed an agreement to buy 100% of the equity interests of Inspire Energy Capital, a renewable energy residential retailer. Shell’s goal is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. [The Ritz Herald]
¶ “Duke Starts Up 182-MW Texas Windfarm” • Duke Energy has begun commercial operation of its Maryneal Windpower wind farm in Texas. The 182-MW Maryneal plant, in Nolan County, increases Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions’ US wind capacity to over 3 GW. T-Mobile has a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement for nearly all of its output. [reNEWS]
Duke Energy windfarm (Duke Energy image)
¶ “UC Ranks First Among Colleges And Universities In Green Power Usage” • The University of California ranks No 1 among colleges and universities when it comes to green electricity use, according to the US EPA. Nearly half of UC’s electricity came from renewable energy sources that provide the highest benefit to the environment. [University of California]
¶ “Power deal will bring enough renewable electricity for more than 122,000 homes” • More wind, solar, and battery storage capacity will be made available for customers of California’s Central Coast Community Energy, after the renewables-focused alternative to Pacific Gas and Electric finalized a deal to bolster its portfolio. [Monterey County Weekly]
Have an enjoyably carefree day.
geoharvey 
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