Science and Technology:
¶ “Zinc-Bromide Batteries To Store Solar Power At Acciona’s Testing Field In Spain” • Spanish renewable energy firm Acciona Energía will test the zinc bromide battery technology developed by Anglo-Australian manufacturer Gelion at its PV testing plant in Navarra. The project is part of an innovation program started by Acciona Energy. [PV Magazine]
Battery system (Acciona image)
World:
¶ “Here’s Another Thing Keeping Prices High: Climate Change” • The pandemic economy is one of imbalances. Supply chain woes and rising inflation have been with us for a while now, with few solutions in sight. But there’s another big shock to the global economy taking shape: climate change. And climate change is not going away. [CNN]
¶ “UK Plants Are Flowering A Whole Month Earlier Than They Used To, Study Shows” • Climate change is making plants across the British Isles flower, on average, a month earlier than they used to, a new study shows. And that might set off a chain of events that could disrupt ecosystems and potentially cause entire species to collapse. [CNN]
Cherry blossoms (Marijana Vasic, Unsplash)
¶ “Australia Sets The Example As India Seeks A Renewable Future” • Australian battery storage is an example for others. India’s Union Power Ministry put forth a plan to stop adding new coal-fired generating capacity, noting current coal fleet is only operating at 55% capacity. And reliance on gas generation has proven uneconomical. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Finance Pivots To Green Hydrogen” • Green hydrogen production is accelerating, and according to IEEFA is nearing light speed. On sunny days, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, prices for electricity are negative. EVs and energy storage can absorb some of the excess electricity, but GH₂ will drive renewable energy further in decarbonization. [CleanTechnica]
Green H₂ (Photo courtesy of Michelin Group)
¶ “Li-Cycle Announces First European Battery Recycling Facility In Norway” • Li-Cycle announced its first European battery recycling facility in Norway, in a joint venture with ECO STOR, a second-life energy storage development business focused on converting used lithium-ion batteries for use in energy storage. ECO STOR is a minority owner. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Arctic Exploration: Developing Green Energy Technology In An Extreme Region” • A $27 million clean energy-powered Russian research facility is being built in the Arctic. It is to be at the lead for the hopes of the country’s Arctic Council to bring carbon-free technologies to the remote and climatically harsh region. [Power Technology]
Siberian landscape (Moscow Institute for Physics and Technology)
¶ “Stelco Enters The EV Battery Recycling Market Through Primobius” • Stelco, a Canadian steelmaker, announced that it is entering the electric vehicle battery recycling market through agreements with Primobius GmbH. Under the agreements, Stelco will be able to advance commercial lithium-ion battery feedstock sourcing agreements. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “North Macedonia’s Renewables Target Set At 46% By 2025” • North Macedonia has projected the share of renewable energy sources in electricity to reach 46% by 2025, says the Economic Reform Program 2022-2024 that it submitted to the European Commission. The intermediate targets are 34% for 2022, and 37% for 2023. [Balkan Green Energy News]
North Macedonia (Shalev Cohen, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Five States Updated Or Adopted New Clean Energy Standards In 2021” • Four states, Delaware, Oregon, North Carolina, and Illinois, updated their Renewable Portfolio Standards or Clean Energy Standards in 2021. Also, Nebraska approved its first clean energy goal in 2021, becoming the 20th US state to commit to 100% clean electricity by 2050. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Almost 500-Mile-Long Lightning Bolt Crossed Three US States” • A lightning bolt almost 500 miles long that lit up the sky across three US states has set a new world record for longest flash, scientists have confirmed. The bolt in 2020, extended a total of 477.2 miles (768 km) and spread across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. [BBC]
Satellite imagery of the lightning strike (NOAA image)
¶ “Tesla Can’t Offer Pennsylvania Residents State Inspection Because They Don’t Have Emissions Testing Equipment” • Tesla can’t offer Pennsylvania residents state inspections because Tesla doesn’t have emissions testing equipment. The idea that an EV has to pass emissions testing is more than just a little bit silly, but some laws are like that. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Developer Picks Up 540-MW Solar Portfolio” • Sol Systems, based in Washington, DC, has acquired a 540-MW solar development portfolio in southeastern Illinois from Arevon Energy. The portfolio consists of three 180-MW (DC) solar energy projects located across Hamilton, Randolph, Saline, and White counties. [reNews]
Solar array in Illinois (bogdanstepniak, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “New York Advocates Want Further Action On Climate, Renewable Energy” • On Tuesday, lawmakers heard over eight hours of testimony about Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed environmental conservation budget. Environmental advocates argue that the state hasn’t done enough to ensure it will hit its climate goals. [NY State of Politics]
¶ “New Mexico Debates Bill To Block Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage” • Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are in strong opposition to building a multibillion-dollar facility along the state’s border with Texas that would store tons of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants. [The Fresno Bee]
Have an exceptionally leisurely day.
geoharvey 
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