Science and Technology:
¶ “Sustainable Aviation Fuel From Solar Energy: Not A Dream Any More” • The search for sustainable aviation fuel was once dominated by biofuel stakeholders, but the aviation industry could take off in a new direction that skips the plant-based middleperson in favor of a straight line from solar energy to liquid kerosene. [CleanTechnica]
Solar power to make kerosene (Courtesy of ETH Zurich)
World:
¶ “Nord Stream: Key Russian Pipeline Resumes Pumping Gas To Europe” • Russia has restarted gas supplies to Europe through its biggest pipeline, Nord Stream 1, after a maintenance break. Some people had feared Moscow would not resume the flow because of EU sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Last year, Russia supplied Europe with 40% of its natural gas. [BBC]
¶ “The Amount Of Greenland Ice That Melted Last Weekend Could Cover West Virginia In A Foot Of Water” • Temperatures in northern Greenland have been running around 60°F, which is 10°F warmer than normal for this time of year. Several days of unusually warm weather have triggered rapid melting. Rivers of meltwater are rushing into the ocean. [CNN]
Streams and rivers (NASA Goddard SFC, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Germany Scrambles For Energy With No Faith In Russian Gas” • Claudia Kemfert, Germany’s leading energy expert, says she tried for fifteen years to warn politicians and the public that the country was too reliant on Russian energy. She advised Berlin to find other sources and focus more on renewables. Now, the nightmare she foresaw is real. [BBC]
¶ “Roam Launches Next-Generation Electric Motorcycle – The Roam Air” • Roam announced the launch of its next-generation electric motorcycle, the Roam Air. The Roam Air is designed both for urban and rural environments. Several years of research and development were dedicated to building the optimal electric motorcycle for Africa. [CleanTechnica]
Roam Air (Roam image)
¶ “Volkswagen Pilots Reuse Of ID.4 Battery Packs” • By the time a battery pack loses too much range to be useful, the capacity is still around 50% to 60% of what it originally was. Volkswagen is starting to make use of that fact to employ used batteries at charging stations to reduce their peak demand for power. One benefit is lower overall cost. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Lords Call For UK Net Zero Delivery Plan” • The Government of the UK should publish a net zero delivery plan which takes account of energy security, and makes clear what decisions are needed by when, a House of Lords report says. It identified a number of issues needing action now for UK to meet its goal to be net zero by 2050. [reNews]
Wind farm (Alex Eckermann, Unsplash)
¶ “Increased Installation Of Decentralized Renewable Energy Is Needed To Achieve India’s Promised 2030 Targets” • India has made great strides in the utility-scale deployment of renewable energy. Still, the targets promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 2030 can be achieved only by increased decentralized renewables, experts warn. [The Weather Channel]
¶ “UK Government Gives Go-Ahead To Sizewell C Nuclear Power Plant” • The UK government has given planning consent to the £20 billion Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk. The decision by the business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, which had been repeatedly delayed, went against advice of the independent Planning Inspectorate. [The Guardian]
Rendering of Sizewell C (EDF image)
US:
¶ “Biden Unveils $2.3 Billion Plan To Fight Climate Change” • Speaking in Massachusetts, President Joe Biden has announced $2.3 billion to help build infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather and natural disasters. But he stopped short of formally declaring a climate emergency, which would grant him further powers. [BBC]
¶ “GAF Building Second Solar Shingle Factory In Texas” • After GAF Energy spent $1 billion to build a solar shingle factory, some people wondered if anyone would used them. But enough are selling for GAF Energy to build a second 450,000 square foot factory in Georgetown, Texas, to manufacture its Timberline Solar Roof products. [CleanTechnica]
House with Timberline Solar Roof (GAF Energy image)
¶ “Tesla Vehicle Deliveries Up 27%, Superchargers Up 34%, Tesla Solar Up 25%” • Tesla has released its second quarter report. In it, the company provided an update on vehicle delivery growth, rooftop solar installation growth, Supercharger growth, service center growth, mobile service fleet growth, and more. Here is a look at the trends. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “As Texas Energy Demand Increases, Enel Green Power Installs More Renewable And Storage Capacity” • Enel Green Power said it has completed Azure Sky Wind + Storage, its first large hybrid wind project. It added battery storage at other renewable project sites also, helping ensure energy availability for Texans in high demand periods. [PR Newswire]
Windpower and storage (Enel Green Power image)
¶ “Energy Prices, Policy Play Role In Race For Ohio Governor” • Nan Whaley, the Democrat trying to unseat Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in November, released her energy policy proposals as high gas prices continue to fuel voters’ concerns. Her main focuses include investing in renewable energy and cracking down on corruption. [13abc]
¶ “Rhode Island limits solar power property taxes” • The Rhode Island state legislature has said that land values may no longer be increased due to the presence of renewable assets. The vote was on an amendment to RI House Bill 8220, Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes. There was a bit of a dance to get the amendment passed, the local press said. [pv magazine USA]
Have a comfortably cool day.
geoharvey 