Opinion:
¶ “How The Storm-Ravaged Bahamas Can Be A Model For Resilient Energy” • Multiple Category 4 and 5 hurricanes have hit The Bahamas in the past seven years. After Hurricane Irma slammed into Ragged Island in 2017, the country started building microgrids for resilience. One goal is to set an example for the rest of the world. [CleanTechnica]
Street in Nassau (Ivan Curra, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Tesla Model Y Is #1 Top Selling Car In China, #1 Top Selling EV In Europe – Why?” • Despite their similarities, the Model 3 has continued to sell well while the Model Y has shot to the top of the charts in the European EV market and in the overall Chinese auto market. In a market full of EVs, what makes the Model Y (and Model 3) so compelling? [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Oil & Gas’s Pivot To Blue Hydrogen Is Falling Through” • The Oil & Gas industry’s plan to convince the world to switch from natural gas to hydrogen made from natural gas is being upended by an unexpected cause: economics. The argument against green hydrogen is that we can’t afford it. But that argument is falling flat as costs of renewable energy fall. [The Intercept]
Flaring gas (Genghiskhanviet, public domain)
¶ “‘Soon It Will Be Unrecognizable’: Total Climate Meltdown Cannot Be Stopped, Says Expert” • The publication of Bill McGuire’s latest book, Hothouse Earth, could not be more timely. Appearing in the shops this week, it will be perused by sweltering customers who have just endured record high temperatures across the UK. [The Guardian]
¶ “Green Hydrogen Can Help Latin America’s Energy Transition” • With the world’s countries and energy companies looking to accelerate their transitions to cleaner energy, Latin American nations are developing plans to scale up the production, use, and export of so-called green hydrogen, which is generated from clean energy resources. [Oil Price]
Wind farm in Chile (czdiaz61, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
World:
¶ “Is The UK Heading For A Drought And Will There Be A Hosepipe Ban?” • England and Wales had the driest start of the year since 1976, when water was rationed. There are concerns that the UK could be heading for a drought. July saw temperature records broken multiple times and rainfall is down 76%. Further periods of dry and hot weather are forecast. [BBC]
¶ “Gazprom Stops Latvia’s Gas In Latest Russian Cut To EU” • Russian energy giant Gazprom says it has suspended gas supplies to Latvia, the latest EU country to experience such action. Giving no details, Gazprom accused Latvia of violating purchase conditions. Latvia’s government says it does not expect Gazprom’s move to have a major impact. [BBC]
Riga, Latvia (Darya Tryfanava, Unsplash)
¶ “Tory MP Urged To Quit Job As Adviser To ‘Climate Denier’ Us Fossil Fuel Firm” • A Tory MP has been urged to quit his second job as a £325-an-hour adviser to a US fossil fuel firm that was accused of using “classic climate denial” tactics to delay action on the climate crisis. His story has led to renewed calls for tighter rules on MPs’ second jobs. [The Guardian]
¶ “The Wave Power Generator Experts Say ‘Proves Ocean Energy Can Work’ Is Already Powering Australian Homes” • For the first time in Australia’s history, a wave energy converter trial has successfully generated energy from the chaotic and wild ocean waves to power homes. The project on King Island proves wave power can work, experts say. [ABC]
UniWave200 generator (Supplied by Wave Swell)
US:
¶ “Kentucky: At Least 25 Dead In Worst Appalachia Floods For Years” • The devastating flash floods in eastern Kentucky have killed at least 25 people. Climate change is triggering more extreme weather events like the Kentucky flooding, scientists say. The flooding comes as the state recovers from last December’s tornadoes, the deadliest in its history. [BBC]
¶ “Intersect Power Orders 2.4 GW Of High-Performance Modules From First Solar” • First Solar, Inc, based in Arizona, announced that it signed an agreement to supply 2.4 GW of its high-performance, advanced thin film PV modules to Intersect Power, LLC. The modules are scheduled to be delivered from 2024 to 2026. [CleanTechnica]
First Solar plant (Courtesy of First Solar, Inc)
¶ “San Diego Electric School Buses Shuttling Electricity Into The Grid Now” • San Diego Gas & Electric, the Cajon Valley Union School District, and vehicle-to-grid technology company Nuvve have just kicked off a V2G trial with eight electric school buses. The plan is to help stabilize the grid and lower costs when there’s high demand for electricity. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Eugene Becomes First City In Oregon To Ban Natural Gas” • The Eugene City Council voted to mandate that all new homes be built 100% electric by June 1, 2023; push for new commercial and industrial construction to be all electric; and have the City Manager formalize a goal of electrifying all existing residential and commercial buildings by 2035. [CleanTechnica]
Farmers’ Market, Eugene, Oregon (Visitor7, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Federal Grant To Help The Oneida Nation in Exploring Renewable, Resilient Energy” • The America Rescue Program involves a $100 million grant to help tribal governments and indigenous communities with renewable projects that will boost their economies. Oneida received $648,339, which will especially help in solar exploration. [Microgrid Media]
¶ “Advisory Panel Still Wary of Pilgrim Nuclear Wastewater” • As Holtec International is decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel remains skeptical of how the wastewater from the facility will be handled. State legislators put forward a commission to study the question, reports say. [CapeCod.com]
Have a politely gorgeous day.
geoharvey 