Opinion:
¶ “The Best Solar Generators In 2022” • Solar generators are safer to store and use than gas generators and far simpler to maintain. People are increasingly conscious of the threat of emergencies, and solar makes sense for preparedness. CNN tested thirteen devices to see which device could reliably provide the most power with the least fuss. [CNN]
Bluetti EB70S (Bluetti image)
¶ “The EPA’s New Truck Rule Is A Modest Step. What’s Needed Is A Giant Leap” • While the rule will no doubt reduce emissions from the fossil-fuel-powered fleet, it is a missed opportunity. In punting to next year a rulemaking that could electrify the freight sector, EPA ignored the desperate requests of the communities burdened by freight pollution. [CleanTechnica]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Climate Change Could Be Driving Bomb Cyclones And Unstable Polar Vortex” • Warming in the Arctic has disrupted the movement of air around the North Pole. Usually, cold air in the Arctic is contained in the Arctic circle by a ring of fast-moving air that circles the North Pole, called the stratospheric polar vortex. That has changed with the climate. [Newsweek]
Polar vortex (National Science Foundation, public domain)
World:
¶ “EU Solar Shines Bright In Stunning Year” • The EU has reportedly added a record 41.4 GW of solar power in 2022. The new capacity is equivalent to the power needs of 12.4 million European homes. In essence, the new solar capacity replaces 102 LNG tankers. Annual EU solar power growth has increased by 47% from 28.1 GW in 2021. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Porsche Begins Production Of E-Fuels In Chile” • Porsche announced that it is producing synthetic e-fuels in cooperation with Chile’s Highly Innovative Fuels at a facility near the Strait of Magellan. The synthetic e-fuel can be transported all over the world, just as traditional fuels are, and it can be distributed using the existing infrastructure. [CleanTechnica]
Porsche e-fuels facility in Chile (Courtesy of Porsche)
¶ “Star Of The South Moving Forward In Australia” • With a change in the federal government, we are finally seeing some decisions made about offshore wind. Ideally situated between Victoria and Tasmania, Star of the South has been discussed for years, as it has the potential to supply up to 20% of Victoria’s electricity while creating jobs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “50Hertz And Skyborn Award OST-6-1 Platform Job” • 50Hertz and Skyborn have awarded platform orders for the OST-6-1 grid connection for the 927-MW Gennaker offshore wind project in the German Baltic Sea. The cable route to the new transformer station will be around 90 km long, of which over 50 km will be submarine cables on the Baltic Sea floor. [reNews]
Platform (50Hertz image)
¶ “Low Carbon Energy ‘Generating Most UK Power This Winter’” • Low-carbon power is generating most of Britain’s electricity this winter, RenewableUK reports. Between 31 October and 18 December, renewables and nuclear combined provided 54% of the UK’s electricity. Renewables generated 40% and nuclear 14% during the seven-week period. [reNews]
¶ “Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Buys Queensland Renewables-Plus-Storage Hub Development” • A renewable energy hub in Queensland with a 750-MW, 12-GWh pumped hydro plant, has been acquired by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. It is claimed to be North Australia’s “largest renewable baseload energy project.” [Energy Storage News]
Genex pumped hydro site (Genex Power image)
¶ “IAEA’s Grossi To Visit Russia For Talks On Zaporizhzhya Safety Zone” • The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is visiting Russia for discussions on the creation of a security zone around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Russia’s envoy in Vienna. [Radio Free Europe]
¶ “Japanese Panel Approves Return To Nuclear Power As Disaster Memories Fade” • Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s advisory panel approved a plan to extend the lifespans of nuclear reactors beyond 60 years and build new units to replace those that are decommissioned, reversing policies adopted after the Fukushima disaster in 2011. [The Japan Times]
Fukushima plant after disaster (Digital Globe, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
US:
¶ “Latest Federal Spending Bill Gives A Christmas Gift To Maine Lobster Industry” • A provision of the new budget bill appears to give the lobster industry back what a federal court took away. It would give the National Marine Fisheries Service until 2028 to issue new rules aimed at reducing right whale injuries and deaths associated with lobster gear. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “First Batch Of VinFast EVs Arrives In California And Are Cleared For Selling” • The first batch of 999 VinFast VF8s and VF9s has arrived in California. The VinFast plant in Hai Phong, where the cars were made, was built in just 21 months. It features its own paint and press shops, an assembly line with over 1,200 robots, and a testing facility. [CleanTechnica]
VinFast Vessel arrives in San Francisco (Courtesy of VinFast)
¶ “BOEM Releases Draft EIS For New England Wind” • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the draft Environmental Impact Statement Avangrid’s Park City and Commonwealth Wind projects. Together called New England Wind, the projects are to be sited off Massachusetts and have a combined capacity of over 2000 MW. [reNews]
¶ “SDG&E Breaks Ground On New Clairemont Microgrid Project” • San Diego Gas & Electric hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a microgrid project in Clairemont that will help store renewable energy for critical infrastructure in the local community. It is one of four microgrids being constructed in San Diego County. [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
Have a significanty splendid day.
geoharvey 