Science and Technology:
¶ “Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Costs In 2022 Are Nearly 90% Lower Than In 2008” • The US DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office estimates that the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89% between 2008 and 2022. The 2022 estimate is $153/kWh on a usable-energy basis. The estimate for 2008 is $1,355/kWh. [CleanTechnica]
Nissan Leaf battery, 2009 (Tennen-Gas, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
World:
¶ “The Ozone Layer Is On Track To Recover Within Decades As Harmful Chemicals Are Phased Out, Scientists Report” • In rare good news for the planet, the Earth’s ozone layer is on track to recover completely within decades, as ozone-depleting chemicals are phased out across the world, according to a new assessment backed by the UN. [CNN]
¶ “Could Floating Solar Farms Survive Out At Sea?” • Indonesia has over 10,000 islands, so getting electricity to all its people is a huge challenge. Cables to remote islands are expensive. Solar power is one option to provide those islands with energy. But solar farms take up lots of space, so installing solar panels on the ocean surface is under study. [BBC]
Indonesian island (Denissa Devy, Unsplash)
¶ “Indian Company Breaks Ground At 1 Gigawatt Solar Power Park” • Indian hydropower company SJVN has announced start of construction of a large solar power park in the northern state of Rajasthan. The solar park will have a capacity of 1 GW. It will be developed on 5,000 acres at an estimated cost of ₹55 billion ($660 million). [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Electric Trucks: It’s Time To Gear Up” • Trucks are a climate problem for Europe. In addition to the noise and air pollution they generate, their greenhouse gas emissions reach 26% of the total of the road sector. Today, they are almost exclusively diesel powered. Without major change, their emissions will continue to grow in the coming decades. [CleanTechnica]
Truck charging depot (Daimler Truck image)
¶ “India Expects Utilities’ Annual Coal Demand To Surge About 8% After Renewables Shortfall” • India expects its power plants to burn about 8% more coal in the fiscal year ending March 2024, according to a senior government official and a power ministry presentation, after the country missed its 2022 renewable energy goal by more than 30%. [Reuters]
¶ “Renewables To Surpass Coal As Global Electricity Source In Just 2 Years” • Clean energy achieved momentum globally in 2022, but sadly, the momentum was triggered by a destructive action. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine catapulted the world into a global energy crisis. And that in turn sparked a drive to switch from fossil fuels to renewables. [Electrek]
Coal-burning power plant (Sam LaRussa, Unsplash)
¶ “Fears Over Potential Delay To Small Nuclear Reactor Rollout” • Concerns have been raised that the rollout of small modular reactors in the UK could be delayed due to funding challenges. According to The Times, a funding deal for the first fleet of mini nuclear reactors is not expected to materialise for at least another 12 months. [New Civil Engineer]
¶ “Environment Minister Meyer Confirms Phase-Out Of Nuclear Power In Mid-April” • Lower Saxony’s Environment and Energy Minister Christian Meyer (Greens) confirmed the shutdown of the nuclear power plant in Lingen in April. Even with a view to next winter, nuclear power is no longer necessary for security of supply in Germany, he said. [Market Screener]
Lingen nuclear plant (Krd, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
US:
¶ “Montecito Residents Told To Flee Deadly Downpour” • The elite coastal enclave of Montecito has been ordered to evacuate during a major storm that has landed most of California under flood watch. Forecasters are warning state residents to brace for a “relentless parade of cyclones” over the next week. Around 90% of Californians were under flood watch. [BBC]
¶ “A US Federal Agency Is Considering A Ban On Gas Stoves, Report Says” • A federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves as concerns about indoor pollution linked to childhood asthma rise, according to a report first published by Bloomberg. A US Consumer Product Safety commissioner told Bloomberg gas stove usage is a “hidden hazard.” [CNN]
Gas stove (Ilse Driessen, Unsplash)
¶ “Governor Hochul Announces Approval Of Siting Permits for Three Major Solar Energy Facilities” • Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York State Office of Renewable Energy has issued three siting permits for clean energy with a total capacity of 309 MW. The new projects bring the total approved to 1.8 GW since 2021. [Governor Kathy Hochul]
¶ “Six Polluted Waterways Slated For Restoration” • Good news for a new year! In 2022, NOAA helped to recover more than $114 million from polluters to restore six waterways after oil spill and industrial pollution incidents. NOAA and partners assessed the impacts of the incidents and reached legal settlements with those responsible to fund restoration. [CleanTechnica]
Research vessel at an oil spill (Courtesy of NOAA)
¶ “Trade Groups Say White House Guidance On GHG Analysis Will Ease Renewable Energy Permitting” • The White House Council on Environmental Quality’s interim greenhouse gas emissions guidance will ease the permitting process for clean energy projects, trade groups say. It clarifies best practices for analyzing GHG emissions. [Utility Dive]
¶ “DOE Opens Call For Deployable Solutions To Secure The US Power Grid” • The US DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are calling for applications for the second cohort of the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator program. It will bring experts together for rapid develop of cybersecurity for grid operations. [Department of Energy]
Have a laudably rewarding day.
geoharvey 
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