Opinion:
¶ “China’s Purchasing Power Advantage And Wright’s Law Mean Its Green Investments Go A Lot Further” • China made about half of the $1.1 trillion of green investments made in 2022. But raw data fail to show China’s deep competitive advantages. The investments China spends on are mostly wise, in a way that the West’s are not. [CleanTechnica]
Wind farm (Hahaheditor12667, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Scientists Using AI Find Planet Could Cross Critical Warming Threshold Sooner Than Expected” • We could cross critical global warming thresholds sooner than previously predicted, even with concerted global climate action. A study using machine learning shows the planet could reach 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels in one decade [CNN]
World:
¶ “Norway Discovers Huge Trove Of Metals, Minerals And Rare Earths On Its Seabed” • A Norwegian study found a “substantial” amount of metals and minerals ranging from copper to rare earths on the seabed of its extended continental shelf, authorities said. These resources are in high demand for the role they play in the transition to a greener economy. [CNN]
Trondheim (Simon Williams, Unsplash)
¶ “New Zealand Flooding: Fears Of Further Damage As New Alerts Issued” • Emergency service personnel warn that northern New Zealand could see unprecedented levels of rain in the next two days. The country’s new prime minister, Chris Hipkins, said, “It’s a one-in-one hundred weather event and we seem to be getting a lot of them at the moment.” [BBC]
¶ “Amsterdam Built An Underwater Parking Garage For 7000 Bicycles!” • The Netherlands is unique, largely because nearly a third of the country is below sea level, a fact that has forced the Netherlands to create innovative ways to co-exist with nature. Last week Amsterdam opened a parking facility for bicycles, built below sea level. [CleanTechnica]
Bicycle garage entrance (Courtesy of the City of Amsterdam)
¶ “Renewable Energy Revolution To Create 100 Million Jobs By 2030” • The International Renewable Energy Agency calculated that $131 trillion will have to be spent by 2050 for the energy transition we need to limit global temperature rises to levels that can be managed. Even by 2030, this could create 100 million jobs, according to the ILO. [The National]
¶ “Australia Is Adding Green Energy At Less Than Half The Rate Required To Keep Grid Stable” • Australia is adding renewable energy at less than half the pace required to replace retiring coal-fired generation and meet its own 2030 climate targets, reported the University of New South Wales. The year 2022 was pivotal, but the change is too slow. [ABC]
Wind farm in Tasmania (Ian Cochrane, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “Rays Power Infra To Build 1800-MW Solar Solar Park In Rajasthan” • In a key development that strengthens its presence in the state of Rajasthan, Rays Power Infra announced that it has signed an agreement with the state government to build a 1,800 MW solar park. The development will consist of three projects of 300 MW and one of 900 MW. [Saur Energy]
¶ “Solar, Wind Produce Record Fifth Of EU Power” • According to the “European Electricity Review,” published by energy think tank Ember, wind and solar generated over a fifth (22%) of EU electricity in 2022, for the first time overtaking fossil gas (20%). The coal power share increased by 1.5 percentage points to generate 16% of EU electricity in 2022. [reNews]
Solar farm in Spain (Elawan Energy image)
¶ “Belgium To Shut Down Second Nuclear Reactor” • Tihange 2, the second largest of the three Tihange nuclear reactors, will shut down permanently on the evening of January 31, after 40 years of activity, making it the second nuclear reactor in Belgium to be retired. Some politicians and pro-nuclear groups have called for the reactor to stay open. [EURACTIV.com]
US:
¶ “Winter Heating Costs Likely Won’t Be As High As Feared, But Many Still Need Help” • Both the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the US DOE’s Energy Information Administration reduced their cost estimates for heating with natural gas and oil. That’s thanks to a combination of lower energy prices and mild winter weather. [CNN]
Thermostat (Dan LeFebvre, Unsplash)
¶ “Arizona’s EV Plan Gives Us A Clue About Tesla CCS Charging” • Arizona has narrowed down its choices for EV charging sites to meet federal requirements, and it reveals something interesting that’s probably happening behind the scenes with Tesla. It is confirming plans to deploy CCS-compatible charging stations in the state. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Government Funding Helps Biofuels Move Forward” • Biofuels may not be the ideal way to address climate change, but they can help reduce our carbon emissions. Two pieces of news in recent weeks that show the US government is still trying to help biofuels improve, come from cleaner sources, and work better with infrastructure. [CleanTechnica]
Duckweed (Brookhaven National Laboratory, Public Domain)
¶ “El Dorado School District “Flips The Switch” On Renewable Energy” • In Arkansas, El Dorado School District signed a Solar Services Agreement with energy and solar company Entegrity. ESD says a 1.75-MW (AC) solar array will “Flip the Switch” on energy usage and expenses throughout the district saving over $128,000 annually in energy costs. [KNOE]
¶ “Renewables Are Cheaper Than Coal At All But One Site In The US” • Researchers at Energy Innovation and UC Berkeley said that of 210 US coal plants, only one, Wyoming’s Dry Fork facility, could operate at a cost lower than new wind or solar plants. For all the rest, shutting down today to be replaced by wind and solar would save money. [The Register]
Have an abundantly cheerful day.
geoharvey 