World:
¶ “A Subsidy Arms Race Is Kicking Off Between Europe And America” • By directing roughly $370 billion in federal funding toward the rapid buildout of clean energy infrastructure, the US started a global subsidies race. World leaders say the package unfairly favors American companies and they have no choice but to respond with their own hefty incentives. [CNN]
Solar panels on a German bridge (Pixy.org, CC0, public domain)
¶ “‘Exceptional’ Warming: January Temperatures 2.2°C Higher Than Average In Europe” • Europe had an exceptionally warm January, with average temperatures 2.2°C higher than the 1990 to 2020 average, according to Copernicus Climate Change Service data. Europe is warming faster than any other region, the World Meteorological Organization says. [CNN]
¶ “South Africa’s Largest Supermarket Chains Spend Millions On Diesel To Mitigate The Impact Of Load-Shedding” • It seems there is no end in sight for load-shedding of South African electricity. Pick n Pay Group has over 1,900 locations in South Africa, and it is spending $3.35 million per month to run diesel generators. [CleanTechnica]
Rooftop solar system, a better way (The Shoprite Group)
¶ “Germany To Auction ‘Huge Number’ Of Hydrogen Power Plants” • Transforming Germany’s energy system away from fossil fuels must be reinforced by “molecule-based” power plant capacity that can back up the country’s energy system during times of low renewable generation, said economy and climate minister Robert Habeck. [Clean Energy Wire]
¶ “Solutions Africa Introduces Electric Tuk-Tuks In Kenya” • In Kenya’s transport sector, 3-wheelers, or tuk-tuks, are important for moving people and goods. They are especially important in the coastal region of Kenya. Mombasa-based Solutions Africa is working to catalyze the transition of the tuk-tuk market in Kenya to electric. [CleanTechnica]
Electric tuk-tuk (Courtesy of Solutions Africa)
¶ “Merseyside’s Mega-Battery Is Switched On – And Here’s How It Will Save Billions Of Pounds Off Bills And Huge Amounts Of CO₂” • It looks like self-storage with rows of shipping containers. But appearances can be deceptive as this is the first step in saving billions of pounds off bills and millions of tonnes of carbon. It’s a mega-battery. [Sky News]
¶ “Russia Is Draining A Massive Ukrainian Reservoir, And That Is Endangering A Nuclear Plant” • Russia appears to be draining an enormous reservoir in Ukraine, imperiling drinking water, agricultural production and safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, according to satellite data obtained by NPR. [NPR]
Dnieper Hydroelectric Station (A1, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
US:
¶ “Scientists Fear A Great Toxic Dustbowl Could Soon Emerge From The Great Salt Lake” • Like the rest of the West, Utah has a water problem. But megadrought and overconsumption aren’t just threats to wildlife, agriculture, and industry here. The Great Salt Lake is disappearing, and that could poison the lungs of more than 2.5 million people. [CNN]
¶ “The Economic Tides Just Turned For States” • States across the country have a massive opportunity to boost their economies through the Inflation Reduction Act, and now, for the first time, that opportunity is quantified. RMI’s first-of-its-kind analysis shows the potential benefits for states, in savings, investments, and employment. [CleanTechnica]
Renewable energy (Werner Slocum, NREL)
¶ “DOE Announces Conditional $2 Billion Loan For Redwood Materials Nevada Expansion” • Redwood Materials, the battery recycling company founded by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, received a conditional commitment for a $2 billion loan from the DOE’s Loan Program Office to support phased construction of a battery recycling plant in Nevada. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “‘Solar Wave’ Sets The Stage For New Flow Battery In Wisconsin” • A fresh wave of solar development is coming to Wisconsin, and so is the German energy storage innovator CMBlu. The company is pilot testing a long-duration flow battery at a power plant in Milwaukee that could make a perfect match with big new solar arrays. [CleanTechnica]
Flow battery (CMBlu image)
¶ “New York Governor Hochul Announces Vermont’s Entry Into Effort To Create A Regional Hydrogen Hub” • Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Vermont signed a multi-state agreement to develop a proposal to become one of up to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs included in the federal Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “The Home Depot Furthers Investment In Renewable Energy At Stores, Installing 13 MW Of Solar Power Across California” • The Home Depot is partnering with DSD Renewables to install 13 MW of solar power on the rooftops at 25 store locations in California. The Home Depot’s renewable energy goal is to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. [CSRwire]
Home Depot roftop solar (Courtesy of DSD Renewables)
¶ “Berkshire Hathaway Has Invested $30 Billion In Renewable Energy” • Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified company with energy, rail, insurance, manufacturing, and retail businesses. As of year-end 2021, it had invested $30 billion in wind, solar, and geothermal energy, with each of its many holdings making its own decisions. [Environment + Energy Leader]
¶ “Denver Solar Developers Say Small-Scale Projects Key For Energy Transition” • Emboldened by the Inflation Reduction Act, local renewable energy companies say small-scale solar projects and grid improvements to connect them will have a vital role in transitioning Colorado’s power infrastructure from fossil fuels to renewable generation. [NewsBreak Original]
Have a tremendously unworried day.
geoharvey 