Opinion:
¶ “We Won’t Act On Climate Change Until Our Comfortable Lives Are Threatened – And That Day Is Coming” • The IPCC’s latest climate report stopped some of us in our tracks because there are many warnings about our heating planet and escalating climate breakdown, and each new one is a reminder that we’re still not responding as required. [Independent.ie]
Sunset in Ireland (Pixy.org, CC0)
World:
¶ “Porsche’s Next Cayenne Will Be An EV, Built In Bratislava” • Since the release of the Taycan in 2019, Porsche has continued to expand its portfolio of EVs. The Cayenne is set to become the fourth model line to feature an all-electric powertrain. And the Cayenne has enduring association with a plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Stellantis Announces German Assembly Expansion For New BEV Crossover” • Stellantis may have at least part of its transition figured out, with an expansion to an existing plant to introduce more full-electrics. The company revealed plans to invest more than €130 million into the Eisenach Assembly Plant in Germany, where it makes the Opel Grandland. [CleanTechnica]
Opel Grandland (Stellantis image)
¶ “Lula Opens First Integrated Renewable Energy Complex” • Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the inauguration of the Neoenergia renewable energy complex in Paraíba state. According to the government, this is Brazil’s first renewable energy complex combining wind and solar PV generating capacities. [TV BRICS]
¶ “Over 400 Million Indians To Suffer Because Of Climate-Triggered Calamities: Experts” • As the 2023 IPCC report was released this week, experts again warned of a huge crisis related to climate change which could affect over 400 million Indians, and how India remains unprepared to tackle even a fraction of the global warming. [Greater Kashmir]
Rural India (Sreehari Devadas, Unsplash)
¶ “Zimbabwe Sets Tone For Renewable Energy Revolution In The Region” • After hours of deliberations, the delegates at the International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo 2023 in Victoria Falls agreed to a number of resolutions that would help shape the energy industry. The resolutions will advance African renewable energy. [Newsday Zimbabwe]
¶ “Qaidam Basin Has Potential To Be China’s Renewable Energy Base: Study” • Chinese researchers evaluated the potential for solar and wind energy in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau They found the Qaidam Basin has the potential to be the country’s renewable energy base, with abundant hydropower and geothermal energy, in addition to solar, and wind. [China Daily]
Qaidam Basin (David Rubin, USGS, public domain)
¶ “IAEA Chief To Visit Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Next Week” • Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, said he plans to visit the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine next week. It will be Grossi’s second time crossing Ukraine’s front line to visit Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant. [The Brunswick News]
US:
¶ “LG Energy To Build New Battery Plant In Arizona” • The Inflation Reduction Act has encouraged battery manufacturers to move to the US. So it should be no surprise that LG Energy Solution is investing in a new battery manufacturing complex in Arizona. It is a significant development in the domestic battery production industry. [CleanTechnica]
LG Energy battery cells (LG Energy image)
¶ “North Carolina Regulators Strengthen State’s Rooftop Solar Market” • The North Carolina Utilities Commission issued final orders in its net metering “Smart $aver” docket. It approved a three-year path for solar customers to transition from monthly credits to a time-of-use rate structure that incentivizes the use of solar when it is most valuable. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Company To Begin Testing Tidal Systems Again” • After being dormant in its tidal power operations in the Cobscook Bay area of Maine for a decade, Ocean Renewable Power Company is gearing up to again begin testing commercially viable turbine generator units off Eastport this year. The test will start with single turbine. [The Maine Monitor]
RivGen device (Courtesy of Ocean Renewable Power Co)
¶ “8th Circuit Rules Minnesota Suit Against Exxon, API, And Koch Industries Can Be Heard In State Court” • Minnesota sued the American Petroleum Institute, Exxon Mobil Corp, and Koch Industries in state court, alleging a decades-long effort to deceive the public about climate change. Now, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that suit can proceed. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “South Carolina Is Getting A New EV Battery Materials Facility” • Cirba Solutions announced an important milestone for the sustainability and viability of EVs. It is investing in a world-class lithium-ion EV battery recycling facility in South Carolina, allowing EV makers to reduce costs and increase production at the same time. [CleanTechnica]
Have a plainly elegant day.
geoharvey 