Opinion:
¶ “Truck CO₂: Europe’s Chance To Lead” • The European Commission proposes to increase sales of zero-emissions heavy vehicles through CO₂ reduction targets of a -45% in 2030, a -65% in 2035 and a -90% in 2040. At first glance, a CO₂ target of -90% might seem close enough to full decarbonization, but it falls far short in four key aspects. [CleanTechnica]
Electric truck (Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz)
¶ “Nuclear Power Isn’t As Clean As The Industry Makes It Seem” • Does nuclear energy cause pollution? Yes. The nuclear industry wants us only to see the low carbon emissions that result from splitting atoms, but fuel production causes carbon emissions, and there is local thermal pollution, potential pollution from waste and by-products, and more. [Green Matters]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Underground Water Could Be A Great Source Of Renewable Energy” • A study published in the journal Applied Energy shows that use of underground water to store thermal energy could reduce natural gas and electricity consumption by 40% in the US heating and cooling sector. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage is being studied around the world. [Earth.com]
Studying underground water (Maxime Bouffard, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “‘Shocked’ By The Loss: Scientists Sound The Alarm On New Zealand’s Melting Glaciers” • Every year New Zealand scientists fly over some of the country’s most iconic glaciers – ancient “rivers” of ice that descend from the Southern Alps, a spine of mountains that extend along the South Island. And almost every year, they find them shrinking. [CNN]
¶ “MINI’s Top Seller Goes Electric: Production Of The MINI Countryman Starts In Leipzig In November” • BMW released the specs of the upcoming all-electric MINI Countryman. BMW says the new MINI Countryman combines “electrified go-kart feeling with a reduced ecological footprint and continues the success story of the largest MINI model.” [CleanTechnica]
BMW Mini Cooper SE (BMW image)
¶ “Tesla Model Y Wins UK Bestseller Spot In March, Record BEV Volumes” • The UK saw plugin EVs take 22.4% of the auto market in March, down from 22.7% year on year. Battery EVs saw a small growth in market share YOY, and a new volume record, whilst plugin hybrids saw a slight decline. The Tesla Model Y was the UK’s best selling auto in March. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Battery-Electric Van Sales Continue To Grow In The UK, Up 32.7% For March Compared With Last Year” • The overall UK new light commercial vehicle market grew for the third consecutive month in March, rising by 17.3% to 47,634 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. [CleanTechnica]
Mercedes eSprinter (Courtesy of Mercedes)
¶ “Apple Expands Renewable Energy With Global Suppliers” • Apple announced that its manufacturing partners now support over 13 GW of renewable electricity around the world, a nearly 30% increase in the last year. Over 250 suppliers operating in 28 countries and regions are committed to using renewable energy for all Apple production by 2030. [AzerNews]
¶ “Africa Accounted For Only 1% Of Additional Renewable Energy Investments In 2022” • In its March 2023 World Energy Transitions Outlook preview, IRENA pointed out that Africa accounted for only 1% of new renewable energy investments in 2022. It said more investments are needed to make the energy transition more inclusive. [Nairametrics]
Wind farm in South Africa (NJR ZA, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Authorities Sound Alarm After UFO Spotted Near Russian Nuclear Plant” • According to local and state media cited by Newsweek, officials sounded an alarm after spotting a UFO near the Leningrad nuclear power plant. A statement released later suggested that there is “nothing unusual here,” as “this is a regular situation.” [Euro Weekly News]
US:
¶ “Visit A Solar Decathlon Zero Energy Home Near You, April 4–18” • Eleven collegiate teams across the globe have spent nearly two years designing and building full-size, high-performance, low-carbon houses for the Solar Decathlon competition. They demonstrate creative solutions to real-world climate issues, and they are on display this month. [CleanTechnica]
Construction (Courtesy of the University of British Columbia)
¶ “DOE SolSmart Program Expands To Include Community Solar” • SolSmart is a national program for recognition and technical assistance for local governments. Its mission is to expand solar deployment. The program was expanded in March of 2022 to include storage, and it was expanded again in March of 2023 for community solar. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ram 1500 REV Electric Pickup Truck Will Feature A 229 KWh Battery And 500 Mile Range” • Dodge Ram REV electric pickup truck is to come in 2025. Its specs are truly astounding. It will be available with two batteries. One is rated at 168 kWh with a range estimated to be 350 miles. The other is rated at 229 kWh with an estimated range of 500 miles. [CleanTechnica]
Dodge Ram 1500 REV (Image by Ram)
¶ “Vice President Harris Promotes Renewable Energy Deal In Georgia Visit” • Continuing its efforts on renewable energy, the Biden administration announced what it says will be the largest community solar effort in US history, enough to power 140,000 homes and businesses in three states. The 1.2 GW of capacity will be built in Illinois, Maine, and Maryland. [PBS]
¶ “Colorado Utilities Consider Regional Market To Buy And Sell Wholesale Power” • The Southwest Power Pool, a regional power transmission organization, said 31 utilities and organizations signed agreements to explore creating the marketplace in the West. If it is created, companies could buy or sell power a day before it’s needed. [The Fort Morgan Times]
Have a sweetly presented day.
geoharvey 
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