World:
¶ “How Electric Tuk-Tuks Could Become A ‘Virtual Power Plant’ For Bangladesh” • Among the chaos of three-wheeled taxis called tuk-tuks, one startup in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has spotted an opportunity. SOLshare plans to tap into the country’s estimated 2.5 million electric tuk-tuks, and turn them into a “virtual power plant.” [CNN]
Tuk tuks (Martin Péchy, Pexels)
¶ “Northern Thailand’s Air Pollution Becoming A Tourism Issue” • Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai is known for its scenic mountainous views, temples, and chic cafés. But high pollution levels in Chiang Mai and surrounding provinces are keeping tourists away and alarming locals. The government is urging residents to avoid outdoor activities. [CNN]
¶ “Toyota Planning To Add Plug-In Hybrids With Over 200 Km Of Battery Range” • Toyota recently announced that it will expand its current lineup by releasing ten new battery-electric models by 2026. For plugin hybrids, Toyota announced that it is developing next generation plug-in hybrids with an all-electric driving range beyond 200 km (124 miles). [CleanTechnica]
Next generation Prius (Toyota image)
¶ “India Selects Bids For Manufacturing Capacity For 39.6 GW Of Solar Modules” • The Solar Energy Corporation of India called for bids few months back, offering subsidies to companies looking to set up module manufacturing facilities. After the bids came in, the government allocated 39.6 GW of manufacturing capacity to 11 companies. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “75 Terawatts Of World Solar PV Are Needed By 2050 – Action Is Needed Now!” • The increasing acceptance of PV technology has prompted the experts to suggest that about 75 TW (75,000 GW) or more of globally deployed PV will be needed by 2050 to meet decarbonization goals. “Time is of the essence.” A great effort is needed now. [CleanTechnica]
PVs on trackers (Pixy.org, CC0)
¶ “Brazil May Add 76.9 GW Of Solar PV And 17.8 GW Of Wind Capacity” • Brazil is expected to launch the first offshore wind auction in 2023 and the winning projects are slated to be operational in 2027. Brazil is expected to add 76.9GW of solar PV capacity and onshore wind capacity of around 17.8GW between 2023-2035. [GreentechLead]
¶ “Liddell Power Station Is Closing. What Does That Mean For Energy Supply?” • One of Australia’s old coal clunkers, Liddell Power Station, is set to close at the end of April after more than 50 years in operation. It had 2.2 GW of capacity at one time, but with age, its reliable generating capacity had dropped to between 800 MW and 1,250 MW. [Climate Council]
Liddell plant in 2006 (Webaware, public domain)
¶ “Radioactive Sludge At Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Nears Storage Limit” • The amount of sewage sludge tainted with radioactive substances from the Fukushima nuclear disaster is pushing the storage facility to its limit, local media reported. The sludge is muddy waste with radioactive material captured while treating water treatment. [CGTN]
US:
¶ “Did This Winter Solve The Colorado River Crisis? No – But It Took Some Pressure Off, For Now” • After three years of record-breaking drought and plummeting water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, water officials and experts across the West are now looking at more snow and water than they can handle. But one winter isn’t enough to end the drought. [CNN]
Colorado River (Gabriel Tovar, Unsplash)
¶ “Tesla Launches Its Vision Park Assist Feature” • Since Tesla’s removal of ultrasonic sensors from its vehicles around late last year, some drivers have complained about the loss of park assistance. Now, Tesla has shared its vision-based park assist feature in a new update, which works without any need for ultrasonic sensor hardware. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Power In Florida” • Florida’s solar policies have lagged behind other states, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Florida has no renewable portfolio standard, and it does not allow power purchase agreements. But despite politics, Florida is third in the nation in solar power generating capacity, after California and Texas. [CleanTechnica]
Pres Obama at a solar plant (The White House, public domain)
¶ “Virginia Groups Struck A Deal On Biomass Plants. Youngkin’s Amendments Cause Controversy” • As the General Assembly gets ready to reconvene to vote on bill amendments recommended by Republican Gov Glenn Youngkin, legislation that would allow the continued use of biomass to generate electricity is firing up some last-minute debate. [Virginia Mercury]
¶ “An Alaskan Village’s Journey Back to the Future” • The largest oil field in the US was discovered northern Alaska in the 1960’s. That brought fuel, gasoline-powered vehicles, and oil heating to Igiugig. But fuel costs have risen so much that residents struggle to afford heat for their homes and schools shuttered. Remote villages are turning to renewable energy. [NREL]
Igiugig village (Photo from Igiugig Village Council)
¶ “Western Interstate Hydrogen Hub Submits Application For US DOE Funding Grant” • The Western Interstate Hydrogen Hub LLC submitted an application for a $1.25 billion grant from the US DOE to advance the hydrogen economy in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The proposal identifies eight projects in the four states. [Colorado.gov]
¶ “Texas Senate Passes $10 Billion Plan To Develop 10,000 MW Of Gas-Fired ‘Insurance’ Capacity” • The Texas Senate approved a package of energy reforms including a $10 billion “energy insurance program” that aims to shore up grid reliability through development of a fleet of new gas-fired power plants with 10,000 MW of capacity. [Utility Dive] (Nonsense! – ghh)
Have a really fantastic day.
geoharvey 
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