Opinion and Reviews:
¶ “Canada’s Inflating Economy And Population Dwarfs Coming Collapse Of Oil & Gas” • Since it first gained power in 2015, the current government’s policies have dealt with some of the worst challenges to Oil & Gas of the century, brought in one of the best carbon prices in the world, diversified and grown the economy, and brought in deep skills and talent. [CleanTechnica]
Old time Alberta (Stephen Hui, Unsplash)
¶ “You Don’t Have to Pick a Winner In Solar Power. Here’s Why” • There’s little doubt that solar is key to the future of the energy business. The challenge for investors is finding which solar stocks are the best investments. There’s a simple solution: Buy a slice of the entire industry instead and let an investment fund swap out these stocks as is merited. [Nasdaq]
¶ “XPeng G6 – A Wicked New Electric, Intelligent SUV For $29,000” • It used to be “The US gets all the good stuff.” Now it feels more like “China gets all the good stuff.” The news this week is that China’s getting a wicked compelling, competitive new electric coupe SUV, the XPeng G6. With informatin published for English speakers, let’s dive in! [CleanTechnica]
XPeng G6 (XPeng image)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Are Rocks The Future Of Solar Power Collection?” • The next generation of sustainable energy technology might be built from some low-tech materials: rocks and the sun. Using concentrated solar power, heat from the sun is stored then used to dry foods or create electricity. Two materials mentioned in a report are soapstone and granite. [Oil Price]
World:
¶ “Northvolt Close To Choosing Site Near Montreal For $5.3 Billion ‘Green’ Battery Factory” • Northvolt, the Swedish battery maker founded in 2017, has considered building a factory in North America for some time. Now, according to a report by The National News, the company has selected a site about 25 km east of Montreal. [CleanTechnica]
Northvolt factory (Northvolt image)
¶ “Canada Drivers Less Likely To Purchase An EV This Year” • Every year, JD Power surveys potential car buyers in Canada to determine their attitudes about electric cars. The results of the 2023 survey show that the percentage of Canadians who are interested in purchasing an electric car has dropped 13 points since last year’s survey. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The BYD Atto 3 Has Launched In South Africa, Starting At Just R768,000 ($40,941)” • BYD has been ramping up production of its EVs and expanding its footprint across the globe. One of the models BYD has been introducing in more markets around the world is the BYD Atto 3. Now the BYD Atto 3 has been launched in South Africa. [CleanTechnica]
BYD Atto 3 (Courtesy of BYD)
¶ “South African Miners Embrace Renewable Energy Amid The Electricity Crisis” • According to the renewables company Juwi, South African miners are intensifying their efforts to adopt solar and wind energy generation to reduce costs, lower emissions, and address the electricity crisis impacting their production and the national economy. [SolarQuarter]
¶ “Vestas Wins An Order For 100 MW Of Wind Power In Spain” • Vestas has won a 100 MW order for several wind farms in Spain. The contract includes the supply and installation of 20 V150-4.2 MW and four V150-4.2 MW wind turbines delivered in the 4.0 operating mode, as well as a 25-year Active Output Management 5000 service agreement. [Evwind]
Vestas wind turbine (Lina N, Unsplash)
¶ “UN Nuclear Agency Chief To Visit Fukushima Plant To See Final Preparations For Release Of Wastewater” • The chief of the UN nuclear agency will visit Japan to meet with Japanese leaders and see final preparations for the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, officials said. [Stars and Stripes]
US:
¶ “US DOI Takes Action To Strengthen Endangered Species Protections” • The Interior Department announced action to better facilitate species recovery by providing more flexibility for introduction of threatened species to suitable habitats outside their historical ranges. This announcement supports locally led conservation efforts. [CleanTechnica]
Bald eagle (Richard Lee, Unsplash)
¶ “Renewable Energy Sets New Record For Electricity Production In Texas” • The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages most of the power grid in Texas. It defines “renewable” energy capacity as that which is powered by the wind and the sun. Reports from June 28, 2023 show that renewable generation peaked at a record 31,498 MW. [KVUE]
¶ “Without Solar Power, This Texas Heat Wave Would Burn Much Worse” • Solar electricity has been critical for keeping the lights on throughout Texas the past few days. It has been a workhorse during the afternoon hours, fulfilling more than 15% of the state’s power needs during some of the most critical times of need. [Texas Monthly]
Solar installation (Ken Oltmann, CoServ, US DOE, public domain)
¶ “Texas Customers Switching To Solar Amidst Triple Digit Temperatures” • While it issued repeated requests for Texas homeowners to conserve energy, the Texas grid operator, ERCOT, said it expects energy levels to be sufficient for the summer. One reason for this might be the numbers of Texans making the switch to solar energy. [Kagstv.com]
¶ “Michigan Budget Includes $150 Million Aimed At Reopening Palisades Nuclear Plant” • The newly-passed Michigan budget allocates $150 million toward reopening the Palisades nuclear plant, which is being decommissioned. Holtec officials are quoted as saying it would take hundreds of millions of dollars for facility renovations and to buy nuclear fuel. [Power Engineering]
Have a joyously contemplative day.
geoharvey 