Opinion:
¶ “EVs Can Support Power Grid Reliability And Reduce Costs. Here’s How” • With so many recent power outages, the US grid does not inspire confidence. It’s natural to wonder how the grid will hold up as the country electrifies its economy. The California legislature is tackling this issue head-on with a bill that would help integrate EVs with the grid. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it. (UCS image)
¶ “What does Georgia’s just-opened nuclear reactor say about the industry’s future in the US?” • According to Georgia Power, Unit 3 at Vogtle can supply 1,100 MW, providing power to 500,000 homes and businesses. But because the reactor was so lavishly expensive, customers will soon be seeing their electric energy bills increase. [Yahoo News]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Transformational Fast-Charging LFP Batteries – Coming Soon” • The world’s largest battery producer, CATL, announced that it will soon to start productioin of an LFP battery that can charge at a superfast rate of 4C, the fastest ever for an LFP battery. The Shenxing battery and it will go into mass production by the end of 2023. [CleanTechnica]
Shenxing battery announcement (CATL)
¶ “ITM Launches 20-MW Electrolysis Module” • ITM Power has launched a 20-MW core electrolysis process module suitable for scaling up into large-scale electrolyser and green hydrogen projects. The Poseidon module has been engineered by ITM as a standardized module incorporating “real-world lessons learned from commercial projects.” [reNews]
World:
¶ “Hundreds Of Wildfires That Rage In Canada’s Northwest Territories Prompt Evacuations In What Officials Are Calling A ‘Crisis Situation’” • Hundreds of wildfires raging in parts of Canada’s Northwest Territories have prompted officials to issue evacuation orders and declare a state of emergency as the blazes threaten the capital city of Yellowknife. [CNN]
Firefighters (Government of the Northwest Territory)
¶ “Race To Evacuate City As Blaze Approaches” • One of the largest cities in Canada’s far north is being evacuated amid warnings that a wildfire could reach it by the weekend. The 20,000 residents of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, have until noon Friday to leave. Scientists say climate change increases the risk of wildfires. [BBC]
¶ “Mainstream, Ocean Winds Partner On Second Scots Floater” • Mainstream Renewable Power and Ocean Winds partnered to develop a site east of Shetland, bringing the total capacity of the Arven offshore wind farm to 2300 MW. The partnership is to develope one Arven site, with a capacity of 1,800 MW. Ocean Winds is developing the other alone. [reNews]
Floating offshore wind turbines (Ocean Winds image)
¶ “EVs Make The Mainstream News In Australia: 385% Growth In Pure EV Sales!” • You know EVs are making an impact when they feature on a national finance report. ABC News reported that battery EV growth in Australia is 385% higher than last year, plugin hybrids are up 24%, plugless hybrids remain stable, sales of combustion cars are down. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hysata To Build Next-Generation Hydrogen Electrolyser” • A pioneering, all-Australian hydrogen electrolyser technology is getting a chance to prove itself at a commercial scale. If it works, the project could alter the economics of renewable hydrogen production. The concept arose in a laboratory at the University of Wollongong. [Australian Renewable Energy Agency]
Old-style wind+hydrogen power (Longershanks, public domain)
¶ “Big Potential For Green Hydrogen In North Africa: Report” • By 2050 North Africa could become a leading exporter of green hydrogen with Europe its main market, according to a recent report from accounting consultancy Deloitte. The report projects the future of an industry still in its infancy, but it is growing because of the climate crisis. [France 24]
US:
¶ “Significant Impacts Of The Inflation Reduction Act And Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” • The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are revitalizing the US energy system by investing in American energy supply chains, clean energy job creation, emissions reduction, and consumer energy savings. [CleanTechnica]
Investment in America (From energy.gov)
¶ “2022 Was Another Big Year For Hybrid Power Plants in the US, Especially PV Plus Storage” • Improving battery technology and the growth of variable renewable generation are driving a surge of interest in “hybrid” power plants that combine. Examples include wind and solar generating plants that are co-located with batteries. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Energy Jobs Have Increased In Nearly Every County” • The DOE released county-level data on energy employment across the country. The data show that energy jobs grew in nearly every US county in 2022. The release comes on the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already spurred over $110 billion of clean energy investments. [CleanTechnica]
Ute solar workers (GRID Alternatives Tribal Program)
¶ “BPU Bumps Up Community Solar From Pilot To Full-Fledged Program” • With the aim of expanding access to solar energy, a New Jersey state agency made a pilot program created to make cleaner energy available to all households permanent . The Board of Public Utilities established the community solar program unanimously. [NJ Spotlight News]
¶ “Texas Counties Don’t Have The Power To Ban Solar Farms, Attorney General Finds” • The Texas attorney general’s office dealt a blow to a rural county that has been searching for ways to keep solar farms away. Residents in Franklin County had pushed county commissioners last year to impose a 180-day moratorium on commercial solar development. [The Texas Tribune]
Have a movingly gorgeous day.
geoharvey 