Science and Technology:
¶ “How Much Wave Energy Is In Our Oceans?” • In a recent study published in Renewable Energy, researchers from the US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory present a more comprehensive and accurate methodology to measure the wave energy available in ocean sites around the world. [CleanTechnica]
Measuring global wave energy (Taylor Mankle, NREL)
World:
¶ “The Extreme Summer Weather That Scorched And Soaked The World” • Heat. Wildfires. Torrential rain. Typhoons and hurricanes. Much of the northern hemisphere was battered by extreme weather this summer. In the past few weeks, significant meteorological records have been broken in quick succession. Here is a look at some of what happened. [BBC]
¶ “Mapping Australia’s Hidden Lithium Reserves” • Up to recent times, Australia’s lithium exploration has been predominantly centered in Western Australia. But now, research indicates the potential of other Australian regions, including Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, that display elevated predicted lithium densities. [CleanTechnica]
New South Wales (Tarryn Myburgh, Unsplash)
¶ “EVs At 90% Share In Norway – Tesla Model Y Best Seller” • August saw plugin EVs at 90.0% share in Norway, up from 86.1% a year ago. Full electric vehicles continued to gain ground, taking a 83.5% share. Overall auto volume was 11,083 units, down over 10% year on year. In August, the best selling vehicle in Norway was the Tesla Model Y. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “How The Scottish Highlands Are Becoming A Renewable Energy Powerhouse” • Scotland’s Highlands and Islands have long been known for its sparse population and less favored farm land. However, with renewable energy, the region has undergone a shift in fortunes, to become a thriving hub of innovation and opportunity. [Microgrid Media]
Skye (v2osk, Unsplash)
¶ “SK Secures Land For $15 Billion Canadian Green Hydrogen Project” • The renewable energy unit of South Korea’s SK Inc secured a site to develop a $15 billion green hydrogen project in Canada. SK ecoplant Co received approval to use 1,078 km² (670 mi²) of Canada’s state-owned property for a wind farm to power the project. [Financial Post]
¶ “Scholz Says The Nuclear Energy Issue Is ‘A Dead Horse’ For Germany” • “Nuclear energy is over,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “The issue of nuclear energy in Germany is a dead horse. Anyone who wanted to build new nuclear power plants would need fifteen years and would have to spend €15 to €20 billion ($16.2 to $ 21.6 billion) each.” [DW]
Dounreay nuclear plant (John, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “Terrorism Fears As Security Breaches Among Britain’s ‘Nuclear Police’ Hit Eight Year High” • Security breaches among Britain’s “Nuclear Police” are at an eight- year high, the Sun on Sunday can reveal. The Civil Nuclear Constabulary, which guards power stations from terrorists, reported 37 cases last year. Many breaches were thefts of items in vehicles. [The Sun]
US:
¶ “These Five Cities Could Be One Natural Disaster Away From A Catastrophic Water Crisis” • At the rate our climate is changing, America’s water infrastructure is not equipped to handle coming threats, according to Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health and food with the National Resources Defense Council. Here are five examples. [CNN]
Buffalo (simon***, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Tens Of Thousands At Burning Man Told To Conserve Water And Food After Heavy Rains Leave Attendees Stranded In The Nevada Desert” • Attendees saw their campsites transformed by thick, ankle-deep mud and organizers halted vehicles from going in or out of the festival after heavy rains started soaking the area on Friday evening. [CNN]
¶ “Storm Idalia: Biden Pledges Support To Help Florida Recover” • US President Joe Biden vowed to give Florida any support it needs to rebuild in the wake of destruction by Tropical Storm Idalia. Mr Biden was speaking during a visit to the state, where at least two people are known to have died after the storm made landfall on Wednesday. [BBC]
Storm surge of Idalia (Andrew Heneen, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Tesla Virtual Power Plants Get Approval In Texas” • As Tesla’s energy business continues to grow, backup power generation will remain at its center. Texas residents with Tesla Powerwalls and solar panels recently had the opportunity to be a part of a backup power pilot program that lets users get money for sending extra electricity to the grid. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Powered By Wind, This $10 Billion Transmission Line Will Carry More Energy Than The Hoover Dam” • As CEO of Pattern Energy, Hunter Armistead said breaking ground on the SunZia transmission line marks a major milestone. The US needs to bolster its already swamped power grids as demand increases and weather events get more extreme. [KJZZ]
Power lines (frank pereira, Unsplash)
¶ “Lawmakers Use Power Bill Increase To Target Renewable Energy” • Rocky Mountain Power has testified that volatile fossil fuel pricing, including a spike in December that boosted Wyoming’s revenue outlook, is the primary driver behind its staggering 30% rate hike proposal. But some lawmakers say renewables are to blame. [Oil City News]
¶ “Ørsted Delays First New Jersey Wind Farm Until 2026; Not Ready To ‘Walk Away’ From Project” • Ørsted, the global wind energy developer, says its first offshore wind farm in New Jersey will be delayed until 2026 due to supply chain issues, higher interest rates, and a failure so far to garner enough tax credits from the federal government. [CBS News]
Have a satisfyingly pacific day.
geoharvey 