Science and Technology:
¶ “Why EV Batteries Keep Getting Cheaper And Cleaner” • We have seen battery density double every 12 years and prices drop 50% every 5 years. Wright’s Law says this should go on. By 2030 we should have a battery with nearly double the capacity at the same weight for half the price, or the same capacity at half the weight for a quarter of the price. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Tesla May Have Perfected One-Piece Casting Technology” • Traditional manufacturing techniques use up to 400 individual stampings that then have to be welded, bolted, screwed, or glued together to make a complete unibody structure. If Tesla can get one-piece casting right, its cost of manufacturing could drop by up to 50%. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “First HVDC Undersea Power Project In The Developing World And Saudi Entry Into Exporting Renewable Power” • Private companies in India and Saudi Arabia recently signed a series of agreements. One of them covers a High Voltage Direct Current undersea line allowing power to be transmitted between the two countries, and beyond. [CleanTechnica]
Submarine cable trencher, (Friflash, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Copernicus: Record-Breaking Wildfires Throughout The 2023 Boreal Wildfire Season” • As the Northern Hemisphere comes to the end of the wildfire season, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service data on fire emissions and smoke transport associated with wildfires provides valuable insights to evaluate the most relevant wildfires. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Study Reveals Farm Dams Can Be Converted Into Renewable Energy Storage Systems” • A study published in Applied Energy, finds that agricultural ponds, could be connected to form micro-pumped hydro energy storage systems. It’s the first study to assess the potential of these small-scale systems as an innovative renewable energy storage solution. [India Education]
Brickpits fishing pond (Richard Croft, CC BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Though The Price Shocks Hurt, Renewables Installed In 2021- 2023 Saved Europe €100 Billion” • IEA data shows that without the solar and wind capacity additions of 2021-2023 Europe’s energy costs would have been €100 billion higher in that time, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and reduced output from nuclear and hydro made energy prices spike. [Energy Post]
¶ “Ørsted To Develop 400 MW Of Irish Solar” • Orsted disclosed that it is developing a 400-MW portfolio of Irish solar projects in a partnership with Irish renewable energy developer Terra Solar. The sites could power over 90,000 Irish homes. This brings further momentum to Orsted’s solar pipeline in Ireland, which now totals over 600 MW. [reNews]
Solar array (Terra Solar image)
¶ “Replacing Australia’s Retiring Coal Power Stations With Small Nuclear Reactors Could Cost A$387 Billion, Analysis Suggests” • The federal government’s Energy Department says it would cost as much as A$387 billion ($249 billion) to replace Australia’s retiring coal-fired power stations with the form of nuclear power proposed by the Coalition. [The Guardian]
¶ “Costa Rica’s Sea Turtle Decline Linked To Climate Change” • The effects of climate change are increasingly evident in various parts of the planet. The repercussions of climate change include rising sea levels, high sea temperatures, and more. Experts from the APM Terminals Turtle Conservation Program say it results in fewer sea turtle hatchlings. [The Tico Times]
Young sea turtle (Morgan Newnham, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Thousands March To Kick Off Climate Summit, Demanding An End To Fossil Fuels” • Yelling that the future and their lives depend on ending fossil fuels, tens of thousands of protesters kicked off the opening salvo to New York’s Climate Week, where leaders will try once again to curb climate change primarily caused by coal, oil and natural gas. [ABC News]
¶ “Coal-Killing ‘Extension Cord’ Brings Renewable Energy To Local Communities” • The DOE may have a lot of big programs, but it also runs some that tend to fly under the media radar for ordinary communities. One is an ongoing solar program that aims to make local solar systems more accessible and affordable for most households. [CleanTechnica]
Fairbanks, Alaska (FairbanksMike, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “Sublime Systems Receives ASTM Certification For Low Carbon Cement” • In June, CleanTechnica told readers about Sublime Systems, which makes cement without massive carbon emissions. Now, it has ASTM C1157 compliance certification, which has more stringent strength requirements than older hydraulic cement standards. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Climate Change Could Bring More Monster Storms Like Hurricane Lee To New England” • When it comes to hurricanes, New England can’t compete with Florida or the Caribbean. But scientists said the arrival of storms like Atlantic storm Lee could become more common in places such as the Gulf of Maine, as the planet warms. [Rapid City Journal]
Lobster boats in Maine (Leon Bredella, Unsplash)
¶ “How Rural Southwest Utah Is Proving The Potential Of Renewable Geothermal Energy” • There’s a new hotspot in the world of geothermal energy: a seemingly sleepy valley in Beaver County. Its secret? The valley sits on top of bedrock that reaches temperatures up to 465°F. That is enough heat to make the area really interesting for power generation. [KUER]
¶ “Renewable Power Expected To Grow As Louisiana Marks Clean Energy Transition” • Gov John Bel Edwards issued a proclamation declaring September 25-29 as Clean Energy Week in Louisiana in conjunction with the national celebration. The state’s renewable power industry is slightly behind that of most other states, but it is growing. [Louisiana Illuminator]
Have a flawlessly grand day.
geoharvey 
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