Science and Technology:
¶ “80% More US Wind Energy Potential This Decade From Tech Innovation” • While much of the US has great wind resources, some areas are less windy and have not seen much wind energy development. But new technologies could make it possible to profitably capture winds blowing higher above the ground across much of the US. [CleanTechnica]
Wind turbine (Ian Van Landuyt, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “Climate Action: Group Of Young People Take 32 Countries To Court Over Human Rights” • Six young people aged 11-25 are taking 32 countries in Europe to court over climate change. They say that countries aren’t doing enough to fight climate change, and that violates their human rights. They were inspired to act by wildfires in Portugal in 2017. [BBC]
¶ “How Medellin Is Beating The Heat With Green Corridors” • In Medellin, Oriental Avenue is a typical large street with traffic and local commerce. But because of decisions on local greenery, it is also covered with large fruit trees, shrubs and flowers. The area feels enjoyable all year and the air is noticeably fresher than areas that do not have green cover. [BBC]
Medellin (Eddnaranjo, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Ice Pops Cool Down Monkeys In Brazil At A Rio Zoo During A Rare Winter Heat Wave” • In the last week of winter, a heat wave has engulfed Brazil. It is causing humans and animals alike to eagerly greet any chance of cooling down. Black spider monkeys in the zoo were excited to be given ice pops as part of their well-being program. [ABC News]
¶ “Candela Sets 24-Hour Distance Record For Electric Boats – 777 Kilometers!” • Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog wanted to prove that the C-8 could handle long-distance cruising, so he set up a 20 nautical mile loop. During one 24-hour period, the C-8 test boat covered 777 km (483 miles). The previous record was 79 miles covered in 20 hours. [CleanTechnica]
Candela C-8
¶ “Renewable Energy Production In Spain Will Reach 50% In 2023” • Spain is expected to produce over half of its electricity from renewable sources this year, according to research from Rystad Energy. If this happens, it will become the first of the five largest European countriesin terms of electricity demand. Spain is on the path to decarbonization. [Digital Journal]
US:
¶ “Arizona’s Sweltering Summer Could Set New Record For Most Heat-Associated Deaths In Big Metro” • Public health officials in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, said 289 heat-associated deaths were confirmed as of Sept. 16, with another 262 deaths under investigation. Last year, there were 80 heat-related deaths confirmed. [ABC News]
Phoenix (Chris Tingom, Unsplash)
¶ “Energy Department Announces $325 Million For Batteries That Can Store Clean Electricity Longer” • The US DOE has announced a $325 million investment in new battery types to backup solar and wind energy. The funds will be distributed among 15 projects in 17 states and the Red Lake Nation, a Native American tribe in Minnesota. [ABC News]
¶ “25 States Agree To Quadruple The Number Of Heat Pumps In America” • The 25 states that are part of the US Climate Alliance agreed this week to promote policies that will speed up the installation of heat pumps in their states. Combined, those states account for 60% of the US economy and are home to more than half of all Americans. [CleanTechnica]
Air-spirce heat pump heating cycle (State Of Rhode Island)
¶ “US Electric Car Sales Up 147% Since 2021 – CleanTechnica Report” • The US electric car market continues to grow strongly. Yes, Tesla still dominates (that’s not changing anytime soon), but several other automakers are also seeing fast-growing full battery EV sales, and the number of battery EV options on the market has exploded in recent quarters. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Peacham, Vermont, Celebrates Community Solar With A Solarbration” • Peacham, Vermont, population 731, is holding a Solarbration on September 24, 2023 to welcome the Peacham Community Solar installation. At just 150 kW, it may be small compared to other community solar projects, but it will have a big impact on the town. [CleanTechnica]
Peacham community solar project (Image via YouTube)
¶ “Federal Rule Aims To Ease Connection Between New Power And Grid” • A new rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission aims to cut a backlog of energy projects. Among its measures are studying new generators in groups, instead of one-by-one, and letting the first-ready connect to the grid, instead of waiting in line behind slower projects. [StateImpact]
¶ “US Energy Storage Deployments To Exceed 10 GW This Year” • Energy storage, both at home and at the grid-scale, is scaling up. A report from Interact Analysis shows that the US is expected to reach 49.5 GW of installed and operational energy storage capacity. Over 10 GW is expected to be added to the cumulative total in 2023 alone. [pv magazine USA]
Battery energy storage system (Castillo Engineering image)
¶ “This Huge Minnesota Solar Farm Is About To Get Super-Sized” • Minnesota’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, is expanding its Sherco Solar project. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved adding a 250-MW array to the 460 MW solar farm currently being built. The 710 MW project is expected to come online at the end of 2025. [Electrek]
¶ “DOE-Developed Rail Car For Spent Nuclear Fuel Undergoes Final Testing” • The DOE has been busy testing the Atlas rail car, designed to transport spent high-level radioactive waste and nuclear fuel to disposal sites. The US DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy says the specially designed, 12-axle rail car could be ready for use by the end of this year. [FreightWaves]
Have an enchantingly beautiful day.
geoharvey 