Science and Technology:
¶ “Tracking The Sun Makes Solar Panels More Efficient On Land And On Water” • All life on Earth is dependent on energy from the sun. Today, we have solar panels that are incredibly efficient compared to their predecessors from 50 years ago, but that efficiency is compromised if the panels are not oriented properly toward the sun. [CleanTechnica]
Solaflect tracking system (Solarflect image)
¶ “MilliMobile, The World’s Smallest EV, Has No Battery” • The MilliMobile is just 10 mm (0.4 in) square. It was created by researchers at the University of Washington, who will present it to the world at a conference in Madrid in early October. As the MilliMobile moves along flat surfaces, it scavenges energy from ambient light and radio waves. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Redonda: Tiny Caribbean Island’s Transformation To Wildlife Haven” • The incredible eco-restoration of one tiny Caribbean island, transformed from desolate rock to verdant wildlife haven in just a few years, has become a focus for the imaginations of environmentalists worldwide. Today, Redonda is a vibrant home for dozens of threatened species. [BBC]
Redonda (Mike Appleton, Re:wild)
¶ “Ban On Single-Use Plastic Cutlery In Force In England” • A ban on some single-use plastic products is coming into force in England. Shops and hospitality businesses will no longer be able to supply plastic cutlery or certain other plastic items. Around 1.1 billion single-use plates and over four billion pieces of plastic cutlery are used in England every year. [BBC]
¶ “Northvolt Selects Quebec For Its First North American Battery Factory” • Northvolt is coming to Canada, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the US last summer. The incentives in the IRA have put a squeeze on other countries, which are being asked to step up with subsidies of their own to match those the US has made available. [CleanTechnica]
Northvolt factory (Northvolt image)
¶ “Volkswagen Cuts EV Production, Cancels New Wolfsburg Factory” • Volkswagen has reduced the output of electric cars at its German factories and has cancelled plans to build a new $2 billion factory in Wolfsburg, according to a Bloomberg report. Is this good news, bad news, or just news? Let’s dig into both stories to see what answers we find. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Wrightbus Bags Contract Which Could See 150 Hydrogen Buses Sold To Nuclear Power Plant” • Wrightbus has secured a contract which could see 150 hydrogen buses sold to the Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk. The site has ordered four double deck Hydroliners to test. If the test buses are successful, Sizewell C will order up to 150 buses. [Business Live]
Hydroliner bus (Wrightbus image)
¶ “New Cumbria Solar Farm To Power Over 12,000 Homes” • A large new solar farm in Cumbria has lodged initial plans with planning authorities. Developers claim the electricity generated would be enough to power 12,750 homes. The entire solar farm would extend to 104 hectares of farmland and have a lifespan of 40 years. [The Scottish Farmer]
¶ “Taipower Touts Local Wind Power Progress” • As of August, power generated from Taiwan’s wind turbines this year reached 2.89 TWh, 94.1% more than the same period last year, Taipower said. In July, total storage capacity for wind turbine-generated power grew to 2.25 GWh, more than three times the 671 MWh in July 2016, the company said. [Taipei Times]
Wind turbines (Laura Penwell, Pexels)
¶ “Protecting Wildlife At Wind Energy Facilities” • A lot of work goes into planning a wind facility, long before the turbines are installed. One big consideration is protecting the environment and putting in measures to give wildlife safe ways to navigate and places to live. Conservation also means educating the people of the community about wildlife. [Evwind]
¶ “54% Of Portugal’s Electricity Is Now Generated By Renewable Energy” • Portugal has made significant strides in integrating renewable energy sources into its electricity generation. The country has taken advantage of solar power, tidal power wind generation, and hydroelectric power plants. Portugal is using no coal and no nuclear power. [The Portugal News]
Solar array (Tom Fisk, Pexels)
US:
¶ “Many Underserved Communities Face EV ‘Charging Deserts.’ These Five Strategies Can Help” • The rapid acceleration of electric vehicle adoption in the United States comes with the risk of leaving historically disadvantaged communities behind if charging infrastructure isn’t adequately expanded. Here are five ways to address that. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Runaway Costs Create Uncertain Future For Offshore Wind Projects In CT and Other Northeast States” • Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and other Northeast governors, warned the Biden administration of escalating costs that could stall any new wind farm proposals. They blame inflation and supply chain problems. [CT Insider]
Turbine going to sea (Avangrid press photo by Worldview Films)
¶ “One Of America’s Reddest States Wants 100% Green Energy – If Dams Count As Green” • It’s a battle that scrambles traditional political alliances, with US Rep Mike Simpson, a Republican from Idaho, leading the push to remove four dams on the Lower Snake River, while leading Democrats, such as Washington Gov Jay Inslee, urge caution. [The Lawton Constitution]
¶ “OPSB Approves Solar Energy Project In Jackson County” • The Ohio Power Siting Board recently authorized Dixon Run Solar, LLC to construct a 140-MW solar facility to be installed on more than 2,000 acres in Bloomfield Township. The project will occupy approximately 2,085 acres of private leased land, the OPSB said. [Farm and Dairy]
Have a patently worthwhile day.
geoharvey 