Science and Technology:
¶ “Zeroing In On EV Batteries With More Storage And Faster Charging” • A novel lithium-based electrolyte material can be used to develop solid-state batteries that charge faster and store more energy than conventional designs. Experiments showed the solid-electrolyte is stable in normal air environments and inhibits the growth of dendrites. [CleanTechnica]
Solid-state battery graphic (ORNL image)
¶ “ORNL Scientists Close The Cycle On How To Recycle Mixed Plastics” • Mixed plastics are difficult to separate into to their constituent polymers. To address the issue, scientists at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory used careful chemical design, neutron scattering, and high-performance computing to develop a recycling process. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Siemens-Led Group Completes Test of 100% Renewable Hydrogen in Gas Turbine” • A consortium that includes Siemens Energy and ENGIE said it completed what the group called the world’s first operational test of a gas turbine fueled with 100% renewable hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced by a 1-MW electrolyzer at the site. [POWER Magazine] Does this have value?
Gas turbine (US DOE image)
World:
¶ “Is An Australian EV Road User Tax Inevitable?” • EVs made headlines again this week with the Australian High Court decision to rescind an EV road user tax based on kilometres travelled, introduced by the Victorian state government in July 2021. The issue will doubtless be challenged by the states to base taxation on use of the road. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Jamaica Tackles Kingston Harbor Plastic Pollution With New Technology” • Jamaica is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. But Jamaica suffers from the same curse of pollution, much of it from plastics, as other human enclaves. The Kingston Harbor Cleanup Project is using technology to return the harbor to its former glory. [CleanTechnica]
Jamaicans who clean up (Courtesy of Clean Kingston Harbor)
¶ “Orlen Group And Northland Power Greenlight Baltic Power Wind Project” • The Orlen Group has committed to develop the Baltic Power wind farm off Poland, in partnership with Canada’s Northland Power. The company has also started construction of a terminal that could facilitate five more wind farms for a total capacity of 5.2 GW. [Offshore Magazine]
¶ “A 13-GW Renewable Energy Project Will Benefit Jammu and Kashmir” • Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that the 13-GW renewable energy project approved by the cabinet would benefit Jammu and Kashmir, along with other parts of the country. The government is uninterrupted and reliable power supply to the people. [Greater Kashmir]
Houseboats in Kashmir (Isa Macouzet, Unsplash)
¶ “Researchers Make Astounding Reveal About The Cost Of Solar Power And Battery Storage” • A study by the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change indicates that affordable and eco-friendly energy options got so much cheaper to install in the last ten years that they might just be all we need by 2050, Interesting Engineering reports. [MSN]
¶ “Australia’s Main Grid Hits New Renewable Energy Record – On Another Weekday” • Australia’s main grid set a record for renewable energy production on Friday, for the second time in the week, with a peak of 71.3%, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator. The record was set over a 30-minute trading period ending at noon. [Renew Economy]
Solar field and farm field (Nextracker image)
US:
¶ “What Does It Take To Modernize The US Electric Grid?” • The US electric grid was largely built in the 1960s and 1970s. While the system has been improved, aging infrastructure is struggling to meet our modern electricity needs, such as renewable energy and growing electrification for buildings and transportation. Now the US is addressing the problem. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Colorado Adopts Clean Cars Standards, But Leaves Benefits On The Table” • In a win for the climate, public health, and residents’ pocketbooks, Colorado officials adopted a Clean Cars policy, ensuring that its people will have access to more electric and hybrid vehicles. By 2032, 82% of new vehicles sold in the state must be plug-in types. [CleanTechnica]
Jenny Ueberberg in her Tesla (Jenny Ueberberg, Unsplash)
¶ “Grain Belt Express Transmission Line Nears Final Approval” • The Grain Belt Express was stalled with regulatory battles and legal challenges for over a decade. Now one of the last hurdles has been cleared, as the Missouri Public Service Commission dropped its objections after the developer agreed to deliver half of the electricity to Missouri. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Grid Resilience Projects On Kauaʻi Receive $18 Million In Federal Funds” • The US DOE is putting $3.5 billion to improve electric grid resilience across the country, and a portion of that funding will go towards Hawaii’s clean energy goals. Two of the technology demonstrations projects by the Hawaii State Energy Office are to get grants. [Hawaii Public Radio]
Solar array (Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative)
¶ “Felch OKs Permit For Groveland Mine Solar Power Farm” • A plan to establish a solar farm at the former Groveland Mine has gained the final local government authorization needed to move forward. The 120-MW array in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will sit on 500 to 550 acres, much of it at an open pit mine that had closed in 1981. [The Mining Journal]
¶ “Corner Cutting Of Nuclear Proportions As Duo Admit To Falsifying Safety Tests 29 Times” • Two men this week confessed to deliberately bypassing testing protocols that are essential to keeping nuclear power plants safe. This happened not once, not twice, but 29 times. The testing was faked at a number of plants over a period of a decade. [Theregister]
Have a quite excellent day.
geoharvey 