Science and Technology:
¶ “Vanadium Flow Batteries Stake A Claim For Round The Clock Storage For Renewables” • Flow batteries may be more expensive up front but last for decades and dispatch sunshine for up to 18 hours. By contrast, rows of lithium-ion batteries springing up in the countryside are handy backup to meet peak energy demand for a few hours at a time. [Renew Economy]
Solar farm with battery backup (Yadlamalka image)
¶ “Alysm Energy Develops Non-Flammable Battery Storage Technology” • Leading developer of non-lithium rechargeable battery technology Alysm Energy has announced that it has successfully developed the industry’s first high-performance, non-flammable battery storage technology suitable for warmer climates. [Energy Digital Magazine]
World:
¶ “They Went Hunting For Fossil Fuels. What They Found Could Help Save The World” • When two scientists went looking for fossil fuels beneath the ground in France, they did not expect to discover something which could help tackle the climate crisis. It was hydrogen. Now that they know to look for it, they might find more. But how much can they find? [CNN]
Drilling operations in Kansas (Natural Hydrogen Energy)
¶ “Kazakhstan Has Confirmed Nationalization Of Arcelormittal Subsidiary After Mine Fire Kills At Least 32” • Kazakhstan has confirmed the nationalization of ArcelorMittal Temirtau, which operates the country’s largest steel plants and several coal and ore mines, after a coal mine fire that killed at least 32 workers. Another 14 are still unaccounted for. [ABC News]
¶ “First Autonomous, Electric Aircraft On Earth To Get Approval For Commercial Flights” • An EHang eVTOL aircraft, the EH216-S, has just been approved for commercial flights by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. This is the first such approval anywhere in the world. And the EH216-S is not only electric – it’s also autonomous. [CleanTechnica]
EHang 216 (EHang image)
¶ “ACWA Power Signs Agreements Worth $746 Million At FII7 In Riyadh” • ACWA Power, a leader in energy transition and green hydrogen production and the largest private water desalination company in the world, has signed several agreements worth $746 million on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. [Daily News Egypt]
¶ “Siemens Energy Seeks Government Aid Amidst Market Turbulence” • German firm Siemens Energy AG, a major player in the renewable energy sector, is finding itself grappling with a financial crisis that has prompted a call for substantial support from the government, raising questions about the stability and direction of the industry. [Microgrid News]
Siemens Gamesa headquarters (Zarateman, CC0)
¶ “Rooftop PV Take A Bite Out Of The Australian Grid’s Lunch As Minimum Demand Records Tumble Again” • According to data provider GPE NEMLog, rooftop solar PVs hit a new peak of 48.6% of total generation at 1:50 PM, breaking the record of 48.4% it had set at the start of the month. This took a big bite out of the business of Australia’s main grid. [Renew Economy]
¶ “Climate Change Wreaks Havoc In Cameroon” • Cameroon is especially exposed to climate change. The National Observatory on Climate Change indicates that Cameroon’s location makes it “very exposed” to climate-related dangers, inclluding droughts, floods in its cities, effects of El Niño, monsoons, and rising water levels along the coast. [EL PAÍS English]
Road in Cameroon (Angelo Casto, Unsplash)
¶ “Russia Accuses Ukraine Of Damaging Nuclear Waste Storage As The Battle For Avdiivika Grinds On” • Russia accused Ukraine of damaging a nuclear waste storage facility in a drone strike on the Kursk nuclear power plant while fighting raged on for the control of the key eastern city of Avdiivika, where Russians may have suffered heavy losses. [ABC News]
US:
¶ “Cruise, GM’s Robotaxi Service, Suspends All Of Its Driverless Operations Nationwide” • Cruise, the autonomous vehicle unit owned by General Motors, is suspending driverless operations nationwide after the California Department of Motor Vehicles revoked its license. Cruise began carrying passengers throughout San Francisco just recently. [ABC News]
Waymo (gibblesmash asdf, Unsplash)
¶ “Many Conservative US Politicians Push For Anti-Clean Energy Legislation” • Conservative politicians across the US are sharpening their attacks on EVs as well as making anti-clean energy a clarrion call for philosophic unity. The GOP wants to repeal EV incentives, forgetting that many Republicans are reaping the economic benefits of EVs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Phoenix Uber Riders Can Now Order A Waymo Robotaxi” • Uber and Waymo formed a partnership in the Phoenix metro area. A few days ago, Uber customers were able to get matched with a fully autonomous, all-electric Waymo ride for the first time in the 225+ square miles of Metro Phoenix where Waymo has been operating. [CleanTechnica]
Matching what is nearby (Uber image)
¶ “Republicans Pass Bill Slashing USA Energy Efficiency Funds” • The first major legislation the House GOP passed under Speaker Mike Johnson would cut billions of dollars in consumer rebates for energy efficiency. The $58 billion measure, which funds the Energy Department and other agencies, rescinds more than $5.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act. [Rigzone]
¶ “Even With Vogtle, Georgia Power Says It Needs More Sources of Electricity” • Despite the nuclear units going online, Georgia Power says increased demand for electricity is coming fast. It is asking regulators to let it secure more power generation ahead of schedule. The utility said it wants to build or contract for at least 3,365 GW, mostly of natural gas. [WRDW.com]
Have an inexpressibly decent day.
geoharvey 