Science and Technology:
¶ “EnergyX Aims New Solid-State EV Battery At The 500,000-Mile Car Of The Future” • EVs are just like ordinary gas guzzlers in some respects, including their lifespan. A longer-lasting solid-state EV battery would help cut their lifecycle emissions, and the startup EnergyX is among those that are hammering away at the problem. [CleanTechnica]
Solid-state EV batteries (Courtesy of EnergyX)
¶ “Ocean Thermal Energy: The Future Of Renewable Power?” • Ocean thermal energy conversion technology, which exploits the differing temperatures in different layers of ocean water to create energy, is almost 150 years old, but is only now gaining traction for practical application. It could become an essential source of energy for island nations. [Oil Price]
¶ “Hydropower Making Sustainability Gains With Fish-Safe Turbines” • Innovative, high-performance hydro turbines that enable fish to pass directly through can generate energy while preserving biodiversity, according to studies conducted by Alden Research Laboratory along with the US Electric Power Research Institute. [Power Engineering International]
Hydro turbine (Natel Energy image)
World:
¶ “42% Of New Cars In Netherlands Now Plugin Cars!” • The Dutch market saw an increase in plugin registrations to 11,776 units in October, with the plugin vehicle market thus reaching 42% of the overall auto market last month. That kept the year-to-date score to 43%, mostly thanks to the pure electrics that make up 29% of new vehicle sales. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EVs Are The Only Bright Spot In Global Efforts To Reach Net Zero Emissions” • EV sales are moving at the right speed to reach net zero carbon emissions as outlined in the Paris Agreement. That achievement is shown in an analysis that shows that the EV sector is the only one of 42 indicators assessed that is on track to reach an agreed-upon 2030 target. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Model 3 (Austin Schmid, Unsplash)
¶ “China’s Renewable Energy Boom Powers Global Job Surge, Report Says” • The global energy sector is witnessing a surge in job opportunities fueled by clean technologies, with China contributing over half of this growth, a Paris-based energy watchdog said. It also warned that skill shortages are emerging as an increasing concern. [Radio Free Asia]
¶ “Portugal Just Ran On 100% Renewables For Six Days In A Row” • Portugal started decarbonization with some legacy hydropower, but neither nuclear capacity nor plans for any. That meant it had to figure out how to cut fossil fuel use with new renewables. It committed to building renewables in pledging a 2050 deadline for net-zero carbon emissions in 2016. [Canary Media]
Portugal (Maksym Kaharlytskyi, Unsplash)
¶ “UK-Backed Fund Plans To Mobilize $1.6 Billion For Africa Power” • A UK-government backed renewable energy fund plans to mobilize $1.6 billion to help get electricity to 16 million people and businesses in Africa. The Renewable Energy Performance Platform’s REPP 2 aims to raise $230 million directly and will partner with other financiers. [Financial Post]
¶ “Ireland Holds Firm On 8 GW Of Solar By 2030 Target” • The Irish government said this week that it expects to install 8 GW of solar by 2030. The government said PV should reach existing levels of onshore wind, roughly 4.5 GW, by the mid-late decade. The government said that Ireland will hit the 8-GW target by use of existing instruments. [PV Magazine]
Ireland (Aldo De La Paz, Unsplash)
¶ “Conservative MPs Have Called On Jeremy Hunt To Boost Coastal Communities By Unleashing Britain’s Renewable Power” • With the world’s five largest farms, the UK is already a world leader in traditional offshore wind. But Conservative MPs want to see similar success in floating offshore wind, which allow turbines to be placed farther out to sea. [Daily Express]
¶ “Japanese Support Fishermen By Buying From Fukushima Area” • Since the 2011 meltdowns, the Fukushima nuclear plant stored growing amounts of radioactive waste water. In August, the plant started releasing treated and diluted waste water into the ocean. Many Japanese people are buying fish in support of fisheries in waters near the plant. [VOA Learning English]
Market in Hokkaido (Cindy Chan, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “The Belvidere Plant’s Transition To An EV Plant Has A Bright Future” • Stellantis, which produces Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, is to invest $4.7 billion in the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.. This company aims to reopen the existing plant to produce midsize trucks on two shifts and to establish an EV battery plant in Belvidere. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Top Tesla Gigacasting Supplier Gets Acquired By GM!” • The Tesla Model Y has been a whopping success globally. It is on track to being the highest selling vehicle model of any powertrain in 2023. Some of that has come down to Tooling & Equipment International’s efficient, cheap casting process. But now TEI belongs to GM. [CleanTechnica]
2024 Cadillac Celestiq (Cadillac image)
¶ “Georgia’s Path Forward: Transforming Climate Crisis Into Opportunity With Renewable Energy Growth” • Every few years, the federal government engages experts across the country to develop a national climate assessment. The latest one shows that climate change has arrived. But it also shows a path forward, with solutions in reach. [WGXA]
¶ “Alaska Gets $200 Million For Railbelt Energy Project, Cook Inlet Undersea Cable” • A $206 million federal grant will fund a project to run a 50-mile undersea cable through Cook Inlet, to better connect Railbelt utilities and improve access to renewable sources. Here is an interview about the project, flexibility, and energy security. [Alaska Public Media]
Have a happily cognizant day.
geoharvey 