Opinion:
¶ “A Perfect Storm For A Nuclear Accident Is Brewing At Koeberg” • Eskom’s project to extend the life of Koeberg’s two reactors for another 20 years is the very definition of crisis management. Koeberg’s licences run out in July next year. If it doesn’t get licences by then, both reactors will have to shut down. But Koeberg simply is not safe. [BusinessLIVE]
Koeberg nuclear plant (Paul Scott, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
Science and Technology:
¶ “A New Automated Home EV Charger – Will This Tech Ever Thrive?” • Two companies, KEBA and Easelink, are behind a new push for automated charging. With their product, a driver does not need to plug in, just place the vehicle over a charging matrix. There is a question about whether the convenience of the system will make it worth the cost. [CleanTechnica]
COP28:
¶ “Is the world about to promise to ditch fossil fuels?” • COP28 may be close to a big breakthrough on reducing the gases heating our planet, its UAE hosts believe. Showing “cautious optimism”, the UAE negotiating team believes COP28 is getting ready to commit to phasing down fossil fuels over coming decades. Or even ditching them altogether. [BBC]
Smoke (Travis Leery, Unsplash)
¶ “Are The Solutions To Fight Climate Change Making Progress?” • It’s not all doom and gloom at the COP28 climate summit. The Earth’s climate is changing rapidly and urgent action is needed to avoid the most damaging consequences for people and nature. But there is hope, and delegates in Dubai are discussing several very concrete ways to limit warming. [BBC]
¶ “Wind Energy Lifeline Grows In Ukraine With Phase II Of Biggest Wind Farm In Eastern Europe” • Despite all the talk about nuclear energy over at the COP28 conference, national security risks have taken center stage. After almost two years of full-on war in Ukraine, the security and resiliency advantages of wind energy are clear. [CleanTechnica]
Wind farm in Ukraine (Courtesy of DTEK)
¶ “TotalEnergies Signs Agreement On Investment For 1-GW Wind Power Project In Kazakhstan” • TotalEnergies’ signed an agreement for the Mirny wind project in Kazakhstan at COP28. Mirny will supply more than 1 million people with electricity and will avoid the emission of 3.5 million tons of CO₂ annually in the country. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
World:
¶ “How Old Fishing Nets Could Be Part Of The Climate Crisis Solution” • Brikole, is a startup “circular business” that recycles discarded nets from the industrial tuna fishing industry in the Seychelles. It converts the nets into products such as bags, hammocks or board shorts. Recycling the discarded products, it cleans up waste as it offers jobs. [CNN]
Fishing boat (Rassin Vannier,
Seychelles News Agency, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Olive Oil Price Skyrockets As Spanish Drought Bites” • Spain is the world’s biggest olive oil producer, covering 70% of EU consumption and 45% of that of the entire world. So a persistent drought in olive-producing areas of Spain has an enormous impact. Olive oil prices have increased by more than 70% this year alone after a sharp rise in 2022. [BBC]
¶ “EVs Take 90.6% Share In Norway” • November saw plugin EVs take 90.6% share in Norway, up from 89.3% year on year. Petrol-only vehicles saw record low share of 0.6% of the auto market. Overall auto volume was 10,348 units, somewhat below seasonal norms. The Tesla Model Y was again September’s bestseller, and several new models debuted. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Model Y (Michal Lauko, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “New BYD Vessel Can Transport 7,000 Vehicles Around The World” • BYD has its own shipping vessel to carry thousands of plugin vehicles around the world. Explorer 1 was built by Guangzhou Shipbuilding International, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. It just completed a 7-day trial based out of Yantai, Shandong. [CleanTechnica]
US:
¶ “‘Our Future Is Electric,’ But GM’s Chief Sustainability Officer Wants More EV Infrastructure Support” • Kristen Siemen, chief sustainability officer at General Motors , appealed for EV policy support and infrastructure to help make our transportation all electric. A robust EV infrastructure is needed for of profitable plug-in passenger vehicles. [CleanTechnica]
2025 Sierra EV Elevation (Provided by GM)
¶ “Eleven Cool Things And Ten Concerns About The Tesla Cybertruck” • Here are lists of all the quirks and perks of the Cybertruck, based on a 40-minute review from Marques Brownlee. If you really want to get the low-down on the Cybertruck, by all means use the link provided, but these lists are a good, quick alternative. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Cubico Commissions Mississippi Solar Project” • Cubico Sustainable Investments has commissioned Delta’s Edge, a 135-MW solar PV project situated in Carroll County, Mississippi, USA. With this site now producing power, Cubico now has over 750 MW of operational renewable energy projects in the USA and over 1.4 GW across USA and Mexico. [reNews]
Solar project (Cubico image)
¶ “Approved Oil Company Secures Deal To Power All NYC Agencies With Renewable Diesel” • New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services has awarded Approved Oil Company a multi-year contract. Under this contract, the company will supply renewable diesel to the fleets of various New York City agencies. [Biomass Magazine]
¶ “Regulators Weigh Another Georgia Power Rate Hike” • In Georgia, regulators are considering Georgia Power’s proposal to raise electricity rates to pay for the two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle. Under a deal the Public Service Commission is considering, monthly bills would increase by just under $9 for the typical residential customer. [WABE]
Have a totally copacetic day.
geoharvey 