Opinion:
¶ “We Can’t Let Aging Transmission Stall Clean Energy Progress” • The power lines and components that once bought prosperity to far-flung rural communities and illuminated modern cities are simply not up to the job of managing the surge of new renewable energy or batteries consumers are demanding. Our grid planning and management must evolve. [CleanTechnica]
Power lines (Andrey Metelev, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “Major International Financing Deal To Get Vietnam Off Coal Moves Ahead While It Locks Up Climate Defenders” • Last year, the Just Energy Transition Partnership announced that it would help Vietnam get funds to achieve its climate targets, including reaching net zero by 2050. At COP28, Vietnam showed a plan to do its part. But climate acitvists are in jail. [CNN]
¶ “Takeaways From COP28: What Does The Climate Deal Say?” • Nearly 200 countries agreed to a new climate deal at the COP28 talks in Dubai, after two weeks of negotiations characterized by controversy and bitter divisions over the future of fossil fuels. Some experts call the decision historic. Others say it’s filled with a “litany of loopholes.” Here is a review. [CNN]
Pipeline to nowhere (JJ Ying, Unsplash)
¶ “Japanese Refineries Close As Japan’s Petroleum Consumption Falls” • The US Energy Information Administration forecast in its Short-Term Energy Outlook that Japan would have the lowest annual petroleum consumption 2024 since 1980, in part due to its aging and declining population. Reduced demand is already affecting Japan’s refining industry. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “General Motors Did Not Get The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Memo, Either” • GM raised eyebrows last week, when it announced a hydrogen fuel cell partnership with the US specialty truck firm Autocar. Apparently that was just the tip of the fuel cell iceberg. GM has just announced a new partnership with another leading truck maker, Komatsu. [CleanTechnica]
Electric mining truck by Komatsu (Komatsu image)
¶ “Portugal’s Energy Transition Goals Pumped Up By Hydro” • Portugal sourced a record 72% of its electricity from clean power sources over the first 11 months of 2023, up from 56% over the same period in 2022, thanks to electricity generation from hydro-electric sources being more than doubled, according to data from think tank Ember. [Reuters]
¶ “EIB Agrees To A €5 Billion Wind Counter-Guarantee Scheme” • The European Investment Bank’s Board of Directors has signed off on a €5 billion counter-guarantee scheme to improve access to finance for wind turbine manufacturers. The EIB expects their guarantee to support up to €80 billion of investments in wind energy projects. [reNews]
Wind turbines (Thomas Reaubourg, Unsplash)
¶ “Renewables Surpass 40% In UK Electricity Mix” • Renewable energy has reached a historic peak in the UK, at more than 40% of the country’s electricity generation during the latest quarter. That’s according to the Drax Electric Insights report, which suggests this growth resulted in the lowest recorded carbon intensity of 143 g CO₂e/kWh. [Energy Live News]
¶ “This New ‘World’s Largest’ Wind Turbine Makes Power In Severe Typhoons” • China’s Mingyang Smart Energy rolled out the world’s largest offshore wind turbine. Mingyang designed the MySE 18.X-20MW to lower the Levelized Cost of Energy and ensure long-term returns. It has a modular, lightweight design, with high efficiency and reliability. [Electrek]
Ming Yang wind turbine (Ming Yang image)
¶ “Environment Groups Slam Ramokgopa’s Nuclear Power Announcement” • Environmental activists criticised the South African electricity minister’s announcement of a procurement for 2,500 MW of nuclear capacity as against rules for approval. They said independent modelling shows that nuclear power is neither affordable nor needed. [The Mail & Guardian]
US:
¶ “Electric Vehicle Prices Get MUCH Closer To Conventional Vehicle Prices!” • Most of a Cox update on the average sale prices of new cars is just trends in the overall auto industry. But they decided to slip in some big notes regarding EVs at the end, and they buried a huge gem in the very last line: EV prices have fallen almost to those of traditional cars! [CleanTechnica]
Jenny Ueberberg in her Tesla (Jenny Ueberberg, Unsplash)
¶ “The IRA in 2023: Building Up for Action” • This is a good time to reflect on the progress made so far on the Inflation Reduction Act. While some programs are still under development and not yet available for consumers, some have effects already. There has been enough work happening to ensure that the act will deliver significant, lasting benefits. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Energy And Its Cheaper Bills Are Coming To More Disadvantaged Communities” • When a lightning storm knocked out power in Doris Brown’s neighborhood, her solar-powered home suddenly became a refuge for frantic neighbors without electricity. Non-profits had installed a solar system to make her home into a “hub home.” [Stateline.org]
Doris Brown at home (Courtesy of Solar United Neighbors)
¶ “Year in Review for DOE Clean Energy Innovation and Outlooks for 2024” • In 2023, we witnessed numerous exciting developments by the DOE while partisan fighting in Congress threatened to derail its ability to act as needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, create good-paying jobs, and save money on energy bills. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Connecticut Needs Offshore Wind Energy Now” • Connecticut residents pay the highest rates for electricity in the continental US. Offshore wind power will help to provide much needed energy on a large-scale, can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide stable energy costs for generations to come, among many other benefits. [CT Mirror]
Have a super salubrious day.
geoharvey 
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