Opinion:
¶ “Debunking The “Dirty” Solar Panels And Battery Myth” • The latest schmutz about solar panels and batteries circulating online is that both are “dirty,” with unacceptably high carbon emissions and environmental impacts. The message is that it’s better to stick with good old reliable coal, oil, and methane gas than take a risk on new technologies. [CleanTechnica]
Rooftop solar system (yue chan, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “More Than Forty Dead In Liberia After Leaking Fuel Tanker Exploded As People Tried To Collect Gas” • A fuel tanker leaking gasoline exploded this week as people gathered to collect the fuel, leaving more than 40 dead, authorities in Liberia said. The blast also injured at least 83 people. Similar deadly accidents have happened elsewhere. [ABC News]
¶ “Brighton & Hove City Council In The UK Steps Up Measures To Improve Air Quality” • An idling engine can emit up to twice as greehouse gas as an engine in motion. The Brighton & Hove City Council is introducing a measure to help reduce emissions from idling. Motorists could get a £40 fine if they leave parked vehicles running. [CleanTechnica]
Mercedes-Benz eCitaro bus (Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz)
¶ “Tesla Model Y Going To Be Top Selling Vehicle In The World In 2023” • While the numbers are not yet in, the Tesla Model Y was the top selling vehicle model in the world in the first quarter of 2023, in the second quarter of 2023, and in the third quarter of 2023, and the fourth quarter always Tesla’s best. It’s clear what 2023’s the top selling car will be. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Scatec’s 540-MW PV, 1,140-MWh Battery Storage Project In South Africa Begins Supplying Electricity” • Scatec announced that the Kenhardt plants in the Northern Cape Province, are sending power to the South African grid. The plant is designed to deliver 150 MW of dispatchable power to the national grid year-round, from 5 am to 9:30 pm. [CleanTechnica]
Battery storage system (Courtesy of Scatec and BYD)
¶ “Chinese Company To Develop 10 GW Of Solar In Egypt” • China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian government to develop a 10-GW solar energy project, Egypt’s government says. Fully developed, the project could save more than $1 billion in natural gas costs. [PV Magazine]
¶ “2023: A Year In UK Energy Industry Successes” • This year has been full of twists and u-turns, but the UK energy industry has persevered towards a net-zero trajectory. To celebrate the energy industry’s collective efforts, Current± outlines some of the top decarbonisation successes of 2023 in the UK, with comments from key industry players. [Current News]
GE Haliade turbine (Dogger Bank image)
US:
¶ “In Memphis, Community Action Helps Solar Plus Storage Triumph Over New Thermal Generation” • A Tennessee Valley Authority plan to spend billions on gas-powered plants led to public outcry. Now Memphis Gas Light and Water has scrapped its proposed gas-fired plants and will invest in solar power and battery storage. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Mexico Proposes New Regulations To Reuse Fracking Wastewater” • New Mexico environmental officials proposed a regulatory framework for reusing wastewater with a focus on the used, salty byproducts of oil and natural gas drilling in a major US production zone. Critics fear the plan might only spur more drilling for petroleum. [ABC News]
Pumpjack (Eric Kounce, public domain)
¶ “Utilities And Environmentalists Call For Big Reforms To Renewable Energy Law” • During the coming legislative session, Vermont lawmakers plan to take up a bill to strengthen the renewable energy standard. It will likely require utilities to source even more of their power from renewable energy, and rely more heavily on local and regional sources. [VTDigger]
¶ “BLUETTI Launches BLUETTI Solar +, An All-in-One Solar Power Program For Texas Homeowners” • BLUETTI, an energy storage company, introduced BLUETTI Solar +, which caters specifically to Texan homeowners who want solar and battery-powered home systems. This initiative aims to be seamless, cost-effective, and hassle-free. [SolarQuarter]
BLUETTI Solar + system (BLUETTI image)
¶ “Treasury’s Proposed Clean Hydrogen PTC Rule Disappoints Power Industry” • The Treasury Department released proposed regulations and guidance defining a tax credit for production of “clean hydrogen,” a significant supply-side incentive. Though long-awaited, the measure has stirred up strong disappointment from the power industry. [POWER Magazine]
¶ “40% Of US Electricity Is Now Emissions-Free ” • With monthly data known through October, we don’t have a complete picture of the changes for 2023 but some trends seem locked in for the year. Energy from wind and solar is roughly equal to that of coal, and total carbon-emissions-free sources will account for roughly 40% of US electricity production. [Ars Technica]
Have an utterly okay day.
geoharvey 
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