Science and Technology:
¶ “ETH Zurich Process Uses Sunlight To Remove Carbon Dioxide From The Atmosphere” • Researchers at ETH Zurich have found a solution that captures carbon dioxide when it is in the dark and releases it when it is in the light. The sun can be used to drive the process instead of heat energy that is used in conventional processes. [CleanTechnica]
Capturing and releasing carbon dioxide (ETH Zurich image)
¶ “Human ‘Behavioural Crisis’ At Root Of Climate Breakdown, Say Scientists” • Record heat, record emissions, record fossil fuel consumption. One month out from COP28, the world is further than ever from reaching its climate goals. At the root of these problems is a human “behavioural crisis,” a term coined by an interdisciplinary team of scientists. [The Guardian]
World:
¶ “Amazon Rainforest: Deforestation Rate Halved In 2023” • The rate of deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon fell by nearly 50% in 2023 compared to 2022, space agency data suggests. Brazil’s environment ministry said it was the lowest deforestation rate recorded in the last five years. Nevertheless, the deforested area is over six times the size of New York City. [BBC]
Amazon deforestation (Andre Dib, WWF)
¶ “What The US Attack In Yemen Means For Oil Prices, Inflation” • US airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen escalated a long conflict over a shipping route that holds significant implications for oil prices and inflation. The military operation, in which the US partnered with the UK, came in response to ongoing attacks on freight ships in the Red Sea. [ABC News]
¶ “Pumped Hydro Accelerating Into Grid Storage Future” • A lot of great pumped hydro news has come along from around the world in the past month, so a bit of a round up is in order. As a reminder, pumped hydro is the gravity storage solution that has actually been put to common use, unlike concrete blocks, hillside rail systems, and elevators. [CleanTechnica]
Pumped hydro reservoir (Lukas Marek, Unsplash)
¶ “Nuclear Continues To Lag Far Behind Renewables In China Deployments” • The modularity and ease of manufacturing of wind and solar means that it is easy for facilities made of them to scale up massively. Tracking capacity growth in China for scaling nuclear capacity vs renewables since 2014 shows that nuclear power lags far behind. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Snow-Capped Mountains at Risk from Climate Change” • Humans rely on those natural water storage just as much if not more than what we build. When the spring rains and summer sun melt this snowpack, it flows downhill to thirsty landscapes. About a quarter of the world relies on the water stored as snowpack in mountains. [CleanTechnica]
Ansel Adams Wilderness (Alan Rhoades, LBNL)
¶ “Agreeing On Green Hydrogen” • Green hydrogen and wind or solar PVs will be intricately connected, as early green hydrogen projects show. Most of the first green hydrogen plants could give a second export option to existing renewables projects. Also, legislation strengthens the case for co-location, because costs are cut in that case. [PV Magazine]
US:
¶ “Advancing Puerto Rico’s Grid Recovery And Modernization in 2023” • In response to the crisis reignited by Hurricane Fiona, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm created the DOE’s Puerto Rico Grid Recovery and Modernization Team. Funding will incentivize up to 40,000 residential solar PV and battery systems for vulnerable households. [CleanTechnica]
Energy Secretary Granholm announcing funding (PR-ERF)
¶ “$80 Million From Investing In America Agenda To Address Legacy Pollution By Plugging Orphaned Wells In Texas” • The Interior Department announced a nearly $80 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Texas to continue plugging, capping, and reclaiming orphaned oil and gas wells across the state. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Plus Power Activates 185-MW, 565-MWh Battery System In Hawaii” • Plug Power has activated a large battery storage system that can deliver 185 MW for 565 MWh near Honolulu. Though it is not widely recognized, Plug Power is involved in sixty energy storage projects either already operating or under development across the US and Canada. [CleanTechnica]
Big battery in Hawaii (Courtesy of Plus Power)
¶ “Michigan Lawmakers Have More Energy Priorities In 2024” • Michigan entered 2024 with a host of new laws to transform how the state gets its electricity, from a mandate for 100% clean energy by 2040 to a new permitting system for large-scale wind and solar projects. But energy policy ideas are on the table, and people on both sides feel frustrated. [Bridge Michigan]
¶ “NASA Nixes Solar Power From Space (At Least For Now)” • A study from NASA evaluated whether Space Based Solar Power could compete with terrestrial electricity and reduce emissions. The authors concluded that the technology won’t be ready for prime time by 2050. They did, however, offer a roadmap for those who wish to pursue the idea. [Payload Space]
Sun (NASA Goddard SDO)
¶ “Biofuels Leader Warns ‘EVs Are Coming’” • Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, warned that ethanol makers must reduce carbon intensity scores of their fuels or face less demand for their products, caused by a combination of the rise of EVs and increased ethanol production in Brazil. [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
¶ “Block Island Is Now 100% Renewable” • Block Island started 2024 by ending dependance on fossil fuels and switching to 100% renewably generated electricity. This follows a decision by the State of Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to grant a permit for the Block Island Utility District’s plan for 100% renewable procurement. [Block Island Times]
Have an inspiringly considered day.
geoharvey 