Opinion:
¶ “The EV Revolution In The US Is Just Getting Started” • This year is expected to set another EV sales record both for volume and total market share. Colin McKerracher of BloombergNEF projects EV sales in the US this year will total about 1.9 million units or 13% of new car purchases. This year should also see fewer of the supply constraints. [CleanTechnica]
Electric Porsche (Bob Osias, Unsplash, cropped)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Can The Dream Of Fusion Power Be Realized?” • For the better part of a century, astronomers and physicists have known that a process called thermonuclear fusion has kept the Sun and the stars shining for millions or even billions of years. And ever since that discovery, they’ve dreamed of using that energy source to power the modern world. [Canary Media]
¶ “Sodium Batteries Challenge Lithium-Ion On Cost, Supply Chain” • One key area of interest for a low-cost alternative to lithium is sodium. But compared to lithium, sodium is heavy. Nevertheless, sodium batteries are relatively inexpensive and free from thorny supply chain issues, and they are starting to bust into the mainstream market. [CleanTechnica]
Sodium-ion battery schematic (Courtesy of PNNL)
World:
¶ “Conflict, Climate Change And AI Get Top Billing For Meeting In Davos” • With the climate crisis, wars upon us, and AI, climate, conflict, a divided world and the rise of artificial intelligence round out a to-do list of global priorities at this year’s edition the World Economic Forum’s gabfest of business, political and other elites in Davos, Switzerland. [ABC News]
¶ “Is Seabed Mining An Economic Necessity Or A Hazard?” • The Metals Company, uses remote-controlled machines the size of trucks “to scoop up rocks sitting on the sea floor.” Testing is going on, but the Canadian business hopes to get authorisation to start commercial mining in international waters in the north Pacific as early as the end of 2025. [BBC]
Subsea Collector (The Metals Company image)
¶ “EU Built Record New Wind Farms Last Year But Lags Behind Green Energy Goal” • European Union countries built 17 GW of new wind power farms in 2023, the most for any year so far, but still not enough to reach the renewable energy goal, industry data showed. The EU goal for 2030 requires at least 37 GW of new wind power be added per year. [Reuters]
¶ “Ten-Fold Solar Growth Needed In Climate Fight, Says PV ‘Godfather’” • Nations at COP28 may have agreed to help triple renewable energy capacity globally in seven years, but a pioneer of PV technology wants the solar industry to focus on a larger goal: increase the yearly installed capacity by 10 times, in the next 10 years. [Eco-Business]
Perovskite solar cells (National University of Singapore image)
¶ “Dutch Renewable Energy Production Surges, Reaching New Highs” • During the last year, 13% more renewable energy was generated in the Netherlands than in 2022. Wind and solar energy are the main sources, with biomass also producing a share. This aligns with the goals set by the Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth of 2013. [Innovation Origins]
¶ “China’s State Grid Spending To Match Renewables” • State Grid Corp of China will maintain its annual investment budget at over 500 billion yuan ($70 billion) in 2024, after spending hit a record last year in a bid to keep up with the nation’s expansion of clean energy. The annual figure is in line with the company’s five-year plan. [Yahoo Finance]
Great Wall (Bruce Röttgers, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Iconic Fishing Shacks In Portland, Maine, Destroyed As Coast Sees Historic Water Levels” • Iconic fishing shacks in Portland, Maine, were washed away when the coast saw record water levels, as storms sweep across the country. Water levels at the Portland tide gauge set a new record on Saturday, surpassing the previous record set in 1978. [ABC News]
¶ “What I Learned At Himiway’s Booth At CES 2024, Plus Its Eight New Models!” • Himiway Bikes, based in Brea, California, announced several exciting new products and innovations in the e-bike industry at CES 2024. The company unveiled four new series and a total of eight new electric bike models that are set to launch in 2024. [CleanTechnica]
Himiway Rambler Upgraded (Himiway image)
¶ “US EV Market Grows 29% In 4th Quarter, Tesla Holds 56% Market Share” • The US electric vehicle market continues to grow, despite many headlines implying the contrary. In the 4th quarter, sales of full battery EVs were up 29% compared to sales in the 4th quarter of 2022. Compared to the 4th quarter of 2021, sales were up 122%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Bills Would Bring Shared Solar To Appalachian Power Territory, Expand Program For Dominion Customers” • Two Virginia lawmakers are seeking to expand the availability of shared solar, or community solar, in Virginia. Such a program allows a customer to buy electricity from a solar company and receive credit for it on their electric bill. [Cardinal News]
Solar farm being built (Dimension Renewable Energy image)
¶ “Top Range for 2023 EVs Was 516 Miles on a Single Charge in USA” • In model year 2023, the highest top range for an EV was 516 miles on a single charge, while the median range for all EV models rose to a new high of 270 miles. This is quite an increase from 2011, when four models were available with ranges from 63 to 94 miles per charge. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Delegate Mike Jones Proposes Halting New Fossil Fuel Projects In Virginia” • A first-time Democratic delegate proposed a bill to halt all new fossil fuel-related projects in Virginia. House Bill 28 would put a pause on approving new natural gas or coal-fired power plants, pipelines, oil refineries, and even import or export terminals used for fossil fuels. [VPM News]
Have a imaginatively planned day.
geoharvey 
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