Science and Technology:
¶ “NYU Tandon Researchers Unlock Energy-Efficient Solution to Global Water Crisis” • Researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering have achieved a major breakthrough in Redox Flow Desalination, an emerging electrochemical technique that can turn seawater into potable drinking water and store affordable renewable energy. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Impacts And Benefits of Hosting Large Solar – Stakeholder Perceptions” • Despite national polls showing broad support for large-scale solar among rural Americans, opposition from local residents and elected officials around proposed LSS projects is on the rise. But a lack of data on community perceptions remains, and with it a lack of analysis. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Amazon’s Record Drought Driven By Climate Change” • One of our planet’s most vital defences against global warming is itself being ravaged by climate change. Often described as the “lungs of the planet”, the Amazon plays a key role in removing warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But rapid deforestation has left it more vulnerable to weather extremes. [BBC]
Drought in an Amazon tributary (Copernicus Sentinel)
¶ “Global Warming Was Primary Cause Of Unprecedented Amazon Drought, Study Find” • Global warming caused by humans, and not El Niño, was the primary driver of last year’s severe drought in the Amazon that sent rivers to record lows, required deliveries of food and drinking water to hundreds of river communitie, researchers said. [ABC News]
¶ “Electric Cargo Bikes Are Twice As Efficient And Ten Times Cheaper Than A Delivery Van, Study Finds” • A recent study found that an electric cargo bike, specifically a Bullitt cargo bike, is twice as efficient and over ten times cheaper to operate than a van in urban areas. Ten times cheaper is not chump change by any means. [CleanTechnica]
eBullitt cargo bike (Courtesy of Larry vs Harry)
¶ “EU Sees Significant Drop in Carbon Emissions Amidst Growth Of Renewable Energy” • The EU saw a remarkable 8% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels last year. It was the second-largest annual drop recorded thus far. This decline was primarily due to the rapid growth of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. [EnergyPortal.eu]
¶ “Resolv Secures Grid Connection For 600-MW Romanian Wind Farm” • Rezolv Energy has signed a grid connection agreement for the Dunarea East & West wind farms, a 600-MW project in Constanța county, Romania. Work will commence in line with the Dunarea project timeline, with a view to the power coming onstream from 2026. [reNews]
Wind farm (Wolfgang Hasselmann, Unsplash)
¶ “Greece Breaks Records In Renewables, Energy Efficiency In 2023” • The share of renewable electricity production including large hydropower plants reached a record high of 57% in Greece in 2023. The sector covered more than half of demand for the first time. Gas consumption declined 10.1%. Wind power capacity topped 5 GW. [Balkan Green Energy News]
¶ “Reports: France To Push UK Government For Additional Support For Faltering Nuclear Projects” • The fallout from EDF’s confirmation its flagship Hinkley Point nuclear project is facing further delays continues, with reports that French Ministers are getting set to call on their UK counterparts to help shoulder some of the ballooning costs. [Business Green]
Nuclear plant construction (EDF image)
US:
¶ “Historic California Rain Could Foreshadow More Extreme Rainfall In Coming Weeks” • More than a month’s worth of rain fell in a span of three hours in San Diego on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The city saw its wettest January day on record and wettest overall day in nearly 100 years with 2.73 inches of rain. [ABC News]
¶ “US Offshore Wind Industry Comes Roaring Back To The Tune Of 3.7 GW” • The US offshore wind industry suffered one blow after another last year, and two projects totalling 2.2 GW, planned for the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey, were cancelled. But the state’s Board of Public Utilities just approved two projects with 3.7 GW of capacity. [CleanTechnica]
Offshore wind turbine (Courtesy of energyRE)
¶ “Biden Set To Withhold Approval Of LNG Terminals In Gulf Of Mexico” • The White House is directing the DOE to expand its evaluation of new LNG terminals in the Gulf of Mexico to consider its impact on climate change, as well as on the economy and national security, people in the Biden administration told the New York Times. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “A Sustainable Skyscraper Grows In Brooklyn Thanks To Alloy” • Alloy is an architectural and design firm that focus on property in New York City, especially Brooklyn. Its most recent project is a 44 story residential building in downtown Brooklyn. Everything in the building, from ovens to elevators, operates on electricity from renewable sources. [CleanTechnica]
Skyscraper in Brooklyn (Courtesy of Alloy)
¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Achieves Major Milestones In Advancing Solar Energy Development In The Western US” • The Interior Department released its latest roadmap for solar energy development, and the Bureau of Land Management announced progress on 1,7 GW of solar projects and 1.3 GW of batteries in Arizona, California, and Nevada. [SolarQuarter]
¶ “Renewable Power Facility Coming To Ouachita Parish” • The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved an Entergy Louisiana solar facility in Ouachita Parish. Entergy LA said that Black & Veatch will provide full engineering, procurement and construction services to the Sterlington project. It and another facility will add 225 MW in the parish. [KNOE]
Have a famously gratifying day.
geoharvey 