Opinion:
¶ “The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind And Shining From The Sun: Not Small Modular Reactors” • There is plenty of hype about small modular reactors. But SMR technology is unproven and risky. SMRs have the same problems as their big ancestors: high cost, long-lasting nuclear waste, and mining operations that leave piles of toxic waste. [Sierra Club]
Rolls Royce SMR (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US DOE)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Separating Critical Materials From Dissolved Batteries” • A simple way to separate metal ions from a simulated battery electrode mixture was exhibited by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers. Their process relies on basic chemical principles and requires no specialty chemicals, binding agents, membranes, or toxic solvents. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “52 Killed In Clashes In The Disputed Oil-Rich African Region Of Abyei” • Gunmen attacked villagers in the oil-rich region of Abyei claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, leaving at least 52 people dead, including a UN peacekeeper, an official said. The attackers were armed youth who migrated to the state last year because of flooding in their areas. [ABC News]
Abyei dwelling (Sudan Envoy, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “French Towns Left Uninsured As Climate Change Increases Risks” • Some 2,000 towns and cities across France found they were uninsured at the start of the year after insurance companies raised rates or ended contracts due to costs relating to storms and flooding. Climate change is forcing a rethinking of the whole insurance industry. [Yahoo News UK]
¶ “New Electric Buses For Waterloo” • In 2020, the Region of Waterloo, Ontario, discontinued purchases of diesel-only buses, switching to hybrid and electric options. The first of Grand River Transit’s electric buses will begin service next month as part of its zero-emission bus pilot project. Ten additional electric buses are expected this year. [CleanTechnica]
Electric bus at charging station (ConceptConcentric Electric Bus)
¶ “Statkraft Aims To Build 3 GW Of Renewable Energy Projects By 2030” • Renewable energy firm Statkraft announced plans to roll out 3 GW of renewable energy projects in Ireland by 2030, which will include its 500-MW North Irish Sea Array offshore wind project. This would make a significant contribution to the State’s reaching its renewable energy target. [RTE]
Australia:
¶ “Origin Energy Invests $400 Million In Battery At Mortlake Power Station” • Origin Energy has signalled the construction of a substantial battery at the Mortlake Power Station in south-west Victoria, with an investment commitment of about $400 million. The Mortlake battery is to have capacities of 300 MW and up to 650 MWh. [Australian Manufacturing]
Mortlake Power Station (Origin Energy image)
¶ “Milestone For Hydrogen Generation In NT” • Hydrogen has been produced in the Northern Territory for the first time at Charles Darwin University, a step towards founding a hydrogen generation industry in the Territory. CDU said it will use its facility to train the skilled workers needed for a successful green hydrogen industry. [Energy Magazine]
¶ “New South Wales Council Turns To Solar To Power Water And Sewer Sites” • The MidCoast Council in the Hunter region of New South Wales has made the shift to solar to help power its water and sewer infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to powering all council operations with 100% renewable energy by 2040. [pv magazine Australia]
Water treatment plant (MidCoast Council image)
US:
¶ “States Remain In The Lead On Addressing Transportation Emissions” • Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and there can be no successful climate action absent progress in reducing emissions from this sector. Unfortunately, litigation may delay federal rulemaking, but states can continue to act. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla Financials Deep Dive – Massive Growth” • Elon Musk and Tesla’s top executives conducted the year 2023 and Q4 2023 earnings call last week. 2023 was Tesla’s best year yet. In addition to delivering a record 1.8 million vehicles last year, Tesla’s energy storage and solar business grew to more than double last year compared to 2022. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla (Taun Stewart, Unsplash)
¶ “US Auto Industry Rose 8% In Fourth Quarter, While EV Industry Grew 29%” • The US auto industry continues to grow in its long recovery from the COVID-19 epidemic and economic shutdown of 2020–2021. In the 4th quarter of 2023, US auto sales rose 8% compared to the 4th quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, pure battery EV sales rose by 29%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Equinor And BP Rebid Empire Wind 1” • Equinor and BP have rebid their 810-MW Empire Wind 1 project into New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. If awarded, Empire Wind 1 is expected to provide first power in 2026. The Empire Wind 1 bid into the solicitation follows the announcement of a swap deal between Equinor and BP. [reNews]
Have an outrageously easy day.
geoharvey 