Opinion:
¶ “From Petrostate To Electrostate: Queensland’s Renewable Energy Push Shows Australia’s Governments Can Move Faster” • Queensland is not just undergoing an energy transition, but a total transformation from legacy petrostate to renewable energy superpower. Its staggering momentum has lessons for the states and the federal government. [The Guardian]
Gold Coast, Queensland (seb, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Here’s How Your City Can Go ‘Spongy’ And Hold Back Flooding” • One consequence of the climate crisis is increased flood threats. For cities to be free of flooding, they need to be designed like giant sponges that allow water to drain away safely. In its simplest iteration, a spongy city has planned green areas and permeable surfaces. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “India Seeks To Boost Rooftop Solar, Especially For Its Remote Areas” • The government of India streamlined the approvals process, made it easier to claim subsidies, and pushed piles of cash, including $9 billion announced this month, to encourage faster adoption of technology that’s seen as critical for India to reach its clean energy goals. [ABC News]
Delhi Metro station (Kool Nerd 123, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Yakuza Boss Charged With Conspiring To Traffic Nuclear Materials” • The US Justice Department unsealed new charges against a leader of the notorious Japanese Yakuza gang who they accuse of attempting to traffic weapons-grade nuclear materials from Burma to other countries, according to a newly announced superseding indictment. [ABC News]
¶ “The Silence SO4 Nanocar Is A Tiny Battery-Swappable EV” • Spain’s Silence Urban Ecomobility is already building electric motorcycles and battery packs, but now has its own version of a tiny 4-wheeled micromobility solution, the SO4 Nanocar. This small car is a very compact 2-seater EV built at the company’s Barcelona factory. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Grünheide Voters Say No To Tesla Factory Expansion Plan” • The citizens of Grünheide were allowed to express their opinions about expansion of a Tesla Gigafactory in their town. According to The Guardian, 76% of eligible voters turned out, and 65% voted against the plan. The referendum is not legally binding, but will “serve as an orientation.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewable Power Turns Sod On Swedish Duo” • Renewable Power Capital has started the construction of two wind farms in Sweden totalling 230 MW. Chemicals producer LyondellBasell has two 10-year power purchase agreements for the electricity produced by both wind farms. The two wind farms form part of a 553-MW cluster of four in the area. [reNews]
Wind farm (Nordex image)
¶ “Romania Charges Ahead In The Renewable Energy Race With Over 1 GW of New Projects” • In a move that underscores a leap towards sustainability, Romania is making headlines with its latest green initiative. Last month, the nation issued technical connection approvals for new renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of 1.1 GW. [BNN Breaking]
¶ “Minesto Upgrades Faroe Tidal Plan To 200 MW” • Developer Minesto has upgraded its roadmap to a 200-MW tidal energy buildout in the Faroe Islands. The scaled-up roadmap responds to the growing demands for green energy, where unlocking the tidal opportunity enables transition to a 100% renewable power system. [reNews]
Minesto turbine (Minesto image)
¶ “Ukraine’s Zaphorizhzhia Nuclear Plant Loses Connection To Last Backup Power Line” • Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost connection to its last external power backup line, UN’s nuclear agency chief said. The loss of the last power backup for the nuclear facility is “once again underlining the fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site.” [Yahoo]
US:
¶ “Clean Bus Planning Awards Support Fleet Electrification With Custom Transition Plans” • The National Renewable Energy Lab announced the $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards program. It provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for US school and transit fleets through Fiscal Year 2024. [CleanTechnica]
BYD electric bus (Courtesy of BYD)
¶ “Nearly 3 Million Asthma Attacks Could Be Prevented Among Children With Cleaner Energy: Report” • Nearly three million asthma attacks in children could be prevented by 2050 if the US transitioned to EVs and clean power, according to a report from the American Lung Association. Researchers say the goals would also save hundreds of infant lives. [ABC News]
¶ “Tesla US Auto Market Share Tops Volkswagen, BMW, Suburu, And Mercedes” • While Tesla’s market share within the EV market dropped from about 65% to 55% year over year, the overall EV market growth in the US was so high that Tesla is selling more cars. Tesla’s Model Y accounted for 1 in every 3 EVs sold in the US in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
EV Sales by Month (Courtesy of the US DOE)
¶ “Goldman Sachs Insists Our Future Transportation Is All Electric” • Goldman Sachs Exchanges foresees transportation of the future as all-electric. In fact, they say EVs could make up nearly half of global car sales by 2035. The Goldman analysts also predict that within five years of that significant parts of the market will be autonomous. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “From Coal To Clean: Keyser, West Virginia’s Transition To Renewable Energy” • Keyser, West Virginia, a town once defined by its thriving coal industry, is seeing a transformation. The town’s transition to renewable energy, primarily wind power, is not just a local phenomenon but symbolizes a broader national shift in America’s energy strategy. [Medriva]
Have an immaculately managed day.
geoharvey 