Opinion:
¶ “The National Electricity Market Wasn’t Made For A Renewable Energy Future. Here’s How To Fix It” • Rooftop solar is Australia’s cheapest source of electricity. Consumers can get electricity from rooftop solar at less than a fifth of the average cost of buying it from a retailer. In 2022, total rooftop solar capacity exceeded 30 GW. Coal capacity was 21 GW. [The Conversation]
Solar panels on a school (Orderinchaos, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “Is Nuclear Power A Fix For Climate Change? Experts Think It’s Too Dangerous” • As the climate crisis grows worse every year, much recent debate has focused on nuclear energy. It is certainly “cleaner” than fossil fuels in terms of carbon emissions, but most experts Salon contacted were skeptical that it can offer a path to climate salvation. [Salon.com]
World:
¶ “OPEC+ Production Cuts Deepen With Extensions From Saudi Arabia, Russia And Other Oil Giants” • The countries in OPEC+ announced they are extending reductions in oil production of 2.2 million barrels a day. Saudi Arabia led them by extending its previously-implemented cut of 1 million barrels a day through the end of 2024’s second quarter. [ABC News]
Highway in Saudi Arabia (backer Sha, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Chinese Company Develops Renewable Energy Technology For Rural Communities In Africa” • In a trip to India, founder Li Xia of Shenzhen Power Solution saw the challenges faced by rural communities without access to electricity. She knew it was also an issue facing millions of people who live off-grid in Africa. So she decided to act. [CGTN]
¶ “EVs Take 51.8% Share In Sweden” • February’s market saw plugin EVs take 51.8% share in Sweden, down year on year from 54.0%. Plugin volumes were down YOY for full battery EVs, but up for plugin hybrids. February’s overall auto volume was 18,773 units, up some 2% YOY. The Tesla Model Y was the month’s best selling battery EV. [CleanTechnica]
Volvo XC40 (George Sargiannidis, Unsplash)
¶ “EDF Renewables UK’s West Benhar Wind Farm Officially Opened By Scottish Energy Minister” • Local children and community groups joined EDF Renewables UK and Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Just Transition, and Fair Work, Gillian Martin for the official opening of the country’s newest operational wind farm. [energy-pedia]
¶ “Nautical SUNRISE Funds OranjeWind Floating Solar Farm” • The Nautical SUNRISE project will help fund a 5-MW offshore floating solar system for use on RWE’s 800-MW OranjeWind wind farm off the west coast of the Netherlands. The €8.4 million project is supported with €6.8 million of the Horizon Europe program. It kicked off in December. [reNews]
Floating solar and wind turbines (SolarDuck image)
¶ “Egypt Secures $40 Billion Investment For Renewable Energy And Green Hydrogen Projects In Suez Canal Zone” • Egypt signed seven memorandums of understanding with global companies for the advancement of renewable energy and green hydrogen ventures in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, as per an official statement. [SolarQuarter]
¶ “Territory Labor Government Unveils $45 Million DK BESS for Renewable Energy Boost” • The Northern Territory’s Labor Government reached a milestone in its pursuit of clean energy with the installation of the $45 million Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System. The Australian territory’s goal is 50% renewable energy by 2030. [BNN Breaking]
Northern Territory (Christian Bass, Unsplash)
¶ “Fury after Exxon chief says public to blame for climate failures” • The world is off track to meet its climate goals and the public is to blame, Darren Woods, chief executive of oil giant ExxonMobil, has claimed, prompting a backlash from climate experts. Exxon is among the top contributors to global heating greenhouse gas emissions. [The Guardian]
¶ “Queensland’s CleanCo To Provide Clean Energy For Airports Consortium” • Two Queensland airports committed to getting 100% of the electricity for their land operations from renewable sources under an agreement with CleanCo and the North Queensland Airports group. They plan to be powered by the Kaban Wind Farm by 2025. [Government News]
Cairns Airport (Rocker Sta, Unsplash)
¶ “India Seized Chinese Cargo That Could Be Used For Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Project” • Two advanced Computer Numerical Control machines made by GKD, Italy and bound for the port of Karachi were seized by Indian customs in January at Mumbai Port. The dual-use items were shipped from China could be used in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. [menafn]
US:
¶ “At Least Two Dead As Largest Wildfire In State History Tears Through Texas Panhandle” • Several large wildfires continue to tear through the Texas Panhandle, one of which has grown into the largest blaze in state history. About 90% of Roberts County is burned, according to Chief W Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. [ABC News]
Roberts County (Austin Lamar Allison, CC0 1.0)
¶ “Forty Collegiate Teams Advance In The Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge” • Forty teams from 37 collegiate institutions are advancing to the final stage of the US DOE Solar Decathlon® 2024 Design Challenge based on their cutting-edge, zero-energy building designs. They were selected at the semifinal competition of February 23–24, 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Fisker And Nissan May Collaborate On An Electric Pickup Truck” • According to Car and Driver, Henrik Fisker announced during an earnings call last week that the company is negotiating with an unnamed “large automaker” to enter into a strategic partnership. Now Reuters has news that the large automaker in the picture is Nissan. [CleanTechnica]
Have a dramatically goodly day.
geoharvey 
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