Opinion:
¶ “Heat Pumps Are Still A Good Investment Even If Your Grid Is Powered By Coal” • Do heat pumps lower emissions if they run on electricity from a dirty grid? Absolutely, according to NREL researchers. Modeling the entire US housing stock, they found that switching to heat pumps reduces emissions in every one of the contiguous 48 states. [CleanTechnica]
Candidate for a heat pump (vu anh, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “From Instant Grits to Polymers: Scientist Kat Knauer Is Laser Focused on Plastics Pollution” • When Kat Knauer was a child, she used science to discover that instant grits could control fire ants without allowing her dog to react to pesticides. Now she is a polymer scientist and the chief technology officer of a group led by NREL to study plastics. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NREL’s Rail Optimization Software Is Putting Electrification Of Freight On The Fast Track” • A need for fossil fuels for rail transportation could change in the coming decade, as railways eye ambitious federal clean-energy goals that call for investment in electric locomotives and infrastructure for zero-emission freight movement. [CleanTechnica]
Autonomous, battery-electric rail car (Parallel Systems image)
¶ “Renewable Power Prices Must Be $30/MWh Or Less For Green Hydrogen Projects To Compete” • Renewable power for green hydrogen and ammonia production has to cost less than $30/MWh for them to compete in the market, Fortescue’s CEO reportedly said. This implies that the company’s Gibson Island project might be shelved. [Hydrogen Insight]
¶ “Magnificent Tidal Energy Project To Double As New City Park” • The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the global amount of technically recoverable, zero emission electricity from tidal motion could add up to 1,000 GW, and that’s just counting locations near coastlines. The world has been getting experience already. [CleanTechnica]
Tidal energy site on the River Mersey (Liverpool City Region)
World:
¶ “Excitement in Vietnam’s EV Industry” • The road transport sector in Vietnam accounts for 18% of national emissions. Now, a report on the EV market in Vietnam found it has the potential to be a leader in the electric 2-wheeled market, for which it has already had success, as well as meeting a growing demand for larger electric cars. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Equinor Launches 531-MW Solar Plant in Brazil” • Equinor ASA has launched its 531-MW Mendubim solar plant, marking a 30% increase in its equity power production in Brazil. The plant will produce 1.2 TWh of power annually, Equinor said. Around 60% of the energy will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Alunorte. [Rigzone]
Solar power (Sungrow EMEA, Unsplash)
¶ “Sunak Faces Anger Over New Gas-Power Strategy For ‘Backing Up Renewables’” • Rishi Sunak sparked controversy by endorsing the construction of new gas-fired power stations, stating that he will prioritise energy security. His plan plan, to be announced today, aims to bolster gas power capacity and give their investors increased confidence. [Business Matters]
¶ “Alberta’s ‘Roping In’ on Renewables Could Hurt C$11 Billion In Investments, Study Says” • Alberta’s ban on some renewable projects could hurt C$11.1 billion ($8.24 billion) in investments and stall up to 6.3 GW of solar and wind power capacity, a study by the Pembina Institute said. The new rules potentially affect 42 projects and thousands of jobs. [EnergyNow]
Alberta (Ryan Stone, Unsplash)
¶ “Renewable Power Bags 50-MW Finnish Battery” • Renewable Power Capital has acquired a 50-MW ready-to-build battery storage project in Finland from Ib Vogt. The project in the southern Finnish region of Uusikaupunki is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will be funded on a fully merchant basis. [reNews]
¶ “Gas, Rooftop Solar, Nukes: Dutton To Take “Most Expensive” Nuclear Power Plan To Next Election” • Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton told the Australian Financial Review’s business summit he wants the “scientific facts” on the table. He’s not talking about climate change. He wants the future to be nuclear, not renewable. [RenewEconomy]
Nuclear power plant (Stefan Kühn, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “France Hits 20 GW Solar Milestone” • France has recently reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, achieving a landmark 20 GW of installed solar capacity. This achievement underscores the French national commitment to transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. [Construction World]
US:
¶ “MOD BIKES 2024 E-Bike Collection Offers Power, Panache, And Nuance” • MOD BIKES introduced its 2024 e-bike collection with upgrades to appeal to fans and new buyers alike. Among them are torque sensors, dual battery options, tunable pedal assist levels, and wireless control of the Lumos smart helmet’s lighting and turn signals. [CleanTechnica]
MOD BIKES Easy + Sidebar e-bike (MOD BIKES image)
¶ “United States Produces More Crude Oil Than Any Country, Ever” • The United States produced more crude oil than any other nation at any time, according to International Energy Statistics, for the past six years in a row. Crude oil production in the US, including condensate, averaged 12.9 million barrels per day in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Standard Solar Strengthens Vermont’s Renewable Energy Market” • Standard Solar, a prominent developer and proprietor of commercial and community solar projects, has acquired a 18.5-MW solar project portfolio in Vermont from local developer, MHG Solar. The acquisition means it can build six solar projects in the state. [SolarQuarter]
Have a relaxingly placid day.
geoharvey 
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