Opinion:
¶ “Tariffs Aren’t Enough To Save US Car Makers From Chinese EVs” • Recently, US Senator Marco Rubio started pushing for more tariffs on Chinese electric cars. They have a pretty good chance of destroying vehicle manufacturing in the US. This may be a reasonable argument, but tariffs alone would only delay the inevitable. [CleanTechnica]
BYD Dolphin Mini (BYD image)
¶ “Dutton’s Blast Of Radioactive Rhetoric On Nuclear Power Leaves Facts In The Dust” • In Australia, the most recent GenCost report estimates the LCOE of a theoretical small modular reactor built in 2030 would be A$382 to A$636/MWh. The cost for solar and wind is between A$91 and A$130/MWh, including the costs of integration. (A$1=$0.66) [The Guardian]
Science and Technology:
¶ “IIHS Gives Poor Rating To Automated Driving Systems From Tesla And Nine Other Companies” • We just reported on a suit filed over a death that happened with an automated driving system operating. Now, a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety skewers all automated driving systems available on vehicles sold in the US. [CleanTechnica]
Lexus Teammate screen (Courtesy of IIHS)
World:
¶ “How Giant Batteries Will Help Power Scotland” • The number of giant batteries installed in Scotland is expected to increase greatly as part of the move towards renewable energy. National Grid, which transmits electricity around the country, predicts that the amount of energy storage needed will grow almost six times over by the end of the decade. [BBC]
¶ “Brussels Airport Adding 700 Level 2 Chargers In Quest For Zero-Emissions Operations” • Brussels airport has a plan to make all its vehicles electrified by 2025. It also wants to meet the needs of drivers with electric cars. Together with Interparking, one of the largest car park operators in Europe, Brussels airport is adding 700 new EV chargers. [CleanTechnica]
EV chargers (Courtesy of Interparking)
¶ “Concerns Over Government’s Gas Power Station Plans” • The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology has criticised government plans to back construction of gas power stations, citing concerns over the lack of measures for carbon capture. This move, the association says, could jeopardise the UK power emissions reduction goals. [Energy Live News]
¶ “Alberta Commission Finds Renewables Pose Little Threat To Agriculture, Environment” • Alberta’s utilities regulator released a report saying the province’s renewables industry is little threat to its agriculture or the environment. The report says the area of land needed for renewable energy is less than 1% of the area of prime agricultural land. [CTV News Calgary]
Alberta (Chris Henry, Unsplash)
¶ “India’s Renewable Energy Sector Surges” • India’s renewable energy sector is undergoing a surge, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s energy transition. According to recent reports from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India achieved a remarkable milestone when renewable generating capacity surpassed 150 GW. [Construction World]
Australia:
¶ “SA Bets On A Hydrogen-Fuelled Future” • The Office of Hydrogen was established in 2022 as part of South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining. It is tasked with overseeing the delivery of the state’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan, the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, and industry engagement to accelerate the state’s emerging hydrogen economy. [Government News]
Rendering of a hydrogen plant (Office of Hydrogen Power)
¶ “Premier Blasts Nuclear Plan As Renewable Appeals Curbed” • Opponents of solar and wind farms will be stripped of the power to appeal approvals to a Victorian tribunal, as the premier blasts the federal opposition’s nuclear pitch as a distraction inspired by a cartoon. From April 1, shovel-ready renewable energy projects will be eligible for an accelerated pathway. [MSN]
¶ “bp Increases Stake In 26-GW Australian Renewable Energy Hub” • Macquarie Group sold its 15% share in the Australian Renewable Energy Hub to UK energy company bp, it said. The solar, wind, and green hydrogen project is planned for Western Australia. The project’s estimated worth is $36.4 billion (US), and bp’s share is now 64%. [pv magazine International]
Pilbara region of Western Australia (Chris Stenger, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Winter Storms Have Disrupted US Natural Gas Production” • Over the last four winters, winter storms Uri (Feb 2021), Elliott (Dec 2022), and most recently, Heather (Jan 2024) interrupted weekly US natural gas production by more than 15 billion cubic feet per day, according to the daily estimates from S&P Global Commodity Insights. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “First Fully Adaptive E-Bike Trail System Opens in Vermont” • A recent article at Bike Mag shared the story of the first US trail system fully compatible with adaptive bikes, or bikes that cater to the needs of the disabled. It features a total of 11 trails, and a total distance of three miles. The new trails are equally enjoyable by both abled and disabled. [CleanTechnica]
Adaptive trail (Screenshot from article’s embedded video)
¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Announces $750 Million To Support America’s Growing Hydrogen Industry” • As part of the Investing in America agenda, the US DOE has announced $750 million for 52 projects in 24 states to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and reinforce America’s global leadership in the clean hydrogen industry. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Pennsylvania Governor Unveils Plan To Cut Greenhouse Gases, Boost Renewables In Big Energy Producer” • Gov Josh Shapiro unveiled a plan to fight climate change. He will back legislation to make power plant owners pay for their greenhouse gas emissions and require utilities to buy more electricity from renewable sources. [WHEC.com]
Have a superbly superior day.
geoharvey 
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