World:
¶ “To Make Water Last Year-Round, Kenyans In Dry Regions Are Building Sand Dams On Seasonal Rivers” • Kenyans are building sand dams so they can harvest water from seasonal rivers. The barriers, typically made of concrete, impede water flow so grains of sand settle behind them, creating artificial aquifers that fill up during rainy seasons. [ABC News]
Kerio River (Rainier5, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “SK Ecoplant, BCG Energy To Develop Renewable Energy Projects In Việt Nam” • BCG Energy, a Vietnamese firm, signed a cooperation agreement with SK ecoplant, one of the Republic of Korea’s leading investors in renewable energy, to build 300 MW of rooftop solar, 100 MW of ground-mounted solar, and 300 MW of wind power in Việt Nam. [vietnamnews.vn]
¶ “Dominica Announces Solar And Battery Storage Solutions for Primary Schools” • The Island of Dominica came one step closer toward its goal of becoming a fully climate-resilient nation with two new solar microgrids. The Ministry of Education announced microgrids at two primary schools that are emergency hurricane shelters in times of need. [CleanTechnica]
Roseau visited by a cruise ship (Nario Esprit, Unsplash)
¶ “Triple Win: How Africa’s Industrials Can Decarbonise, Lower Energy Costs And Increase Reliability All At The Same Time” • In African countries, a large part of a company’s energy may come from its own power plants. This is especially true wherever grid reliability is low and industries rely on their own power to ensure a stable energy supply. [Cape Business News]
¶ “ACWA Power Says Breakdown At Morocco Solar Plant Costs Firm $47 Million” • Saudi Arabian renewable energy utility ACWA Power International reported a storage breakdown at one of the concentrating solar plants it operates in Morocco that will cost the company an estimated $47 million. It is not the first such breakdown. [Gulf Business]
Ouarzazate Power Station (Marc Lacoste, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Climate-Conscious Investors Put Nuclear Dead Last On List Of Desirable Australian Ventures” • Nuclear energy ranks last on the list of climate technologies big institutional investors want, according to a survey of climate conscious investors with A$37 tillion ($24 trillion) under management. Fewer than 10% of the group are considering nuclear power. [The Guardian]
¶ “Canada Pushes Nuclear Power To Get At Oil Sands” • Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said discussions are already taking place with the oil industry and the province of Alberta to use nuclear power to extract oil from oil sands. He believes nuclear energy helping get heavy crude out of the ground will help cut greenhouse gas emissions. [Reuters] (What‽)
Oil sands site (jasonwoodhead23, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
UK:
¶ “PM Announces National Endeavour To Strengthen The UK’s Nuclear Deterrent” • The Prime Minister will today, March 25, declare a ‘national endeavour’ to secure the future of the UK’s thriving defence and civil nuclear industry, as he visits Barrow-in-Furness and announces a significant package of investment in skills, jobs, and communities. [GOV.UK]
¶ “Battery Train Sets Distance Record – The Beginning Of Beautiful Fast Charging” • Great Western Railway’s innovative fast charge battery train trial has been setting records for UK distance without recharging. The most recent is 86 miles (138 km). The train operated at speeds of up to 60 mph, with stops and starts over a hilly route. [CleanTechnica]
Battery electric train (GWR via YouTube)
¶ “UK Renewables Top Gas In Winter” • Renewable energy, such as wind, hydro and solar, generated more power than gas plants in the UK during the winter of 2023 to ’24. Data from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit’s Power Tracker indicates that renewable generation reached about 55 TWh, but gas generated an estimated 45 TWh. [Energy Live News]
¶ “Clean, Local Energy” • A report found that heating homes using heat pumps powered by community-owned, local wind power could reduce costs by around a quarter below the average cost of gas-powered heating in 2023. Adding rooftop solar and batteries would increase the potential savings, making clean heat nearly a third cheaper than gas. [The Ecologist]
Wind turbine (Paisley Scotland, Flickr, CC 2.0)
¶ “Report: More Profits Must Go To Local Communities From Renewable Energy Projects” • The Welsh Government must find a way to retain a greater share of the profits from commercial renewable energy projects for the public good, a report from the Institute of Welsh Affairs says. Local energy sources provide a way to retain local wealth. [Nation.Cymru]
US:
¶ “Lower Priced Tesla “Model 2” Production To Begin In 2025” • After CleanTechnica’s Zach Shahan termed the coming affordable Tesla the “Model 2” as a joke for a while, Elon Musk said it won’t have that name. Elon Musk loves letters; the Model 3 exists only because Ford has rights to “Model E.” Regardless, the new Tesla is expected to start at $25,000 or less. [CleanTechnica]
Second generation Roadster (Courtesy of Tesla)
¶ “ACT Now: How the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule Will Impact The Electric Grid And Fleets” • RMI analyzed telematics data from Geotab ITS in fifteen states that plan to implement the Advanced Clean Truck rule regulations. RMI’s report is intended to allow stakeholders in those locations to make informed and effective decisions. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Colorado Renewable Energy Society’s Position On Nuclear Power” • Wind and solar are now the lowest-cost and fastest-growing generating capacity. Colorado’s largest utility, Xcel, is on track to provide 85% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030. CRES believes new nuclear power investment in Colorado is ill-advised. [Pueblo Chieftain]
Have an inconceivably jubillant day.
geoharvey 
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