Science and Technology:
¶ “The Solution To Energy Storage May Be Beneath Your Feet” • Thermal energy storage shows promise as a low-cost alternative to existing storage technologies, and storing energy in solid particles such as sand provides a ready answer, with very few geological restrictions. And after all, sand, like air and water, is just about everywhere. [CleanTechnica]
Sand (Keith Hardy, Unsplash)
¶ “Study: Since 1979 Climate Change Has Made Heat Waves Last Longer” • Since 1979, global heat waves are moving 20% more slowly, meaning more people stay hot longer. They are also happening 67% more often, a study in Science Advances says. The study found the highest temperatures in the heat waves are warmer than 40 years ago. [Boston.com]
World:
¶ “Tropical Cyclone Makes Landfall In Northern Madagascar” • A tropical cyclone swept across Madagascar killing eighteen people. The island has been hit by ten strong tropical cyclones since the start of 2022. The southern part of the island is still getting over its worst drought in forty years. Parts of the island are facing a hunger crisis due to extreme weather. [ABC News]
Tropical storm (Jeremy Bishop, Unsplash)
¶ “Invest With This Kiva-Like Nonprofit And Help Build Solar Projects In The Global South” • Kiva.org is a site where people can chip in to provide micro-finance around the world. Now there’s another nonprofit working to harness the power of micro-investments to help fund solar projects in the Global South, and it has an approach very Kiva’s. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “IMO Agrees To First Tax On Shipping Emissions” • The International Maritime Organization, an agency of the UN, has agreed to impose a fee on every ton of shipping emissions from oceangoing cargo vessels. The fee could lead to big changes in the shipping industry while raising a significant amount of money, the Times reports. [CleanTechnica]
Container ship (Courtesy of Volvo Car Group)
¶ “Solar Projects Go Live In Gujarat” • Adani Green Energy, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, has started operations for its 775 MW of solar power projects in Gujarat. The company confirmed the projects were operating after obtaining necessary approvals. The new capacity is considered significant for India’s renewable energy sector. [Manufacturing Today India]
¶ “India On Track To Surpass 500-GW Renewable Target By 2030: Govt Official” • India is on track to surpass its 500-GW renewable target by 2030, said Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, while speaking at an industry event. He noted that 2023 saw the most rapid growth in renewable capacity yet. [BW Businessworld]
Solar power (Nuno Marques, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Major Storm To Hit California” • After a storm brought 10 to 13 inches of snow to California and Utah, a bigger storm is on its way to Southern California with flash flooding, strong winds, and heavy snow. Numerous weather alerts for California, Nevada, and Arizona include flood watches for Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. [ABC News]
¶ “EPA Sets New Emissions Standards For Heavy-Duty Vehicles In Effort To Fight Climate Change” • The EPA announced its new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The agency claims the new emissions standards will avoid 1 billion tons of GHG emissions by 2055. The standards will go into effect for vehicles being made in 2027-2032. [ABC News]
Scania truck (Gabriel Santos, Unsplash)
¶ “Made-In-The-USA Monocrystalline Solar Cells: Not A Dream Anymore” • When the US solar firm Suniva ceased operating in 2017, it looked like the end for monocrystalline manufacturing in the US. Nevertheless, if all goes according to plan, the US solar industry will finally get its hands on monocrystalline solar cells that are made in the USA. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Curbside EV Charging In NYC Is A Huge Success” • New York City has a goal of being “net-zero” by 2050. Clearly, that’s not going to happen with zillions of vehicles powered by infernal combustion engines on its roads. Curbside EV charging may help. FLO, a Canadian company, has run 100 curbside chargers in a pilot program since 2021. [CleanTechnica]
Curbside EV charging (Image courtesy of FLO)
¶ “Enel Starts Construction Of Ables Springs Solar-Plus-Storage Project In Texas” • Enel North America began construction of the Ables Springs solar-plus-storage project in Kaufman County, Texas. The project has a 186 MW solar PV system and a 115-MW, 169-MWh battery system. Ables Springs is Enel’s 17th renewable energy project in Texas. [Solar Builder]
¶ “US Renewables’ Installed Generating Capacity Beats Coal” • Solar capacity additions hit the ground running in 2024, pushing renewables’ installed generating capacity past coal, US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission data shows. Solar accounted for 2,527 MW of new installed generating capacity in January of this year, 87.3% of the total. [Electrek]
Wind turbines (Waldemar, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Clean Energy Connector Pilot Launches In Illinois, New Mexico, And Washington DC” • The US DOE and Department of Health and Human Services are partnering on a pilot program of the Clean Energy Connector to connect low-income households with community solar projects. The pilot is starting in Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington, DC. [pv magazine USA]
¶ “Uranium Is Being Mined Near The Grand Canyon” • The largest US uranium producer is ramping up work just south of Grand Canyon National Park on a long-contested project, as global instability and growing demand drive uranium prices higher. Environmentalists and Native American leaders are demanding more regulatory oversight. [MSN]
Have a totally okey-dokey day.
geoharvey 