Science and Technology:
¶ “The Potential Of Solar And Mesh-Grids” • While the power potential of mini-grids make them viable for densely populated areas, they are too expensive for rural areas with low population densities. Mesh-grids are offer a more affordable system than traditional off-grid installations, often with a cost just 60% of that of mini-grids. [CleanTechnica]
Cambodian floating solar mesh-grid (Courtesy of Okra Solar)
¶ “New Green Energy Technique Could Kick Lithium Demand Into High Gear” • Engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago report a new green ammonia production process using lithium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Their process could be very important for climate change efforts because of its much reduced carbon emissions. [Mugglehead Magazine]
World:
¶ “Austria Likely To Be Largely Ice-Free Within 45 Years As Its Glaciers Recede Quickly, Experts Say” • Austrian glaciers receded rapidly last year and the country is likely to be largely ice-free in 40 to 45 years as the process continues. The Austrian Alpine Club said that, of the 93 glaciers its volunteers measured, all but one receded in 2022-2023. [ABC News]
Skiing at Stubai Glacier (Markos Mant, Unsplash)
¶ “New Zealand Passenger EV Penetration Was Just Under 10% In March 2024” • The New Zealand passenger EV market has seen a rise from the doldrums of February, when it reached a low of 4.1% market share. Just below 10% of passenger vehicles sold in NZ in March came with a plug. Thus, the quarter’s average was at about 6% plugin vehicles. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Invisible 12-Hour Energy Storage Project To Chase Oil Shale From Estonia” • The oil shale business depends on support of favorable energy policies, but Estonia is about to give it the boot. Instead, Estonia is turning to its considerable offshore wind resources and a massive long-duration, pumped hydro project, mostly hidden underground. [CleanTechnica]
Underground pumped storage (Courtesy of Zero Terrain)
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “K-Electric Forecasts Cost Reduction With 640-MW Renewable Energy Boost” • K-Electric, the electricity provider for Karachi, projected a significant cut in electricity generation costs over the next two to three years after a planned addition of 640 MW of power derived from renewable energy sources, specifically solar and windpower. [The News International]
¶ “World EV Sales Now 13% Of World Auto Sales” • Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 3% in February 2024 compared to February 2023. There were 830,000 registrations, making it possibly the last month with fewer than one million sales per month ever for plugin EVs. Year to date, plugin EV market share was at 14% (9% battery EV). [CleanTechnica]
BYD Qin Plus EV (Quzhouliulian, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Europe Crafts Plan Against China’s Solar Supremacy” • China’s grip on the green tech industry, including solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries is causing concern worldwide. The US and Europe are wary of China’s overwhelming production supported by huge subsidies to its companies. Europe is aiming to achieve solar sovereignty. [Microgrid Media]
¶ “China’s Quiet Energy Revolution: The Switch From Nuclear To Renewable Energy” • In late 2011 China’s National Energy Administration announced that China would add up to 300 GW of nuclear capacity over the next ten to twenty years. Now it aims for nuclear energy to supply 15% of China’s total electricity demand by 2035. [Pearls and Irritations]
Guangdong nuclear plant (IAEA Imagebank, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
US:
¶ “Amid Legal Challenges, SEC Pauses Its Climate Rule” • The US Securities and Exchange Commission is pausing implementation of its new climate disclosure rule while it defends the regulation in court. The rule, which was voted into place in March, requires some public companies in the US to report their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. [ABC News]
¶ “$19 Million For Innovative Solar Panel Installation Over Canals” • The Interior Department announced a $19 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to install solar panels over irrigation canals in California, Oregon, and Utah. This reduces evaporation of needed water while it increases clean energy. [CleanTechnica]
Solar PVs over a canal (Courtesy of Turlock Irrigation District)
¶ “$46 Million Available for Clean Transportation Research, Development, Demonstration, And Deployment” • The US DOE announced $45.8 million in new funding for projects that will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Geothermal Capacity Set To Grow by 1,900% by 2050” • In March, the US DOE announced it would invest $60 million in funding to demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems to access underground heat to be used as renewable energy. The DOE said it expects geothermal capacity to supply 10% of US electricity by 2050. [OilPrice.com]
Have a pleasantly useful day.
geoharvey 
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