Science and Technology:
¶ “Swapping An 800-MW Gas Generator For A 680-MW, 2720-MWh Grid-Scale Battery” • A decade ago, GE installed a state of the art combined cycle methane-fired turbine at a generating station southeast of Los Angeles. Fast forward to 2024: It has been demolished, and a $1 billion battery storage facility is being built for Calpine in its place. [CleanTechnica]
Calpine grid-scale battery, image courtesy of Calpine
World:
¶ “March Is Tenth Straight Month To Be Hottest On Record, Scientists Say” • For the tenth consecutive month, Earth set a new monthly record for global heat in March, with temperatures of both the air and the oceans hitting an all-time highs for the month, according to Copernicus, the EU climate agency. It was 1.68°C (3°F) warmer than in the late 1800s. [NPR]
¶ “A Small Group Of Carbon Majors Has Created The Most Climate Pollution, And They’re Not Slowing Down” • Which companies are most heavily linked to CO₂ emissions? The ignominious winners are the most prominent group of carbon majors, the world’s largest oil, gas, coal, and cement producers. And the emissions are increasing. [CleanTechnica]
Deepwater Horizon (Patrick Kelley, USCG, public domain)
¶ “Construction Starts On Massive Solar Farm To Feed Green Hydrogen Project” • Construction has started on one of the largest solar farms in Australia. The 480-MW Aldoga solar project will help power a green hydrogen project being developed by Queensland utility Stanwell Corp. Queensland has a goal of 80% renewables by 2035. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “Just 3% Of Land Could Boost UK Renewables Generation 13-Fold” • Analysis from Friends of the Earth details how onshore renewables could cut emissions and curb energy costs without impacting food production. Onshore wind and solar projects could generate more than enough power if the government were to relax restrictive planning rules. [Business Green]
Devon countryside (Craig Cameron, Unsplash)
¶ “Nuveen, Exus Ink 800-MW Italian Battery Deal” • Nuveen Infrastructure and Exus Renewables have agreed to co-develop 800 MW of battery storage projects in southern Italy. The deal will see Nuveen Infrastructure and Exus commence a series of standalone battery energy storage system schemes across the Puglia region of Italy. [reNews]
¶ “South Australia’s Oldest Wind Farm Signs Up For New Long Term Power Deal” • Electricity retailer Zen Energy says it has signed 10-year off take deals with two Australian wind farms, including the oldest major wind facility in South Australia, as it boosts its renewable energy supplies. Both wind farms are owned and operated by Ratch-Australia. [RenewEconomy]
Wind farm (Ratch-Australia image)
¶ “Luxcara Reaches FID On 316 MW Of Danish Solar” • Luxcara and Bayerische Landesbank have achieved financial close for a 316-MW solar portfolio located in Denmark. The projects form one of the largest solar power plant sets in Northern Europe. It consists of three large scale projects, two in the region of Zealand and one in Jutland. [reNews]
¶ “Former Scottish Airfield To Become Supply Chain Hub” • A former RAF and Royal Navy base is set to be developed to give renewables businesses entering the north of Scotland a strategic location. Highland Deephaven on the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands began its life as a military airfield before becoming a strategic site for reneables. [reNews]
Highland Deephaven (Highland rural image)
¶ “Russia And Ukraine Trade Blame Over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Drone Strike” • Russia and Ukraine accused each other of launching kamikaze drones at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in an incident condemned by the International Atomic Energy Agency for recklessly endangering safety. The nuclear watchdog inspectors said that structural integrity was not compromised. [The Guardian]
US:
¶ “New Electric Tugboat Unveiled At Port Of San Diego” • The Port of San Diego recently unveiled an electric tugboat, the eWolf. The electric tugboat runs only on electricity, whereas a conventional tugboat uses diesel fuel. Air pollution at ports is a well-documented problem, and this electric tugboat generates no carbon dioxide or air pollution. [CleanTechnica]
The eWolf (Courtesy of Crowley Maritime Corporation)
¶ “US Says No To EV Subsidies For Cars Built In EU” • The US and the EU may be all warm and cozy inside their NATO mutual defense blanket, but America has given Europe the cold shoulder recently when it comes to cars made on the Old Continent being eligible for US EV tax credits and rebates. One issue is the source of components. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “America’s Largest-Ever Clean Energy Investment For Low-Income Communities” • America’s largest investmetn in clean energy for low-income and disadvantaged communities will soon be deployed. Leveraged effectively, this investment, $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, will deliver transformation along with clean energy. [CleanTechnica]
Queens (James, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Rooftop Solar In New England Produced Five Seabrook Stations Worth Of Electricity” • At noon on March 30, 56% of the electricity being used in New England came from wind and solar. An estimated 5,964 MW was coming from behind-the-meter solar panels, mostly rooftop arrays. The Seabrook nuclear plant produced about a fifth of that. [Concord Monitor]
¶ “Plans For Massive Data Center Linked To Nuclear Power Spark Debate On Connecticut’s Energy Future” • Thomas Quinn, the president of NE Edge, wants to build a hyperscale data center, to be the single largest user of electricity in Connecticut, next to the Millstone Nuclear plant. The center would use more than 9% of the average power in the state. [CT Examiner]
Have a fully flawless day.
geoharvey 
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