Opinion:
¶ “How Farmers Can Thrive In The Evolving Energy Landscape” • In an era marked by climate concerns and renewable energy ambitions, the agricultural sector is at the forefront of innovation and adaptation. As the world seeks sustainable solutions to meet growing energy demands, the roles of managing agricultural land are expanding. [Farmers Weekly]
Solar farm (© Conrad energy)
¶ “Nuclear Energy Is An Ugly Duckling In Every Possible Respect: Too Late, Too Costly, Too Toxic” • According to the International Energy Agency, new solar installations globally were 420 GW in 2023 and new wind installations came to 117 GW. New nuclear fell to just 5.5 GW. The data make it clear that there is no “nuclear renaissance” going on. [RenewEconomy]
World:
¶ “European Commission Data Reveals The WLTP Standard Is Deeply Flawed” • In 2019, the EC required automakers to install onboard fuel consumption monitoring devices in vehicles sold in member states. Now the first tranche of data has been compiled and the results show that the real-world emissions are far worse than expected. [CleanTechnica]
Fumes (Matt Boitor, Unsplash)
¶ “VINCI Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement With Natpower SA” • VINCI finalised an investment coming to about €50 million in NatPower SA, a renewable energy development firm set up in 2019 principally active in Italy, UK, and the US. VINCI will have a priority right on acquiring projects in the ready-to-build phase started by NatPower SA. [Yahoo Finance UK]
¶ “Adani Green Records 35% Growth In Operational Capacity In FY24” • Adani Green Energy Ltd recorded a 35% increase in its operational capacity with the addition of solar and wind power projects in the financial year 2024. The company aims for growth in its renewable capacity to 45,000 MW by 2030, which is 10% of India’s renewable energy target. [NDTV Profit]
Solar farm (Adani Green Energy)
¶ “Japan’s JERA Creates Global Renewables-Focused Unit In Britain” • Japan’s largest power company, JERA, created a global renewable energy business to be based in London. JERA Nex will develop, invest in, own, and operate renewable energy projects. Starting with a 3-GW portfolio of renewable capacity, it aims to develop 20 GW by 2035. [Yahoo Finance UK]
¶ “Norway’s Floating Wind Expertise Propels Taiwan Towards Renewable Energy Goals” • According to the Global Wind Energy Council, Norway commissioned 60 MW of floating wind energy in 2022, making the region’s total installations 91% of all global operations. That work is being put to use as a development model for Taiwan. [digitimes]
Types of floating wind turbines (NREL image)
¶ “Southeast Asia ‘Woefully Off Track’ On Green Investment, Bain Says” • A report from Bain & Company highlights South East Asia’s inadequate green investments, which allow emissions to rise. Urgent actions are needed to tackle reliance on fossil fuels, increase clean energy, and implement carbon pricing for sustainable growth. [The Economic Times]
¶ “Banks Unwilling To Finance $5 Trillion Global Development Of Nuclear” • After decades of being treated as a black sheep, nuclear energy is enjoying a renaissance in the US and many Western countries thanks to the global energy crisis. But any revival of nuclear might be dead in the water, with lenders seeing it as a high-risk sector. [OilPrice.com]
Cooling towers (Lukáš Lehotský, Unsplash)
¶ “Kyiv Warns Of Imminent Russian False Flag Operation At Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant” • Ukraine’s military leadership warned of a possible false flag operation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Such an operation would make Ukraine appear responsible for whatever took place at the site in southern Ukraine. [South China Morning Post]
US:
¶ “Why One Democrat Doesn’t Want Chinese EV Imports In The US” • In a letter to President Biden, US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) argued that Chinese EV imports, backed by the Chinese government, threaten the US auto industry. He said “cheating” of this type threatens the US auto industry and its workers, and he asked the President to ban these vehicles. [CleanTechnica]
BYD Seagull (Courtesy of BYD)
¶ “Voltpost Wants To Bring EV Charging To American Cities” • Most people who drive electric cars charge them at home in their driveway or garage. But what if you live in a city like New York where many residents park wherever they can find a space on the street? Voltpost thinks it has an answer that is quick, convenient, and cost effective. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Grid Connection Backlog, Dominated By Solar, Grows To 2.6 TW In 2023” • The grid connection backlog in the US grew by 27% year-on-year in 2023, with about 2.6 TW of generation and storage capacity now seeking interconnection. As of the end of 2023, the total capacity in the queue was more than twice the current US generating capacity of 1.28 TW. [PV Tech]
Transmission towers (Matthew Henry, Unsplash)
¶ “Repsol Completes 637-MW Frye Solar project In Texas” • The Spanish oil and gas company Repsol completed the Frye Solar project, its largest solar plant to date in the US. The solar facility in Swisher County, Texas, has an installed capacity of 637 MW, of which 570 MW is currently operational. The project has a million solar panels. [GlobalData]
¶ “A Major US State Just Achieved A Critical Milestone For Nearly Two Weeks. Why Isn’t There More News Coverage?” • California has set a benchmark for renewable energy, with wind, solar, and hydro providing 100% of the state’s energy demand on 25 out of the last 32 days. The data comes from Professor Mark Z Jacobson of Stanford University. [The Cool Down]
Have a quietly uplifting day.
geoharvey 