Opinion:
¶ “Can Aging US Nuclear Power Plants Withstand More Extreme Weather?” • To reach its climate goals, the Biden administration aims to extend the lives of US nuclear reactors. But a report finds regulators have not studied whether ever more extreme weather could threaten the safety or viability of power plants largely built in the 1970s and 1980s. [Yale E360]
St Lucie nuclear plant (BlackNose, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
World:
¶ “Kenya Power to Invest $2 Million Towards Promotion of Electric Mobility” • As a major stakeholder in the electricity sector, Kenya Power and Lighting Company Plc, Kenya’s electric utility company, has been at the forefront of promoting adoption of electric mobility in Kenya. Now it’s ramping up its activities in the electric mobility space. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hello Europe, Ukraine Has The Green Hydrogen You’re Looking For” • EU nations have been throwing money at green hydrogen, seeking to cut natural gas imports from Russia, but the EU’s 2030 production goal is sliding out of reach. Ukraine has a solution, but it will work only if the Russian war machine is stopped in its tracks. [CleanTechnica]
Windpower in Ukraine (Courtesy of Razom we Stand)
¶ “Highest-Level Rainstorm Warning Issued In South China’s Guangdong” • Over 100,000 people have been evacuated due to heavy rain and fatal floods in southern China. The government issued its highest-level rainstorm warning for the affected area. Asia was the world’s most disaster-hit region from climate and weather hazards in 2023, the UN said. [Yahoo News UK]
¶ “Green Light For Scottish Solar-Storage Scheme” • Renewco Power and Locogen have secured planning permission for a solar and battery project in Fife, in Scotland. The Glenniston solar project, in Lochgelly, will have a capacity of 39 MW, with an investment of £50 million. It will include hedgerow restoration and wildflower meadow areas. [reNews]
Solar panels (Andres Siimon, Unsplash)
¶ “Electricity Prices Fall In Australia As Renewable Energy Grows” • Australia’s growing renewable energy is driving down electricity prices in much of the country despite severe weather conditions increasing energy demand. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s latest report found renewables accounted for 39% of the east coast power supply. [9 news com au]
¶ “China Faces Huge Energy Transition Challenge” • China is proving itself a global green energy leader, but it is expected to depend heavily on fossil fuels in 2050. DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook China says the country’s build out of renewable energy is unrivalled, but fossil fuels will still make up 40% of its energy mix in 2050. [reNews]
Work in a wind farm (DNV GL image)
¶ “High Interest Rates Are Challenging The Global Transition To Renewable Energy” • After a period of low interest rates from 2009 to 2022, central banks have sharply raised interest rates to fight inflation. The higher cost capital has profound implications for the energy and natural resource industries, said a report from Wood Mackenzie. [pv magazine USA]
¶ “Renewables To Thank For Weeks Of No Load-Shedding” • In the past three weeks there has been no load-shedding in South Africa. The good performance was due to deliberate plans by the government and utility Eskom to deal with power outages. The Energy Action Plan is starting to bear fruit, with the contribution of renewable energy projects. [ITWeb]
Wind farm in South Africa (NJR ZA, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
US:
¶ “An Off-The-Grid Community In New Mexico Offers Insight Into Sustainable Building” • ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee along with her team, Dan Manzo and Lindsey Griswold, traveled to Taos to stay with the community and find out what everyone can be doing to live a bit more sustainably. [ABC News]
¶ “Earth Day 2024 Report Card” • Earth Day offers an annual opportunity for citizens, experts, and lawmakers to celebrate the planet, examine our impact on the changing environment and demand a push toward a sustainable future. To make a united step forward, awareness of the mounting climate crisis is vital, one scientist told ABC News. [ABC News]
Planet Earth (NOAA/NASA GOES Project)
¶ “Biden Unlocks $7 Billion Solar Investment On Earth Day” • On Earth Day 2024, President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition. The competition is a key component of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund of the Inflation Reduction Act. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “GM Energy Prepares To Bring V2H Technology To Homes In North America” • By 2026, most EVs from GM will have V2H capability. Until then the GMC Sierra EV Denali, Chevy Equinox and Blazer EVs, and Cadillac Lyriq will have to wait for over-air software updates or even manual updates at a dealership to be able to share power with a home. [CleanTechnica]
Providing power to a home (Courtesy of GM)
¶ “$140 Million to Address Legacy Pollution, Revitalize Coal Communities in West Virginia” • Over $140 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands, create good jobs that can sustain families, and promote economic opportunity in coal communities in West Virginia. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Long Beach Airport Celebrates Earth Day With Unveiling Of Solar Panel Canopies” • This Earth Day, the Long Beach Airport unveiled its solar panel canopies. Long Beach Airport said they will generate enough electricity to meet 70% of the needs for its facilities and airfield. The project is just one of eleven solar panel installations in Long Beach. [ABC7 Los Angeles]
Have an increasingly wonderful day.
geoharvey 