Science and Technology:
¶ “Long Duration Energy Storage From Thin Air: Just Add Water” • Unlike lithium-ion batteries that typically last about 4-6 hours, a long duration energy storage system can deliver for periods up to full days, weeks, or even seasons. At that level, wind and solar energy could provide for nuclear-style stability, at a fraction of the cost. [CleanTechnica]
Water (Thierry Meier, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “Zero-Emission Zones Are Helping Some Cities Worldwide Fight Pollution” • With growing urban populations and increases in cars, trucks, and buses, cities are poised to experience more harmful pollution threatening people’s health and livelihoods. But cities across the world are turning to an emerging solution called zero-emission zones. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Truck Manufacturers A More Carbon Intensive Investment Than Oil, Steel Or Cars: Study” • Truckmakers’ emissions in the EU are 50% higher than what they tell investors, a Transport & Environment study shows. With mandatory scope 3 reporting kicking in for investors this year, T&E calls on all truckmakers to switch to zero-emission models. [CleanTechnica]
Scania truck (Scania image)
¶ “EVs At 24.3% Share In France – Battery EVs Grow Volume 45% YOY” • The auto market saw plugin EVs at 24.3% share in France in April 2024, up from 21.1% YOY. Full electric volume was up by a strong 45%, while plugin hybrid volume was flat. Overall auto volume was 146,979 units, up 11% YOY, though remaining below 2017–2019 seasonal norms. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “India Tendered ‘Record’ 70 GW Of Renewables In FY 2024” • Renewable energy tender issuances in India crossed a record 69 GW in FY 2024 on the back of a strong push for them by the central government, according to a joint report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and JMK Research & Analytics. [pv magazine India]
Solar array in Gujarat, (Epagemakerwiki, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Dublin Identifies Four New Offshore Wind Areas” • Ireland’s Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan published the draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan, the country’s first spatial plan for renewable energy at sea. The draft plan identifies four areas off the south coast of Ireland for proposed offshore wind projects. [reNews]
¶ “Shell Signs Amazon’s Single-Largest Renewable Energy Deal” • Royal Dutch Shell Plc reached an agreement with Amazon.com Inc to provide renewable power from its offshore wind farm to the latter’s European facilities. Currently in development, the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm will have a capacity of 759 MW. [Yahoo Movies Canada]
Offshore wind farm (Carl Raw, Unsplash)
¶ “Norway’s Scatec And Orascom-Led Consortium To Build Two Wind Power Plants In Egypt” • Scatec and a consortium led by Orascom Construction have separately secured land allocations for two major wind power projects in Sohag Governorate. With a combined capacity of 8 GW, the projects represent $9 billion in foreign direct investment. [ZAWYA]
¶ “EU Reaches Provisional Deal To Raise Renewable Energy Target” • The EU parliament reached a provisional deal to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix. The European Council said the agreement would raise the renewable energy target to 42.5% of total consumption by 2030. The current goal for the EU is 32%. [Yahoo Movies Canada]
Solar array (Mariana Proença, Unsplash)
¶ “Activists Behind Shell Climate Verdict Target Multinationals” • The Dutch wing of environmental group Friends of the Earth won a landmark court case against Royal Dutch Shell last year. It launched a campaign demanding thirty corporations with legal bases in the Netherlands publish plans for big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. [Yahoo News Singapore]
US:
¶ “Making More Batteries With Fewer Materials” • The US DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory is developing a process that could dramatically increase the number of EV batteries produced from mined nickel ore. The effort is part of a partnership with Talon Metals, a US mining company with plans for high-grade nickel ore production domestically. [CleanTechnica]
Scientists examine core samples (Image by Talon Metals)
¶ “How Artificial Intelligence Could Transform The US Energy Infrastructure” • One hundred experts from the fields of clean energy and artificial intelligence met at Argonne for two days to discuss how to secure America’s energy future. The AI for Energy report outlines their vision. It says the daunting challenge is not impossible with AI to help. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Electrify America Turns Back To Growth” • Years ago, Electrify America announced a “Boost Plan,” aiming to increase numbers of stations and chargers by over 100% by the end of 2025. Serious hardware problems got in the way, forcing the company to slow down. But another recent announcement shows us the company feels ready for growth again. [CleanTechnica]
Electrify America station (Electrify America image)
¶ “Bigger Utilities To Benefit Most From Biden’s Clean-Energy Funds” • Large US electric utilities with renewable power projects already in the works will benefit most in the sector from new federal clean energy funding, analysts and researchers said. The ones already at the forefront of developing solar and wind will be cleaning up. [Yahoo Lifestyle Canada]
¶ “Lawmakers Pen Letter To Holtec Amid Evaporation At Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station” • Ongoing evaporation at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station has drawn the attention of lawmakers, who are calling on Holtec International to answer questions laid out in a letter by the end of the month. The letter is cosigned by Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Rep Bill Keating. [CapeCod.com]
Have an entirely entertaining day.
geoharvey 