Opinion:
¶ “Opposition’s Nuclear-Energy Policy Would Increase Defence Risk” • The Australian Liberal-National opposition’s proposal to build nuclear power stations on the sites of old coal-fired plants is misguided. It would perpetuate Australia’s concentration of electricity generation and worsen our vulnerability to air and missile attack. [The Strategist]
Coal-burning plant (Jason Mavrommatis, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “The Mysterious X Factor Behind A Year Of Unbelievable Heat” • As 2023 began, climate scientists at four organizations forecast that the year would be marginally hotter than the year before, with the consensus falling around 1.2°C of warming (2.2°F) above preindustrial temperatures. But it reached an estimated 1.5°C (2.7°F), and they don’t know why. [Grist.org]
World:
¶ “Seabird Populations At Risk Amid Increased Hurricanes And Extreme Weather: Study” • As the frequency and intensity of hurricanes increase, seabird species suffer, researchers warn. A study published in Nature examines the aftermath for seabird populations after Cyclone Ilsa, which hit Bedout Island, Western Australia in 2023. [ABC News]
Gull (henry perks, Unsplash)
¶ “The History of Carbon Dioxide Emissions” • Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are now higher than at any point in our history. In fact, recent data reveals that global CO₂ emissions were 182 times higher in 2022 than they were in 1850, around the time the industrial revolution was underway. How did we arrive here? [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Two-Thirds of European Green Shipping Fuel Projects At Risk: Analysis” • E-fuels could power about 4% of European shipping by 2030, a study by Transport & Environment shows. But just a third of these projects are guaranteed as fuel suppliers fear a lack of demand. Two-thirds of European green shipping fuel projects are at risk. [CleanTechnica]
Container ship (Borderpolar Photographer, Unsplash)
¶ “Clean Energy Council Releases Quarterly Report” • Australia’s Clean Energy Council released its Renewable Projects Quarterly Report for Q1 2024, highlighting positive signs for renewables recovery and storage projects. Q1 2024 was the best quarter for financial commitments for large renewable energy generating capacity since the end of 2022. [Energy Magazine]
¶ “AMEA Power Closes South African Solar Financing” • Middle Eastern developer AMEA Power has reached financial close on its 120-MW Doornhoek solar project in South Africa. AMEA Power partnered two companies owned by African women on the $120 million project. It will be the company’s first operational asset in the country, when it is commissioned. [reNews]
Solar panels (Chelsea, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Aluminium Smelter Power Supply Deal Paves Way For Second Largest Wind Farm In NZ” • One week after Rio Tinto sealed a groundbreaking electricity deal to power its New Zealand Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, which will keep it from being shut down, plans to build a new 155-MW wind farm have been given the all-clear. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “Almost 60% Of Germany’s Public Electricity Supply Came From Renewables In Early 2024” • Nearly 60% of all electricity fed into the German grid in the first three months of 2024 came from renewable sources, data from the country’s statistical office shows. Renewable power production grew to a first-quarter share of 58.4%, a record. [RenewEconomy]
Sunset at a wind farm (Filipe Resmini, Unsplash)
¶ “Mercury Expands Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm After Tiwai Deal” • Power company Mercury is expanding its Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore, New Zealand. It comes after last week’s long-term agreement to provide power for the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters at Tiwai Point. Mercury said it would spend $486 million on the wind farm project. [RNZ]
¶ “Viking Achieves First Power” • First power has been produced at the 443-MW Viking wind farm on Shetland island, Scotland. The milestone comes as Shetland gears up to be fully connected to the GB electricity transmission grid for the first time. The 260 km Shetland High Voltage Direct Current subsea cable project is to be energized later this summer. [reNews]
Viking wind farm (SSE Renewables image)
US:
¶ “Dangerous Heat Wave Hits California, Arizona, Nevada And More” • An early season heat dome is bringing life-threatening temperatures to 30 million people from Texas to California, and north as far as Oregon. The hottest temperature in the US on Wednesday was recorded in Death Valley, California, where it reached a scorching 118°F. [ABC News]
¶ “USA Solar Panel Manufacturing Capacity Soared 71% In Q1 2024” • A record 11 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity came online in the US during Q1 2024. It was the largest quarter of solar manufacturing growth in US history. The total solar module manufacturing capacity in the US now exceeds 26 GW annually, a report says. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Solar Power Is Booming As End Of US Tariff Pause Puts Developers Under Pressure” • On June 6, 2024, the two-year pause on tariffs for imported solar panels put in place by Pres Biden expired. US warehouses are bulging with 35 GW of solar panels, but they must be installed within 180 days to avoid the tariffs. Then costs will go up. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “GM Says Second-Gen Chevy Bolt Will Be Most Affordable EV In The US” • Marissa West, General Motors senior vice president and president of the GM global markets leadership team, said, “We’re really excited to get the Bolt with the Ultium architecture underpinnings to have the most affordable vehicle on the market by 2025.” [CleanTechnica]
Have a totally copacetic day.
geoharvey 