Science and Technology:
¶ “How To Power the South Pole By Using Renewable Energy Technologies” • Researchers at two US DOE laboratories – NREL and ANL – looked at how a combination of solar modules, wind turbines, and battery storage could provide a cost-effective way to expand research capabilities at the South Pole while reducing costs significantly. [CleanTechnica]
Solar panels set up vertically (Silvana Ovaitt, NREL)
World:
¶ “Petrol Sales In Norway Drop 8% Year Over Year” • Norway has been the European leader in terms of EV market share, with even 90%+ of sales being plugin sales in recent years. The majority of vehicles on its roads, though, are still fossil-powered. It takes time for cars to be retired. Now we see that in Norway, sales of petrol fell 8% in May, YOY. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Yin & Yang Of Delivery Vans: Electric Vs Diesel” • Two news stories have opposite messages about delivery vehicles and emissions. One, from Transport & Environment, says delivery fleet emissions in the UK are rising as more diesel-powered vans are added. In the other, UPS says it is adding 100 battery electric vans to its Paris delivery fleet. [CleanTechnica]
UPS delivery van in Paris (UPS image)
¶ “Europe Battery Factory Plans Are In A Shambles” • Reuters had some shocking news about BMW and its EV plans. It said BMW cancelled a €2 billion ($2.15 billion) order for battery cells from Northvolt, saying, “Northvolt and the BMW Group have jointly decided to focus Northvolt’s activities on the goal of developing next generation battery cells.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tajikistan Plans To Leverage Kazakhstan’s Experience In Renewable Energy” • Tajikistan plans to leverage Kazakhstan’s experience in renewable energy, Azernews reports. The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Sharifa Khudobakhsh, stated this at a meeting of the parliaments of the two countries. [AzerNews]
Tajikistan (hey emmby, Unsplash)
¶ “Azerbaijan’s Green Energy: A Promising Shift In Electricity Production” • In the first five months of 2024, Azerbaijan made significant strides in its renewable energy sector. The Energy Ministry said the share of green energy in the nation’s electricity has increased to 14%. The installed capacity of renewable energy in Azerbaijan is now 1,748.6 MW. [AzerNews]
¶ “Ukraine Rushes For Solar Panels As Russia Hits Its Power Grid” • Waves of devastating Russian drone and missile attacks again crippled Ukrainian power plants, causing blackouts and forcing Ukrainians to plan for the worst. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that all hospitals and schools in Ukraine must be equipped with solar panels “as soon as possible.” [Kyiv Post]
kyiv (Eugene, Unsplash)
¶ “NCRTC’s Solar Power Initiatives Reduce CO₂ Emissions By 3,100 Tons Annually” • In India, the National Capital Regional Transport Corporation is installing solar power along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor, according to officials. Its 3-MW capacity reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 3,100 tonnes per year. [Outlook Planet]
¶ “Iceland’s Ice Is Melting So Fast It’s Boosting Hydropower” • Iceland gets more than 70% of its electricity from hydropower fed by glacial meltwaters. So as the Earth heats up and glaciers melt faster, hydroelectric plants have more water to spin turbines and power the grid. It is a silver lining for a country mourning the decline of its glaciers. [Scientific American]
Reykjavík (Tom Podmore, Unsplash)
¶ “Nuclear Reactor Build Could Cost Up To A$600 Billion” • Building seven nuclear power plants under the opposition’s proposal could cost up to A$600 billion ($4.67 billion) while delivering just 3.7% of Australia’s 2050 energy, an industry body says. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promoted his plan for nuclear without detailing costs. [MSN]
US:
¶ “Conservationists Tout Indiana Old Mines, Brownfields To Develop Renewable Energy” • In a report called “Mine the Sun,” The Nature Conservancy says the quickest way for Indiana to gain energy independence is to utilize unused sites, such as abandoned mines, brownfields, or dumpsites, to develop solar and wind farms. [95.3 MNC]
Solar array (Chelsea, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Energy Giant Doubles Order From Qcells’ Georgia Solar Panel Plant ” • A little more than a year ago, a Virginia energy company announced plans to buy millions of Georgia-built solar panels in the largest “community solar” purchase in US history. This week, Summit Ridge Energy said it plans to nearly double that huge commitment. [AJC.com]
¶ “88-2: Only Markey And Sanders Oppose ‘Expensive, Risky’ Nuclear Power Expansion” • Just US Senators Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders voted against legislation that one scientist warned this week “will only increase the danger to people already living downwind” of nuclear power facilities. The legislation is on its way to the president’s desk. [Common Dreams]
Have a superbly unruffled day.
geoharvey 
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