Opinion:
¶ “Climate Action Under The Biden Administration” • In 2020, Joe Biden ran for president on the most ambitious climate action platform of any major presidential candidate in US history. As President Biden finishes his term, it’s time to take stock of what his administration accomplished, what is still a work in progress, and what is off track. [CleanTechnica]
Power County Wind Farm, Idaho (US DOE image)
Science and Technology:
¶ “ARPA, DARPA, And The Solid-State Batteries Of The Future” • EV fans who yearn for the next big thing in batteries might not have much longer to wait. New solid-state batteries are emerging faster than some analysts anticipated, providing for longer range and faster charging times to fulfill the promise of hassle-free zero emission mobility. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Rain-Related Disasters Killed Over 200 In A Deadly Week Across Asia” • In India and China, torrential rains killed over 200 people in the past week. This is monsoon and typhoon season in Asia, and climate change has intensified such storms. Heavy rains have triggered landslides and flooding, devastating crops and taking lives. [ABC News]
Downpour (Ben Wicks, Unsplash)
¶ “In Mexico City, Women Water Harvesters Help Make Up For Drought And Dicey Public Water System” • Driven by prolonged drought and inconsistent public water delivery, many Mexico City residents are turning to rainwater. Pioneering company Isla Urbana has installed more than 40,000 rain catchment systems across Mexico. [ABC News]
¶ “Consortium To Develop Chilean Offshore Projects” • UK-based 17 Energy & SC Power have unveiled the Viento Azul Biobío consortium, which aims to develop Chile’s offshore wind industry and support decarbonisation of the electricity network. VAB aims to develop offshore wind projects that deliver tangible benefits to Chile. [reNews]
Offshore windpower (Herztier Kang, Unsplash)
¶ “95% of Steel-Related Emissions from Vehicles Can Be Cut Using Green Steel” • The auto industry can eliminate more than 95% of greenhouse gas emissions from producing the steel for passenger vehicles by moving to fossil-fuel-free steel, according to a new report released today by the International Council on Clean Transportation. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Prysmian Secures Oz Interconnector Contract” • Prysmian and Marinus Link Pty have finalised a contract worth around €600 million for a new power interconnector between Victoria and Tasmania. The project’s cables will span 345 km, with the completion date set for 2030. The first stage of the Marinus Link will have a capacity of 750 MW. [reNews]
Bass Strait (Sheba_Also, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “Germany Achieves New Milestone In Power Generation” • In the first three months of 2024, renewable energy supplied a record-breaking 58.4% of all electricity generated in Germany. That’s the highest since Germany started keeping track in 2018. Wind and solar power are leading the charge, with wind alone providing a whopping 38.5%. [The Cool Down]
¶ “German Utility Takes On 700 MW Of PV Projects” • German utility enviaM group has taken on solar projects with a combined potential of over 700 MW in central Germany. The projects are to be developed will be carried out in cooperation between the enviaM subsidiary envia THERM and the ASG Group under the JV Ventura Holding. [reNews]
Countryside in Central Germany (Metilsteiner, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
US:
¶ “Up To $112.5 Million Funding Opportunity to Support US Wave Energy Development” • The US DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office announced an intent to provide up to $112.5 million in funding to advance the commercial readiness of wave energy technologies through open water testing and system validation. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Legions Of Robots To Build Solar Farms All Over USA” • An energy firm, AES, has a scheme to send armies of robots named “Maximo” out to build solar farms all across the countryside. Maximo is expected to perform faster and more efficiently than its human counterparts, as robots usually do, leading to lower costs for solar power. [CleanTechnica]
Maximo robots (Courtesy of AES)
¶ “US Manufacturing Supporters Praise A Bipartisan Senate Bill Blocking Chinese Companies From Domestic Tax Credits” • The Defend Solar USA Alliance praised introduction of bipartisan legislation set to block Chinese solar makers and other foreign entities from making use of a clean energy tax credit intended to boost US solar making jobs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Legislation For $1 Billion To Advance Marine Energy” • The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act would provide unprecedented levels of funding to the DOE’s Waterpower Technologies Office for R&D, demonstration projects, detailed resource potential mapping, workforce development, and better permitting processes. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
New wave energy test facility (Josh Bauer, NREL)
¶ “Often Overlooked In Clean Energy Push, Hydropower Having Its Moment” • Hydropower is a sector that often gets overlooked. But now a slew of new bipartisan, and, in some cases, bicameral bills promise to change that, if not during the upcoming lame duck session, then certainly after the next Congress is seated in January. [The Well News]
¶ “Dominion Energy Looking At Connecting Data Center Directly To Connecticut Nuclear Plant” • Dominion Energy is exploring the possibility of connecting a data center directly to a nuclear plant, Millstone Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut, as the tech sector hunts for carbon-free electricity to power artificial intelligence applications. [NBC 7 San Diego]
Have an especially magnificent day.
geoharvey 
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