Opinion:
¶ “The Renewable Energy Revolution: An Unstoppable Force” • The return of Donald Trump signals a shift in the US stance on climate policy, and his administration’s actions are expected to diverge sharply from recent climate-forward policies. Yet, with significant advancements in renewables, the world’s sustainable energy future seems unstoppable. [Microgrid Media]
Wind farm (American Public Power Association, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Scientists Make Game-Changing Breakthrough With Next-Generation Power Source” • Researchers from universities in South Korea have announced what could be a dream-come-true improvement for next-generation protonic ceramic cells, in part because it can double power output. PCCs use ions of hydrogen instead of oxygen for “transport.” [MSN]
¶ “A 30-MW Space Solar Power Plant Is Scheduled For 2030” • UK startup Space Solar has announced a collaboration with the climate initiative Transition Labs to build a 30-MW solar power plant in orbit and beam solar energy down to a site in Iceland by 2030. The Icelandic energy firm Reykjavik Energy has signed up as an offtaker. [CleanTechnica]
Proposed orbiting plant (Courtesy of Space Solar)
World:
¶ “Renewables Gallop Ahead Down Under” • According to the NEM Watch widget, solar and wind supply upwards of 70% of Queensland’s electricity, though the rest of the power is coming from black coal and a little gas. Despite some setbacks, there is so much renewable energy in the news, it’s hard to choose what to write about. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Inchcape And BYD Partner In New Distribution Agreement For Ethiopia” • In an unprecedented move some months ago, Ethiopia became effectively the first country in the world to ban the import of internal combustion engine vehicles. This ban has led to a surge in sales of EVs in Ethiopia. BYD is partnering with Inchcape to sell them. [CleanTechnica]
BYD Seal (Matti Blume, Creative Commons)
¶ “World EV Sales Report – The Top Selling Auto Brands And Groups” • In September, BYD, now deep into some competitive pricing, was number one with 399,000 registrations. This is, of course, a new record. With sales at this level, one starts to wonder how high the Shenzhen make’s sales could go. It is more than double Tesla’s sales. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tata Power To Invest ₹550 Crore To Supply Wind And Solar Energy To Noida International Airport” • Tata Power will invest ₹550 crore ($65.18 million) to develop solar and wind power capacities and related infrastructure to supply clean energy to Noida International Airport in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district. [The Indian Express]
Indian Airbus A320 (Santanu Mondal, public domain)
¶ “Transforming Petrodollars: How Oil-Rich Countries Are Developing Clean Energy” • Nations that are rich in oil and gas, such as Norway, the UAE, Brazil, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, are developing strategies to invest oil revenues in the growing green economy. We might examine what ideas they are proposing for a sustainable energy future. [Kazinform]
¶ “How Landfills Can Help Solve the Renewable Energy Land Shortage” • While energy companies often seek out prime land to develop wind and solar farms, landfills offer an alternative option that is unlikely to garner broad opposition. A number of countries, including the US, France, and the UK, are pursuing landfill solar projects. [OilPrice.com]
Landfill in Alaska (Brad Weaver, Unsplash, cropped)
US:
¶ “What Trump Means For The Future Of Heat Pump And EV Incentives” • If you’re thinking of buying an EV or a heat pump eligible for federal incentives, now might be the time. President-Elect Donald Trump labels the US Inflation Reduction Act the “green new scam.” He’s pledged to rescind funding for the Biden administration’s 2022 climate law. [MSN]
¶ “NYC Under Drought Watch After Second Driest October In Recorded History” • New York City agencies are being ordered to make water conservation plans and residents urged to “conserve every drop possible” as a drought watch follows a historically dry October. October saw the second longest rainless streak in the city’s recorded history. [MSN]
Adirondacks (Clay Banks, Unsplash)
¶ “Solx Will Manufacture Solar Panels In Puerto Rico” • Puerto Rico has made great progress in converting to solar microgrids that keep the lights on at hospitals and emergency services when natural disasters bring its grid down. Now Great Lakes Solx PR has announced it plans to create the first solar panel making facility in Puerto Rico. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NextEra Energy CEO Says NuScale Energy’s Business Model Isn’t Worthwhile” • NuScale Power is an upstart hoping to be at the forefront of what could be a massive overhaul of the nuclear power industry. But at least one notable utility industry veteran doesn’t think NuScale Power’s approach will work out as well as investors would like. [Yahoo Finance]
Have a superbly happy day.
geoharvey 