Science and Technology:
¶ “Turning Carbon Dioxide Into Renewable Diesel Fuel With Electricity And Microbes” • Instead of releasing CO₂, some scientists want to turn it into things of value. Researchers at Washington University report a way to work with electricity and bacteria to turn CO₂ into fatty acids, which can be converted into renewable diesel fuel. [CleanTechnica]
Electricity and Microbes (Joule image)
¶ “Scientists Achieve Major Milestone With High-Energy, Donut-Shaped Vacuum Chamber” • Several groups of scientists are hard at work trying to unlock the key to nuclear fusion, sometimes referred to as the “holy grail” of clean energy. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in France is one of the largest projects. [The Cool Down]
World:
¶ “Wireless EV Charging Leaders Are Joining Forces To Chase Gasmobiles From Road” • Wireless EV charging has been an object of R&D for years, promising hands-free charging for drivers of electric cars. So, how soon will we scale up to mass market? Not much longer, say two leading startups, InductEV of the US and ENRX of Norway. [CleanTechnica]
Representation of wireless EV charging (Courtesy of ENRX)
¶ “Sonnedix Opens 150-MW Spanish Solar Site” • Sonnedix has opened its 150-MW Betierra project in Spain, so the company now owns and operates 1 GW of Spanish renewable capacity. The project has three 50-MW solar plants sharing interconnection infrastructure, a first for a project of this scale in the company’s Spanish portfolio. [reNews]
¶ “Vestas Confirms 900-MW Nordseecluster B Order” • Vestas confirmed a turbine order for RWE’s 900-MW Nordseecluster B offshore wind project in Germany, after RWE reached a final investment decision on the 1600-MW Nordseecluster complex in the German North Sea in May 2024. The order includes 60 V236-15.0MW wind turbines. [reNews]
Offshore wind turbines (Vestas image)
¶ “Renewable Energy Momentum Builds As Australia Eyes 2030 Targets” • Australia’s renewable energy transition is speeding up with government policies and private investments promising impacts on energy, transport, and industry, said a report by The Climate Council. It cited better vehicle efficiency and greater capacity investment. [Australian Manufacturing]
¶ “NeuConnect Advances UK-Germany Energy Link” • The NeuConnect project reached another key milestone this week with a first phase of cabling works now completed on land and in UK waters, as the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany starts to take shape. At a cost of €2.8 billion, the subsea cable is to be 725 km long. [reNews]
Ships at work (NeuConnect image)
¶ “Manufacturer Wants More Renewables To Soften The Price Crunch And Avoid Shutdowns” • An Australian manufacturer has called on governments to “get out of the way” so developers can build more renewable energy projects, after it was forced to shut its operation due to threatened outages caused by the failure of multiple fossil fuel power stations. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “Voltalia Signs Solar PPAs With CERN” • Voltalia has signed PPAs for the energy produced at two solar parks that are under development in France with CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research). The particle accelerators that CERN operates on both sides of the French-Swiss border near Geneva consume large amounts of electricity. [reNews]
Solar array (Voltalia image)
US:
¶ “Ocean Salt Water Entering Delaware River Due To Drought And Sea Level Rise” • Drought and sea level rise have caused salt water from the Atlantic Ocean to creep into the Delaware River Basin. The point where ocean water and freshwater met had been typically near Wilmington, but it is now about twenty miles farther north, nearing Philadelphia. [ABC News]
¶ “Two US Representatives Try To Suspend 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit” • The 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit is a top incentive for stimulating clean energy and battery making in the US. Chinese companies can take advantage of it by having factories in the US. So two legislators want to end it. [CleanTechnica]
Equipment (Courtesy of Gotion)
¶ “Report Shows Solar Power Is Skyrocketing In Popularity” • A report said the US has over 5 million solar installations, 97% of which are on residential rooftops. The number is set to double by 2030. The Solar Energy Industries Association said 7% of US homes have solar, and that is expected to increase to over 15% in six years. [The Cool Down]
¶ “DE Shaw Completes 50-MW Solar Tracker Project” • Entergy Louisiana and DE Shaw Renewable Investments started commercial operations at Sunlight Road Solar, in Washington Parish, Louisiana. The 50-MW solar facility in Franklinton, developed and built by DESRI, will supply power to Entergy Louisiana’s grid. [Solar Power World]
Solar farm (Courtesy of DE Shaw Renewable Investments)
¶ “US $5 Billion Loan Guarantee For Key Green Power Transmission Link” • The US DOE announced a conditional commitment to guarantee a loan of up to $4.9 billion to Grain Belt Express, which is an Invenergy inter-regional renewable energy transmission line project with 2.5 GW of first-phase carrying capacity. [Latest renewable energy news]
¶ “Goldman Sachs Makes $440 Million Investment In US Power Company” • With concerns over how “dirty energy” like gas, oil, or coal impact the environment, renewable energy has become vital to the planet’s health and its life forms. That is the reason why Goldman Sachs Alternatives is making a $440 million investment in BrightNight. [The Cool Down]
Have a perfectly worthwhile day.
geoharvey 