World:
¶ “Steps To Achieving ‘Real Zero’ At Fortescue” • Hot on the heels of his record purchase of electric mining equipment from Liebherr, Twiggy Forrest ordered A$400 million ($256 million) of emissions-free heavy mining equipment from China’s Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co, Ltd to decarbonise Fortescue’s mining. [CleanTechnica]
Fortescue real zero ore carriers (Fortescue Future Industries image)
¶ “We’re Doing Net Zero All Wrong, Scientists Say” • Ever since the historic Paris Climate Accords in 2015, the phrase “net zero” has been on the lips of every corporation, industry lobbyist, and politician, all promising they are working hard to do their part to avoid turning the planet we live on into a burnt cinder. But what does the phrase even mean? [CleanTechnica]
¶ “CSIRO Study: Nuclear Energy Is Not The Savior Some People Say It Is” • Data centers and bitcoin mining operations use vast amounts of electricity, and some operators want nuclear power plants to provide their needs. However, a study from Australia’s premier science agency, CSIRO, shows that in the end, nuclear energy is a futile solution. [CleanTechnica]
SMR artist rendering (Courtesy of US DOE)
¶ “UK Green Power ‘Set To Overtake Fossil Fuels'” • UK low-carbon renewable power is on course for a major milestone in 2024, overtaking fossil fuel generation for the first full year, according to a report from global energy think tank Ember. It also claims wind power is close to becoming the single largest source of UK power for the first time. [reNews]
¶ “Iberdrola Bags Permit For 274-MW Portuguese Wind Project” • Iberdrola received a production license from the Portuguese Directorate-General for Energy and Geology of Portugal for a 274-MW wind project. The €350 million project will be linked to the existing Tamega hydropower plant, taking advantage of the existing connections. [reNews]
Tamega hydropower plant (Iberdrola image)
¶ “Data Centers To Scupper Climate Targets As They Eat Up All New Renewable Electricity, Research Finds” • Data centers will make it impossible for Ireland to meet its climate commitments if their continued growth is not halted, a research paper shows. They have eaten up all the new renewable electricity generated for the last six years. [Independent]
¶ “GB Railfreight’s Class 99 Locomotives To Run Entirely On Renewable Power And Electricity” • GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s leading goods movers announced that its latest locomotive, the Class 99, will operate solely on electricity or renewable fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil. The Class 99s are set to enter service in late 2025. [Rail Business Daily]
Class 99 at show (Matti Blume, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Juniper Green Places 1-GW PV Module Order With First Solar” • Juniper Green Energy has signed an agreement with First Solar, Inc for 1 GW of First Solar’s Series 7 FT1 cadmium telluride thin-film PV modules. The Gurgaon-based renewable energy company will deploy the modules for projects in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. [pv magazine India]
¶ “Nation Gains Lead In Offshore Wind Power Equipment Manufacturing” • According to a recent report on the global offshore wind supply chain released during an international wind power innovation conference in Shantou, China accounts for 60% of the global capacity in terms of complete offshore wind power machines. [Ecns.cn]
Wind turbine (Giuseppe Famiani, Unsplash)
¶ “Norway Defining New Rules For Energy Communities” • The Norwegian government is creating a regulatory framework for energy communities. It will allow PV systems up to 5 MW to sell power and share surplus energy within specific industrial areas. Also, it will boost the renewable energy share without straining the power network. [pv magazine International]
US:
¶ “The Sunshine State Projected To Take Over As Top-Ranked Residential Solar State In 2028” • Florida has wide-open skies and plenty of light. Unsurprisingly, Florida businesses and people continue to vote with their dollars in support of solar power. Florida installed the second most solar power capacity in the US in 2024, only behind Texas. [CleanTechnica]
Florida energy (From the Florida Public Service Commission)
¶ “SAE Working On Universal Plug And Charge System For US” • SAE, which sets standards for the auto industry in America, is making a determined effort to create a universal plug and charge system that will become standard in the US. With such a system, electric car drivers need do nothing more than connect their cars to a properly configured charger. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla Sweeps Podium for Top Selling Electric Vehicles in USA – Charts” • The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 have so many more sales every quarter than any other model that it’s almost boring. They still get into so many more driveways than any other EVs. The interesting thing recently was to see the Tesla Cybertruck climb into third place. [CleanTechnica]
Cybertruck (Somalia Veteran, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Avantus 100-MW Solar Project Aiding Energy Resilience In Warming Arizona” • Solar project developer Avantus signed a power purchase agreement with Arizona Public Service for the Kitt Solar Project, a 100-MW array to be paired with 400 MWh of energy storage. Construction will start in 2025, and operations are to begin in 2026. [Solar Power World]
¶ “NOAA And American Indian Higher Education Consortium Work For Climate Resilience” • NOAA and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium have signed an MOU to advance Indigenous Knowledge, technology, science, engineering and mathematics education, and workforce training for tribes to build climate resilience. [NOAA.gov]
Have a conspicuously superb day.
geoharvey 
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