Opinion:
¶ “AI, Data Centers, And Climate Risks” • Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Google are all rushing headlong into the AI future, frantically building data centers. But the electrical energy needed to power data centers is increasing exponentially. So the hunt is on for more generating capacity. Is that a problem? It very well could be, for a number of reasons. [CleanTechnica]
Data center (imgix, Unsplash)
¶ “Is Big Tech Going All In On Nuclear? Google And Microsoft Have Just Pledged $45 Billion On Renewables” • Did you hear the one about big tech going nuclear? One of the lines being trotted out in support of nuclear power is that everyone’s doing it, even the global tech giants Google and Microsoft. But do they support nuclear power? Possibly not. [RenewEconomy]
Science and Technology:
¶ “The Lifespan of EV Batteries May Exceed Expectations By 40%” • Since the early 1990s, the cost of a lithium-ion battery has dropped by over 97% per kilowatt-hour, making EV prices more competitive than gasoline-powered cars. But how long do they last? A Stanford-SLAC study shows EV batteries may last up to 40% longer than expected. [CleanTechnica]
Hyundai EV (Hyundai Motor Group, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “EV Sales: LatAm’s Laggards And Smaller Markets” • Latin America’s largest vehicle markets are undergoing significant EV growth, and several minor markets are showing meteoric growth, but this does not mean the entire region is moving as fast. Time is due for a report on laggards, as well as smaller markets that are important regardless. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Vestas Confirms 1.1-GW Inch Cape Order” • Vestas received a firm and unconditional turbine order for ESB and Red Rock Renewables’ 1.1-GW Inch Cape wind farm off Scotland. The announcement confirms a conditional agreement signed in September for Vestas to supply, install, and commission 72 of its V236-15MW machines. [reNews]
Vestas nacelle (Vestas image)
¶ “First Gen Commits To 13 GW Of Renewable Energy By 2030” • First Gen Corporation pledged to deliver 13 GW of renewable energy by 2030 to support the Philippine government’s target of a 35% renewable energy share in the energy mix. First Gen vice president Carlos Lorenzo Vega said geothermal, solar, wind, and hydro will be included. [Philippine News Agency]
¶ “Brazilian Senate Gives Nod To Offshore Wind Bill” • Brazil’s Federal Senate passed the country’s offshore wind bill, sending the legislation on to the President for final approval. Offshore wind presents a huge opportunity for Brazil to play a key role in the global wind industry supply and support the global energy transition on the path to Net Zero. [reNews]
Rio de Janeiro (Sea Twirl image)
¶ “Miliband Unveils New Powers To Approve Large Wind Farms” • The UK government unveiled plans to give ministers the final say on approving large onshore wind farms rather than leaving decisions to local councils, where opposition has often been fierce. The government has an “ambitious” action plan to reach 95% clean energy in the UK by 2030. [MSN]
¶ “Ambuja Cements Commissions 200-MW Solar Project In Khavda” • Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, made its 200-MW solar project in Khavda, Gujarat, operational and started power transmission from it. The Khavda solar project will supply green power to twenty cement plants. [pv magazine India]
Ambuja Cements plant (Ambuja Cements)
¶ “Dutton’s Nuclear Plan A ‘Heroic’, Cherrypicked ‘Recipe For Higher Energy Bills’, Experts Say” • Some of the top Australian energy analysts criticized the Coalition’s nuclear plan, saying it will be more expensive, burn more carbon, result in a smaller economy, and be more disruptive than claimed. One described the Coalition’s assumptions as defying reality. [MSN]
US:
¶ “Residential Energy Storage Installations Hit All-Time High In USA” • Years ago, Ron Corio said that energy storage will be the next big thing since solar power. Well, developments happen quickly, and now it’s here to stay. Residential energy storage installations just hit an all-time high, and US grid-scale energy storage is coming on fierce. [CleanTechnica]
Solar with batteries (Arizona Public Service image)
¶ “US DOE: Flurry of Solar And Wind Power Announcements” • As Joe Biden’s time leading the US approaches an end, various government agencies have been sprinting to get things done before they are at risk of being dropped and forgotten. Here is a quick overview of some of the announcements from the US Department of Energy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ford And Southern Company Team Up On Charging Initiative” • Ford’s commercial vehicle division, Ford Pro, has teamed up with energy giant Southern Company on a 6-month pilot. The partnership is focused on helping businesses to electrify their fleets. The partnership may help Ford expand its EV business. [CleanTechnica]
Ford Mustang Mach-E (Adrian Newell, Unsplash)
¶ “BOEM Reschedules Gulf Of Mexico Auction” • The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will hold a lease auction in the Gulf of Mexico in 2026 for two lease areas after finding that there is interest in developing offshore wind there. A lease auction had been cancelled previously, but BOEM received an unsolicited request to develop a project. [reNews]
¶ “Climate Scientists ‘Demoralized’ By Trump 2.0” • President-elect Donald Trump has promised to do his worst to unravel climate policy when he retakes the White House next month. He has pledged to re-exit the Paris climate agreement, dismantle his predecessor’s landmark climate law, and roll back environmental regulations across the government. [Politico]
Have a certifiably ideal day.
geoharvey 
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