Opinion:
¶ “Powering Data Centers Is An Existential Challenge” • The companies that extract and sell methane gas to power generating stations see the vast increase in demand to power data centers as a godsend. But by using renewable energy with batteries, we may be able to power generating stations for just $4/MWh more. So is life on Earth worth that? [CleanTechnica]
Gas-fired power plant (Steve Martarano, USFWS, public domain)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Prefabricated Façade with Integrated Solar PV” • Scientists at Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer UMSICHT made a prefabricated building façade element that integrates solar PV. Prototypes were installed on a Fraunhofer IBP building in October, and now they are “undergoing intensive monitoring to test their electrical yield and other properties. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “All Companies In Italy Must Now Purchase Climate Insurance” • It will be a whole new business atmosphere in Italy starting on January 1, 2025. That’s because the federal government there will require every company in the country to buy climate insurance for internal support to offset losses from floods, landslides, and other natural hazards. [CleanTechnica]
“Oops,” landslide (Brett L, CC BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Europe’s Green Energy Transition Faces Unexpected Hurdles” • Energy prices in Europe fell below zero for a record amount of time in 2024. An accelerated buildout of wind and solar farms has flooded European grids at peak production hours, causing surplus energy to be sold for as low as -€20/MWh at increasingly frequent increments. [OilPrice.com]
¶ “Nordlicht 1 Secures Planning Approval” • Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency granted planning approval for Vattenfall’s 1-GW Nordlicht 1 offshore wind farm. The project is in the west of Germany’s exclusive economic zone. It will have 68 15-MW turbines and will be the largest offshore wind farm in German waters. [reNews]
Offshore wind farm (Vattenfall image)
¶ “Ausgrid To Oversee Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone” • Ausgrid is the preferred operator for the Hunter-Central Coast REZ. The government of New South Wales signed with the company to develop, operate, and maintain the infrastructure. It’s the first REZ in Australia to leverage the distribution network, as opposed to transmission system. [Newcastle Weekly]
¶ “New Zealand Offshore Renewable Energy Bill Passes First Reading, Laying The Groundwork For Windfarm Development” • The New Zealand Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a regulatory regime that will enable firms to build offshore wind farms passed its first reading in Parliament, the Energy Minister said. [Baird Maritime]
Offshore wind farm (EDF Renewables image)
¶ “France Powers Up: Flamanville 3 Joins Nuclear Grid After 25 Years” • The Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor has finally been connected to France’s power grid after 12 years of delays and a ballooned budget reaching €13 billion. This is the first reactor added in 25 years, providing 1.6 GW, comes during a decline in domestic power consumption. [Devdiscourse]
US:
¶ “Montana Supreme Court Rules That The State Constitution Means What It Says” • In the 2023 session of the Montana legislature, Republicans passed new laws that attempted to limit the effect of a section of the state’s constitution protecting the environment. A group of young plaintiffs sued, claiming the law was unconstitutional. They won. [CleanTechnica]
Glacier National Park, Montana (Janne Simoes, Unsplash)
¶ “Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program Concept Paper Notifications” • The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations responded to Concept Papers it received for the Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program. This funding will focus on non-lithium technologies, long-duration (over 10 hours) systems, and stationary storage applications. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Red State To Rescue EV Battery Supply Chain As Graphite Trade War Looms” • The US has no operating graphite mines, so its battery makers are vulnerable to the vagaries of the global supply chain. Unfortunately, that is not controlled by US allies. One alternative is synthetic graphite. An Australian company has plans to make that in Tennessee. [CleanTechnica]
Natural graphite (H Hoffmeister, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “Connecticut Omits Offshore In Latest Procurement” • The state of Connecticut has opted not to acquire any capacity from offshore wind projects in its latest round of renewable energy procurement. Its Department of Energy and Environmental Protection did acquire 518 MW of solar generation and 200 MW of electric storage capacity. [reNews]
¶ “PUCN Approves Nevada Energy Plans To Add More Solar Power And Battery Storage” • The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approved an NV Energy plan to add more than 1,000 MW of solar power and 1,000 MW of battery storage in Nevada. The PUCN says that the energy company’s plan will meet the growing energy demands of Nevada. [KOLO]
Have a sufficiently perfect day.
geoharvey 
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