World:
¶ “Green Hydrogen Advocates Get A Cold Dose Of Reality From Bloomberg” • Green hydrogen has been touted by politicians and business leaders as a key fuel for a carbon-free future, but BloombergNEF threw a bucket of cold water on the idea. It will remain far more expensive than previously thought for decades to come, BNEF says in a report. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it (Energy Innovation image)
¶ “The Green Steel Movement Is Building Up A Head Of Steam” • The green steel movement has been zeroing in on electric arc furnaces to clean up carbon emissions from steel making, setting the stage for significant sustainability improvements in several industries. Electric arc furnaces do require high-purity iron ore, but its availability may improve. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Jan De Nul, Hellenic Net French Floater Cables Deal” • Jan De Nul, in partnership with Hellenic Cables, has been awarded a frame agreement by RTE to provide export cables for two French floating wind farms totaling 750MW. Three submarine cables of 50 km each will transport the electricity produced by these floating wind farms ashore. [reNews]
Cable layer and substation (Jan De Nul image)
¶ “Solar Power Installations Hit New Highs” • China is to set a record for solar power installations in 2024. With the world’s most complete new-energy industry chain, China is expected to install 230 to 260 GW of solar capacity this year, topping the record of 217 GW set last year, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association said. [China Daily]
¶ “Are Agrivoltaics The Solution?” • There are concerns that the growth of the solar sector comes at a cost to the agriculture. Over 40% of India’s solar farms are on agricultural land, a study shows, putting both food production and rural livelihoods at risk. What is called agrivoltaics, co-locating agriculture with solar energy, may be the answer. [India Development Review]
Agrivoltaics (The Energy and Resources Institute)
¶ “Oslo-Based Scatec Is Awarded 288-MW Solar PV In South Africa” • Oslo-based Scatec ASA, a renewable energy company, was awarded preferred bidder status for a 288-MW solar project in the seventh round of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. [TechFinancials]
¶ “Suez Wind Secures $275 Million Loan From EBRD” • The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has arranged a syndicated loan worth $275 million for construction of the 1.1-GW Suez Wind onshore project in Egypt. The wind farm, which is being co-financed by other investors, will be the largest onshore array in Africa. [reNews]
Wind farm (EBRD image)
¶ “Bangladesh Launches $5 Billion Graft Probe Against Hasina In Nuclear Plant Case” • An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh started an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling $5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report. [Business Standard]
US:
¶ “Demand For Tesla Cybertruck Is Weakening” • The Tesla Cybertruck’s price tag is twice what had been expected and then some. Its design, a trapezoidal, stainless steel exterior meant to stand out in a fiercely competitive market, is called polarizing. These issues are keeping buyers at bay. Sales started much lower than expected and are falling. [CleanTechnica]
Camping with a Cybertruck (Tesla image)
¶ “Hertz Is Now Selling Teslas To Renters! (Super Cheap)” • Some time ago, Hertz set up a used EV website to sell off Tesla rental cars. Now, to be more effective, Hertz is trying to sell these cars specifically to its rental customers. One person claimed he had been offered a 2023 Tesla Model 3 with fewer than 30,000 miles on it for just $17,913! [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Solar Developer Grows Portfolio To 1.5 GW” • Actualize Solar signed five PPAs with a US utility in 2024 and has grown its portfolio to 1,500 MW across 24 projects in six mid-Atlantic and south-eastern states. The company aims to expand its portfolio to 2.5 GW by the end of 2026, based on a disciplined approach to renewable energy project development. [reNews]
Solar panels (Chelsea, Unsplash)
¶ “Coal Prices Declined In Last Year As Renewable Energy Grew” • In the last quarter of 2024, coal prices in the US went through a significant decline, reaching $40/tonne by December. This drop was primarily driven by reduced demand from power plants, as the energy sector increasingly transitioned toward renewable energy sources. [openPR.com]
¶ “Ameren Missouri Brings Three Solar Facilities Online” • Three new solar facilities are online, providing 500 MW of energy to customers in Missouri, Ameren Missouri announced. The three facilities, which cost approximately $950 million, are expected to generate enough energy to provide for annual needs of 92,000 homes. [FOX 2]
Ameren Missouri solar array (Courtesy of Ameren Missouri)
¶ “Renewables Make Up 30% Of US Power Capacity” • A review by the Sun Day Campaign of official data reveals renewables now account for over 30% of total US utility-scale power generating capacity. The review was based on data released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Energy Information Administration. [reNews]
¶ “Workers Seek Shelter As Hanford Nuclear Complex Issues Leak Alert” • Workers at the Hanford nuclear site were ordered to take cover on Friday after a large holding tank with ammonia vapor was discovered to be leaking near the vitrification plant in the 200 East Area. The Hanford incident highlights the ongoing challenges of dealing with nuclear waste. [OilPrice.com]
Have a significantly rewarding day.
geoharvey 