Science and Technology:
¶ “Illinois Carbon Capture Project Captures Almost No Carbon” • EPA records show that over the last decade, a demonstration project in Decatur only captured between 10% and 12% of its total emissions each year, and the rest escaped into the atmosphere. Oil & Gas Watch says this raises questions about industrial-scale carbon capture technology. [CleanTechnica]
Many kinds of carbon capture (Juan Davila, Unsplash, cropped)
World:
¶ “Janus Electric Prime Movers” • CleanTechnica has followed the progress of Janus Electric truck conversions for over three years. In about four minutes (less time than it takes a truckie to visit the loo), the facility will swap the 2-metre-by-1.2-metre depleted truck batteries for batteries full of sunshiney goodness, ready for the next 400 km of their run. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “An $8,000 Electric Car: The Wuling Binguo” • Kyle and Alyssa from Out of Spec Reviews checked out the tiny, 5-door, fully electric Wuling Binguo, which is the product of a SAIC–General Motors collaboration. The base model hatchback costs $8,000 and there is a premium version for $12,000. Three LFP battery pack options are available. [CleanTechnica]
$8,000 EV (SAIC-GM-Wuling image)
¶ “‘Visit Hull’ Invitation To Trump After Social Post” • Donald Trump is being invited to Hull to see for himself the impact of renewable energy on the region after he criticized the UK’s move away from oil and gas production. Posting on social media, Trump urged the government to open up the North Sea and “get rid of windmills.” [BBC]
¶ “RES Submits Plans For 49.9-MW Solar Farm” • RES has submitted a planning application for a 49.9-MW solar farm in Hertfordshire. The Beane Solar Farm project is proposed for land west of Cottered village and would contribute to net-zero carbon emission targets while generating enough energy to power 15,000 homes. [reNews]
Solar farm (RES image)
¶ “RWE Nets 31 Solar Projects In Polish Auction” • RWE has been awarded 31 solar projects in Poland with a total capacity of 102 MW DC. In the latest auction for renewables, Polish regulator Urząd Regulacji Energetyki awarded RWE the 31 projects. The total capacity of 102 MW DC corresponds to 84 MW AC. Most of the solar schemes have received permits. [reNews]
US:
¶ “Ford Reaches New Electric Vehicle Sales Heights” • Ford’s EV sales in the fourth quarter reached a new high for the company. Across the full year, Ford nearly reached 100,000 pure EV sales. It had 51,745 sales of the Mustang Mach-E, up 27% from 2023, and 33,510 sales of the F-150 Lightning, up 39%. The E-Transit had 12,610 sales, up 64%. [CleanTechnica]
Ford EVs (Ford image)
¶ “Huge Growth In Nissan LEAF And Ariya EV Sales In USA ” • The Nissan LEAF has seen a revival. It had a 170.4% year-over-year increase in sales in the 4th quarter, and a 57% increase in 2024 versus 2023 as a whole. It scored 3,645 sales in the 4th quarter, up from 1,348 a year before, and banged in 11,226 sales in 2024, up from 7,152 in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ford ‘Power Promise’ Extended into 2025 for US EV Buyers” • Ford had a record year for EV sales. One program the company has used to help spur on sales is Power Promise, which provides complimentary home chargers and installation to new EV buyers (in most cases). The company is extending the program through March 31, 2025. [CleanTechnica]
Charging a Ford EV (Ford image)
¶ “California’s Progress In Renewable Energy: A Closer Look” • The Renewable Portfolio Standard pushed California to start big renewable energy projects. From 2004 to 2009, California began a series of large-scale solar energy projects that were not only important for the state but also helped the whole country think more about clean energy. [Microgrid Media]
¶ “BOEM Seeks Lease Areas Off Guam Coast” • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is seeking nominations for possible wind energy leasing areas off the coast of the US Pacific territory of Guam. BOEM has announced a Call for Information and Nominations, which will gather public comments to inform potential leasing areas. [reNews]
Guam (yeojin yun, Unsplash)
¶ “Indian River Power Plant To Close In February” • Delaware’s only coal-fired energy power plant will cease operating in February, almost two years before its previously scheduled shutdown. PJM has touted the early shutdown as a win for electricity consumers, who the RTO says will save roughly $93 million with the shutdown. [Delaware LIVE News]
¶ “Solar Power Is Cutting Daytime Electricity Demand On New England’s Grid” • There were more than 100 days in 2024 when customers used more electricity from the region’s grid at night, when most people are asleep, than during the day. Before 2018, there wasn’t a single day when this happened. The trend reflects increasing use of rooftop solar panels. [Yahoo]
Solar power (Oskar Kadaksoo, Unsplash)
¶ “US Chamber, Oil Industry Sue Vermont Over Law Requiring Companies To Pay For Climate Change Damage” • The US Chamber of Commerce and a top oil and gas industry trade group are suing Vermont over its new law requiring that fossil fuel companies pay a share of the damage caused over several decades by climate change. [CTV News]
¶ “Monticello Nuclear Plant Gets Federal Approval To Keep Operating Until 2050” • The Monticello nuclear plant can run for another couple of decades. The US NRC renewed the 53-year-old plant’s operating license, allowing it to keep generating power through September 8, 2050. The plant is about 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis. [InForum]
Have an energetically quiet day.
geoharvey 
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