Opinion:
¶ “What In The World Is Going On With AI?” • On Monday, January 27, 2025, the spectacular run-up in the market valuation of Big Tech companies that are driving the AI revolution forward came to a screeching halt. They ended the trading day with losses totaling over a trillion dollars. Someone in China showed they could do AI a whole lot cheaper. [CleanTechnica]
Data center (NREL image)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Seaweed Farms Are An Important Carbon Sequestration Strategy” • A study by the Oceans 2050 Global Seaweed Project found that seaweed farming can be an important method of carbon sequestration. Started in September 2020, the project aims to use seaweed farming to mitigate climate change and restore ocean health. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “The Volvo EX30 Leads The Way In South Africa As BEV Sales Go Up 35% In 2024” • Sales of Battery Electric Vehicles breached the 1,000 units per year mark in South Africa for the first time ever in 2024. Last year, 1,257 BEVs were sold in South Africa, up 35% from 929 units sold in 2023. The Volvo EX30 led the way with 406 units. [CleanTechnica]
Volvo EX30 (Matti Blume, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Renewable Energy Accounts For 56% Of China’s Total Installed Capacity” • Newly installed capacity of renewable energy in 2024 made up 86% of China’s total newly installed capacity, while the cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy was a record 56% of the nation’s total, according to data from the National Energy Administration. [Yicai Global]
¶ “Enercon Launches Strong Winds Turbine” • Enercon will offer the E-138 EP3 in a variant for strong wind sites, replacing the E-82 EP2 E4 turbine. The company anticipates strong demand, particularly from customers planning projects at wind-intensive locations near the coast. In addition, an improved power curve is now available for all E-138 EP3 types. [reNews]
Enercon E-138 EP3 (Enercon image)
¶ “Turkey Doubles Solar Power Capacity, Beats 2025 Target” • Turkey has doubled its solar power capacity to over 19 GW in just two and a half years, surpassing its 2025 target by August 2024, according to a report released by energy think tank Ember. This came 18 months ahead of schedule, showing Turkey’s rapid renewable energy growth. [Hürriyet Daily News]
¶ “Offshore Wind Supply Chain ‘Can Boost Profits'” • A white paper offers optimism for the offshore wind sector as it prepares to meet ambitious 2030 clean power targets. In 2023, the global offshore wind capacity was 75.2 GW. The Global Wind Energy Council forecasts that 140 GW of new installations will be needed from 2024 to 2028. [reNews]
Offshore windpower (Innogy image)
¶ “Renewable Records Surge Across The Grid In Midst Of Latest Heatwave” • In New South Wales, scorching conditions of over 41.5°C (106.7°F) pushed demand to record highs, showing off the value of renewable energy. Wind and solar set new records, to show the growing role of renewables can have in meeting peak electricity demand. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “UK Is On Track To Miss Its Renewable Energy Goals” • The UK government has made pledges and efforts to have clean power provide nearly all of Britain’s electricity by 2030. But the country is on track to miss its wind and solar capacity targets as operational and investment constraints are hampering a faster pace of installations. [OilPrice.com]
Renewable energy (Anne Burgess, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Octopus Energy CEO: Powering Bargains With Renewables” • Octopus Energy has grown to be the biggest energy company in the UK. At the World Future Energy Summit, the company’s founder and CEO Greg Jackson urged those in the renewable energy sector to tap low-cost renewables to drive clean energy adoption and acceptance. [pv magazine International]
¶ “MP Pushes For Tidal Lagoon In Bristol Channel” • Building a tidal lagoon in the Bristol Channel could provide clean energy for 120 years, an MP has said. The proposed West Somerset Lagoon would cost £10 billion to build, a third of the cost of a nuclear plant, and its lifespan would be twice that of a nuclear power plant. [BBC]
Minehead, Somerset (Chris Talbot, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
US:
¶ “US Solar PPA Prices Rise 3.3% In Q4” • LevelTen Energy, a PPA marketplace operator, released its Q4 “PPA Price Index” report. It says US solar PPA prices rose by 3.3% in the last three months of 2024. It says, “The increase in solar pricing in the United States may be related to uncertainties around tariffs, tax credits, and transmission buildout.” [pv magazine International]
¶ “Lucid Comes Back From The Brink, With Tesla Supercharger Promise Fulfilled” • The US startup Lucid Group has struggled to find a way into the EV market. Now maybe the road is open, just in time to attract drivers looking for an alternative to a Tesla. And Lucid will have access to over 20,000 Superchargers from January 31, no adapter required. [CleanTechnica]
Lucid Gravity luxury SUV (Courtesy of Lucid Group)
¶ “National Grid Turns Sod On US PV Site” • National Grid Renewables announced the start of construction at its 117-MW Sycamore Creek Solar Project in Ohio, within the PJM market. Once operational, Sycamore Creek will deliver an estimated $27 million in direct economic benefit for the local community, the developer says. [reNews]
¶ “Major Bill On Nuclear Power Wins Unanimous Vote In House Committee” • A major bill opening the door for nuclear power in Utah is advancing in the state legislature. The House Public Utilities committee voted unanimously on Monday to support House Bill 249, which lays the groundwork for eventual nuclear power plants in the state. [FOX 13 News Utah]
Have a wonderfully satisfying day.
geoharvey 
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