World:
¶ “US Is Losing The Solid-State EV Battery Race, Bigly” • Now that President Trump throttled back on clean tech innovation in the US, the field is wide open for other nations to leap in. And they are. The latest example is the UK firm Ilika. Known for its micro-batteries, Ilika is heading towards commercial production of a solid-state EV battery. [CleanTechnica]
Solid-state EV battery system (Courtesy of Ilika)
¶ “EVs Take 96.9% Share In Norway – Toyota BZ4X Best-Seller” • January saw plugin EVs take 96.9% share of car sales in Norway, up from 93.9% year on year. BEVs alone took almost 96% of the market. Overall auto volume was strongly up on seasonal norms, at 9,343 units, up 82% YOY. The Toyota BZ4X battery electric was the best-selling EV. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Malaysian Automaker Proton Launches Its First EV” • Last December, Malaysian automaker Proton launched the e.MAS 7 — the first battery EV in its lineup. Two months after the launch of the e.MAS 7, it has gained significant traction in the Southeast Asian country, where fuel prices are among the cheapest in the world, at $1.66 per gallon. [CleanTechnica]
Proton eMAS-7 (From Proton press handout)
¶ “Group’s Bid To Use Water To Power Nearby Firms” • In Derby, a community group wants to install a specialist turbine using a river’s energy to provide power to nearby businesses. Darley Abbey Community Energy is seeking funds for an Archimedes screw turbine to provides renewable electricity on the River Derwent at Darley Abbey Mills. [BBC]
¶ “Juniper Green Raises $1 Billion In Debt Financing To Expand Its Clean Energy Portfolio” • Juniper Green Energy, based in India, announced that it has received $1 billion in phased debt financing. The funding will support the growth of Juniper Green Energy and its subsidiaries for wind-solar hybrid and projects for firm renewable energy. [pv magazine India]
Solar array (Juniper Green Energy image)
¶ “Confused About Nuclear Energy? The Fossil Fuel Industry Is Trying To Mislead Women” • The Climate Council analyzed nuclear ads. The evidence, including CSIRO’s, shows that nuclear power is the most expensive form of new power. On top of that, the Coalition’s policy would see Australia remain reliant on fossil fuels until at least 2036. [Women’s Agenda]
¶ “China Accelerates Reform Of Renewable Power Pricing To Promote Sustainable Development” • China is accelerating the market-oriented reform of its renewable power pricing system, in a bid to build a new power system and promote sustainable development of renewable capacity. Industry experts believe this reform is essential for sustainable growth. [Xinhua]
Wind turbines (Hahaheditor12667, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
US:
¶ “Experts Anticipate Renewable Energy Will Overrun Trump’s Dopey ‘Energy Dominance’ Policy” • The US EIA summarized its short term energy outlook on January 24 of this year: “We expect that US renewable capacity additions – especially solar – will continue to drive the growth of US power generation over the next two years.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tiny House From Mesocore Comes Complete With Solar, A Battery, And A Heat Pump ” • Mesocore, which is Florida-based, specializes in factory-built homes that are assembled on-site. Its latest offering is what it calls an ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, which it describes as a dwelling that exists on a lot with another house. [CleanTechnica]
Tiny House (Mesocore image)
¶ “Trump To Hit Steel Imports With 25% Tariffs” • US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to impose 25% tariffs on all steel as well as aluminium imports, a move that will likely impact the country’s offshore wind sector. Trump announced the tariff during a briefing with reporters as he flew from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. [reNews]
¶ “Despite Chilly Climate, It’s Business As Usual For Wind And Solar Energy In Wyoming“ • The climate for wind and solar power has been getting chilly in the Cowboy State, but no one in that sector appears to be freaking out yet. And that’s despite the executive orders by President Trump calling for a moratorium and review of wind leases. [Cowboy State Daily]
Have a sublimely tranquil day.
geoharvey 