World:
¶ “New Volvo Electric Car Models To Propel Volvo To Full Electrification Faster” • Volvo has one of the most ambitious electrification targets of legacy automakers. It may not be the biggest automaker in the world, but its ambitions to become a 100% electric car company are notable, and its progress is commendable. [CleanTechnica]
Volvo EX30 Cross Country (Volvo image)
¶ “Airbus’ Hydrogen Plane Crash: Time for a Reality Check” • Airbus’s quiet admission that they are delaying their hydrogen dream is in stark contrast to the gushing press releases of previous years. After lulling us with stories of aviation at the cutting edge of innovation, Airbus is just another company guided by profit maximization. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “UK Plans CfD Reforms To Boost Offshore Wind” • The UK government is seeking to clear the way for more offshore wind projects as it launched a consultation on proposed reforms to this year’s AR7 Contracts for Difference auction. The UK is home to the world’s three largest operational offshore wind farms but needs more for clean power by 2030. [reNews]
Offshore wind farm (RWE image)
¶ “Going Green: Taking Control Of Your Energy Consumption” • Have you ever thought about who’s in charge of our electricity and how it gets to our homes? The answer is usually large energy companies who then charge an growing price for the service. An alternative is community energy projects, and they are getting popular in the UK. [The Southern Reporter]
¶ “P2X Solutions Commissions Green Hydrogen Plant” • P2X Solutions began commercial operations at a green hydrogen plant in Finland. The 20-MW Harjavalta facility uses a Sunfire electrolyzer and is Finland’s first industrial site for commercial production of green hydrogen. Finland is emerging as a leader for the production of green hydrogen. [reNews]
Harjavalta green hydrogen plant (P2X Solutions image)
¶ “How Canadian Manufacturers Transition To Renewable Energy Sources” • Canadian manufacturers are making a lot of progress adopting renewable energy. Embracing the challenges of this transition is essential to reap the benefits of sustainability, from environmental aspects to corporate resilience, increased revenue, and customer loyalty. [Canadian Manufacturing]
¶ “Chernobyl Expert Warns Nuclear Disaster In Ukraine ‘Only Matter Of Time’ Due To Russian Recklessness” • Nuclear disaster in Ukraine is only a “matter of time” away as the international community fails to take tougher action. Historian Serhii Plokhy has warned of Russian carelessness and the weak international community response. [Yahoo News Canada]
Abandoned Chernobyl Ferris wheel (Kato Blackmore, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Trump Bars Federal Scientists From Working On Pivotal Global Climate Report” • The Trump administration told US government scientists working on a vital global climate report to stop their work, according to a scientist involved in the report. This move is just the latest to withdraw the US from global climate action and research. [CNN]
¶ “GAF Energy Unveils Its Next-Gen Nailable Solar Shingle, Now 23% More Powerful” • GAF Energy, a leading solar roofing manufacturer and a subsidiary of Standard Industries, launched the next generation of its groundbreaking Timberline Solar® Energy Shingle. GAF Energy will manufacture the PV shingles in California and Texas. [CleanTechnica]
Timberline Solar® ES 2 solar shingle (GAF Energy image)
¶ “Heads Explode As Virtual Power Plants Meet Self-Defending Grids” • MIT researchers developed a “local electricity market” grid emergency response concept that enables grid managers to communicate instantly with such devices as solar panels, home appliances, EVs, batteries, and smart thermostats in case of a grid disruption or cyberattack. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Popular Energy Efficiency Program Lives To See Another Day” • The popular Energy Star energy efficiency certification program has survived many shifts in the political winds since launching in 1992, because it is, well, popular. Energy Star is a valuable marketing tool for US appliance manufacturers and builders, among other stakeholders. [CleanTechnica]
Energy Star efficiency (courtesy of Energy Star)
¶ “Report Reveals How Unorthodox Power Market Drastically Lowered Utility Bills” • In California, solar power was up 31%, wind energy grew 8%, and battery storage more than doubled since 2023. Some people feared renewables were unreliable and costly, but there were no blackouts, and electricity prices fell by over 50% from the previous year. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Duke Energy Florida Files Plans For Four New Solar Energy Sites” • Duke Energy Florida is investing over $521 million to establish solar sites in four counties. These sites are expected to save customers a total of $843 million over their lifetimes. Each of the four 74.9-MW solar sites will generate enough electricity to power about 23,000 homes. [Duke Energy]
Solar panels (Duke Energy image)
¶ “OCI Energy And Arava Power Announce Joint Venture For 260-MW Solar Project In Texas” • Clean energy developer OCI Energy, based in San Antonio, agreed to enter a joint venture with Israeli solar energy company Arava Power to develop a 260-MW (AC) solar farm, Project SunRoper, in Wharton County, Texas. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “FERC’s Approval For Gas Plant Queue-Jumping Sparks Outrage” • When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM Interconnection’s plan to let fifty power projects, including nuclear and gas-fired plants, cut the line and connect to the grid ahead of hundreds of renewable energy projects, it ignited a fierce backlash. [Inside Climate News]
Have an impressively positive day.
geoharvey 
Leave a comment