Opinion:
¶ “Data Centers Imperil The Electrical Grid And Climate Action” • Data centers may see an investment of nearly $1 trillion in the US in the next four years as “hyperscalers” with aggressive AI goals, companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla, build computing facilities in a frenzy to keep one step ahead of the competition. [CleanTechnica]
Supercomputer (Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL)
World:
¶ “How Many Vehicles Will Tesla Sell In Europe In 2025?” • Tesla sales dropped significantly in California and certain European markets, recent reports indicate. Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s manic sprint into right-wing politics in the US and Europe seems to be a key influence here. And other automakers keep rolling out new model after new model. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “In Rome, Talks To Protect Earth’s Biodiversity Resume With Money Topping The Agenda” • An annual UN conference on biodiversity will resume its work in Rome after it ran out of time last year. How to spend the money that’s been pledged so far is at the top of the agenda, along with how to raise a lot more to help preserve plant and animal life. [ABC News]
Striped Tiger Butterfly (Sonika Agarwal, Unsplash)
¶ “NTPC Green Energy Shares Rise On Deal To Build 20 GW Of Projects” • Shares of NTPC Green Energy Ltd were yo 4% after it announced that Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company signed an MOU for it to develope solar, wind, and renewable hybrid projects, possibly with storage, to generate at least 20 GW of electricity in Madhya Pradesh. [Equitypandit]
¶ “Ulstein Launches News CSOV For BS Offshore” • Ulstein Verft launched a “state-of-the-art” Commissioning Service Operation Vessel for BS Offshore. The new Yno 320 can accommodate up to 132 crew members and clients. Its diesel-electric propulsion system and substantial battery energy storage will “significantly reduce” its environmental impact. [reNews]
Yno 320 (Image by Ulstein Group)
¶ “UN Warns Nations At Climate Science Meeting ‘Time Is Not On Our Side'” • Tense negotiations on the timing and content of the UN’s next blockbuster assessment of global warming opened in China, with US scientists reportedly absent. The meeting in Hangzhou comes on the heels of the hottest year on record and rising alarm over the pace of warming. [Phys.org]
¶ “RWE Starts Up Italian Solar Park” • RWE has commissioned its first solar plant in Italy. The 8.3-MW Bosco ground-mounted solar plant has roughly 15,000 bifacial modules on a 16-hectare site in the municipality of Partinico near Palermo, Sicily. RWE was able to achieve ready-to-build in less than 18 months, and construction took around 10 months. [reNews]
Solar farm in Italy (RWE image)
¶ “Former PM ‘Sceptical’ About Nuclear, Keen On Hydropower” • Australia needs more investment in pumped hydropower projects to support its transition to renewable energy, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has told a conference, as the nation cannot rely on batteries alone. Turnbull also poured cold water on the nuclear power for its cost. [Yahoo]
US:
¶ “Prediction: Solar Energy Beats Natural Gas By A Mile In 2025” • Pres Trump wants coal, oil, and natural gas to dominate the US energy profile, but he’s already lost the battle. Red and blue states alike are racing to add generating capacity, and solar energy is by far the fuel of choice, with energy storage chipping in a generous share, and wind still coming. [CleanTechnica]
Solar energy and tractor (Courtesy of NREL)
¶ “A Powerful Tool Is Tracking The Electrification Of Industry In The US” • Industries across the US are making a big shift toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions, and an interactive map from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is making it easier than ever to track their progress. It’s a tool that provides a visual representation. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Police Probe Fatalities At Nebraska Wind Farm” • Local police are investigating the deaths of two turbine maintenance workers at a wind farm in Nebraska. The police said the maintenance crew experienced an “equipment failure,” which resulted in both men falling from the turbine south of Winside. The accident is being investigated. [reNews]
Generic wind farm (SXC image)
¶ “Juneau’s Push To Expand Renewable Power Could Boost The Region’s Mines – Or Cost Them” • Juneau’s elected officials and a local entrepreneur have been pushing two major power projects that could reduce carbon pollution. One of them could help a mine reduce pollution and save money. The other could have a different effect on another mine. [Alaska Beacon]
¶ “California High-Speed Rail Seeks Public Input On Renewable Energy Sites” • The California High-Speed Rail Authority is to start the public scoping process for the Environmental Impact Report of the Central Valley Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage System Project. Members of the public and agencies can give input related to the project. [Railway-News]
California High-Speed Rail (© State of California)
¶ “Kansas Army Base Now Powered By 16-MW Solar Portfolio” • Onyx Renewables completed Phase 3 of its onsite solar energy project at US Army Garrison Fort Riley in Kansas. This latest phase of development will generate an additional 4.23 MW of clean energy, bringing the total installed solar capacity at the base now to 16 MW. [Solar Power World]
¶ “Amazon Signs 15-Year PPA With EDP For 100 MW Of Power In Mississippi” • Amazon has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement with EDP Renewables North America for the entire capacity of the 100-MW Ragsdale Solar Park in Madison County, Mississippi. The project reached commercial operations in Q4 of last year. [Data Center Dynamics]
Have an enjoyably lively day.
geoharvey 