Opinion:
¶ “Nuclear Power Will Be The Radioactive Cousin Of The Fossil Fuel Industry” • With the threat of climate change becoming a more widely acknowledged reality, lobbyists persuade decision makers and the public that nuclear reactors can help us. Sadly, nuclear power will just prove to be the radioactive cousin of the fossil fuel industry. [Colorado Newsline]
Nuclear plant in France (Jametlene Reskp, Unsplash)
¶ “Human Contribution To Climate Change” • The fact that climate change is driven by human activities is an established scientific reality. Journalists need to be aware of the scientific facts and ensure that they don’t try to ‘balance’ coverage by treating differing views in the global warming debate as having equal credibility. [Media Helping Media]
World:
¶ “Can Underground Thermal Batteries Warm Northern Cities in Deep Winter?” • Seasonal thermal energy storage with ground-source geothermal captures summer heat, whether from solar thermal panels, surplus renewable electricity, or waste industrial heat, and stores it underground, retrieving it months later when temperatures plunge. [CleanTechnica]
Calgary (Priscilla Du Preez, Unsplash)
¶ “Great British Energy Is Bringing Renewables To Schools, Hospitals, And Local Governments” • The first project for the UK’s new state-owned Great British Energy will be to invest £200 million to put rooftop solar panels on schools and hospitals all over the county to help save hundreds of millions of pounds on their energy bills. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Stardust’s Creating Geoengineering Technology” • According to Wired, Israeli startup Stardust is developing geoengineering technology that would help block the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. The theory is that the Earth would be cooled a bit by the new technology, just as the awnings and window shades kept houses cooler in times past. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
(courtesy of Union of Concerned Scientists)
¶ “Equis Starts Construction Of 250-MW Australian BESS” • Equis Australia started building a 250-MW, 500-MWh energy storage facility in New South Wales after it reached financial close. The Calala battery energy storage system is expected to be fully operational by 2027 and will have enough power to supply electricity for up to 115,000 homes. [reNews]
¶ “SFE Installs First Jacket At 300-MW Offshore Wind Farm” • Shinfox Far East Energy has installed the first jacket foundation for a 300-MW offshore wind farm in Taiwan. The jacket, which is taller than a 20-storey building, is now standing on the seabed of the wind farm. The foundations are being installed by the crane vessel SFE Hercules. [reNews]
SFE Hercules (Image via LinkedIn)
¶ “Bangladesh Launches 2.65-GW Solar Tender” • A tender for 2.65 GW of solar capacity was issued by the Bangladesh Power Development Board, as the country’s government aims to develop fourteen solar plants, each between 105 MW and 250 MW. BPDB will award selected developers 20-year power purchase agreements. [pv magazine International]
¶ “European Energy Inaugurates Oz Solar Park” • European Energy inaugurated its first operational Australian solar project after completing it ahead of schedule. The 58-MW Mokoan Solar Park in Winton, Victoria marks the opening step in European Energy’s 9-GW pipeline in Australia. Commercial operation is due to begin in June 2025. [reNews]
Australian solar park (European Energy image)
¶ “RPower Inks First Long-Term PPA in Romania” • RPower has signed its first long-term Power Purchase Agreement in Romania for the supply of 357-GWh of green energy with a local trading company. RPower, based in Poland, said the 2026-2036 contract marks an important step in its expansion into the European renewable energy market. [reNews]
US:
¶ “Monsanto Parent Ordered To Pay Nearly $2.1 Billion In Roundup Weedkiller Lawsuit” • A jury in Georgia ordered Bayer, the parent of Monsanto, to pay nearly $2.1 billion in damages to a man who says the company’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer, according to attorneys representing the plaintiff. In is just the latest verdict against Monsanto. [ABC News]
Corn field (Stefano Marinelli, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “‘Fun On The Road Or Trail’: Why Rugged EVs Are Now In Demand” • Automakers are now targeting niche markets to boost sales. Instead of highlighting such things as range, selling points include an EV’s off-road capability and weekend warrior cred. Plus, the latest electrics have the brawny, boxlike styling that consumers seek. [ABC News]
¶ “ORPC Files Draft License For Alaska Tidal Energy Project” • US-based Ocean Renewable Power Company has submitted a draft pilot license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its East Foreland Tidal Energy Project in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The site is recognized as having the highest tidal energy potential in the US. [Offshore-Energy.biz]
Cook Inlet (Meg von Haartman, Unsplash)
¶ “A $7.50 Monthly Credit For Off-Peak EV Charging, Imagine Doing That With Your Gasmobile” • In Florida, 3,000 EV owners decided that $7.50 was enough for them to rush into an off-peak pilot project Duke Energy created. The test program was quickly oversubscribed and now Duke is offering it to everyone in their Florida territory. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewable Energy To Reach 37.4% Of US Generating Capacity By 2028” • By February 1, 2028, renewable energy sources are projected to make up 37.4% of the total installed utility-scale generating capacity in the US, trailing only natural gas at 40.2%, according to the latest data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. [Softonic]
Have an exquisitely fine day.
geoharvey 