World:
¶ “Powered By Volcanoes: Dominica Boosts Clean Energy” • To end its reliance on diesel-powered generators, Dominica is building a geothermal power station. The power station will be built in the south of the country and will access boiling hot water that is currently contained in natural underground reservoirs that are heated by volcanic rock. [BBC]
Geothermal plant building (Ormat Technologies)
¶ “Uruguay EV Sales Report: At 17.6% BEV Market Share In April, We Have A New Leader in Latin America!” • Uruguay’s battery EV sales have boomed this year, with every month presenting explosive growth year over year. April was not an exception, presenting 153% growth from April of 2024 and surpassing 900 battery EVs sold for the first time. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US EIA Forecasts World Oil Consumption Growth To Slow Amid Less Economic Activity” • The US Energy Information Administration forecasts consumption growth of crude oil and other liquid fuels will slow over the next two years, driven by a slowdown in economic growth, particularly in Asia, in its May Short-Term Energy Outlook. [CleanTechnica]
Offshore oil platform (Zachary Theodore, Unsplash)
¶ “Clean Energy Shifts China’s CO₂ Emissions From Growth To Decline” • For the first time in modern history, China’s annual CO₂ emissions have dropped, and not due to economic turmoil or external shocks. It’s a result of deliberate, sustained expansion of clean energy infrastructure. The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EU Approves Joint Venture Of BP And JERA” • The European Commission has approved the creation of an offshore wind joint venture by JERA Nex and BP Gamma. The 50:50 company will have a balanced mix of development projects and operating assets with total 13 GW potential net generating capacity, the companies said. [reNews]
Offshore wind turbines (Carbon Trust image)
¶ “Canadian Wind Project Secures $1 Billion In Financing” • A Canadian consortium that includes Boralex has financing for the 400-MW Des Neiges – Secteur sud wind project in Quebec. La Societe de projet BVH1 also inclues Energir Developpement and Hydro-Quebec, and it has in place $960 million of financing for the wind project. [reNews]
¶ “Elawan Secures Financing For 175 MW Of Hydro Projects” • Elawan Energy has secured financing for 23 small hydropower plants in Spain with a total capacity of 175 MW. The €76 million transaction has been structured as a non-recourse project finance deal, aligned with the company’s sustainability principles and energy transition objectives. [reNews]
Hydro power (Elawan Energy image)
¶ “Victoria Lays Out Plan For Seven Renewable Zones, And Four New Transmission Lines To Replace Coal” • VicGrid has released a first draft of the much anticipated Victorian Transmission Plan, proposing the establishment of seven renewable energy zones and four new transmission lines to support the state’s transition to 65% renewables by 2030. [RenewEconomy]
US:
¶ “Mid-Drive Muscle Under $2.5K? Ride1Up’s Prodigy V2 E-Bike Just Got Even Cheaper” • You may have noticed how mid-drive bikes with premium components can easily cost $4,000. By contrast, the Ride1Up Prodigy V2 brings top-tier specs, like a Brose mid-drive motor, Gates belt drive, and Enviolo CVT hub, down into the $2,000 range. [CleanTechnica]
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 (Ride1Up image)
¶ “The Huge Waymo Recall That Wasn’t” • The headlines said Waymo robotaxis were being recalled! 1,212 of them! Apparently, at low speeds, they were running into trouble with gates and chains and such. Not life threatening, but not great. But a 1,212 vehicle recall?! As it turns out, they just needed an over-the-air software update. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Bill Will Deter Renewables” • The United States draft budget reconciliation bill would deter renewable energy projects, analysts warn. Energy analytics company Wood Mackenzie has warned that if the bill is passed, solar, wind, and energy storage forecasts could be downgraded, while 95% of announced green hydrogen projects will be put at risk. [reNews]
Colorado wind farm (Invenergy image)
¶ “EnergyRe And Google Sign 600-MW Solar Deal” • EnergyRe signed a renewable energy agreement which allows Google to invest in and purchase Renewable Energy Credits from a portfolio of more than 600 MW of new solar and solar with storage projects in South Carolina. This marks Google and energyRe’s second collaboration. [reNews]
¶ “National Grid Takes £303 Million US Offshore Wind Hit” • National Grid booked an impairment of £303 million ($403 million) on its paused 2,800-MW Community Offshore Wind in the New York Bight, a joint venture with RWE. The company cited the regulatory uncertainty created in the US since the election of President Donald Trump. [reNews]
New York Bight lease areas (BOEM image)
¶ “‘Rogue’ Communication Devices Found On Chinese-Made Solar Power Inverters” • US officials have discovered undisclosed communication devices on the power inverters of some solar panels manufactured in China, Reuters reported. The inverters are part of the hardware package connecting solar arrays to the power grid. [Utility Dive]
¶ “US Would Assess Nuclear Waste, Plutonium For Reactor Fuel Under Draft Order” • Nuclear waste and radioactive plutonium would be assessed as a fuel for reactors under a draft executive order being considered by the administration of President Donald Trump on expanding nuclear power. The moves are opposed by nonproliferation experts. [MSN]
Have an exuberantly nifty day.
geoharvey 