World:
¶ “Fully Electric Tourist Ship Launched” • A tourist ship that is 100% electric has been launched. In China, of course. The ship is powered by CATL batteries – a lot of them. The energy storage capacity of the batteries is a whopping 3,918 kWh. That battery power provides the ship with a range of just about 100 km (62 miles) on a full charge! [CleanTechnica]
Electric tourist ship (CATL image)
¶ “Marine Heatwaves May Have Driven The World’s Oceans To A Critical Tipping Point” • In 2023, the Earth experienced a historic surge in marine heatwaves, setting records in intensity, geographic extent, and duration. Scientists warn that prolonged heatwaves might indicate a tipping point for the world’s oceans with grave effects on the planet. [Euronews]
¶ “WeRide Robotaxis in Saudi Arabia” • WeRide has received approval to operate robotaxis in Saudi Arabia. It is partnering with Uber and Ai Driver to conduct the pilot in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The companies plan to have full-scale commercial operations up and running by the end of the year, the first Saudi robotaxi service. [CleanTechnica]
WeRide Uber robotaxi in Saudi Arabia
¶ “New Energy Projects Spring Up In Western Area Of Jilin Province” • The western area of northeast China’s Jilin Province is witnessing rapid growth in its renewable energy sector, as a series of major projects take shape across the region. The area is tapping into its abundant natural resources to build a robust clean energy industry. [People’s Daily]
¶ “Zelestra And EDP Ink Solar-Battery PPA” • Zelestra and EDP signed a long-term solar and battery storage power purchase agreement in Spain. The agreement, the first of its kind in the Spanish market, will allow Zelestra to build a project consisting of 170 MW of solar capacity with 400 MWh of battery storage in Trujillo, Extremadura. [reNews]
Solar workers (Zelestra image)
¶ “‘We Can Do That:’ AEMO Says Power System Can Be Run On 100% Renewable Energy” • The head of the Australian Energy Market Operator says he confident that the country’s main grid – and in fact its smaller ones – can run on 100% renewable energy. States like South Australia reach more than 100% renewables almost every day. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “First Turbine Foundation In For Nordseecluster” • The first turbine foundation for RWE’s 1,600-MW Nordseecluster offshore wind project has been installed. The monopiles were shipped from the Dutch heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven to the construction site in the German North Sea by Van Oord’s new offshore installation vessel Boreas. [reNews]
Boreas at work (RWE image)
¶ “All Energy Costs Rise But Small Nuclear Most Reactive” • Of all generating technologies, next-generation nuclear reactors are the most expensive, a report has found. They would significantly increase electricity prices in Australia. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, released its GenCost report, showing rising costs for energy projects of all kinds. [MSN]
¶ “Wind Power Transforms Life On Roof Of The World” • The Oumatingga wind power project, comprising 25 turbines with a capacity of 100 MW at an average altitude of 4,600 meters, is a landmark achievement that demonstrates Xizang’s (Tibet’s) strong commitment to developing renewable energy, especially in solar PV and wind power. [China Daily]
Tibet (Jiasong Huang, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Honolulu’s Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies Leads In Climate Change Legal Fight” • Honolulu is not alone in its effort to sue fossil fuel companies to hold them accountable for climate change harms, but the city’s lawsuit is further along than similar litigation across the country. A hearing will indicate how these fights play out in court. [ABC News]
¶ “Sierra Club Statement on Confirmation Hearing of Michael Boren” • The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry voted on Donald Trump’s controversial pick to oversee the US Forest Service. Michael Boren is reported to have had disputes with government agencies, including the agency he will be tasked with overseeing. [CleanTechnica]
Tongass National Forest (US Forest Service image)
¶ “US Wind Market Installed 2.1 GW In Q1” • The US wind market surged ahead in the first quarter of 2025 with 2,100 MW of installations, though regulatory uncertainty led to a significant pullback in wind turbine orders, a report says. The US Wind Energy Monitor shows that in Q1 2025, the US wind sector more than doubled the activity of Q1 2024. [reNews]
¶ “How Renewable Energy Keeps America’s Farms Alive” • For many farmers, wind and solar power are lifelines. Renewable energy provides steady income and affordable power, helping farms stay viable when crop prices fall or drought strikes. But some of that is at risk as the Trump administration cuts federal support for renewable energy. [Informed Comment]
Farm and windpower (Mateusz Niezgoda, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Nevada Takes Top Spot In Solar Power Output And Jobs” • Las Vegas is undergoing a sizable change as record-high numbers of rooftop solar systems are installed, part of a broader change to renewable energy in the region. Homeowners increasingly take advantage of rooftop solar systems in Southern Nevada that help save them from utility bills. [X1075 Las Vegas]
¶ “NY Governor Hochul Announces First Bulk Energy Storage Solicitation” • Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of New York’s first Bulk Energy Storage Request for Proposals, intended to procure 1 GW of bulk energy storage as part of New York’s 6-GW Energy Storage Roadmap. Adding energy storage will reduce costs. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
Have a generously presented day.
geoharvey 