World:
¶ “Ford Mustang Mach-E Available in the Philippines” • Ford Philippines launched the Mustang Mach-E Premium EV in that country at a price of ₱3,499,000 ($61,690). It features a battery with 88 kWh of usable energy, a 550 km range (342 miles), dual motors providing 394 hp, and electronic AWD. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds. [CleanTechnica]
Ford Mustang Mach-E (George Sargiannidis, Unsplash)
¶ “Black Hole: Dozens Of Renewable Energy Projects Still Waiting On EPBC Decision” • There is more evidence that Australia’s EBPC Act approvals process is failing renewable energy projects, with another report showing no projects sent into the queue 2023 or 2024 have been approved. The EPBC is doubling timelines. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “It’s Time To Divest From Plastic – Ceramics Are One Viable Alternative” • Plastics Treaty negotiations began on August 5 and are due to conclude on August 14, 2025, but a failures at the proceedings have put the fate of the plastics treaty in jeopardy. In this article, we look at ceramics as an alternative to plastics for many articles. [CleanTechnica]
GaeaStar ceramic cups (GaeaStar image)
¶ “Five Community Batteries Power Up In Adelaide” • The first batteries in the ARENA Community Batteries Project, managed by Momentum Energy, were switched on in Adelaide, South Australia. Five batteries, with a total capacity of 770 kW and 2,061 kWh, help reduce costs for the retirement village residents and shop tenants. [Energy Source & Distribution]
¶ “Torrent Power Floats 200-MW FDRE Tender With Greenshoe Option” • Gujarat-based Torrent Power invited bids for a 200-MW firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) project with an energy storage system. The tender includes a greenshoe option of up to 100 MW, with the bidding deadline set for 30 August 2025. [Saur Energy]
Energy storage (Europe Smart Energy image)
¶ “Solar Power Output Jumps 71% In 4 Months: SATBA” • Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) said that output of solar power plants rose by 71% in the first four months of the Iranian year starting March 20, compared to the same period last year. The increase in output was partly due to increased capacity. [Tehran Times]
¶ “NISE Launches Support Program For Renewable Energy Start-Ups” • The National Institute of Solar Energy, collaborating with the National Solar Energy Federation of India and the Atal Incubation Centre–IIT Delhi Sonipat Innovation Foundation, announced a program to support start-up-led innovation in the Renewable Energy sector. [pv magazine India]
Small solar cell (Santeri Viinamäki, CC BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Swarm Of Jellyfish Shuts French Nuclear Power Plant” • The Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France has been shut down after a swarm of jellyfish entered the filter drums that pull in cooling water, according to its state-owned operator, EDF. The plant is one of the largest in France. It is cooled by water from a canal connected to the North Sea. [The Guardian]
US:
¶ “Google Launched An AI Model That Functions Like A Virtual Satellite” • Satellites gather images help scientists understand our planet. But these images come from many different sources, and it can be difficult to combine them into a single picture. Google’s AI model AlphaEarth Foundations can combine them to create highly detailed maps almost in real time. [Euronews]
New York City (NASA, Unsplash)
¶ “New Jersey Wins $2 Billion Settlement From DuPont Over PFAS” • New Jersey won a $2 billion settlement because PFAS are horrible for human health, and they don’t naturally degrade. The $2 billion seems minuscule compared to the damage PFAS do. We should take the stand that our government should protect people, not corporations. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Offshore Wind Study Confirms The Obvious” • Research on North Sea wind farms in the UK indicates that the floating offshore wind field is an opportunity for the concrete industry. As applied to the US, that includes long swaths of deepwater coastline unsuitable for fixed monopiles. But a convicted felon will prevent it. [CleanTechnica]
Offshore wind turbines (NREL image)
¶ “The Human Health Risk Of Breathing Carbon Dioxide” • The US EPA issued a report claiming that increasing CO₂ promotes plant growth, enhancing agricultural yields, and neutralizing ocean alkalinity. The promotion of CO₂ is not based on any science, however. Scientists say we already breathe too much CO₂ for good health. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Homeowner Seeks Advice After Negotiating Solar Panel Deal To Lower Massive Energy Bills: ‘Too Good To Be True?'” • One Californian Redditor was thinking about signing a solar PPA and looked to r/solar for advice. Replies were mostly supportive. One said that the utility largely had control over rates, but with solar power, the user did. [The Cool Down]
Have a perfectly fabulous day.
geoharvey 