World:
¶ “The Solar Empire Strikes Back! ” • The mood at the annual US Renewable Energy Market conference this month was somber. Bill McKibben says not to count US solar out just yet. In his latest blog post, however, McKibben compares the US and China and finds a clear winner. The investments in renewable energy come from China. [CleanTechnica]
Wind turbines (Sang-Eun Kim, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “EU Reaffirms 2035 ICE Phaseout Plan” • European car makers are lobbying to end the internal combustion phaseout changed. But EU policymakers defend the 2035 target, calling it essential for climate goals and seeing it as achievable. Environmental groups argue industry warnings are exaggerated and point to a steady rise in EV sales. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Why Electrifying Motorcycles In India Is Important” • There are a lot of motorcycles in India, about 250 million of them, counting them separately from scooters. Only a small number of the motorcycles are electric, and they consume about 60% of the gasoline burned for transportation. Electric motorcycles cost less to run, and they don’t pollute. [CleanTechnica]
Ultraviolette electric motorcycle
¶ “How Dependent Is Europe On Korean EV Battery Makers?” • Europe heavily relies on factories that are run by South Koreans for EV batteries. About 75% of existing battery cell manufacturing capacity in Europe is owned by Korean companies, 50% of which is owned by LG, according to the International Energy Agency. Numbers are similar in the US. [Euronews]
¶ “Resource-Scarce Japan Is Turning to Renewables To Power Trains” • Trains in resource-poor Japan are increasingly powered by renewables, as their operators seek to do their part in the country’s drive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Tokyu Corp, for example, buys electricity certified to be generated from non-fossil fuels to run its trains. [The Mainichi]
Tram in Hiroshima (Wikimedia, public domain)
¶ “Indigenous Communities Lead Remote Clean Energy Charge” • Australia is in a renewable energy boom, so it’s important for isolated communities to be empowered to decide what is best for them. One man, Mr Greechan, launched Amboranj to make sure the people of the Kimberley aren’t left behind and have a voice in the projects in their Country. [The Queenslander]
US:
¶ “California Extends Cap-And-Trade Program To Promote Climate Goals” • The California Legislature, dominated by Democrats, voted to extend the its cap-and-trade program, which is set to expire after 2030. In 2006, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed the law authorizing the program. It took effect in 2013. [ABC News]
California (Matthew Hamilton, Unsplash)
¶ “How The End Of The US EV Tax Credit Could Supercharge EV Sales” • We may expect EV sales to drop after September 30, because the financial incentives will be gone and people had thoughts of buying an EV rushed to buy one before October 1. But the fact that owners love their EVs is getting to be known and they may do well without subsidies. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Can Kentucky Harness More Clean, Reliable Power From Its Rivers?” • Dozens of Kentucky’s existing dams could be suitable for hydroelectric generation but have not yet been developed to produce electricity. They offer an opportunity to increase the state’s share of the oldest form of renewable energy. And other dams could be developed. [The Courier-Journal]
Dam in Kentucky (George Green, Army Corps of Engineers)
¶ “Ørsted Battles For Survival As Trump Targets Wind Energy” • Danish wind giant Ørsted is fighting to survive after President Donald Trump introduced a barrage of orders limiting the wind energy sector’s growth. Since declaring an energy emergency in January, Trump has been supporting fossil fuel production with executive orders and legislation. [Oil Price]
¶ “Engineer Launches Quest To Address Dangerous Threat At Nuclear Power Plants” • Nuclear infrastructure can easily be disrupted by seismic activity. To address the issue, University of Wyoming researcher Ankit Saxena recently received a two-year grant of nearly $200,000 from the National Science Foundation to study particle dampers. [Yahoo News]
Have a consistently inspiring day.
geoharvey 