Science and Technology:
¶ “Donut Lab – Battery Specs Proven, But Not All Of Them” • A month back, Donut Lab in Finland announced it had developed a solid-state battery. Armchair experts dismissed it, so Donut Lab hired VTT, a respected Finnish testing laboratory, to put the battery through its paces. More has to be reported before we can trust the battery. [CleanTechnica]
Solid state battery (Donut Lab image)
World:
¶ “Europe Loses LNG Cargoes As They Chase Higher Prices In Asia” • Europe is being edged out of the global liquified natural gas market as Asian buyers outbid them for limited cargoes. Ship-tracking data shows several tankers changing their courses mid-voyage and close to a dozen Atlantic shipments have been redirected. [Euronews]
¶ “Gazprom And Rosneft Tied To Deportation Of Ukrainian Children, Report Says” • Russian energy companies Gazprom and Rosneft facilitated the forceful deportion and re-education of Ukrainian children, Yale Humanitarian Research Lab said in a report. Ukraine has verified Russia’s deportation of over 19,500 children since 2022. [Euronews]
Demonstration in Berlin (Roy Zuo, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Helium Supply Crunch Puts MRI Services At Risk Amid Qatar Disruptions” • Iran’s strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub have disrupted helium production. This shows how the war’s effects go into such markets as healthcare and technology. Helium is a critical material for industries ranging from medical imaging to making semiconductors. [Euronews]
¶ “Electric Buses Ordered To Be Used In India” • India has some of the most polluted cities in the world. That air pollution harms human health. Beyond that, there is plenty of evidence showing air pollution contributes to millions of premature human deaths every year. Now comes word that 915 electric buses were ordered to be used in India. [CleanTechnica]
Electric bus in Mumbai (Hiki Liu, Unsplash)
¶ “Philippines Declares National Energy Emergency As Asia Risks Energy Crisis Amid Iran War” • The Philippines has declared a national energy emergency in response to the US-Israeli war with Iran, marking the latest sign of strain in Asia as the Middle East conflict stifles oil delivery and threatens an energy crisis. [ABC News]
¶ “Germany To Tender 12 GW Of Onshore Wind” • Germany will tender 12 GW of additional onshore wind under its Climate Action Program 2026. The federal government said the phased tenders correspond to around 2000 wind turbines and electricity equivalent to 15 to 20 gas-fired power plants. The greater wind capacity will reduce use of coal and gas. [reNews]
Wind installation (Enercon image)
¶ “China’s Installed Power Capacity Hits 3,950 GW As Solar And Wind Surge” • China’s total installed power generation capacity reached approximately 3,950 GW at the end of February, a 15.9% increase year-on-year. Installed capacity of solar power rose to 1,230 GW, up 33.2% YOY, while wind power reached 650 GW, a 22.8% increase. [China Daily]
¶ “Vestas Plans Scotland Nacelle Factory” • Vestas has announced plans to build a nacelle and hub factory in Scotland to support offshore wind demand in the UK and Europe. The company said the investment of over €250 million would produce nacelles and hubs for its 15.0-MW turbine and could create as many as 500 direct jobs. [reNews]
Vestas nacelle (Vestas image)
¶ “Chinese FM Warns Against Nuclear Facilities Being Targeted In The Middle East Conflict” • At a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the fighting in the Middle East is spreading. If nuclear facilities are targeted, there will be serious consequences and the people of the region will in a dire situation. [Xinhua]
US:
¶ “Wind Power Will Continue To Grow, Despite Attempts By The Trump Administration To Halt Renewable Energy” • Wind power will continue to advance, despite the attempts to halt the growing momentum of renewable energy, experts told ABC News. Offshore wind faces the worst of the federal government “headwinds,” but it is persevering. [ABC News]
Offshore windpower (Karwin Luo, Unsplash)
¶ “EPA Approves Sale Of Higher Ethanol Fuel To Try To Lower Gas Prices” • The EPA announced it would allow gas stations to sell the slightly cheaper E15 this summer to reduce costs for drivers and benefit corn growers. However, it is likely contribute to air pollution. The sale of E15 is typically discontinued in the summer because of pollution. [ABC News]
¶ “More Solar PVs, Twice As Fast With Maximo Robots” • Solar developers have been going after technologies that cut costs and installation times, and robots are part of the plan. With that in mind, let’s take a look at Maximo, the speedy solar robot that just achieved its first 100-MW installation at nearly double the output of traditional methods. [CleanTechnica]
Robot helper on solar installation (Image from AES via email)
¶ “Groups Challenge PSC’s Approval Of Massive Georgia Power Gas Expansion” • Environmental and faith organizations filed an appeal asking a Fulton County Superior Court to review the Georgia Public Service Commission’s December decision to approve a proposal by Georgia Power to add 10 GW of energy capacity without proving a need. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Oil Wars: Speeding The Transition To Renewable Energy” • Since the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, solar panel prices have not risen, staying at around $300 for an off-the-shelf, 400-W commercial panel. But oil prices have risen, reaching $116 per barrel in the first week of hostilities, a 65% increase from the pre-war mark of $70/barrel. [Counterpunch]
Have a relaxingly cozy day.
geoharvey 