Opinion:
¶ “India’s Nuclear Euphoria: The Hard Economics Policymakers Ignore” • There is a sort of newfound euphoria sweeping India with respect to nuclear power, and in particular, Small Modular Reactors. But enthusiasm is not a substitute for analysis. And that is particularly true of the economics of nuclear power plants, and the waste they produce. [Counterview]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Why AI And Why Now?” • AI means data centers, which are a flash point in US politics. Utah just approved a data center that Grist says will use 9 GW of power, double what the entire state uses today. Physics professor Robert Davies believes the giant computer center will create a heat island big enough to devastate the ecology of its area. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Vertical Gardens Are A Practical, Beautiful Way To Cool Down Cities” • French botanist Patrick Blanc pioneered vertical gardens in the 1980s, and Europe has some striking examples. They are becomming common in South America. Botanist Ignacio Solano is breaking down misconceptions about the technology while he teaches people to turn cities green. [Euronews]
¶ “XPENG Offers More Human-Like Autonomous Driving” • XPENG’s in-house developed Turing AI chips provide more computing power than competing systems. Beyond the nominal computing power, the effective computing power is even higher. This computing power lets cars adapt better to local conditions and drivers. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Dajin Taps Jumbo To Deliver Heavy-Lift Ships” • Dajin Heavy Industry signed a contract with Jumbo Marine, a Dutch offshore shipping company, to build two high-end heavy-lift vessels. The Chinese foundations maker said that the vessels will be equipped with two 1200-tonne heavy-duty cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 2400 tonnes. [reNews]
¶ “Swedish Developer Wins Brattön-Sälelund Permit” • Swedish developer Rabbalshede Kraft secured a permit for the Brattön-Sälelund wind farm in Munkedal municipality in Sweden. The nine-turbine project is expected to generate around 250 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 45,000 households. [reNews]
¶ “RWE Lands Power Deal For 1.1-GW Oz Giant” • RWE has secured a Capacity Investment Scheme contract for its 1100-MW Theodore onshore wind project in Central Queensland. The company said that the Theodore project could feature up to 170 turbines and a battery storage facility capable of powering about 500,000 Queensland homes. [reNews]
¶ “Fortescue Ushers In 1.4 GW Of Renewables Across Five Projects” • Fortescue started building the final solar installation to help it achieve Real Zero emissions by 2030. The Australian mining company broke ground on its 690-MW Turner River solar farm in the Pilbara while beginning its 650-MWh BESS at its Cloudbreak operations. [Energy Magazine]
¶ “As Wars Hit Power Plants And Fuel Supplies, Rooftop Solar Can Be A Lifeline” • In a recent Guardian opinion essay, US Rep Lloyd Doggett and Michael Shank argue that attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and unstable fuel markets sparked by America’s war with Iran highlight just how vulnerable the infrastructure of fossil fuels can be. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Electricity Bills To Fall Even Further Than Predicted In State As Renewables Share Nears 50%” • The cost of electricity will fall in all five of Victoria’s electricity distribution zones, the state’s pricing regulator confirmed, cutting household energy bills by an average of $84 in the coming financial year and small business bills by an average of $241 a year. [Renew Economy]
¶ “Iran Launches Plan To Equip 12,000 Schools With Solar Power” • In a major step toward expanding renewable energy, Iran has begun a nationwide project to install solar power in 12,000 schools. The initiative, with a total capacity of 60 MW, aims to reduce pressure on the national grid, promote clean energy, and enhance energy security. [Tehran Times]
US:
¶ “As Authorities Urgently Try To Prevent California Chemical Tank Explosion, 50,000 Are Still Under Evacuation Orders” • In Orange County, authorities are still trying urgently to prevent an overheated, pressured, bulging tank filled with a toxic chemical from exploding. The Orange County Fire Authority is doing visual inspections. [ABC News]
¶ “US Solar & Storage Manufacturers Flood DC To Highlight Global Leadership And Jobs” • With the crisis in the Middle East and its connection to rising energy prices, representatives of the solar power and energy storage industry went to Washington to remind policymakers how useful cheap, clean, home-collected energy can be. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “2,500 New EV Chargers Are Planned For Apartment And Condo Complexes” • There are apartment and condo dwellers who have onsite EV chargers, but they are in the minority. Now there is some good news for the rest. The EV charging company ChargePoint plans to install 2,500 new EV chargers at multi-family dwellings. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Adds Nearly 10 GWh Of Energy Storage Capacity In First Quarter, Best Q1 On Record” • The US energy storage industry installed 9.7 GWh of capacity in Q1 of 2026, the strongest first quarter in the sector’s history. Energy storage installations in Q1 were up 32% year-over-year despite actions in Washington that target clean energy. [CleanTechnica]
Have an obviously advantageous day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
