World:
¶ “Von Der Leyen Turns To Europe’s Refineries As Shrinking Capacity Raises Energy Security Concerns” • President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission announced a new “strategic dialogue” on European refineries, drawing attention to a growing vulnerability for the EU: Its refining capacity has been declining since 2009. [Euronews]
¶ “From Desalination To Irrigation: How Countries Are Adapting To Water Scarcity” • Roughly half the world’s population goes through times of severe water scarcity for at least part of each year, according to the UN’s IPCC. Climate change, population growth, and rising demand will probably push that figure higher, and countries have to adapt. [Euronews]
¶ “Invasive Plant Spreads Across Portugal And Lengthens Allergy Season” • Pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, has large feathery plumes that make it a familiar in decorative arrangements in gardens. But what many regard as a showy plant is, in Portugal, an invasive alien species that can spread rapidly with potential consequences for health. [Euronews]
¶ “Delaying ETS2 Would Leave Europe Unprepared for Future Price Shocks, Say Industry And NGOs” • Fifty companies and NGOs called on governments to start using ETS2 revenues to support vulnerable households’ transition to clean energy. A shift by lower-income households to green energy can help shield Europe from future crises, says T&E. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “BMW Still Dreams Of Fuel Cell EVs, And They Are Not Alone” • Batteries have far, and permanently, outstripped the only other electric option available for ground transportation, namely, fuel cells. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal, and BMW is still among the automakers making room in their lineups for fuel cell EVs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Energy Importers Accelerate Clean Energy Shift” • Countries that import energy are scaling clean energy three times as fast as exporters, with solar power, onshore wind, and battery storage driving the shift, DNV’s tenth Energy Transition Outlook report says. DNV said falling costs are accelerating the deployment of renewable power capacity. [reNews]
¶ “GWEC Alliance Unveils Floating Wind Action Plan” • The Global Wind Energy Council and more than fifty companies and organizations have set out an industry action plan aimed at commercializing floating wind. The plan focuses on reducing costs and demonstrating value, scaling the supply chain and expanding access to finance and insurance. [reNews]
¶ “Neoen Starts 346-MW Goyder North Construction” • Neoen has launched construction of the 346-MW Goyder North Wind Farm Stage 1 in South Australia. The company said Vestas will install 48 V172-7.2MW wind turbines at the site, with Downer designing and constructing the associated connection and transmission infrastructure. [reNews]
¶ “Horizon Advances Solar And Battery Solution To Power Remote WA Town” • The plan to power the remote Western Australian mining town of Leonora with up to 60% renewable energy is tracking well with all 3,780 panels that make up the new 2.4-MW solar farm now installed, along with other new key infrastructure in place. [pv magazine Australia]
¶ “Aquila Clean Energy Connects New Solar Plant In Valladolid, Spain” • Aquila Clean Energy, developer of clean energy systems, has connected a solar PV plant in the municipality of Medina del Campo, Valladolid. The facility, built by Ferrovial, has a capacity of 17.85 MW. It will generate enough clean energy each year for over 10,200 homes. [https://megaproject.com/]
US:
¶ “Physicist Raises Alarm Over Proposed Massive Nuclear Power Project” • A proposal for a huge industrial project in Utah would be powered by over 450 nuclear reactors. Dr Robert Davies, a professor of physics at Utah State University, worries that current regulations do not consider the massive thermal footprints that facilities like this can leave behind. [KSL News]
¶ “Tropical Depression Forms In Gulf, Expected To Intensify To Hurricane” • A tropical depression has formed in the Gulf and is expected to intensify into a hurricane later this week. Tropical Depression 9 is likely to become a Category 2 hurricane and make landfall late Friday night or Saturday morning near the coasts of Mississippi or Alabama. [ABC News]
¶ “Heart’s Electric Airliner Still Needs Fuel” • For 27 minutes, batteries flew a machine roughly the size of the regional aircraft Heart Aerospace eventually wants airlines to operate. There was no engine aboard aside from the electric motors, but by adding a turbogenerator, the airplane can fly as a hybrid aircraft. Further development will doubtless come. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Lexington Mayor Vetoes Council’s Solar Zoning Amendment Despite Protections For Farmland, Benefits To Customers” • The mayor of Lexington, Kentucky announced a veto of a zoning ordinance text amendment passed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. It would open up to 1% of Fayette County for agrivoltaic development. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Department Of Energy Announces A New Multibillion-Dollar Nuclear Energy Deal” • The US DOE announced that it has made a loan commitment of up to $4.2 billion for Vistra to extend and upgrade three of its nuclear plants. They are Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania along with two plants, Davis-Besse and Perry, that are in Ohio. [Yahoo Finance]
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