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Opinion:

¶ “Covid-19 Will Not Slow Southeast Asia’s Shift From Coal To Renewables” • From oil price shocks to billion-dollar bailouts, Covid-19 has caused mayhem. Early signs are that fossil fuel sector volatility is further driving the case for Asia to embrace the security of domestic renewable energy and, if anything, hasten the clean transition. [Nikkei Asian Review]

Floating solar farm in Vietnam (© Sipa | AP)

¶ “Trump’s Environmental ‘Blitzkrieg’ Advances Under Cover Of Coronavirus” • Even amid a pandemic, the Trump administration is weakening US environment protections, continuing its rollback as the November election approaches. During the coronavirus lockdown, US federal agencies are pursuing an appalling series of environmental rollbacks. [The Guardian]

¶ “Renewables To Drive A Clean Recovery From Covid-19” • In the past few months, the outlook for the renewable energy industry has drastically changed. Nevertheless, many of the pressing issues that the Australian energy industry needed to address at the start of the year haven’t changed, and renewables may only become more important. [EcoGeneration]

Wind turbine

World:

¶ “Japan’s Renova Takes Part In 144 MW Wind Portfolio In Vietnam” • Japanese renewable power producer Renova Inc announced it has entered into a 40/60 partnership with Vietnamese power producer Power Construction Joint Stock Company No 1 to implement three onshore wind projects in Vietnam, each of 48 MW. [Renewables Now]

¶ “African Clean Energy’s Off-Grid Solar Power Technology” • A Dutch-South African social enterprise, African Clean Energy, is providing an off-grid energy solution that enables decentralized access to clean energy for rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ACE1 comes with a 10-V / 10-W solar panel and an LED lamp. [AZoCleantech]

Small solar panel

¶ “Bank Of Bangladesh Adds €200 Million To Its Green Transmission Fund” • The Bank of Bangladesh has decided to introduce €200 million along with the existing $200 million for the Green Transmission Fund. Authorized dealers will be able to draw loans from GTF at Euro Interbank Offered Rate (or 0%, if that is negative) plus 1%. [Mercom India]

¶ “‘Another Milestone For Britain’: UK Grid Completes First Coal-Free Month” • The UK’s record-breaking run without coal power passed another milestone. National Grid ESO confirmed that the grid had completed a full month without any input from the country’s coal-fired power stations. The coal-free run is still continuing. [www.businessgreen.com]

Drax power plant (James Brownbridge | Wikimedia Commons)

Australia:

¶ “Queensland To Play Home To The Biggest Solar Farm In Australia” • Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in an online meeting of the Smart Energy Council Summit that after Neoen’s 400-MW Darling Downs development, Queensland will have more renewable energy projects to help restore the economy from coronavirus. [Energy Matters]

¶ “Fossil Fuel Incumbents Push To Delay Another Crucial Energy Market Reform” • Two crucial reforms to Australia’s electricity market rules, designed to modernize the National Electricity Market, are being put on the back burner under pressure from large incumbent fossil fuel generators, using Covid-19 as a cover to stymie progress. [RenewEconomy]

Transmission lines

¶ “Record Growth In Rooftop Solar Pushing Coal Out Of Australia Market” • Strong growth in rooftop solar installations has been pushing coal fired generation out of the Australian electricity market, an audit of the National Electricity Market shows. Rooftop solar in total generation in South Australia has jumped to 16% in the first quarter. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Green Steel Industry Could Secure Jobs Future For Australia’s Coal Mining Heartland” • An Australian green steel industry could create tens of thousands of jobs in regionals reliant on coal mining, giving them a future as demand for carbon-intensive goods falls, a report by the University of Melbourne’s Grattan Institute says. [The Guardian]

Making steel (Dean Lewins | AAP)

US:

¶ “‘Get The Hell Off’: The Indigenous Fight To Stop A Uranium Mine In The Black Hills” • Lakota elders are staring down yet another encroachment on their historic lands: a 10,600-acre uranium mine proposed to be built in the Black Hills. This puts the Lakota on a collision course with the Trump administration, which is doubling down on nuclear power. [Grist]

¶ “The Tesla Fremont Factory Roller Coaster – Reopening Or Not Reopening?” • California is starting to allow manufacturing companies to operate, if they can show they have taken prudent steps to protect workers from contracting the virus at work. Elon Musk told some workers to be ready to work on Friday. Alameda County still has other ideas, however. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla seat factory (CleanTechnica)

¶ “Villanova University Enters Renewable Energy Agreement And Enhances Commitment To Environmental Sustainability” • In Pennsylvania, Villanova University announced that it will be furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability by entering into a multi-year renewable electric energy agreement with ENGIE Resources, LLC. [Villanovan]

¶ “NV Energy Introduces Long-Awaited, Renewable-Based Pricing Plan For Large Businesses, Customers” • NV Energy’s longstanding plan to woo back large businesses and other major electric customers from leaving utility service now has a name, structural outline, and a promise by the utility that the program won’t cost ratepayers. [The Nevada Independent]

Have a mighty worthwhile day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Clean Trucks Like The Tesla Semi Are More Important Than Ever” • According to Popular Mechanics, there were at least 2.8 million semi trucks registered in the US in 2016. These trucks are heavy polluters, and research shows that almost 80% of those who died of Covid-19 across four countries were in heavily polluted regions. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Semi Truck Specs Event

Science and Technology:

¶ “New Solution For Cooling Solar Panels” • A technique for cooling solar panels has been under development in Egypt. The PV modules are cooled from underneath by a mixture of water, aluminum oxide, and calcium chloride hexahydrate. Earlier work in France, which increased the PV power generation by 8% to 12%, provided a basis for the new research. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “3D Printing Has Entered The Nuclear Realm” • In 2017, Siemens achieved the industry breakthrough with the first successful commercial installation and continuing safe operation of a 3D printed part in a nuclear power plant. This was an amazing achievement because of the requirements put on the components used by nuclear power plants. [Forbes]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory 3-D printer (US DOE image)

World:

¶ “Argentina Halts Renewables Rollout Amid Coronavirus” • Like many other countries under quarantine, Argentina paused to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The measure has paralyzed the economy, and since renewable energy is not considered essential, Argentina’s recently reinvigorated renewable energy development has stalled. [Buenos Aires Times]

¶ “Finland Aims To Boost Wind Power By Leasing More State Land For Construction” • The government of Finland aims to expand wind power production by offering more state lands for construction. They are overseen by Metsähallitus, a state-owned company that administers more than 12 million hectares of state land and water areas. [YLE News]

Wind turbine near the Bay of Bothnia (Image: Yle)

¶ “ACWA Power And Silk Road Fund Announce Finalizing Their Partnership Owning ACWA Power Renewable Energy Holding Ltd” • ACWA Power, which focuses on power generation and water desalination, announced finalizing its parnership with the Silk Road Fund, now 49% owner of ACWA Power Renewable Energy Holding Ltd. [Construction Business News]

US:

¶ “Lawsuit Filed Over The Reopening Of Tesla’s Factory In Fremont” • Tesla wanted to reopen the Fremont plant safely, based on what it learned at its plant in China with 7,000 workers and not one death (as Elon stated on the Joe Rogan Experience). Alameda County officials are not allowing Tesla to reopen, so Tesla is going to court. [CleanTechnica]

Screen Capture from Joe Rogan Experience YouTube

¶ “Nautilus Solar Energy Leads Maryland’s Community Solar Market” • Nautilus Solar Energy LLC has become Maryland’s foremost owner and operator of community solar PV projects. With more than eleven projects the company has over 32.8 MW of total capacity, all qualified under Maryland Community Solar Pilot Program. [The Southern Maryland Chronicle]

¶ “Renewable Roundup: Solar And Wind Dominate New Energy Installations (Even After The Coronavirus)” • The US Energy Information Administration’s latest information on new capacity additions shows it expects 42 GW to start commercial operation in 2020. Solar and wind represent almost 32 GW, which is 76% of these additions. [Red, Green, and Blue]

Please click on the image to enlarge it. (Image source: EIA)

¶ “Company Seeks Its Shovels Back From Two Wyoming Coal Mines” • A mining equipment company based in Wisconsin wants to be paid or get its equipment back from a Wyoming coal mine that continues to operate the pair of its large coal shovels. Eagle Specialty Materials acquired the mine after Blackjewel went bankrupt. [Casper Star-Tribune Online]

¶ “New California Oil Permits Rose 7.8% In 2020’S First Quarter As Oil Prices Plunged” • As the price of oil went below zero, new oil and gas drilling permits actually increased 7.8% in California during the first quarter of 2020, according to a report by two watchdog groups. Another thing that increased was spending on oil lobbying. [SF Bay Area Indymedia]

Toluca Street, Los Angeles, ca 1900 (Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “Oil Drilling Collapses To 11-Year Low With Explorers In Retreat” • Oil and natural gas exploration fell to an all-time low as the Covid-19 pandemic snuffed out the remnants of the US shale boom. In the span of just eight weeks, 53% of active oil and gas rigs in the country have gone dark, according to data released by Baker Hughes Co. [Free Malaysia Today]

¶ “TVA Refuels Nuclear Plants; Workers Screened And Work Limited Due To Pandemic” • Because of the COVID-19 virus, the Tennessee Valley Authority is scaling back some maintenance work it planned to do during refuelings, and it is performing health screenings of all TVA employees and contractors coming to the plants. [Chattanooga Times Free Press]

Have an exquisitely outstanding day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Timeline: 23 Years Of Attempts To Restrict Public Health Science At EPA” • The EPA is advancing a far-reaching proposal to restrict its use of science with no official public hearings and a limited sixty-day comment period, ending May 18. The rule is the culmination of 25 years of attempts to weaken environmental and health laws. [Union of Concerned Scientists]

Pollution (Adobe Stock image)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Sea Levels Could Rise More Than A Meter By 2100, Experts Say” • Sea-level rise is faster than previously believed and could exceed 1 meter by the end of the century unless global emissions are reduced, according to a survey of more than 100 specialists. The experts expect that the impact will hit sooner than predicted by the UN. [The Guardian]

¶ “Killer Heat And Humidity Combination Not Experienced Before Is Becoming More Common” • A report by The Earth Institute at Columbia University indicates that the combination of extreme heat and humidity once believed never experienced by humans, is already occurring. Such weather surpasses the theoretical threshold of human survivability. [CNN]

Child in a heat wave (STR | AFP | AFP | Getty Images)

¶ “Shedding New Light On The Ocean’s Living Carbon Pump” • Phytoplankton play a crucial role in ocean biology and climate. Using data from the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative, a study has produced a 20-year time-series of global primary production in the oceans, shedding new light on the ocean’s living carbon pump. [SciTechDaily]

World:

¶ “Brazil’s Amazon: Surge In Deforestation As Military Prepares To Deploy” • Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest rose sharply last month as the country prepared to send troops to try to curb illegal logging and mining. Brazil’s space research agency said the area destroyed in April was 64% bigger than in the same period last year. [BBC]

Site of an illegal gold mine (Reuters)

¶ “Large Auto Leasing Company: Electric Cars Have Mostly Lower Total Cost In Europe” • Dutch leasing company LeasePlan has studied the total cost of vehicle ownership. The company is increasingly bullish about electric vehicles. Last year it released a white paper on the topic, after conducting nearly 1000 vehicle ownership scenarios. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Renew Power Wins 400-MW Round-The-Clock Renewable Auction At ₹2.90/kWh” • The Solar Energy Corporation of India has concluded the 400-MW round-the-clock renewable power supply auction. Out of nearly 950 MW bid, Renew Power won the entire capacity of 400 MW by quoting the lowest first-year tariff of ₹2.90/kWh (3.8¢/kWh). [pv magazine India]

Solar farm (Image: fabersam | Pixabay)

¶ “Renewables Can Play Key Role In COVID-19 Response Strategies: IRENA” • The International Renewable Energy Agency’s Coalition for Action has asked governments to take effective response measures to address the immediate and long-term impacts of the global COVID-19 crisis. They emphasize a range of renewable energy options. [Mercom India]

US:

¶ “US Treasury to Tweak Tax Credit Deadlines for Renewables Projects” • A concise three-sentence letter sent by the Treasury Department suggests relief may be on the way for a renewables industry concerned about meeting quickly approaching tax credit deadlines. The letter was a response to a bipartisan group of senators. [Greentech Media]

Wind project

¶ “Tesla Model 3 Is Best Selling Luxury Car In USA – By Far (Q1 2020)” • The Tesla Model 3 accounted for approximately 21% of new small and midsize luxury car sales in the USA in Q1 of 2020. This should not be a surprise. It has better acceleration, lower operational cost, and higher resale value. It is also rated as the safest car you can buy. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “DNREC Suit Claims It Must Have A Say In Whether To Freeze Renewable Fuel Use Under State Mandate” • In Delaware, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is taking the Public Service Commission to court, in a long-term dispute over the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and how it is managed. [Delaware First Media]

Solar array (Sophia Schmidt | Delaware Public Media)

¶ “Innergex Announces Financial Close of Hillcrest Solar Project In Ohio” • Developer Innergex Renewable Energy Inc closed on construction financing, tax equity commitment, and a seven-year term loan facility for the 200-MW Hillcrest solar PV project, to be built in Brown County, Ohio. Financing for the project came to $191.8 million. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

¶ “‘Inside The Struggle To Keep Reactors Running” • Canceling the refueling of a reactor at a site producing 40% of New Jersey’s power in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t an option for PSEG Nuclear. The Salem Nuclear Generating Station cannot operate at full output without having hundreds of workers refuel it every 18 months. [E&E News]

Have a simply magnificent day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Planting Trees Is No Panacea For Climate Change, Says Ecologist” • In a commentary that appears in Science, an ecologist at the University of California Santa Cruz and a forestry scientist at the University of São Paulo endorse the benefits of trees but caution against a simplistic view of tree-planting as a panacea for environmental degradation. [UC Santa Cruz]

Planting trees (Photo by Pedro Brancalion)

¶ “How Climate Change Is Contributing to Skyrocketing Rates of Infectious Disease” • Scientists who study how diseases emerge in a changing environment knew that a pandemic was coming. Climate change is making outbreaks of disease more common and more dangerous, and the number of emerging infectious diseases has been rising fast. [TPM]

World:

¶ “This Aircraft Is Powered With Electricity, And It Is Already Heading For The Skies” • Here is a look at some of the other decarbonization developments going on in the world of flight as the aviation industry crawls out of its COVID-19 hole.  First up is a newly unveiled family of low carbon aircraft called Cassio, from the startup VoltAero. [CleanTechnica]

VoltAero Cassio hybrid aircraft (courtesy of VoltAero)

¶ “Capital Dynamics Swoops On 133 MW Of Spanish Solar” • Asset manager Capital Dynamics has completed the acquisition of a 100% equity stake in the 133-MW Puerto Real 1 PV project in Cadiz in southern Spain. Puerto Real 1 is slated to start operating commercially in the first quarter of 2021, and it has a long-term power offtake agreement. [reNEWS]

¶ “IRENA And ESCAP Step Up Joint Efforts To Support Asia-Pacific’s Crisis Response” • The International Renewable Energy Agency and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific will make recommendations to governments in the Asia-Pacific region to make the energy transition an integral part of recovery efforts. [Modern Diplomacy]

Solar power

¶ “Global Trade In Soy Has Major Implications For Climate” • The extent of the contribution of the Brazilian soy sector to climate change depends largely on the location where soybeans are grown, a study says. In some municipalities, CO₂ emissions resulting from the export of soybean and derivatives are 200 times higher than in others. [Science Daily]

¶ “Mexico’s President Is Betting Big Against Renewables” • Mexico’s National Energy Control Center announced it would suspend grid connections of new solar and wind farms until further notice. Mexico’s president is dismissive of the value of renewable power generation, but the business community is angry at the suspension. [OilPrice.com]

Solar array

Australia:

¶ “Switching To Renewables Could Cut Industry Energy Costs By Almost A Quarter” • Australia’s major industrial energy users could cut their energy costs by almost a quarter by switching to renewable supplies and could be key to a revival in Australian manufacturing, a research report by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work shows. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Coffee-Table-Sized Units To Power New Gas Plant Near Roma” • The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is providing $1 million in funding to give authorities the chance to assess the benefits of using an electrolyzer powered by solar panels to extract hydrogen from the atmosphere. The hydrogen can be used to make renewable methane. [ABC News]

Rendering of the gas plant (Supplied: Southern Green Gas)

¶ “ARENA Funds Feasibility Study Into Renewable Hydrogen-To-Ammonia Plant” • The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will fund a feasibility study for a renewable production facility for hydrogen and ammonia. The project, powered by renewable energy, will produce hydrogen and use the hydrogen to make ammonia. [RenewEconomy]

US:

¶ “Dominion Energy Remains On Schedule To Build Largest Offshore Wind Project In United States” • Dominion Energy and its contractors are on track to ensure that the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project stays on schedule. They implemented processes to deal with the workplace issues arising out of the pandemic. [Transmission & Distribution World]

MV Sarah Bordelon (PR photo)

¶ “Long Duration Breakthrough? Form Energy’s First Project Tries Pushing Storage to 150 Hours” • Form Energy made a deal for its new energy storage technology with Minnesota utility Great River Energy. The battery is competitive on price relative to power output (kW), but it provides an enormous amount of electricity (kWh) at that price. [Greentech Media]

¶ “Minnesota’s Great River Energy Closing Coal Plant, Switching To Two-Thirds Wind Power” • Great River Energy will shutter a 1,151-MW coal-fired power plant several years early, a move that underscores the decline of coal power in electricity production. The Coal Creek Station will be replaced to a great extent with new wind farms. [Minneapolis Star Tribune]

Coal Creek Power Station (Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune)

¶ “Study: As Climate Changes, Midwest Will Need More Water And Electricity” • By 2030, Indianapolis may need to generate up to 20% more electricity in the summer months based on a worst-case global warming scenario, researchers said in a recent report. The study used a modeling tool that was developed at Purdue University. [Terre Haute Tribune Star]

¶ “Pandemic Concerns Interrupt Michigan Nuclear Plant Outage” • Activities for a refueling and maintenance outage at the Fermi-2 nuclear reactor in Michigan were interrupted by a “stand-down” due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stephen Tait, a DTE Energy spokesman, said some work has resumed, but refueling will take longer than scheduled. [S&P Global]

Have an especially enjoyable day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Climate Change Could Reawaken Indian Ocean El Niño” • Global warming is approaching a tipping point that could reawaken an ancient climate pattern similar to El Niño in the Indian Ocean, according to a study published by scientists at the University of Arizona, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. [UANews]

Ocean weather

¶ “Oceans Are Record Warm, Which Likely Means Stronger Hurricanes & Larger Wildfires” • Highly destructive fires in places like California and Australia may be hard to remember adequately, now that they’re being eclipsed somewhat by the coronavirus pandemic. But the oceans are warm; large storms and wildfires are on the way. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Cold Air Rises. How Wrong Are Our Global Climate Models?” • Conventional knowledge is that warm air rises while cold air sinks. But a study from the University of California, Davis, found that in the tropics, cold air can rise due to the lightness of water vapor. This had been overlooked and may buffer some impacts of a warming climate. [SciTechDaily]

Graphic showing the vapor buoyancy effect (Da Yang | UC Davis)

¶ “Atlas Of 100% Renewable Energy Interactive Map Open For Use” • Technology company Wärtsilä has made available an extensive interactive map that provides valuable information on the potential of renewable energy in relation to 145 countries and geographical regions. It is a guide for cost-optimized  potential for 100% renewable electricity. [ESI Africa]

World:

¶ “Abu Dhabi To Have Cheapest Solar Power Ever At 1.35¢/kWh” • Abu Dhabi is to have the cheapest electricity ever from a solar farm reports say. As capital of the UAE,  Abu Dhabi is no stranger to solar price records. And the new low-PV bid chosen by Abu Dhabi’s public electric utility will bring down the cost of solar power to just 1.35¢/kWh. [CleanTechnica]

Solar farm in Masdar City (Marika Krakowiak | CleanTechnica)

¶ “Sweden’s EV Market Share At 23% In April, Doubles Year On Year” • With the coronavirus pandemic, the overall auto market volume was down 38% in Sweden. Plug-in vehicles, however, resisted the trend. The Swedish plug-in EV market share was up sharply in April, reaching 22.6%, more than double year on year from 10.1% in April 2019. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “How Renewable Energy Can Help A Nation Get Back On Its Feet” • Australia’s Clean Energy Council argued in a report that investment in renewable energy and energy storage has the potential to create 50,000 jobs, lower energy prices, stimulate economic activity in regional areas, and position Australia as a “global clean energy superpower.” [Mozo.com.au]

Wind energy (iStock image)

¶ “Coronavirus Impact Lays Bare Inflexibility Of German Power Generation And Demand” • Slumping power demand from the pandemic and April’s strong wind and solar power production have revealed that Germany’s fossil and renewable electricity generation, as well as electricity demand, need to become much more flexible, experts say. [Clean Energy Wire]

¶ “$5.5 Million Renewable Energy Projects To Be Developed In Mozambique” • GridX Africa Development finalized a binding agreement with Ncondezi Energy Limited to develop $5.5 of million renewable energy projects in Mozambique. The projects include solar and battery storage plants for the Commercial and Industrial sectors. [Construction Review]

Solar and battery plant

¶ “Evidence Abounds Of Renewable Energy Gains At The Expense Of Fossil Fuels, As The Clamor For A Green Recovery Rises” • English consultancy Cornwall Insights produced more evidence that renewable energy sources are carrying the Covid-19 lockdown power mix, with gas and coal generation relegated to peaking services. [pv magazine International]

¶ “Local Developer Turns Sod On 83-MW Spanish PV” • Clean energy investor Sunco Capital has begun construction of two PV plants in Ciudad Real in Spain totalling 83 MW. Construction of the projects will be complete in 2021. The power generated from them will be sold through a power purchase agreement with Shell Energy Europe. [reNEWS]

Solar array (American Public Power Association | Unsplash)

US:

¶ “Giant Economic Benefits Of The Clean Air Act” • The Clean Air Act’s annual benefits could be as high as 370,000 avoided premature deaths and 189,000 fewer hospital admissions for cardiac and respiratory illnesses, a study shows. Net economic benefits of up to $3.8 trillion for the economy may be 32 times the cost of regulations. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Alchemy Renewable Energy Closes The Financing For A 44-MW Solar Energy Portfolio” • Alchemy Renewable Energy, a company that owns and operates renewable energy facilities, has closed on a 44.51-MW (DC) solar renewable energy portfolio in Indiana, as a joint venture with its partner, Telamon Enterprise Ventures LLC. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

Solar panels (NREL image)

¶ “Local Energy Authority Inks Big Contract With Big Solar Energy Farm In Kern County ” • DP Renewables SA, through its subsidiary EDP Renewables North America LLC, and Redwood Coast Energy Authority have executed a 15-year power purchase agreement for 100 MW of output from the Sandrini Sol 1 Solar Park in California. [Lost Coast Outpost]

¶ “Plant Vogtle Workforce Scaled Back Due To 185 Positive Covid-19 Tests” • Georgia Power, the company overseeing the expansion of Plant Vogtle nuclear facility, has scaled back one-fifth of its workforce after an outbreak of COVID-19 spread to 185 workers and left significant numbers of employees afraid to show up for work. [Savannah Morning News]

Have a totally advantageous day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Climate change and Covid-19: Five charts that explain the impacts” • No war, no recession, and no previous pandemic has had such a dramatic impact on emissions of CO₂ over the past century as Covid-19 has in a few short months. But we have to remember that atmospheric CO₂ will not stabilize until the world reaches net-zero emissions. [BBC]

Nepal, without air pollution (Getty Images)

¶ “Billions Of People Could Live In Areas Too Hot For Humans By 2070, Study Says” • A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences said that if heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current pace, by 2070 up to three billion people could be living in areas that are too hot for human beings to live in. [CNN]

¶ “Polarstern sets records on Arctic climate mission” • The Polarstern is a ship laboratory, drifting in Arctic ice. Part of MOSAiC, a large-scale expedition led by Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute, it’s measuring climate change at the North Pole. And it’s setting new records. For one, it’s the northernmost mission during the Arctic winter. [Deutsche Welle]

Polarstern

¶ “Wärtsilä Gas Engines To Burn 100% Hydrogen” • The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä is developing the combustion process in its gas engines to enable them to burn 100% hydrogen fuel. Wärtsilä has researched hydrogen as a fuel for 20 years, and had been testing its engines with blends of up to 60% hydrogen and 40% natural gas. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

World:

¶ “Coronavirus: UK Warned To Avoid Climate Change Crisis” • The UK must avoid lurching from the coronavirus crisis into a deeper climate crisis, the government’s advisers have warned. They recommend that ministers ensure funds earmarked for a post-Covid-19 economic recovery go to firms that will reduce carbon emissions. [BBC]

Wind turbines and coal-burning plant (Getty Images)

¶ “Tesla Model 3 Is #1 Vehicle In UK, And Electric Vehicles Hit 34% Market Share” • The Tesla Model 3 was April’s best selling vehicle in the UK, as combustion vehicle sales fell by over 98% to fewer than 3,000. Plug-in vehicles were relatively unscathed by the coronavirus crisis and took an unprecedented 34% share of the auto market. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Norway’s April EV Market Share Jumps To 70%, Strongest Growth In 2 Years” • April saw clean transport pioneer Norway’s market share of plug-in electric vehicles jump to 70%, sharply up from 50% a year ago. This is the biggest year-on-year climb that we have seen in two years. The overall auto market saw a 34% drop in volume. [CleanTechnica]

Audi e-tron (Audi courtesy image)

¶ “Renewable Power To Boom On Cheap Money As Coal Loses Out, Garnaut Says” • Economist Ross Garnaut says the economic crisis will lead to growth in renewable energy at the expense of coal, which has high operating costs. He argues that we shouldn’t fear taking on debt to fuel a green economic recovery from the pandemic. [The Sydney Morning Herald]

¶ “Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy solution undergoes feasibility study for LR2 tanker” • Marine renewable energy technology company Eco Marine Power, based in Japan, announced that it has started a feasibility study regarding the implementation of its Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy design for an LR2 Tanker. [Manifold Times]

Please click on the image to enlarge it.

¶ “Energy Firms Rally Behind Green Stimulus Call” • A coalition of 40 global businesses, including energy majors such as BP, Iberdrola, Orsted, and Shell, called on governments to support “a massive wave of investments in renewable electricity” and other low-carbon energy solutions when devising recovery plans from the COVID-19 pandemic. [Euractiv]

¶ “Neoen To Build Australia’s Largest Solar Farm After Power Deal With CleanCo” • French renewables developer Neoen will build a 400-MW solar farm in Queensland with a contract to sell most of the power to CleanCo, a state-owned clean energy company. Western Downs Green Power Hub will be Australia’s largest solar farm. [pv magazine Australia]

Neoen solar farm (Neoen image)

¶ “Old Coal Mines To Heat £7 Million Tyneside District Heating Scheme” • In England, South Tyneside’s hybrid Viking Energy Network aims to use water pumped from 300 meters below the former Hebburn Colliery combined with heat pumps, solar generation and a CHP unit. The scheme is expected to deliver benefits of £150,000 each year. [The Energyst]

US:

¶ “California On Verge Of Making Truck Manufacturers Produce Electric Trucks” • The California Air Resources Board released the final draft of the Advanced Clean Trucks standard, a policy that will require truck manufacturers to sell electric trucks. There will be a 30-day public comment period followed by a Board vote on June 25–26. [CleanTechnica]

BYD electric truck (BYD courtesy image)

¶ “Nearly Half Of Bloomberg LP Energy Usage Now Comes From Renewables, Up Sharply From 17% In 2018” • Bloomberg LP received 48.5% of its energy from renewable sources in 2019. This is up from 17% in 2018 and exceeds its 2020 interim goal of 35% of renewables use, according to the company’s 11th annual Impact Report. [AltEnergyMag]

¶ “Trump’s Push To Use Global Aid For Nuclear Projects Alarms Development Groups” • A Trump administration effort to bolster the nuclear industry is eyeing a surprising source of financing. It would support exporting nuclear technology with funding from the International Development Finance Corporation, a fund for fighting poverty in developing countries. [The Hill]

Have an upliftingly kind and gentle day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Key Takeaways From Joe Biden’s Podcast On Climate Change With Governor Jay Inslee” • In his “Here’s the Deal” podcast, Joe Biden had a conversation about climate change with Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, who ran for president on the single issue of climate change. The podcast says a lot about Biden’s understanding of the issue. [CleanTechnica]

Jay Inslee at COP21 (COP Paris, Wikimedia Commons)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Airborne Coronavirus: Scientists In Italy Find Coronavirus On Air Pollution Particles” • How far can the airborne coronavirus travel? Farther, perhaps, if it latches onto some particulates. Dr Leonardo Setti of the University of Bologna in Italy is making the significant finding that is possible a priority and delving deeply into the matter scientifically. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Meyer Burger Plans 10 GW Of Floating Solar For North Rhine-Westphalia” • The CEO of Swiss technology company Meyer Burger said it is developing plans to build a factory in Germany to make PVs that are up to 24% efficient. He said 10 GW of the panels could cover the lake left behind when the Hambach coal mine closes. [CleanTechnica]

Hambach coal mine (King Otto, Wikimedia Commons)
Please click on the image for a good look.

¶ “How Korea Is Winning The Fight Against Covid-19 And Increasing Climate Action” • The Republic of Korea’s response to Covid-19 has been among the most effective in the world. Aggressive action lowered its infection without locking down entire cities. The action on the pandemic also did not stop its work on climate change. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Climeon Bags First Taiwan Geothermal Project” • Swedish energy company Climeon has clinched its first geothermal heat power order in Taiwan. The project, valued at $4.2 million, was commissioned by Baseload Power Taiwan. It includes Climeon heat power systems, as well as design and consultancy services for the surrounding power plant. [reNEWS]

Rural Taiwan (Climeon image)

¶ “Lithuania Approves Plan To Promote More Renewable Energy Communities” • The government of Lithuania recently approved legislation based on proposals by the Ministry of Energy that will encourage the establishment of renewable energy communities where people and businesses generate their own electricity and share it with each other. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Canberra Records 18% Fall In Emissions As Renewables Kick In” • The Australian Capital Territory recorded an 18% fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the 2018-19 year, as the territory’s wind and solar supplies come online. Now the ACT has to tackle emissions from transportion, waste, and gas, as it moves towards its zero net emissions target. [RenewEconomy]

Countryside in the ACT

¶ “Bangladesh Backs Renewables, Energy Efficiency Through $218.7 Million Fund” • Bangladesh has launched a $218.7 million (€200.8 million) Green Transformation Fund. It will support the renewable energy and energy efficiency, water conservation and management, waste management, resource efficiency, and recycling sectors. [Renewables Now]

¶ “Vestas Books 50-MW Chinese Order” • Vestas has booked a turbine order totaling 50 MW for an unnamed customer and wind farm in China. The contract is for the supply of V120-2.2 MW machines delivered in 2.4-MW power optimized mode, Vestas said. Commissioning of the wind farm is planned for the third quarter of 2020. [reNEWS]

Vestas wind turbine (Vestas image)

¶ “Nuclear Power Is Getting Hammered By Green Energy And The Pandemic” • Record output from wind and solar is creating frequent electricity oversupplies that push prices down to the point that nuclear reactors are no longer profitable, and even to where utilities give it away. The rout is all the worse with global pandemic gutting demand. [The Japan Times]

US:

¶ “Renewables Topped Coal in US Generation Every day in April” • Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that renewables generated more electricity than coal every day in the month of April. This impressive stretch actually began on March 25 and is still going on as of May 3, 40 days later. This point was not expected until 2021. [Saurenergy]

Solar array and a coal plant

¶ “San Bernardino Water Department To Use Renewable Energy Generated By Fuel Cell Plant” • In California, FuelCell Energy said that it started site construction for a 1.4-MW SureSource 1500 biofuels fuel cell project with the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department. The project is to be operational in December, 2020. [Environment + Energy Leader]

¶ “EDF Nets 7.5-Year Renewable Energy Deal With Dallas Area Data Centers” • Retail supplier EDF Energy Services will deliver 260,000 MWh of renewable energy to Digital Realty’s 13 data centers in the Dallas region. This will meet approximately 30% of the company’s electricity needs within that market over the next 7.5 years. [Power Engineering Magazine]

Wind farm

¶ “Large-Scale Solar Project In Oakland Set For Construction This Year” • A $7 million, 5-MW solar project in Oakland, Maine has all its permits, according to Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington, Vermont. Construction is set for later this year. The array should provide annual electricity needs for 10,000 Maine homes. [Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel]

¶ “California Utility Inks 770 MW Of Storage Deals” • Southern California Edison has signed seven contracts totaling 770 MW for battery energy storage to help enhance the state’s electric system reliability needs and integrate new renewable power. Most of the contracted battery projects are to be co-located with solar power plants. [reNEWS]

Have a charmingly beautiful day.

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Opinion:

¶ “In A Post-Pandemic World, Renewable Energy Is The Only Way Forward” • Pollution affects us all. Not only does it kill seven million of us each year, it makes us more vulnerable to all kinds of respiratory diseases, including, of course, those caused by such viruses as the one that brought us Covid-19. Our failure to fix this problem is killing us. [Forbes]

Solar, wind, and batteries (Getty Images)

¶ “It’s Time Coalition Listened To Experts On Climate And Energy, And Plotted A Green New Deal” • Australian prime minister Scott Morrison often says he is yet to see the evidence that lowering emissions fast enough to avert a climate crisis can be achieved in a way that doesn’t create an economic crisis too. Clearly, he is not looking. [Renewables Now]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Oceans May Be Best Place To Get EV Battery Metals” • A study, which was commissioned by deep-sea mining company DeepGreen, shows it would be better to get the metals needed for batteries from ocean nodules than to mine them on land. There is less net cost for society and less environmental damage mining metals from the ocean. [CleanTechnica]

DeepGreen’s Exploration Vessel

World:

¶ “Heineken, Enel Form Historic 10-Year 100% Renewables Alliance” • Heineken Mexico and Enel Green Power have signed a 10-year renewable energy deal, under which the utility will provide the Dutch brewery firm’s Mexican operations with 100% renewable energy. Heineken Mexico will get 28.8 GWh of solar and wind energy each year. [Smart Energy]

¶ “34 European Cities Reach CDP’s A-List For Their Climate Action And Ambition” • This year, the CDP named 105 cities around the world on its Cities A-List for their transparency and action on climate change. Almost one third (34) of the crowned cities are from Europe. Last year, only 43 cities appeared on the CDP A-List. [Innovation Origins]

Vitoria-Gasteiz (Image: © Pixabay)

¶ “Coronavirus Risks Future Of India’s Coal-Fired Power Plants: IEEFA” • The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown highlighted a growing financial risks to India’s coal-fired power plant sector, which is being replaced by cheaper and cleaner renewable energy, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said. [Outlook India]

¶ “Is A 7% Annual Emissions Cut Possible? Yes, Say NGOs” • In Ireland, the Green Party wants a commitment of a 7% reduction in annual carbon emissions as a precondition for entering talks on forming a government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Some of the country’s best climate and energy experts say that will be a challenge, but it is doable. [The Irish Times]

County Donegal (Jakub Michankow, Wikimedia Commons)

Australia:

¶ “Westpac To Shed Thermal Coal Investments By 2030, Switch To Renewables And EVs” • In an update to its climate change position statement, Australian bank Westpac said it would look to wind down its investments in the thermal coal sector and set a target of up to $3.5 billion for climate-friendly lending over the next three years. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “WA Watchdog Green-Lights World’s Biggest Hybrid Wind And Solar Hub” • A 15-GW wind and solar renewable energy project in Western Australia got a green light for environmental approval. The proposed Asian Renewable Energy Hub would supply the Pilbara power grid and develop a hub for generating green hydrogen. [The Sydney Morning Herald]

Pilbara snakewood trees (Jim Bendon, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “Government Offers $300 Million To Boost Hydrogen Investment Under Clean Energy Financing” • The Morrison government will change the investment mandate of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, directing it to make up to $300 million available for a new Advancing Hydrogen Fund as part of the national hydrogen strategy. [The Guardian]

¶ “Eastern Australia: Investments In Renewables Continue To Plunge Through 2021” • Investments in renewable energy projects will continue to decline in Eastern Australia through 2021, according to Wood Mackenzie. One of the key factors in the decline is grid congestion in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. [Smart Energy]

Victoria (Fernando de Sousa, Wikimedia Commons)

US:

¶ “Ford Cancels EV Plans With Rivian” • Ford has canceled plans it had for a fully electric Lincoln SUV using Rivian’s battery pack and electric motor setup. Lincoln still plans to work closely with Rivian to create an “alternative vehicle” based on Rivian’s skateboard platform. How this is very different from the initial plans is a bit unclear. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Dominion Energy Issues 1-GW Renewables Call” • The utility Dominion Energy Virginia has issued a request for proposals for up to 1,000 MW of solar and onshore wind generation and up to 250 MW of energy storage in the state. The company said this was its largest ever annual solicitation for renewable energy project bids. [reNEWS]

Wind turbines (MorgueFile image)

¶ “NorthWestern Awaits Bids In Community Renewables RFP In Montana” • NorthWestern Energy issued a request for proposals for electricity to be supplied by community-owned renewable projects in Montana. The utility said it currently needs 25 MW to 30 MW of community projects under the Montana Renewable Portfolio Standard. [Renewables Now]

¶ “Uranium Miners In Limbo” • Almost a year after the uranium miners asked the Administration to do something to promote domestic uranium mining, the Nuclear Fuel Working Group has a report and recommendations. One of its proposals is to build up a uranium reserve by spending $150 million per year for ten years for a total of $1.5 billion. [Seeking Alpha]

Have a entirely fortunate day.

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Opinion:

¶ “In Midst Of Natural Gas Glut, Plastic Industry Bent, Not Broken (Yet)” • With energy demand dropping, there was the oil glut, and then a natural gas glut. Gas stakeholders have expanded petrochemical operations, anticipating an increase in the demand for plastic. But it seems that the plastic hedge is also starting to come apart at the seams. [CleanTechnica]

Natural gas flow (screenshot via US DOE)

¶ “Once Again Michael Moore Stirs The Environmental Pot – But Conservationists Turn Up The Heat On Him” • Planet of the Humans is an environmental documentary that has enraged renewable energy experts and environmentalists. And some of them are calling for its high-profile executive producer, Michael Moore, to apologize. [The Guardian]

¶ “Cheap Oil? A Pandemic? No Big Deal For Renewable Energy, Experts Say” • In the face of an oil glut and pandemic, renewable energy has moved ahead. Experts say the renewable energy market is stable enough to weather short-term fluctuations. It may even be poised to get a boost from as the pandemic subsides and economies restart. [EnerCom Inc]

Construction at East Anglia One (ScottishPower image)

¶ “Dominion Energy’s Costly New Energy Blueprint Fails To Meet Challenge Of Virginia’s Clean Energy Transition” • Despite clean energy commitments, Dominion Energy’s Integrated Resources Plan has more near-term reliance on fracked gas. It also has significant rate increases, and ratepayers would pay for a failed nuclear project. [Blue Virginia]

World:

¶ “Port Of Nigg Takes Delivery Of Massive Offshore Wind Farm Jackets For Moray East Development” • The heavy lift vessel MV Osprey, delivered the first eight out of 103 jacket structures for the 100-turbine Moray East Offshore Windfarm. The jacket structures will be taken to the wind farm site in the Moray Firth for installation. [Northern Times]

MV Osprey delivering jackets for Moray Firth East Wind Farm

¶ “Tesla Applies For License To Sell Electricity In UK” • A report in The Telegraph says Tesla applied to the UK’s energy regulator for a license to sell electricity. The newspaper says it reviewed the application and found it does not provide any information about why the company filed. And Tesla did not respond to requests for clarification. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Modvion Completes First Wind Turbine Tower In Sweden” • Cross laminated timber is lighter and stronger than steel, which permits a narrower base for tall wind towers. The towers are modular and can be shipped in sections to be assembled onsite, eliminating many transportation issues of wider steel masts. Now Monvion has its test mast built. [CleanTechnica]

Modvion CLT tower on ferry (Modvion image)

¶ “Dubai Achieves Record Lowest Tariff For Solar Project” • The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority awarded the 900-MW PV fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park to a consortium led by ACWA Power. The winning tariff, which is 1.6953¢/kWh, establishes a new global benchmark for the cost of solar PV energy. [Arab News]

US:

¶ “Facing A Health Crisis, Cities Implore The Courts To Limit Pollution” • Against the backdrop of mismanagement during the Covid-19 pandemic, 23 cities and counties, the US Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities added their voice to a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s plan to weaken limits on carbon pollution. [CleanTechnica]

By Central Park (Aaron Barlow, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “Solar And Wind Energy Struggle As Coronavirus Takes Toll” • The US renewable energy industry is reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic. Construction on renewable projects has been delayed, and thousands of skilled laborers are out of work. As many as 120,000 jobs in solar and 35,000 in wind could be lost, according to trade groups. [Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

¶ “The Southern Oak Solar Energy Center Achieves Commerical Operations” • Invenergy, a privately-held global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions, announced that the 160-MW Southern Oak Solar Energy Center, located in Mitchell County, Georgia, began commercial operations during the first quarter of this year. [Solar Industry]

Southern Oak Solar Energy Center (Invenergy image)

¶ “Port Of Vancouver USA Receives Shipment Of Longest Wind Blades To Date” • The Port of Vancouver USA will receive nine wind turbines in a shipment that includes the longest wind turbine blades it has handled to date. The delivery is a joint effort of the manufacturer Goldwind and wind project owner Potentia Renewables. [Vancouver Business Journal]

¶ “Denver Receives $1,000,000 For Community Solar Gardens” • The Colorado Department of Local Affairs awarded Denver $1,000,000 to support the its Renewable Denver Initiative. The funds will help Denver host low-cost community solar gardens on municipal properties, moving it toward its goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. [Patch.com]

Have a stunningly relaxing day.

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Opinion:

¶ “International Report Makes Business Case For Renewables Investment” • A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency makes the business case for investment in renewables. It says future decarbonization is still possible despite the economic fallout from the pandemic, and it highlights climate-safe options for investment. [Environment + Energy Leader]

Wind turbines (Credit: Jason Blackeye | Unsplash)

¶ “Is The Coronavirus Crisis Accelerating The Shift To Renewables?” • Climate action has not been moving as fast as needed to make a sustainable change. But one sector that’s doing its share to help lower greenhouse gas emissions is renewable energy. Recently, renewables may be getting some unexpected help from a particular virus. [ZME Science]

¶ “Trump Admin Sits On $43 Billion Intended For Clean Energy Loans While Unemployment Soars” • While the nation struggles to find ways to ramp up the economy so people can get back to work, over $43 billion in low-interest loans earmarked for clean energy projects sits undistributed by the Trump administration, The New York Times reported. [EcoWatch]

Alamosa solar project (US DOE image)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Rising CO₂ Levels Could Be Contributing To Grasshopper Apocalypse” • Grasshoppers may be experiencing their own type of famine due to rising levels of CO₂. AAAS reports that over the past five years, many studies have been documenting dwindling insect populations, to the point that the phrase “insect apocalypse” has been coined. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “SSE Tables Bid For New Onshore Highland Wind Farm Project” • SSE Renewables tabled an application bid for a 36-turbine development at Fort Augustus, near Loch Ness, in the Monadhliath mountains. The company said it hopes the 150-MW Cloiche wind farm would bring “socio-economic benefits to the local area.” [Energy Voice]

SSE Renewables onshore wind farm

¶ “WRI And Cargill Partner On Tools And Best Practices To Advance Sustainable Agriculture” • To advance the sustainability efforts needed to feed a rapidly growing population, Cargill put $2 million into the next phase of its partnership with World Resources Institute. They are developing the Global Forest Watch and the Water Management Toolkit. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Coal India Sales Sink Over 25% On Demand Slump Amid COVID-19” • Coal India Ltd said its sales to customers fell by more than a quarter in April, the steepest rate of decline in at least six years, as a nationwide lockdown cut demand.  Offtake by customers, such as power generators, fell by 25.5%, and there was a 10.9% drop in production. [NDTV Profit]

Coal worker (Reuters image)

¶ “PM Stresses Attracting Private Investments For Power Sector” • India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the need for effective enforcement of contracts in order to attract private investments for the ailing power sector. He also discussed long-term reforms aimed at enhancing power sector sustainability, resilience, and efficiency. [Saurenergy]

US:

¶ “City of Houston Surprises: 100% Renewable Electricity – $65 Million in Savings in 7 Years” • Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the City of Houston committed to purchasing 100% renewable energy through a renewed partnership with NRG Energy. The City realize $65 million in savings over the seven-year contract. [CleanTechnica]

Have a sunny day!

¶ “EDF Renewables North America And Alliant Energy Announce Commercial Operation At Golden Plains Wind Project In Iowa” • EDF Renewables and Alliant Energys Iowa energy company,announced that the 200-MW Golden Plains Wind Project is in commercial operation, delivering electricity to Iowa customers. [Global Banking And Finance Review]

¶ “SEPTA And Lightsource BP Enter Into Power Purchase Agreement” • The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which serves the greater Philadelphia area, including parts of New Jersey and Maryland, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Lightsource BP for electricity from two solar farms in Franklin County. [CleanTechnica]

Lightsource BP solar farm (Lightsource BP image)

¶ “In Response To New State Policy, Dominion Energy Virginia Quadruples Renewable Commitment” • After Governor Ralph Northam issued an executive order on climate change and the Virginia Clean Economy Act was passed, Dominion Energy Virginia quadrupled the amount of solar and wind generation in its 15-year integrated resource plan. [Solar Power World]

¶ “US Trio Plot 350-MW PV Build In Texas” • Three companies are to work together on the development and construction of a 350-MW solar farm in Texas. Solar Plus Development, Avondale Solar, and J-Power USA Development are to build the Red-Tailed Hawk project in Wharton county. Work will start in the second half of this year. [reNEWS]

Building a solar array (Science in HD | Unsplash)

¶ “Vineyard Wind Permitting ‘On Track'” • The permit process remains on track for the 800-MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm off the US east coast, according to Avangrid CEO Jim Torgerson. He told an earnings call on 29 April that the process is on schedule, with no changes to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management permitting timeline. [reNEWS]

¶ “Open Vessel Testing Complete For Vogtle Unit 3” • Open Vessel Testing, a major systems testing milestone, has been completed for Unit 3 at Georgia Power’s Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Georgia, marking one of the most significant steps in the project to date. Testing was done from unit the control room. [Yahoo Finance]

Have a downright uplifting  day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “The Ocean Genome Helps Fight Disease: Here’s How We Save It” • The ocean plays a surprising role in fighting Covid-19. The “ocean genome” is a rich source of anti-viral compounds. And enzymes from a remarkable hydrothermal vent bacterium have been key to the technology in virus test kits, including those used to diagnose Covid-19. [CleanTechnica]

Source of important medical materials (Photo: Aquapix | NOAA)

¶ “A New Way Of Measuring Ice Melt In Antarctica, Greenland Sounds Alarm About Global Sea Level Rise” • Using  new data measurements from several NASA satellites, scientists found that Greenland’s ice sheet lost an average of 200 gigatons of ice per year and Antarctica’s ice sheet lost an average of 118 gigatons of ice per year since 2003. [CNBC]

World:

¶ “In The Middle Of A Pandemic, Renewables Are Taking Over The Grid” • Renewables have increased output while demand dropped because of Covid-19. In Germany, a record that was set in March was broken again on April 20, when solar generated 40% of the country’s electricity; at the same time coal and nuclear power generated just 22%. [Grist]

Solar farm (Gerard Julien | AFP via Getty Images)

¶ “Global Energy Use Suffers ‘Historic Shock'” • A report from the International Energy Agency said demand for energy could crash 6% this year if lockdowns persist for many months and the economic recovery is slow. Such a scenario would be seven times the size of the 2008 global financial crisis, and the IEA said it looks “increasingly likely.” [CNN]

¶ “Vestas Secures 64-MW Double In Vietnam” • Vestas secured turbine orders totaling 64 MW for two wind farms in Quang Tri province, Vietnam. The deals are for  a total of sixteen V150-4.2 MW turbines delivered in 4.0 MW operating mode. The two projects are owned by local companies, Huong Tan Wind Power and Tan Linh Wind Power. [reNEWS]

AVestas turbine (Vestas image)

¶ “Tokyo 2020 Targets 100% Renewable Energy To Power The Games” • The Tokyo Olympic Games are to be powered by electricity from 100% renewable energy, the Sustainability Pre-Games Report says. The report covered more than electricity. It said even the Olympic medals will be made from metals recycled from electronic devices. [China.org.cn]

¶ “SA Winemaker Completes Shift To 100% Renewables With Solar Car Park” • With completion of a solar-powered car park, the last of a 3-MW solar system has been installed at Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ Barossa Valley wineries in South Australia. It rounds out the French company’s journey to 100% renewables for Australian operations. [One Step Off The Grid]

Pernod Ricard car park

¶ “Wave Of Green Energy Set To Wash Over Western Australia’s Wheatbelt As New Laws Shake Up Electricity Industry” • A wave of renewable energy is set to wash over the farming heartland of Western Australia under new laws that enable authorities to disconnect customers from the grid in favor of “stand-alone” power systems. [ABC Technology]

¶ “Enel Green Power Turns Sod On Spanish Wind Farm” • Enel Green Power Espana has begun building a 21-MW wind project in Spain. The €20 million wind farm will be constructed in the Teruel and Zaragoza provinces. The facility will be comprised of 3.55-MW turbines and is expected to enter operation before the end of the year. [reNEWS]

Wind turbine (Image: Enel Green Power)

¶ “Zambia Explores Renewables, Energy Surplus By 2022” • Zambia’s constant power cuts are now a thing of the past. Thanks to a robust hydraulic and solar power generation industry in recent years, the country is now self-sufficient in energy. And, there is even better news for the country. Electricity production could soon be in surplus. [Smart Energy]

US:

¶ “The Oil Bankruptcies Are Just Beginning. Here’s Who Could Be Next” • The oil crash is blocking US fracking companies from accessing the cheap credit that fueled their prolific rise. That reversal of fortunes could prove fatal for overleveraged shale oil companies, and the weakest players are likely to be tipped into bankruptcy. [CNN]

US shale gas plays (EIA, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “Pandemic Masks Further US Environmental Deregulation By Trump Administration” • A paper published in Nature describes how bringing health data and other evidence to the policymaking table may change if the EPA moves forward with a pair of proposals about the ways that science is used and evaluated at the agency. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Invenergy Fires Up 160-MW Southern Oak” • US renewables developer Invenergy has commenced commercial operations at its 160-MW Southern Oak photovoltaic plant in Georgia. The facility, in Mitchell County, is the developer’s largest solar farm and the hundredth project it has brought online. Construction began in 2018. [reNEWS]

Southern Oak solar farm (Invenergy image)

¶ “Bollinger Unveils First Class 3 Electric Truck Chassis” • Bollinger Motors has issued a press release on two-door and four-door designs for a Class 3 commercial electric truck chassis. It is suitable for SUVs and various commercial truck applications. Bollinger says its B2 chassis will be available to commercial outfitters in late 2021. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “More Money For Brownfield Solar Offered, But Better Land Protection Needed” • Rhode Island is offering money for solar development on land that isn’t forest or open space. Solar arrays proposed for brownfields or contaminated former industrial sites can apply for a share of $1 million through the state Renewable Energy Fund. [ecoRI news]

Have an unprecedentally way-cool day.

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Opinion:

¶ “The World May Never Recover Its Thirst For Oil” • The world is learning to live with less oil. The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed demand for gasoline and jet fuel as billions of people stay home, and there’s no guarantee it will ever fully recover despite rock-bottom prices. The oil industry is bracing for the effects of the crisis to linger. [CNN]

Sun setting on a nodding donkey (Eric Gay | AP)

¶ “Fossil Industry Extracting From Another Source: Taxpayers” • While the world shelters in place, and policymakers must prioritize Covid-19 until the current crisis is in hand, polluting industries have, across the board, used this time to push for policy changes that would extract billions of dollars from American taxpayers. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Are we witnessing the death of the car?” • Cities around the world are seeing dwindling numbers of fossil-fuel powered cars on their streets, and many are planning to keep it that way after lockdowns ease. Milan, the epicentre of Italy’s coronavirus outbreak, announced it would transform 35 km (21.7 miles) of its streets for cycling post-lockdown. [BBC]

Mayor Claudia López of Bogotá (Credit: Getty Images)

¶ “Trump’s Coronavirus Failures Offer Warnings And Lessons About Future Climate Change Challenges” • Some lessons of Covid-19 have been bitter. Here in the US, we have seen the cost of failed leadership. As he has done with climate change, Donald Trump failed early on to understand sound scientific consensus and act decisively. [NBCNews.com]

¶ “Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe’s ‘Global Weirding’ Videos” • If you have not been keeping up with Dr Katharine Hayhoe’s series of short videos called “Global Weirding,” it’s time to treat yourself to a good handful of those pieces. Even if you’re well-versed in climate change, you’ll enjoy them and learn from them. [Yale Climate Connections]

Katharine Hayhoe (Climate Models, “Global Weirding” video)

World:

¶ “Wind Energy Overtakes Gas To Be The Leading Source Of Electricity In Ireland” • For the first time, wind energy became Ireland’s leading source of electricity for a full quarter. It beat out natural gas for the first three months of 2020, as it accounted for 43.8% of demand, an increase of 16.8% from the same quarter last year. Natural gas provided 41.8%. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Shannon, Obton To Spend €60 Million On Solar Farms” • Irish group Shannon Energy and Danish company Obton plan to kick off a €300 million investment in the Republic by spending €60 million on plants that will generate electricity from solar power. They plan to start by developing eleven solar farms with a total capacity of 105 MW. [The Irish Times]

Renewable energy (Photo: VCG)

¶ “Australia’s electricity grid could run with 75% renewables, market operator says” • Australia has the technical capacity to run a power grid in which 75% of the electricity comes from wind and solar. It should occasionally reach this level within five years, a study by the Australian Energy Market Operator says. But it must get regulations right. [The Guardian]

¶ “Renewable Energy Helps Utilities Survive Virus Slump” • Energy companies from Ørsted A/S to Iberdrola SA reported robust first quarter earnings in a period that has been bedeviled by a slump in energy demand and a collapse in gas prices. Large wind and solar portfolios have so far protected those companies from the worst effects of the crisis. [gcaptain.com]

Offshore wind farm (Phil Noble | Reuters)

¶ “Covid-19 Crisis Will Wipe Out Demand For Fossil Fuels, Says IEA” • The International Energy Agency said the outbreak of Covid-19 would wipe out demand for fossil fuels by prompting a collapse in energy demand seven times greater than the slump caused by the global financial crisis. It said renewable energy will continue to grow. [The Guardian]

¶ “Wooden Wind Tower Takes Root In Sweden” • Swedish design and engineering company Modvion has built a wooden wind turbine tower. The structure, which is carbon neutral and 30 meters tall, was installed on Bjorko island. It will be used for research by the Swedish Wind Power Technology Center at Chalmers. [reNEWS]

Building a wooden wind tower (Modvion image)

US:

¶ “Tesla Q1 2020 Update Shares Unexpected Profits” • Tesla released its Q1 2020 update, and it’s filled with unexpected good news. When the pandemic temporarily closed all of its factories, many thought Tesla would be reporting losses in the quarter. Instead, Tesla has reported a $1.8 billion increase in its cash and cash equivalents. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “General Mills Turns To Biogas To Help Meet 100% Renewable Electricity Goal” • General Mills has set a goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 as a part of its commitment to the RE100 initiative. To achieve this, the company is investing in renewable energy. Examples are two large-scale wind farms and anaerobic digestion. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

Biogas facility (Pixabay image)

¶ “Wärtsilä Delivering 70-MW Energy Storage System In California” • Wärtsilä is finalizing a 70-MW energy storage project in the California Independent System Operator energy market. The system will maximize efficiencies, and it will keep renewable power on the grid at times when it otherwise wouldn’t be available. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

¶ “Indian Point 1-GW Nuclear Unit 2 Closing Permanently” • Tonight, April 30, with the push of a red button, one of the two operating nuclear reactors at the Indian Point Energy Center along the Hudson River north of New York City will shut down. The plant is 24 miles from Manhattan. Demolition is projected to cost $2.3 billion. [Power Engineering Magazine]

Have an invigoratingly copacetic day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Clean Trucks Are Critical To Our Future” • Big polluters are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to attack vital environmental rules by pressuring government agencies for regulatory delays, rollbacks, or weaken enforcement. One target is the Advanced Clean Truck rulemaking, which would put zero-emission trucks on California roads starting in 2024. [CleanTechnica]

Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter (Photo by Hideki Machida)

¶ “Smog-Free Skies Should Be The New Normal” • Cleaner air is not just aesthetically pleasing. It could also greatly reduce the incidence of lung and heart disease, and quite possibly reduce the severity of future outbreaks of airborne diseases. People are coming increasingly to acknowledge that to have cleaner air, we just stop burning fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Michael Moore’s Latest Film Is Riddled With Errors – And Millions Are Watching” • “Planet of the Humans,” produced by Michael Moore and Jeff Gibbs, is ostensibly about climate change. But Gibbs spends most of the so-called “documentary” railing against the problems of renewable energy and spinning out conspiracy theories. [Grist]

Michael Moore (Santiago Felipe | Getty Images)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Size Matters: Energy Storage Scales Up To Beat Down Fossil Fuels” • Everybody knows that coal is on the way out, but the latest electricity report from BloombergNEF is a shocker, casting a shadow of gloom over natural gas, too. Low-cost renewables are creeping into gas territory, helped along by the falling costs of energy storage. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Satellite Data Shows Amazon Rainforest Is Drier And Could Be At Risk For Fires” • New satellite data shows that the Amazon rainforest is drier than usual and could be at risk of fires again this year. The data shows regions of the Amazon basin that have severe negative changes in the soil’s moisture and groundwater, increasing danger of fire. [CleanTechnica]

Amazon wildfire (Mongabay via Twitter)

World:

¶ “Queenslanders Support Renewable Energy Over Coal” • A QDOS Research poll of more than 1000 Queenslanders found overwhelming support for the state to invest in renewable energy. It found that 78% of respondents would be more likely to support state government spending on renewable energy than on new coal-fired power. [pv magazine Australia]

¶ “Manufacturing Units Of Swelect Energy, Inox Wind Resume Operation Amid Lockdown” • Swelect Energy Systems Limited, a solar PV module manufacturer, has resumed operations at its unit in Bangalore with effect from April 25, 2020. And Inox Wind Limited has resumed operations at three of its manufacturing units in India. [Mercom India]

Solar array under construction

¶ “Recipe for cheaper electricity? Try 90% renewables by 2040” • A report from energy market analysts Reputex finds that the faster the shift to a power market dominated by renewable energy – and the more aggressive the action on climate change – the greater the downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices in the future. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Five Renewable Start-Ups Getting Funding Despite The Coronavirus” • Despite the slowdown in renewable energy production caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, people are still investing in renewable energy projects, in particular start-ups. Power Technology takes a look at the top five projects being funded during the pandemic. [Power Technology]

Tulips and turbines (Martijn Baudoin | Unsplash)

¶ “Solar, Wind And Battery Storage Now Cheapest Energy Options Just About Everywhere” • Solar PV and onshore wind are the cheapest form of new energy capacity almost worldwide. Analysis looked at nearly 7,000 projects across 25 technologies (including types of coal, gas and nuclear generation as well as renewables), in 47 countries.  [RenewEconomy]

US:

¶ “Planting Trees Could Help This City Prevent 400 Premature Deaths” • Philadelphia, America’s fifth-largest city, could help as many as 403 adults live longer each year if it meets its existing target for increasing tree cover from 20% to 30% within five years, according to a study published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health. [CNN]

Aerial view of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

¶ “RPI Receives Over $2.6 Million To Study Renewable Energy” • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Troy, New York, received over $2.6 million in federal funding to help integrate renewable energy into New York State’s power grid. The funding came from a new program of the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. [News10 ABC]

¶ “As Energy Use Changes In The Great Lakes, So Too Does The World’s Largest Freshwater Port” • The Port of Duluth-Superior is one of the largest ports in the US. It has huge amounts of iron ore and coal going through it. But the country has been turning to renewable resources, and coal shipments have been declining since 2008. [Minnesota Public Radio News]

Coal and ore (Paul Walsh | MinnPost 2020)

¶ “Federal Solar Policy Challenge From Group With NH Ties Draws National Attention” • A conservative lobbying firm, the New England Ratepayers Association, is challenging a policy that benefits solar energy. It is seeking a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision that would invalidate the legal basis for net metering nationwide. [New Hampshire Public Radio]

¶ “Duke Doubles Renewable Goals While Staying Committed To Fossils” • Duke Energy now owns or purchases 8,000 MW of renewable generation, and it plans to double that mark by 2025. However, while the company eyes zero-carbon electricity by 2050, it maintains that natural gas will remain a crucial source to achieve this goal. [pv magazine USA]

Have a mightily healthy day.

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Opinion:

¶ “The EPA’s Dirty Water: New Rule Discards Science, Ignores Importance of Wetlands And Tributaries” • In its latest act of abdication, the EPA published its Navigable Waters Protection Rule in the Federal Register on April 21. The EPA’s own Science Advisory Board said its formulation did not incorporate the “best available science.” [CleanTechnica]

Wetland (Krista Lundgren | USFWS, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “As Pandemic Rages, Federal Nuclear Regulators Put Keeping Reactors Running Ahead Of Public Health And Safety” • How is the NRC responding to the coronavirus pandemic? By letting nuclear plants cut back workforces for social distancing, creating 84-hour work weeks, and by having the NRC inspectors work from home. [Environmental Working Group]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Ice-Free Arctic Coming Soon To A Country Near You!” • The latest research suggests Arctic sea ice could disappear entirely in the summer sometime between now and 2050 even if the world is successful at substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, this development is predicted now by nearly all scientific models. [CleanTechnica]

Polar bear (Hannes Grobe, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “This Industry Is Four Times More Polluting Than Air Travel” • The construction industry’s emissions go from raw materials that need to be mined and smelted to the waste from demolished structures. HuffPost reports that construction produces 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is about four times those of the airline sector. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “China’s EV Incentive Changes For 2020–2023” • The Chinese plan was to remove NEV subsidies by the end of 2020, but with the post-Covid-19 recession, a decision was made to extend them. The revision now includes consumers who buy new EVs through 2022 and provides for tax exemptions on purchases for two years. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Model 3 in Hong Kong (Tesla via Twitter)

¶ “WPD Inks 600-MW Taiwan Development Deal” • WPD has signed an agreement to jointly develop a 600-MW offshore wind farm with Taiwan Green Power. The project, site No 28, is located off the coast of Changhua in an area with excellent conditions for windpower, said WPD. WPD has an offshore pipeline of 7,400 MW in six countries. [reNEWS]

¶ “Solar Surge Pushes Coal From UK Energy Mix” • Maximised levels of solar generation have delivered a record coal-free period for the UK grid. Clear skies and cool temperatures in recent weeks have provided optimal conditions for solar efficiency, which means coal power has been offline since midnight on Friday 10 April 2020. [reNEWS]

Solar PVs (Zbynek Burival | Unsplash)

¶ “Rural Electrification Is Key To Agricultural Transformation in Ethiopia” • The Rocky Mountain Institute released a report showing that rural electrification efforts can unlock billions of dollars in value for six agricultural processing or small business models in Ethiopia, as farmers switch to electricity from such expensive sources as diesel. [ESI Africa]

¶ “Poland Warns Of Drying Funds For Clean Energy Projects” • The economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic will make it “more difficult” for Poland to reach Europe’s long-term climate objectives, the country said in a paper circulated to other EU countries ahead of an informal video meeting of EU energy ministers. [Euractiv]

Wind farm in Poland (Fotokon | Shutterstock)

¶ “South Australia still leads the renewable energy race” • Always a rivaled contender for other states, South Australia is continuing to embrace renewable energy as it remains as a leader of wind and solar in 2020. It’s expected that by 2024, SA’s renewables could contribute up to 87% of its overall electricity generation. Its goal is 100% by 2030. [Energy Matters]

US:

¶ “NJ Goes To Court To Fight Federal Order On Renewable Energy Sources” • New Jersey appealed a federal order that would raise the cost of energy from renewables, saying the measure exceeds federal authority and would slow the switch to clean energy. Advocacy groups in Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia joined in the action. [NJ Spotlight]

Solar farm in New Jersey (Credit: Samuel Faber | Pixabay)

¶ “Chicago City Council Votes For Equitable Access To EVs” • The City of Chicago is taking decisive steps to ensure it is a hub for EVs. The City Council passed an ordinance strengthening requirements for EV readiness at commercial and residential buildings, promoting more equitable access to this emerging technology throughout the city. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Royal DSM Backs RE100 Goals With 61-MW Solar VPPA With Origis” • Florida-based Origis Energy has signed an off-take deal with a Dutch company, Koninklijke DSM NV, for the output of a 61-MW solar project in Texas. The VPPA (virtual power purchase agreement) is tied to the Rockhound Solar C PV park, which is to be built by Origis Energy. [Renewables Now]

Another solar plant in Mississippi (Source: Origis Energy)

¶ “TVA Selects First Solar And Origis Energy For 212-MW Solar Development Pipeline” • The Tennessee Valley Authority chose First Solar and Origis Energy to develop 212 MW of solar power to fulfill a Knoxville Utilities Board commitment to renewable energy.  TVA has now contracted for a total of 404 MW of First Solar projects. [Solar Power World]

¶ “Indian Point Unit 2 Will Shut Down April 30” • One of the two remaining operating reactors at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York, will close for good on April 30. The 1,020-MW Unit 2 will close. This will leave the 1,040-MW Unit 3 as the plant’s lone operating unit. Unit 3 is scheduled to close in April 2021. [POWER magazine]

Have a wisely organized day.
Eat slowly and chew your food well.

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World:

¶ “SoftBank-Backed SB Energy And EDEN Bag 900 MW Of Solar In India” • A 2-GW solar power tender received very a encouraging response amidst uncertainty of the Covid-19 outbreak. The government-owned power company NHPC set a maximum tariff bid of ₹2.78/kWh (3.64¢/kWh). It received bids for over 3.1 GW. [CleanTechnica]

Solar panels (Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica)

¶ “Sweden Shutters Last Coal-Fired Generating Plant 2 Years Early” • Swedish utility Stockholm Exergi announced some time ago it would shut down its KVV6 coal generating station in 2022. It actually took one of the facilities two boilers offline last fall. After a winter that was milder than expected, it decided to close the entire facility now. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Renewable Power Tender In India Oversubscribed” • A tender issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India for the supply of uninterrupted renewable energy was very much oversubscribed. The tender was for 400 MW of solar, wind, or hydro, with energy storage. Three companies have submitted bids, two for 400 MW each and one for 50 MW. [CleanTechnica]

Wind turbines (Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica)

¶ “Vattenfall green lights 240-MW South Kyle giant” • Vattenfall has given the green light to construction of the 240-MW South Kyle onshore wind farm in Scotland, after an agreement to sell the project to Greencoat UK Wind on completion. Construction of the project is set to go ahead once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. [reNEWS]

¶ “Simec Atlantis Tidal Kit Deployed In China” • Simec Atlantis Energy, in partnership with ITPEnergised, has worked with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and China Three Gorges to develop the latter’s first SG500kW tidal stream turbine. The turbine, with a rotor diameter of 18 meters, was installed in China’s Zhoushan archipelago. [reNEWS]

China Three Gorges tidal (Simec Atlantis Energy)

¶ “Huge Dundonnell Wind Farm Powers Past 100-MW Mark In Victoria” • Tilt Renewables’ massive Dundonnell wind farm in Victoria remains on track to deliver its full 336-MW capacity well before the end of 2020, after powering up to a generation output of 113 MW last week. The wind farm began sending power to the grid in March. [RenewEconomy]

¶ France Aiming For One-Third Renewable Energy Mix By 2030″” • France submitted its final 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission. The country will aim to have 33% renewable energy in its energy mix in 2030. This translates into 40% renewables in the power sector. Wind energy could deliver half of this. [Saurenergy]

WindEurope wind farm

¶ “Fukushima Daiichi Buildings Pose Safety Risks” • TEPCO reported results of a survey of about 580 buildings at Fukushima Daiichi to the Nuclear Regulation Authority. TEPCO plans to draw up safety measures for workers after finding that some of the buildings at the nuclear plant are in bad condition due to the 2011 accident. [NHK World]

US:

¶ “Oil Tankers Lurk Off The Coast Of California” • The US Coast Guard is monitoring the “increased presence” of oil tankers that are hanging out in the seas near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. With the collapse in demand for crude oil, these tankers are being used pretty much as floating storage units for barrels of oil. [CleanTechnica]

Tankers (From a video by USCG PO3 Aidan Cooney)

¶ “Failed Federal Government Has States Considering Articles Of Confederacy” • Since the US government has failed its citizens utterly on its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts have formed an alliance to coordinate reopening. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Starlink Private Beta Testing To Begin In 3 Months, Public Beta Testing To Follow” • SpaceX has launched 422 low Earth orbit Starlink satellites, with more coming in May and June. Private beta testing of the Starlink network will start within the next three months, Elon Musk says. SpaceX has permission to launch 12,000 satellites. [CleanTechnica]

Starlink launch (Credit: SpaceX via Flickr)

¶ “US Renewables Provide More Electricity Than Coal In January-February” • Renewable energy sources produced 10.6% more electricity than coal during the first two months of 2020 and topped nuclear power in February, according to a SUN DAY Campaign analysis of recently-released data from the US Energy Information Administration. [Renewables Now] (This will bring internet in areas that now have no grid power. GHH)

¶ “Michigan Switches On Its Largest Wind Park” • DTE Energy has turned on the Polaris wind park, the largest in Michigan. Polaris is expected to provide enough electricity to power over 64,000 homes. Its 68 turbines have a combined capacity of 168 MW and will help avoid more than 355,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. [Energy Live News]

Have an uninterruptedly exuberant day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Australian Government’s $94 Million Crude Oil Purchase Offers A Simple Economics Lesson” • Last week, Australia took advantage of record-low oil prices to buy crude oil it needed to maintain a fuel stockpile. This illustrates the difference between energy that must be stocked, such as oil, and energy that flows naturally, such as renewables. [ABC News]

Oil tankers (Hamad I Mohammed | Reuters)

¶ “NextEra’s Earnings Portend Well For Utilities And Renewable Energy” • Heading into Q1 earnings reporting season, the big question for electric utilities was how hard COVID-19 would hit demand for power. Now we have answers from NextEra Energy, and implications are bullish, especially for companies speeding adoption of wind and solar energy. [Forbes]

¶ “Why The Oil Industry Can No Longer Rely On China” • US shale oil, far too heavily reliant on Cushing storage, paid the price when WTI prices went negative as Cushing hit capacity. In their way, OPEC oil and gas producers are similar. They  invested heavily in China, and they are paying the price, as Chinese demand is hit by Covid-19. [OilPrice.com]

Enbridge tank farm (roy.luck, Wikimedia Commons)

Science and Technology:

¶ “New Research Turns Old Soda Bottles Into Battery Electrodes In Microwave” • Researchers at Purdue University have devised a way to use microwaves to convert plastic waste into battery electrode material. The process applies to PET – polyethylene terephthalate – the most commonly used plastic for single-use water and soda bottles. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “As Extreme Weather Spurs Billions In Utility Resilience Spending, Regulators Struggle To Value Investments” • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory tried to evaluate approaches to resilience to guide utility investing. It found there are too many factors to quantify easily. This moves regulators back to human judgment. [Utility Dive]

Lightning

World:

¶ “Bottling Australian Sunshine: South Korea Is Keen To Enter The Hydrogen Future” • A joint report between the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and South Korea’s prestigious National Academy of Engineering Korea has indicated that Australia could be a world-leading hydrogen exporter by 2030. [Stockhead]

¶ “KIA Teases 800 Volt 300 Mile EV With 25 Minute Recharge Time” • KIA and corporate cousin Hyundai are building efficient EVs that challenge industry leaders like Tesla. The Hyundai Kona EV and KIA Niro EV are world-class cars and are close to meeting Elon Musk’s plea to other manufacturers to build compelling electric vehicles. [CleanTechnica]

Hyundai-45-Concept (Hyundai image)

¶ “Singapore’s EMA And Keppel Sign $10 Million MOU For Green Innovations In Marine Sector” • In Singapore, the Energy Market Authority and Keppel Offshore & Marine announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding  and entered into a $10 million partnership to develop energy solutions with green energy resources. [Mercom India]

¶ “Westminster Relaunches Plutonium Reactors Despite Earlier ‘Disastrous’ Experience” • Documents released by the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation under freedom of information law reveal that “advanced nuclear technologies” backed by UK ministers include fast reactors, which can burn and breed plutonium. Campaigners condemned the idea. [The National]

Dounreay plant in Caithness

US:

¶ “Universal Community Solar Revolution Brewing Under COVID-19 Crisis” • The DOE is doubling down on a commitment to ensure that every household and business in the country has access to renewable energy by 2025. The key ingredients at the core of the effort are the community solar model, affordability, and jobs. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “In ‘Climate Refuge’ City Of Duluth, Fight Brews Over Utility” • Duluth has a growing environmental movement. But for those who want a carbon-free Duluth, their biggest roadblock may be a unique and influential hometown utility that also serves a stable of energy-hungry taconite mines and paper mills that support the region’s economy. [Patch.com]

Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge (Walker Orenstein | MinnPost)

¶ “Wisconsin Biogas Gas Producer Sees Potential In Thermal Renewable Credits” • US Gain, a Wisconsin company, was the first to sign up with the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, which is designed to help monetize the environmental benefits of methane captured from dairy farms, landfills, and other sources. [wausaupilotandreview.com]

¶ “New Trump Nuclear Plan Favors Uranium Mining Bordering The Grand Canyon” • Mining companies want to dig up uranium in two areas on the edge of the Grand Canyon. In 2012, with local support, the US Congress imposed a 20-year mining ban in the areas to prevent pollution. But the Trump administration wants to mine uranium. [InsideClimate News]

Have an exhilarantly excellent day.

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Opinion:

¶ “We Must Fix Our Food System To Withstand Disasters” • Just as this pandemic has shone a light on the fragility of our medical system, it has also shown that the US food system is broken. Our food supply comes largely from megacorporations across the globe; disruptions are widely felt and impossible to plan for in advance. [CleanTechnica]

Growing tomatoes (Gab997, Wikimedia Commons)

¶ “$110 Trillion Renewables Stimulus Package Could Create 50 Million Jobs” • Economists are warning that we are witnessing the unraveling of something far grimmer than the 2008 financial crisis. We could spend $95 trillion to try to get things back to normal. Or we could invest in renewable energy and for massive economic gains. [Yahoo Finance Australia]

¶ “After The Pandemic, Kentucky Can Rebuild The Economy And Create Jobs By Investing In Clean Energy” • The pandemic will leave an urgent need to rebuild state economies. Kentucky has a huge potential for benefits from wind and solar power. But to get that, its state and federal leaders have to support solar and wind tax credits. [Environmental Working Group]

Solar energy

Science and Technology:

¶ “Researchers Say Thinning Forests Or Prescribed Fire Before Drought Reduced Tree Loss” • Thinning forests and conducting prescribed burns may help preserve trees in future droughts and bark beetle epidemics expected under climate change, a study from the University of California, Davis suggests. It appeared in the journal Ecological Applications. [Wildfire Today]

World:

¶ “Coronavirus Recovery Plan ‘Must Tackle Climate Change'” • Tackling climate change must be woven into the solution to the Covid-19 economic crisis, the UK will tell governments next week. Environment ministers from 30 countries are meeting in a two-day online conference in a bid to make progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. [BBC]

Wind farm and sheep (Getty Images)

¶ “Virus Outbreak Raises Spectre Of Cash Injection For Indebted EDF” • Falling electricity demand and prices due to the Covid-19 pandemic could leave EDF in need of a capital injection by the end of 2020, a source close to the French firm said. EDF operates the world’s largest nuclear fleet and has €41.1 billion of debt already. [One America News Network]

¶ “Climeon’s First Installation In Japan Operational” • Climeon, based in Sweden, has successfully commissioned its first heat power module in a geothermal power plant in Japan and it is now producing electricity. Climeon’s Japanese subsidiary began with installation of two power plants and has a heat power module in operation. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

Geothermal energy letting off steam (NREL image)

¶ “Climate Science Deniers At Forefront Of Downplaying Coronavirus Pandemic” • Fringe climate science deniers who spread online disinformation are now actively downplaying the Covid-19 pandemic, an analysis says. The executive director of DeSmog said that science and global cooperation see as threats to their ideology. [The Guardian]

¶ “Enel Green Power Inks 5-Year Hydro PPA In Guatemala” • Italian renewables business Enel Green Power SpA announced this week it had secured a five-year power purchase agreement with Empresa Electrica de Guatemala SA. The PPA will supply 42 GWh of renewable electricity annually to EEGSA’s 1.3 million customers. [Renewables Now]

Hydropower plant (Image: US Army Corps of Engineers)

¶ “Enercon Seals 310-MW Vietnamese Six Pack” • Enercon has secured new turbine orders totaling 310 MW for six wind farms in Vietnam. The contracts cover the supply of 74 E-138 EP3 E2/4.2MW machines scheduled to be installed by the end of next year. Enercon had announced completion of a 64-MW project in the country earlier this month. [reNEWS]

¶ “100% Renewable Europe: SolarPower Europe Report” • In the first study of its kind, SolarPower Europe and LUT University have modeled a cost-optimal energy transition strategy. Their finding is that a 100% transition to renewable energy is 6% lower in per-unit costs compared to inadequate policies that rely on fossil fuels. [Power Technology]

Offshore wind turbine (Credit: Grahame Jenkins)

US:

¶ “US Supreme Court Decides Clean Water Act Applies To Groundwater” • This week, the Supreme Court made a ruling on a case involved the activities of a wastewater treatment plant on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Waste water was being pumped underground. But it was subsequently getting into the ocean, and the ruling says that is not permissible. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Electric Air Taxi Service Set To Launch In California By 2021” • Quantum Air announced plans to launch what it’s calling a world’s first: an air taxi service using a fleet of 26 all-electric flying taxis to shuttle passengers between major points in the greater Los Angeles area. Quantum says its air taxi flights will be surprisingly affordable. [CleanTechnica]

Bye Aerospace Electric eFlyer (Courtesy Bye Aerospace)

¶ “Empire State Blows Past Offshore Wind Limit With 1,000 MW (Or More)” • In yet another indicator that COVID-19 will not stop the inevitable march of renewable energy into the sparkling green future, New York State just approved another 1,000 MW in offshore wind. And it could be much more, if all goes according to plan. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The Electric Vehicle Revolution Is Finally Hitting The US Army” • The US Army could start purchasing electric versions of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, the Pentagon’s new replacement for the Humvee. The service cites both logistical and economic reasons why a JLTV-EV armored 4×4 utility vehicle might be in its future. [msnNOW]

Have an unreservedly glorious day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “The Number Of People Affected By Floods Will Double By 2030” • Flooding has already caused more than $1 trillion in losses globally since 1980, and the situation is poised to worsen: New analysis from World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Floods finds that the number of people affected by floods will double worldwide by 2030. [CleanTechnica]

Flood (Photo: WRI via Twitter)

¶ “Google Unveils New Tool To Optimize Data Centers For Renewable Energy Use” • Google revealed a “carbon-intelligent computing platform” which optimizes compute tasks in its data centers for times when renewable energy is more plentiful. The tech giant says the new software will help it achieve its goal of “24×7 carbon free energy.” [Which-50]

World:

¶ “Shell Registers 130-MW Solar Power Plan In Brazil” • Royal Dutch Shell Plc has submitted a plan for the development of 130 MW of solar PV projects to Brazil’s power sector regulator Aneel. Shell intends to build two PV parks of 50 MW each and one of 30 MW in Minas Gerais, at an investment of BRL 500 million ($91 million, €84.5 million). [Renewables Now]

Atlas Renewable Energy solar plant in Brazil

¶ “Enel Russia Signs Agreement For Development Of Renewable Energy Projects” • Enel Russia signed in absentia an agreement on cooperation aimed at the development of renewable energy projects in the Republic of Tatarstan. Enel Russia already has three wind farms under construction in Tatarstan, with a total capacity of 362 MW. [ESI Africa]

¶ “Newcastle Struts Its Solar Energy Stuff” • Newcastle, New South Wales, the world’s busiest coal port, has been actively working for a renewable future. A founding member of the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, the city’s Council resolved to pursue sourcing 100% renewables for its operations. Now it is getting a solar array. [Solar Quotes]

Solar array for Newcastle

¶ “Ofgem Backs Shetland Subsea Power Cable Plans” • Energy regulator Ofgem approved plans for a subsea power cable which would take energy from Shetland to the Scottish mainland. The Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks plan for a 600-MW transmission link to export renewable electricity from Shetland to the rest of Britain. [BBC News]

¶ “JBIC Becomes Third Japanese Bank In A Month To Signal Move Away From Coal” • The governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation said the bank will no longer accept loan applications for new coal power projects. The statement comes as more Asian firms ditch coal, with the capital flight from the fossil fuel accelerating. [Eco-Business]

Polluting power plant (Image: Shutterstock)

US:

¶ “GM And Ford Could Lose Billions As Used Car Prices Plummet” • The coronavirus is kicking the stuffing out of used car values. One of the largest US auction houses reports prices were down 11.8% in the first half of April. A JPMorgan analyst said GM Financial could lose $3 billion and Ford Credit $2.8 billion, if this continues through the quarter. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Cruise Becomes First Self Driving Car Company To Power Vehicles With 100% Renewable Energy” • GM subsidiary Cruise Automation is the first self-driving car company to run its cars on 100% renewable energy, the company said in a post. Cruise has been using solar PVs to power autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EVs in Southern California. [GM Authority]

Cruise Origin Driverless Car

¶ “General Mills Commits To 100% Renewable Electricity Globally By 2030” • General Mills set a goal to source 100% renewable electricity by 2030 as part of the RE100 global corporate initiative. To achieve this, the company is investing in renewable energy efforts to support its environmental objectives internationally. [Yahoo Finance]

¶ “Battered By Matthew And Florence, North Carolina Must Brace For More Intense Hurricanes” • Across the low-lying areas of coastal North Carolina, it’s not uncommon to see abandoned homes ruined by the floodwaters of Hurricane Florence, two years ago. Now, a report warns that climate change is to bring worse hurricanes and floods. [InsideClimate News]

Flood in North Carolina (Alex Edelman | AFP via Getty Images)

¶ “8minute Swells US PV Pipeline By 3 GW” • US developer 8minute Solar Energy has added 3 GW of new PV capacity to its development pipeline in the last month, increasing the total to over 18 GW. The company has attracted corporate-level funding to develop the growing pipeline, the majority of which is solar PVs with battery energy storage. [reNEWS]

¶ “84-GW US Renewables+Storage Pipeline Has Developers Anxious For Market Integration Rules” • Counting projects of 1 MW or more, 4.6 GW of operating US renewables projects are co-located with batteries. The immediate development pipeline has 14.7 GW more. Behind those are 69 GW more. Developers want to know what the rules are. [Utility Dive]

Wind turbine and solar panels (GE Renewables image)

¶ “First Solar Sees Double For California Power Play” • First Solar signed two 15-year power purchase agreements with community choice aggregators Monterey Bay Community Power and Silicon Valley Clean Energy. The CCAs will buy electricity from First Solar’s 100-MW Rabbitbrush solar farm, which is expected to be completed, with storage, in 2022. [reNEWS]

¶ “NRC Delivers Briefing On Indian Point Decommissioning” • Earlier this week, the NRC held a briefing with reporters  about the upcoming decommissioning of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. The Westchester County-based plant is scheduled to permanently shut down Unit 2 next week, and Unit 3, one year later. [WAMC]

Have a thoroughly nifty day.

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Opinion:

¶ “How The Coronavirus Has Impacted The Oil Industry – And The Future Of The Climate Crisis” • On Monday, oil prices fell to as low as minus $40 and eventually settling at minus $37.63 per barrel. Scared investors and negative oil prices leave the future of the industry on shaky ground. They may poise renewable energy options for a greener future. [The Hill]

Changing prices (Olivier Douliery | AFP via Getty Images)

World:

¶ “Investing In Renewable Energy Could See A Return Of To Up To 800%” • Fossil fuels interests would like to tell us otherwise, but the International Renewable Energy Agency says investing in renewable energy and a green economy would create tens of millions of jobs worldwide and provide investment returns of up to 800% over time. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Clear Skies Over Germany Lead To Record Amount Of Solar Energy” • The efficiency of solar panels depends on a lot of things. Dust and dirt can degrade performance. So can excess heat. Aiming panels at the proper angle is crucial. But there is another factor that few people have thought much about until now – air pollution. [CleanTechnica]

Sunny day in Germany (Image credit: DWD)

¶ “Seoul Is Subsidizing 700 Electric Taxis” • South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is subsidizing purchases of 700 electric taxis. The subsidy is worth 18.2 million won ($14,800) per EV, far more than the 12.7 million won ($10,300) subsidy to buy an EV for personal use. Seoul is making foreign manufacturers, not only Korean brands, eligible for funding. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Pivot Power Developing 52-MW Hybrid Battery” • Pivot Power is developing a hybrid 50-MW lithium-ion battery and 2-MW vanadium redox flow battery project in Oxford which it says will be the world’s largest. Invinity Energy Systems is to supply the batteries for the system which will share a grid connection with an EV charging network. [reNEWS]

Hybrid battery (Pivot Power image)

¶ “KHNP Spearheads New And Renewable Energy Initiatives” • Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co, the largest power generation company in Korea, plans to expand its new and renewable energy production facility capacity to 7.6 GW by 2030. The increase will bring KHNP’s new and renewable production capacity to 8.4 GW in that year. [NewsworldKorea]

US:

¶ “Tesla: May The 4th Be With Gigafactory Nevada As It Reopens” • Tesla Gigafactory 1 in Nevada will be reopening on May the 4th. To do so, the company is taking an  approach very similar to what it did reopening the Gigafactory Shanghai. There will be several new rules introduced to returning employees to ensure safety. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Model Y Unveiling

¶ “Digital Realty’s Texas Data Centers To Use Wind Power Under Citi Deal” • Data center operator Digital Realty will supply some of its Texas facilities with windpower under a renewable energy credit agreement with Citi. The electricity will be sourced from the 162-MW Bearkat 2 wind project, now under development in Glasscock County. [Renewables Now]

¶ “Verizon To Buy Power From 384 MW Of Solar, Wind Parks In US” • US telecoms giant Verizon Communications Inc has signed a number of virtual power purchase agreements that will help finance the construction of wind and solar parks with a combined capacity of 384 MW. Among them are two solar plants in Texas to be completed in 2023. [Renewables Now]

Santa Rita East wind farm in Texas (Invenergy image)

¶ “Origis Energy Constructing 61-MW Texas Solar Project” • Origis Energy arranged a virtual power purchase agreement with Royal DSM for renewable electricity from the Rockhound Solar C project, a planned 61-MW solar facility to be in Ector County, Texas. The solar farm’s Renewable Energy Credits will support DSM’s RE100 goals. [Solar Power World]

¶ “NextEra Energy Looks To Spend $1 Billion On Energy Storage In 2021” • Renewables developer NextEra reported its financial results for the first quarter, saying its renewables development unit has been unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has plans for massive investments in the near future, including spending $1 billion on battery projects. [Greentech Media]

Battery project at a wind farm (Credit: NextEra Energy)

¶ “Lightsource BP Inks Offtake Deal For US solar” • Lightsource BP has signed a long-term power contract for a pair of solar developments totaling 44 MW in Pennsylvania. The developer made on an agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for power from its Elk Hill 1 and 2 developments in Franklin County. [reNEWS]

¶ “Super-Polluting Methane Emissions Twice Federal Estimates in Permian Basin, Study Finds” • Methane emissions from the Permian basin, one of the largest oil-producing regions in the world, are more than two times higher than federal estimates, according to a study recently published in the journal Science Advances. [InsideClimate News]

Pumpjack in the Permian Basin (Spencer Platt | Getty Images)

¶ “Geronimo Energy And Cargill Announce Virtual Power Purchase Agreement For 200-MW MISO Illinois Solar Project” • Geronimo Energy, a National Grid company, and Cargill have announced execution of a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement  for the Prairie Wolf Solar Project in Illinois. The 200-MW project is to begin operations in 2021. [PRNewswire]

¶ “Navajo Power CEO Sees 10-GW Renewable Potential Across The Navajo Nation” • Navajo Power is preparing a bid to build 200 MW of solar power. Discussing the Navajo Nation’s potential for solar power in a pv magazine interview, Navajo Power CEO Brett Isaac said, “We believe you can go to 10 GW of renewable resources.” [pv magazine USA]

Have a entertainingly beneficial day.

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Opinion:

¶ “A Decade After Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, We’re Going In The Wrong Direction” • The Deepwater Horizon disaster was ten years ago. It killed 11 people and injured 17. It went uncapped for 87 days, coating more than 1.300 miles of beaches and wetlands with oil, walloping the coastal economy. We could hope it might have changed things. It didn’t. [CleanTechnica]

Controlled burn to clean up oil (Justin Stumberg | US Navy)

¶ “Speculation, Hopes, Tweets, And Wishful Thinking: Negative Oil Prices Explained” • On April 20, the price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate fell below –$40 a barrel briefly, sending shock waves through the industry and leading to a 600 point drop on Wall Street. How can a barrel of oil be worth less than zero? Here is an explanation. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Dear Oil Executive, Is There A Lack Of Imagination?” • The price of oil dropped below the $0 line yesterday. For the first time in history, the price was negative. Bloomberg reports that the price reached minus $37.63 per barrel. Oil market volatility and low oil prices make me wonder if oil executives are missing a big opportunity. [CleanTechnica]

Wind turbines (Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica)

¶ “Electricity Demand In 2020 To Decline By Most Since Great Recession” • Investors take note: The US Energy Information Administration issued its first projection of domestic energy market performance since the coronavirus pandemic started. It says 2020 will see the worst year-over-year decline in electricity demand since the Great Recession. [Motley Fool]

World:

¶ “Himalayas Visible For The First Time In 30 Years In India” • The view from Pathankot, India, usually doesn’t include the Himalayas due to the high pollution levels there, but with the coronavirus lockdown, that has changed. Many residents in northern India can see the majestic Himalayas for the first time in 30 years. [CleanTechnica]

View of the mountains (Diksha Walia via Twitter)

¶ “Solar Window Technology Takes A Leap Forward In Australia” • A dream of clean energy advocates is turning every window into a solar panel. Australian researchers are hot on the trail of a new technology that could make solar windows a reality. They are working with semi-transparent perovskite solar cells that are about as efficient as ordinary PVs. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Covid-19: 150 GW Of Asia-Pacific Renewables ‘At Risk’” • Up to 150 GW of wind and solar projects in Asia and the Pacific could be delayed or cancelled over the next five years if a coronavirus-led recession extends beyond 2020, Wood Mackenzie analysis said. It predicted power demand disruptions this year depending on how the pandemic goes. [reNEWS]

Wind turbines in India (Vestas image)

¶ “Covid-19: TRIG Cuts Power Price Forecasts” • The Renewables Infrastructure Group is reducing its power price forecasts as a response to the near-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 is “having a materially adverse impact on wholesale power prices as a result of reduced economic activity,” the renewables asset owner said. [reNEWS]

¶ “Total Wins 136.6 MW Of Solar PV In France’s Latest Tenders” • Renewables developer Total Quadran won 136.6 MW of solar projects in the latest call for tenders in France, it announced. One award is for what will be Total’s largest ground-mounted solar plant in France, a 50-MW project to be built at a former refinery in Valenciennes. [Renewables Now]

Solar panels and wind turbines (Source: Total Quadran)

¶ “Wärtsilä Says Share Of Renewable Energy Up Rapidly Amid Covid-19” • Finnish ship technology and power-plant maker Wärtsilä said the coronavirus outbreak has caused the share of renewable energy in Europe’s power production to increase rapidly. As demand for electricity has fallen, a number of coal-fired power have shut down. [ETEnergyworld.com]

¶ “South Australia Could Meet State Liberals’ 100% Renewables Target Five Years Early” • Pretty soon, South Australia might be providing the equivalent of close to 100% of the electricity it uses from variable renewables, even allowing for the times when the wind don’t blow and the sun don’t shine. Its goal is to do that ten years from now. [RenewEconomy]

South Australia’s Snowtown wind farm

¶ “TEPCO Weighs Options Over Tsunami Threat To Fukushima Plant” • TEPCO is assessing a government report that highlights the threat of another tsunami overwhelming the seawall at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear station, the company said. The report suggests an 11-meter seawall planned by TEPCO might not be sufficiently tall. [Japan Today]

US:

¶ “Ørsted, Dominion Primed For Coastal Virginia Build” • Dominion Energy and Ørsted are to begin construction shortly at the two-turbine Coastal Virginia offshore wind demo project, as key components are now on their journey from Europe. Two EEW-fabricated monopile foundations will be the first ever installed in US waters. [reNEWS]

Monopile foundations onboard a ship (EEW image)

¶ “Knoll Reaches 100% Renewable And Green Energy In North American Manufacturing Facilities” • Knoll, Inc, announced it has converted its North American operations to electricity generated by renewable sources. Now, its manufacturing and distribution facilities are 100% powered by green sources such as wind or low-impact hydro power. [EnerCom Inc]

¶ “US Renewable Energy Additions Completely Overwhelm Those By Natural Gas In First Months Of 2020” • A SUN DAY Campaign review of FERC data has found that solar, wind and hydropower provided 85.7% of new US electrical generating capacity during the first two months of 2020,  overwhelming additions of natural gas. [Solar Power World]

Have a delightfully peachy  day.

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Opinion:

¶ “How Can The Oil Price Be Negative?” • Oil is the world’s most heavily traded physical commodity, but most of the trades are in the futures market, with the oil not actually changing hands until a contract matures. When that happens, the oil has to be stored. In the US, that usually means it goes to storage tanks in Cushing, Oklahoma, but the tanks are full. [ShareCafe]

Pump jacks (Shutterstock image)

¶ “The Story Of Plastics Is A Must-See Video For Earth Day” • Documentary film maker Deia Schlosberg has spent tree years creating a video that documents the scourge of plastics in exquisite detail. This Wednesday, on Earth Day, her video, “The Story Of Plastics,” will be featured on the Discovery Channel. Here’s the trailer. [CleanTechnica]

Science and Technology:

¶ “We Could Release Herds of Animals In The Arctic To Fight Climate Change, Says Study” • Herds of horses, reindeer, and bison could play a significant part in saving the world from an acceleration in global heating. That is the conclusion of a recent study showing how grazing herbivores can slow down the pace of thawing permafrost in the Arctic. [ScienceAlert]

Yakut horses (Spiridon Sleptsov | Getty Images)

¶ “Climate Change Undercuts Air Pollution Improvements” • An American Lung Association report warns that climate change is undercutting decades of regulatory progress that has reduced pollution from major sources, because more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires are leading to more days with dangerously high levels pollution. [NPR]

World:

¶ “MingYang Bags 400-MW China Deal” • MingYang Smart Energy has secured a contract to deliver 64 wind turbines for the Huizhou Gangkou Phase 1 and 2 offshore wind project. The Chinese turbine manufacturer won the contract from General Nuclear Power Corporation. Delivery will begin this year and be completed in August of 2021. [reNEWS]

Wind turbine (MingYang image)

¶ “Kenney Pleads For Significantly More From Feds As Oil Prices Crash” • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called for “significantly more action” as demand for crude collapses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenney made a series of Twitter posts that started with a screengrab of Western Canada Select quoted at a negative per barrel price. [BNNBloomberg.ca]

¶ “Tonga Signs More Solar/Storage Projects As It Aims For 70% Renewables” • A joint venture of New Zealand renewable energy company Infratec and sister-company NETcon signed a contract to deliver solar and storage projects in the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga. This follows a similarly sized deal Tonga signed only a few days ago. [RenewEconomy]

Solar panels (Angie Warren | Unsplash)

¶ “Macquarie University To Go 100% Renewable With Snowy Hydro” • The Macquarie University in Sydney will power its campus entirely with renewables under a deal with domestic power producer and retailer Snowy Hydro Ltd. The North Ryde campus will be able to lower its total greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 92%. [Renewables Now]

¶ “Clean Power Promises Brighter Future” • A study recently released International Renewable Energy Agency, “Global Renewables Outlook,” says the implementation of robust clean power commitments would create around 42 million jobs and add $98 trillion to expected ‘business-as-usual’ figures by the middle of the century. [Innovators Magazine]

Wind farm (Adam Śmigielski | Unsplash)

¶ “Renewables Overtake Coal-Fired Power Generation For First Time” • The International Energy Agency report on key electric power trends in the world’s developed economies, released last week, shows renewable energy overtaking coal as a source of electricity generation for the first time. In 2019, coal use was 13.4% lower than in 2018. [MINING.com]

US:

¶ “500,000 More MWH In Renewable Energy For GM, 30,000 New Ventilators For Hospitals” • Even as General Motors makes a sharp U-turn into the medical supply area, it announced a clean power investment in 500,000 MWh of solar through Michigan utility DTE. GM facilities served by DTE are to be powered by renewable energy by 2023. [CleanTechnica]

GM worker making ventilators (AJ Mast for General Motors)

¶ “Anyone Who Thinks Oil Has Hit A Floor Is ‘Playing With Fire’ – Yes, Prices Can Go Lower” • An oil futures contract in the US made a historic plunge, with West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery falling below zero for the first time to settle at negative $37.63 per barrel. Oil demand crashed due to the pandemic, and storage facilities are full. [CNBC]

¶ “Citi Vows To Stop Working With Thermal Coal-Mining Companies” • By 2025, Citigroup won’t provide underwriting and advisory services to the thermal coal-mining industry and will cut its credit exposure in half, a Citigroup statement says. It plans to eliminate its exposure entirely by 2030, to help speed the shift away from fossil fuels. [MINING.com]

Coal mine in Kentucky (Adobe stock image)

¶ “Developers Pitch 16 GW Of Solar In Coal-Fueled Indiana” • Indiana’s utilities plan to close over two-thirds of the state’s coal-fired generating capacity in the next two decades. Lake County is exploring changes to its land-use rules that could pave the way for the first truly large-scale solar farms in the state and some of the largest in the Midwest. [S&P Global]

¶ “Solar Net Metering Threatened As Shadowy Group Demands Intervention In State Policies” • A New England nonprofit group filed a petition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, asking it to declare “exclusive federal jurisdiction over wholesale energy sales from generation sources located on the customer side of the retail meter.” [Greentech Media]

Have an ecstatically happy day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Covid-19 Could Be The End Of Globalization As We Know It” • The world we knew seems to have disappeared, only to be replaced by a strange new world where funerals and weddings occur virtually online. Work, if there is any, is done at home on a computer, people wear masks when they leave home, and time alone is the new normal. [CleanTechnica]

Maersk Container ship (Image credit: Maersk)

¶ “Climate crisis will deepen the pandemic. A green stimulus plan can tackle both” • The Covid-19 epidemic is ravaging both our healthcare system and our economy. We’re also facing the climate emergency. We need a Green Stimulus that creates jobs but also reduces carbon pollution, increase resiliency, and develops a just, modern economy. [The Guardian]

World:

¶ “TenneT Launches 2-GW Cable Project” • TenneT contracted with an international group of cable suppliers to develop a new 2-GW submarine cable connection for offshore wind projects planned off the Dutch and German coasts. The project will deploy a 525-kV high-voltage distributed current extruded submarine cable system. [reNEWS]

Cable on a ship (Image: LS Cable)

¶ “Renewables To Provide A Fast Response To Covid-19 Says IRENA” • The African Union has partnered with the International Renewable Energy Agency to advance renewable energy and bolster Africa’s response to Covid-19. Adopting renewables faster will make it easier for communities and rural health centers to deal with health challenges. [Smart Energy]

¶ “Virus Leaves SA’s Green Energy Plans In Disarray” • South Africa’s independent energy producers were just starting to make headway on getting the government to revive long-stalled plans to buy more renewable power. Then they encountered a new obstacle: the coronavirus. They were to address rolling blackouts. Now there is no demand. [Moneyweb.co.za]

Solar array (Shutterstock image)

¶ “Green Energy Investment Could Turbo-Charge Economic Growth Post-Covid, Expert Body Declares” • A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency says investment in renewable energy could turbo-charge economic growth in the aftermath of Covid-19, leaving populations richer, healthier, and safe from future climate risks. [iNews]

¶ “Tasman Powers On With Waimea Hydro Dam” • On New Zealand’s South Island, the district of Tasman is powering ahead with an idea to build a hydro electricity station on the Waimea Community Dam. It was one of several “shovel ready” projects that a collaboration of Nelson-Tasman hopes to fund to get the economy moving again. [RNZ]

Site of the Waimea Dam (Tracy Neal | RNZ)

¶ “How Uranium Has Surged 31% To Become The World’s Top Commodity Amid Shutdown” • While most commodities are getting hammered by the Covid-19 pandemic, uranium prices are climbing. The cost of the metal for nuclear fuel has gone up 31% this year, spurred by mine shutdowns while demand from power plants is relatively stable. [ThePrint]

¶ “Fossil Fuel Lobby To Use Covid-19 To Push For Weaker Climate Laws” • In findings published in the journal Regulation and Governance, Australian researchers warn that governments and powerful business lobby groups may use the Covid-19 crisis to water down environmental controls, to the advantage of the fossil fuel industry. [RenewEconomy]

Tender barge and rig

US:

¶ “Ford Closes Some Plants “Indefinitely”” • Earlier this month, Ford plants that are closed due to Covid-19 were supposed to reopen on April 14. Ford has now announced that several of its North American production facilities are closed indefinitely. The one exception is a plant where United Auto Workers volunteers are making ventilators. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Oil Prices Drop To 21-Year Low As Demand Dries Up” • The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate dropped 14% to $15.65 in Asian trading, its lowest level since 1999. Earlier this month, OPEC and its allies had agreed a record deal to reduce global output by about 10%. But some analysts said the cut was not big enough to make a difference. [BBC]

Oil rig (Getty Images)

¶ “Cities Are Closing Streets To Cars During Stay-At-Home Orders” • Cities all over the US are closing down streets to traffic during the coronavirus pandemic to encourage people to stay home. In Oakland, California, 74 miles of streets are open only to pedestrians and cyclists. Boston, Minneapolis, and Louisville are also bringing car-free roads to life. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “sPower Raises Tax Equity For 620 MW Of Solar In Virginia” • Renewable power producer sPower has secured $350 million (€321.8 million) in tax equity for a 620-MW solar park that it is currently building in Virginia. The Spotsylvania Solar Energy Center will come online in stages, starting this year and ending in 2021. [Renewables Now]

Have an excitingly gorgeous day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Designing An End To A Toxic American Obsession: The Lawn” • Lawns cover 2% of the US. Maintaining them produces more greenhouse gases than they absorb. They are biodiversity deserts that have contributed to vanishing insect populations. They require more irrigation than any agricultural crop grown in the country. But there are alternatives. [CNN]

Greenery (Credit: Jennifer Roper)

¶ “Norway And The A-ha Moment That Made Electric Cars The Answer” • In 1995, the lead singer of the 1980s band A-ha and the head of the Norwegian environmental group Bellona took off on a road trip in a converted electric Fiat Panda they had imported from Switzerland. Eventually, the car was impounded, but it started a movement. [The Guardian]

¶ “The World’s Energy Order Is Changing – And China Is Set To Reap The Strategic Benefits” • The production cap agreed on by OPEC+, the instability of the markets, the economic fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, and ongoing technological changes are playing out in a power shift. And it looks like China is set to be the main beneficiary. [ABC Science Online]

Solar farm in China (Brant Cumming | ABC News)

¶ “How Will Earth Day Celebrate Its 50th Birthday? Not As Planned” • Picture the biggest protest ever. Crowds stretch on for miles on streets normally bustling with cars. From a birds-eye view, the moving bodies form a glittering mosaic. The mass of chanting people brims with bright signs. That is not how Earth Day will be, because Covid-19 is here. [Grist]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Is Fungus The Answer To Climate Change? Student Who Grew A Mushroom Canoe Says Yes” • Catch a glimpse of Katy Ayers paddling her canoe on a Nebraska lake this summer and you might do a double take. Her 8-foot canoe seems much like any other until you look closely. Then you may see it is different; it is made out of mushrooms. [NBC News]

Katy Ayers in her canoe (Courtesy Katy Ayers)

World:

¶ “120-MW Floating Solar Project Completed In China” • Phase 2 of a 320-MW floating solar project in China’s Zhejiang province has been completed, according to a PV Magazine report. Its 120 MW of new capacity complements the 200 MW installed in 2017. The panels are in Cixi, floating on the surface of the Changhe and Zhouxiang reservoirs. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Biking Provides Critical Lifeline During Coronavirus Crisis” • Worldwide, over 3.9 billion people are under lockdown orders due to the pandemic. Many public transportation systems have been halted. People have been turning to biking for essential transportation, and cities have been taking action to ease bike and pedestrian traffic. [CleanTechnica]

Bicycles in Groningen (Zachary Shahan | CleanTechnica)

¶ “Covid-19: India Woos Renewable Energy Equipment Makers” • India is eyeing renewable energy equipment manufacturers looking to move from China after the Covid-19 outbreak. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy set up a renewable energy Industry Facilitation and Promotion Board to facilitate investment. [EnergyInfraPost]

¶ “French Court Backs EDF In Dispute With Distributors Over Supply Contracts” • Electrical energy distributors in France cannot break contracts to purchase nuclear energy from EDF at pre-established costs, France’s highest court has dominated, after some argued that the coronavirus outbreak materially altered the state of affairs. [Sunriseread]

EDF nuclear plant

US:

¶ “2019 Report Shows South Dakota Had Country’s Largest Percentage Increase In Wind Growth” • In 2019, 39% of new US capacity was wind power. Texas and Iowa led the country in wind power additions, but South Dakota had the largest percentage of growth, increasing its installed wind capacity by over 50%, with 506 MW of new windpower. [AberdeenNews.com]

¶ “Sea Turtles Are Thriving As Coronavirus Lockdown Empties Florida Beaches” • With the beaches in Florida closed in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, researchers are seeing less plastic and waste, fewer people and vehicles on the beach, and less disorientation for emerging hatchlings from artificial lights, the Sea Turtle Conservancy said. [CNN]

Hatching turtles (Sea Turtle Conservancy)

¶ “As Climate Changes, Midwest To Need More Electricity And Water” • By 2030, Indianapolis may need to generate up to from 12% to 20% more electricity in the summer months, researchers at Purdue University said in a report. They also forecast that water demand would grow by 5% to 8% every year, unless some action is taken. [The Herald Bulletin]

¶ “A Coal-Fired Power Plant Closed. Another Cleaned Up. What Happened Next To Asthma Attacks” • Researchers made use of a “natural experiment” brought on by the closure of one coal-fired power plant and the addition of new pollution controls at others to document how lowering air pollution improves the lives of asthma patients. [Courier Journal]

Have an irrepressibly comfortable day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “The Tiny 1,340 HP Electric Motor Driving The Hyperloop” • Reading the specs on HyperPower’s electric motor is a dizzying experience. At 18 inches by what looks like less than 4 inches, each motor reportedly delivers 1 MW of power, or 1,340 HP. HyperPower has developed the motor so units can be ganged in a compact common shaft engine. [CleanTechnica]

5000 HP electric dragster (HyperPower courtesy image)

¶ “Covid-19 Could Help Solve Climate Riddles” • As the world scrambles to contain Covid-19, many economic activities have ground to a halt, leading to marked reductions in air pollution. Researchers are getting an unprecedented chance to help answer one of climate science’s thorniest open questions: the impact of atmospheric aerosols. [Scientific American]

¶ “‘Bath Sponge’ Breakthrough Could Boost Cleaner Cars” • A material developed by scientists could give a significant boost to a new generation of hydrogen-powered cars. Like a bath sponge, the product is able to hold and release large quantities of the gas at lower pressure and cost, making it practical for travel without needing expensive tanks. [BBC]

Hydrogen fuel cell powered car (Getty Images)

World:

¶ “Renewable Energy Way Up During Covid-19 Shutdowns” • The dramatic slowdown across Europe due to Coronavirus lockdowns has caused electricity demand to plumet by one-tenth in the first three months of 2020 – the biggest drop in demand since the Second World War. But fossil fuel generation is falling far more than renewable power. [Forbes]

¶ “Chernobyl Wildfire Blankets Kyiv In Thick Smog” • Acrid smoke from a wildfire near the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant has blanketed the Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, making its air pollution among the worst in the world. The Ukraine’s health ministry says the radiation level remains normal and Chernobyl faces no immediate threat. [BBC]

Smoke in Kyiv (EPA photo)

¶ “The Next Big Push – India’s MNRE Unveils Moves To Push Manufacturing” • India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced steps to give a fillip to the Make in India initiative, when it comes to equipment for the renewable energy sector. The focus is on setting up new hubs for manufacturing renewable energy equipment in the country. [Saurenergy]

¶ “Falling Power Use Due To Coronavirus Risks System Overload And Blackouts, Experts Warn” • Falling demand for electricity caused by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could leave Western Australia’s main electricity system at risk of an overload from the region’s 300,000 household solar panels within months, experts have warned. [ABC News]

Powerlines at dusk (Shelley Lloyd | ABC News)

¶ “Wind Turbine Factories Struggle For Parts In Virus Lockdown” • Wind turbine makers, including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Vestas Wind Systems, are finding it increasingly difficult to get parts they need to build their machines, snarling progress on a global shift toward renewables at precisely the time scientists say it needs to speed up. [theday.com]

¶ “Aldi Inks Deal For Power From 336-MW Australian Wind Farm” • Grocery retailer Aldi signed a 10-year power purchase agreement for around 6% of the output from the 336-MW Dundonnell Wind Farm, now under construction in the Western District of Victoria. The wind farm, with eighty turbines, is to be complete in 2021. [Environment + Energy Leader]

Dundonnell Wind Farm (Credit: Tilt Renewables)

¶ “Austria’s Last Coal Power Plant Shuts Down” • Austrian power provider Verbund has shut down its coal-fired district heating plant in the state of Styria as planned. This means that coal power generation in Austria is now history, paving the way for a switch to a 100% renewable power supply by 2030. The plant will be kept for backup. [pv magazine International]

¶ “Covid-19: UK Wind Farms Could Be Switched Off” • National Grid warned that it could ask UK power plants, including some wind farms, to switch off in order to avoid the network being overwhelmed with electricity as the Covid-19 pandemic hits demand. The UK network operator said there has been a 10% drop in power demand. [reNEWS]

Offshore wind farm (Rachel Cooper | Unsplash)

US:

¶ “Used Car Sales Are Collapsing – What Happens Next?” • Used cars are going nowhere. With almost everyone sitting at home and tens of millions of people losing their jobs, used automobile sales in the USA were reportedly down 64% in the last week of March. Auction company Manheim expects that prices have been down about 10%. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “200,000 Americans A Year Die From Air Pollution” • This is a reprint of a 2017 article, but worth review. As we now consider, perhaps more than ever, how much different things cause death in the USA, we should take note of the vast number of premature deaths that come as a result of air pollution – 200,000 a year in the United States. [CleanTechnica]

Air pollution, destroying our health (WHO via Twitter)

¶ “Few Realize How Big Texas’ Energy Miracle Really Is” • Few people seem to see the scope of Texas’ Energy Revolution. Since 1999, when Texas implemented voluntary renewable energy targets, the state has installed nearly 15,000 turbines, increasing its wind energy capacity from just 116 MW in 2000 to nearly 29,000 in 2018. [Galveston County Daily News]

¶ “New Xcel Energy Upper Midwest Wind Projects To Power Nearly 200,000 Homes” • Xcel Energy customers in the Upper Midwest are now receiving renewable energy from two new wind facilities, the 150-MW Foxtail Wind Project in southern North Dakota and the 200-MW Blazing Star 1 project in southwest Minnesota. [Transmission & Distribution World]

Have an overwhelmingly effortless day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Coronavirus And The Fragility Of Auto-Centric Cities” • The coronavirus has exposed the ills of continued automobile-centric urban planning practices that adversely impact equity, health, and the climate. Some of us can work at home and conveniently make grocery runs in our automobiles. But many in this country are not so lucky. [CleanTechnica]

Downtown traffic (RMI via Twitter)

¶ “With German Renewables At Over 50%, Is 100% Renewables On The Horizon?” • Renewable energy provided around 52% of all German power consumption in Q1 2020, an all time high. The EU’s Green New Deal is under debate, a renewables goal of 100% by 2050 could be within reach, and the EU’s political movement seems to be fixed in that direction. [Forbes]

World:

¶ “Volvo Upgrades Hybrid Bus Line for More Speed And Range” • Volvo has been building its S-Charge hybrid and electric buses for a few years now, reducing diesel emissions compared to their ICE counterparts. Volvo has taken another step towards reducing emissions by upgrading S-Charge buses with more electric-only speed and range. [CleanTechnica]

Volvo S-Charge (Image courtesy of Volvo Buses)

¶ “Honda Is Giving Batteries From Old EVs A Second Life” • Proper disposal of the high-voltage batteries in vehicles is very important for sustainability. Honda is expanding its partnership with European recycling specialists SNAM. Used batteries from Honda dealers in 22 countries will be collected to be used for storage for homes or businesses. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Algeria: Towards An Agreement With Germany To Join Desertec Project” • Algeria’s Energy Minister said Algeria will sign an agreement to join the German Desertec project. The project aims to supply North Africa and Europe with renewable energy by use of a several types of renewable power plants in the Sahara region. [AFRIK 21]

Desert solar array (Shutterstock image)

¶ “Coronavirus Has Accelerated Energy Transition By A Decade: Wärtsilä” • European responses to the coronavirus have moved the electricity system transition forward by a decade, proving systems can cope with high levels of renewable electricity generation, according to analysis released by Finnish power engineering firm Wärtsilä. [S&P Global]

¶ “African Union And IRENA To Advance Renewables In Response To COVID-19” • The African Union Commission and the International Renewable Energy Agency agreed to work closely to advance renewable energy across Africa to bolster the response to Covid-19. They will focus on innovative solutions for development of renewable energy. [Modern Ghana]

African solar system

¶ “Entura Supporting Tonga And Tuvalu With Renewable Energy” • Over the years, Entura, based in Tasmania, has built numerous renewable energy projects across remote islands including the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Micronesia. Now it is working on renewable energy in Tonga and Tuvalu. [Consultancy.com.au]

US:

¶ “US Megadrought Already Under Way” • A drought, equal to the worst to have hit the western US in recorded history, is already under way, according to scientists. Researchers say the megadrought is a naturally occurring event that started in the year 2000 and is still ongoing. Climate change is having a major impact, making the drought more severe. [BBC]

Lake Mead (Getty Images)

¶ “Work Begins On GM/LG Chem GigaPower Battery Factory” • Tesla isn’t alone working toward an electric automobile future. Just one day after getting approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, work began to clear the land for what GM calls its “GigaPower factory,” a battery manufacturing facility on 158 acres in Mecca Township, Ohio. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “For First Time, Wind Energy Overtakes Coal In Kansas” • Wind energy has overtaken coal in Kansas for the first time. The American Wind Energy Association reports that wind accounted for the largest share of energy production in Kansas and Iowa in 2019. It is the first time that wind was the top source of electricity for any states. [Kansas City Star]

Wind turbines in Kansas (Chris Ochsner | The Star)

¶ “FERC Denies Rehearings On PJM Capacity Rulings, In A Blow To States’ Renewables Plans” • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected requests to reconsider orders that will upend the $10-billion-per-year capacity market of mid-Atlantic grid operator PJM by forcing state-subsidized renewable energy resources to bid at higher prices. [Greentech Media]

¶ “US Passes 100-GW Wind Milestone” • The US now has more than 100 GW of wind installed after it connected some 9.1 GW of new projects to the grid last year. Total US capacity now stands at 105 GW, with 2019 additions representing 39% of all utility-scale power additions to the grid nationally, according to figures that were published by the AWEA. [reNEWS]

Farm and windfarm (Johanna Montoy | Unsplash)

¶ “Nuclear Watchdog Group Warns About NC Waste Storage During Crisis” • Nuclear power industry watchdog groups are concerned about the storage and transportation of radioactive waste from reactors that produce electricity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Potential staffing shortages during the health crisis may increase risks. [Carolina Public Press]

¶ “Coronavirus Forces Georgia Power To Cut Workforce On New Reactors” • Just a day after saying enhanced safety protocols were in place to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, Georgia Power Co announced it has reduced the workforce by 20% at the Plant Vogtle nuclear reactor construction site, where two reactors are being built. [Bond Buyer]

Have a remarkably productive day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Scientists Confirm Dramatic Melting Of Greenland Ice Sheet” • Greenland’s ice sheet melted dramatically in the summer of 2019, researchers confirmed. A study reveals the loss was largely down to a persistent zone of high pressure. If such high pressure zones become regular weather features, future melting could be twice as high as currently predicted. [The Guardian]

Meltwater canyon (Ian Joughin | University of Washington | PA)

World:

¶ “Shell Makes Renewables Key To Net-Zero Vision” • Shell plans to make further investment in renewables generation as part of plans to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. The company already has investments in renewables, but it said governments need to introduce long term policy to support the development of renewables. [reNEWS]

¶ “London’s ‘Pedal Me’ Starts Home Delivery Service As Stay-At-Home Orders Give E-Bike Delivery Firms A Boost” • It appears the social distancing practices will also give a much needed boost to firms using e-bikes in the last-mile/home delivery industry. London-based e-bike passenger and cargo service provider Pedal Me added home delivery services. [CleanTechnica]

Home delivery (Image: Pursuit Books via Twitter)

¶ “Federal Agency Encourages Commercialisation Of Renewable Hydrogen With $70 Million Funding Round” • A Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding Round worth A$70 million ($44 million) has opened, according to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, to help fast track the development of renewable hydrogen in Australia. [Prime Mover]

¶ “Renewable Energy Prices Rebounded 10% After Collapse In March” • Prices took a substantial hit at the beginning of March, falling between 15-30% across key markets compared to average prices in February. But they have largely recovered from March lows, according to Pexapark, a provider of advisory services for clean energy PPAs. [Balkan Green Energy News]

Sun flowers and wind turbines

¶ “Lockdown Until May 3rd, But Construction Of Renewable Projects To Resume From April 20th” • Under new guidelines that will be coming into effect from April 20, India’s Covid-19 lockdown will extend to May 3. In a respite to the renewable industry, construction of renewable energy projects will now be allowed from April 20th. [Mercom India]

¶ “Cables’ Greek Plants With Renewables” • Hellenic Cables, the cable production segment of Belgium’s Cenergy Holdings SA, will be meeting 100% of its power supply needs in Greece with renewables, it announced. The company has signed a deal with Enel Green Power, which will supply renewable power to all its Greek sites. [Renewables Now]

Monastiri wind farm (Enel Green Power, all rights reserved)

¶ “GE Inks Phuong Mai Supply Deal In Vietnam” • GE has signed a contract to supply turbines for a wind project in Vietnam. The US company will provide 11 2.4MW-116 units for the Phuong Mai 1 wind farm in Binh Dinh province. The wind farm is slated to begin producing power by the first half of 2021. Agribank Trang An is financing the project. [reNEWS]

¶ “EDF Cuts 2020 Nuclear Output Target By 20% To 300 TWh” • EDF announced that it cut its 2020 nuclear output target by up to 20% on previous forecasts to 300 TWh due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its reactor maintenance schedule. The firm warned it may have to shut down “a number of reactors” this summer and autumn. [Montel]

Cooling towers (Shutterstock image)

US:

¶ “This Is Gonna Hurt: New Community Solar Power Plan Meets Biggest US Coal Power Plant” • The latest sign of big trouble for the fossil fuel industry comes from Florida, where the state’s biggest utility is still moving forward with a big plan to ramp up its solar power activity while disengaging itself from the biggest coal power plant in the US. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Colorado Springs Utility Announces The Start Of Its Largest Solar Project” • Duke Energy Renewables and Colorado Springs Utilities announced the start of operation for the Palmer Solar generating project. The 60-MW project has more than 220,000 solar panels on about 700 acres of land southeast of Colorado Springs. [Environment + Energy Leader]

Solar panels (Pixabay image)

¶ “800 Utilities + 50 Million People = Renewable Energy Is Crushing It” • The National Rural Telecommunications Co-op and AutoGrid are teaming up to make energy management software available to as many as 50 million people across 48 states. The deal will help push renewables, EVs, and other clean tech goodies into the fast lane. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Penn Signs Power Purchase Agreement To Supply Campus With Solar Energy By 2023” • The University of Pennsylvania signed a Power Purchase Agreement for the construction of two new solar energy facilities, with the combined capacity of 220 MW, in central part of the state to supply campus with renewable energy. [The Daily Pennsylvanian]

University of Pennsylvania campus (Credit: Chase Sutton)

¶ “Joplin, Missouri Offers $1 Billion Incentive For Tesla Cybertruck Factory” • A month ago, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla was looking for a location to build its Cybertruck factory, noting it would be located in the central US. Joplin, Missouri responded by putting together a package of incentives it says is worth $1 billion. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “106,000 American Clean Energy Jobs Were Lost In March” • The Covid-19 pandemic has hit every sector of the US economy hard, and the renewable energy sector is no exception. BW Research released an analysis of unemployment data that shows more than 106,000 clean energy workers lost their jobs in the month of March. [pv magazine USA]

Have a way cool day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Stronger Action On Climate Change Would Benefit The Economy, Study Finds” • One main argument against taking action on climate change has always been that it’s too expensive. But research published in the journal Nature finds the opposite is true. The net global economic benefit would range between $127 trillion and $616 trillion by 2100. [CBS News]

Solar test facility in Widderstall, Germany
(Dr Eugen Lehle, Wikimedia Commons)

World:

¶ “Ugandan Floating Island Causes National Power Cut” • A huge floating island in Lake Victoria triggered a nationwide blackout in Uganda after clogging a turbine in a hydroelectric power station. An official told the BBC that it was at least two acres in size. Lake Victoria has for decades had problems with growths of invasive water hyacinth. [BBC]

¶ “Renault Halts Gas And Diesel Car Sales In China, Will Focus On EVs” • Renault has sold internal combustion vehicles in China for years through a joint-venture with Dongfeng Motor Group. That partnership is to end, however, as Renault said it has no plans to continue selling such vehicles in the country. Instead, it will focus on EVs. [CleanTechnica]

Renault in China (Courtesy of Renault)

¶ “Sweden, Spain Have Europe’s Lowest Prices For Corporate PPAs” • Bloomberg New Energy Finance released the results of a survey to of EU corporate power purchase agreements. Sweden has the cheapest onshore wind energy prices for corporates at €30.50/MWh (3.35¢/kWh). Spain has the cheapest for solar PV at €35.50/MWh (3.9¢/kWh). [Smart Energy]

¶ “Indonesia Won’t ‘Sacrifice Economy’ For Deeper Emissions Cuts” • Indonesia will not target reduced emissions to counter increasingly dire climate change projections, saying it wants to focus instead on its economic growth. It is committed to a 29% reduction in carbon emissions. That commitment worldwide would lead to warming of 3.2°C. [Eco-Business]

Fighting a peatland fire (CIFOR | Flickr)

¶ “Europe Can Become Climate-Neutral Before 2050 With 100% Renewables” • Europe could become climate neutral even before 2050, a report by the industry federation SolarPower Europe together with Finland’s LUT University has found. The study presents three different transition pathways with varying degrees of ambition. [Recharge]

¶ “Triton Knoll Installs First Offshore Substation” • Installation of the first of two substation platforms connecting the 857-MW Triton Knoll offshore wind farm, owned by Innogy, to the UK grid has been completed. Subsea 7’s heavy lift vessel Seaway Strashnov installed the structure, fabricated by Smulders in partnership with Fabricom. [reNEWS]

Triton Knoll OSP West substation (Innogy image)

¶ “No Open Fire In Chernobyl Nuclear Zone After Rain, Says Ukraine” •  Ukraine said only small fires remained in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, after rain come to the rescue. The fire broke out 10 days ago at the scene of the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986. It reached just 1.5 km from the ruined reactor, Greenpeace Russia said. [NDTV]

US:

¶ “NASA Fights Campaign To Remove 97% Climate-Change Claim As ‘Consensus’ Challenged” • Nothing sends climate skeptics into orbit faster than seeing NASA repeat the 97% climate-consensus claim, but the effort to have the Obama-era declaration removed from the government website is suffering from a failure to launch. [Washington Times]

Earth (Nasa via AP)

¶ “The Impact Of The Coronavirus On The Renewable Energy Industry” • A Center for American Progress Action Fund analysis finds that the Trump administration’s policies led to the loss or suppression of over 600,000 renewable energy sector jobs. But the analysis does not account for the significant disruptions of Covid-19 pandemic. [Center For American Progress]

¶ “GE’s LM Wind To Shut Doors Of Arkansas Blade Factory” • LM Wind Power will shut down its blade production plant at Little Rock, Arkansas, later this year, the Arkansas Business reports. The reason for the move is not connected to the global coronavirus pandemic but to a drop in demand. GE is cutting costs and streamlining operations. [Renewables Now]

LM Wind Power blades manufacturing (General Electric image)

¶ “Wood Clinches $100 Million In US Wind Contracts” • The engineering consultancy Wood has secured onshore wind engineering, procurement, and construction agreements in the US worth a combined $100 million (€90 million). Flat Ridge 3, with 62 turbines, is an extension of the Flat Ridge 1 and 2 facilities in Kansas. [reNEWS]

¶ “New Cascadilla Solar Farm Sustainability Powers 10% Of Cornell University’s Annual Electricity Usage” • Cornell celebrated the opening of its sixth, and largest, major solar project on March 1. The newly minted 18-MW Cascadilla Community Solar Farm will be responsible for generating 10% of Cornell’s energy. [The Cornell Daily Sun]

Cascadilla solar farm (Courtesy of Sarah Zemanick)

¶ “Mississippi Commission Gives Approval For 100-MW/1000 Acre Solar Farm” • The Mississippi Delta will have the largest utility-owned solar farm in the state, with approval of the Public Service Commission. Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, will build the project for the utility Entergy Mississippi, LLC. [Saurenergy]

¶ “Coalition Calls For ‘All Hands On Deck’ To Reduce Climate Pollution In Ohio” • A new coalition is inviting communities to join an effort to create a healthier and more prosperous Ohio for generations to come. Power a Clean Future Ohio is comprised of environmental, clean energy, and other organizations working to reduce climate pollution. [MahoningMatters.com]

Have an absolutely ideal day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Five Visible Signs Of Climate Change In Antarctica” • Clearly Antarctica itself is not disappearing, but the Antarctica we know, and the life that depends on its glaciers and snowy mountains, is being transformed. There are visible signs of this transformation. Here are a few that present a troubling picture of a warming world. [CleanTechnica]

Penguin in a green land  (Photo by Kelly Levin | WRI)

¶ “The Fossil Fuel/Renewable Energy Inflection Point: Three Perspectives” • The world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, but even the darkest of clouds can have a silver lining. Years from now, when historians look back and try to pinpoint exactly when renewables surged and fossil fuels contracted, this pandemic may what they focus on. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Tackling Climate Change Is Vital For The Strongest Economic Recovery After Coronavirus” • Recovery from coronavirus must reckon with climate change. The current and urgent focus properly needs to be flattening the curve and saving lives. But governments need to be thinking about how to support the strongest possible recovery. [The Guardian]

Wind turbines under the moon (Guillaume Horcajuelo | EPA)

¶ “Why 30 Million Solar Rooftops Should Be In The Next Relief Bill” • Over one in three home or business rooftops in America is suitable for solar. By investing $450 billion in rooftop solar, the federal government could reduce energy bills for Americans, cut air pollution, and create over 3.7 million jobs. The government could also get paid back. [CleanTechnica]

Science and Technology:

¶ “How Low Can Energy Storage Go? Lots And Lots Lower!” • Flow batteries are already working their way into the energy marketplace. Researchers are working on ways to keep flow battery costs down while reducing the use of toxic chemicals. Much of the attention has been focused on organic compounds for redox flow batteries. [CleanTechnica]

Flow battery (Image by USC via Eurekalert)

¶ “What Does Air Pollution Have To Do With Covid-19?” • A recent study from researchers at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health, which is still awaiting peer review, estimates a 15% increased death rate from Covid-19 with a small increase of 1 μg/m³ of air in PM2.5 particulates. PM2.5 is associated with burning fossil fuels and other material. [CNN]

¶ “Scientists Set New Solar Power Efficiency Record At Almost 50%” • Scientists at the US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have set a new world record solar energy conversion efficiency, producing an innovative “six-junction” solar cell with 140 layers of semiconductor materials. It converts light into electricity at 47.1% efficiency. [RenewEconomy]

Scientists John Geisz and Ryan France (Dennis Schroeder | NREL)

¶ “ITM Power, Ørsted Unveil Wind Turbine Electrolyser Concept” • Ørsted A/S and ITM Power Plc revealed a design concept for bulk hydrogen production through an electrolyser installed in the tower of an offshore wind turbine. The hydrogen will be transported to the shore through an underwater or underground pipe network. [Renewables Now]

World:

¶ “Covid-19 Gives Breathing Space To Greek Renewable Energy Projects” • With the new realities of the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19, the Greek government has extended the deadlines for renewable energy projects. The move comes in recognition of the fact that public services may be unavailable and delays in construction are to be expected. [Neos Kosmos]

Wind turbines in Greece (Jason Blackeye | Wikkicommons)

¶ “Portugal Okays 30 MW Of Small Renewables To Start Operations” • Portugal allowed 30 MW of small renewable electricity systems to commence production immediately as a provisional measure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The move benefits self-consumption and small producers with renewable system capacities below 1 MW. [Renewables Now]

¶ “Chernobyl Guides Say Worst Wildfires In Area’s History Are Out Of Control” • Guides who offer tours of Chernobyl have warned that wildfires close to the former nuclear power station are out of control. They accused Ukrainian authorities of concealing the scale of the problem, which they said threatens to destroy many of the sites in the area. [ABC News]

Fires on April 12 (Volodymyr Shuvayev | AFP via Getty Images)

¶ “Tanzania’s First Ever Wind Farm Nearing Completion” • Tanzania’s first ever wind farm to reach financial close and start construction is nearing completion with a $1.2 million loan from the Renewable Energy Performance Platform. It will add 2.4 MW to a rural electric grid that is powered by 4 MW of hydropower currently. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

US:

¶ “Engie North America Launches Financing Plan For Renewable Projects” • Engie North America initiated a major tax equity financing plan for its renewable energy portfolio. The company has secured financing through tax equity commitments of up to $1.6 billion on various renewable projects through the Bank of America and HSBC. [Daily Energy Insider]

Wind turbines (© Shutterstock)

¶ “Salt River Project, Seattle City Light Now Can Dispatch Into CAISO’s Energy Imbalance Market” • The Western Energy Imbalance Market added two more utilities to its sub-hourly market of electricity generation and dispatching resources. Salt River Project, based in Phoenix, and Seattle City Light joined the EIM this month. [Power Engineering Magazine]

¶ “‘No Existing Playbook’: Covid-19 Forcing NV Energy, NYPA And Other Utilities To Get Creative” • The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing utilities to determine in real time how to keep capital projects on track and provide critical services as unprecedented numbers of employees are forced to work from home, utility executives said in a panel discussion. [Utility Dive]

Have an especially good day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “3D-Printed Coral Mimics Nature” • Researchers at the University of Cambridge and UC San Diego say they have found a way to 3D-print a bionic coral that supports the photosynthesis capabilities of algae like those found in coral. The process uses the most abundant natural plastic, cellulose, to provide an artificial coral replacement. [CleanTechnica]

Artificial coral with algae (Credit: University of Cambridge)

Opinion:

¶ “Bail Out The American Public, Not Big Oil” • With over $2 trillion allocated to help with the pandemic in the US, some of the most reliable servants of the fossil fuel industry in the House and Senate sent letters to Interior Secretary Bernhardt asking him to grant royalty relief, lease extensions, and other favors to the oil, gas, and coal industries. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Record Deal To Cut Oil Output Ends Price War” • Opec and its allies agreed on a record oil deal that will reduce global output by about 10%, after a slump in demand caused by coronavirus lockdowns. The deal, made via video conference, is the largest agreed cut in oil production ever. Opec+ had announced plans for the deal on 9 April. [BBC]

Pump jack (Tass | Getty Images)

¶ “Italian EV Sales Stay Afloat In Catastrophic March For Car Industry” • Italy was the first country in the West to adopt a very strict nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Industry data show total car sales down 85.4% in the country compared to the same month last year. Though EV sales were down from February, they were still up 50% from last year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “China’s EV Sales Show Signs Of Recovering From Coronavirus Pandemic” • With the coronavirus lockdown, February car sales fell in China. They are starting to recover for EVs now. BYD only sold 2,533 electric cars and 206 plug-in hybrids in February. But it sold 10,433 electric cars and 1,330 PHEVs in March. That is still down from last year, however. [CleanTechnica]

NIO EV (NIO image)

¶ “Covid-19 Lockdown: India Moves To Ensure Renewable Projects Remain Unaffected” • As India endures a coronavirus lockdown, the government has taken measures to insulate the renewable energy sector as much as possible. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reiterated the must-run status of renewable energy projects. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Australian Renewables Hit 50% Of Main Grid’s Net Demand On Easter Saturday” • Renewable energy hit what may be a record level of renewable energy on grid demand in the early afternoon on Easter Saturday, when the combined output of rooftop solar, large-scale solar, wind, and hydro power accounted for 50.4% of net load. [RenewEconomy]

Murra Warra wind farm in Victoria

¶ “SECI Invites Global Bids For 2.5 GW Of Solar Projects In Karnataka” • The Solar Energy Corporation of India has invited global bids for setting up an aggregate 2500 MW of interstate transmission system connected solar projects at Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park in the Koppal District of the state of Karanataka. [EnergyInfraPost]

¶ “Cambodia’s Grid-Connected PV Capacity Grows To 150 MW – Report” • Cambodia’s installed solar capacity increased by 60 MW as a new PV park was tied to the national grid, the Phnom Penh Post reports, citing a government official. The project is owned by SchneiTec Renewable Co Ltd, a joint venture of Chinese and local companies. [Renewables Now]

Sun in Cambodia (Author: nonuou)

¶ “Raging Forest Infernos Still Burning In Chernobyl Exclusion Zone” • Wildfires burning through radioactive forests in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are getting ever closer to the exploded nuclear reactor. Firefighters are rushing to build firebreaks around the sarcophagus covering the ruined plant in Ukraine amid swirling winds. [Daily Mail]

US:

¶ “US Car Dealers Embrace Online Sales As Coronavirus Shuts Down Showrooms” • The pandemic is making it clear the internet can provide a substitute for many of the things we used to think of as normal – like going to a dealership to shop for a car. The virtual world will make everything different, but it remains to be seen what recovery will be like. [CleanTechnica]

Dealership (Library of Congress – see article for full credit)

¶ “Audubon Looking At How To Build Environmentally Friendly Energy Projects Without Harming Wildlife” • How do you know where to build environmentally friendly energy projects so they won’t have a harmful impact on wildlife? That is a question that Sarah Haggerty and the Maine Audubon Society have been trying to answer. [Bangor Daily News]

¶ “Virginia Signs 21-GW Renewables Targets Into Law” • Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law targets for over 21 GW of renewable capacity and more than 3 GW of energy storage as part of new measures that will require electricity to come from 100% renewable sources. The act establishes a 5.2-GW offshore wind target. [reNEWS]

Governor Ralph Northam (Image: Governor of Virginia)

¶ “Coronavirus And Flooding Set to Collide in USA – New Union of Concerned Scientists Analysis” • For communities already strained from dealing with the coronavirus, NOAA’s flooding forecast paints a grave picture in which they must somehow meet the intertwined challenges that severe flooding and a pandemic present them. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “COVID-19 Scales Back Work On Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant Refueling” • After a two-week delay and cutbacks in the scope of maintenance to be done, workers at the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant began a refueling outage this weekend under new safety procedures adopted to limit the spread of any coronavirus. [Chattanooga Times Free Press]

Have an astonishingly delightful day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Coronavirus Puts Arctic Climate Change Research On Ice” • Every year, 150 climate scientists of the EastGRIP project fly to Greenland to bore deep into its largest glacier and measure ice streams beneath it. The ice streams empty into the ocean, rising sea levels. This year the ice streams will go unmeasured because of the coronavirus. [Taiwan News]

Research station (©EastGRIP)

¶ “Fraunhofer ISE Testing Vehicle-Integrated Solar Systems” • Four trucking companies are partnering with Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer Institute for Transport and Infrastructure Systems to test vehicle-integrated solar systems. Their research suggests PVs on typical cargo trailers could provide power for 5,000 km of driving each year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “NASA Satellite Ends 17-Year Mission Measuring The Sun’s Impact On Climate” • A spacecraft measuring the amount of solar energy entering Earth’s atmosphere was shut down after 17 years. NASA says that greenhouse gas emissions from human activity have over 50 times the influence of changes in solar energy on global warming. [Spaceflight Now]

Spacecraft launch preparations (NASA image)

¶ “New Harvard Study Links COVID Deaths And Air Pollution – Interview With Dr Francesca Dominici” • A study sheds light on the connection of COVID-19 health impacts with air pollution.  It found that a one unit increase in long-term average exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a 15% increase in the COVID-19 mortality rate. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Look Out! Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Are Coming For Your Natural Gas” • Equinor’s Hywind Tampen floating wind farm was proposed last year and just got the green light from Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum. Its eleven 8-MW turbines will support oil platforms, but they can be exemplars for future offshore wind development. [CleanTechnica]

Hywind Tampen Illustration (©Equinor courtesy image)

¶ “India’s Adani Green Energy Achieves 2.5 GW Of Renewable Energy Capacity” • Adani Green Energy, a leading renewable energy company in India, reported an impressive 30% increase in installed capacity between April 2019 and March 2020. The company announced that it added 587 MW of solar and wind energy capacity in 2019-20. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Wind Energy Farms Are Losing Out On Tens Of Millions Of Revenue Because Of Constraints In Ireland’s Transmission System, A New Study Shows” • Wind farms lost €75.5 million in revenues in 2019 because grid operator EirGrid made them stop or reduce  power output at certain times, a report from the Irish Wind Energy Association says. [Independent.ie]

Wind turbines (Pascal Rossignol | Reuters)

¶ “The UK’s Biggest Battery Is Housed Inside A Beautiful Welsh Mountain” • It is easy to see why Dinorwig energy station has grow to be generally known as the Electrical Mountain. The titanic hydroelectric energy scheme is housed deep inside Elidir Fawr in Snowdonia Nationwide Park and is actually breathtaking in scale. [Scoop Square24]

¶ “Firms From China, US, Turkey To Build Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant In Isparta” •  Turkish, Chinese, and American firms are partnering to build a 1000-MW pumped-storage plant in Turkey’s Isparta province, in the western Anatolian region, according to the general manager of GE’s Hydroelectricity Department in Turkey. [Daily Sabah]

Isparta’s Eğirdir Lake (DHA Photo)

US:

¶ “EPA Rolls Back Air Regulations For Waste Coal Plants In Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia” • The EPA says it will create a new category for plants that burn waste coal from mining, with with relaxed regulations. It is relaxing air pollution regulations for three small power plants in Western Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia. [WHYY]

¶ “California Looks For Long-Duration Renewable Energy Storage Contracts For 2026” • An optimal power portfolio for California to drive the world’s fifth largest economy towards greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2030 and then to zero carbon by 2040, includes 1 GW of long duration energy storage, one analyst has said. [SolarPACES]

Molten salt thermal energy storage (Abengoa image)

¶ “Green Groups Sue Over Expired Power Plant Permits” • In Alabama, environmental groups Sierra Club and GASP have filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that Alabama Power’s Barry Electric Generating Plant in Mobile County is operating under old air and water pollution emission limits set in permits that expired long ago. [al.com]

¶ “Does Coronavirus Jeopardize Atomic Power Plants?” • The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown America’s nuclear industry into chaos, making a major disaster even more likely. Reports from workers at a Pennsylvania reactor indicate that vital precautions needed to protect them may not even be possible. Fatigue is increased, and that affects safety. [LA Progressive]

Have a wonderfully fulfilling day.

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World:

¶ “Record Oil Production Cut Hangs In The Balance As G20 Meeting Concludes With No Specifics” • After OPEC decided to cut oil production, the issue hangs in the balance for energy ministers of the Group of 20 major economies. They agreed that market stabilization is needed, but stopped short of discussing specific production numbers. [CNBC]

Nodding donkey (Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images)

¶ “India Moves On New Renewable Energy Transmission Projects” • India’s mega plans to expand its transmission grid to support upcoming renewable energy projects continue to take shape. A government-owned transmission company approved setting up seven transmission projects to support renewable energy parks. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The Netherlands Considers The Hyperloop – Amsterdam To Paris In 90 Minutes” • The Dutch company Hardt Hyperloop is touting a new study that says connecting Amsterdam with Brussels, Paris, and several German cities would boost the GDP of the North Holland area by €275 billion by 2040 and greatly reduce carbon emissions. [CleanTechnica]

Fast transit (Image credit: Hardt Global)

¶ “Giant Wind Park Starting Up Is Another Blow To Nuclear Industry” • When Vasa Vind AB’s Askalen wind farm started commercial output on April 1,  it increased supplies in a market with a massive energy surplus generation. A day later, two units at Vattenfall AB’s Forsmark nuclear plant curbed output by about 50% because of low power prices. [Independent Online]

¶ “Six Missing Following Ash Leak From Indian Power Plant” • A breach was reported in the dyke wall surrounding an artificial pond that contains toxic residues, by-products of burning coal at a power plant. Authorities in the Madhya Pradesh state of India said that six villagers have gone missing following the leak as the ash spread in the area. [MENAFN.COM]

Energy production

¶ “Serbia Doubles Renewable Energy Production In 2019” • Total electric energy production under Serbia’s subsidy scheme for privileged power producers, mainly from renewables, doubled last year from 638 GWh to 1,361 GWh. Windpower produced 982 GWh. The energy mix changed last year, with three wind farms commissioned. [Balkan Green Energy News]

¶ “Green Groups Target South Korea’s Bailout Of Coal Power Plant Builder” • Environmental groups are seeking an injunction against a move by South Korea to provide an $825 million bailout to a builder of coal-fired power plants. They say the rescue package goes against the country’s climate and public health commitments. [Mongabay.com]

Coal-burning power plant (© Ulet Ifansasti | Greenpeace)

¶ “Russia, China Willing To Fund Nuclear Projects As Several African Countries Explore Controversial Power Source” • With power shortfalls, demands for greener energy, and drought threats to hydropower, several African countries are considering nuclear energy. It is very expensive, but Russia and China are showing interest in financing projects. [News24]

¶ “Teck Under Fire For Keeping Kootenay Coal Mines Open” • Teck Resources is facing allegations of putting workers at risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading the virus into the nearby communities by keeping coal operations open in the east Kootenay region of British Columbia, according to a report in The Globe and Mail. [MINING.com]

Teck coal operation in British Columbia (Credit: Teck Resources)

US:

¶ “Trump Administration Is Rushing To Gut Environmental Protections” • While our nation reels from the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration is accelerating a harmful agenda. It is increasing rollbacks that dismantle critical health and environmental protections. And that will surely deepen the climate crisis. [CNN]

¶ “Coal Companies Want YOU To Pay Their Debts” • The coal industry, what’s left of it, wants American taxpayers to cover more of the cost of treating black lung disease and cleaning up abandoned mines, The Washington Post reports. This is precisely the kind of corporate money grab that some apologists of the so-called free market celebrate. [CleanTechnica]

DOE graphic supporting coal (Credit: US DOE)

¶ “Los Angeles County Will Construct 400-MWh Lithium Battery To Aid In Closing Gas-Powered Plants” • Southern California electricity provider Clean Power Alliance signed its first Energy Storage Agreement. The 100-MW Luna Storage battery project is the largest ESA deal for a Community Choice Aggregator in California. [Solar Power World]

¶ “338-MW Wind Farm Comes Online In Texas Amid Pandemic” • The 338-MW Sage Draw wind farm in West Texas has reached commercial operation even as the covid-19 crisis was escalating. Developer Ørsted has entered into an agreement to supply 250 MW of wind power from the facility to ExxonMobil, which will use it to produce oil. [Environment + Energy Leader]

Sage Draw wind farm (Photo Credit: Ørsted)

¶ “California Sets Goal To Double Clean Energy By 2030” • California adopted an emissions target for its electric sector that would double its clean energy capacity over the next decade and stop development of new natural gas plants. The target is a 56% reduction in CO₂ emissions from 1990 levels by 2030. Some environmentalists say that is not enough. [Reuters]

¶ “Baltimore, Rhode Island Argue They’re Suing Fossil Fuel Companies Over Climate Deception” • At a time when fossil fuel companies are using a public health crisis to demand financial and regulatory support, the governments of Baltimore and Rhode Island are calling out a “decades-long campaign of deception” by these companies. [DeSmog]

Have a serenely restorative day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Staying On Course: Renewable Energy In The Time Of COVID-19” • Decisions on addressing the social and economic impacts of the pandemic come at a time of profound uncertainty about long-term effects of the crisis on the world’s societies. The response must accomplish more than just to bail out the existing socio-economic structures. [Modern Diplomacy]

Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General (Image: IRENA)

¶ “It Is The Best Of Times, It Is The Worst Of Times: EV Sales Predictions Are All Over The Place” • EV sales are going to plummet in 2020. EV sales are going to surge in 2020. It all depends on who is doing the talking. Wood Mackenzie predicts EV sales will drop 40% this year, mostly due to the coronavirus. But they might be wrong. [CleanTechnica]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Here Comes More And Better Farming With Solar Panels” • Solar panels are sprouting up on farmland like mushrooms after the rain. Farmers are starting to learn how to do their farming within solar arrays. In a new green twofer, solar arrays could actually help push the regenerative agriculture movement into the mainstream. [CleanTechnica]

PVs on the farm (Dennis Schroeder | NREL)

¶ “Sun-Powered Nanotechnology Could Supply Clean Water And Renewable Energy” • The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a paper by Arizona State University researchers detailing investigations into using sunlight as the photocatalytic spark to generate hydrogen peroxide from water and oxygen. [ASU Now]

World:

¶ “Oil Producers Agree To Cut Production By A Tenth” • Opec producers and allies have agreed to cut output by around 10% to counter the slump in demand caused by coronavirus lockdowns. The group said it would cut output in May and June by 10 million barrels to help prop up prices. The cuts will then be gradually eased until April 2022. [BCC]

Back yard pump jack (Getty Images)

¶ “Energy Storage In Emerging Markets To Increase By Over 40% Every Year Until 2025: IRENA” • Battery storage systems are emerging as a potential solution for integrating solar and wind renewables in power systems across the globe. The systems have the unique capability to absorb quickly, hold, and then reinject electricity. [Mercom India]

¶ “Cities Struggling To Boost Urban Tree Cover” • More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas, and this is forecast to grow to 68% by the middle of the 21st Century. Many cities around the globe are struggling to reconcile ambitious environmental targets with development pressures, an Australian study suggested. [BBC]

Urban trees (a.canvas.of.light | Flickr)

¶ “Berlin Backs Key Green Grid Link” • German authorities have approved the final route of a large section of the SuedOstLink, key grid infrastructure to deliver wind and solar power from the north to the south of the country. The section is the first of several that will eventually run between Saxony-Anhalt in the North and Bavaria in the south. [reNEWS]

¶ “World’s First: Zero Emission Electric Construction Site” • Authorities in Oslo enacted laws that say all new public buildings must be built with “fossil-free” construction machinery. A video shows a ZE85 battery-powered electric excavator from Suncar HK working on what may be the world’s first zero-emission, all-electric jobsite of its kind. [CleanTechnica]

Suncar electric excavator in Oslo (Image via Suncar HK)

¶ “Green Hydrogen Pipeline Surges On A Wave Of Announced Mega-Projects” • The pipeline of electrolyzers to produce hydrogen from renewable energy has nearly tripled in just five months, Wood Mackenzie said. It updated green hydrogen data in a report published last October, following an avalanche of new project announcements. [Greentech Media]

¶ “‘Europe’s Largest’ Solar Power Facility Comes Online As The Industry Faces Coronavirus Challenges” • A 500-MW PV plant, described by Spanish utility Iberdrola as “Europe’s largest,” is sending energy to the grid, a welcome bright spot for an industry that in the months ahead could experience difficulties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. [CNBC]

Building a solar farm (Iberdrola image)

¶ “Chinese Firms Struggle To Fund Renewables Projects Overseas” • Chinese renewable energy firms are booming at home but not overseas. Particularly in countries covered by the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s renewables investments are just getting started, and lagging far behind the country’s extensive coal power projects. [chinadialogue]

US:

¶ “Study Suggests Economic Boom From Renewable Energy” • “Opportunities for Meeting Commercial and Industrial Demand for Renewable Energy in Indiana,” a Wood Mackenzie report, says Indiana could see more than $5 billion in investment and nearly 25,000 new jobs if additional renewable energy options were available. [Inside INdiana Business]

Wind turbines (Pixabay image)

¶ “Seven Transmission Projects That Could Unlock a Renewable Energy Bounty” • Transmission developers have long said that if only a few big renewable-linked projects could get built, the path would open to others once the benefits were clearly manifested. Here are seven projects that could prove that idea true in the decade ahead. [Greentech Media]

¶ “Indian Point’s Unit 2 Reactor Prepares To Shut Down For Good, Ending Nuclear Optimism Era” • Indian Point’s Unit 2 reactor was built on the shore of the Hudson River in the late 1960s at a time of great optimism for nuclear power in the US. But on April 30, the 46-year-old reactor will power down for good in different times. [The Journal News]

Have an incomparably exquisite day.

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